The doro wat was amazing and the price was right ($12). I'd definitely go back.
(4)
Deepa C.
Went here for the first time last night with a group of 6, which worked out nicely with the seating. I liked the decor and feel of the place - very casual, but some thought went into it. The food was good, but I wasn't blown away. The samosa like sambusa were tasty - i liked the doughiness of the shell (s opposed to a crispy samosa shell), and the fillings were flavorful. My fish dish was good - didn't really even look like fish, but was very tasty, and the spicy chicken dish had the same flavors. The chicken tips I didn't like AS much, but it was still good. A little bland for my taste, but well prepared. I also liked the bread. Upon seeing it, I immediately thought: dosa, but found it was MUCH more towel/sponge-like. The only downside was that because of the seating, I couldn't try the other table's dishes (I didn't want to lean over my entire table), but that is not really their fault. Two bottles of wine, 4 orders of app and dinner for 6 came to about $35 each. good: hot towel before the meal, plenty of extra bread. bad: the food isnt piping hot when it comes out and the portions aren't huge (but i think i am used to gigunda Indian food portions...)
(4)
Josie K.
very good, loads of vegetarian options, get the big bread platter with the dips on it...mmmmmm
(4)
Erin E.
I went here with my mom right before I took her to see a show at the Caulderwood Pavilion across the street. I've never had Ethiopian food before, but now I think it's one of my most favorite ethnic food types. So delicious! I had their Dabo and Doro Wot and my mom had their Doro Wot combination. When it came I couldn't get enough of it or of the bread it's served on. My mom, a lover of all things vegetable, nearly had a conniption fit over her delicious Gomen Wot, Atakilt, and Lesmir Wot. The service was great and friendly, and the atmosphere/decor was so unique I'd go back just to show people the wall hangings. They only take reservations for parties of 5 or more but, though it seems small at first, their is a second dining room in the basement (where the tiki-esque bar is). Check out their website for a look at the menu before you go so you don't spend all your time drooling on it at the restaurant. Well worth your money. Go here before a Huntington show--it's the perfect combination!
(5)
William P.
First Ethiopian experience. Excellent ambiance and cool decor. Spicy lentils were excellent.
(4)
Marisa W.
Wonderful food. Great place to go for a special evening.
(4)
Kelly C.
I had a late lunch yesterday with a friend and as always, the food is sooooooo tasty. Even knowing that I would be waiting FOREVER for my food, I was still disappointed. We ordered wine and water, and it didn't come for 30 minutes. I can't figure out a good reason for this. I love this place, but seriously? I was also sad that we didn't get the lovely hot warm hand towels that usually come before your meal, although other tables did. Also, my friend said that we were supposed to get a green salad with our veggie combo platter, but that didn't happen either. I don't like that I am not loving Addis right now, because I really want to. I'll keep going back because the food is that good
(3)
J. J.
I've only been here once, but it was a fabulous experience on every level. I noticed that in a lot of the reviews below there were complaints about customer service. I thought the customer service rocked--our waitress was welcoming, our water glasses were never empty and our food was brought out quickly. Now, onto the food: We had the Dibulbul as an appetizer (seasoned ground beef patties, basically). When it was brought to the table my first thought was that it was a pretty small appetizer, but given the size of the entrees, it didn't end up being a big deal. For an entree I had the Doro Wot combo and it was SO GOOD! The chicken wasn't dried out, the sauce was flavorful and spicy (without being painful), and the vegetables were delicious (Gomen Wot=cooked collard greens, Yekik Alicha=cooked split peas, Butecha=chickpea paste, almost like hummus). The injera bread was plentiful and perfect. If you go, definitely order the sweet Axumit wine, too (be warned, it comes in little glasses). So, if you like eating with your hands, if you like food that is reminiscent of Middle Eastern food, or if you just like cheap, filling food, you should try Addis Red Sea. Don't be put off by the fact that it's located below street-level (the interior is cozy), or by the fact that they don't have "normal" tables and chairs--it's definitely worth it.
(4)
Michelle P.
I ate here weeks ago with a friend of mine to this date I had never had Ethiopian Food and unfortunately I wasn't feeling my greatest when we came here. I ordered the dabo and the dilbulbul tips. I'm not sure if I was expecting the dabo to be more like naan, but it was a bit heavy and dry which was good for my stomach that day. And the dilbulbul tips were also a bit dry but very tasty. I can't remember what my friend had but it was delicious. What was so neat was the authenticity, there was no one in the restaurant when we went so it was quiet. I hope to go back when there are more people around. But the people were super friendly, and brought out warm towels to wash our hands before the meal. Being the all-american kinda girl the whole eating with the fingers thing was different, but it was great. I LOVED IT.
(5)
Jack S.
Was really excited to try this place, wanted to show a date how cultured, and accepting of foreign cultures I am. Plus i had heard Ethopian food was the bomb. The seating in this place is pretty awk, u sit on these low stools, with no back, pretty uncomfortable, and they serve you food in this big dish in front of you that your whole party eats out of. These are the kind of quirks that are "really cool, unique and awesome" if the place is good, but when the food is bunk, these quirks become "annoying, a nuisance" and make you say "wah." The food is straight sub-par, no other ways about it. I had the tibs which had been raved about to me many times before. they were bland and lifeless, our appetizers were also subpar, and the rest of the food was very meh. +1 star for being able to say about other people: "What do i know about the world? I eat Ethopian food, thats what I know."
(2)
Victoria W.
When I was living in DC, I heard about how Ethiopian food was fantastic, something I'd love. Years later, I finally realized that everyone was right. Better late than never. I was treated to dinner here for my birthday, and it proved a lovely way to celebrate the occasion. We went with a vegetarian platter for two; I was delighted to discover that the meal was flavorful and ridiculously filling. Service was delightful, the ambiance charming...I just loved this place. I'm looking forward to getting back soon.
(4)
Neil I.
service isn't always great but the food is fantastic!! reasonably priced for uniques ethnic food in Boston. Great for a date or dinner with friends
(4)
Arnab M.
This is probably one of the best Ethiopian restaurants I've ever been to. The injera was soft and freshly made, and the food was delicious, the prices reasonable and the portions were modestly filling. The lamb was the best part, tender and perfectly stewed in whatever spicy gravy, got my hands all messy... All the better to lick them clean, right? The place was beautifully decorated, and they had authentic Ethiopian woven basket serving stools/tables that were beautiful. The staff were really nice, though the service was a little slow, but that seems to be characteristic of such restaurants, interestingly enough. They lose a star for that, and because they had run out of the honey wine we all wanted to try so direly. Absolutely worth it.
(4)
Casey J.
We've played around with the idea, dipped it in soup, used it to carry bruschetta toppings but finally Bread is a utensil! Red Sea is a complete experience- It's a beautiful restaurant and a pretty casual environment. Chairs are set around a traditional basket table called a Mesob. The large dish is then placed in the table for all diners to eat from. It feels a bit troth-like the first time, particularly because there's no silverware, just hands everywhere using spongy bread as a utensil to reach over the table and pick up a pile of lentils or chickpea paste. Not to worry, dive in and you'll love the method of eating as much as the food. Each time we get the vegetarian combo, 8 of the vegetarian plates only excluding Kinche, which I hear is the bottom of the totem pole. I love being able to try some (a lot) of everything with some definite favorites- all of the lentil dishes- and not-so-favorites- Gomen Wat, or Collard Greens. Great for lunch or dinner, service is Slow but very helpful and sweet, a relaxing delicious experience, just roll up your sleeves a bit and have fun!
(4)
John W.
Best Ethiopian restaurant I've been to in the US. Awesome location in the South End in a gorgeous brownstone. Exquisitely decorated in traditional Ethiopian style. Food is very Ethiopian - earthy, unique, delicious.
(4)
sam b.
We came here couple of times and thought it is time to rate it. They have really authentic Ethiopian food, I tried couple of other Ethiopian places but of all places the one on Tremont St is really good. The only disappointing thing is there is long wait during weekends (either to be seated or to get food) and sometimes you will end up thinking not to come again but the food will calm you down. All chicken and veggie dishes are really good and you can order samosa for appetizer while you wait for food. They have pretty decent desert choices but I like only chocolate cake and the tiramisu tastes awful.
(4)
Jason M.
Finger Food anyone? Addis gives us what i would hope, a taste of Ethiopia. You need three things here. 1. An empty stomach 2. a large piece of flat bread ( for lack of a better term) 3. your choice of meets Yumm the meet is tasty and well seasoned. The price is right and you leave surprisingly full. Good for a date fun for a group. The desert menu was poor but all in all i say try it.
(4)
Hydie N.
This place is incredible. Very authentic feeling atmosphere, with paintings on leather canvas on the wall, sitting on traditional basket "chairs", and actual Ethiopian staff. I usually get the combo platters and the food's always fresh & delish. The injera here is nice & spongy, not very sour, and UNLIMITED!! Not that it's not in other places, but still, i like that. The honey wine is sweet but not too sweet, and doesn't taste alcoholy at all. This is a good meal to serve btwn friends. Something different without being too scarily weird.
(5)
Ashley D.
my friends took me to addis on my birthday because they love me and know how much i love to try good new food. this was my first time at an ethiopian restaurant and i was super excited that they surprised me with dinner. first, the location is great and the ambiance in this little downstairs restaurant is really cool and fun and inviting. the seating is a bit awkward and you're pretty much slouching and bending over to reach the table but it was definitely a fun new dining experience. second, the food was really good. all of the flavors were super developed and every bite has so much flavor. the bread they serve acts as the utensil so as a result you end up eating a lot of it and filling up pretty quickly. the bread was very airy, soft and moist. personally, i wasn't that huge of a fan of the combination because it lacked texture. everything the meal is composed of is kinda soft and mushy and i just prefer to have some more crunchy or chewy mixed in with everything. third, i thought the gouder wine was very interesting. my friends were not so amused. it's definitely nothing like anything i've ever tasted so if you're adventurous with your wines try it and if not, stick with the other standard wines they offer. fourth, the service was bad. we waited about 20 minutes to order drinks, waited about 15 to get the drinks, then waited another 20+ to order our food. by the time we finished eating we were already late for our other plans so we had to be proactive about getting the check and getting out of there. so all in all, good food, bad service, interesting experience.
(3)
Nathan E.
I really like Ethiopian food, so this was a welcomed meal in Boston. As I've now eaten at a bunch of Ethiopian places, I've started to amass a category for the cluster of generic-run-of-the-mill Ethiopian cuisine. This restaurant falls comfortably into this group. The restaurant was well decorated, the wait staff prompt, and the prices were reasonable. The food was tasty but never exceptional. The sambusas were average and could have used some sauce (or something to make them less dry. The vegetables were good, but never surprised. The split peas in berbere sauce stood out as being the finest choice of the night. If you've never had the experience of eating it, I recommend visiting this place. If you have, you may find it at least satiates all of the necessary elements of an Ethiopian meal.
(3)
Lauren B.
This is a fun place to straddle a barrel and catch up with your friends. Addis was only my second time eating at an Ethiopian restaurant. Aretha W. and I opted for the sweet wine for the more authentic experience (meaning the first sip was really good and each sip got progressively not so good). We were very grateful our waiter kept refilling our water glasses. I was relieved there were so many vegetarian options on the menu. After we ordered, we started to appreciate the decor and how much thought was put into making the restaurant feel like you were transported to an exotic Ethipian locale, a lovely escape from the ten below windchill in Boston. When I was in Malaysia, I didn't use utensils to eat Indian food so I felt like an old pro as we tore into our pancake. Because the barrels were so large, our pancake was big enough for us to separate our orders- the veg from the meat- but we could still eat together. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful and it made me want to get on a plane to Ethiopia (or at least wikipedia it and pretend I was going).
(4)
Andrea Q.
I had never had ethiopian food before coming here. A friend and I had been talking about checking it our for almost a year before finally making i in but it was worth it. It's crowded, you sit low to the ground and you are practically at your neighbors table while sitting at your own, but that is okay. There's a warm, friendly, casual vibe in the air and the crowd is made up primarily of groups in their 20's and 30's. All food is served on a large porous bread called injera and you tear off pieces of injera to scoop up bites of food. They pass out hot, wet towels before you eat and collect them after everyone has washed their hands since you are sharing a "plate" with your friends and eating with your hands. We had the vegetarian samosa's for an appetizer. They are filled with spiced lentils and were very good. For my meal, I got the Doro Wot Lite combo-which is chicken and lemon in a red pepper sauce and a couple choices of side dishes. My side dishes were Gomen Wot (collard greens with spices and onion), Atakilt (mix of green beans, carrots and potatoes in spices), and Yesmir Wot (lentils in a spicy sauce). All of it was delicious-especially the collard greens (I seriously could have eaten a whole plate of them alone) and the spicy lentils! Very simple, healthy food. I ate more than enough (they serve extra injera on the side) and yet didn't walk out feeling over stuffed because the ingredients they use are healthy, natural and not full of extra salt, dairy and fat. Good stuff. Great service and a comfortable atmosphere. Prices are super reasonable too. With more than 100 other positive reviews, I don't have to say much more. If you like Indian, or Mediterranean food, check it out, you'll probably like ethiopian too.
(4)
Liza H.
My last choice in Eastern African restaurants in Boston. Compared to Fasika, the food is bland. In fact the more I eat at Fasika, the less and less I care for Addis' chow. During my last dining experience, I found the staff rude and recalcitrant. My friend was given the wrong beer and they made a stink and would not correct the blunder. That's being a crummy host. Finally the orange, turquoise and brown geometric carpet can induce nausea, seizures or quite possibly both. Last of all, this is the most pricey of the East African places in the area Here's the recap: 1) bland food, you can do better elsewhere 2) Service with a snarl 3) Seizure or vomitus inducing carpet color/pattern 4) Why pay less? Get uninspiring food for more money @ Addis!
(2)
jay w.
Fairly good ethiopian food. Reasonable prices too. If you've never had Ethiopian food, this is a good place to start, while it's not the best I've ever had, in the five times I've visited, nothing has been bad. The ambiance is good and the service is friendly.
(3)
John A.
This restuarant wasn't even on our radar and it required a 45 minute ride into the city, but we have friends who lived in Ethiopia for a year and they wanted to try it. First of all, according to them, the food and seating is pretty authentic. The seating though, authentic or not gets uncomfortable after a while so that would have to be the only real drawback. The food was unusual for a suburbanite like me and I had no idea what I was ordering. My friends offered some guidance but the best solutiong ended up with each of us ordering a variety of items and sharing. I have to say, it was intersting and very flavorful. While I live too far away to make Addis Red Sea a "regular" on my circuit, I will return.
(4)
Pamela P.
I like this place. I like the atmosphere...it's dark, somewhat sultry...let me explain. The pervasive use of reds and maroons found among the various tapestries and woven carpet, blended with the faint smell of sandlewood and spices, create a sort of other-worldy experience. When you enter this restaurant, it's a bit like stepping into another culture. And that's pretty nice in my book, if you're open to it and looking to be transported. They have the funky chairs and tables which everyone I'm sure has already mentioned. Also nice. And as for the food...well I have always had a good experience...I've eaten here probably about 10 times so I think that's enough experience to base a review on. Service is great. They have nice after-dinner drinks to choose from. You may want to make a reservation if you plan on coming with more than 2 people or so as they can get pretty packed. Go if you want to try something different.
(4)
rachel o.
Yum. I love this place. It is incredible. Very authentic good adventurous food. If you are not an adventurous person, the doro wot is chicken and amazing. My favorite is the kitfo, a very traditional Ethiopian dish of steak tartar. It is very spicy, but it will completely blow your mind. Every high end chef in town selling steak tartar needs to come eat this and pay hommage. Warning: Be prepared to wait. It's tiny and will only take reservations for 6 or more people. And the food is cooked to order and takes a long time to cook. I went here on a date once when we were starving and we continued to starve for a long time.
(5)
Nicole R.
YUM! Addis is so great, so different! Love the flavors and that lovely delicious teff flour bread! Also love that the table (Mesob) introduces itself haha. When you order, everything is served together on the injira bread with 3 sides (usually lentils, collards, and chickpeas). I am vegetarian, and love that all their veg dishes are actually vegan! The lentils are great (any of the varieties), but I usually get the atakilt. The chickpea paste dish is also great. The servers are also wonderfully helpful, pleasant, and speedy. Love going here. Prices are also very reasonable.
(4)
James S.
Not a great experience, to say the least. Service was friendly but painfully slow and inattentive. Food was interesting, flavorful, and definitely presented uniquely. Atmosphere is, I assume, authentic but didn't feel very clean.
(2)
Karina M.
I reaaaaally reaaaally wanted to love this place. Everyone i spoke to recommended it, and I personally love Ethiopian food (or North African food in general). The atmosphere of the restaurant itself is lovely! My table-thing had a little sign on it, declaring its name, purpose, and that i should be careful because it's fragile (i thought that was very cute and clever of them). But the food was not amazing. My entree was dumped onto the crepe-like bread (which reminded me of the hell that is lunches in elementary school) and it was only slightly warm. The bread was delicious, though. And I still recommend the place, especially for those who have never eaten Ethiopian food (it is quite an experience!) but I just don't want anyone else going there with the highest expectations, and leaving sort of disappointed.
(3)
Josh C.
Eating with bare hand and sharing food with others? Lots of people are always skeptical and picky when it comes to food anyway. In college, we all eat pizza and buffalo wing with bare hands and do finger licking the whole time eating these food. Washing your hand well along with using their steamy hot towel to clean your hand should be enough, right? I still think it is cleaner than eating the wing.. I love food with lots of depth (spice and herb) and complexity as well as unique dining experience. Addis Red Sea seems to hit all of these criterias. It was well worth to spend my night off having dinner with my Spanish best friend. Here are the reasons why I highly recommend this place. Ambiance : A plus. It is a good date spot as well as place to hang out with a group of friend. Their traditional outfit, furniture fixtures and decor made us feel like eating in a restaurant in Africa. There are two floors. I would recommend dining on the first floor, underground dining room's ambiance is more like a seaside shack with a bar. Service : Attentive. Waiters were informative. One of the best meal and service I had so far this year. But they cleared the table too fast as I left to the restroom after the meal and my friend had to make a phone call. Quick apology was made as I was paying the bill at the host stand. I requested two glasses of water and got it promply. Food : Appetizer # 1 = Lentils Sambusa was good itself. Some condiment would make it even better. I would carry out next time and have it with Indian Sammosa's minty sauce. Appetizer # 6 = Dibulbul Tips misled me completely. it was not a stir-fried beef with herb. It was a tasty beef patty, almost like a burger patty. I will avoid it next time. We ordered Addis combo (came with two chicken dishes, lamb and beef served on their steamed flat bread and more side bread). Man, just the bread alone.......a large white pancake like sliced in half, very spongy. Use it as a wrap. This place is a vegetarian heaven. Menu is divided into 8 sections (40 items total) ranging from appetizers, salad entrees, chicken, beef, lamb, fish, vegetarian, and combination dishes. Beverage : Good wine and beer list. We ordered Meta, Ethiopian Pilsner. It was one of the best beer I have ever had. Good after taste. A lady next table started having a conversation with us and ending up sampling each other beer and discussing about our dishes. Price? : I was so surprised how inexpensive they are. Entree price range = $9 - $16 (for combo plate). Combo for 2 =$25-$27. Appetizer = $4 - $7. Total bill for 2 appetizers, combo meal for 2 and 2 beers plus tips was just around $60. Dessert was the only issue. I wish they offer some authentic dessert rather than cakes and tarts that displayed in a fridge but hey I didn't go there for dessert but Ethiopian food. If you want to some unique dining experience, here is the place to try. I am sure you will like it as much as I do now. If you want to some unique dining experience, here is the place to try. I am sure you will like it as much as I do now. I will go back to sample all the dishes...
(5)
Khiem T.
I came here with a group of friends, and surely this was a really fun place. Ethiopian food is not mind blowing amazing, but there's a lot of culture to the whole experience. I thought everything was very authentic. I find downstairs to be nicer than the upstairs area, maybe because I like the bar a lot. We ordered the combo and surprisingly it was pretty filling. I recommend this place for groups or exotic second or third dates. I really enjoyed the low table and eating with my hands haha.
(5)
Jenny N.
Our whole dining experience at Addis Red Sea took about 4 hours from start to finish. After nearly 2 hours of waiting for a table, the four of us started to feel like we were being shunned. But at least we monopolized the lone bench in the extremely tiny foyer while the other poor patrons shivered outside or crammed in by the host desk...Apparently they don't take reservations unless you have like a party of 10. Personally, I don't think this place is very good for large parties unless you like sharing cramped seating quarters. However, it's not a bad date choice as long as it's not the first date... Anywho, when we finally got around to being seated, we were practically starving. The food overall was pretty good, but they served everything at a very leisurely pace. The Ethiopian cottage cheese dish was quite unique and had a nice kick from the chiles. We found out that you could also ask for the brown injera, as opposed to the white injera that is served as a default. There are subtle taste differences--the brown injera was a bit saltier and I guess it was comparable to eating wheat bread vs. Wonder bread, but both were good paired with the dishes. I really enjoyed the doro wat (chicken) and collard greens, but I was not impressed with the portion sizes given the price. But then again, thanks to the abundance of injera, nobody left hungry. We ended our meal with nice Ethiopian tea and coffee, and a large slice of chocolate cake (but beware: the cake is not listed on the menu and it isn't until you receive the check that you realize that it was a $7 slice of cake...). Overally, I think that you are really paying more for the unique dining experience than anything else. And despite the slow service, our hostess was very sweet. If you're a patient person, you'll be fine :)
(3)
Bryan S.
I really like the Addis - I always bring out of town friends here. Especially those who don't live in or near cities and are culture starved. The food is always good and the service is always good. I'll admit that the menu can be a bit tricky for a picky eater, it is one of those places where you just have to relax and trust those that you are dining with. What I like best about the Addis is that the meal itself is an experience, not just a meal.
(5)
Alice T.
My girls and I come here every now and then to just catch up. It's a very low key place not many people know of just yet. The environment is awesome and very traditional Ethiopian flare. They have little stools and basket tables. We ordered our food and it would come on a giant tray and they would place it on these small round basket tables. The chicken is always my favorite. Come here if you don't mind eating with your hands because there are not utensils. It's still pretty clean because you use this bread thing to pick up your food. It's amazing!
(4)
Arik C.
The best bargain in the South End. You won't find a better deal for delicious food, warm service and affordable prices. A perfect date place as its a very unique environment with finger food, chairs without backs and a small table to use. Open minds only! Try their honey wine from Africa, very similar to a dessert wine but lighter in consistentcy. Their Addis Red Sea Special combo for two is perfect, great price and offers great flavors of lamb, chicken, collard greens and more to please the palate.
(5)
Charlee L.
I had never eaten Ethiopian before, but the friend I was with said that this was the best in Boston, so I trusted and went with. ummm.... a-f--king-mazing. I actually went back three nights later because I was craving it so badly. I recommend the sweet wine and the beef patty appetizer - they were to die for. All of the vegetarian dishes were good, as well as the chicken and beef. The seating could be a little awkward if you are in uncomfortable heels - so just take them off! I did, and it worked out great! Plus, you're eating with your hands, so posture is out the window anyway. This is actually a great place for a first date because its such a great ice-breaker! Plus, the service is 5-stars all on its own. The people clearly care about what they're doing and they really take care of you - almost as if you were visiting their home. GO. now. I mean it.
(5)
Angela H.
Went here once in tenth grade on an "African culture and history" class trip and remembered it being amazing. When my boyfriend's brother was in town he and his friends spontaneously requested Ethiopian and I remembered Addis and looked them up. To my great pleasure they are still around and doing things exactly as they were back when. The food is spectacular. It comes on a big circle of spongy bread you rip apart and use as utensils to scoop up the incredible globs you find dispersed atop. The ambiance is very nice, intimate to say the least. Dark red lighting, low tables (called Mesob) you have to sit on stools to enjoy your food at. Be careful: the stools tip over easily! But if you fall, one of the waiters will be happy to help you up as we learned from experience. Much better and more interesting than the place I got Ethiopian at in NYC.
(5)
Kelli W.
I've had Ethiopian food many times before in other cities and have enjoyed it. The food at Addis was average and the service was poor. Although our appetizers arrived promptly, it was another 45 minutes before our entrees were served lukewarm (and that was AFTER we asked about them). At the very least, they need additional servers. I ordered one of the lamb dishes, but was a bit disappointed as it was dry and the sauce was not very flavorful. I was further disappointed when I realized my entree did not come with sides (I take some responsibility for this). At no point did the server ask if or suggest that I order sides. Although Addis is in my neighborhood, I will likely try other Ethiopian restaurants in Boston before I return.
(2)
michelle w.
This was such a fun experience! My friend and I had never had Ethiopian before Addis. We often seek out those restaurants that are most unique-and this it was! The ambiance was great, the food was great, the staff was great-- we loved it! The Ethiopian beverages- honey wine and the beer were both quite tastey! We ordered from the combo dish menus- which I would recommend for variety. It gave a great chance to taste a little bit of everything. The bread that they served the food on was amazing- surprisingly light and airy. I tried the steak tartare which is a dish that I had never had before- it was great! We really enjoyed the appetizers as well~ I'd recommend the Sambusa with Lentils and the Ayib Begomen- it had all the right spices. I certainly want to go back for more!
(5)
Sean L.
Before checking this place out, I admit I was very skeptical. Ethiopian food? I couldn't imagine what it would be like. Much to my surprise, however, this place was fantastic. You don't have utensils, instead they lay a large pancake like item on the table, and serve your food on top of it. Once all is set you get more little versions of this pancake object... I had no idea what was going on, and then it hit me-- you use a piece of the pancake to scoop up your food! Its like eating with your hand but you only touch the (I'm being repetitive) PANCAKE THING! Each bite is a little wrap of your food, WHICH is delicious. This was about a month ago so my memory is lax, but I believe I had a chicken lemon dish, delicious. But don't forget the steamed veggies. The last vegetable you might ever eat you just cannot get enough of. The environment is quaint and dimly lit, but not as though it will give you a headache like low lighting often does to me. The help, couldn't say if they were Ethiopian, but they sure knew what they were doing. They might have had a slight issue with understanding me when I spoke to quickly but I like that sort of thing. They were super helpful and answered every question I had about Ethiopian food. They also gave us warm clothes to wipe our hands before we began. I LOVE CULTURE!
(5)
Thomas A.
First - we love Ethiopian and enjoy different takes on this cuisine. Unfortunately Addis disappointed and was overpriced for the quality. Generally when a restaurant indicates "hot and spicy" on the menu, I hope for just that. Addis was not only not hot and spicy but our dishes lacked much flavor. The fish dish was our least favorite - yasa wat - and my favorite was the chicken - doro wat. Service was good.
(2)
Jonathan L.
Addis was my first go at Ethiopian (went about a year ago) and I was extremely impressed by the style of cooking and the restaurant itself. The service wasn't the best, although they kept the Dabo coming in a big way. The food is great, and unfortunately I have nothing to compare to, but I am a new found fan of the cuisine and I will definitely be back. The seating isn't the most comfortable as you'll find yourself on awkward chairs and a smaller table, but it's all about the experience. The prices are high, but the novelty will not diminish for a while, and its a great date spot.
(4)
James L.
My friend and I were here last night, and she's a vegetarian, and I don't eat beef/pork/chicken. We split one 3-course vegetarian meal, and we ordered: yemeser wot, atakilt, and tikle gomen. They also gave us some fish curry, which I ate. I also got an Ethiopian style tea which was like Middle Eastern tea - mild, un-milked, and sweet. I loved the food, and I'm actually craving it right now! I would have rated it 5 stars, but... 1. It took us a LONG time to receive the food - about 30 mintues. 2. The complimentary(?) fish curry was very oily. The people who work there are nice. The ambience is VERY nice. It's like a museum there.
(4)
Elana S.
I love this place! It is a great place to take visitors to Boston, as it's really unique and fun to share with a group. You have to get used to sitting very close to the floor, but that's what I love most about it - the setup gives you a full Ethiopian dining experience. I have found that they are exceptionally accommodating to vegetarian food needs, as they have a number of vegetarian options and understand that vegetarian really means absolutely no meat. Their prices are also amazingly low for Boston. I was also inspired by their tea service to buy a set of tea glasses so that I can relive my dining experience at home. The 4 stars - service is not so great. They are really busy, but hey.
(4)
Jamie P.
Hard to review since I have never had Ethiopan food. Having said that, the spicy lamb and beef were delicious. The collard greens were really good too. The spongy bread was good but not warm. Would have given five stars but they didnt have the beer we ordered and the desserts were not very good. I will def. be back
(4)
s. c.
I left an Ethiopian restaurant hungry! What?! I love Ethiopian food because of the fun of the dining experience (who can say no to no silverware?), the tastiness, gluttony, and price value. Addis provided some of these things, but I was still sorely disappointed, and am reluctant to return despite very strong cravings for my favorite comfort food. On a weeknight, we shared the dining room with only one other party. Service was prompt and friendly. The ambiance was comfortable and quiet. The food, especially for the cost, however, was disappointing. While everything was tasty (my company enjoyed everything about the experience), I found the portions very scant and luke warm. With only one other group in the restaurant, I expected our food to seem much fresher coming out of the kitchen. Never have I ever run out of food or sauces to dip my injera, nor have I ever been left so hungry that I was tempted to order more injera to just eat by plain to satisfy myself. Perhaps I've been spoiled in the past, but for the prices that Addis charges (compared to most other Ethiopian restaurants where I've eaten), I would have expected to leave more than gorged, and not hunting for the second half of my meal. (I should temper these statements with the fact that, anticipating the portions that I'm used to, I came packing a serious appetite.) Addis is a pleasant experience if you just care about sitting in a nice space with friendly people around you. As far as an eating experience is concerned, though, I found it limited. Too bad they are virtually a monopoly for Ethiopian fare. Maybe competition would force the prices down and portions up.
(2)
Kathy K.
I really enjoy Ethiopian food -- maybe as I lived next to such a restaurant in DC for some time. I really enjoy Addis Red Sea, but have learned my lesson. Just because I enjoy the experience in terms of seating and eating with hands does not translate into others feeling the same way. To summarize with a short review for a change, if your companions have back issues or do not adjust well to the concept of bread as a spoon of sorts, do not bring them here. BUT, if you like lovely meat and veggie dishes in yummy sauces, push forward and go. Oh -- one last note -- remember the parking issue in the area in case your guests are hell-bent on finding an impossible spot outside of a lot.
(4)
Helene B.
I love Ethiopian food. However, I did not love Addis Red Sea. The ambiance was good; The wait was long (45 min); the vegetarian options were tasty. But: The *injera* was the problem here. It tasted like pita bread!! And that's uncalled for. I love injera, it's an integral part of the Ethiopian dining experience. The item being passed as injera at Addis Red Sea....was not. Maybe if I hadn't lived in D.C. for so long---and eaten really, really tasty food at what seems like hundreds of D.C. Ethiopian restaurants---I would have liked this place. If you don't know any better, you'll probably be one of those yuppie New England assholes who talk too loud about how great it is just so people can hopefully assume you're cultured. But if you know Ethiopian food... save your money until you're in either D.C., NYC, or--Christ--even Baltimore (Dukem... yum!).
(2)
Niel K.
First time having Ethiopian food. We were at the Extreme Beer fest, across the street at the Cyclorama. We got out at 4:30pm and needed food after all that beer. We walked in and said "Oh WOW" It was quite cozy and we were seated around a couple of mesobs, traditional table woven from straw. We sat on low backless three legged stools. The atmosphere was quiet and the lighting was dim but not dark. None of us had Ethiopian food before and took a while to decide what we wanted. I can't tell you exactly what was ordered, a couple of apps, some breads and 4 or 5 main courses (Wats=Stew). We were presented with hot wet towels to wash our hands. The Apps came out, and were well somewhat small for a party of 6. Would skip them next time. Next they brought out the main course Wats (stews). Served on the injera bread with a side of the ingera bread to use as a utensil. The idea is to use the bread to pick up bites of the Wats. Both the bread and the stews were excellent and we quickly cleaned the mesob. Service was a bit slow but if they are making things from scratch, I don't mind waiting so much (about a half an hour). It was an interesting experience and I would go back again.
(4)
Kimmy P.
Great ambiance, delectable food, Addis Red Sea is a fun place for groups. It was my 1st, and definitely not last, Ethiopian experience. I would, however, recommend to get both meat and vegetables (if you are not a vegetarian). I strictly ordered lamb, and although it was delicious, I felt the need to chomp on some greens after an overload of the oh-so-fun spongy bread. This may just be personal preference, but as a first timer too much bread and meat does not feel so great. Quick note, you do not have to run to the bathroom to wash your hands before you eat, they will provide you with warm towels to cleanse those grimy subway fingers.
(5)
Mike A.
Unique ethnic dining experience not found elsewhere in Boston. Group dining in a warm atmosphere complimented by amazing food. The menu has a large vegetarian list of entrees, but the spicy meats are definitely where Addis shines brightest. Portions may appear small but they are actually very filling with the special bread they serve which you use as your primary utensil. The Ethiopian beers aren't anything too special, but worth ordering at least one to admire the odd labels. After that, move on to one of the your favorite staple imports to compliment the food better. I came with a large group of people and they managed our group really well, although it took a little too long for our hungry stomaches for the food to come (little over 45 minutes).
(4)
Aretha B.
Yelpers, you've never done me wrong. Katia M pointed me towards Addis Red Sea in the talk section and I just ate there last night. It was SO TASTY!!!!!!!! For an appetizer I had the Sambusa - "Spiced ground beef flavored with cumin, garlic, onions, with a touch of nutmeg." and it was delicious! It was kind of like a Jamaican Beef Patty except seasoned better and cooked with more care (not mass produced). My dining companion had the Ayib Begomen - Cottage cheese mixed with mitmita and gomen. I don't know what those last two things are but it was a very creamy, wonderfully rich and well textured, kind of spicy dip. It was... to say the least... completely orgasmic. For an entree I had Yegeb Alcha - Lamb simmered in a mild sauce of butter, onion, ginger and tumeric. It was served with a mashed chickpea side (I think) and when eating it with the amazing, unbelievable pancake thing it was just unbeatable. The food was so well seasoned. It was new to me, but still completely comforting and savory. It was a gorgeous meal. We had all this and a bottle of honey wine, and the price was 60 bucks. Not freakin bad. What a treat. I will be taking many more people here as I am now officially addicted. Great restaurant to bring meat eaters and vegetarians alike.
(5)
Casey B.
Not like I have ever been to Ethiopia but.... AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC This is a family run business (i learned this because the server was so friendly and talkative) and the place has been open forever! Never thought i would like Ethiopian food but you choose between different veggies and meats (don't worry just ask the waiter to recommend something) and then they bring it out on this huge pancake looking bread and you eat it with your fingers...so fun...so messy... They have Ethiopian beer and wine and really good homemade creme brule (random?) and they aren't really pricey at all. I would completely go back here...with friends or a date (:
(5)
Nika O.
The atmosphere here is really great, dark and cozy feeling. I tried the veggie combo, with Butecha, Gomen Wo, Atakilt and Yesmir Wot. The chickpeas and collard greens were nothing to write home about, but the spicy (ish) lentils were absolutely delicious! Next time I will go back for the honey wine and a few orders of Yesmir Wot. I'll definitely be back
(4)
Sheila S.
This was my second time at this restaurant. The first sample was better 10 years ago but I could have been dazzled by the ethnic experience. Unfortunately, the meats were not fresh and disguised in the not-so-unique spicy sauces and the injera spongy bread stays with you for more than 24 hours. I walked away wondering whether I would be okay the next day, sadly to say.
(1)
Jenny H.
tasty place with adequate seating for me, my darling, and my two cats. we all agreed they had the biggest carrots we'd ever seen.
(4)
Laura P.
Addis has some things going for it: location in a trendy neighborhood, great decor, wonderful food. Just sitting here is like going on a vacation and being transported to another country. The food isn't any better than Asmara in Central Square, though the decor is, which means higher prices. Why would you eat dessert here when you've probably filled yourself with the veggies, chicken, lamb, spices etc? Wash down a honey wine instead!
Really enjoyed my dinner date here! I'm a sucker for non-standard eating situations, and sitting at a mesob makes for an intimate dining experience. The food was delicious, and reasonably priced (we got some sort of combo) and I had a Kenyan beer that I liked a lot. Wasn't absurdly crowded, even on a Friday night for dinner, and the atmosphere was very attractive. Service was excellent, so really I've got nothing to complain about. I'd been here once before, and will likely be back again.
(4)
Annie W.
best ethiopian i've ever had. cute hole-in-the-wall location. awesome honey wine. i like this location's decor best. little straw tables!
(5)
Alex R.
While it's not the best Ethiopian food you'll ever have, Addis Red Sea is easily above average - and its comparatively low prices make it one of the South End's best deals. (Don't forget we're in the South End here; finding a good entree for $10 is like finding a chlamydia-free girl at the Foggy Goggle.) The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is great - I see a lot of dates there, and it's a smart idea because if you can't think of anything else to talk about you can make fun of the little signs that say "I am serving you as a 'table.' Please do not lean on!' I recommend starting with the Ayib Begomen, which is like cottage cheese except weird, and then moving on to a bottle of honey wine and pretty much anything else. (The vegetarian fare is great, by the way, or so my wife says. Not like I'd know.) I notice someone below had a bad experience with the kitfo. That's a huge pile of heavily seasoned raw beef: do not order that or the dulet, which is tripe, if you plan on getting laid later.
