Zemam's Ethiopian Cuisine — Restaurant in Tucson

I haven’t been to Zemam’s in years and was really looking forward to going post-remodel. The food was as excellent as I remembered, but I was honestly taken aback by how poor the service was, as I always remember being treated warmly and attentively in the past. This time, we waited quite a while before a server shoved water glasses on our table, said nothing, then disappeared. Some time later, another server took our order. It’s possible they were really busy but no human being offered a single courtesy, hello, or gave any information about the menu or the food. Our water glasses were empty the entire time, and we were never offered a refill of the tej (which was delicious, but $10 a glass seems a bit high). When we got tired of being ignored and decided to leave, we had to flag down the first server to ask for our other server and he informed us she had left for the night. I honestly can’t think of another restaurant where this has happened where that wasn’t communicated before they left… well, suddenly this other person who had barely interacted with us was giving us our check (had to ask him twice for boxes). We did not feel justified in tipping over 12% for the nothing service we had, and this man had the audacity to look at our check and scoff at us, when he literally did the bare minimum and was receiving such.

Also the redesign, while lovely, is incredibly complicated and impossible to navigate. We literally got lost coming in and leaving the restaurant, and had no idea where to park. Somebody had to tell us how to get inside the restaurant because we couldn’t figure out the ridiculous system of arrows and signs.

I am seriously so disappointed and baffled by all the perfect reviews....

I asked my colleague, who is a bit of a foodie, if Tucson has any Ethiopian food. She got very excited and suggested Zemam's.

It's a cute little repurposed house not too far from my hotel room. The smells were so good when I walked in! We ordered three combination plates for five of us, so I got to try a good portion of the menu. I loved almost everything. Only the collard greens, usually one of my favorite dishes, was too spicy for me. My favorites: the spinach, the chopped beef, the sliced beef, the cabbage/carrot dish, the chickpea dish, the split peas. I couldn't narrow it down to a single outstanding dish!

Like most Ethiopian restaurants I've been to, the service is leisurely but very friendly.

Thankfully, I was told it was BYOB, so I brought a cold bottle of 805 to enjoy.

And the cost for five people, arriving hungry and leaving overstuffed and carrying a box of leftovers? $10 each. ...

Update. Came back again. This is the last spot I hit before I move out of AZ. Number 18! Lamb came with delicious greens and lentils. 10/10

Original. Joe and Joey. Thank you for the amazing dinner experience!!! This made me feel so homey. This food was phenomenal. 10/10!!! Wowwww

They explained the menu and all the ingredients. They have wine and beer and a cocktail bar right next door!!

It’s worth the 3$ just get the lamb it was my fav thing on my plate. I got a spicy beef and a less spicy one with berbere . All stewed.

Amazing store! Clean and awesome for dinner. Perfect for groups! Amazing artwork. And again the best service I’ve had in Tucson!

Definitely appreciate such an amazing black owned business

They have gluten free injera for a $4 surcharge. Which is amazing. Vegetarian friendly. Majority of menu is vegetarian. Large options for meat and fish...