(5)
erica c.
Digging in with your paws never felt so good...or tasted so good for that matter! The atmosphere is warm and totally cozy, the food is yum, and the family that runs this pace is really sweet... It is often crowded, so try to go during off peak hours....oh...and also try the Ethiopian wine.
(5)
jane d.
waitresses here are very snobby. if you had real injera before, make sure you tell them you want injera with teff or they'll serve you some weird white stuff that isn't even close to the real thing, but is better for young children.
(2)
Jason M.
Great Ethiopian food. Excellent beer- randomly, but brilliantly, serving Belgian style Ommegang.
(5)
Matthew A.
Not a fan. I was not sold at this place. Went away hungry.Whats with those odd low chairs and eating with those tastless spongy crepes? My advice is to keep on walking!!
(2)
Nicole M.
I am a huge fan of African-inspired restaurants and atmosphere (especially after returning from a trip East Africa last year), so I wasn't disappointed when I finally, after years of wanting to check it out, walked into Addis Red Sea last night. The decor, the low chairs and community Mesob table, eating with your hands, it was all so fantastic. However, I wasn't crazy about the food. The injera bread was good, but my Doro Wot (chicken) was not at all spicy as I was expecting, given the note on the menu. I was disappointed in the lack of flavor. I don't eat red meat but heard the Lega Tibs (lamb) was good and it sounds like they gave the Kitfo (beef dish) all my spices and then some. We made the mistake of not ordering any veggies, and we also mde the mistake of ordering the Dukan wine. We should've went with one of the South African selections, but hey, we wanted to try everything Ethiopian style! Should've tried the beer... Although a Tuesday night, it was packed. There were only 4 of us dining, so we were one person short to be able to make a reservation. We only had to wait about 10-15mins for our table. We ordered drinks and apps right away but didn't get them until at least 45mins later. The entrees came about 20-25mins after that. A fun place for groups, but I'm not sure I'd return to Addis. Though, I'm also not sure the other Ethiopian/East African places in the area would be better...
(3)
Tristan S.
Addis is a great little place; I love restaurants that are below street level, and I didn't fully realize how cool they are till I left Boston and moved to LA; here, such a building would terrify the living hell out of people. But regardless, the decor is festive (but not in that Central Square, free-spirit way), the lights are somewhat dim, the cielings are low, and the carpeted floors lend themselves to a deceptively intimate atmosphere. Though the process of eating Ethiopian food itself - eating with your hands off of a huge plate - is inherently communal, and indeed, a great experience for a group of five or six people, I have fond memories of walking from Back Bay station to Addis in the snow with my girlfriend, walking down those little steps and into a warmly-lit and warmly-termperate little place that felt cozy and snug and best of all, smelled absolutely divine, where we sat in a little corner together and shared a flavorful, robust meal. Though my allegience generally lies with Asmara for Ethiopian food, I'll give credit where it's due. Though I feel like Asmara has better overall quality for vegetarian dishes, when I ate meat, I found the yebeg wot and zil zil tibs at Addis to be nigh upon impossible to beat. The injera here, too, is awesome: it is VERY soft and spongy, and has a lighter texture than the injera at Asmara. The spicing is less severe than Asmara, which can be a good thing and a bad thing... it's great for people who don't like spicy food as much as me, and probably a safer introduction for people who are whimps when it comes to trying new and interesting foods. But, then, for people like me, who relish food that is heavily spiced and is dripping with flavor, the vegetarian options here are so-so. Despite all this, I found the staff to be - while friendly - less personable, and though we patronized the place quite often, often times with large parties, we were never recognized as return guests. This isn't a really big thing to me, as I know that waitstaff will deal with hundreds of people in the meantime, but after months of regular patronage, with large parties and minimum-25% tipping, it would be nice to be welcomed back as opposed to explained what injera is when sat down :/
(4)
Jonathan Z.
Overall it was pretty good. The food itself was a little bland. I've had Ethiopian food before in San Francisco and it was a lot spicier and had a lot more flavor. Perhaps it's a regional difference. I would definitely go back but would seek out spicier dishes. If you've never had Ethiopian food I would say to go and give it a try. This place was good enough to say that most people would not be disappointed. Give it a try. Looks like a fun date spot given the crowd and relaxed seating style.
(3)
J B.
The food was not nearly as bad as the Mass Ave/Porter/Cambridge location yet not nearly as good as Asmara. We both found it quite bland and were disapointed that the 'bread' (sorry, I forget the name) was not as good as that we have had other places (including Asmara). The leftovers did, however, taste better than the food we ate at the restaurant and the prices were a bit lower than Asmara's.
(3)
sunny n.
Excellent Authentic Ethopian Cuisine in an awesome ethopian decor with perfect lighting and seating... Perfect Flavor and Spice !!! The injira bread soaked in the spicy curried chicken and beef is...spectacular!!! Wait staff is incredibly personable and courteous!! Ethopian Wine and Coffee (strong) is amazing too! Highly recommended!!
(5)
Brooke P.
I am a HUGE fan of Ethiopian food. I could eat it everyday and die a happy fat person. I have only eaten in a 3-4 Ethiopian restaurants in NYC, so I figured branching out a little would validate (or not) how absolutely wonderful it is. I was sooo right. My other half and I decided to check out this joint since it was the best reviewed in Boston (not that there is much competition). There was a little wait on the Thursday we went, but not bad enough to complain. I hadn't eaten in a place that had the cool little authentic(?) tables to sit at, so this made the experience exciting and new to me. The lighting was low and the music not overbearing. The food was delicious, just as I expected it to be. The prices, coming from a NYC girl, are completely reasonable. I will definitely come here again next time I head up to New England. WARNING: Parking (on a really cold week night) is horrendous! Definitely consider taking a cab...
(5)
Laura M.
We came as a party of 4 on a Friday night for dinner after work. I was concerned that they wouldn't take a reservation for a group of less than 6, but when we arrived at about 6:45 they place was almost empty and they let us sit even though two of our party weren't there yet (I assured the hostess they were coming in the next 10 minutes or so). Honestly, I wasn't super-wowed by the flavors of the food or the Ethiopian wine we tried, but it was really fun to try a new style of dining and eat with our hands from a shared platter. Plus, lots of bottles of wine for under $20 on the wine list! (Not just Ethiopian, but French, Australian, and other affordable options.) If the prices were as high as other stuff in the South End I would have been kinda ticked that the service was leisurely and the food not out-of-this-world. Given the good deal and the fact that they let us claim a table early, though, I'll bump them up. I won't become a regular here, but it's definitely worth trying at least once. I'd recommend coming before 7:00 if you can't get a reservation -- by 7:15 the line was out the door.
(4)
Shruti M.
I love this place! The food was amazing and although it did take a while to get there, it was well worth the wait! By the time we left, we were both stuffed. We had the Doro Wot Lite combination choice, the only difference between the regular Doro Wot and the Lite was that they used Olive oil instead of butter in ours. I honestly wouldn't have known or cared, I was too caught up in amazing food. I was a little comfortable in that our seats were a lot higher than the table, so we spent a good portion of our meal hunched over. Maybe lower stools or maybe cushions on the floor instead of chairs ? ( I've heard this exists here....) Either way... amazing food...totally worth the time and the price...and the decor is lovely too!
(5)
Hannah Q.
Best Ethiopian I've ever had. The space is small and most of the tables are the sort where you sit on pillows. I *think* they have a few normal tables (it's been several years since I've been able to go, what with living on the West Coast 'n all), but if you have a physical need sit at a normal height table, I'd call ahead to confirm you can get one. Very intimate setting. Be prepared on the weekends for it to be a bit crushed with people. Weekdays are refreshingly easier to handle.
(4)
Michael J.
I really want to eat here. I really do. I hear it's amazing. But I give them full credit at doing everything possible to ensure I was no longer interested in eating there the night I went. We showed up with a 20 min wait. That turned to 40. We asked the maitre d' how many tables were in front of us. He said "one under." There were six names. I went back after around 20 mins to ask the guy again, who said "you've already asked two times!" in frustration. Now, they were slammed, the people eating there seemed to be enjoying it, and the bar where one might wait was closed due to a private party, so 15 people were crowded into the atrium and the doorway, and it was cold out. So there are a lot of variables adding up to this perfect storm. But the attitude of said maitre d' really made my girlfriend and I wonder why we were waiting to give them our money. We went down the street and had a great meal at Aquitane. I am certainly open to changing my opinion if I can actually sit down at a table and eat the food, and would certainly not criticize those who have praised the food below.
(1)
Steve K.
After walking through SOWA (South Of Washington street, for those of you - like me - not from Boston), we consulted Yelp (just found you - thanks Yelp!) to find a restaurant that would work for my wife's Gluten free diet. Though Addis Red Sea doesn't specifically offer a Gluten free menu, Ethiopian food seemed a safe bet. The setting was charming and interestingly decorated. The menu was filled with lots of delicious sounding choices and we settled on a Cream Cheese appetizer dip with the Combination Platter for two, which they cheerfully increased to three to accommodate the three in our party. The meal was served family style, with everything in the center of the table and everyone sharing (could have been because we ordered one platter for three). The platter came out as servings on flat, thin, soft bread (like thin pancakes?), which was certainly not Gluten free, but the rest of the platter was fine. Having rarely (if at any time) had Ethiopian food I can't vouch for its authenticity, but everything was quite tasty and had a twist to it that suggested it could have been authentic. And perhaps to also be authentic, the meal was served without utensils; it was all finger food. In all, it was a fine dinner, would come back again, and I recommend it to anyone who might want to try something a little different.
(4)
Rob C.
Though i am a finicky eater, i am sufficiently adventurous that i'll try anything that i don't already know i dislike, optimistic to the end. So, somewhat randomly, i stepped into Addis Red Sea and, concurring with my date for the evening, said, 'what the heck'? Ethiopian food, if this is any indication, fits squarely in the middle of the list of things i'm happy to eat, as it turns out. i had a combination platter, with some spicy chicken, collard greens, a wheat thing that tasted like the best grits i'd ever had, and some other veggies, all smeared on some kinda doughy, stretchy bread (like canned frozen pizza crusts, sort of), that stands in place of a utensil. To top it all off, i even managed to do this without thoroughly embarrassing myself (and so did she, as far as i could tell). The service is friendly, although it took a rather long time to get the check, due to them wrangling a party of like, 20. Ethiopian beer is also pretty darn good and goes very well; they've got a surprisingly good selection in general (including a local micro). Oddly, i was a fan of the little stools at first, but eventually my leg started falling asleep. It's quirky, friendly, and allows you to eat a ton of good food for a decent price, in a way that your mom would totally have disapproved of. What's not to like?
(4)
Bridget B.
Love it love it love it. The food, the decor, the beer and wine selection, the helpful service, everything is just great. They serve my favorite Ethiopian food in Boston/Cambridge, though admittedly they do not have much in the way of competition. Regardless, I love them.
(5)
Mindy A.
3.5 stars for Addis Red Sea. I went here with a group of 8 for a birthday dinner last Friday night. It was a really fun, different experience. We had reservations and didn't have to wait at all, they seated us right away. I had never tried Ethiopian food before, but I am always up for something new. The restaurant itself is very quaint and cozy. The service staff were very nice and attentive, except they forgot our appetizer. She apologized, but I don't know that we received any comps or anything which most restaurants would normally do for that kind of a glitch. We still enjoyed ourselves though, and besides that, the service was really pleasant and they kept our drink glasses full the whole time. The food was definitely different than anything I've ever tried. Our group ordered a combination of vegetarian and meat dishes and we shared almost everything. I really liked most of the stewed meat dishes, especially the really spicy steak tartare, which was awesome. The birthday girl and I agreed that this was the best dish. I am a huge fan of spicy food, though. I didn't like the veggie dishes as much (except for a spicy lentil dish that I thought was good); overall I thought the meat dishes had a lot more flavor. I am still learning about Ethiopian food, though, so maybe that's how it's supposed to be (or maybe I am just a big meat fan). It was a a fun experience and the restaurant's neighborhood feel was really laid back and casual, which I appreciated in the South End.
(3)
Matthew S.
The vegetarian sampler for two people (can't remember exactly what it was called) was more than enough food for my wife and me. And everything was delicious. In fact, I had to stop myself from eating the "plate" (more spongy bread) on which everything was arranged...
(4)
Austin T.
Addis Red Sea offers a unique dining experience. I mean, where else do you go that your table has a little sign that says, "Hi! I am Mesob! I am a table..." or something like that. Oh, and you sit on little stools and eat with your hands, too. It was kind of disconcerting to eat my food in the red glow of the downstairs room, but I guess everything -felt- like what it was supposed to be. The combination food is pretty hearty - although some of the flavorings reminded me of Chinese stewed meats - and the bread is a lot of fun! On a side note, it was also a lot of fun to hear the patrons next to us proclaim their longing to grab their friend's boobs. Flavor-wise, the food is kind to the palate, but not phenomenal. I'd come back though - it's fun!! [to have your fingers smell like meat for hours after despite multiple soap washings =]
(3)
Bindiya T.
Pros: Good, simple,hot, food. Pleasant servers, good coffee. Cons: Long wait for food to be served and awful tables and chairs. not comfortable if you are going for dinner and conversation.
(4)
Maureen H.
This is one of my favorite places to eat. Its not your usual american dining experience as you eat using bread and not utensils. the causal atmosphere and layout make this place perfect for both a fun night out with friends or a cute date. The food is fabulous,especially when paired with their local wine, though not the best wine ive ever had, it compliments the ethiopian flavors so well. They have a great selection of vegetarian entrees, and all are good to order and share. I would HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone with even a little sense of adventure. Plus the area is fabulous for hopping around or just taking a stroll later.
(5)
Casey F.
As stated in some of my other reviews, I'm an EE (Ethiopian Enthusiast). Show me the Ethiopian, baby!!! The BF and I went here for "hot date night" last night. The food was good, just as expected. We orderd a meat sambosa, a lamb dish that came with some cabbage, and Doro Wat Lite combo. The appetizer was fine - nothing remarkable, just doughy-ness surrounding ground beef. The entrees were delicious as usual... but I really love the beef combo the bestest and wish we ordered that instead of the chicken. Many reviewers have talked about Asmara in Central Square vs. Addis... and the BF and I agree that we prefer the stronger-flavored, wheatier bread of Asmara compared to the white bread-ness of Addis. The atmosphere was nice, but I really like the atmosphere of the Porter square location better. Perhaps this one is more authentic - all of the tables are the basket style with these little stools. Honestly, I like sitting at a table, or having the choice to do so. Or, having a real chair to sit in while sitting at the baskets, like at the Porter Square location or at Asmara. I left this particular location feeling fine about Ethiopian food, but definitely preferring the Porter Square location to this one, or Asmara. Asmara's waitress is also nicer, and the place is less crowded. However, either way, I highly recommend that you try Ethiopian food - simple, delicious flavors, and fun to eat with your hands!! PS. Be forewarned: My BF's family [sort of] jokingly forbade me to bring him here again due to the extreme flatulence he experience when visiting said family the following day! I didn't have the same problem.. but just wanted to give a heads up.
(4)
Dave M.
Crazy long wait on a Saturday evening around 8pm. They said it'd be 25 mins, but was 50+ mins. Once I was seated, the service continued the lethargic pace at Addis Red Sea and it took another 30+ mins for food to arrive. The food was extremely average and whole experience was disappointing. The Doro Wot was just "ok" and even a little greasy. Atakilt was very mediocre. After hearing how great this hidden gem of a restaurant was, it was a huge letdown to actually go there and leave on such a bad note.
(1)
Thuy L.
I had my first experience with Ethiopian dining at Addis Red Sea and it was delicious. Germaphobes beware---you eat with your hands and become very close with your dinner mates. A huge platter is placed in front of you with all the entree portions placed atop tis fluffly light bread. Just pinch, pick, and swallow. Don't know what to eat--just ask. The food is delicious. The Ethiopian wine is super sweet. Ethiopian beer is quite refreshing.
(4)
Matthew B.
Diverse foods and my pallet get along swimmingly, so it's with some pause but no regret that I give these all a solid 'meh.' The food is just okay, the service takes some time and the overall experience wasn't worth the wait or cost. I was also hanging out with a ringer who was disappointed. The injera (bread) was stickier than I hear it should be (so said my friend with me who was in Ethiopia for 6 weeks). Most dishes were pretty moist and textureless. I dug one dish - the lamb - though there was barely enough to share a few bites despite it costing ~$20. For the money and time it takes to get in there and get a full meal, I think it's best to hit somewhere else up.
(2)
Truth R.
Folks that work there are super nice. Food was meh. portions are small as far as I am concerned. Honey wine is overwhelming. I order the fried fish...i got what i ordered...flavorless fried fish that was cold and a scoop of cold boiled cabbage and potato. the lamb stew (yereb wot) was tasty, but luke warm. They didn't have meat pasty thing I like, the veggie was whack. chairs are super uncomfortable. I would rather sit on the floor.
(2)
Kathy C.
Delicious food, lovely decor. Definitely worth a visit back!
(4)
Juliet P.
Atmosphere is great to give you an immersive feeling - low tables, low chairs, no silverware, lots of rugs and ethiopian paintings. You really get the "ethiopian dining experience". Food was good, not great but good. The staff was very nice and friendly. They were baby friendly too! We went early, brought our baby with us and they were totally cool with it. There was plenty of room for us to place our baby at our table because no one was at the table next to us. If someone would have been at that table I probably wouldn't have been comfortable bringing a baby - it would have been too crowded.
(4)
Kari C.
This place is utterly amazing. I've been three or four times with meat lovers, vegetarians and vegans. This place has it all, atmosphere, good food and a great location. The downstairs area is even cooler and perfect if you want to be alone with a date or have a nice conversation. If you like Ethiopian or you want to try something new, make this place top of the list!
(4)
Jessie H.
My husband took me here for my birthday, which was a really nice treat since I have eaten lots of ethnic foods but never before Ethiopian. Not that this is the restaurant's fault but WOW does parking suck in the South End if you aren't a resident. Ok, got that out of my system. The service was very friendly and prompt. The setting was decorated with all kinds of Ethiopian relics, as in , lots of goat skins stretched and painted. You sit at very low tables, with little 3-legged stools for your hungry bum. This is the first reason I deducted 1 star. I know this is supposed to be all about the experience of eating like they do in Ethiopia, but I was uncomfortable. It's especially difficult to maintain your balance on those 3 legs if you have enjoyed a couple of the South End's finest cocktails. Fortunately, I did not fall off my seat, but another man in the restaurant did, proving my point. The food here is delicious! We ordered the Red Sea dinner platter for 2 which came with a great assortment of salad, veggies, stewed chicken and beef, all atop that spongy bread. It was a fun way to eat your food (they give you hot towels to clean your hands) and all of the stews were full of tender meat and fragrant spices. Pretty much everything is good here if you aren't a picky eater. The 2nd reason I had to deduct 1 star is because there were very large fruit flies buzzing around. One actually landed in my glass of honey wine...gross. The other prominent location of the flies was in the ladies bathroom. Gross. Other than those 2 minor drawbacks I had a great time, and will probably go back when I have out-of-town guests to entertain. Oh, and they do offer proper chairs if you really need one.
(4)
Cesar G.
I've been going to Addis Red Sea for years--including the last several years that I've lived away from Boston--and it's always delicious. It can be a bit of a wait sometimes, but it's well worth the wait.
(4)
Maureen D.
Ok. So I love Ethiopian food, but Addis needs a little help. My most recent experience was with a party of 15. We ordered sampler plates all around for simplicity; with instructions that two of the group were vegetarian options. The veg dishes were: fresh tomato salad (with flavorless winter tomatoes- bleck), and collard (average). About 30 minutes after the rest of the meal had been served, apparently they remembered to bring some lentils; not berbere, but a pasty bland imitation. There were also no Ethiopian beers or wines available, at all. Addis could benefit from (1) rearrangement of the space, (2) a bit more attention from the staff toward customers, (3) menu update.
(2)
Shin L.
Came here with high expectations due to good reviews. However, it turned out to be a disappointment. It is a new and unique way to dine, but the food was meh and overpriced. Dined here with 4 friends and had a variety of dishes; none really stood out (beef, lamb, fish dishes), and I was still hungry after the meal. Portions were not very big. The bread was good, but nothing to shout about.
(1)
Miodrag K.
I've been going to this restaurant about once in several months in the last 5 years and mostly by using Groupon. I love Ethiopian food and this restaurant was working perfectly well providing me with those special flavors. However, In the last year or so I've noticed a decline in quality and quantity of food as well as in service. Also, there are changes in how one can use a Groupon in the way you're limited only to certain items in the menu. Perhaps the most annoying of all is the service that was always slow but recently started being extremely slow and the waitress asking for cash when giving the bill. I hope they resolve these issues and give another chance to delicious Ethiopian food in downtown Boston.
(3)
Ami P.
Huge portions just how I like it!!! Such a wonderful place and I love the designs inside this place! The waiters could be more attentive but the ambience makes up for it! I had the vegetarian and my friends all had something with meat but we all shared and were so so so full :)
(4)
Nitya D.
Ya know...it's weird. I thought I liked this place. I have been dining here sporadically over the last few years because 1) I like Ethiopian food, 2) the veggie dishes are all actually vegan and that makes me happy, and 3) it's fairly priced. I went here last night for dinner and waited for way too long to be seated even though there were plenty of available seats. I thought at first, "oh maybe they are REALLY busy right now...including that one guy just sitting there and reading the paper..." I believe that I was mistaken because over the course of my meal, I noticed the same trend: people would walk in and be forced to cluster in the tiny doorway while the staff kept telling them to "wait just a few more minutes." I swear I saw one couple eyeing my food and wondering between my dining companion and I which one of us was the weaker link. Moving on to our food - I usually get misir wot, just a basic lentil dish cooked with some spicy berbere (yummy in my tummy). It's not that it wasn't yummy this time around, it just seemed like lesser quality than I have had here in the past. They randomly gave me some gomen as well, a kind gesture that I certainly appreciated. However, bad gomen doesn't make up for free gomen. ): I do like the decor here. I think it's cute and charming with the comfy seating and mesabs (traditional Ethiopian tables with a large tray like area that holds your meats and/or veggies plus injera). These little decorative touches add authenticity and warmth to the restaurant making you forget that you're actually dining in a subterranean space. But all around the staff was exceedingly slow (starting with the first encounter, as detailed above) and throughout my meal as well. I had to get up and seek my waitress to request things like napkins or the bill. In fact, when it came time to pay, we just left a note on the table inclusive of tip rather than wait for a credit card to be processed because who knows how long that would've taken. Idk, maybe I'll give them another shot but I guess I'll have to choose a day when I literally have nothing else better to do than to wait around.
(2)
Bonnie C.
I came across this restaurant when I wanted to go to Beehive (across the street) for restaurant week. Because it was so packed there, I decided to come here to try their Ethiopian food. The only time I've had Ethiopian food was when my friend bought some from home. Never had it at a restaurant. Upon entering this restaurant, I was enamored with their decor. It's a completely whole new experience. It is located in a basement. They have super low tables and chairs (I think that's how Ethiopians eat their food). Our waitress was super friendly and patience with us because we didn't know how to order. She suggested we get the combo so we can try a little bit of everything. They were all very delicious! I cannot wait to be back. The experience I had here was amazing and definitely eye-opening for someone who has no knowledge of Ethiopian culture. I absolutely love it and I will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Monica L.
Doro Wot is my favorite dish, hands-down. The injera is not as sour as other places, which makes it easier for any newbie friends. The vegetarian options are always meh to me, but my vegetarian friend loved both types of lentils. One was suppose to be spicy, but it was just very flavorful-spicy, not hot/peppery-spicy. I preferred the collard greens and the cabbage, just to help tone down the spiciness of the Doro Wot. Courteous staff. The wait is always longer than they quote. The decor needs a serious upgrade, as everything is showing wear and tear. Side note, hate how tight the female bathroom is. They seriously should move that tiny table that blocks half of the doorway.
(3)
Max W.
Delicious delicious delicious! The food is awesome. If you've never had Ethiopian, I'd describe it as a mix of Indian food with West African and Creole/Caribbean food. Lots of spice, lots of root vegetables, and lots of distinct flavors. You won't find yourself adding condiments to anything, because the food is packed with flavor. My favorite part is the bread, which is like a giant fluffy pita that also serves as your plate. You eat with your hands, using smaller pieces of the bread to scoop the food on top of the pile, and pulling up the bread plate to eat the lower levels of the piles. The bread expands in your stomach, and is really filling. Totally unique item. The only downside to Addis Red Sea is that the dining room has seen better days. The carpet is a bit shabby, the tables are a bit worn, and the service can be slow. That said, the servers are incredibly friendly if you engage them, and they're not disinterested; it just takes a bit. Also, the prices are a bit high for what it is. Not back breaking, but everything could be $2-3 cheaper. If you've never had Ethiopian, you should make the trip to Addis Red Sea. If you enjoy it, come back, especially when there's a Groupon, which is a good deal.
(3)
Lindsay M.
Let me start off by saying: The service was very good and the food was good. Although, I've been to the one in Cambridge (now closed) and it was better than this one... I went to a late dinner the other day and got the Atakilt and my friend got the Yasa Wot. The Ingera was SO good. Fluffy and not dry at all. Our meals were good, but I was sort of upset with the Atakilt. The last time I got it, I can't remember if it was at the Cambridge location or at Fasika, was a different texture and came with more ingredients. We also had the Ayib Begomen for an app and it was delicious! That was probably the best dish we got. Honestly, I'm probably just going to stick with Fasika. It's a little farther for me to drive, but the food is worth it!
(3)
June K.
Not a Groupon friendly place. First of all, the prices shown on their website are not updated. Not to mention it took our waitress 30 minutes to refill our drinks, she didn't seem happy when I showed her my Groupon and completely changed her demeanor. She said in a very short way "The remaining total is under $15 so you have to pay in cash." We still gave her over 20% tip but seriously not a pleasant experience. **Also for your Groupon info, it doesn't specify on Groupon website that the maximum for one meal is $15.95. They will NOT deduct the total price minus $31.90. It will be each entree minus $15.95. So if you order a $12 dish and a $19 dish you will still have to pay $19 minus $15.95. Very strange!
(1)
Christine J.
I appreciate diversity and diff cuisines, esp when they set up the restaurant with decors and utensils, furnitures from that culture. It gives you an ethiopian experience without having to go there. The food is pretty good and new to my palate. You eat with hands, the dishes are on top of the flat bread. some dishes were rare/uncooked which was a little weird to me (even though I love sushi..) but they all tasted good! I think I prefer the cooked ones Ethiopian style. Not many ethiopian restaurants in the city so I'm glad this one is here.
(4)
Michael W.
Miss Sarit and I went here on the last night we had in Boston; it was a fantastic way to say "teanastellen" to our fantastic long weekend here. Upon walking in, you will notice a small seating area which made me think "oh god..." However the friendly waitress will dip you behind a royal red and gold embroidered curtain (if memory serves) and a large, authentic dining room will be revealed to you. Casting glances about the enveloping room you will see a traditional wicker mesob table at each chair pairing. I've been to Ethiopian restaurants before, but this is the first time I've seen these in use, it really upgraded the whole dining experience. We ordered our starters and entrees, I got two vegetarian spicy dishes with the spongy flat bread and was not disappointed at all in the taste. I'm afraid I failed to note any spicy ness, which was as much a letdown as it was probably a favor. While my tongue silently cursed this, my bowels thanked them. Aside from that, lots of tamarin and cumin was involved with plenty of lentils kept both of the aforementioned fiends more than satisfied. The only reason why they get 4 stars instead of the gold is that a) the music was off - they were playing some Latin beat which I loved since I am Portuguese but it skewered the dining experience and authenticity and b) spicy dishes were not spicy at all. Maybe it was white-boy-spicy, but my taste buds are Ethnic as ****.
(4)
Maria P.
Really flavorful entrees. Wait staff was terrific in guiding us through the choices. All entries were consumed with super fluffy Ethiopian pita-esque bread. We went with our kids with a groupon for four and received a terrific blend of flavored, spicy and just rich authentic flavors. Our waitress went the extra mile with our kids, offering exotic fruit juice and dessert the day after our daughter's birthday. She patiently explained Ethiopian culture and traditions to our interrogating son. She was great. Wine selection was great and reasonably priced.
(5)
Chris L.
Came here on a Groupon and I was pleased with my experience. I have never had Ethiopian before, so I brought my foodie friend for some comfort. They opened promptly at 5:00 and we were promptly seated. As the night went on - they slowly picked up business and that is when prompt service slacked. 2 people for about 30 tables is a little low. Food - SO GOOD. IM SO GLAD I DECIDED TO TRY THIS. I love different foods, but i don't get out very much anymore. We had 2 dinner combos - veggies and fish. The fish was SO GOOD. I think I could live off of it. It was cooked in great spices and the bread soaked up all of that saucy goodness. Drool. The only concern is the price. They are only open for dinner time, so it calls for south end prices. Not HUGE, just about $20ish. If you're extremely hungry, you might drop a chunk of change here. Ultimately, we were seated, fed, and billed in about 1hr. If you have a friend to catch up with and some time, try it out! I'm going to return for sure. Groupon or not here I come!
(4)
Megan E.
First of all - first time I have ever had Ethiopian. The food is SOOO SO good. Like, unbelievable. I am not vegan, but their vegetarian options are all vegan and you can taste the nutrition and quality. I went with work friends and the four of us all tried a different entree, accompanied by the vegetarian sides and I will definitely definitely be back. The environment was cozy and the prices were SO fair. I don't mean to sound like a drunk, but the wine was juice. it was house wine; try other liquor because I feel like even though the glasses were cheap, after four rounds we all stopped buying because it was just a waste of calories. Had a great meal regardless!
(4)
Ken S.
I had been twice to the Cambridge location(which is now closed), this was my first experience at this one. We went on a Sunday night. We expected the place to be busier, but it was fairly busy, not too bad. The servers were very friendly to me and my date. However, it took forever for each item to come to us: our first glass of water (we were very thirsty), ordering drinks, receiving drinks, ordering our food, receiving our food, refill on our water, and finally our check. Everything from start to finish was painstakingly slow. Again, we were extremely thirsty when we arrived, so we had hoped to receive some water, but it took about 10 minutes to receive a glass of water. We had already chosen our meal and additional drinks when they poured our water, but it took another 15-20 minutes for the waitress to approach us to take our order. The food was very good, I must say. We ordered the Doro Wot and some vegetarian sides. They were all really tasty. We also had some honey wine, which added to the numerous tastes we were getting from all the food. Despite our best efforts, we could not finish all of the bread they provides underneath. Again, the service was just slow. The wait staff and others working were very friendly, it just took forever to get what we wanted. I suggest you have your entire game plan from the moment you sit down. Order before they walk away! I saw another couple do this and they were in and out fairly quickly (In after us and out before us). The same could be said about trying to get our check after we were finished eating. I am not an inexperienced diner, I can flag down a waiter/waitress like the best of them, but it took a lot of effort to get our check. Be sure to utilize your limited number of staff interactions to complement your wonderful food experience! Unless you are okay with hanging out for 1.5-2 hours, then by all means, enjoy your down time :)
(3)
Ibis V.
I will start off by saying this food is excellent, reasonably priced, and an excellent option if you're looking for a departure from your typical dining experience. All orders are served in a communal table arrangement where everybody can try everyone else's orders, making for a great dining experience for a group! The honey wine is also worth trying!! Very succulent and smooth, it complemented our food so well. I will warn prospective diners that the meals served here are very carb heavy since you use Ethiopian bread to eat the entrees rather than traditional utensils. The only negative aspects of dining at addis Red Sea is that the restaurant has a tendency of getting very full and thus service suffers as a consequence. When I came here in a group of 5+ people, our order took almost 45 minutes to reach us :/ however I took a friend recently after rush hour (around 9:30pm), and we were attended to quickly without problems. We came with a groupon which was a great deal. One of the best underrated restaurants of south end!! Don't miss it!!
(4)
Jessica L.
The portions are small but the food was ok. Nothing I would crave, but it was nice to try a different type of cuisine. The two star rating is not because of the food, but the service. The real problem was the service. It took us 2 hours and 15 minutes to get in and out of there. The food is served on a giant platter lined with spongy bread. The waitness brought the dishes out and poured them in front of each person. I ordered a vegetarian meal and the waitress asked if I were a vegetarian as she was serving. I said yes. She then proceeded to pour a meat dish right next to my food. The juices from the meat quickly started to spread onto the spongy bread under my food. She also poured one of my friend's food directly across from where she was sitting, not in front of her. Our group had to re arrange seating so that she could reach her meal. I will say that the gentleman that filled up the waters was excellent. I was with a party of 6 and we were never thirsty. I will not be going back.
(2)
Denise D.
Came here a few months ago after watching gabe and babe tv on YouTube try out ethiopian food. Naturally it peaked my interest. I didn't care for the service nor the decor which is the main reason I'm giving them a 3. The honey wine was nothing to write home about and the food was mediocre and slightly cold. I won't be returning to this particular location, but will be on the prowl for others.
(3)
Diana T.
I got a deal on groupon and high expectations based on reviews. I loved it! The place has nice decor, we had a more private seat downstairs in color weaved seats. The food was eaten with your hands. As a vegetarian, I was in heaven. My meat eating boyfriend also found it enjoyable. The only comment he had was that the portions were small (for him). For me, it was more than enough. As you can see from other's pictures, a regular plate are scoops of a variety of items (i.e. split peas, lentils, etc..)
(5)
Jessica S.
Just tried this place after being spoiled by amazing Ethiopian in DC. We were pleasantly surprised by how tasty everything was. Lega tubs were good but very different than we were expecting. Baklava for dessert was very tasty.
(4)
Abby R.
Doesn't get busy for dinner here until 7-9, so if you want to avoid being the kid in the corner of an empty restaurant like I did, heed my words and go get a drink after work before you come here. The Vegetarian sambusa was delicious, a great appetizer. Maybe a little bit expensive at $7, but if you're out for a nice dinner it's worth it. I got the Doro Wot and Lega Tibs and they were both a bit bland to my taste, but I think I may have just ordered the wrong things to try. The service was friendly and welcoming, no complaints there. I liked the atmosphere, it was like a warm, basket-filled cave. Nice decor, not overdone, good for dressing up a bit or going casual. I'll be back sometime, because the location is convenient for me, but I prefer Asmara for Ethiopian food.
(3)
Molly S.
I love this place!!! Great food and the staff is so nice, and also very affordable for the South End.
(5)
Annette A.
Are you looking for a dinner date that's more interesting than Italian in the North End? Well, have I got a place for you. The first thing you'll notice is that there are no utensils. Just when you think you're about to get utensils, the server gives you a wet cloth instead. By now you're probably sweating a little and starting to look around you for cues. A few minutes pass and your food comes down. Still no utensils. Guess you better go for it. Addis is a really unique and fun experience in a cozy environment. Not too formal, not too shabby. You'll be head-over-heels for the food if you love hot and spicy things. And if you don't, well, I'm sure they have something nice and gentle for your kind - like of warm milk.
Addis is a fun Ethiopian restaurant in one in the South End, which is one of my favorite areas to dine in Boston. It's a great restaurant for a date or a group because you share the dishes and eat with your hands using the spongey bread. The menu has a variety of meat and vegetarian options and the food is really affordable. They also had a good selection of lower priced wines. Overall this is a great place to have a cheap, but fun night out.
(4)
Ariel Z.
Was concerned when I saw the mediocre reviews. I loved this place! However, I had never tried Ethiopian cuisine before. Ordered the Dot Wot combo (very spicy shredded chicken...yum!) with 3 vegetable dishes: lentils (non-spicy one), cracked wheat (rather bland), and split pea mash. Mostly everything was very flavorful and the spice level right on key. You eat it on a fluffy pancake called injera, no utensils! They also serve some extra injera on the side. It takes some getting used to, but you eventually get the hang of it. Also, the honey wine is amazing. The Ethiopian red wine they offer was good but very dry. You get a very small amount of wine for $8 a glass :( To finish off the meal, ask for the Ethiopian tea (black tea with cinnamon and clove). Disliked the seating since it is not the best for people with back problems, though I know it's supposed to be traditional.
(4)
Nicholas P.
I went here this past Saturday with a group of five. This was my second time dining here, so I was excited to come again. However, the service was pretty poor this time around. Firstly, I am turned off by any restaurant where you have to ask for water. It should be the first thing brought to the table. The food was great. We ordered a lot, and we loved it. It was the service that made this less than a great experience. In addition to having to ask for water, we asked for different drinks on more than one occasion and the servers definitely forgot us. I love the decor. I think it's fun and creates a certain mood that I enjoyed, and I understand it was a crowded Saturday night, but I thought the servers seemed lack luster. They were very friendly, but they didn't seem to really listen to us. Overall, it was just a mediocre night for me.
(3)
Liana K.
If you have a groupon the price is almost reasonable. Their injera is weird, maybe it uses bleached flour instead? The portions are small and lack flavor. If you want great Ethiopian food, I highly recommend going to Habesha in Malden or Fasika in Somerville instead. You experience will be tastier as well as more authentic.
(2)
Jenn Z.
Great tasting food and we always end up super stuffed. The honey wine is also worth a try. Cool setting with (what I'm assuming to be) Ethiopian dinning furniture and wall paintings. Service is usually a bit slow even when the restaurant is not too busy.
(4)
Justin B.
Hands down the best Ethiopian in the northeast! I have had Ethiopian in Montreal, NYC, Washington, Providence, and Boston, and no one beats Addis Red Sea! The servers are the kindest and attentive people and will explain anything to newcomers. I love their Injera, which is like a sourdough French Crepe that you use to pick up your food. I have some favorites that I order every time I visit and I hope you you try them too; Apps: Sambusa and Timatim Salad Mains: Gored Gored and Yesmir Wot Everything is Fresh and made from the best ingredients. The Gored Gored is hands down my favorite dish. It's Cubed beef simmered in a blend of berbere and onions, ginger roots and a warm herbal butter. I just drooled on my keyboard writing this! The beef is tender and bursting with flavor. There are two floors and the place is very busy on the weekends. The decor has been the same for years, but thats not a bad thing. Its full of african art and traditional seats and tables. And to finish the meal the Ethiopian coffee is to die for. It is so smooth that is should be tasted as is, no sugar or milk! I hope you get a chance to enjoy Addis as much as I have for the last 12 years.
(5)
Arielle N.
The decor is great, but they're out of a lot of the Ethiopian stuff on the menu, the food's no better than Lucy or Asmara or Blue Nile, and there's some shady stuff going on. Though they don't say they're cash only, they basically demand cash from you. When we tried to be nice and pay half with cash and half with credit (because that was all the cash we had on us), they just took the cash as a 50% tip and still rang up the whole bill on our credit card.
(2)
Dawn A.
We went to this restaurant on a Groupon deal. I probably would never have tried Ethiopian food, were it not for the Groupon. I opted for the dinner for four. We got to pick four dishes off the menu. We got two chicken dishes, a beef dish (Gored Gored) and a veggie dish. All of the dishes were served on top of a large piece of the flat bread. There were extra pieces of bread for us to share. We unanimously loved the spicy beef dish. It was spicy, but not too hot. The Doro Ulcha chicken dish was the unanimous favorite chicken dish. We finished with the mixed veggies which were carrots, potatoes and cabbage. I found the entree sizes to be small. I suggest if you go here, that you definitely get an appetizer or salad first if you plan on only one entree per person. I have a small appetite and was full enough, but my friends could have eaten more for sure. We were on a tight schedule so we couldn't linger and order more. Our service was excellent, particularly when we told our server that we had tickets to a movie later. She brought our food very quickly to us. We went on a Saturday night and had about a 20 minute wait at 8PM. It was a fun way to dine with friends, we will probably go back some time, with the knowledge that we will need to order a bit more food next time, which definitely would throw this place out of the cheap eats category.
(3)
Madhura S.
They were ok. I just wish an Ethiopian place has Ethiopian beer in stock at all times :D Nonetheless. They are ok.
(3)
Marsha W.
First time here. Fun, mmmm, oooh, ahhh! Beautiful atmosphere, hot like the country the food comes from (not sure they have A/C) come for the experience once, but don't bother coming back unless you truly love Ethopian food. The food is a miss mash of vegetables, herbs, and meat. Meat is used sparingly, and ineffectively for the price they charge. It is the South End, I get it. The quality should match the price though. Vegetables are cheap, and so are the herbs, so it is important the meat should too. We had a few times cartilage in our meat, stuff that falls off a drumstick versus breast meat. Love the bread though, never had any of its kind similar so I cannot compare the quality. I love the airy, crepe feel to it and it does add a very necessary touch to the food as you do not have any utensils. Street parking. Come early or expect a wait with a hard time finding parking. Service is nice enough, but again...come at the wrong time and you will be sitting there for hours, really.
(3)
Jenny S.
a REAL ethiopian experience!! and i don't just mean the food but also the table, chairs, decor & waitresses/waiters!! WARNING: if you aren't comfortable EATING W/ YOUR HANDS.. this may not be the restaurant for you! but don't worry they start you off with hand towelettes! APPETIZERS ----sambusas w/ ground beef: i liked the crispy texture but the meat was bland ----Ayib Begomen: cottage cheese mix eaten w/ injera, not bad MAIN COURSE (got the combinations since they come w/ 3 vegetarian dishes) ----doro wot combination: the chicken was flavorful!! ----kitfo: i liked the spiciness of the steak tartar ----the vegetarian dishes: together we tried six of them, which were all pretty bland except the Yesmsir Alcha (lentils) ODDLY their injera (bread used to scoop up your food) is not sour like at other ethiopian restaurants! i've had better vegetarian ethiopian, but if you're more concerned about the meat then Addis would be a good choice!
(3)
Astra G.
So I've returned to Addis Red Sea after not having been in over a year (I sadly lived far away). This time the place was hard for us to find as you need to walk down stairs from street level and the sign/entrance was obscured by some healthy growing plants. We sat on the 1st floor this time which has equally nice traditional seating as the basement, but seems brighter. We had an awesome groupon deal that included two apps and two entrees and so we ordered some veggie sambusas, spiced cottage cheese, lega tibs and doro wat. It came with a complimentary small amount of shiro wat on the side which I always appreciate. To my surprise I noticed that the injera this time around was white. Confused, I quickly looked at my handy Yelp app and noticed that others were perplexed about the same strange white injera. It tastes fine and all (another yelper mentioned it being an Ethiopian version of white wonder bread... I agree) but being that I'm trying to stay away from refined white carbs and wanted some authentic Ethiopian injera I wasn't really digging it. Still intrigued by the switch to white injera, I caught one of the waitstaff (all of whom were really attentive by the way, they constantly refilled our waters on a super hot day) and asked about it. I spoke to a somewhat older lady that doesn't speak fluent English so she couldn't answer my question about the injera switch but after she heard me say "brown injera" she quickly returned with some! It seems that they continue to make the traditional injera but if you want it it needs to be requested. So yes, they are now automatically giving people white injera in place of traditional injera. If you are new to Ethiopian food or don't like sourdough bread, you may want to try both the white injera and traditional injera. Besides the white injera though, the food was really good. The cottage cheese appetizer was savory and creamy and made me think of cottage cheese in a completely new way. I'm totally going to go buy some cottage cheese and throw some paprika and cayenne on it at home. Our wats were flavorful with both spice and heat and we were given really juicy chunks of lamb in our lega tibs. Though the white injera initially made me not like this place as much anymore, it was quickly remedied by the awesome food and really good service. Just remember to ask for brown injera!
(4)
Nicole B.
First of all, one of the major perks of coming here is that you get to feel very worldly and adventurous. Where I'm from, I don't think it's a commonly known fact that Ethiopia has a very distinct cuisine, much less a chance to try the food. The restaurant itself feels like you're stepping into someone's living room. You sit on small chairs at a table that is more like a coffee table, low and round. There are no utensils; you eat with your hands. I tried the spiced ground beef sambusa which was delicious. Additionally, I got to sample a little bit of everything with the combo platter for two. Sadly I do not know all the names, but the chicken dish was the best, with a fresh tomato salad type dish also making the cut. Everything was served on and with a spongy, pancake-like bread which soaks up the flavors and acts as a vehicle to eat your food. Service was great, with constant water refills and attentive staff.
(4)
Kelsey M.
Waited over 20 minutes for water and waitress after seated. The art and environment are great but the seating is uncomfortable. Food was good but the portions are VERY small for the price. The waitress didn't take any time to explain the dishes, so we went with a combo plate and some bland appetizer. I'm sure there are better Ethiopian eateries in Boston.
(2)
Rachel M.
I've never had Ethiopian food before so I have nothing to compare Addis to but I've eaten at a TON of restaurants and this was by far one of the more fun and unique dining experiences that I've had. You sit on stools and eat using this crepe-like bread that the dishes are served with. Food was yummy, place was lively and waitstaff were pleasant. This would be an awesome place for a first date.
(4)
Joe T.
Fancy, exciting Ethiopian restaurant! I was sad that the Porter Square location closed, so I'm glad this one exists. The vegetarian lentil sambusas and the vegetarian platter were both delicious. I like that we get to use mesobs as tables. The waitress was very nice. Cool, interesting decorations and interesting objects in the glass case. Expensive for an Ethiopian restaurant, but worth it considering there are few Ethiopian restaurants in Boston!
(4)
Rosy G.
I had dinner at this place. I like the food. It is delicious but it is very expensive and quantity is so less. Guys when you charge more than usual meal amount what's the problem in serving the right quantity. How can you send your customers home hungry? For a vegetarian combo of $17, you literally serve 2 table spoons of each dish or even less. I and 4 other people with me felt that the entire focus of the restaurant is to serve less food. We ordered lamb, beef, and chicken entrees. Chicken and lamb curries were less than 1 cup each. Only beef was in right quantity in comparison to others. So if you are looking to snack in an eithiopian restaurant, it is a best place. Or order two entrees for one person and that would be $28 without taxes. Bottom line please consider serving the right quantity to your customers.
(2)
Brodie B.
Platters for 2 people for $20-30. Bottles of wine for $28. Very delicious. Helpful staff. Very authentic seating and tables
(5)
g.o. d.
Cute if odd venue in a basement apartment. Service was just ok. Food was bland and nothing special, and combo options were kind of inconvenient so that none of them really worked for our party's tastes.. Not a great value for the price. I'm sure there's better Ethiopian to be had in Boston.
(2)
Jessica Y.
By the time we arrived in Boston it was close to 9pm and we stumbled upon this establishment which was still surprisingly packed. The three of us shared a 2 person combo + a lamb dish. Most were very flavorful and some were spicy. The decor and eating style seems quite ethnic and it was fun to experience. The food is served toether on a wooden small table with chairs around it. Meats/vegetables are eaten without utensils but rather with their pancake (injera). It was disappointing they ran out of Ethopian beer. Service is slow but if you have time this is a relaxing place to come with a couple of friends.
(4)
BigFat D.
Went here with SB and the in law sibs the other night. While I enjoyed the food, I will say that the experience left much to be desired. To keep it short: they were out of several food and drink items (seriously, how do you run out of coca cola?), the food took forever to come out (45 min +), and the seating is uncomfortable. Also, it just appears run down. On the good side, the food was delicious and the vegan in laws were oh so happy to find an interesting place to go out for diet appropriate food. We ate several of the vegetarian dishes and all were very tasty. Prices are good, but portion sizes are relatively small. Overall, I'd return, but not before trying a few of the other Ethiopian restaurants in the area. Somehow I don't think any of them will compare to some places in DC that we went to.
(3)
Laura A.
Ethiopian home cooking, right around the block! Some friends gave my husband and I a Groupon for Addis Red Sea as a "welcome to Boston" present. It was absolutely delightful! I highly recommend the outstanding yebeg wot (lamb stew with cardamom and ginger) and the vegetarian combination plate. We also ordered the lentils (excellent) although I can't remember which lentil dish because we ordered one kind and the waitress kindly told us that the other one was better (she was right!). This is an excellent place to go if you are looking for a unique experience that will satisfy both carnivores and vegetarians. As mentioned by others, this is not fast food. You are served an authentic slow-cooked meal so this is not the place to eat if you're in a rush.
(4)
Jon E.
Great homemade food. Warm service. And. Real bargain.
(4)
Vittney V.
I love this place. I've always left there as a happy camper. They frequently have groupons too. I always get the kitfo (steak tartar) and its always amazing. I've also had their Atakilt (mixed vegetables) and Kinche (cracked wheat) which are good but I wasn't over the moon about them compared to the kitfo. My boyfriend always orders and raves about the Lega Tibs (lamb). If you get an appetizer I highly recommend Ayib Begomen. It's a cottage cheese dish that is delicious.
(5)
Pia J.
This was our second foray into Ethiopian cuisine. We love the food, every single dish was delightfully flavorful and titivated our taste buds. I highly recommend the Ethiopian Tea & coffee.
(4)
Julie N.
I (like many others) had my first Ethiopian food experience at Addis Red Sea. I had no idea what to expect other than for my hands to get messy. I loved the decor and the staff were all extremely friendly and attentive. We went straight for the Beef Sambusa and ordered a combination plate of things I'm still not sure of what they were. Samusa: earthy, touch of spice, wonderful. Combo plate: let's just say we pretty much licked the plate clean. I still couldn't tell you what we actually ate though. Oh, and the Tusker beer than they serve was delicious. For a different, fun, and delicious dining experience, I'd highly recommend Addis.
(4)
Vanessa P.
I went there after purchasing a Groupon, and was disappointed. I still have yet to find good Ethiopian food in Boston :( My boyfriend and I split the veggie combo for dinner, which was incredibly bland. (And I usually LIKE bland food...) The most flavorful dish was the default tomato salad that comes with the combo, second best the collared greens. The lentils tasted like mush, and the cabbage basically tasted like it had been boiled with some added oil. I agree with other reviewers that their injera is strange. It is missing the tanginess that I'm used to; it basically has no flavor. Don't get me wrong, I still loved its spongy texture, but it didn't add anything to the meal - just furthered the blandness. Finally, I thought the service was somewhat lacking. It was a Friday, and they were super busy, so I will cut them some slack. However, even after giving our orders and sitting ~10 mins, we had to ask for waters. Plus, when we inquired about how the payment worked with the groupon, the waittress and the hostess became oddly defensive about how we must pay tax & tip - which we were definitely planning on doing already! Perhaps they were overwhelmed by how busy the restaurant was. All in all, I will not be going back. Maybe if I hadn't had super delicious Ethiopian food in the Bay Area, CA and Baltimore I'd think this place was good. But alas, my quest for good Ethiopian food in Boston continues.
(2)
Margaret G.
This place has a lot of things that you don't find in Boston restaurants, particularly in the South End - a variety of vegan and meat options; friendly and unhurried service; and reasonable prices. We ordered the vegetable sambusa, vegetarian combo and drinks. Everything was delicious and the whole dining experience was unique and interactive. Definitely look forward to returning there soon. Be aware that the prices on their web site are out of date however with tip our check was under $60, which was more than fair for a lovely meal
(4)
Georgina C.
I went to Addis Red Sea quite some time ago on a first date. Walking into the authentically decorated dining room, we were greeted warmly. Our waitress patiently explained Ethiopian tradition and how their fare is eaten (the savory meats and vegetable that has almost a stew-like consistency is scooped up with a thin, sponge-like bread). We ordered a wide array of chicken, beef, lamb and vegetarian delicacies. The Doro Wot sent my taste buds into sensory overload with hints of lemon, ginger and nutmeg. The dishes were so flavorful and healthy, especially the lentil laden Doro Tibs! The Goden Tibs Lamb with sauteed onions, green peppers and rosemary was like the African version of comfort food and my Southern roots were delighted with the Gomen Wot chock full of collard greens prepared in an herbed garlic oil. Amazing experience, wonderful service and the food was exceptional. I tell EVERYONE about this place and will most definitely be back.
(5)
Steve Y.
*** ask for the sour injera!!! *** If you don't ask, you'll get the unsour/yellowish injera. It's like Wonderbread injera, rather than the sour injera. My cousin had Ethiopian for the first time and she immediately liked it. We were the first to get there at opening time: 5pm. But we were seated in the very back corner table. I guess they learned from the airlines to load from the rear forward? We ordered the veggie combo and Doro Wot. It was good, just smaller portions than what I'm used to. Doro Wot portions were way smaller than I was expecting for a stand alone dish. It was like a combo size. But the meat was pulled from the bones unlike other places where they just put the whole drum stick on there. The waitress comes by with a platter of desserts that look amazing. So we ordered the chocolate cake $7. It was dry and tasted like the fridge it was stored in. Gross. It actually left a bad taste in our mouth at the end of our meal. Yuck. Ethiopian is one of the foods I crave. This place was simply okay. It wasn't great, but not bad either. It's not near any T stops, but walking in the beautiful South End neighborhood wasn't bad at all.
(3)
Andrew M.
Solid food, reasonably priced, and good ambiance. They give you more than enough injera and every dish I've had there has been quite tasty. Tons of cool artwork on the walls and traditional Ethiopian style seating and serving. If you haven't had Ethiopian food before, just know that it's not for everyone. Read through the reviews a little more and you should have a better idea. Seems that for most people it's either a love or hate kinda thing. But for me, I love it and I definitely plan on continuing to come back. Just an FYI, it can be a little difficult to spot if you're not paying attention. Its entrance is below street level. Just look for the sign with an Ethiopian flag in the background.
(4)
Jeff G.
I've had Ethiopian before and usually love the bold flavors and moist meat. The experience here was pretty lackluster. The appetizer was a dry and floppy mini hamburger poorly spiced. The entrees weren't impressive either, the lamb was super greasy and the chicken was very dry. Overall experience was ok but besides the artwork, I wasnt really transported to Ethiopia. If you want good African, check out Teranga in South End or Baraka Cafe in Central Square.
(2)
David D.
4 stars for the food. Everything was very good, service was good, not great. Minus 1 star however for: When I tried to pay using my CC, I was told the CC machine was down, no big deal, but I did not have enough cash on me since I was not told the CC machine was down so I told them I'd go to the ATM after my glass of wine. I stroll over to the ATM, located diagonally from the business across the street, only to notice an employee of the restaurant came out and followed me halfway there to make sure I was going to the ATM. I could understand their paranoia if I told them I had no other way to pay, but they could not accept my payment and made the situation where I had to go to the ATM. Being watched as if I am going to run off without paying just leaves a bad taste in my mouth after a good meal when it was no fault of my own I had to pay cash and miss out on my 2x CC points. If you can't accept CC's tell me in advance and I'll make a decision whether I want to eat at your establishment. If you tell me after the fact don't watch me accusingly as if I didn't already try to pay you.
(3)
Heather G.
After spending a not-immaterial chunk of time with traditional Ethiopian family-cooked food, and learning to make it at home (surprisingly very easy), I can honestly say that, while this place isn't completely authentic-tasting (home-made version is still far superior), it comes closer than most types of food in accuracy. Though the home-cooked version is better, it's also more: 1. labor intensive 2. expensive (at first, for the initial cash outlay because you must invest in all the weird spices) 3. time consuming THEREFORE, i put Ethiopian food in the same category as I do french fries: they're so cheap and easy to have/buy outside of the home, why would you undertake the time and the mess to make it at home? SO, my friends, while Addis Red Sea doesn't stack up to the home-cooked version, it's basically ridiculous to do this sort of meal at home unless you: 1. hate your life 2. value your time at approximately zero intrinsic value 3. love the idea that you walls and curtains will smell like onions, cabbage, and doro wot Some things to note about Addis: 1. don't come here with strangers/acquaintances/professional contacts, as you will be eating with your hands. 2. yes, you will be eating with your hands, so please please remember personal hygiene! 3. The staff here, while friendly, doesn't give a fukk about time, queue, waiting, and whatnot. Be prepared to walk into a disheveled mess of a waiting area with no clear list of who's up at bat, what the wait time will really be like (despite what they tell you), or how long it will take to get through your meal. They move on island time here, and this can translate into a multi-hour event. 4. the injera is the plate - you can eat the plate! As for food, you really can't go wrong. I like the combination plate (for two), which allows you to pick a few veg options along with a meat dish. This way, you get to sample many choices rather than commit to just a couple. Plus, for two people, it's a great value and a ton of food. Chicken and lamb dishes are both stellar, anything with lentils or sauteed cabbage and onions is sure to be a big hit. If I can leave you with just one thing, it would be this: WASH YOUR HANDS!
(4)
Stacey D.
The problem with Ethiopian food is it never surprises. Injera bread, some veggies, and a meat dish or two. My sense is if you had Ethiopian food (at least in Boston) at one place, you've had it everywhere. Having said this however, every once in while I do want to eat my food with my hands, scoop up some mixed vegetables, and have something thats like Indian food, but more mellow and not nearly as spicy. But the problem with Addis is that it is sooo very slow. While the host did a really good job of getting people seated, the servers take their time, our water one of my guests stated, was "hard fought for" and it didn't seem worth the energy to ask for refills. The food itself is plain, the portions small. We started with some Sambusa - which is kinda like a cross between an empanada and a dumpling. It was dry, and flavorless, we kept wondering about a dipping sauce. Next we had the dibulbul tips - which is ground beef mixed with spices and herbs. - You know that last piece of hamburger meat on the grill that no one wants to eat? It tasted like that. The rest of the meal reflected the same theme. Boiled vegetables with little to no spice, fried fish that was dry and flavorless. And for the prices the portions were awfully small. The fish, for example, was a full entree price, and my dining partner had to order an extra combo plate even after having an appetizer. Maybe, it was just bad Friday night, maybe they ran out of spices.
(2)
Tulan K.
Great great food . Comes with a lot of different varieties . We almost had every veggie varieties and everything was good except for the collard greens. Service was OK considering complains bout it . Chicken was awesome . most of veggies we ordered includes two lentils dish, one streamed veggies dish,collard greens,one chickpea hummus style paste and cracked wheat and also a slipt pea smothered in spicy sauce. The chicken dish was great it was chicken in a nice red pepper sauce and it was awesome. It is eaten with african bread called ingrem which is very soft texture and it more of steamed type bread. it is rolled like lasagna rolls and then given to you to eat with your food. The ethnic ethopian been that my friends ordered was also good and almost all the table had the same beer even though there were other choices. It is a food place where people are usually sit together and then given this big plate of everything they ordered and eaten with hands. it is a truly place where food sharing is literally taken into context. Service was slow but not as bad but could be better def.... def coming back........
(4)
Pierre B.
Excellent service and delicious food. The server made one mistake in our order and corrected it immediately by bringing an additional dish. The atmosphere is very intimate and warm.
(5)
Gerardo F.
I know at least five people that have been there before, and all of them keep telling le that it's worth it. I don 't mind trying out new types of foods, and I don't think I've had much Ethiopian food in my life. So I joined one my friends the other day to see why many in my circle of friends. Frankly, this place is decent, but not much more. The decoration is all over the place: statues, paintings, sculptures.... I was a bit overwhelmed by the aesthetics of the restaurant. The food was pretty good (my friend and I got a combo meal), but not the most memorable or impressive I ate. The one thing that kind of shocked me was the service. Talk about slow and impersonal. The waiters took forever to take our orders and even longer to serve us and check if everything was ok. Also, the front desk people did not seem very welcoming. Basically, Addis Red Sea did not make much of an impression on me.
(3)
Jenn H.
The customer service was terrible. Servers are friendly to offer you a seat, but as soon as they take your order, they don't care to check up on you at all. I had to ask several servers, several times, for a dessert menu, for a refill of my water, and for the check. With their recent Groupon promotion, I'm sure they got busy with more customers than they are used to, but they need to train their waiters and waitresses so they know how to handle serving a lot of tables. Or just hire more servers! They have to do something about the customer service. Other than that, the prices aren't bad for the amount of food offered. Pretty big portions and I left full. The food itself is typical Ethiopian cuisine and was just so-so. The sambusa was okay, but I've had better. The injera (bread served with most entrees) at Addis Red Sea was too soppy. I've had better. Maybe it was an off day for them, because apparently other people do like their food. The fish entree I had was good and the sauce was paired well with the type of fish.
(2)
Tiffany T.
Let me start off by saying I rely on my fellow Yelpers pretty often. This restaurant had such mix reviews, but I took the risk with a Groupon. The verdict? Food was ok, I wouldn't come back. It's pretty expensive without a Groupon for portion size. Apps were tasteless. $8 for two small pieces of sambusa and dibulbul is crazy. Meal was better but portion for $14-15 meal is ridiculous. Prices on website lower than in restaurant. Dora Wot $11.95 online, $13.95 actual. For my gluten free people, they offer GF injera ($5 more), which is the traditional way to make injera; it's brown. They don't advertise it. Call in advance to make sure they have it. Service was lacking and super slow. Long wait to order, receive food and pay. Maybe I'll give Blue Nile in JP a try.
(2)
Jonique S.
Eat with your hands! I love it. Don't come here with the intent of being dainty or graceful. This place is for people who love flavor and who are unafraid to get down and dirty with food! Everything was great: food, service, price ($30+/- for two ppl), etc... I was not a fan of the artwork that stared at me the entire night however... I prefer the subjects in my artwork to be clothed thank you very much. I wasn't too stoked about being gawked at by this painting's tatas as I was trying to eat my food...
(4)
Steve F.
I have been a fan of Ethiopian food since I lived in DC (there is a "Little Ethiopia" there) so I was excited when I moved to Boston and saw that this place existed. I first took my gf here two V-Days ago, and we continue to go here often. The restaurant is set up in the traditional Ethiopian style...family style setting, with a basket in the middle for food and chairs/stools set-up around the table. All the food is served in the middle in the basket, and everyone has to eat with there hands...there is no utensils. You pick up the food with a type of bread called Injera, which is thin and spongey. You will not leave here hungry! I usually get the Doro Wat (spicy chicken) combination platter, which comes with three choices of vegetable sides. The sambusa appetizer is also great, and their lambs dishes are delicious. The only problems I have with this place (which keeps it from getting a 5) is that the service is a bit slow, and they tend to be out of the traditional ethiopian wines (such at the Axom honey wine) seemingly all the time. If I go to an ethnic restaurant, I want to try both the food and the drink, so this is a little disappointing. However, it does have a pretty good wine list, so we've never had a problem finding an adequate replacement. If you're in the mood for something different and a true ethnic food experience, you cannot go wrong with Addis Red Sea.
(4)
Shannon S.
The man-friend took me here for my birthday dinner and despite it being packed (a lot of grouponers cashing in almost expiring deals) we only waited about 15 minutes for a table. I didn't realize until we were led downstairs that the place had 2 levels of seating. Though it was only my 2nd time having Ethiopian food, and the first time was takeout, I was tremendously pleased. The food was delicious, I ate my weight in that bread they give you to eat your dish and I left with a super full belly and a happy birthday girl.
(4)
Leanne C.
The atmosphere with regards to authenticity gets a thumb up in my book. But at the end of the meal I kept thinking "eh, I've had much better". If you're a handsy couple who think you're edgy and adventurous by trying ethnic food places out you'd fit right in here (based on the patrons I saw outside of our Yelp group). The service was pretty good but the food pacing was a bit slow. The drink orders were provided right off the bat- I ordered the Ethiopian red sweet wine; it tasted like a sugary table wine that lacked any sort of aroma. As for food, we didn't get the opportunity to put in our order in until 30-40 minutes had passed. When we did receive our food, most of the items were between lukewarm and cold. The spice was nonexistent for almost everything I had and their injera was a bit different than I was used to (it had a very thin, crispy, pancake-y edge and was much lighter in color). As for what I had: you name a Vegetarian option, I probably had it (except the two with butter in the description). Really, everything (aside from the company) fell up short for me. If you have expectations about Ethiopian food, I wouldn't recommend here.
(2)
Julio S.
The honey wine here is to kill for. Had some type of lentil dish...super good. Service was a bit on the slow side but I believe this may be a cultural thing? It seems to me like Ethiopian restaurants I go to always have great, yet slow service. Regardless, loved it. 1 star down for the service speed but not the quality.
(4)
Ross G.
Went to Addis because we had a Groupon and we love to try different types of food. This food is AUTHENTIC. You sit at traditional African tables, and are served family style. Most dishes are small, so order one for each person with some appetizers. Food tasted somewhat bland to me and my group. The bread you eat with became spongy very quickly, and very messy. I am happy I tried it, but I do not think we will be returning.
(3)
E H.
This was probably the worst Ethiopian food I have ever had. We ordered the vegetable platter and picked 4 options from the vegetarian dishes. The food was cold or lukewarm when it arrived and all of the flavors were very bland. The only good dish was one of the more spicy lentils which was also very mild but at least slightly warm. When I went to the bathroom downstairs near the kitchen I noticed they weren't cooking anything and the pots were all washed and stacked up and there were still people eating and ordering upstairs. Makes me think they cook many of the dished ahead of time. The only thing going for this place was the decor and ambiance. The tables and stools make it a fun experience for family style eating.
(2)
Danielle W.
If you've never had ethiopian food before, this, by far, should be the place you should go to try it. Excellent service and the waitresses are all really nice to the new-comers. The food is all hands on, the setting is quiet and dim, and it's really something quite interesting. Also, the food is delicious and they have many vegitarian dishes as well as really great meat and poultry dishes. Decently priced. Don't be fooled by the outside appearance, seating is on two floors and not packed like other "in the wall" restaurants.
(4)
Joanna H.
Need a breather from the fast-paced world we live in? Addis Red Sea is the place to go. This place is one word: CHILL. The lighting is dim, the space cozy and intimate. Not the most comfortable seating (I seriously almost tipped over on the stool once but just sit tight and you'll be fine.) FOOD IS DELICIOUS. Never had Ethiopian food before but we ordered two combos: Doro Wot Lite (chicken) and the Kitfo (steak tartar). Each came with three vegeterian sides. Tried 6/8 of the vegetarian dishes and all were yummy, so I would say you can't really go wrong with whichever you choose. I did really enjoy the Butecha (chickpea paste) and the Yekik Alicha (Split peas) though. Portions didn't seem that much but with the plate of Injera that comes with it, you'll find yourself surprisingly full. Service is good, but a bit slow. Very amiable place overall.
(4)
Nancy T.
we went with a groupon and still felt we overpaid. it was very cold inside the restaurant and the food came out freezing cold, particularly the bread. then they asked for an extra 2$ because we used the groupon. all in all we felt ripped off. two stars because it's tasty,but it's worth about 1/3 of what we spent.
(2)
Sara C.
Very cozy and authentic Ethiopian dining experience. Friendly waitstaff, although the service is consistently slower than what I would consider the norm. Kitfo, served rare, is my obsession here (and is consumed monthly) with the spongy delicious injera bread and spicy lentils. All of the food here is excellent. Try a sambusa pastry and the cottage cheese appetizer. The honey wine is delicious, but they've been out of it on several occasions. This restaurant is family run, and they stayed open even through hurricane Sandy - pretty sure I was their sole patron that Sunday. Also a solid venue for vegetarians. Seating is very movable so Addis is also conducive for groups, groups which contain no OCD germaphobes as utensils are obsolete and your food overlaps that of your dining mates so prepare to share.
(4)
DevilEyeDog D.
It's Ethiopian. So...don't write a review unless you are prepared to eat ETHIOPIAN FOOD. It's authentic, great service, fun ambience and good prices. It's UNIQUE and DIFFERENT FOOD. So, if you are a Big Mac fan and the thought of eating rice, beans, chicken that may be messy with your HANDS (no utensils) doesn't cut it for you then don't go. It will be different. It may be spicy, so ask if you don't like spice. It will be messy. It's not a sexy first date place. Be prepared for them to cook your food JUST FOR YOU (they don't have it stored in containers out back to just microwave). You will wait 30-40 minutes. It will leave you talking. Try it if you want something different, but please don't give this place a bad review becase you were not handed a fork or spoon OR because they didn't have french fries on the menu. No...they don't have pita bread. No...they don't offer french bread. They offer ETHIOPIAN BREAD because you are in an ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT.
(5)
Michelle T.
After I was traumatized in college by Ethiopian food - my room mates and I ended up throwing the sour-dough like pancakes and catching them on our faces (real mature, I know) - I was real hesitant to try Ethiopian again. In my mind, the concept of Ethiopian food is really similar to Indian. Dense carb "wraps" for you to dip into strong-flavored (many curry-like) "entrees". Except...not as refined. The meal is heavy on fat and carbs, low on vegetables, which probably explains why most of us left feeling like gas was gonna explode out of every one of our holes and crevices. DON'T BRING YOUR DATE HERE IF YOU'RE A "FARTER". Overall, the flavors were great. We were happy with our 3 dishes, which was recommended by our server. 3 Entrees between 4 people (3 females, 1 male) was just enough. It came out to be $14 per person. I would recommend the: 1) Doro Wot (Chicken) - $11.95 - Super spicy but juicy and tender 2) Yasa Wot (fish) - $10.95 - More sauce than fish, but still delicious. Tastes like Buttery buttery fish. + and some of the lamb dishes. The portions actually look really small but since they were so heavy, it was filly. Each entree comes in a small, fist-sized bowl) and is poured onto the doughy wraps, which gets super soggy toward the end. You can request extra "bread". Our party of 20+ people left with full (gassy) bellies and happy mouths. Service here is wonderful - so friendly, efficient water filling, and great for large parties. On a Wednesday night, there was no wait for all 20+ of us. However, we had to wait a REALLY long time (an hour) after placing our order until the food came. Why 3 stars? Its a matter of personal preference. I'd rather go Indian, pay a little less, eat a little more food that's a TAD on the lighter side.
(3)
Julia M.
We love this place because it is such a unique experience. It's a shame that it isn't busier when we are there but it provides for a very intimate setting. Try the Ethiopian wine!
(4)
Matthew P.
I have been meaning to try Ethiopian food for the longest time. This was my first time trying it and I'm SO happy it was at Addis Red. First off, it's located in the basement and looks very unimposing. You have to know where it is because it won't really catch your eye. When we arrived my date and I were greeted with beautiful smiles and happy hosts and waitresses. We were immediately seated in the back corner where the ambience was completely from another country. I was in love. We were seated closely with another table. It's very cramped in but it's nothing too obnoxious. The seats have no backs and it's essentially sitting on an upside down bucket with a nice cushion. Granted, it's must more pretty with a brown wicker material. Our table was named "Mesops". We ordered the Addis Red Sea Special Combo for two and it was out of this world. We were handed a wet hand towel that is scented with Eucalyptus right before you are served because there are no utensils. Instead, there is this delicious spongy bread that you pick up the food with. The food was just outstanding. All the flavors worked so incredibly well. The spices are very unique. It slightly reminds me of Indian cuisine but it's definitely in a realm of itself. I also want to highly recommend the Meta beer. It's a local Ethiopian brew and it was a smooth sweet taste to it. Very refreshing and it complements the food nicely. The service was spot on. The waitress we had was incredibly friendly and very attentive. Our water glasses were always filled and anything needed was promptly given. I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Zac D.
Went in around 8:30pm on a Thursday night. Relatively busy, maybe had to wait 5-10 minutes to get a table. We were taken downstairs to a beautiful bar area, where there was only 2 other tables out of 10 or so that were currently being sat at, while the upstairs was pretty filled up. After 10-15 minutes of sitting and looking at the menu, our waitress comes over for our order. Since I've had ample time to review the menu, I place the order as well as ordering some water. We received our food from one of the runners and the quality was OK. The bread was great, but the entree lacked the flavor that I am usuallaccustomed to when dining at Ethiopian places. The waitress did not visit our table until it was time to pay the bill, did not bring us water, and did not ask us how the food was. I wanted to pay my part of the bill in cash, and asked the waitress to change a $20 bill. She did not return $20 and attempted to short change me. After confronting her about this, she fumbled with her words for a mintue or 2 and simple said "I don't have the change". After I made it clear that if I ask for change, I expect to receive the same amount of money back, she went to "find" the rest of my change. Overall the experience here was extremely poor and the food was mediocre at best. I would not reccomend anyone visit this establishment.
(1)
Stephen R.
Yikes. Used to love this place. Took my colleagues there for a special dinner, and I walked away embarrassed. Service was terrible; we were virtually ignored in an empty restaurant. Food took forever to arrive and then was served COLD. They forgot the additional beer order. Man, it's a long way from where they used to be.
(1)
Hunter T.
If you've never had Ethiopian food, dine here and you will wonder why you waited so long. The best way I can decribe the food is a cross between middle eastern and Indian, but really it's nothing like either and is fantastic for a date night. The food is excellent (the combo platter is a good balanced way to try several items such as their amazing Doro Wat) with a good selection of wines (try the Tej honey wine, similar to mead) and there are some good beer choices including a few craft beers (they actually had some bottled Ommegang Hennepin) The facility has great ambiance, excellent service, and makes for an interesting and memorable experience. I used to go to Addis Red Sea in college and find myself still coming back years later. Definitely a restaurant everyone should try at least once.
(5)
Mallory S.
I enjoyed this place even more the second time around. The Addis Combo Special for 2 people is a great way to try a lot of different things and it's plenty of food as the bread starts to fill you up! Prices are awesome for this part of Boston. Dinner for two was $26 + drinks, tax/tip. They sometimes have a Groupon deal too. Keep your eyes peeled!
(4)
Nadia B.
Nice ambiance!! It will be a wonderful cultural experience, so go if you're in the mood for an interesting festive evening, full of great ambiance. Food: If you're a vegetarian, although there are a number of options, don't expect a culinary WOW factor. I wish it had a little bit more of the basic salt and pepper in some of the items.. It's good food with not MUCH pow flavoring if some people are worried with whether their flavors would be overbearing... it was a tad underbearing. I ordered a tilapia in a spicy sauce.. not fishy.... but the spicy sauce wasn't MY cup of tea. Three of my friends with me DID like it though. Their hot sauce is really a chipotle sauce without the zing or spice to it. My favorite was the lentils--- so order a lentil dish if you're there. We also ordered collard greens, cabbage and mixed vegetables (which is exactly just that, no sauce, it seemed to be steamed and had some salt). It really just might be the way ethiopians eat, and when in Rome.... you get it. I'll just add salt and/or lemons for acidity for my personal liking, and that is never a big deal for me. We had a groupon but the portions were VERY tiny.... basically, if there was more, in front of us, we had room to eat it . I know one of my friends was full, but I didn't feel like the appetizers and entrees were the same size between the menu items and the groupon sizes. It sounds more like the "tasting menu" some other reviewers discussed, but I feel lilke they could have mentioned portions would be tiny and we would have went OUTSIDE our groupon deal to order some additional things. It's very basic, decent cuisine. It's clean, the "bread" they give is NOT too heavy, but the opposite... airy and light but filling as well. Service: our waitress was VERY nice and helpful, but it was getting slow. I believe they waited for the second waitress to come in and she looked more available. For a friday night, eight tables, one waitress and another was late made it very difficult. However, ALL our questions were answered and waters by the staff was provided. Our waitress was definitely patient with all our questions, and smiled the entire way through. Final words: Go for ambiance and for a light supper. We WERE hungry after a bit, but we had a wonderful time sharing out of the "mesob"
(3)
Isabella C.
I love trying different places and this is def an experience worth trying. You will be eating with your hands and things get kinda messy so it may not be a great first date idea. In terms of the food, I personally didn't think it was that great. It reminded me a little of Indian food but just not as good. Their bread is kinda spongy and couldn't really eat more than half a piece bc it started to taste weird. Anyways, not somewhere I'd like to go again but I would def Rec'd trying once if ur a foodie just bc it's interesting.
(3)
Ashley A.
I had never tried Ethiopian cuisine before going to Addis Red Sea. I was really impressed. It was definitely interesting to get used to the concept of eating with your hands, but it was a lot of fun! The food was great, and the service was excellent!
(4)
Laura B.
Went here for a date night, and was intrigued by the dark, mysterious basement-entry of this restaurant. We had a good time and left full, but both agreed it was fun for more of the experience than the actual food. I ordered the Doro Wot combo, with the chicken being by far the most flavorful aspect of the meal. The vegetables/ lentils, etc. were good, but I was craving the spiciness that usually accompanies my home-cooked meals. The inera bread was delicious, like a spongy and thick crepe I could eat forever. If only the restaurant sold jars of Nutella. :P The servers were incredibly nice, and the food was very savory and satisfying, though a bit blander than other ethnic cuisines. It is definitely worth a try if you're in the area looking to splurge a little on something new.
(3)
Marina K.
This place was so much fun. I went here with my momma, my close friend and her momma - we all really enjoyed our food, and the collard greens were particularly delicious. The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting - we sat on little stools and ate with our hands from a large communal "bread plate." While this is probably not the best dining format for those with dietary restrictions/germophobia, we all really enjoyed our meal and thought it was unique, tasty and definitely worth a repeat visit. I can't speak to the authenticity of the decor since I don't have much background on Ethiopian culture, but I thought it was appropriate to the establishment and created a pleasant ambiance. Since moving to New York, I have been to a few Ethiopian restaurants with equally delicious food, but uninspired atmosphere - and what can I say, it really makes a difference! My only complaint was that the place seemed to be lacking unique dessert options to complement the main courses - the only offerings were generic American-type cakes and pastries, which looked tasty, but seemed to be kind of a cop-out after such an interesting meal. I wouldn't bring a first date here, since the whole eat-with-your-hands thing could go a number of very awkward ways. But, check this place out if you're looking for a unique dinner option in a great area of the city. Cheers!
(4)
Teddy S.
First visit to an Ethiopian restaurant and not sure what to expect. We were looking for a casual environment and reasonably priced meal. We got what we wanted. Read the reviews (after we went) and seems like every other review is mixed in their assessment. Is it fine dining, fine china, stemware and a bar for a premeal drink, no. It is a local place (in the basement level) that serves tasty food for a comfortable price-point. The people who greeted us, poured the water and waited on the table were great. The waitress answered our many questions and did not hesitate making recommendations. We shared Doro Wot (chicken), Lega Tibs (lamb), Gomen Wot (veggies), Sambusa. Most were flavorful, except the Gomen Wot (tasted like boiled veggies). The bread (Injera) was tasty and addictive. Was surprised at the texture (spongy) but works great as the scooping tool to pick up the food (utensils are not provided). Only disappointment to me was the beer. Ordered Tusker and did not have much taste (should have stuck with a Sams or Newcastle).
(4)
Angel M.
When I think Ethiopia, no food comes to mind. Even though I have been to Ethiopian restaurants and have eaten in homes of Ethiopians, nothing comes to my head. No matter, coming to Addis reminds me what I like about small adventure in dining. Entry on a Saturday evening was no problem, even though it was busy. The staff warm and welcoming, squirmed when I mistook the hostess for having a part time job in another restaurant...for what reason, I am unsure of...anyways...oops. The tables resembled upside down drums, the chairs made for smaller people, and the food made to be delicious. Spicy and blast of flavors, complimented my sweet red wine, chicken and beef, cumin and pepper, soft with fluffy, well paired. The lights were too dim, the menu hard to read, but when the food came out, I may as well have had my eyes shut I ate so fast I barely noticed.
(4)
Andrea F.
Much improvement tonight. Service was stellar and good prompt and delicious!!! Try the tuskan beer from Kenya!!
(4)
Monique S.
When you walk into this place, the smell of Frankincense and Nag Champa teamed with dimly lit room and authentic seating welcome you. The service is a little slow, but nothing unacceptable. Besides that, everyone is friendly. The vegetable combination was delicious. The spicy lentils are just that and extra filling. The salad is refreshing and flavorful. The mixed vegetables were a bit too hard for my taste and could have been cooked and seasoned more. The same goes for the cabbage. The injera is unlike any I've had elsewhere. It is spongy, but it is not as dark (it's white), sturdy, or tasty as I've had other places. It also falls apart easier than I've seen elsewhere. The Axumit wine is delicious and sweet, a great addition to the meal and reasonably priced. I enjoyed the ambiance, the meal, and the service. A great time.
(4)
Michelle S.
My favorite Ethiopian restaurant!! Every time I come to Boston, I make sure to check out the Addis Red Sea. It's been reliably good, flavorful and delicious without fail. I love the seating and ambiance! We always order the vegetarian sampler, and the fresh salads are incredible. The Injera also has a lovely flavor, and is not bland (like the Injera served at some of the other Ethiopian restaurants I've tried). Every dish I have ever had here has been fantastic! Definitely come give them a try!
(5)
CJ A.
Addis is one of my favorite spots in the South End. The customer service is superb. I asked for their hottest Ethiopian sauce and they made it just for me. It was fantastic. I love all of the vegetarian options and the atmosphere is cozy and unassuming. It's a great place that is affordable and to get together with a few friends in the city. I always get the butecha and timatim salad. The food is good. But what I think makes this place awesome is spectacular customer service, the atmosphere, and the prices (for the south end. I recommend stopping in, having some ethiopian beer and enjoy the injera!
(4)
Kerri Y.
Love the food, love the honey wine, love eating with my hands, hate the service. Be prepared to spend at least 2 hours here because the service is so slow. Also be prepared to drink something other than water- because they will not accept 'water' as your drink for the evening. They will keep rattling of the list of drinks and look at you expectantly because just water does not cut it. They only take reservations for parties of 5+, if you arrive at a busy time, know that they have a waiting area that holds exactly 3 people, anymore than that an you have to stand awkwardly in the doorway or by the front desk. Good experiences outweigh the negative... but if service was better and less pushy, it would be a great place.
(3)
Amir K.
Food was good, ambiance is cool but service definitely left something to be desired. After the Groupon I had a 3$ bill. When I called they told me I could pay with my credit card so that's all I had. Then when I tried to pay, they refused to let me unless I spent 10$. I had to buy two mango juices that I didn't want just to pay the bill and leave, it also took 30 minutes just to pay. Sort of ruined the whole experience.
(2)
J C.
A dining experience that is a bit different and quite nice. You'll use flatbread, not forks, to scoop up the meat dish, and the tables are standing baskets called mesobs. If you're gluten-free, call ahead and they will make you a bread from teff that is delicious even if you don't usually like teff. The chicken dish was wonderful!
(3)
Alex R.
Eh. The good: Entrees were good. I would suggest the lamb wot. The bread served with the dishes was plentiful. Atmosphere was cool and it was fun eating with my hands. Our waitress was nice. The bad: Stay away from the apps. They are extremely overpriced, small portioned, and not that great. The lentil sambusa was ok, but bland. The beef patties (dibulbul tips) were dry, small, and not very flavorful. I've had better frozen meatballs. Additionally, we didn't order the tips. But we got them anyway and were charged for them. After our initial interaction with our waitress (which entailed a whole bunch of confusion about an extended groupon which wasn't accepted) it took a very long time to get our order in. I probably won't go back. That's a shame because I was looking forward to going and thought it might be a place I'd revisit often.
(2)
Anna T.
I am very so so on how to rate the Tremont location of Addis. I've been here twice now and the first time was amazing, great food good service relaxed atmosphere. The second time however, I was with 5 friends and everything except the taste of the food was totally wrong. The upstairs seating area wasn't even close to being full but they sat us in the dingy basement away from everything and everyone and the service was beyond slow (probably because we were in the basement) which was extremely unfortunate. However, once again, the food was absolutely delicious! Everyone in our party got something different, chicken, lamb, and beef, and everyone loved their meals. This is the only reason I am giving this place 4 stars, because no matter anything else, the food is truly delicious and as much as I am a stickler for service, I will definitely come back for the food!
(4)
Mike F.
We were in town visiting and looking for some food we new we couldn't get back home. We've had Ethiopian food in Pittsburgh and Ann Arbor, but not Boston. I am not one for long, drawn out reviews. The food was great and exactly what I expected. The service when we walked in was subpar. We weren't even sure we were acknowledged. If this place would spend a couple grand on updating the interior to hide boxes of loose papers by the front door and simply clean up the shine, I guarantee they'd get more people. Replace the front door glass and spruce up the curb appeal. You have to walk past polished Thai and Indian restaurants when coming from south Tremont. We almost bailed out on Addis just based on the dilapidated front door. So, if you want good Ethiopian food, this is a good choice. Just don't go there looking for atmosphere. 5 stars for food. 2 stars for ambiance.
(4)
Christopher T.
Nice & quaint restaurant with a good vibe. The food is simple and with good, friendly service. I can't recall what I order exactly but it was lamb which was tender and in a good sauce. The "bread" was a good and filling. As this is only the 2nd time I've had Ethiopian food, I can't say how authentic it was but I liked it.
(2)
Meghan B.
This was my first time eating Ethiopian food and it surpassed my expectations. The interior of the restaurant is interesting and well-designed, though the entryway could due to be bigger so you aren't bumping into people. The seats were comfortable and the tables were cool. We split a vegetable combination for 2 and it was more food than we could eat. We had the Axum honey wine, which was sweeter than I expected it to be (I'm used to meads that are somewhat sour), but delicious. After dinner we had a cup of coffee, which tasted authentic to my admittedly inexperienced palette.
(4)
Rachel S.
Good food but kind of expensive and dirty in there.
(3)
Sabina M.
I came here on a vegan diet and overall it was my second time eating ethiopian. We had the gomen wot, atakilt, yemeser wot and mittin shuro wot! I actually really liked the dishes, which are all NATURALLY VEGAN, but I think I wont become a fan of the ethiopian bread. It is essential in the ethiopian cuisine, but I think the spongy texture is something that takes some getting used to. What I really liked was the interior design and oh my god... I think Ethiopian women are just the best looking women on the planet! :) I am jealous, thats what I am trying to say! If you are interested about going vegan, check out my blog at sabinamattern.wordpress.…
(3)
Amir F.
0. Terrible ! This was the worst food that I have ever had in the past 31 years of my life. We were 5 and we arrived around 6 PM on Tuesday. The bread was terrible. The food was spoiled and it was just warmed in microwave. I had to chew the meat for 100 times to crush it. The portions was very little comparing to the price. I did not finish my food and we just left quickly. I don't know what to say.
(1)
sato h.
I am new to Ethiopian food. I just tried it out for the first time a month ago in Chicago and loved it - the skin like bread that soaks up the sauce, concept of sharing a one big plate with few other people, and you eat everything with your hands! Being that said, Addis had all the things that I liked from my first Ethiopian food experience and even better because they have those traditional tables and ambiance is so nice and cozy. Then why two stars? Service is SO slow. If you read my other reviews, you'll quickly find out that I don't mess around when it comes to service. And slow service is my biggest pet peeve. It's annoying when I have to wait for 10min to get seated when the place is empty. And another 15min until the waitress takes your order. Food was not so good either. My meat dish was not hot, warm. My friend is vegetarian and he got a vegetarian combo. One of the dishes had a potato in it that was completely undercooked and almost raw. He was trying to find the waitress - but she was nowhere to be found. Ugh. She finally came by to check in on us when we were all pretty much done eating. My friend told her that the potatoes were not cooked properly and her response was an awkward smile. No apologies. I won't be back.
(2)
Sharon B.
One of our go-to places in Boston for a date night or an interesting dinner with friends. The food is very good and the location is great (right across from the Beehive and Picco). The service is usually slow, so expect a long dinner (I'm sure it is due to the nature of the time it takes to make the food). I would also recommend getting there earlier rather than later so you don't have to wait. Our favorite is the Addis Red Sea combo to split (for two people). And the Tusker beer and honey wine are great!
(4)
Dan G.
I love everything about Addis Red Sea! You will eat with your hands, eat out of a straw table (Mesob, don't lean on me I am very fragile) and sit on uncomfy stools, but it is totally worth the experience. Oh and my most favorite part is the end, when you can eat your plate! That's right ladies and gents...what better way to end the evening than eating the flavorful soaked injera that your stews have been resting gently upon. The food is awesome, I always get the Red Sea Combo for two (even when its just me har har!), but I highly recommend it especially for beginners of Ethiopian cuisine. You get a taste of a few dishes and its even very decently priced. The wines are also very decently priced as well, I recommend the Gouder if you like reds, and the honey wine is nice to try as well, but is a bit sweet (white). The service is warm and friendly and they always eager to help if you have questions. It is very slow, so I don't recommend coming here for a quickie especially if you have plans after, but might be nice to enjoy with a hot date Also, when its served, it doesn't look like a lot of food, but trust me, you won't go home hungry.
(4)
Clay K.
This was my FIRST experience with Ethiopian food. If you're like me, the first time I heard about Ethiopian Food, I was all like, "Uhhh....like, bags of flour and rice with "U.N. stamped on it? Nothx, srsly." Those of us who grew up in the 80's remember the news footage and the infomercials begging for pennies a month to sponsor a kid. Turns out that Ethiopia suffered a famine largely due to its agricultural/food system being largely based on cattle. When the drought hit, they didn't have grazeland. Thus, food shortage. Well, Sally Struthers was sitting on a secret: AWESOME FOOD. I was on vacation in Boston with a few friends, and we found this gem. We dug it SO MUCH that we ate here TWICE in a ROW for dinner. It was a new experience all around. For the uninitiated thinking about taking the plunge: the food is essentially a collection of meat and spices stewed together and ladled onto a soft, crepe-textured bread. The bread itself has a subtle hint of vinegar in the flavor, and you tear pieces of it and scoop the food up. (Think, "make your own burritos/fajitas," and you've got the idea.) Here's what to get: Kitfo. Get it raw. It's steak tar-tar, and it is amazing. Ayib Begomen - Cottage cheese mixed with mitmita and gomen. I haven't found this stuff SINCE Boston, and that is a damndirtyshame. What is it? Cottage cheese, served warm and savory with spices. I'd never in my life even THOUGHT of cottage cheese as anything other than this cold, pasty crap you mix with pineapple when you're on a diet. I liked this stuff so much that I attempted to make my own at home, with mixed results. Any of the lamb entrees. We tried em all, and they were phenomenal. This place is top-notch, and I hope to return.
So I know this place has been open for a very long time now and WOW the line was still way out the door, down the hall, and into the basement! I felt very privledged to bypass the crowd and get a table at a place that doesn't take reservations. My suggestion, call ahead and put your name on the list!!! The food is so amazingly delicious! I love that you get to share with your friends and family... the best way to eat. Definitely check it out when you get to Boston and try as many dishes as possible. The veggie dishes are particularly fantastic
(5)
Brian D.
This was my first time experiencing Addis and I had a good experience with the whole 'eat with your hands' thing. Back in the winter or spring, I saw a Groupon for this and I've been meaning to try one of these Ethiopian places around the city so I pounced on the Groupon. We finally got around to checking the place out the other week and my girlfriend and I had an enjoyable experience. Yes, eating with your hands is a bit weird, but the food was good. You basically select a bunch of different type of mush and then they throw it on a few big pieces of Indian-Naan like breads (it more has the consistency of a Crepe) and serve it in this big bowl type thing in front of you while you sit in little stools. It's a really cool and definitely a change of pace form your normal experiences of going out to restaurants. I honestly can't say what I ordered, but some were spicy, some weren't, but it literally was all mush but very good mush. My girlfriend and I ate 95% of our dishes, and unlike probably other places where you stuff your belly full, we didn't truly feel uncomfortable afterwards. It was magical. We had a really good experience here , and we will soon be living across the street come September, I'm sure we will be back in here again. If you are looking for something truly different, check out Addis!
(4)
MacKinnon A.
I adore Ethiopian food but rarely have the opportunity to have it. I took my daughter here last week and she also feel in love with the food, people and communal style of eating. Everyone should try it. A group of professors from all over the globe were sitting by us, and one of them said it was the best Ethiopian restaurant in the WORLD!
(5)
Catherine Y.
I give the food 4 stars. We got the Doro Wot combination and the experience of eating with your hands is always fun. Their injera was not sour, which is great because I've had really sour injera and it just ruins the whole meal. Everything was super tasty here. BUT, I have to give the service 1 star. How can service be that incredibly slow? It wasn't even busy! The waitresses purposely ignore you and avoid eye contact. If service improved, Addis would be golden.
(3)
Double J.
This is the best Ethiopian food in Boston, but their service needs an overhaul. It's very slow, and they're often out of things on the menu. I think this may be a cultural thing - I've found this to be true at a lot of ethnic restaurants - but for a restaurant in the trendy South End, you have to deliver on service. Also "cozy" is one way to describe it, but it's a little cramped for me and when it's full it's very noisy. Also the injera was a little soggy the last couple times. Top it off with pain-in-the-ass parking (but, hey, it's the South End - what do you expect?) and it's a very mixed bag.
(2)
Derrick C.
My first Ethiopian restaurant experience and though it was definitely unique, I wasn't really wowed. Crossed off my bucket list though...
(3)
Sohini M.
This is an Ethiopian place we keep revisiting with anyone who wants to try the cuisine. I would NOT however go their other location in Cambridge. They have the worst service on the planet! This South End location has always been excellent although not the speediest service. If you have to be anywhere in a hurry you might want to avoid eating here. Its great for a leisurely weekend meal with friends.
(4)
Lily L.
Ambiance: Addis Red Sea is a very cozy Ethiopian restaurant. With colorful paintings and tables, it definitely transports you to a different part of the world. One part that I did not care for was the proximity between the tables. On our particular dining night, we encountered the 4 rather difficult customers. They requested silverware because they refused to eat with their hands (fine) then announced that they are vegans and made a huge nuisance. Due to some miscommunication, the owners had made gluten free bread for them but they declared that they will not be eating the bread. There was a conversation back and forth about not paying for the bread because they won't be eating it. Honestly, the bread goes with the meal. Why bother coming to this restaurant at all if you have so many restrictions? It's like a vegetarian going to a steakhouse and becoming indignant. I understand that restaurants like to make accommodation to customers but honestly. They did not want to pay for the bread that they were not planning on eating--I sympathize with their point. But when you come with a groupon and already getting a discount, shouldn't you at least be a little nice about it? They were already getting $20 off. But I digress, this merely points out to the proximity of the tables or perhaps my dining neighbors were particularly loud. Service: Service leaves a lot to be desired. My water glass was empty and the waiter did not come very often. It took a while to get the check. Food: The food here was actually pretty great. We got the dorowot with 3 vegetables. They were very well cooked and flavorful. Overall: I would come back for the food. Service is lacking. Ambiance is pretty cute (minus some customers).
(3)
Eddie G.
A few weeks ago i decided to make reservations for a party of 7 at Addis Red Sea for last Friday night. I wanted to have dinner with some good friends in a spot with some mood lighting and good food. Well, let me tell you, this place rocks. We were seated even though our entire party was not there at 8pm and it was not a problem to add an additional person to the table. Right away, we were offered water and then a few minutes later they took out drink order. I really do recommend the honey wine. It was sweet but not cloyingly so and paired well with the spicy food. I also had a bottle of the Harar Beer which was refreshing and topped off my honey wine buzz nicely! For dinner we ordered the Special Combination plate which was pretty amazing and great for those who like spice. The beef stew was YUMMY and the lentils again, were SPICY. That is always a plus in my book. I wish the bathroom had been cleaner and the service was slow. But with a few drinks in me, I was able to catch up with my friends and just take in the scenery. It was a pretty mixed crowed but most people seemed to be in the 20-30s age range. No one left hungry and for a party of 8, the meal with drinks amounted to about $30 per person. Pretty amazing for a Friday night in the South End :)
(4)
William S.
Good food, the service, and ambiance.
(4)
Michelle J.
This was my first time at an Ethiopian place. So I'm not sure if some things were customary. The service was actually good in my opinion. The waitress explained everything we asked and was really nice to return and take drink orders as our group gathered. But I have to say I was expecting better in terms of food. When the bread is the best part of the meal something's wrong. First off everything was served cold. Is that normal? And if it is then why did the main course take so long to come out ? The raw beef and the chicken were tasty but the rice was just terrible. It was hard and grainy. If the food was good we wouldn't have had so much left on our plates. But it was just disappointing.
(2)
Marie D.
Whoa, y'all. I am really perplexed about how this restaurant came about getting a four-star rating on Yelp. My dining experience was two hours total. This included approximately thirty minutes of eating time and then maybe ten minutes where we waited for the check. So that leaves an hour and twenty minutes of: Waiting forever to be seated while most of the tables were open. Waiting forever for our server to take our order. Waiting even more forever for our food to come. Now I know that two forevers and a "more" forever do not equal an hour and twenty minutes, but when you're hungry the gap between ordering your food and ingesting it can feel long and miserable. When the food came it was lukewarm, bland and dissatisfying. The only reason I gave them two stars was because they accommodated my dorky food allergies, even though I wound up getting sick in the end.
(2)
Samir K.
I think the only bad part about this place is that it is not open for lunch too. I have eaten ethiopian in London, providence and NYC. Addis is the beat of the lot. I am vegetarian and have been accommodated every time and it's been hassle free. The food and ambience is amazing and if your in the area do stop by and enjoy a great meal. Recommend you get the combos since you can try many things. Food is not too spicy but flavorful at the same time. Great job guys !
(4)
Alan Y.
I've had fairly decent experiences at this restaurant. The dining experience is unique in that the food is all shared and eaten without use of utensils. All of the food is eaten with bread on small, circular "tables" that resemble african drums. The food itself is quite good, if a bit heavy and soporific. The portion sizes of the dishes are quite small, but since the food is so heavy and so much bread is provided, I was able to get full pretty easily. Too full, in fact. I have never felt so lethargic after any meal, including Thanksgiving. I also tried the honey wine, although interesting and quite sweet, might have contributed to my torpid state. The one downside about this restaurant was the service: it took FOREVER (it felt at least an hour) for the food to reach our table. However, considering how well-marinated and pungent the food was when it arrived, it wasn't a big deal for me.
(4)
Michelle K.
SERVICE - seated around noon with only 2 other parties and did not get food until 1 pm. If you enjoy looking across the table at your dining partner's agonizing-in-hunger-face for a substantial amount of time, then this is the place for you! i'm pretty sure everything is just reheated so i'm thinking maybe the bread is made to order and is what takes up so much time? FOOD - that kind of wait would have been worth it if the food was out of this world. it wasn't. it was very much of this world. ordered lamb (yebeg wot) and chicken (doro wot). Both were tasty, but lukewarm to cold. Also got three veggie dishes: butecha (chickpea paste...would not get again), yeshmir alcha (stewed lentils...pretty bland, but paired with the flavorful meats was fine), and attempted to get the gomen wot (collard greens) but when the food came out was told that they did not have this so was substituted with the atakilt (potato/carrot/onions)....I was a bit irked that she took the liberty to substitute it with the very last thing I would have chosen, but there you go. and yes, my instincts were right. don't get the atakilt. All in all, would not come back again. If anything, call in an order so that you can avoid the painful wait and reheat your food. PS. they have a 10 dollar charge minimum which is not posted anywhere.
(2)
Abate D.
Their food is not authentic, the white injera is very plain. When you ask for the more authentic version they are hesitant to give it to you. Otherwise it can have good food
(2)
Jackie S.
This is my second time coming to this restaurant and the food is always delicious. Pros: The food was delicious. The injara (spongy bread) filling, the beef succulent and the chicken properly spiced. The honey wine was awesome and I usually dislike white wine. Cons: They screwed up our appetizer but were nice enough to fix it and bring us a new order of it. Also, the service was quite slow. We waited 15 minutes just to place our order but then our food came pretty quickly. I would definitely return here because it has a fun atmosphere where you sit on traditional Ethiopian chairs with a traditional table. The food is always delicious and filling. A good date spot especially if you want to try something new together!
(4)
Louie M.
Service was fantastic from the second we walked in. Had a Groupon, will for sure be back. Very unique and authentic. Should be a little more spicy. I had Ethiopian in other countries and could't feel my face. Thats the way it should be.
(4)
lia S.
I like to try a new places and i've got a Groupon opportunity to try this one.Place is hidden right across the street form The Beehive in South End.As soon you step in you get the spirit of Africa with wall and restaurant decor and staff.They have cute little bar downstairs.Bartender barely understood English but she was very nice and kind.We loved ethiopian beer wine and food was great.We shared a few platters for a table and it was delicious.Only one thing is we were there for occasion and i was trying to make a reservation and i've been told for Sundays I don't need one but when we arrived place was packed! We had to wait for a good half an hour to get a table.
(4)
Cecile B.
We really like this place, the food is great and how fun is it to eat w your fingers! Staff is really friendly, but the service a bit slow. Repeat costumers.
(4)
Ella B.
Very cute and romantic setting, but I was with my hubby and a good friend of ours - still, the atmosphere made for cozy conversations. We ordered an appetizer of the cottage cheese, it wasn't the one we wanted, but it was the one recommended to us and it was delish! For our main courses we ordered the fish in red sauce, lamb in a brown sauce and cabbage. The fish had a little spice to it which was nice. The lamb was good, but nothing exceptional. The cabbage was cooked with potatoes, also good. All was served with lots of the fluffy kind of Ethiopian bread (they only serve one type here - for those of you who like the "thinner" type of Ethiopian bread - sorry, they don't serve that here). The service was friendly and relatively fast - not like super fast, but good when you're catching up with friends sort of thing, or say, a romantic date sort of thing, which it seemed the crowd was either on a date or groups of friends. Everything topped off with a nice glass of honey wine. :) We walked home very happy and full. The entire meal for 3 was $65 not including tip.
(4)
Terri L.
Excellent!!! looking forward to trying otherEthiopian places- didn't realize there were so many in Boston!
(5)
Jessica S.
Nice atmosphere. The mild stuff lacks flavor so get the spicy food, not hot but has good flavor. It was interesting, something different, but I cant say I feel all that motivated to return
(3)
Jim D.
Great food, great atmosphere. A friend recommended this place and I tried while visiting Boston. It's in the basement of a row house and you sit on stools and eat from a basket-table. (I don't have a lot of experience w/ Ethiopian food, clearly, so take this for what it's worth.) But the food was extremely flavorful and the textures great. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Annette N.
I am always happy to walk down the steps from Tremont St. and enter Addis. The scent of cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom sizzling in butter relaxes me instantly. I love Ethiopian and Eritrean food, and I've eaten at the houses of several Tigrinya and Amharic speaking friends. Addis Red Sea is pretty good if you order right. Get the yebeg wot (lamb stew with cardamom and ginger). It's the best. I encouraged everyone in my party that we should get two orders of it. But NOOOOOO... we had to branch out, try lots of stuff, have some variety. So we just got one order. Sure enough, everybody gravitated towards the one order of yebeg wot on the common plate, and it disappeared the first, leaving everyone wanting more. Learn from my tragedy. One of my tablemates ordered the lamb riblets (goden tibs), and I have to say, they were not all that great. I was the one who ended up eating them. Waste not want not. Also, be sure to order bread that is all teff. This costs extra but is well worth it. I am not sure if this is on the menu--I had to ask the waitress. The teff bread is much less dense than the wheat bread and tastes much better. Don't forget to order tej (mead) to drink. I really like the fact that Addis Red Sea does not play music in the background. There is a bar downstairs. If I lived across the Charles in Boston, I might make it a regular haunt, so I could sit in the odor of cloves and cinnamon and drink tej. There was a cute guy handsome as Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum with a lovely beard who was sitting all alone there. Had I been alone myself, I would have made a move.
(4)
Logan J.
this place is one of the few ethiopean food places in the area, which makes is a great place to eat when you want something a little different. not only is this place unique though, it also offers some really delicious food. ive been here a few times, and when i eat here, i usually order one of the tasting menus because you get to try more of their food and experience more of the unique flavors. the tasting menus offer a choice of four of any of the entrees but in smaller portions. im in love with any of the dishes involving lentils, but almost all of the vegetarian dishes are delicious. ive had a few of the fish dishes, and i wouldnt recommend them to anyone, but i think thats mostly because i would prefer the vegetarian dishes here. the atmosphere is very casual and not pretentious, which i love, especially if you dont really know how to eat something or if youve never eaten ethiopian food before. this is definitely a fun place to go with friends and a place i return to when im craving ethiopian food!
(4)
Todd F.
Yuck!! I consider myself a pretty open minded person when it comes to food, but this place was the worst. Let's start with the fact that our server...and every one else who attended to our table had horrible body odor. Disgusting. The food, whatever it was we ordered, came on a large tray in what I can only describe as piles of yellow, white, and red goo. The waiter didn't bother explaining what was what. The worst part was the "bread" that we were supposed to use to eat the food. I was especially excited for this as I thought it would be an interesting concept, and it would have been, if the bread wasn't completely nasty. It had a spongy, wet texture which put it so far away from what I consider bread, it ruined the entire meal. I'd stay away from this place.
(1)
tavia m.
I like Addis Red Sea a lot! It's a unique change from the usual dining spots around Boston. There are many, many options on food, including at least 8 vegetarian entrees. The thing that makes me give this place 3 stars instead of 4 is the service. Man, are they slow. You'll wait forever to order and then it's a long wait to get anything else you need....drinks, more bread, food, the check, and so on. I always plan longer than usual to eat here due to that factor. I've encountered rudeness at Addis Red Sea, just slowness. A few side notes, the honey wine is GOOD. Pretty sweet but tasty and different. You can request the more sour-tasting wheat bread if you want it. Also, the house salad, which a tomato salad, is so tasty--so order two! I will keep coming back here because I like the food and the atmosphere, but make sure you're aware of the slower pace of Addis Red Sea before you dine there.
(3)
Jon W.
Years ago I would visit this place more often but the food was on the decline. For a while there was Fasika on South Huntington which was beat Addis but ever since they moved it hasn't been the same. Strangely enough I find that Addis Red Sea in Cambridge tastes much better. I can't explain but I think that this one in the South End has become more bland and mediocre. Go figure.
(3)
Feodor H.
While prospect of experiencing authentic ethiopian food is exciting, this place is likely to leave you with a slight taste of disappointment. Ethiopian decor on the walls and original tables and chairs create authentic atmosphere and set you in a mood to try the food. It is unfortunate that you will have to wait significant amount of time before ordering some. On the plus side, that gives you plenty of time to study descriptions in the menu, that promises intriguing flavors. Prices for entrees and appetizers would suggest portions of significant size. After another formidable wait, the food arrives. Its taste does not quite live up to expectations for some dishes, while others are great. In other other words, food preparation lacks consistency of execution. The size of entrees could also be bigger given the price and the fact that it is not fine dining place. If you plan on getting desert, do not expect authenticity here. Tiramisu and fruit tart (from the box, not made there :() are not Ethiopian food by any stretch of imagination. Box of tiramisu in trader joes is 7$ and a piece of tiramisu there is the same price. You are way better of without it. Final word of warning goes to Groupon customers. Groupon explicitly states it's not valid for alcohol. For restaurant management, it means "not valid for alcohol, any non-alcoholic beverage and desert". You will be unpleasantly surprised to find this out after another significant wait for your bill. An attempt to resolve this was for the most part futile, after a discussion manager agreed to apply groupon to non-alcoholic beverages but disagreed that deserts should also be covered, "because we bring deserts from outside (sic)". This pretty much insured that I'm not coming back, for this place is unreasonably expensive without Groupon and a hassle with one. Atmosphere is the only positive factor, countered by too many negative ones.
(2)
Julie N.
We were driving around looking at apartments and realized suddenly that we were both starving and it was close to 3 pm. Oops. As we were driving down Tremont, we noticed the pop of color and become excited at the prospect of Ethiopian food yay. It was completely empty when we walked in and we were seated promptly, although the waitress took us all the way to the back. I mean ALL the way to the back, past all the empty tables/chairs. Weird, but ok. I figured at that point the service was going to be slow as we were safely tucked away from the sight of everyone, but whatever, we have time. It was during Lent so we ordered the vegetarian combo. It took a while for the food to come out and when it did it was... blaaaand. Maybe their meat dish is better seasoned/spiced but those veggies were not very good, and the service was leisurely/slow, as I guessed. I remember as we were walking out of the restaurant, I said, "eh, we should have yelped it before we walked in," so I was really surprised at the rating. oh well. I'll have to try somewhere else.
(2)
Dino D.
It was a very nice experience, the food was very good, the decor was okay, and it was a memorable night out.
(3)
Lynette S.
Service was phenomenal, loved the atmosphere food was bland and unenjoyable for this picky eater! good looking chocolate desserts, tarts, coffees and teas, but did not try them. bread is (and is supposed to be) served cool and is spongey...gross! not my thing.
(2)
Kirs P.
It's been five years. Time for an update. I'm a much wiser and experienced food eater and restaurant goer now. And while Addis is not bad, it also is not super awesome 5-star worthy. It's perfectly acceptable, white-ed up Ethiopian food. Perfect place to take non-adventurous eaters on an adventure. Although they will likely stil complain (Why do I have to eat with my hands! This is too spicy! I don't like things that are outside my white-bread American life!) The pluses: Convenient and cheap: The prices really are reasonable and it's super easy to get to because it's right smack dab in the middle of the south end. I can actually walk there from work if I wanted. Pretty okay food: It does not have the appropriate spice level for real Ethiopian food. Ethiopian isn't crazy spicy, but it should still have some bite. It's often hit or miss here- for every one time I get a properly spiced mittin shuro wot there are 10 other times it comes up bland as porridge. I will say, however, that their gomen wot is not spinach, which gives them a heads up on most other Ethiopian places. I prefer my gomen wat made with collard greens and the like, which is more traditional. Spinach just gets too mushy. Ambiance: Not something I usually take much into account, but they've done a pretty bang up job of doing the Ethiopian thing on the top floor. Mesobs, and low slung stools, with cool Ethiopian art and schiz adorning the walls. It's cozy. I like it. Take out! This was recently discovered. Ethiopian surpsingly takes well to take out- they know how to package it up. I have my friend pick it up before she comes over and we sit and watch Toddlers and Tiaras while drinking wine and eating Ethiopian. Pretty fabulous. The not-so-pluses: Service: So hit or miss. Mainly miss. There's one waitress who is awesome. The others? Not so much. Really long waits and you often feel ignored. I wouldn't mind the wait if at least the service was a bit more friendly (occasionally it is), but you are often met with a scowl instead of a smile. Pretty okay food: Yes, I'm repeating myself. But it's a restaurant, for chrissakes, food should probably be better than "meh, it's okay." Again, this is beginner's Ethiopian. For some, this is going to be awesome. For me? I want some more complexity. The wait: See service. See backlogs. See really crowded front entrance way with asshats refusing to move or wait outside (even if it's nice out). And sometimes you wait even if there are open tables. Lots of confusion about seating parties. Very frustrating. Overall Assessment: While I complain, I still keep going back. The convenience just outweighs a lot of the cons. And even subpar Ethiopian is better than no Ethiopian in my book.
(3)
Matt O.
I love this place! It's not too expensive (though it's close!), and the food portions are amazing. I love the meat dishes, though I recommend beef/chicken items over the lamb items. The service is good, and the specialty wines are very good. Ambiance is great - not too quiet, but certainly not loud. The Groupon deals make this place even better, so I recommend those.
(5)
Ellie W.
I had heard good things about Addis, so I expected something really great...maybe I should've set my standards lower. The ambiance in Addis is really nice--well, the upstairs portion. Downstairs is a bit strange, reminds me of someone's basement decorated with Ethiopian furniture. We were seated downstairs, where it was completely empty and definitely felt like you were eating in a basement... Some of the food was good--at least the chicken. The fish was a bit gross--we ordered it and nobody would touch it because it was really dry and didn't look too tasty. The service wasn't great--our waitress looked like she wanted to leave the entire time she was at our table. You know when someone is about one step away from rolling their eyes? Yes, that was our waitress...the entire night. Probably won't be returning...only one of 5 dishes we ordered here was good, so I don't think that qualifies for a Round 2.
(2)
Raj S.
It's a bit of a hike to get to if you're taking the T. Parking in South End on a weekend night is almost impossible. But once there, it's a neat place. I would recommend going with a bunch of friends as the fun is in trying as many different dishes as possible. We almost always get the combination dishes with a couple of chicken, beef and lamb dishes along with 4-5 vegetarian options. You really can't go wrong. The chicken/lamb stew, cabbage dish, lentils, chickpeas, etc. It's a very social affair, sharing your food so don't go here if you aren't close with your group!
(4)
Hubert H.
I have to bump this place down a notch due to some other recent Ethiopian experiences I've had in Malden and in California. I went to this place prior to the most recent visit 15 years ago! We ordered the beef tartare, the meat combo, and some veggies. My main criticism was: a) the tartare was not rare enough; b) the injera bread wasn't sour enough, and also on this visit not warm enough either. On the plus side, most of the dishes were fairly tasty, well marinated (in particular the lamb), and their berbere (red pepper flavor) was an effective flavor zinger. Oh - there was a little critter on the plate of food - it wasn't dramatic enough to merit attention, but just a note worth mentioning.
(3)
Rani P.
My boyfriend and I had been wanting to come here for months. When we first sat, we were totally caught off guard which was both nerve-racking and exciting. Luckily, I was able to watch the people eating next to me to figure out what to do. I still dream about this food- and although I ordered the vegetarian combo- it was a beautiful medley of flavors. Even the guava juice was delectable. I have a feeling any other Ethiopian food I will eat elsewhere won't nearly compare. Be ready to eat with your hands!
(4)
Lee A.
This really is my favorite place to eat. It's close quarters and not super for more rambunctious kids, so I don't get here as much as I'd like, but that doesn't make me like it any less. From the outside and even as you walk down the narrow stairs, it looks like a tiny dive, but once you're inside it's a warm, inviting, comfortable setting. (Well, comfortable as long as you don't have back problems--in which case the chairs are not great.) The food options are pretty diverse and so there are strong options for carnivores, pescivores, and vegetarians. For years it's been my go-to place for "welcome to our city" outings with visiting friends and even one casual business meeting. I think everyone needs to have this place at least in their rotation.
(5)
Rich S.
I have come here about 3 times with my g/f. Hadn't had Ethiopian before so it was a fun new experience the first time we went. The upstairs is cozy. The second time we went it was fun but I started to realize how little we were actually getting for the money. Very simple clumps of food to be picked at with the Injera bread. Ok, but lost a little of its luster. The third time I was ushered to their downstairs dining area. Some earlier review mentioned it was "beautiful". I'm not sure what they were seeing because it definitely felt to me like it's a basement they quickly made up to be another dining area. So I'm waiting there alone, waiting for the rest of my party to show up when I go to grab my beer. There are about 7 huge fruit flies on my beer. I start to look around. There are huge fruit flies EVERYWHERE around me! There were tons of them on the wall, on the beams, I mean it was disgusting. I notified my party of this when they came downstairs and we waited in this mass of fruit flies until something opened up upstairs. I was so glad to get up there. Night and day. After that it was fun. Same feeling as before, that we were getting little for the money and it was more of a novelty thing you are paying for. The appetizers were cold so we had to send them back. I'm not sure if I'll be going back. That fruit fly thing still makes my stomach churn.
(2)
Deanna D.
The service here was great and the food was also very good. Since there are not very many Ethiopian restaurant Boston this one will get 4 stars. There are definitely better ones in DC and NY but this one is also very good for Boston. The ambiance is great-- wonderful dates spot. The combination platter is the way to go if you want to try out a little bit of everything. Its fairly priced and the portions are good sized. We will be back!
(4)
Erica K.
Because I'm one of those people who keep track of which cultural foods they've eaten, I was very excited to dine at Addis. I'd never eaten Ethiopian before so it was both an experience and a check mark. The restaurant itself was pretty cute--it had a 'home like' feel to it so it made the atmosphere very relaxing. A lot of the time when you're taking your food global the environment can be a bit stuffy and uptight so it was nice to keep the stilettos at home (oxfords for men;). On to the food...my eyebrows were raised when I saw my plate! Up until that point I didn't know that Ethiopians used Injera (a traditional flatbread) as an eating utensil and all I could think about was sog! I have zero tolerance for soggy food but to my surprise, I wasn't sopping up my meal. The menu was very appetizing and there were a lot of options for me to choose from (I'm a vegetarian). Dessert was equally as appetizing and they're not expensive at all! Roughly $50 for both me and my husband and we each had an appetizer, entree, dessert and sparkling water... As for customer service. They deserve 3 stars. We sat down immediately but waited about 15 to 20 minutes for a waitress. I believe there was only one working, however, she didn't bother to extend any of the courtesies that busy waitresses extend i.e., "sorry about the wait" or "I'll be right with you" etc. Also, her disposition wasn't rude, it just wasn't inviting...not what you'd expect from a waitress. She did keep a smile though, just a little neutral. Overall, I would definitely revisit Addis.
(4)
Sarah M.
Minus one star, because I've had tastier Ethiopian food, but this was still pretty darn good (so 4 stars for food) and minus one star for the seating service. Definitely a good place for a date, although I would bring a third person just so you can make a reservation! If you've never had Ethiopian food before, this is definitely the place to go. Kind of pricey, but the food itself is an experience and it won't disappoint. The only negative - seating. We got there around 6 ish and the place was PACKED. They won't take reservations for only two people, and they kept telling us the wait was 20 minutes: in total, it was around 45 or longer (after a while you go numb from the hunger). Waiting was a semi-stressful chaotic event, because they clearly aren't super organized, and since they don't have enough room for more than 5 or 6 people to wait inside, you worry that you'll miss hearing them call your name, so you fight the ever-surging tied of equally-stressed out wannabe patrons to keep checking on the list. In the end, we were only seated because the host said we could sit and eat at the bar - and we only got to do that because when he asked the people on the list in front of us if they wanted to do that, he said they couldn't eat there (clearly not true). But I kept my mouth shut and thirty minutes later we were scarfing chunks of delicious mystery meat and mushy, melt-in-your-mouth vegetable...things. I went on a date, and we shared a combo platter with chicken, beef and three veggie dishes. It was all delicious, and we both had different favorites - a good sign about the quality/flavor. It's also fun to eat with your hands when it's messy stuff that your mom would have made you use a fork for (or maybe that's just me). We also got a bottle of honey wine, since I'd read a positive review about it, but I wasn't a big fan. Way too sweet (and definitely honey flavored) for me. But it did add to the experience - or maybe that was the alcohol. Either way, I wouldn't be opposed to going here again, so long as I had enough people to make a reservation.
(3)
Candy L.
Now that I've moved to the west coast, not living near Red Sea is one of my biggest regrets. I ate here a bunch of times and really only order the same thing becuase it really can't get any better. The Ayib Begomen is creamy and cheesy and perfect. Then the Addis Red Sea Special Combo has a nice combo of delicious beef and lamb dishes. The flavors are all so complex (nothing is too spicy for those of you who don't like spicy). It's a good amount of food for 2 - 3 people. The best part is that you eat everything using the injera (a teff based fermented bread), it gets a little messy but that's all part of the fun!
(5)
Eduard D.
First off just want to say that the food was amazing. Absolutely the best Ethiopian food I had in MA. But the service was much lacking. We had to wait a while to be seated even though we were there a little after 5 and half of the restaurant was open. We also had to wait a while until anyone came up to us. Our appetizer was never brought to us. Although at the end of our meal there was an apology. We had a groupon, but the deserts were not covered by it. Although that was our mistake for not reading the fine print or informing the server at the beginning, the desert could have easily been substitutes for the appetizers; especially since they made a mistake. In conclusion: great food, poor service.
(3)
Fan L.
Awesome setting, food is meh. Plus I'm not very good at eating with my hands so I kinda made a mess of myself. Portions are small and they only have western dessert.
(3)
John D.
Two Stars: Meh. I've experienced better... AT THIS VERY LOCATION! I have been a fan of this place since I discovered it about 7 years ago. I frequented it a few times a year, and even recommended it to friends. Over the past year though, the few times I've been there, there has been a gradual decline in the quality of experience! Something like having the same big bag of chips only to find that the bag has more gas in it than a year ago! Why the two stars... because last night was the tipping point. I got a Groupon (I'm glad I resisted the impulse to get my GF a gift coupon too) The appetizer (Sambusa) we first asked for was not available. We deliberated for a few minutes and then... The second appetizer (Ye-Awaze Dabo) we asked for was not available either. Our server suggested the plain Dabo. It arrived a few minutes later... cold and sticky. I may not be an expert on Ethiopian cuisine, but I THINK this should have been warmer and fresher. Then came the main course - this has been my staple here pretty much every time I've been here - the Addis Red Sea Special Combo! The injera was COLD! 5 of the 6 items on the tray were room temperature. The only thing warm was the Zenge (Beef Stew). It was still flavorful, and it was 9pm, so we at it anyway. To get over the $40 mark of the Groupon we then asked for the appetizers. They brought out a platter of desserts and we picked the Flan ($7), that put us a few cents over $40! Mad Math skills, eh? When our check arrived and we gave them the Groupon, the deducted the wine (understandable) AND THE DESSERT! WHO DOES THAT. It's not in the fine print either. My protests were met with one single line repeated over and over: "Dessert is not part of the Groupon, honey!" Now, I know it's JUST $7... but damn it, it's MY $7! It was annoying to have to get jipped like this. So, to do the math again, I paid $20 for a $33 meal rather than a $40 meal! Addis, thanks for the good times, but your dessert left a bad taste in my mouth... I won't be seeing you for a while.
(2)
Liz P.
I found myself in a Boston cab a few months ago and, being the social person that I am, I got talking to the driver... Things I Learned: * He was from Ethiopia. * The place in Central Square is not Ethiopian food * Addis Red Sea is actually quite authentic (both food and atmo). * The one in South End is better than the one in Porter (suprising since they are owned by the same people)
(5)
Josh B.
Delicious food, served in a setting completely out-of-sorts for most Americans, and served in a manner that will shock you if you walk in unprepared. Add it all together and you've got a recipe for a great night out. Go with friends, because you'll want to try LOTS of different dishes, and if you're tall, make sure that you go to the chiropractor soon after. Trust me on that one.
(5)
Jennifer B.
Reliably delicious and interesting, but the service is sloooow. Good for groups if you're okay to share, but being the group of 12 college kids who are loud and can't decide is NOT fun for the rest of the restaurant (it just slows everyone down). Atmosphere is great in the cavernous stucco space, but be prepared to sit on stools for awhile (i.e. don't bring dad with back problems). Reserve to avoid the wait, but note that you can only call after 5pm since there's no one there to pick up the phone earlier.
(4)
Jenn S.
After passing by an Ethioian restaurant in the South End, some friends and I decided to try it sometime. A while after that, I read a friend's blog mentioning a great Ethiopian palce in the city and told my coworkers we should try it - apparently, it was the same place! So we decided it was fate and made a reservation. Only myself and one other girl had experienced the cuisine previously and for me, it was about 10 or 11 years ago - before I really started to branch out and like things other than you know, a burger and fries. (I did find it ironic that it had been all-you-can eat. After all, for my generation, Ethiopia was the country where people were starving, so we MUST finish our plate of food.) As an Indian cuisine lover, I figured I would love the Ethiopian this time around, as they are rather similar. It took us a while to get there, as there is no MBTA stop very close by, but the minute we walked in, we were all hooked. The decor is amazing and, since I had been worried about sitting on a backless chair for a few hours, I loved that we were seated at a "table" with backed chairs. We started off with the Dabo - Special Ethiopian bread with a tasty crust made with Semolina flour spiced with cumin and basted with oil. Knowing what Ethiopian bread is like (very spongy and well, weird - you have to experience it), I was hesitant to get this appetizer (prefering something like the Sambusa - pastries filled with your choice of meat or chicken - think Samosas) but it wasn't the usual spongy bread - it was so tasty and the dipping sauce was divine! I was so upset when the waitress took it away, rather than leave it for us to have with our meal. For the main course, which is eaten with your hands and comes on a HUGE plate of the bread (with bowls of extra bread), we each picked a meal. I don't remember exactly what we had, because at this point, we had gone through 2 bottles of the DIVINE Sauvignon Blanc, Omaka Springs (New Zealand) - with an Exotic kiwi and citrus fruit flavor. If you like wines, TRY it! I'm proud to say I picked this one out and we all loved it. However, I think these are the chicken dishes we got: - Doro Tibs - Herb grilled chicken tossed with fresh garlic, red peppers, white wine and ginger. Served with warm lentil salad (I was not going to eat the lentil salad, but I am so glad I did - it was by far my favorite thing!). - Doro Alcha - Chicken simmered in a mild sauce of butter, ginger and onions. I believe we got the Alcha in beef and had 2 vegetarian dishes. It's hard to remember, as there were 5 of us picking 5 meals (plus, the wine). Either way: GO. The food is delicious, the price is reasonable, the ambiance and decor are wonderful and the service is impeccable. I loved this place and just wish it was closer to where I live or work!
(5)
Jimmy H.
Everytime I write review, I try to choose words carefully and make as detail and descriptive as I can so that you, readers, can get what I am saying. I've been to this place 3 times now. Every time I went, I tried to remember or even write down what I ate. But Ethiopian food in general, I am so foreign to it. Therefore I can never remember the name of what the fuck I ate. Some meat. Lamb, Beef or chicken. And it was wicked tasty and I can't get enough of it. For those who never had Ethiopian food, spiciness somewhat reminds me of Indian. And you'll eat those with loads of tasty bread. Price is reasonable. I usually pay $20 flat.
(4)
Daina L.
Really great food! Get the Addis Red Sea Special Combo. (good for two) and you'll leave satisfied. Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Keli R.
I had my first Ethiopian food experience at Addis Red Sea on Saturday night. We had been searching Yelp for restaurants in our areas and at first had thought we would appetizer hop through a few of them...until we read the reviews about Addis. My boyfriend and I find every new city as a chance to expand our culinary tastebuds...trying things we have always wanted to explore. Addis was a great opportunity for us and we were very excited!! We turned the corner onto Tremont street and could smell the exotic spices and knew we were on the right path...the large group of people waiting outside confirmed it. Now, I am always a bit weary of large groups of people. It either means A. The food is amazing or B. It's just a "trendy" place to be and/or tourist trap. I'm glad the latter was true. Now I must say that I am quite impatient and HATE waiting...but, my every calming boyfriend assured me it would be worth it..so we waited, an hour. We were finally called and ushered into a basement room. I never knew this place was this big! it's an unassuming little basement door from the outside. Never wanting to offend, I made my boyfriend check his eye phone to research the proper etiquette before we ate and learned we must only eat with our right hand...so, I sat on my left so I didn't mess up. haha. We were seated at high back chairs that sat around a brightly colored straw basket/table that resembled a bongo without the skin on top. Cool already. Our waitress was friendly and beautiful. I noticed the constant traffic of older Ethiopian women scurrying from the kitchen which I always LOVE to see because it means the food is authentic..and that's what we're all here for! I told our waitress we were newbies to this whole Ethiopian thing and she suggested we get the sampler platter. We also ordered a type of bread with spicy red pepper sauce and berbere (an ethiopian hot spice). The appetizer came, the bread was a little thick and dry for my taste (sort of tasted like a tomato basil wrap) but the sauce was delish and unlike anything I have ever tasted. I thought it tasted like beans and my boyfriend thought it tasted like peppers. Either way it was spicy...but not too spicy. The kind of spice that hits you at the last minute at the back of your throat. Our meal came and was I believe chicken, chicken, lamb and beef? Basically they're little bowls of stews that she spoons onto our injera..with a salad condiment which turned out to be only tomatoes. Not sure if this is how it normally is or they ran out of lettuce? I liked 3 out of the 4 stews that we had...although we weren't really sure which was which. One of the stews tasted very oily and I was tasting it still the next day. But the bread....the injera... YUM! so light and fluffy. Like a pancake/crepe...I quickly googled how to make it and will order Teff online soon. All in all, I enjoyed my time at Addis and have been researching places in Connecticut to try that have delish Ethiopian food as well. Any suggestions?
(4)
Meagan F.
I love this place. The service can be a little slow, and you have to ask to get your water glass refilled, but the food and atmosphere make it all worth it. At Addis Red Sea, you sit on small benches close to the ground and eat out of a communal African Basket with your hands. Candles light each corner of the room, which is filled with interesting African art. The staff is in traditional garb, making the experience not just a culinary but also an aesthetic one. We have been here countless times, and we like to try something different every time. This time we tried Sambusa with spiced meat and lentils, Yesmir Wot (lentils in a spicy Ethiopian BBQ sauce), Doro Wot (chicken in a red pepper sauce), and Yasa Tibs (fried fish). We had a Groupon this time, so we also received a couple of salads. Everything is so fresh, the stew sauces are packed with flavor, and the bread is perfection. I've tried other places, and the bread can taste strongly of baking soda, but not Addis Red Sea. It is just wonderful. A solid dining experience every time, if you don't mind a relaxed pace when eating.
(4)
Celeste M.
I love Addis Red Sea. I've been here with my bf about 4 or 5 times now. We always get the Addis Red Sea combo so we don't have to choose between the chicken, lamb, and beef. Everything is tender and delicious. I wish that I could get the combo for one but that particular combo only comes for two. Service can be a little bit slow, so this is more of a choice for a luxurious, relaxed, dinner with your lover, family, or friends.
(5)
Mark R.
The food is so-so, the service a little slow (though friendly enough) and yet, as an experience, the place is fantastic! Seriously, how often do you get to try ethiopian food? Lots of interesting flavours, big portions (my wife and I shared a combination platter and a second entre and couldn't finish it) and the place has ambiance to boot. If you're at all intrigued, you should give it a chance.
(3)
Jason H.
The skinny: great tasting ethiopian food at a good price. Note the flavor is the non sour (non eritrean) type which tends to be more agreeable with most people not accustomed to it. The dip: i have had a decent variety of ethiopian food in los angeles. So i am not an expert but know a little bit. The fod here was tasty, in good quantity, served nicely with good service at good price. To me that's 5 stars. I took a friend who'd never had ethiopian before so i ordered the sampler platter. Sorry i don't remember the exact name. But it had chicken beef and three veggie toppings. This was about $28 and would feed 3-4 people in most situations. We also had an $8 glass of the honey wine. Maybe a little pricey but not by much for boston. So basically what i have to say is that the food tasted fresh. The injara bread was well made. The quantity was more than worth the price. The decor was pleasant. The bathrooms were clean. They even offered a showing of dessert just in case we weren't stuffed. So for anyone with some ethiopian experience come on in its good quality. For those who have no idea this is a good place to have a first experience. If you bring a date just be aware that the restaurant is in a less pretty neighborhood so don't be spooked. But it's safe.
(5)
Mon R.
(Maybe reviewers should let people know whether this was their FIRST ethiopian food experience, because this might change the way others view their reliability). I LOVE ethiopian food, so I was a bit put off by Addis Red Sea. The decor is wonderful- the atmosphere definitely makes Addis worth visiting. Unfortunately, the decor doesn't match the service or the food. For a Monday night they were pretty busy, but it felt like EVERYONE was waiting for their food to finally arrive. We were given ample time to search through the menu. My husband and I opted for a combination dish ('for two'). I didn't like the fact that for 'combination' options they only really had 'vegetarian' OR 'meat' - I like a mix of both. Regardless, we got , the Addis Red Sea combo- all meat options. My husband got a glass of their Ethiopian honey wine, $7, and we ordered steak tips as an appetizer. Neither the honey wine nor the steak tips were worth the purchase. The steak tips honestly just seemed like they were microwaved, and were definitely over-cooked. Did I mention the service was slow? We finally received our main dish WITHOUT two of our meat options. The waitress apologized profusely and went to go retrieve them. All of the food was bland for Ethiopian, and many were cold by the time they made it to our table. Needless to say, my hunger was satisfied, but disappointed to know that better Ethiopian exists out there... edit: After reading other reviews, I realized that for those who've never tried ethiopian food before- this is generally a good place to start (they've all given high ratings), but for those of us who have tried ethiopian food before, you will surely be let down.
(1)
Adam G.
I keep giving this place another chance, but it never gets any better. From the very start, it doesn't matter when you have a reservation, you will wait on the weekend and the staff doesn't really seem interested. The service was poor despite there being plenty of people, and even some who asked us if we needed something. It took 4 requests from 4 different people to get water and drink menus. We were not in a rush, but we became a bit impatient. 2 of my friends were Ethiopian and we let them order. We were all disappointed in the food. It was bland and fairly small portions. My friend, who is Ethiopian) asked for some spicy powder which took a while to come, but when I put it on the food it gave it some good flavor. Why don't they season their food with this? It almost seems like they make it bland for the mostly white clients instead of going for a more authentic experience. I have had much better Ethiopian food in DC and NYC. I don't think I'll give this place a 4th chance.
(2)
Steve M.
I was very disappointed. I am a vegan and ordered the Green Salad and Yesmsir Alcha (a lentil dish). Both dishes were boring and a poor value for money. My dining companion had a beef dish which she enjoyed. The service was good. The atmosphere was very nice.
(2)
H S.
Very small but busy little place. The food was good, but they seemed to be out of a lot of different things, including food, certain beers, and certain wines. It seemed like every thing we ordered they were out of, so we had to settle for silver in most cases. The service wasn't very great, we had to wait long periods of time to order, to eat, to pay, etc. We also had to continuously beg for more bread, as we were a big party and they kept giving us only two pieces at a time. I might try the other location next time.
(3)
Jason L.
3.5 stars A refreshing change of pace on the usual Tremont Street restaurants, Addis Red Sea is an Ethiopian place that serves affordable Tremont dining for those wishing to change up the 'ol routine. My dining companion and I went for the big sampling platter, which included Doro Wot, Doro Alcha, Lega Tibs, Zenge (Exotic Beef Stew), House Salad and Gomen Wot (for two: $24.95). We wanted to try more of the menu so instead of having 2 chicken dishes we substituted the Doro Alcha for the Yebeg alcha (lamb). We also had the sambusa appetizers (ethiopian version of a samosa fried pastry), which for two mediocre size pieces at $7 was frankly, underwhelming in flavor and not worth it. Should have tried their honey wine instead. All in all, the decor is warm, the service is acceptable, but somehow in the end, once the novelty of eating with your hands wears off, I find myself thinking that the lamb meat was really tough, and although the flavors of beef Zenge were delicious, there were many recycled flavors throughout. I also would have no problem just eating that light and fluffy injera bread plain. Still worth a visit if you've never tried. Food (6/10) Decor (4/5) Service (3/5) Value (5/5) - what a steal on Tremont street
(3)
Sarah N.
Waited awhile... 2 hours, it was groupon night. They told us we didn't need to reserve a table, boy that was wrong! The service was not great, very slow. The decor is lovely. The beef was excellent and the chicken was very good but the lamb was full of grizzle..
(3)
samatha r.
Well, I shall start by saying I will actually give 4 1/2 stars, Because I do think it's a little expensive for what it offers. Key word is "little". They are almost reasonable. the Place looks great. every thing looks and smells clean, unlike most places who cook African/Asian food. Food comes a little late compared to the other restaurants, How ever, Taste makes up for it. If you are Indian, or Understand what I am saying, The place serves Dosa's with different curries. Chicken tastes exactly like SouthIndian home cooked chicken curry. so, if you wanna go, I recommend it. All they are missing is a coconut chutney. In case you are not, Food comes on a big platter on a spongy Bread(Dosa).When they say side dishes, they mean more curries. They spread it on the big platter on the spongy bread. Every one eats from the same plate. It's a little oily, if you really don't like it, I guess you gotta ask the staff to reduce oil content. We had mango and guava juice, Mango juice tastes really artificial, but guava juice is quite good. All in all, you can go here when you want a different experience & ethnic food which is not too spicy. Though I am saying it's a $$$ restaurant, it's more like being quite high end on $$ restaurant.
(5)
Kevin B.
Feels a bit outdated inside but food is great and one-of-a-kind. No complains, will be back.
(4)
Andrew G.
What you should know: -service can feel slow -the low no-back seating can be a little uncomfortable if you're tall like me; my wife is not tall and she doesn't mind -the negatives don't matter; they're amazingly nice people who provide an amazingly unique meal that I've never been disappointed in. -don't be afraid to order things with the spicy symbol; it's not very spicy -the cottage cheese appetizers are amazing -ordering individual items can make it a little overpriced, but ordering one of the five dish combos to share amongst 2 or 3 people makes it an amazingly good deal; these combos are not excluded from the frequently offered groupon -whenever someone from a non-urban place comes to visit, this is an awesome option. you can show them a meal that they likely can't get at home without breaking the bank - HIGHLY RECOMMEND
(5)
Thana T.
So I'm headed out to dinner with a group of friends and am told to keep an open mind. Fearing the worst, I step into Addis with a mild sense of trepidation. Will I have a plate served to me with various innards staring back up at me from my plate? No? Oh, I just have to eat with my hands. Well I can handle THAT silly. In fact, Ethiopian food has quickly climbed the ladder from 'what's that?' to 'can I PLEASE have one of everything?' Now excuse me while I butcher the spelling and nomenclature of anything Ethiopian related. Between four of us, we shared 3 warm, puffy ''plates' of (dough?) with our various orders poured onto them. The food choices ranged from lamb to spiced fish to lentils and encouraged a communal eating style between all of us. Everything was absolutely DELICIOUS, if you couldn't tell from the plate being wiped completely clean afterwards. Warm wet towels supplied beforehand and moist towelettes afterwards ensures that your eating experience is both filling and clean. And the best part? At $10 to $15 per person, I can indulge whenever I want without breaking the bank. I am definitely coming back again.
(5)
Claudette B.
Such a pretty restaurant! The servers were nice Ethiopian style dresses and the tables and chairs are all Ethiopian style too. Wish the food were as authentic as the styling of the restaurant! Food was very high quality; service was very nice. Sadly, their berbere seasoning lacked flavor. Their injera was not sour. Their kitfo did not come with the expected seasoning salt/spice powder not traditional cheese. It was all tasty and settled nicely, but it was Ethiopian food for beginners.
(3)
Manesh P.
The subterranean location and somewhat aged interior can be a bit off putting, but the food is pretty good. Not sure if the injera is supposed to get so soggy that you can barely pick food up, but maybe I just don't have the eating with your hands technique down. Not a ton of variety on the menu, but probably enough to go with a group and find something for everyone. I love the little communal tables and the fact that all your food comes out all on one plate. Go with good friends (with good hygeine), enjoy the camaraderie, and try not to start a food fight. Feel free to discretely pat a buddy on the back with your saucy fingers.
(3)
Evan V.
On my insistence, a large group of close friends and myself headed to Boston for most everyone's first dose of Ethiopian. Having closely studied the dining customs of the culture (aka googling "how to eat Ethiopian") I informed everyone in the "what to expect department". Despite their training, my fellow diners managed to not only complain, but made absolute fools of themselves. The staff, being accustomed to first-timers, were quite patient, helpful and friendly. As a strict vegetarian my options were limited, but I found something that would hold me over. Atop the spongy, traditionally-made injera bread, that serves as a dish, I received a smattering of what can only be described as scoops of similarly-textured, earth-toned mush. The tiny piles of chickpeas, lentils and two other veg dishes were interestingly seasoned, but far from satisfying - at least for the price ($14.95). I have to imagine that what patrons here are really paying for is the experience that comes along with the novelty of eating with your hands and what have you. Now, I am not questioning the authenticity of the dishes by any means. I have since however done some experimenting in the kitchen myself and made some pretty slamming teff-based stew for next to nothing, on the cost front, and that also really filled me up. It is a nice restaurant, unquestionably, but for this reviewer, Addis Red Sea really falls short in both value and variety. Again, I found the service outstanding.
(3)
Jacob M.
Been going to Addis for almost ten years now. Food is very good. Service, kind. A little slow on a busy night, but manageable. Their kitfo (spicy beef tartar) is my favorite, and their injera is dangerous addictive.
(4)
Nalin R.
Delicious vegetarian options, addictive bread, and unique wine list that complements the spicy and flavorful fare. Richly decorated and with authentic tables and seating for the full experience. Helpful and welcoming staff.
(5)
Spencer T.
Great place. Not just dinner....this is a dining experience! I felt like I was in the desserts of Ethiopia in someone's home, eating off their wicker tables with no utensils. Amazing food, polite staff. Speed is moderate-slow, but that's culture so it's part of the feel. Order some mango or guava juice! Wow!!!! Can't go wrong with any dish here.
(5)
Hui Ying C.
Very delicious. Deceptively super filling with soft bread and very flavorful bean dishes. Great for vegans and vegetarians. Delicious Non Veg options available as well. Loved the atmosphere, price range and food.
(5)
Aditya R.
It's a difficult to find restaurant, but boy I was lucky to find this! I don't remember what exactly I ordered, but I remembered ordering the 2 spicy dishes on the vegetarian section. The food was great, finished the whole platter. The service was great too, extremely friendly. Should check this out for different dining exprerience!
(4)
Laura C.
Many people cite Addis as being the go-to Ethiopian joint in Boston. I whole-heartedly disagree. I've eaten Ethiopian in New York, DC, and Atlanta, at some of the best in the country, and I always feel disappointed when I come to Addis. First off, they don't use the traditional Teff flour in their injera, they use white flour, making the entire dish just a little bit off. I really enjoy the tang of good teff injera, and it adds such a depth of flavor to the entire meal. Instead, Addis takes the cheap route and doesn't even use a little bit of teff. We went with a gluten-free member in our party and had to ask for special injera (which I've never had to do at any other Ethiopian restaurant, ever). Especially when the bread you eat is basically your utensil for your food, it's really important to strive for perfect injera. Especially if your dishes are going to lack flavor.... leading to.... Secondly, they focus all their energy on producing good meat dishes that the vegetarian dishes get the shaft. Ethiopian food is a boon to vegetarians and vegans for making hearty, healthy, protein-filled dishes with a wallop of flavor. Not so at Addis. Even the Yemisir Wot (lentils with berebere) were lacking in strong flavor. And the usually yummy and mild Tikil Gomen (cabbage with turmeric and ginger) was watery and bland. And without that injera to add the sweet tang, the vegetable dishes just end up boring and uneaten. That said, though, their meat dishes are quite good. Their Gored Gored is excellent and they even have raw Kitfo on the menu. But it isn't fair to sacrifice the amazing flavor of great vegetarian dishes to focus on the meat. To top it off, the service is iffy and slow. The people are kind, but we ended up waiting a long time for service, and then getting the wrong type of lamb than what we ordered. Additionally, they were out of two of the types of wine we tried to order and both of the Ethiopian beers on the menu. It was only a Thursday, your menu shouldn't be out of so many options. And if they are permanently removed from your menu, then you should update your menu. And considering how much this place costs, there is no reason to sacrifice so much from your kitchen. For a really astounding and caring place to go in town for Ethiopian, go to Asmara in Central Square. Their service is amazing, their vegetarian combo is out of this world, and they use real teff flour for a much more authentic experience and much easier on your wallet.
(2)
Emmi Z.
The food, when it came, was delicious. Unfortunately, it took over an hour to get to our table. I went on a Friday night and it took about twenty minutes to seat us (understandable, it was busy and there were lots of people waiting) and then ANOTHER thirty minutes before someone came to our table, poured us our water, and took our order. After that, it was a good 40 minutes before our food was brought out, no one ever refilled our water, and - after we'd finished eating - I had to ask for my check THREE TIMES before someone brought it to me. I would have understood if it had been super busy but, by the time our food came, the waitresses and two of the bus boys were hanging out by the bar passing a smart phone back and forth watching a youtube video. The manager did apologize and offer to bring us dessert for free when I brought it to his attention but, as I didn't want to be stuck there for another hour, I declined.
(2)
Fulgencio M.
Oh my God, the most confusing experience of my life. I live in Miami, and so I've never met an Ethiopian, and didn't realize that they had restaurants. I was wandering down Tremont one night this past September, on my way to my fabulous hotel, when the GPS on my phone malfunctioned. Since Boston cab drivers always mistake me for being stupid and try to take me on rides without the meter running, I decided to stop into a little restaurant to ask for directions. Addis Red Sea was the closest place. I skipped in, wearing my most European trenchcoat with a full-bodied scarf that complemented my green contact lenses, and asked for directions. These people didn't understand a word I was saying, and before long I was seated in the back of this cozy, single-room restaurant, being served Ethiopian red wine and vegetarian sambusa. I had no idea what I was eating, and wondered why my table was so low to the ground. My theory is that this place used to be a Kindercare and they just couldn't afford to buy new tables. I wouldn't have stayed but whenever someone hands me red wine I can't say no. Being a wine snob, having never heard of Ethiopian wine, I was pleasantly surprised. "Gouder" was the name of it, and since I've been searching Miami for a bottle. I assumed that these people weren't going to give me directions until I ate some more food, so I ordered a vegetarian combination platter. Of course I wasn't going to eat meat, hEllO, not with this body. I told the waitress to bring out whichever vegetarian dishes she recommended most. When she returned with a large piece of spongey bread and little piles of 'things' on them, I'll admit, I had no clue what to do. To make matters worse, there were so many gays in there (please, the South End, hEllO) that I couldn't embarrass myself. So I scooped up the little piles of food with the sponge bread and wOw is all I can say. The kinche was sOOo delicious. The butecha nearly made me cry. One more glass of Gouder and I think I would have. When the waitress returned I asked her for directions and she still wouldn't give in. I felt like a latin James Bond (with a 27 waist) in a force-feeding stand-off. And so I ordered dessert. A delicious little fruit tart that I devoured. All the gays in there must have been wondering how I ate so much yet stay so thin. But I didn't know what they were saying because half were speaking crazy-talk. Turkish, or something. Now if only Addis Red Sea would open a branch in South Beach... what a wonderful little place, and what wonderful food. I left feeling... so international. And yes, she finally gave me directions, but only after a 20% tip. This has been a Review by Fulgencio
(5)
Del S.
OK, I don't get this place. I wasn't impressed with their bland cold food, somewhat unfriendly service or the pathetic portions for the price you pay. On top of that the place was crowded and uncomfortable. I am giving the place 2 stars instead of 1 star simply for it's uniqueness and originality of the restaurant setting, but I don't plan to visit again.
(2)
May W.
I've definitely had better Ethiopian food. The bread was not fresh at all, and the servings seemed small. Some of the flavors weren't that great, and some of the meat was too chewy.
(2)
Renee M.
I was debating whether to give Addis Red Sea 3 or 4 stars, but in the end I went with 3. I had never had Ethiopian food before this, and wasn't too sure what to expect. I ordered a spicy chicken dish, which ended up being the best at the table. While my dish was yummy, it wasn't shockingly different than other types of cuisine I've tried. Kind of tasted like spicy chili, but without the beans.The spongy bread you use to pick up your food was good but very filling. This place is nice to go with a group of friends, and I enjoyed eating with my hands :) And, while my food was good, I don't know if it's worth making the long trek to the South End to return to Addis Red Sea. Good, but didn't rock my socks.
(3)
Nicole K.
LOVE the food, love the staff, ambiance, et al. I've seen comments about the slow service, but I get the impression it's intentional. I've been eating here for 10 years, and I have always had the same experience, and it seems to me the idea behind this communal eating is to slow down, enjoy each others company, and savor the food. So, try #4 on the app list (Ayib Betmitmita), anything in Wot sauce, and the Baklava. Don't expect to eat in an hour then catch a show across the street. Enjoy!
(4)
Nadeem I.
This place is great. It has the best Ethiopian food in the Boston area but it is kind of pricy. Get the lentil dish...yum! and eat lots of injera with your bare hands.
(4)
Joanna L.
Really like this place. Another gem in south end, where you can have fun dining in a unique and hands-on interactive way. Great for a date or a small group of friends who want to try something new. Style of eating here is at a low-table with a spongy mat of bread rolled out across the table; whatever stews you order are placed on the mat of bread in different locations, and you tear at the bread as you eat different things around the table. Just hands, no utensils! Interior and ambience are laid-back, cool, and funky - but not impressive. Kind of like someone's basement with ethnic flair and funk. Staff is friendly and warm. All the stews, veggie and meat, i've tried are delicious - definitely get beef tibs, and the veggie combo to supplement. Things are flavorful and tasty, but in a really easy-going way. If this is one of your first times eating ethiopian food, you won't find the dishes "too exotic" or "acquired tastes." And, if you've eaten lots of ethiopian food, you'll still enjoy it.
(4)
Jacqui L.
I've been wanting to try Ethiopian food for a while and came across Addis Red Sea in Boston, MA. I would 100% say it was worth my wait! It's a little hole in the wall type of restaurant. When I walked in..the decor was so beautiful...lots of warm colors and unique iteams from Ethiopia..every last detail was gorjous! I'm a vegatarian and I ended up ordering off the salad section: Ye-Miser Salata - Warm lentil salad laced with onions, green peppers and herbs. $6.95 The flatbread (Injera) that sits under your food was delicious..my food tasted so good and I loved eating with my hands...something very different...I made a mess but it was so much fun and I loved every bite! This place was amazing and I'm deff going back as soon as possible!!! :)
(4)
Michelle L.
Hoping to impress, I decided to take my girlfriend here for our first official date. Neither of us had ever tried Ethiopian before and we wanted to expand our horizons. Eating with our hands and sharing our food sounded intimate and romantic. We didn't have to wait, though it probably helped that the weather was terrible all weekend. We were led straight to a table , where the music, warm colors and soft-lit ambience proved my intuition correct: this was going to be a charming and romantic evening. We investigated everything on the menu and decided on the Red Sea Combo for two, since we both wanted to try everything. The injera was tasty-- not a lot of flavor in itself, but a perfect conduit for the piles of delicious food mounded on top. Portions were small for each dish, but filling. The GF and I agreed we needed to look up injera recipes when we got back home. We liked everything we tried-- the salad ended up a little neglected simply because it was cold and less exciting-- but we especially loved the Doro Alcha, with tender, falling-apart chicken, and the Gomen Wot (collard greens). Service was good; we never ran out of water, which would have been dangerous with the spicier dishes we'd ordered. Warning: when it comes time for dessert, your server will not simply ask if you'd like the dessert menu. Ours approached us with a tray of their available desserts and proceeded to wave them under our noses as she asked us if we wanted dessert. Resistance is futile. The creme brulee, though obviously not Ethiopian at all, was too tempting to pass up-- it was the most romantic desert either of us could think of, and the juicy ripe strawberries sitting on top sealed the deal. The brulee was very tasty, and the perfect amount to split after a very full meal. I was surprised at how affordable the price was, especially for Boston, especially for the South End. This was a perfect date spot. My review may be a little rose-colored by the success of the date, but Addis Red Sea fulfilled my expectations completely.
(5)
Sarah S.
The atmosphere is spectacular. We ordered the vegetarian combination, and the servings initially look small, but then neither of us could finish. The giagantoid plate is deceiving. Their injera is spongy and fresh and perfect. We avoided the dishes labelled spicy, and I was a bit disappointed that the other dishes were a little too un-spicy, but that could have been our own ordering mistake. As another reviewer stated, the appetizers are overpriced for what you get. Decent selection of wines.
(3)
Megan S.
Be ready for a wait on the weekend. Ethiopian restaurants are few and far between in Boston, and those in the know go to Addis. They cramp you in a tiny lobby, tell you it will be just ten minutes and then force you to endure the mouth-watering smells of deeeelicious food that everyone else is eating. When you finally receive your table, be careful about ordering champagne. It goes well with the spicy food, but the waitress may hit you with the cork. Then the moment comes--your food has arrived. Get some extra sponge bread and dig in--especially the lentils and peas. Mmmmm.
(4)
Thy L.
I had a horrible experience at this place. The food was OKAY. I was not impressed. I just felt like I was getting fed a slob of mushy gunk. Do people just go here to enjoy the "experience" of eating on a foreign table? Food aside, service was horrible. I made a reservation for a party of 10 at 7:00pm. About 3 of us were going to be late. I told the host and asked if he could hold the table for an extra 10 minutes at around 6:55 since I knew they had a full-party seating rule. He told me he could hold it for another 5 minutes. that's fine. my fault for not ensuring all 10 of my friends would be on time Then I didn't know they don't allow outside cakes until I got there. They have a little pastry area that you "have the option" of ordering from. I asked the waitress to put the cake in the fridge for me and we'll go somewhere else to eat it later. Okay, I look at the menu. Not a lot looked appetizing to me. I decided to share with a friend. When I told the waitress she said there is a $7 surcharge for sharing. Am I going to get more food? Why am I getting punished for having a small appetite? Why are they encouraging gluttony? I decided to order my own entree because I wasn't going to pay $7 for absolutely nothing. I was not impressed by the spongy bread they serve the food on. I would much rather eat Naan bread. If you leave the food there too long the bread gets really mushy and gross. Oh and don't expect to get utensils. I asked, they don't have any. You have to use your hands to eat your food for the full experience. We pay, the 18% gratuity is included of course even though the waitress was annoying and rude. why do i say that? well, we brought our cake back.. and it was broken in half. I know it wasn't broken when I gave it to them because i looked at it before we got into the restaurant. Thank you Addis for ruining my friend's birthday. IN SHORT: 1) make reservations, arrive early/on time because they won't hold it. 2) don't bring a cake 3) you can't share, if you want to you have to pay a $7 penalty 4) don't expect anything you give to the waitress to put aside for you to come back in one piece
(1)
Catherine S.
Such a unique dining experience! My boyfriend had been before, and took me back after getting a Groupon to use. It was helpful having him there because this isn't your typical restaurant. The waitress brings out warm towels before you get your meal, and you use them to wipe your hands off (just telling you this so you don't get confused like I did). You order your meal, and they put it on a round, spongy piece of bread the size of the small table you're served on. You scoop it all up with your hands, which turns out being a nice thing because the food is so good, all you want to do is shovel it in. I had a chicken dish, which was great. The closest thing to compare to is chicken tikka masala: the chicken is cooked in sauce for a while, and comes out moist and liquid-y. If you're into trying new things, I highly recommend this place!
(4)
Agape W.
Having had a college roommate who grew up in Ethiopia, I've learned to appreciate good Ethiopian food. Unfortunately, Addis Red Sea was mediocre at best. The injera lacked the sourness I have grown accustomed to from restaurants in NYC and Denver, and the chicken and 3 vegetable sides I had lacked a depth of flavor. The cabbage side was virtually cut steamed cabbage... Not a spice to be found. The same goes for the mixed vegetables. While I was disappointed, those with me who didn't know what to expect found the food to be perfectly palatable. It wasn't terrible but I definitely won't go back before trying a different Ethiopian restaurant.
(3)
Calli C.
This is my go-to spot for first dates; the lighting is flattering, the atmosphere is friendly and intimate, and the food is (no bettter word than) FUN. You eat with your hands! As someone who commonly drops utensils on the ground and is baffled by complex table settings, relying upon the best ten utensils we were born with - and luckily didn't lose in that freak stapler accident - is the way to go. There is a communal platter covered in the mouthwatering spongy bread called injera, and the dishes you order come out in small bowls that are then poured onto the injera. With additional pieces of the bread you can rip them off and scoop the food into your mouth. The tactile quality of the food only amplifies the moans of pleasure coming from your tastebuds. I think I've tried most everything on the menu, and have never been disappointed. The Ethiopian beer and wine are both delicious, and the waitstaff have always been friendly and attentive. Note though, that this is not a place for a quick bite to eat. Come ready to relish a delightful meal while perched on somewhat unique seating.
(5)
Chris B.
I enjoy Addis quite a lot. A friend of mine said to avoid the Cambridge location (I've never been), but this one has been solid the 3 times I've been. One weird quirk -- on my last time, they served two different times of inerja bread: one sour, and one like a pancake (tasteless). The sour one is definitely far better, so I'm not sure what the deal was with the other one. I'm pretty sure historically I've only ever had the sour one at Ethiopian restaurants. A few notes: ~ We've gone all-meat, and all-veggie on different occasions. One of the chicken stews stands out as an excellent dish. ~ I sincerely wish they would give a simple green salad in the middle of the plate to compliment some of the flavors -- my favorite Ethiopian place in San Jose, CA did this to great effect. ~ Sometimes the food doesn't seem to be super awesomely cooked, which is a bit unfortunate, but the experience is always so nice we come out very happy nonetheless. ~ The honey wine is to die for -- always get a bottle or at least a glass. They get a couple stars just for this. Interestingly, it looks like they might use a US-based provider of the wine, from Oakland CA? ~ Try not to sit downstairs... upstairs is much happier. ~ Service is great -- happy, helpful people.
(4)
Tita D.
Love it! Fantastic atmosphere, great service and best of all amazingly delicious food! If you haven't been there Addis is a must go for all occasions. Can't wait to go back
(5)
Emily A.
Delicious Ethiopian with great ambiance. However, the portions were much smaller than what I'm used to getting at other Ethiopian restaurants and the prices were MUCH steeper. Don't expect to get out of there spending less than $30. The array of desserts were disappointing, with nothing seeming to be authentic at all. However the injera was really tasty and the service was good.
(4)
Steve L.
I love eating with my hands! This is a cool place to go and the food is very tasty. It's one of my favorite places to bring out of town visitors, and just about everyone has loved it. The only drawback is that the wait can be very long and they only serve beer/wine. There's also nowhere to wait.
(5)
LuluandDaquan B.
Maybe I am just not a fan of Ethiopian food, but this place seems way overrated to me. Many come here for the experience: African decor, sitting on little stools and using bowl shaped tables, etc. It's probably fun for a not so ordinary dinner but I felt that the food was sub-par and definitely could have been better so that's the 2 stars. The selection of food is heavy on meat and fish stews that you eat over spongey bread. I don't like stews, and though the bread was ok it wasn't flavorful and not good enough to overlook the entrees. The food doesn't look very appetizing and doesn't have great taste either. Service was poor, came here with a group, did not get served until an hour and 10 minutes after.
(2)
Jeffrey K.
Porter Square on the (whichever) Red Line! I've been to this place twice now, and has been my only experience with Ethiopian food. With that in mind, the food here is damn good. I was slightly skeptical of the sponge bread (Injera), but got over that quickly when I tasted the delicious varieties of goop they spread all over it. Just because I still haven't found exactly what I like, I've shared the Addis Red Sea Special combo both times. I find the meat dishes strikingly similar in flavor to Indian food, but a little heavier (they use a LOT of butter) and more mild/bland in flavor. The only reservation I would warn about this place is that the service is seriously slow, especially if you get sit in the lower level. Also, if you're a texture person the Injera might be a little difficult to get past.
(4)
Harry D.
If you're on a budget and its a dinner for two, make sure to get the addis red sea combo, its a huge meal accompanied with injera bread. This restaurant doesn't leave anyone out; With vegetarian and vegan friendly menu items to choose from. Bon appetite!
(5)
Huan z.
I would give this restaurant 3 and half star for the friendly service and beautiful decoration. Food is also very carefully made and delicious. Pick Injera with your right hand only. Make sure you do not eat with your left hand! In Ethiopia, food is a respected gift from God and eating with your left hand is a sign of disrespect.
(3)
Brent C.
Great group atmosphere. Served family style with utensil bread. This place is a ton of fun. Food was just as good. Highly recommended.
(4)
stephanie c.
Really cute place. Love the cushion chairs and ambiance. Great date spot for something adventurous and different. Injera was light, fluffy, and tasty. I could pick at that alone. Tried the Yebeg Wot (lamb), Gomen Wot (chopped collard greens), and split peas. Everything was tasty and surprisingly much lighter than I expected. Service was great and the Ethiopian beer was not bad at all! (for someone who typically doesnt enjoy beer). It was a great experience. Not sure if Ethiopian food is my all time favorite, but I'd definitely come again for something different and tasty.
(4)
Kristen W.
I can't believe it has taken me so long to write you all and profess my unabashed love for this place! Used to come here once a month in the early 00's as I went to law school just a hop skip and a jump away. The cool, comfortable basement locale is equally wonderful with a group of friends or just one on one with your special guy / lady. Thanks to a good friend who recently went vegan and had heard this was a good location for vegans, I, in all my suburban glory, would have forgotten to write about Addis Red Sea's delights! Oh but Addis Red Sea, I will never forsake thee! I am already plotting my next visit, in fact. If you have never had Ethiopian food, you may want to find a dining partner who has and start your exploration of the stewed meats and veggies that way. The injera here (the spongy bread on which you eat and with which you eat) is fresh fresh fresh and never brittle - you can also ask for a whole wheat version. The food is so much fun to share - when I dine out with meat-eating buddies the "Winnie Mandela" is usually on the mesob (ethiopian name for the lovely woven tables you dine on). It features the meal Mrs. Mandela ordered here during her visit here (which I think was back in the 90's?). Do start with sambusas (like Indian samosas)! Cheap and filling! For your main course - pretty much everything is a combo plate - one or two meat based dishes with some vegetarian dishes. For veg: the Gomen Wot (Chopped collard greens cooked in herbed oil with onions, green pepper and garlic) is a personal favorite. The split pea dish is also quite tasty. I love all of the chicken dishes - the chicken has litterally fallen off the bone once it is on your plate of injera - the texture is reminiscent of Moroccan clay pot cooking but with more pureed veggies and less overwhelming spice - one can really taste the subtle slow cooked, butter enhanced flavors for themselves rather than being overwhelmed by spice which could invade your enjoyment of the other dishes. My personal faves - anything "alcha" - chicken, lentils, beef - all so wonderfully delicate - they play well with the other flavors that will wind up in your tummy. I am not the hugest lamb fan - but I heat the lamb is amazing (it is affordable for certain, as is everything here - we're talking an average $6 for a glass of wine and $15 or so for a combination dish) You are getting a good amount of starch to fill you up with the bread you eat with / on - so I was a bit disappointed with my choice to try the Kinche (Cracked wheat blended with herbed oil or butter and spices) as one of my veggie options on my last visit. It was the only thing that was hard and messy to eat and really was just like having a pile of pastene (small pearl pasta) or couscous to eat with bread. I would have rather more Gomen Wot or Tikle Gomen (Cabbage cooked with vegetable oil, garlic, ginger and green peppers) instead. This was my only disappointment of this visit. I would say unless you are itching for a couscous-like option, skip the Kinche and get more veg or meat! My friend and I were oohing and aaahing over our meal the whole time, joking we sounded like Sally in the famous When Harry Met Sally scene - I was thinking I felt more like Bob in What About Bob... Hands down the BEST Ethiopian in the Boston area and I would say it exceeds the quality I have had at many establishments that feature this cuisine in Washington D.C. (if you love Ethiopian food and are planning a visit to the capitol, you MUST go to the Adams Morgan area and virtually any Ethiopian restaurant will not disappoint you).
(5)
Garrick R.
Good food and service. Lamb wasn't as good as expected. Chicken was much better than expected.
(4)
Francine W.
The food here was good. I'm not sure I love ethiopian food and the kinds of spices they use though so that could be why i'm giving it 3 instead of 4 or 5 stars. Some of the chicken dishes were great but a lot of the food seems kind of sour/vinegary. Also, the vegetables seemed overcooked (but maybe that's the way they eat it?). Anyway, it was a good experience and some of the food my group ordered was certainly delicious.. others were only okay. The bread is really interesting! Not what I'm used to but it was good. The service was EH. None of the people in my group ordered drinks.. because we were going out afterwards.. well the waiter seemed really mad about that and came back twice to tell us every single beverage/alcoholic drink they had. Everyone just felt like having water.. we ordered more than enough of food. That was rude. Some of my friends really love ethiopian food so I will probably be back at some point. if you've never been, you should go just for the experience!
(3)
Benjamin E.
Addis popped my Ethiopian food cherry. It was delicious. Me and my date shared the Addis Red Sea Special Combo for two ($24.95). I would definitely recommend that dish to anyone who has not tried Ethiopian before. Not all dishes on it were on the same level of greatness, so I think next time (and there will be a next time) I am ready to pick my own single dish. The Zenge was phenomenal. There was one chicken one that did not have much flavor. We were both very full after that meal and a bottle of their cava (they were out of Ethiopian White Wines, I really liked the cava, though). While their desserts look delicious, they do not look very authentic to Ethiopia and (I apologize if I am wrong) do not look home made. We passed on those. TIP: The occasion did not arise, but I would have asked for more injera (the bread they give you to eat with) before I used the ones the food was served on. They get soggy. Also, for anyone with back problems or anything like that, the chairs there are not too great. Some barely had chair backs at all.
(4)
Amanda L.
This is a really great spot for the foodie-inclined or the adventurous - not for the picky eater or lover of all-American, milque-toast fare. I loved the whole ambiance, the service was extra friendly, really great food and a unique experience. I loved the injera and had a standout mango drink that I'm still thinking about. Also some good imported beers here. It's a very romantic spot, though I wouldn't recommend it for a first date - maybe a 10th date. Then again, you can get a good sense of someone's character by the food adventures they're willing - or not willing - to go on. At least I can. Some people didn't like the subterranean locale, but I thought it added to an original experience. I'd definitely go back when I'm in the Bean.
(4)
Trip B.
I absolutely loved this place. You have this soft and fluffy crepe-like bread that surrounds your entire meal of lamb and chicken stews and fresh vegetables. Cool down your palate with some tasty, hard to find Kenyan or Ethiopian beer and you are good to go. I suggest going with some friends for a fun evening out. Go hungry too, you'll need your appetite for sure.
(4)
Brady B.
I absolutely love this restaurant. The atmosphere, the staff, the wine and of course the food! I usually start with an order of Sambusa, whether it be a veggie or meat version...either is great. As far as the entrees are concerned I've yet to try something that I haven't truly enjoyed. They do lamb beautifully, which is hard to come by in my opinion. Their honey wine makes a great finish to an amazing meal. Just sweet enough that I can only fully enjoy it as a dessert wine. The waitstaff are always so chill and all in all Addis Red Sea is such a comforting place. Regardless of my mood that I show up with, I always feel so relaxed here that I just want to take my shoes off, decompress and eat seriously intriguing food. Let go and let Addis.
(5)
Katie G.
This was one of the first restaurants I tried after moving to Boston, and now that I've moved away, it's one of the first restaurants I visit when I'm back in town. I love everything about this place. I mean, anything you can eat with your hands gets extra points in my book, but it's not just the whole "experience" (the mesob/upside-down sombrero table, the injera-instead-of-a-fork, etc.) that draws me back to Addis*---it's the food. The food is just unbelievably delicious. It's fragrant, spicy (ask for extra spice if you like heat), comforting and most likely unlike anything you've ever eaten before. This is the sort of place you go through withdrawal from if you don't get it enough---it's just that good and different. I'm so over $100+ per person dinners at chichi restaurants with the same pork belly on the menu ...bo-ring. Just give me a big pile of yasa wot and some spongy bread and away I go, happy as a clam. The one downside is the wait for a table can be long as a walk-in, but that can be circumvented by making a reservation. (Duh.) *Though I will note that it's kinda sad to walk into a new Ethiopian restaurant and see it has normal tables. Boo! So clearly the "experience" does play into Addis' awesomeness.
(5)
Julien P.
Ethiopian food... Sure! We usually eat ethiopian every 3-4 months. We like Ethiopian from DC and Seattle best (over Chicago and Boston). Decor: great. Seated fairly quickly but service is slow Staff: friendly Kitfo ordered raw and spicy, as it should be. Depends on the day, but mostly ok. Ask for Awaze (Berbere in a garlic sauce?) on the side Doro wot is good. Injera is fluffy but a bit starchy. To me, Injera can make or break the deal. And here, it was a bit disappointing. Skip the dessert. Nothing to see there.
(3)
Doug P.
This is my first and still favorite exposure to Ethiopian food. The restaurant has a very dim lit and comfortable atmosphere. I highly recommend getting the combo meals so you can can sample the wide array of dishes available. I have never left here without a borderline food coma and I love every second of it. Since is the only game in town for good Ethiopian, the place is packed in the evenings. You can except an hour+ wait on the weekend evenings so I recommend getting there by 7 at the lastest if you want to avoid the wait.
(4)
Lauren R.
I was really tired after a long work week and was struggling with whether or not I should go into town for a birthday dinner gathering. After looking up the menu and checking out the restuarant online, my decision was made. I was excited and all geared up to go try Ethiopian food for the first time. What a great idea! The parking was quite difficult on a cold Friday evening, but after driving around for a bit, we finally found some free parking. Since the rest of the group had already waited for tables, we sat right away when we arrived. Little sectioned off low chairs and tables were scattered around amidst the authentically decorated atmosphere. It wasn't until the salad came out that we realized that you ate everything with your hands, or by attempting to use the moist crepe-like bread to scoop up the food. The salad was quite delicious, especially dipping that bread into the dressing. The meals, all served together in one super large table/bowl, were meshed together. The portion of the food seemed quite small, but with all the bread eaten, I was surely full. I got the veggie combo meal so I could try 4 different veggie menu items, having never eaten Ethiopian food. The food was rather tasty, similar to Middle Eastern food I thought. Although an interesting, new experience for sure, the seating was uncomfortable on low stools with no chair backs, leaning over all night to eat with my hands got tiring. A steamed cloth was given out at the beginning of the meal to clean your hands, but I definitely could have used another at the end. I had dried lentils all over my finger tips and under my nails. Not sure if I'd go back, but I now know that I like Ethiopian food and could go for it again every now and again.
(3)
Joshua M.
The food is decent enough. The injera could be a little less dry. But come on people, stop skimping on the portions! There are some other Ethiopia...ehhh i'll leave it at that.
(3)
Kerrie K.
Be ready to eat with your hands, the bread they provide you with to eat with is amazing, kind of crepe-like. The food is actually excellent, but its a meal for sharing so make sure you're comfy with men and women you are consuming with. Its a quite cool restaurant.
(4)
Emily F.
I love eating with my fingers and thouroughly enjoy the "starch as a vehicle for spiced vegetable mush" formula, in all it's variants (pita with hummus, many Indian dishes, etc.). I had high hopes for Addis. I don't have any basis for comparison as far as authenticity goes - Addis has been my only foray in Ethopian food, but I found it all pretty delicious. Staff was so friendly, asking about our taste preferences before recommending specific dishes when we wanted some guidence. Sure, the spongy, sort of damp bread feels foreign to my palate. I admit, my first reaction a yearning for some fluffy, dry pita. But I withheld my cultural food preference biases and soldiered on. Within bites, I was sold and the food devoured. My boy commented that he felt like this is the way he was *meant* to eat. The vegetarian for two combo was the perfect amount of food for us at only $23. All of their veggie dishes are vegan, definite bonus point in my book. Try the Ethopian beers. YUM. The atmosphere is soothing, warm, intimate, and comfortable. Dim lighting, low stools & tables (not the most comfortable but certainly not uncomfortable, at least for the hour our vital young bootys were stationed there), and an assortment of vibrant art all combines for a wonderfully sensual meal.
(4)
Tyler L.
I'm so happy we stumbled on this place! This was our first experience with Ethiopian food. I had this idea in my head that Ethiopian food would be mostly meat dishes but there were plenty of vegetarian (actually vegan) options. The night that we went to Addis Red Sea it was completely packed. We got a table downstairs and promptly ordered our food. Between the three of us we ordered 8 out of 9 vegetarian options on the menu. We didn't try the "Kinche." They have combos so that you can try several options in smaller portions. That would be my recommendation if you're an Ethiopian food novice. It took a LONG time for our food to come but we actually didn't mind. It was an exciting experience being there and we had good conversation. I loved eating with the bread instead of utensils. It's called Injera and it is a thin spongy bread that works great for scooping up food. All the food we ordered was amazing, but the Yesmir Wot really stood out to us. According to their menu it is, "Lentils simmered in a spicy hot berbere sauce." If you haven't tried this place out you should make a reservation right now.
(5)
Danika A.
My boyfriend took me to Addis for Valentine's Day. Ethiopian is by far my favorite type of cuisine, and the only other restaurants I had been to were in Washington, DC, so I was excited. Addis did not disappoint. Great atmosphere, good service, and fantastic food. We both had a glass of honey wine, shared the beef sambusa, and the Addis Red Sea Special Combo. Fantastic! Perfectly marinated meats, flavorful vegetables, and of course the unique injera bread made this a wonderful Valentine's Day experience.
(5)
Kelly L.
I can't believe I've never written a review for this place before. I LOVE it here. Yes, there can be a large wait on weekends after 6:30/7pm. I was there a few weeks ago and the line went out the door and partially up the outside steps, but in my opinion, it's worth it. They have a great selection of South African wines, if you are a fan, and beers from the continent. My brother-in-law, a South African obsessed with all things related to his country was very impressed with the wines and beers available. The ambiance is great. Nice mood lighting and the low tables and chairs feel cozier, but as my brother-in-law pointed out, there's one semi nude photo that can startle you if you're looking around. It's a nice painting though, so I don't mind it. As for the food, I always plan to eat almost nothing during the day before coming to eat here, but I always leave stuffed. The bread is amazing, but if you don't mind some more bread with an appetizer, you really should try the Ye-Awaze Dabo (a spicy red pepper dip). The cottage cheese app is also very good, but I would never skip the red pepper dip. For dinner I almost always get a combination platter, usually the Addis Red Sea Special Combo, but I follow the advice of many other smart Yelpers and ask to sub one of the chicken dishes for lamb. Yum.
(4)
Nicholas B.
Being my first experience at an Ethiopian restaurant, I didn't know what to expect, but I was cautiously optimistic going in and left a huge fan! The food was delicious, had a lot of flavor and the portions were good without being overly big. I'm not sure exactly what my dish was but I split a meal for two with a friend. It had beef stew, collard greens, a spicy chicken, pork and steak. Be prepared to eat with your hands, but it was totally worth it! Definitely will go again :)
(4)
Julie C.
I honestly dont know what the rave is about. My Bf and I went here after we went to the Bizarre Bazzaar. We like trying new exotic food and thoght this place would be great. We had never had Ethiopian and wanted to try it. We opted to get one of the cobo dishes as we didnt really know what to order and we chose the best that sound and looked like it would taste the best. the food came out and it was awfully strange. we werent sure what to do but looking around we just took some of the dough stuff and mixed and ate. it was interesting to say the least. The food was not hot as it was sorta luke warm and more on the cool side. I enjoyed it but not really. I would want to try it again to see if I wold like it better the 2nd time around . Overall, it was an experience and I am glad I tried it.
(2)
Rowena T.
First Ethiopian restaurant I've ever been too, and me likey! The combo specials are a great way to get a variety of different flavors. Very relaxing atmosphere and great food. Good thing I had some tapas before eating here though! The service was so slow, but I didn't mind too much. Wish they gave you a towel after eating too.
(4)
Caroline C.
I LOVE Ethiopian food, which is why I find Addis Red Sea so heartbreaking - for one of the few Ethiopian restaurants in Boston, the food is just mediocre. Not even close to the awesomeness of which Ethiopian can and should be. Not only is it often bland, sometimes it's not even the correct temperature. Still, I have to give the restaurant three stars, simply because it's Ethiopian, and the traditional seating and decor are fun and enjoyable. The service has always been fine, although never amazing -
(3)
Katherine W.
Cooks in olive oil and canola oil. Totally reasonable prices...
(3)
Francisca W.
(review dated 12/07): it's fun to be able to eat with your hands, like ethiopians do. but like my friend's friend said, one might feel bad eating ethiopian food knowing that most ethiopians these days don't have this much food to eat--w/ or w/o their hands. food is mostly spicy, w/the usual ingredients (beef, lamb, chicken). the non-spicy lamb was the best out of all that we ordered. the raw beef dish didn't look raw at all, it was quite spicy instead. the (unlimited) bread that comes w/the meal tastes good itself. but make sure you get a good size so that you can grab the food that's less than solid. spices aside, the food isn't that much different from what we eat everyday (at least from an asian standpoint), but the procedure is what makes it unique. it's worth a try. :)
(3)
Sidanshu G.
If you are a vegetarian, then do not bother going here to eat. All you get is lentils in veg here. The best part is the Chicken. Very Tasty :). One more problem is that everyone needs to take atleast 1 entree so if you are thinking of sharing then...that is not gonna happen...
(3)
A P.
Terrible food and terrible service. Waitress didn't really give a damn. She told us the food was pre-prepared so they could not accommodate any changes (as in making the dish a little spicy). The food came in microwaved. I've always been a fan of Ethiopian food but this was the pits.
(1)
Elizabeth R.
I've eaten here about five times over the past 12 years or so. I would have given it five stars about six years ago, but my last two experiences bring it down to three stars. Food: The food is good to excellent. I'm a vegetarian and typically order the veg plate for two. The collard greens, lentils, mixed veggies, and salad are outstanding. The chick peas are kind of boring and cold. Wine: Lots of comments here about the honey wine. I didn't love it. Ambience: The upstairs has a great ambience---low lights, traditional furniture, very exotic and cozy feeling. It is nice to just sit there and drink it all in. The downstairs---not so much. The floor is hard white bright tile and although the furniture is traditional, the tables are packed together very tightly with a lot of stools and chairs around each one making it very hard to get comfortable. I was seated with a view of a lot of cast off furniture and other items stacked next to the bar. Interestingly enough, we were two women eating together and I noted that all the customers on the lower level were female, while the men and mixed parties were seated upstairs. Sexism? Perhaps. Would recommend you ask for the top floor only if you are going to eat here. Service: Kind of slow. I wouldn't have cared if I wasn't looking at a pile of discarded furniture!
(3)
Michele B.
Ethiopian food is one of my favorites but I'm not as impressed with this place since I started cooking my own. First off, the wait was long. When we go to the table it took a long time before they even took our drink order and then it was a good half hour before our food came out. When it did the vegetables were cool, and the injera bread was soggy like it had been put on the plate hot some time ago and had cooled off there. The injera itself seems to be an Americanized version. It isn't sour and doesn't seem to be made with teff flour. It's more like a big crumpet than injera. That's OK I guess because injera might be a strong flavor for a lot of people, but it goes so good with the other spicy food it's kind of a shame. The berber spice dishes are OK but not nearly as hot as if you make it yourself and follow an Ethiopian recipes. Those are probably the hottest thing you've ever eaten, and Addis just doesn't compare. Their "hot" meals are probably mild or medium at most Indian restaurants. The waitstaff is pleasant when they show up at the table though.
(2)
Ashley S.
Delicious. Started off with the beef sambosa, which was flavorful but a dipping sauce would have been extra yummy. We didn't know that each order came with 2 sambosas, and so we ended up with 4. Then we got the veggie combo for two and it was definitely plenty of food - we were quickly stuffed. My favorite dish was the cabbage ... sooo good, but the spicy lentils came in a close second. Our server was helpful and friendly. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Matthew B.
I would rather be punched in the face than have to wait for service at this joint. With that said, the atmosphere is pleasant, but a little crowded at those tables. The price is decent considering the over head they must have being in the south end. The fish is delicious. They have Ommegang :) The injera is nice and spongey, but appears to be made with white flour and is not the least bit sour, which is how it should be.
(2)
Nikhil S.
My experience here was quite miserable. Was looking forward to good Ethiopian food. Service was quite terrible. Food was alright. For starters, we were ready to order (in the middle of the afternoon - empty restaurant) and the two women working upstairs decided to ignore us and have us wait for several minutes to finish their random conversation about nothing important before they would come take our order. For our meal, we got a vegetarian combo for 2 (I think) and were told we couldn't adjust the spice levels because they were pre-made. It's easy to make something spicier. Really? Alright, whatever... We asked for peppers on the side with our food and they forgot to bring it out with our apps. No biggie. It was fine besides that. After we finish appetizers - in an empty restaurant, mind you - about 15 minutes later (30+ minutes after we first ordered), we ask where our (pre-made) food is. After about 2 minutes, our food is brought to our table. Seems like they forgot to get our food. Slightly obnoxious. We dig into our food.......and it's COLD! What's their solution? Oh, we'll take it downstairs, microwave it for 30 seconds and bring it back up. Seriously?!? Once slightly warmed up, the food was alright. Last time I had been to this place was about 8 years prior, and I never went back because it was bland food and I didn't really enjoy it. After this experience, I don't know if I'll ever go back since the service was terrible.
(2)
Erin C.
Great food with an awesome environment. The decor is fantastic from its wicker-type tables to maps on the wall. A friend and I enjoyed the Vegetarian dishes of Butecha, Atakilt, Yesmir Wot and Tikle Gomen. The lentils dishes were by far the best! Beware though...don't be in a rush to get anywhere when coming here to eat. Everything is a bit slower in this restaurant so take the time to enjoy your company and the decor! I will definitely be making a return visit...even if its just for the honey wine!
(4)
Allie B.
The decor is cool in this place; I'll give it that. But the food was just plain bad. It came out room-temperature/cold, and the lamb dish we ordered was so full of gristle I couldn't swallow the vast majority of it, and had to spit it out into a napkin. Also, i expected spicy, flavorful food as I've had at other Ethiopian restaurants, but instead it was pretty bland. I wanted to love this place, but at $15-20 for a meal, I'd expect much better. I won't be returning.
(1)
R. B.
Some of the best (perhaps THE best) ethiopian food I've had. Food- 5 stars (awesome awesome awesome) Service- 3 stars (can I have some water please?) Atmosphere- 4 stars (the place is cozy and interesting/fun... the bathroom is interesting in the not-so good way)
(4)
Marissa P.
This is a solid choice for Ethiopian cuisine. I have dined her many, many times and never been let down by the food. The one negative: the service, though very warm, sometimes takes a year and a day. Favorites: doro wat, any of their lamb dishes, red lentil, cabbage, collard greens. Authentic seating and decor. I love this place! (I'm salivating as I write this...)
(4)
Leila A.
Awesome vegetarian food, funky atmosphere--I love to take my visiting small town friends and family here for an exotic big city experience. The food is delicious and totally worth the fact that it's a few dollars more than my usual dinner picks. I love the seating at the round wicker tables and stools (though I wouldn't recommend it for elderly or disabled diners). The service is friendly but a little slow and inattentive at moments (we had trouble getting our bread refilled on a recent visit). I wish they would take reservations (they do so only for large groups), but if you go early enough there shouldn't be a wait. I almost always get the vegetarian combo so I can sample a bunch of things. They're all tasty and healthful. It's one of those rare restaurant meals that will fill you up without weighing you down. So don't go in a hurry and be open-minded. You'll love it.
(5)
Spm S.
Good food, great service. My friend and I stuffed ourselves for $33 (including tip). We got one of the combo plates - while all the items on the plate were good, there was something made out of lamb that was amazing!
(4)
BeeBop L.
Favorite place in Boston. The atmosphere really makes Addis a great dinner destination. I recommend the Doro Wat combo. Very authentic my Ethiopian friends say. The wine selection is great and a beer goes well with some of the spicy entrees. Staff is really helpful with explaining items on the menu and prices are very reasonable. I keep going back again and again. Don't bring friends who will snicker at the boobies on the wall. Also, mmmm, injera. To all the reviews who think that it's unhygenic, you actually never touch your hands to your mouth and if eaten properly, your hands never touch anyone else's food. The bread is easy to rip off with one hand and using it as a barrier between your food and your fingers ensures it doesn't touch the rest of the portion on the plate. Lastly, traditionally your fingers aren't supposed to touch your mouth when you put the bread in, this takes some practice, but is pretty easy to learn. So wash your hands, use the hot towel also, and eat without fear!
(4)
Aaron K.
Do you want to abandon all utensils and take a trip over to Ethiopia? This restaurant is the next best thing. The meals are served on a soft bread that is used to pick up bites of all the delicious offerings that are offered. They have a wide variety of options from vegetarian dishes, soups, salads, drinks, and entrees, all from Africa. The entire environment is traditional African, with the "Mesob" wicker woven tables, the canvas stools, and the exceptional wall art. They offer a wide selection of wines and beers, many imported from Africa. The hospitality offered is above what you normally expect from a restaurant in this area, as the waitress insisted we try the wines and brought over small glasses of each that we were looking at. The only thing that I was disappointed by was the desert selection. The options looked to be good, but they seemed like items that could be purchased at any pastry shop around, and there was nothing unique to the restaurant. This makes sense however, because after you eat your meal, you really do not have room for desert, as portions are quite ample, and you do not realize initially how much food you are getting. I truly encourage all to try dining at Addis Red Sea, as you will not be disappointed.
(4)
Leighann F.
As someone who has little experience with Ethiopian food, I'd have to recommend Addis Red Sea specifically for that reason. For anyone in my position you should feel comfortable heading into their cozy, subterranean living room of a dining room, sitting down and asking the staff for recommendations. Their gracious dispositions, smiles and warmly attentive service makes you not only feel at home, but will allow you to enjoy your meal without worrying about being unsure of your order. I feel no need to rave about the food, because as you can see from other, more experienced reviewers, it is some of the best Boston has to offer in this style of cuisine. Thought I cannot offer comparison, I can say (lacking vast Ethiopian-food experience) that it was spicy, hearty, filling, served quickly, enjoyed quietly and seemed to be made with care. Perfect for a group of friends or an intimate dinner for two, Addis left me satisfied in hospitality and satiated in appetite. One tip: the table on the far left, way at the back corner of the restaurant has a nasty cold draft in the winter time. It's very out of the way and offers a view of the entire restaurant, but it was hard to ignore the chill.
(4)
Ira H.
I'll keep this review short. The food is excellent. I like the concept of sharing the meal with the friends we were with but it is intimate and you should be prepared for scooping up family style food with a crepe like bread. We had the Combo platter which was 3 meats and salad. The service was great and the waitress made good recommendations and was prompt. The food took a long time to come out of the kitchen. We sat on a 3 legged stool with no back. This could be challenging for some. I noticed some chairs which I would use when I come again. Give this place a try. It can get crowded.
(4)
Susan N.
Yum. Yum. Yum. Yummmmmmmmm! This is by far the best Ethiopian restaurant I have gone to thus far. I never hated Ethiopian food but it never was high on my list either. I always found the bread to be too sour for my taste. Not at Addis Red Sea. The bread here was the perfect texture and flavor, which is a good thing considering that you're basically using it as cutlery. The entrees are also quite fabulous. Everything I've ever eaten there has been phenomenal. I would definitely go back. Actually I have been back several times now but I will keep going back.
(5)
jennifer F.
Love this place - don't be discouraged because you have to walk down to the basement for dining. Food and service are great! Vegetarian platter is amazing (my personal favorite are collard greens and cabbage). Also their sambusas (yes, I thought they were called samosas too here but they're not) are amazing.. Make sure you go with clean hands because no utensils allowed!
I live 2 blocks away from this place and heard a lot of good things. I have to say if you eat here, eat in. I was too tired after getting back from work to cook dinner so i thought why not try something new. So i went to addis red sea for pick up. I got the Doro Wot Combination. I have to say that the Doro Wot was excellent. A great spicy flavor. But they gave me such a small portion of it that i felt like i could eat it in two bites. I would of been much happier with more especially since i assume it's suppose to be the "star" of the combination plate. For the three vege dishes i got Butecha, Gomen Wot, Yesmsir Alcha. The best of the three was the Gomen Wot. I'm a fan of collard greens and the spices in this was just right. The portion was as same size as the Doro Wot which was fine because it was more of a side dish. The Butecha and Yesmsir Alcha weren't that great. They were pretty bland and kinda cold. I don't know if they were suppose to be cold but they were. Kinda made it taste like i was eating some cold mush. The injera which is the bread that they give you to eat the food with was good. It was like a crepe/pancake kinda thing which you rip and scoop the food with. It was really soft and good. They are really huge and 1 or 2 of them can really fill you up. Maybe it was getting take out which killed it for me because i could see how fun it is to eat at the cool tables. Maybe i'll give it another try at the place. Maybe the ambiance will make it better. On another note, the place is pretty pricey for what it was. I saw some other ethiopian places on yelp and thought they probably were a better choice at like half the price.
(3)
Jonathan E.
Excellent, out of the ordinary meals. Try the Tej (honey wine).
(4)
Kira K.
I like Addis Red Sea enough. I've been to a lot of Ethiopian restaurants and this isn't the best, but it is good. The price is fantastic (we spent about $30 bucks for two people before tax) and I like the set up of the restaurant. I also like the fact that the people who are serving the food are Ethiopian themselves. They know the menu and can explain anything to you. The one thing that I really don't like about Addis are the seats. If you have a bad back, please hold off until you feel better. I'm pregnant and I was thinking about going to Addis the other day until I realized I probably wouldn't be able to get off of the seat at the end of the meal. They really are that uncomfortable. Call me a spoiled American. I like that it's traditional, it's just not comfortable for eating.
(3)
Kelly O.
Another one of my favorites... my friends and I come here about once every 2 or so months, we can't get enough. Such a fun atmosphere whether you're on a date or with a group of rowdy friends, and of all the friends and acquaintances I've introduced to Addis, not one of them hasn't absolutely loved it, veggies and carnivores alike (I recommend this place basically to anyone that'll listen). The injera is the best part, the spongy bread soaks up sauces and holds food bits beautifully, and it's so fun to share around a communal plate. Warning: injera will expand in your stomach and 15 minutes later you suddenly feel like you want to explode (in a good way) because you just became full. Take that into consideration when ordering (I never do an app or dessert, just one entree and lots of injera). My roommate always gets the Timatim Salad for an app which is basically fresh bruchetta (tasty though), and I once got a veggie samosa that was not bad (actually the waitress originally brought over a beef one which I couldn't eat, boo), but the way to go here is the entree-only route IMO. My fav entree is Doro Alcha, chicken in this rich delicious butter sauce, mmm... I've also had some of the other entrees (lamb tips, veggies, etc) and all are tasty, but the alcha sauce always calls me home. You think it's not going to be a lot of food, but like I said, DON'T underestimate that injera. They are often out of the 'good' honey wine (I *think* it's the Axum but it could be the Royal Mead?)- actually I don't think they've even had it for the past 2 years-, and the other 2 honey wines aren't quite up to snuff... but when they have the good stuff, oh man it's so good, it's sweet and has a sort of hazelnuty taste to it. We tried to buy it once at the wine shop across the street, but ended up buying the wrong version that tasted like sweet spoiled beer, yuck. Honey wine fail. On the rare occurrance I can fit more in my stomach after my Doro Alcha, I love the Ethopian coffee that comes in the really neat carafe/vessle thingie, and any of the mint teas/coffees are good choices as well. Desserts are standard, not bad but not really good either (typical baklava, cake slices, etc), not made in house I believe and not really worth it IMO. Prices are wicked reasonable, but service tends to be s-l-o-w and sometimes scattered, and the wait time can be quite long if you're headed on a weekend night. Dinners usually last 2-3 hours, so be prepared to linger. Also expect to be uncomfortably stuffed if you have no self-control for injera (like me!), so plan your dinner early enough so that you're not immediately headed out dancing or something. Trust me on this.
(4)
Mark G.
We had a very nice time at Addis on Friday night. They were able to handle a large group (8 of us) with minimal waiting (about 30 minutes wait at 9:30 pm). Everything about the experience was wonderful. The wait staff were all very pleasant and helpful. We asked for them to help us decide what to order and share for the group and got a great assortment of vegetarian, chicken, beef, and lamb dishes. They took care for the one side of the table to get dishes that weren't too spicy. Knowing it was a birthday in the group, they brought desserts and sang with traditional African drums. A very nice experience and we will definitely be back.
(4)
Stephanie M.
I had never had Ethiopian food before and was excited to try something new. Going for the entire Ethiopian experience I tried the Ethiopian Beer (I am by no means a beer expert - it tasted pretty much like every other beer in the world to me) My date and I ended up getting the sampler that was a little bit of everything which was a good choice, especially if you're an ethiopian newbie like me. The food was delicious and the restaurant had a nice mellow atmosphere. It actually might have been a little too mellow. Everyone seemed to be talking in hushed voices, and it was exceptionally quiet. Being half Spanish and a generally excitable person, I felt like I was practically yelling every time I went to speak and was slightly paranoid everyone was listening to my conversation. On a side note, If you're dating someone exceptionally tall, bring them here. My date sat in a tiny folding chair and looking at him entertained me for the entire meal. I still giggle occasionally envisioning him hunched in that chair. It's the kind of place you have to be in the mood for, but I would definitely go back again.
(4)
Niousha V.
I visited this place few months ago for the second time. Unfortunately, the 2nd experience was very bad. The service was very poor this time. The food was not as delicious as the first time either.
(3)
Aimee G.
Our waiter gave us attitude when we asked whether the vegetarian dishes were fried in oil (used for meat). She also seemed to balk at our attempt to opt for 8 different dishes in the shared meal for two. I would not know about these challenge if I hadn't gone with a vegan. Restaurants should make every effort to accommodate or at least communicate/share the preparation process with customers. Thankfully, the quality of service was the only disappointing aspect of our evening. If you like Ethiopian food, Addis Red Sea is a nice South End option. Or you could try the Mass Avenue location. I suspect the Cambridge location has to be used to inquiries.
(3)
G J J.
Really expensive for an Ethiopian place. For example, out of the tens of Ethiopian places I have tried in America, you don't expect to pay over 12 dollars per person on injera and the dishes that come on top. Here you can pay over 20 dollars a person without any trouble. They don't offer you more injera, which is not that great. However, comparatively, service is friendly, ambiance is nice, seating is authentic. Alcoholic drinks are expensive, but they have Ethiopian honey wine (Tej). Desserts seems fancy and are all European...odd...but didn't try any (No Discover, $$$)
(4)
Ryan L.
Given that there are almost no other ethiopian places to compare this to I guess I can say that this the best ethiopian place I've ever been to! A very different eating experience as you eat everything with your hands and with this large sticky bread. You order some dishes (such as chicken or goat curry), tear a piece of the bread and grip the food with it. Pretty good overall, the texture of the bread is really unique, really spongy and moist, and the meat curry i had some heat to it, not indian food heat but not bland either. try the ethiopian honey wine too, sweetest wine you'll ever taste.
(4)
Aditi R.
I think I might have expected too much from this place. I had a lot of friends over in town and they wanted to try a different cuisine than the regular fare we always have. I thought of Ethiopian because I had this lovely meal in Cambridge at a place who's name escapes me, but I'd heard of Addis just as well and had never been there. So decided to give it a go. As we walked in, the place looked cozy and beautiful. There are two levels to the restaurant and we were taken downstairs where there was a small tiki bar area almost and it was quieter and in my opinion, prettier than upstairs. So we could easily have conversation. The menu looked good and we ordered a lot of different dishes. Two lamb dishes and one chicken dish along with 3-4 vegetarian dishes as well. We also had the sweet red wine which was pretty good. As far as the food is concerned, it was good, but certainly not exceptional. We were given ample amounts of bread, but somehow the meats just seemed slightly less flavorful than I expected it to be. It's a pity because the ambiance of the restaurant was perfect but the food just did not match up to it. Regardless, the servers were courteous, nice, and helpful. They immediately seated us and it was a fairly busy Monday night which goes to show that the place is popular. And it is an affordable place to go to and have a filling meal. It's definitely worth a try, but I've had better Ethiopian food just across the river.
What a disappointment. I used to go here all the time. This establishment took a substantial portion of my income over the years. Then I moved away for a few years. Since returning I have tried the food three times. Every time it was awful. The gomen wot (collard greens), which was always my favorite dish, is literally prepared utterly plainly now. No salt. No garlic/onion. No "herbed oil" as it says on the menu. Plain collard greens every time. Why would I pay for this? The vegetables in atakilt were hard, and far from al dente. I could barely get this food down. The portion size is small, the prices have gone way up, and the food is always room temp. The only redeeming factor is the injera, and I always special order the brown (authentically made with teff flour). I will not go back again.
(1)
Scott W.
I have learned the ins and outs of Ethiopian cuisine by eating my way through the multitude of amazing restaurants in Oakland. I look for injera with more teff than white flour and just the right balance of the spices that make this regions food some of my favorites. Other than the lovely decor and excellent service, my only meal here left me very disappointed. I ordered the vegetarian sampler and was underwhelmed with the portion sizes and flavoring. As us usually the case, the lentil dish (yesmir wot) was my favorite and is a great counterpoint to the tasty Gomen (greens). The atakilt (potato/carrot) helped fill me up, but the mitten shuro was more sweet than I like. The salad seemed like an afterthought. Addis reminds me of a very popular restaurant from when the Ethiopian/Eritrean scene first started in the Berkeley/Oakland area. The Blue Nile was a watered down version of the traditional foods made more palatable for an American palate. After trying it I was happy to move on to the places filled with Ethiopian ex-pats in one of the largest communities outside of Africa housed in San Francisco's east bay. I recommend any fans of this restaurant try food that better represents the best the cuisine has to offer.
(2)
Brian G.
Sorry Addis, I'm not impressed. You are pretty, I'll grant you that. Nice artwork on your walls, cool tables that are hard to eat off of, and barely any light, thus resulting in food on one's lap. But let's get down to business. You are bland. I've had great Ethiopian food before, and what makes it great is that it has some goddamn ZING to it. You are zing-less. Work on that. Also, we got 9 different dishes.... bullshit, I only tasted 5 different ones, all decently prepared but bland as hell. You are hugely overpriced. Since we had a bunch of vegans we got the vegetarian platter for two... twice. Granted we were all full at the end, but that's only because of the sheer amount of bread we all consumed. Crafty strategy indeed..... but when I dip into the dish with my bread, I want more lentils/peas/veggies than bread in my mouth as the end result, not a stomach full of bread. Sorry to say it, but I probably won't be coming back. You press hard on this cheap vegans pocket book simply to fill me with bread. I can do that at home.
(2)
Jamie L.
For my birthday I made a reservation at Addis Red Sea for 10 people. I knew that service was slow, so I asked the woman on the phone if I could pre-order the food to cut down on the wait time. She directed me to the website, I called her back and put in my order about a week before the event. The day before my birthday, I called to make sure they still had my reservation and the food order. They confirmed everything - so far so good. On the day of the dinner, we waited for half and hour before being seated. It was a cold day, and there were about 20 people jammed into a space that could reasonably only hold about 5. After finally being seated, I told the waiter that I had already preordered everything. He had no idea what I was talking about, so I ended up ordering everything again on the spot. I was fine with this, but unfortunately it took about half an hour for the appetizers to arrive, and about another hour for the dinner to come. That said, the food was decent and the waiter was very helpful and friendly. I would not go there if you are looking for a quick dinner, but if you have time to kill and are patient it is quite a charming place. PS. For those who are celebrating birthdays there, they do not allow outside cakes to be brought in, nor do they have whole cakes there. There is however a limited selection of cake slices.
(3)
Kimberly P.
I have been looking forward to dining at Addis Red Sea for over a year... perhaps my expectations were set too high. I second everything that Marissa P. stated: the atmosphere was nice but uncompfortable, portion sizes were small for the price, service was slow. Also, even the rich sauces could not cover up the fact that the meat (my friend had a beef dish and I had the lamb) was dry as a desert. Perhaps I would return and try other dishes but my experience was so underwhelming that I probably won't return.
(2)
Jeff M.
I was remember I was in Mugar Library on the BU campus. I ran into a friend who was working at the library. I asked her if she knew a good date place with good food. She said Addis Red Sea. At the time, I hadn't realized there were any Ethiopian places in Boston. So I took my date here. I owe my friend big time. Traditional Ethiopian setting, including the tables and stools. Not only was the food absolutely delicious (not only for me, a carnivore, but my date, a vegetarian), but the idea of sharing food and injera made it that much more intimate and enjoyable. I've been here numerous times, for different type of reasons. Have never been disappointed.
(4)
Lin Z.
I've been to Addis more times than I can count, and I've never had a bad experience there. The atmosphere is quite cozy, and it's a great place for a date or for catching up with a few close friends. In my experience, the waiters have always been incredibly attentive; on one occasion, they even joked around with me and my date (that probably sealed its five-star rating). The food is excellent -- and if you're at a loss trying to figure out what to order, the waiters are always ready to help you out. The wine/beer list, while not extensive, is certainly sufficient. I recommend the Ye-Awaze Dabo, Lega Tibs, Doro Wot, and the Addis Red Sea Special Combo.
(5)
Marc C.
Have you ever felt like a pork chop or ham dinner walking into a synagogue? I have... (feeling like Sophia Petrillo since I am still in mourning over Estelle Getty's death). Picture it... South End... 2008... I was with my boyfriend... we were tired from traveling... it was later... we didn't feel like walking anymore... we needed to eat... sat down at another restaurant... they handed us menus... they took our drink order... they brought us our drinks... we told them we needed another minute... they said "take your time,"... three minutes later we let our server know we are ready... she takes our order... she comes back with our check... "I'm sorry, we're closed." ::blank stares all around:: This was how the night began after dropping off the car from the bf meeting my crazy family for the first time. We weren't starving, but were tired and most definitely needed sustenance before zonking out for the night after traveling many hours round trip the same day. (Now would be the time for the sidebar... My family and I are a loud Italian family that drinks... My bf is the reserved, even keeled Texan that doesn't drink, does Ironman triathlons, was on total, complete sensory overload the entire time with my family, and did the driving since I had been drinking). So we start meandering back towards my apartment and stroll past Addis Red Sea. They are open, still seating, have a "table" available and it isn't too near to closing time. Neither of us had Ethiopian food before (he may be a Texan, but he isn't closed minded food-wise being around the world including working for the UN). Bleary eyed I look at him and I get an approving shrug (he is a southerner). We get seated at these wicker(ish) stools around what can be best described as a giant wicker Eucharist holder (I was raised Irish Catholic). We notice larger, loud, boisterous groups around us, then we are greeted by a server with a smile as big as Texas and a twinkle in her eye. We explain we are Ethiopian food virgins. She asks if we would like something to drink first or want her to start walking us through the menu. We already had beverages at the other restaurant, so we choose the latter option. Our server spends ten minutes finding out our likes, dislikes, and hunger level (at which time someone else brings water for us to start). She then proceeds to wink at us and said she would take care of it. Not much later she brings us a large platter and sets it on the table. She explains what everything was and explains that we eat it with our hands using the bread (smooth on one side, bubbly on the other, and reminded me of tripe in appearance). We proceeded to eat all the moist, savory, and earthy morsels until all gone. There was a small assortment of many items, but her attentiveness proceeded to satiate our hunger perfectly. Next up, warm damp towels to clean up. We then paid our check and were happily on our way to bed. Everything was great and just what we needed. The server got us exactly what we needed. We were very happy and satisfied and would definitely go back. The drawbacks to this experience (and yes I do understand that it is traditional) are the wicker table and stools. The table is rickety and unstable and I am extremely clumsy and accident prone so I had to hold on with one hand so I didn't knock it over. The stools are short and low and, contrary to popular belief, I am not short, dainty, delicate, or petite... I thought I was gonna go crashing down hard. Hovering at around 6' 2" and "big boned"... not a pretty picture
(4)
Sonia G.
What can I say.... I adore this place love the food (all the veggie options are great, the split pea, the lentils, everything) and the atmosphere is magical-love the paintings on the skins and tables!
(5)
Brian D.
It's like being swept away in a whirlwind and getting dumped on your keester in far away Ethiopia. Well, not so much but I really had a good experience at Addis Red Sea. This place has a lot going for it, can you smell a list brewing? -You have to go downstairs and in through a door that doesn't exactly say 'Howdy, Come On In!!!'. -The place is dimly lit, filled with warm colors and smells of all makes and models of spices that you probably don't encounter everyday. -The servers are welcoming and more than willing to help those of us with Ethiopian Dining Retardedness (EDR) pick out a solid meal. -Excellent, excellent, excellent Ethiopian lager beers. -'Interesting' food, please take that as meaning good - the menu said that I was eating lamb and beef, and I ate some things that were really tasty and very likely were beef and lamb. -You get to eat with your hands! Fuck you fork you ain't even on the table! -Speaking of table, the little hand woven tables are pretty neat. -Funky downstairs lounge. -Cheap, cheap, cheapest meal in the South End. End of list, will certainly be headed back for more.
(4)
Douglass D.
Addis Red Sea is a great choice for a date night. because it's classy, different, and encourages lively conversation as well as good dining. I learned at Addis Red Sea just how delightful, how different, how tasty, and how fun a meal in the style of Ethiopia can be. My partner and I wanted a "date night," and she chose Ethiopian as the cuisine. We used Yelp to research our options and chose Addis because it was close to our home. The food was well prepared and plentiful. The ambiance was great. (Another reviewer said upstairs is much better than downstairs; I didn't venture downstairs, but I can vouch that upstairs is lively and delightful.)
(4)
April I.
I was ignorant and afraid of trying this restaurant. I don't know what I was thinking, but since I am pretty much open for any new dining experience I went for it. And it was worth it!! We had the Addis Red Sea Special Combo which included Dora Wot and Dora Alcha, Lega Tibs, Zenge, and Gomen Wot. Not a good choice if you are a vegetarian...luckily I am not. The Gor Wot and Dor Alcha are two types of chicken dishes, both well seasoned and simmerred so the chicken is tender and juicey with bites of onion an ginger. The lega tibs were actually two separate dishes -- one was made with beef and the other was made with lamb -- both were cooked with onions, green peppers, and rosemary. I couldn't get enough of this. The Zenge is some type of beef stew -- better than my mom ever made. I couldn't stop sopping this up with the injera which was this spongy bread used like a utensil (or in my case a shovel). I also loved the only vegetarian offering on this platter -- the Gomen Wot. So to answer your question -- it is true that you do not use utensils. So what!!! The Injera was perfect for scooping up the food. It is also true that your food is presented on a large platter and your table has a name and is a bit fragile. Oh...and yes they do serve Honey wine which I could keep drinking and drinking and drinking and I recommend that you try this when you go. It is quite sweet, but part of the entire experience. It was a unique dining experience that challenged me to think about my notions of fine dining. I liked the food. I liked the atmosphere and I liked the prices. I didn't wait to be seated. My servor was attentive, pleasant, and displayed much patience with me. All and all very good.
(4)
Ankur P.
rating= 2.5 stars. went here with fiance (veg) on 4th july. Was not able to make reservations for two per the hostess on the phone so went there around 7 for late dinner. we were seated after about 15 min or so, downstairs. the ambience was lacking as the downstairs was pretty empty as they had already filled the upstairs. the seating is just as described and was kinda meh. i wasn't thrilled about the prospect of eating out a upside down hat. we waited for quite a while before the waitress made her way to take our drink and food order. they were out of their ethiopian beer, which was a huge disapointment as we were wanting to try it. we ordered a vegetarian platter for 1 and doro wot the chicken dish for me. they came back with the food in a reasonable amt of time. the firs tthing i noticed was the portion size, decidedly small. it was served in an interesting enough fashion as they laid the food out on the spongy bread and spooned the dishes right on top. the chicken was very flavorful and the bread compliementd it well altough i was disappointed that they gave such a meager portion. i mean really, it was about a half cup of food on top of the bread. my fiance's meal was also somewhat small even being a "platter" or whatever. there were four veggie dishes, as i remember one was decent the other 3 were pretty terrible. they were basiclly ground up gush mixed with spices, and like i said 1 of them wasn't half bad. there was also a "house salad", basically chopped up tomatoes with onion. eating with our hands wasn't so bad but we were deprived of the hot towels i had read about and also had to ask to get a paper napkin from the waitiress. the waitress was pleasant enough although was hard to find and did not refill out waters once...can't complain too much cuz i kno it was pretty busy but still. after we were finsihed, and it didn't take long for me to house the chicken, the waitress came by and managed to mumble something about having some coffee, tea or dessert...it was funny because it was poorly rehearsed and we really weren't interested in staying any longer. total bill was ~50 with tip included, not bad for tremont or south end eateries in general but the place lacks the cache and cool factor of some of the other eateries (aquitanes and metropolis's of the world). the food was pretty flavorful but small portions kinda bummed us out. the service was also sorely lacking as it seems they really understaffed for the night. thats why its getting 2.5 stars from me, not so bad but there is absolutely no reason to return here and with so many other places just down the street (mela anyone?) i dont know why anyone would.
(2)
Enay V.
Good parts - honey wine & beers - food looked small but really filled you up & was killer! Ambiance was cool too. Bad parts - took FOREVER, even though we got there early - service kinda crappy Would have given this place 3.5 stars but unable to. I would definitely come back though. If it's your first time, get the veggie combo platter - you will NOT be disappointed! :)
(3)
Mo I.
Customer Service = TERRIBLE! Don't do it to yourself, don't go! The entire experience was horrid, from waiting to get a table, to getting something to drink, to trying to get more bread. What a nightmare, and to make matters worse the food is very average to below average. I was so disappointed that the food didn't have more spice. The chicken in the chicken tibs was very fatty and rubbery YUCK!
(1)
Teak L.
Final Decision: Best Ethiopian Spot I've ever been to. So I heard about this spot from my boss at work a few years back and wanted to give it a try. The decorations in the restaurant seemed to give the place a feel as if it was Egyptian as he described it, but when we arrived, we got a shocker as it was an Ethiopian restaurant. Having never been here before, we walked in to grab a table on a cold wintry night and got a big surprise, a nice long wait of 45 minutes. We we finally got seated, man were we hungry. It was interesting as we were sat near the front entrance and sat around a basket weaved table. We ordered some appetizers and our food. The appetizers took a little bit of time to get out, but it was worth it. The entrees took just as much time as well. Items ordered: Sambusa with ground beef - appetizer...the flavors resemble a miniature curried puff pastry...all i gotta say is YUM... Yesega Alcha - cubed beef with a great blend of ginger onions and tummeric...I think I can still taste all the flavors in my mouth even till this day Yebeg Wot - simmered lamb in a red pepper sauce...man this was just as tasty... Doro Wot - not bad, interesting flavors, but I still liked the beef a whole lot better. Sides Butecha, Yekik Alacha, Yesmire wot. I really digged the Buetecha and the yekik alacha. The splite peas and chickpeas were bursting with all the flavors that each dish was cooked with, but I wasn't so excited about the lentils. The service throughout the meal was great, the girls had various wines that was offered and they all seemed to enjoy them, bummer I can't remember the names. I really love this place for the decor and all the food that it offers. Bummer that the capacity is low that the place can't get people in and out a little faster, but I guess the prize is worth the wait.
(4)
Liz T.
My boyfriend and I would've enjoyed dinner a lot more if we hadn't been seated in the shadows of the basement. I couldn't see him let alone what I was eating--if you're a vegetarian in the company of meat eaters, consider yourself warned. We had the Gored Gored (cubed beef simmered in spices) and the Vegetable Combination (4 vegetarian dishes and house salad). They were just ok--I've definitely had better Ethiopian food in Washington, DC and Seattle. The food on the website looked delicious, but the stuff in reality wasn't quite as appetizing. This is probably why the place is so poorly lit. We got out of there faster than you could hail a taxi on Boylston Street.
(3)
Bo W.
Be sure to check out the 70's vintage hotel/airport lounge bar in the basement. If I were dating a hot disco mama I would take her here to celebrate the re-opening of Faces. I popped my Ethiopian cherry at the old-school places in Adams-Morgan, D.C., so Boston has always been somewhat lacking to me. Now that I've established myself as a nostalgic elitist, I will say that Addis is the real deal, and pretty damn awesome. Somehow until last night I had never had the Kitfo, which is Ethiopian steak tartare. It is also known as pure-awesome-ness. Spicy (in both the "complex flavor" and "packing some heat" definitions) and sans chewiness, it went down easy and fast. Definitely bring a group so that you can all share dishes. Definitely try the Ethiopian beers. Definitely do not plan on having one spare gram of space inside your tummy, as you will be packed to the gills with earthy, rustic flavor. Also, what's up on the "No" votes for "Good for Kids"??? YOU EAT WITH YOUR HANDS. Who doesn't want to eat with their hands more than the wee tots?
(5)
Nimmita n.
I fail to understand how this place managed to get 4 star reviews. Looking at the reviews, we gave this one a try. The experience ,,,,,bland, unappealing food ,,,,i felt sorry for people who have never had Ethiopian food before and think what Addis serves is good. Well if you want only salt added ,,,,,i guess this is the place for you! We had the veggie combo - Shuro wot, Yemisir wot, Atikit and some yellow lentil Cons - Long wait to be seated Long wait for the food to come extremely disappointing food I more thing i realized towards the end of our meal is that they have 2 different kinds of injera ,,,,,the authentic made with teff and the white spongy crap they fed us. I would have appreciated if our waitress had made us aware about the two kinds :( by default i think they serve the crappy one Pros - I am never going back there
(1)
Kendra P.
The authentic Ethiopian cuisine is what keeps us coming back. However, the service is really slow, but that's my only complaint. The traditional Ethiopian bread "injera" makes the meal. It has a pancake-like consistency and you use it to pick up your food. Yebeg Alcha, a mildly-spiced lamb stew, is my favorite entree. For an appetizer, I recommend the Ayib Begomen, a buttermilk cottage cheese seasoned with hot spices. If you're looking for a cultural experience and like trying new foods, this is the place for you!
(3)
Damon I.
I've walked by Addis Red Sea many times and always I've been curious. Addis is deceptively large inside with two floors of cozy seating and a sweet bar in the basement that must've been lifted from a tropical beach front. I found the seats to be a little awkward and wished for something even lower to the ground, perhaps involving large pillows, but hey, if this is how it's done in Ethiopia. . . Ethiopian lager was charmingly crisp and paired well with the punchy flavors to come. Wanted to try the Sambusa pastry app, but only the beef filled variety was available. The Dabo was good, but I can't help but think that I missed out on something more special during Addis's Sambusa scarcity. For dinner, ordered the vegetarian combo. The mixed veggies and cabbage didn't tickle me as much as sopping up Gomen Wot (garlicky, collared greens) and Yesmir Wot (spicy lentils in a provocative berbere sauce) with perfectly spongy wedges of Injera. Didn't stay for dessert as a signature creme brulee called from across the street. I'll venture again to Addis, simply for the joy of watching so many well dressed folks eating with their hands.
(4)
Meg H.
Love this place. For a picky person and a picky eater, I love Addis Red Sea. The waiting service is so friendly and helpful, and most importantly the food is incredible. My first ethiopian food experience, I'm so glad I had it here.
(5)
Erich W.
First off I love Ethiopian. It is both tasty and ridiculously fun to eat. This restaurant has the perfect atmosphere. Low level lights, cultural place settings create a classy yet relaxed air. This is definitely a place i would come back just for the atmosphere and a perfect place for fist timers. The food was not the best however. Both the bread and meals seemed to be lacking flavor and tasted a bit bland. It seems as though some of spices and seasonings that make this food so unique was removed in order to make it more palatable to the masses. By no means was the food bad i feel it just lacked a bit of authenticity in its flavors.
(3)
Allison C.
I've been meaning to write a review of Addis for quite some time. I had the opportunity to check out this Ethopian restaurant with Angel M. a few months back. I'm definitely an Ethopian- noob. To be quite honest, if were to have asked me what Ethopian food was a few months ago, I probably would've responded with a blank stare. I'm not even sure I would even be able to explain what Ethopian food is today. Its good though. Definitely different. I'm not exactly sure what we ordered but it consisted of some sort of starch and meat. I think the spongy bread threw me off a little, but I'm definitely game to check this place out again. Soooooo, if youre looking for something new to try, Addis Red Sea is definitely a great place to explore with a friend, a date, or even solo :)
(3)
Dave H.
NOT my cup of tea. I wish i could say my ethiopian food experience was pleasant. But, it wasnt. First off, I dont like having to bend over at the waist to eat my dinner b/c the table is at the same height as my knees. 2nd, I dont like to bust out my cell phone to use the background light feature to read the menu b/c it's so dark in there! 3rd, I need utensils! Eating with my hands has been a no-no in my household since forever, so i was kind of raised to be a germ-conscious dork. Then there's the food, I cant say mashed up beans was spectacular. Or that their beef that I couldnt really see in the dark was the highlight of the evening. But I will give them the bread. Ethiopian bread is unique in everyway and very tasty. But, alas, I dont like to get full off bread.=\
(2)
Liz E.
Not many places in Boston offer such a unique dining experience. It's fun for groups (no picky eaters allowed as the dining is fairly communal; or at least more fun if you can share everything). I love the meat dishes that are saucy; the sauce soaks into the bread and you can eat it at the end. Yum. We enjoyed Alcha, Wot, and not as much Tibs (although it was tasty enough). You can get these styles with chicken, beef, or lamb. My favorite of the vegetarian selections were the lentils. The meat dishes were just a little more flavorful and interesting. Nice wine list. Nothing to write home about, but nice. Try the Axum (honey wine) which is not as sweet as you may expect. It's sweet, but not sugary-muscat sweet. It was a little reminiscent of plum sake. Fun for a group or a date!
(4)
K O.
This is an experience. This Restaurant tries to bring its guests a little bit of Ethiopian culture. I mean, think of a theme Restaurant like the RainForest cafe run by honest caring individuals and not a greedy corporation. And, luckily for the guests, this is not just a gimmick restaurant. You have to eat with your hands. And you have to wait a little for service. But if you want to be pampered by 3 or 4 waiters go to Smith & Wollenskys. If you want reasonable prices for delicious food that you have never tried--come here. Excellent wines available. Don't be afraid to ask your server for suggestions and house specials. Come here at least once if you live in Boston, you will not regret trying something new.
(5)
Jimmy T.
Say hello to your new friend, Mesob, who will be serving you as table. Please do not lean on!! Ok, this place is just awesome. The ambiance alone makes it worth checking out. And then there's the food... mmmmmm spicy Ethiopian meats! Order a combo meal and you should be set for 3 people. They also have an interesting selection of Ethiopian wines... the honey wine is my favorite. I took some friends from out of town here for dinner over a year ago, and they still rave about it.
(5)
Tyler W.
Overall, a pretty good restaurant. The wait was a bit long, both for a table and for service once at the table. The food was very good, however, and fairly unique for Boston. Definitely worth a try for the interesting tastes, but I probably won't be going back.
(3)
Melli S.
Addis was a HUGE disappointment. When my boyfriend and I arrived, we were quoted a 20 minute waiting time. While we waited, we heard other groups saying that they had been quoted the same, 40 minutes ago. We waited for close to 45 minutes and as we told the hostess to remove our name from the wait list, remarkably we were 'next on the list' and we were seated immediately. All this time, what appeared to be the floor manager, sat at a table for four, by himself, with a laptop and a water, and would wander around the restaurant at times to check tables. We waited 10 minutes to order drinks (one diet soda), and another 10 to receive it, and then another 10 minutes to order our food, and 40 minutes to wait for it. We had a beef dish and a chicken dish and the portions were small, the food was mediocre, and the service was terrible and rude- she literally rolled her eyes at us when we asked about bread (the one and only question we had for her the entire meal). I never write reviews, even when I have had disappointing experiences, since I used to wait tables and I know how restaurants work. But this restaurant was unorganized, unhelpful, unpleasant, and unimpressive. Don't waste your date night on it like we did!
(1)
Gebre-e G.
I don't know why people give the place more than two stars. i've been at this place three or four times to show my non-ethiopian friends a taste of ethiopian food. the food - to say the least - is subpar. The service is terrible and i mean very terrible. the dude at the front desk is super-rude.
(1)
Hillary M.
While the food is good, the customer service is only so-so (didn't bring water, forgot water when requested, didn't refill water) and the bathroom was pretty nast. But, again, the food was good, comes out quickly and the price is right for the S. End.
(2)
Charles F.
I have a tendency of going far out of my way to try new foods that I've never had the opportunity to taste before (this includes buying plane tickets). Luckily, thanks to Addis, I don't need to buy a plane ticket to Ethiopia in order to try some fantastic cuisine from the region. An easy walk from the Back Bay Orange Line T stop right on Tremont St., Addis sits in plain view with an inviting facade that already presents a new experience for most Bostonians. The dimly lit dining area sports traditional art on its walls, but not so much as to seem cheesy and pretentious. You sit on stools in front of what's called a mesab, which is a traditional eating table, whose surface reminds you of an upturned wicker hat. The wait staff is very friendly and personable, and totally understanding of the bewilderment that overcomes those who have no idea what Yesega Alcha is (true story; I now know that Yusega Alcha roughly translates to "OH DEAR GOD THIS IS DELICIOUS" [this is a very rough translation]). Oooh fancy, hot towels for you to wipe your hands with. What is this, Buckingham Palace?...wait...where are the forks? And there it is, one of my favorite aspects of Ethiopian cuisine: eating with your hands! Well, not exactly, but using a traditional bread known as Injera (soft and spongey texture, delicious) to scoop up meats, veggies, lentils, juices...EVERYTHING! Of course, I'd do this on my own at any restaurant or at home. I've got to have a ton of bread to mop up every last morsel of deliciousness on my plate. But to have it as the standard way of eating? I may book that flight to Ethiopia just yet! The menu items are not in English, but the detailed descriptions are, so you'll have no trouble picking out just exactly what'll razz your palate. My suggestions include the Dabo bread appetizer, of course the Yesega Alcha (a beef dish), and the chicken entre called Doro Wot. Essentially, fans of bread, stewed meats, and steamed vegetables will be pleased here. Especially if said items are preferred to be seasoned with flavorful and vivacious spices. Like Indian food, Ethiopian food is wild with flavors and zest! Also like Indian food, fans of spicey hot foods will be pleased here as well. The atmosphere here is just right. Exotic enough to feel truly apart from other restaurant experiences, but no so much as to seem excessive. The dim lighting adds a nice touch and makes this perfect for a nice date (assuming your date has some adventure in his/her eating rituals, which should be a given standard, shouldn't it?). And the pricing? Not bad at all, considering the quality meal you'll be getting. I have been here several times and cannot think of a single downside to report. Wait... ...I think I remember somethi... ...nevermind, I literally have no bone to pick with Addis Red Sea. Great restaurant!
(5)
Ligaya T.
After eating here I want to say, "No, no. Really you guys go ahead, I'll catch up with you in a bit." Fast forward many moons. Ligaya is still riveted to the cozy Ethiopian table in the corner surrounded by the photos and art of these countrymen, scooping up their doro, mittin shuro and gommen wot with her hands, stuffing her open mouth and drinking barrels of tej that the servers quietly deliver. She has turned into an amorphous blob, incapable of all vocal expressions aside from grunts and mmmmms. She is ineffably happy.
(4)
Rhan K.
Service was horrible! I went a while ago and when I asked for a check, they told me to "enjoy the company of my group some more" and REFUSED TO GET ME MY CHECK! It wasn't that they wanted us to eat more because we weren't going to and they were told that. They just wanted us to sit there, with our empty plates and stare at each other! I was there with a large group and since it came out to be a large bill, I would have liked them to be a little more attentive, but they never refilled our drinks (we had to go find a pitcher ourselves and pour our own water) and they wouldn't get us our check. I don't know about you, but in my mind, if a table is trying to leave the restaurant, you get them the check so they are happy, they tip you and you can seat more people at their table. The food wasn't bad, but compared to the other places that I've had Ethiopian food, it wasn't great either. Big Disappointment But I guess at least it was fairly cheap.
(1)
Nathan A.
I'll keep this short and to the point. I have been intrigued by Ethiopian food so when I saw the Groupon, I immediately purchased it and went to dinner two nights later. The parking is difficult and they do not have valet like the other places nearby. I drove around for 20 minutes to eventually park half a mile away (i don't mind walking so no big deal). We were seated immediately. The decor is very nice and welcoming. There are about 10-15 tables which were 60% full each with couples. We sat for 20+ minutes before we had our order taken (no water, nothing in the meantime). Two other couples got up and left fed up with the service. We then waited another 30 mins for our appetizers and drinks. The appetizer was essentially bread with a dipping sauce (definitely not something that takes 30 mins to make). We then waited another 20 mins for our food which was luke warm when it came out. Each dish was essentially some form of stewed meat in a sauce meant to be eaten with your hands and their bread. The food tasted allright. I imagine that it is good for Ethiopian food but the food itself was lackluster. We ate quickly since we were so hungry by this point, got the check, paid as quickly as possible and left. All in all a 2 hour dinner for dishes that were likely premade sitting in crockpots in the kitchen. I'll give this place 3 stars for the food but only one star for the service. I won;t be back, not even with another groupon.
(2)
Ashley A.
I read a bunch of reviews before coming here for dinner, and i'm sure they all accurately reflect the mediocrity of the place. I don't mean mediocrity to have a negative connotation, either, it was just an average experience. I wasn't "wow-ed". The company was the best part, but we can't always take good dates to average places and expect fireworks. The style of eating was fun, the atmosphere was quiet enough for conversation, the seating was alright. I think we got the 4-dish vegetarian platter and told the waitress "surprise us" with whatever she thought was best. We got 3 good dishes (i think ground chickpeas, some red and spicy bean thing, and something that looked and tasted like collard greens) and one serving each of steamed, mushy carrot and green bean "salad". I think I might try again, but get different dishes, and keep my expectations a bit lower.
(3)
owen brenna i.
Ok, So i like this place but i also don't like it. Came here with a big group, great atmosphere, we were seated downstairs, because there was no room for a big group upstairs. My friends called it the VIP area because nobody else was there.. So weonly saw our waitress when she was bringing us things, she never really check up onus, so we caight on fast that we would need to order all at once in order to get thingsin a timely fashion.So my friend and I split a vegetarian combo, and she said that the 1 person wouldn't be big enough but it was. the bread fills you up really fast,its spongy and acts like that,it soaks up your hunger. so we ordered 4 vegetarian dishes from the list one of which, cracked wheat, could be made with either butter or oil and my friend is vegan so we ordered it with oil. So it comes and the lentils were soo good,but not as spicey as we were hoping, and the collard greens were great too. i forgot our other dish, but we realized we had no cracked wheat. so after asking the busboy to get our waitress for us since we never really saw her, she brought us the cracked wheat, which was good but made with BUTTER. it was kind of sweat, nothing great, kind of needs to be eaten with something else, with more spice in it. So my non veggie friends had some meat stuff that smelled SOO GOOD, we had wished there was more spice in ours, we were told the veggie dishes are a bit bland, but thought we would try it anyway..they were bland, good but needed more of a kick.
(3)
jessica k.
It was great to try some new food! the atmosphere was very intimate. Not the most comfortable seating because it was traditional ethiopian seating, but still very interesting, service was great but the wine list was pretty limited. overall it was a great place for a date!
(4)
Luke P.
I've been here twice now and both experiences have overall been good. The ambiance and decor of the restaurant are its best features; it definitely has a unique, foreign feel to it with interesting seating arrangements around a round, bowl shaped table - I have not seen this setup at other restaurants. The food was decent although I think I've had better Ethiopian in Seattle. Personally, I also much prefer the sour, darker colored injera. Addis gives you a little bit of this style but the majority they serve is lighter colored and doesn't have that tangy, sour-dough like taste. The staff have always been friendly and accurate, but they do not check in often and you will likely wait a long time for your bill, initial drink/food orders, etc. unless you flag them down. Definitely don't come here if you're trying to have a quick dinner. If you've never tried Ethiopian and are into ethnic foods, this is a good place to be introduced to the cuisine.
(3)
joel t.
The service is impeccable, if a bit slow. Beware that the food can be a bit harsh on the stomach so don't eat too fast.
(4)
lauren t.
Quite possilbly the worst dining experience of my life. To begin with, the host told us that the wait for our party of 4 would be 20-30 minutes. After 45 minutes, I kindly asked him where we stood on the list & was told that we would be seated within the next 15 minutes. After another 45 minutes had passed, we were finally seated in the "basement" only to receive the worst service! We ordered our food the moment that we were seated but had to wait over 30 minutes to receive our drinks & dinner. Our waitress checked on our party three times, once to take our order, once to deliver our food, and then to bring us the bill. It's sufficient to say it was a horrible evening and we will NEVER be eating there again.
(1)
Lisa P.
I am so dissapointed I didn't even have the opportunity to try the food here last night. I had tickets to a play across the street at the BCA for 7:30, sat down with no wait at 6:15 no problem. I was thinking great we will be able to get in and out and enjoy some great food prior to our play. WRONG!!! Our waitress came over very quickly and we ordered our meal within minutes of sitting down. I should have known when it took nearly 25 minutes to get one BOTTLE of beer we were in for a problem. I kept looking around at the tables around us that had come in AFTER us and noticed they were being served promptly. I was starting to get worried as the time/wait got longer and longer and still no food OR sign of our waitress. After waiting very patiently for over an hour and still no sign of our waitress since she brought over the beer my boyfriend went to the front and told them we were going to leave and we paid for the beer and were going to walk out. As we were getting our belongings together and walking out the door it was as if some miracle occurred and our food appeared but at this point it was too late. I was extremely disappointed as I was very much looking forward to the food we had ordered after looking around at the surrounding tables eating theirs. Honestly I have never had such bad service in my life, it was as if we had been completely forgotten and I am a very good patron and avid restaurant goer so I know good service and happily pay for it when I see it. This was just plain horrible.
(1)
Matt R.
Forget what your mother told you as a kid. It's time to dig in with your paws. Hopefully they'll be cleaner this time around though. (The hot towels served to you prior to your meal help to ensure that.) Out of the three Ethiopian restaurants I know of in Boston, this is definitely the cream of the crop. Once seated at your table (whose name is "Mesob"), be prepared to have a finger-licking feast. Plenty of options for both carnivores and omnivores. Some of the most tender lamb I've had to date, and all their meats are served in delicious sauces, waiting for you to wrap them up in spongey bread and feed your face. Gorgeous interior and the low lighting provides great ambience. If you're a beer lover, try the Belgian-style Ommegang.
(4)
Nicole B.
i love addis red sea! i just got back and i was very happy with the experience. i love trying new foods and have been dying to come here for a long time. the atmosphere is warm and inviting. the chairs and table are very cool. i had a glass of honey wine. it was kind of like champagne but with less bubbles. now, i'm not a huge champagne fan. in fact, i usually go for reds. but this wasn't too bad. it was a bit earthier than champagne. i don't think i'll order it again the next time i go (yes there will be a next time) but i will try some of their other ethiopian wines. the food was excellent. the bread is spongy and delicious! i took some home with me. my boyfriend and is sampled a bunch of different dishes. they were all very good! to me, it was kind of a mix of indian and mexican. yes mexican! there was a chicken dish and a beef dish that kind of tasted like mole. yummy yummy! while i didn't get desert, i could see them from a distance. they were all pretty good looking fruit tarts, chocolate cakes, tortes, etc. i would have loved to see some ethiopian deserts. but i'm not one to complain about sweets. i love them all! overall, a very good experience. great food, great atmosphere. can't wait to come back!
(4)
stacey w.
a warm welcome & a lovely ambiance.
(4)
Starry E.
wonderful food and service! and it smelled so good inside - the air was filled with a complex undertone of spices. the waitress was very helpful and attentive, even though we were there on a busy friday night.
(5)
Nit S.
So the food here isn't bad for a vegetarian. Only thing is..it's quite bland if you are. I think the spicy berbere sauce lentils were my favorite. I suggest going once to figure out what you like, and then getting a large order of that one dish. I've been to the cambridge and south end locations, and I really see no difference.
(3)
Arun C.
There were a lot of Ethiopian places in Oakland and Berkeley so I was glad to see that there were a few in the Boston area. If you haven't had this type of food before then I think it's definitely worth trying out. The place seems to be busy and crowded on Fridays and weekends so make reservations if you can.
(4)
Maritza M.
i feel like everyone LOVES this place because it's sooooooo ethic! which is cool but i think that's not enough to make it great. ok, so addis isn't THAT bad, but it's not soooooooooo GREAT. the lamb dishes were pretty good but i honestly don't remember the rest of the food...and my tummy didn't feel so good a couple hours afterwards...
(3)
Nick M.
This place is the perfect place to take an adventurous eater. You feel like you have crawled into a bungalow in Africa. The lights are dim and the waitresses set the mood. The food is unlike anything you've likely had. There is a large circular piece of spongy porous bread and the food is dumped in piles ontop. There are plenty of vegetarian options including chickpeas and assorted vegetables.
(5)
Dawn W.
I'd really like to like this place, but the manager seemed hell bent on destruction the night we tried. I went with friends on Sunday night, and was told it would be a half hour wait. An hour later, we were still sitting there, ravenous if not for the peppermints at the front counter. This was after a group of two who came in after us sat down before two groups of the same number, and a girl who had reservations waited for a half hour before being seated. Oh, and a girl who ordered takeout waited for over an hour as well (it was supposed to be 20 minutes). The whole time there were not one, not two, but FIVE empty tables. Of the occupied tables, one had food. And don't tell me it's not sitting in big vats in the kitchen waiting to be spooned onto bread, why they couldn't pick up the pace on that end, I have no idea. Then, by the grace of god, we were finally seated...only to sit for twenty minutes without so much as an ice cube coming our way. Finally we came to our senses and got up to leave (what the hell took us so long, probably our dramatically dropping blood sugar levels), and that's when the waitress showed up. Woe. Just because Addis doesn't have any competition doesn't mean you should eat there! Do yourself a favor and save Ethiopian for a trip to New York, or even better, D.C.
(1)
Ben B.
I love this restaurant. It was recommended to me by an Ethiopian taxi driver who said it was by far the best in Boston, one of the best in the US (apparently Washington DC has some contenders) and better even than most in Addis Ababa.
(5)
h g.
True its the best Ethiopian in Boston, but hey the other places (Asmara) dont set the bar very high. I went on a Monday night, and though it was pretty empty when we got there around 6 by the time we left at 7:30 the places was filling up pretty fast. AND there were Ethiopian men coming to eat there--in my experience this is a very good sign. This place seats only mesob-style which luckily I like, but for those who have bad backs or issues with sitting on the three legged stood, or wood chair hunched over the mesob may not like so much. I was quite dissappointed that they were out of the Ethiopian honey wine, but had a Harar beer instead. My dining partner had mango juice. I am used to insanely large portions, a common occurance in other cities in general but particularly with Ethiopian. When we were going to only order the Doro Wot combo our waitress told us we needed to order more, so we got the veggie combo and a Doro Wot order. When it came we were both surprised to see how small the portion was for the price, which is the way that Boston is in general so I can forgive it. Red Sea uses enjera made of wheat flour rather than teff flour--this means that the bread has a more fluffy consistency and does not have the sour dough type taste that the teff creates--which is good for those who dont like the sour taste of teff, for others (myself included) the teff enjera is preferred. The use of wheat flour is a regional preference in Ethiopia. The Doro Wot was good, more mild than I would have liked but spicy enough that I devored it all. They remove the chicken from the bone here and there was no egg--both complaints in my book, but could be good for some. The veggie dishes were good, run of the mill, not too spicy not too bland. We ate it all, even the bottom layer of enjera! We ordered the quick style ethiopian coffee--it was perfect, served in a cute little kettle shaped gord. Between the two of us we spend $40 and we were kinda still hungry afterwards. Overall--It aint great, but its the best thing Boston's got!
(3)
Vivian L.
This place was chosen by the vegetarian in our group. Us meat eaters went along, reluctantly. But we all had a great time! I almost fell off the small circular stool things once but aside from that and everyone digging into the same large circular tray of food, it was a good time had by all. None of the food was spicey butr everyone was super full in the end. I would have skipped dessert though. I think the humidity of Boston makes flaky desserts not very flaky and crunchy anymore. The coffee and the way they serve it was pretty cool. This place was more for the experience than the food I think. It was very crowded for a Sat night and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I would suggest everyone in the party to use the bread stuff to pick up food instead of dive into the plate with your fingers though. That is kinda icky. The beer selection was pretty good, too. The honey beer is worth trying, too. Just go with an open mind and be ok with having all your beverages in these small tables.
(5)
Joyce T.
Very fun and unique atmosphere - dimly lit, can we say romantique? :) Quiet. Good service.
(4)
kelly k.
Our favorite Ethiopian restaurant and we've searched 3 states to find it!(MA NY and CA) Love the ambiance, the authentic tables and chairs, the yummy Ethiopian red wine and of course the spicy, flavorful, awewome food.
(5)
Sandra C.
Intimate, casual, very unique place to go/take someone. It's best if you get a combo with someone and share. Love the flat bread. There's no utensils, you just use the bread to pick up the food. The small tables and dimly lit atmosphere is good for a small group of friends. I don't think more than four would fit at a table though. Great decor and atmosphere.
(5)
So S.
While the food is not as good as how my Ethiopian friend makes it, it is still worth a try. Only place to get decent Ethiopian. Beautiful place to take a date. Update: WHAT HAPPENED??!! I had to change from 4 to 3. It used to be so good and now its ok. I hope its just a bad night!! I guess my ethiopian choice will now be Asmara! Im a devasted but at least I have Asmara.
(3)
Kirby M.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the food at this place. This is such a fun meal to bring people to who are adventurous and have never heard of this type of dining (that's how i got addicted!) I love the atmosphere, however I took 1 star off because of the uncomfortable seating and the fact that if you want to go there for dinner on the weekend, we had over an hour and a half wait. But we did wait, so I think that says a lot.
(4)
E C.
Disclaimer: I love injera & eating with my hands, so my review is clearly nuanced. Flavorful lamb curries and the lentil dish has perfect texture. Enjoyed the ambience, however the round chairs are at an awkward height and tip easily (I think my co-worker said something funny and I literally fell from my chair laughing because of its instability). Minus one star.
(4)
Ashley J.
This is a great date place. It is exotic, fun, different and it creates a nice distraction if you are nervous. You can always have fun with the new experience and I personally find if my date isn't down with eating with his hands he is never going to be the guy for me. Good way to weed out the uptight people. I have to say I agree with the assessment that the quality of the food has gone down in the last few years. I used to love it here but now I go here and there with a friend when I want something really different. Parking is a total nightmare. The honey wine is good. Check it out. I always love the reaction from people when I tell them about Ethiopian food. It is a good conversation starter.
(3)
Jaclyn N.
This place has great food and it's a lot of fun to eat - plus it's unlike anyplace else I've ever eaten. I'm not sure I would go on a date here, but I went with a lot of close friends and it was hilarious. I'm not even sure what exactly I ate - but I loved all of it and left totally stuffed. It definitely does take a while, however, so if you're in a rush you'll want to go elsewhere. Also, we were drinking and kept getting the wrong beer, but there are no points subtracted because it was still beer! Highly recommended if you have patience and/or a sense of humor.
(5)
tara d.
We haven't been there recently but wanted to recommend it. We found it a very nice restaurant to take the kids for a change of venue.. My measuring stick may not be accurate as this is the only Ethiopian food we've had, but it was fun, interesting and tasty,. More importantly the kids enjoyed the experience, loved the spongy bread and stews, and the strong sweet coffee and tea were great..So go for a different experience, keep in mind the cuisine is heavy on the stews, try a sampler to get a broader spectrum.. A beautiful people, a warm cuisine with some different flavors, the waitstaff was very hospitable, and welcomed our questions, It is an engaging and fun place to go with friends or family...the atmosphere and decor delightfully authentic
(4)
Seafoodie R.
Cool/different but thought the dishes all tasted the same. Wonderful staff. The seating was a bit uncomfortable.
(3)
Melissa G.
I was here over 7 years ago and returned today for lunch/dinner. It was Saturday around 3pm and there was only one other couple there! (Usually on weekend nights the line is out the door). The food was delish, and I ordered a meat dish but I am sure the vegetarian food is just as yummy. Great experience, great food!
(5)
J. H.
Always an adventerous meal! On our most recent visit we had trouble getting the server's attention for things such as drink refills. Addis Read Sea has the best atmosphere and all around experience for an Ethiopan restaurant in the Boston area. Ethiopian food isn't for everyone. You do eat with your hands and bread, so if that isn't your thing, be warned! If you are looking for something spicy or flavorful be sure to ask the staff for their recommendations and they will gladly help you out.
(4)
mark m.
I got NASTY NASTY food poisoning there once from kitfo, but I still go back because I like it so much. the family who run it really are lovely people
(4)
Tara T.
I love Addis Red Sea. Great atmosphere... intimate and informal where you sit closely with your friends or date and eat off the same plate essentially. My only negative comment would be that there food is not very spicy for Ethiopian, but it is still full of flavor. Oh, and make sure to try the honey wine even if you're not typically a wine drinker... It's not wine, it's not mead, but something a little like both and oh so good.
(4)
S S.
I really would like to give it two and a half stars! Nothing stood out to be. For an ethinic cusine , you could have more fun with the ambiance, which was rather kitschy! I tried the ethopian lager beer, but i guess i am more of an IPA kinda gal! Not a big fan of eating with your hands, but will do in the spirit of trying something new. They should have more cleaniness and disposeable dishes for that. The owners seems really friendly and nice. I did want to give this place more than a 21/2 stars , however, nothing stood out for me, had better ethopian food!
(2)
Kate B.
Good choice for a reasonably priced dinner in the South End. We chose it because it was right across from the BCA where we were going to see a play and it satisfied the needs of the vegetarians in our party. The service was nice and the food was tasty. Not spectacular, but good. If you don't like eating with your hands from a communal platter, this is not the place for you.
(3)
wsl l.
I totally dig this place . Definitely for the more adventurous eater. If you aren't comfortable eating on a communal plate and with your hands, this isn't for you. Not sure if its a great place to take on a first date.. I can say though, its much more amusing with a bunch of friends.
(4)
Jake F.
I love this restaurant so much! It's a great way to really bond with the company you're sharing your food with, and the food has never been disappointing. I would recommend the fried fish, lentil salad, and any lamb dish for a great meal.
(5)
elizabeth m.
Favorite restaurant! I've been going here for years and I prefer this location to the Porter Sq. one because the experience is just funner when you sit on the floor in the dark- Porter Sq is more like a bar or diner. Lots of veg options, I like the adakilt and my non-veg boyfriend loves the zil zil tips. The dipping sauce that comes with the dabo appetizer is amazing but the honey wine- pass. Try to sit upstairs if you can and want your water/drinks refilled often. Prices aren't bad and it's not too crowded on an off night.
(5)
Marc S.
I've eaten a lot of Ethiopian food, and love the spices and aromas of the food I usually get. Although the ambiance of Addis was great, the food was bland. We got the vegetable ensemble, it tasted like the vegetables had been simply boiled, but not prepared with any wonderful spice. The vegetables tasted more like items in a mundane stew rather than a tate-bud trip to Ethiopia. Our dinner, vegetable ensemble for two, cost $25.00. The portions seemed small to us, and the food was not hot when it was put on our table. I would not recommend this restaurant.
(1)
Immer E.
it's all about BREAD when it comes to ethiopian food. that spongy injera bread is oh so good. addis freshly bakes them everyday before they open. for people w/ wheat allergies, you can call them ahead of time and they'll make ones w/o for you. i was surprised to see that they have a decent sized vegan menu here. we ordered the vegetarian combination for 2, which i thought was a good price at $22.95 (it comes w/ 4 different veggie meals of your choice). the portions are actually really skimpy, but they give you so much of the bread that you get filled up very fast. overall, the food was tasty, but it definitely could have been more spicey. it really didn't matter though, they could have thrown spagetti sauce or a slab of butter on my injera bread and i would have been happy. i really like the texture of this bread. it's light, chewy and goes well w/ anything. he owner is very friendly, but our waitress was a bit pushy and gruff. the ethiopian table and chairs are low, so you might be uncomfortable if you not used to nonstandard western furniture. i noticed some pregnant women having issues w/ them. be prepared to use your fingers as utensils. i loved eating w/ my hands - it really is the ideal way to eat this food. they do give you a hot, wet cloth to clean 'em up before your food comes out, plus a little wet nappy when you're done pigging out. i left the establishment stuffed and w/ lingering memories of my beautiful injera bread. we'll meet again my love.
(4)
Andres M.
Best Ethiopian restaurant in Boston (there are only two I think). It's a nice experience and the food is delicious albeit a bit oily. If you haven't had Ethiopian food you have to be open minded and be willing to eat with your hands and have a spongy bread called injera. I really liked it.
(5)
Nicole W.
This place is worth trying out if you are interested in authentic Ethiopian food. I LOVE the honey wine. The decor is wonderful as well. I enjoy going here about once a year for special occasions.
(4)
Ashley H.
I LOVE coming here. It's a really good place to go with friends, the food is so delicious, and the beer is as well. The basket tables, little stools, low ceilings and dim lighting, make the place comfy and cozy. The food takes a long time to get to you, but if you're with friends, it leaves you time to talk and have some drinks. They also have hot towels. HOT towels. WHOA. And they're opening another one in Cambridge. I feel like this location is not easy to get to, and it feels out of place in the neighborhood. It will fit right in, in Davis square.
(5)
Allison L.
I've never had Ethiopian food before, but since I'm planning to go to Addis in October for a medical missions trip, I decided to check this place out. The hostesses were excellent and I thought the food was great too. It was a bit pricier than I expected, but otherwise the ambiance was great. On a Sunday afternoon it was very relaxed. Vegetables, chicken and beef were all so tasty! I would definitely recommend people to come check it out, cost aside.
(4)
Anonymous P.
Average or slightly below average Ethiopian food, but the best in Boston that I'm aware of. Wonderful atmosphere.
(3)
Emily M.
i was going to give 3 stars (maybe 3.5), but i upped the rating to 4 simply from the utter joy i felt upon reading the beverage list. they had tusker! (a kenyan lager that brings me back to the wonderful summer spent there. ironically enough, i was dining with someone i had met during my time there! but i digress...) it seems my same criticism of kenyan food translates to ethiopian food as well. basically the medium for bringing the food from plate to mouth (injera in ethiopia, ugali in kenya) is an extremely bland starch. maybe that's a critique of the cuisine itself and not addis. but when my mittin shuru wot (ground split peas in spicy sauce) also lacked distinctive flavor, it made for a pretty boring bite, in both taste and texture. i tried a bite of my two fellow diners' chicken dishes and they were tastier. our ye-awake dabo appetizer (thick bread with red pepper dip) was so-so. well received though because we were starving (no reservations = long wait)! overall, i did enjoy it though if only for the sheer novelty of the communal, utensil-less eating experience. it was fun and i'll willingly go back and do it again. but next time i'll order a different main dish. the beer will remain the same.
(4)
Jay and Jenn O.
The best Ethiopian place we have ever been to (also the only Ethiopian place we have ever been to). Any place where bread is used as a utensil I love.
(4)
Lori E.
It's good, but I've had better Ethiopian food.
(3)
Joey M.
This was a unique place compared to other places I've been in the South End and Boston in general. It feels very authentic but I can't say I'd ever had ethiopian food before. My girlfriend & I are vegan for the most part so It was great for us. We got the vegetarian sampler for 2 which was only $25 total! They serve all the food on large, verry thin yummy bread and you eat with your fingers. We got an assortment of vegetables (potatoes, carrots, etc), chickpeas, split peas with a spicy sauce (my favorite thing), and lentils which were also really good. Doesn't sound like a lot but it was really filling. Also the guava juice was really good. Good deal for the price and menu. Try it out.
(4)
Brandon B.
I liked this place a lot. They have pretty good Ethiopian beer.
(5)
jaimee w.
Addis Red Sea is a great, authentic Ethiopian Restaurant hidden in the South End and worth a try. My cousin loves Asmara in Central Square but I love the ambiance of Addis. I would say the food is better at Addis and it's unique from anything else offered in the SE. Don't be afraid to descend the stairs to the "garden" level entrance, it's truly a worthy experience
(4)
Maren C.
Ethiopian food is one of my favorite foods. I have had the privledge to have eaten wonderful stews, vegatable and meat alike, in East Africa. My first experice with Ethiopian food was in Kenya. Followed by another in Uganda. To my delight there was a tiny little ethiopian resturant in City Heights, San Diego with plastic placmats outlining the country's history, that served outstanding food. After living in Vermont for a year I was excited to once again be able to say to my beau, "I think we should go for Ethiopian food." And we did just the other evening and we keep thinking about it, and all we can say is "Bummer." Addis seemed to forget the spices, serving us what seemed to be once frozen then carlessly steamed green beans, carrots, and a potato or two thrown atop Injera. The cabbage was boiled, no flavor added, the lentils were average, the chickpeas a bit salty-the chicken-it was the only redeaming portain of our meal. Ethiopian food is full of wonderful flavors, spicey, savory, salty and Addis completely missed the target. Will not return, hope there is better Ethiopian food in Boston. Aside from the food, the wait, for the table and the food, was really long -- this wait was the most authentic part of our meal.
(2)
Ana M.
I actually went here last night because reading everyone else's reviews of it made me very hungry. The wait was an hour long (*note: they only take reservations for parties of 5 or more) but definitely worth it for the experience. My sense is that this place, (while definitely romantic) is best for larger groups of 5-6 people. The service was excellent, but slow, which we kind of liked - this is not a place you eat and rush out of - and the food was good. The combo plate was definitely a good recommendation.
(4)
Lacey P.
I love this place. They take reservations, it's a really pleasant atmosphere, with cool tables and chairs and side tables. It makes you really like the person you went with. And their downstairs area is a cool tiki lounge, that instatntly makes you feel cool. The waitstaff is amazing, knowelagable, kind, and patient. They bring you these nice warm damp towels for you to wash your hands with before you eat. There was a waitress the last time I was there with the perfect ass. My friend mentioned it right as I was admiring it, and soon the whole table was exclaiming. This woman was shaped exactly like a beautiful vase. Lovely.. Ahhh. The food is to die for, every time I go there I remember why I keep going back. Everyone should go here once. Love it.
(5)
rkl d.
interior decoration is great. you should try the ethipion lager beer - i luved it I am giving slightly low rating bcoz its not kids friendly. I have a 4 yr old and 10 mnth old. They dont have the high chairs, so had a big struggle handling the kids and eating from the centrally located table/plate. Also the appetizer was very midly warm (kinda surprising for me) Parking is another struggle - street parking is difficult to find and have to hand over the keys to valet most of the time.
(3)
Yosh H.
If one is ever in search of creative dining, this would be a great option because of its great atmosphere and food. I've been here frequently and always recommend it as a worthwhile restaurant to visit.
(4)
Miss L.
fantasitc Ethiopian food served at reasonable prices, and it beats any Ethiopian spot in D.C. the honey wine doesn't taste like "wine" at all, but it is delicious and pairs excellently with the cuisine. the one part that could improve? the ambiance; the food is served a little quickly and "all-business" for my tasted, but the flavors certainly make up for it.
(4)
Anna P.
The restaurant is definitely a bit overrated. The food is decent - but overpriced, in my opinion. Although, I do have to say that it's a great experience, particularly if you like playing with your food and putting your hands in other people's plates!
(3)
Selena T.
Having heard good things about this restaurant, a group of friends and I decided to go there for a couples dinner night last week. There were six of us and we made reservations for 8:30pm. We got there on-time for our reservation, but the minutes kept ticking by and we were not seated. Every time we asked the man who seemed to be the floor manager how much longer, he would say "very soon, soon". After 30 minutes had gone by, we were starving and there was a huge line of people waiting behind us. We noticed that we weren't the only ones the manager was lying to about the wait-time. After an hour had gone by we still were not seated. We tried to call other restaurants but without having reservations ahead of time, trying to book a table for 6 in the Back Bay on a Saturday night is near impossible and we had no luck, so we continued to wait. Finally we heard the manager saying something about a group of ten that was waiting ahead of us and we had had it, so we started to walk out. At that point the hostesses and manager called us back in because magically, a table all of a sudden became available. When we sat down we were so angry, frustrated and hungry...we figured the least they could do was comp us some appetizers or drinks. When we asked the manager, he looked straight into my friends eyes and gave him a cold, abrupt "no" without even the hint of an apology for making us wait for so long even though we had made reservations. I have extensive experience dining at Boston restaurants and never have I been treated so disrespectfully by the management or staff at a fine dining establishment. If you are considering Addis the Red Sea, I would wholeheartedly recommend you spend your money elsewhere to avoid an experience such as ours.
(1)
Melissa B.
You know, I eat anything from low-brow street food to sweetbreads and fois gras, but this place was just not my thing. I hated it. The injera (sp?) -the spongy unleavened bread - had no flavor and the lentil dishes seemed nothing more complicated than what I could make in my own kitchen. Sure, the beers were good.
(1)
S S.
It's too bad that some ppl rated this place with lower number of stars coz I thought it was really good. Super cool atmosphere (I guess Ethiopian-style), and it would be a great spot for a romantic date. I remember that it was kind of hard to get to (transportation-wise) - like it wasn't too close to a T stop. I've also tried other Ethiopian restaurants but Addis is by far the best. I liked how their bread (is that what it's called?) was not sour.
(5)
Oli M.
I'm writing Addis off as faux-ethnic cuisine, compromised for the light-hearted masses. The boy and I came here during the summer in search of Ethiopian food we'd loved at Abyssinia up in the Roch. Abyssinia was a hangout for local Ethiopians, so we were pretty confident that the sizzling, spicy lamb and beef dishes, and flavorful, herbed veg dishes were an ethnic standard. I'd tried Ethiopian food elsewhere before and looked it up in cookbooks, all of which reiterated that spice and flavor were integral part of the cuisine. We walk into Addis thinking "score, not only will this place have the same awesome food, but it has authentic seating and a great wine list too." We order a lamb dish labeled as extra spicy on the menu, collard greens, and a few other things.... all of which were returned to us delicately prepared but BLAND AS ALL HELL. It was just so boring. Did they compromise the food to attract more clientele? Who even knows what went wrong at Addis. I plan to try out the more hole-in-wall Ethiopian restaurants listed on Yelp to find a truly authentic experience in Boston. Addis' only selling points: whole-wheat injera and a decent selection of African wines.
(2)
Alice K.
There's no bonding experience quite like eating off the same three-foot wide circle of flatbread. Other that, though, the restaurant is relatively unremarkable; the food is not distinctive in the least. Enjoy the framed African art while you're there.
(3)
Michael G.
I'm usually not much of a fan of Ethiopian food, but this was surprisingly good. If possible, go in a large party, so you can share and try a number of dishes, which are dumped on large sheets of sponge bread for you to eat. However, if you're only getting one thing, then definitely get the ZilZil-Tibs. They also have actual Ethiopian beer here, which is good (certainly better than American beer).
(4)
David T.
So cool. This place has big wicker Ethiopian table-y things that are really fun. It's crowded, the food is great, and down on the second-basement-down level I really felt like I'd left the continent. The place reeks of authenticity. Try the honey wine.
(5)
Stellina M.
Great family run authentic Ethiopian restaurant. Take your date there is not espensive and the food is wholesome, beware that you will eat with your hands! It is also a great place for groups I would not suggest it to a meat and potato kind of guy! PS. They take reservations!
(4)
Aunt Selma g.
The food is very bland and flavorless. My friend lived in Ethiopia and said it is not authentic. It seems as if it has been toned down for the American palate. I see from the ratings below however, that if you are a yankee that likes boiled meat and vegetables with no salt or other spices this place is probably spicy for you. I did really enjoy the dining experience even though the service was slow and the Ethiopian Honey wine tasted like Mad Dog 20/20.
(2)
Ruth P.
If you've never been to an ethiopian restaurant - you should definetly take the time to go here. The place is intimate and the style of eating is unique - you have a large tortilla type piece of bread on a round table, and the dishes you order are plopped directly onto it and then you eat with your hands. (hence the towel to wash your hands before you eat...)
(5)
Lynn W.
I love when friends of mine force me into new restaurant experiences, and going to Addis Red Sea Ethiopian Restuarant was one of those instances. I am always up for an eclectic change of pace with food (and I will try anything once, I will pretty much eat anything - even cow brain- if it is sauteed properly lol). I was a bit worried at first b/c I was under the assumption that Ethiopian food was made with alot of curry, and sorry guys, I am just not a curry fan, but I was very excited when I saw the menu and realized that is is mainly the spice of cumin that they use in their cooking! They have a long list of stews and veggie concoctions that are brought out in a communal style huge bowl, and these the stews are plopped on top of this amazing, weird, soggy style bread that you use to pick up the food with your hands and eat. IT WAS DELICIOUS! And, it is a great way to encourage meal sharing b/c of the communal set-up, this restaurant is great for entertaining larger parties of 5 to 8 peaople. The restaurant is small and dimly lit with the most amazing original artwork on the walls - made me feel like I was in a cozy home. Prices are fair and the options of eclectic drinks are varied. I tried the Honey Wine (waaay too sweet for me, but everyone else in the group loved it! ) And they also have this mango drink that looked delicious. Tip: These guys have no valet service, so make sure to go on an off night to find parking in the south end or just hop public transportation, you don't want to be coming out of a great dinner experience and then having to go bail your car out of a tow yard! Overall, this is a great little gem in the South End that I will be introducing all my friends and family to...hope to see you there!
(4)
Vern B.
i went here on valentines day 2 years ago with someone who sucks... but other then that its wonderful. i thought it was funny cuz its very intimite. dim lighting and you eat with your hands. i love it because i love to be messy with my food... maybe im just a slob... Not sure.... but its a very fun place to go!
(5)
Chris S.
Wow! I just went back here after an 8 month hiatus. It's as good as I've always remembered it. The food was fantastic; I've gone here maybe 30 times since I moved to Boston 9 years ago and the food has always been great. It's pricey if you are on a budget (everything is though on a budget), but compared to the average, it's pretty dirt cheap. It's dark and cozy, with a touch of Orientalism... not bad, just very ornate. It seems exotic if you're the olive garden sort, which makes it great if the Mom and Dad from the suburbs of Kansas are in town and you'd like to show them something fun and out of their ordinary (sorry no disrespect to Kansas, just lots of chain restaurants as I remember). In the past I've dined there with friends about 5-6 heads average, and the longest wait was half an hour. If your party is over 6, plz make a reservation, as during busy times the wait may be much longer. If you're on a first date I most definitely recomend this place! It's fun to explore the different cuisine together (buy all combos, the Lamb and tartar rock!) it's non-pretentious, and the service is first rate. Sit in the back if you'd like privacy, save room for tea or coffee after dinner, and if you drink Just the right amount of Tusker Lager you might fake yourself into thinking your dining in Africa, and what could be better that that, I hope you like it like I have. Good Eats! I go there when I want to pretend I'm not in Boston and don't have the dough to fly away.
(5)
Jennifer L.
I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. I'd been wanting to try this place for a while and finally convinced my boyfriend we should go. The seats are sort of uncomfortable and it was so loud in there. We were screaming across the table at each other. How is that romantic? We tried the honey wine, which was sweet, and kind of reminded me of Manischewitz with a bit of honey. We ordered a chicken combo that came with 3 veggie options, of which we chose some chickpea thing, a bulghar salad and lentils, and we added an order of beef. It came served on that spongy bread. It did not look appetizing and I couldn't understand what the waitress said we were eating! I enjoyed the flavor of the beef, but the texture was that of dog food (or so I can imagine). The chicken was too spicy for my tastes, and the veggie sides weren't terrible, but mildly bland. I enjoyed the spongy bread. I can't say I'd go back though.
(3)
Sophia C.
This is a wonderful place to relax & eat. There were so many combinations of spices & ingredients that were so simple yet elegant. Plenty of vegetarian options, and the waitstaff is very calm, friendly and exotic-looking. We will definately go again - an experience unlike any other!
(5)
Jen R.
I was really torn about how many stars to give this place. I had been dying to try it and finally went with 3 friends 2 weeks ago. Upon entering, I almost stumbled down the 2 narrow, steep stairs so watch your footing. Upon entering, the incense smell is strong to say the least. I found myself sneezing almost instantly. We were shown to our table by friendly staff. We sat in low backed extremely uncomfortable chairs-- actually they were the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in. I would have rather been sitting on the t or on an airplane for that matter. The table, if you can call it that is a low round wicker round table. So, I really never got over the fact that I was uncomforable and spent the meal either leaning back or slouching forward. The wait was very long-- long enough that we all noticed. The food was smaller portioned than we were expecting--- and all tasted similar. They give you this squashy bread-- sort of like a cross between pita bread, a sponge and squished angel food cake-- and you use the bread to scoop up the food. Dessert-- I would skip-- the baklava was overly sticky yet dry and impossible to cut thus hard to share. The chocolate cream cake was dissapointng. The decor was unique and you really felt like you were transported somewhere else. So, clearly a mixed review.
(3)
Christie T.
my first experience with ethiopian food and i was not disappointed! love the african decor and the service was great. i recommend the combo plate for 2, get variety and enough food to probably feed another person...i'm definitely planning on going back
(5)
bex g.
so i thought that "ethiopian food" was an oxymoron, but hell-to-tha-no. my friend brought me here for the first time, and basically ordered everything for me, and? i'm in love. we had ethiopian wine -- yum! we had four vegetarian dishes -- double yum! and the dipping bread -- addictive. the tables/sitting area could be a little more comfortable, but i won't drop them a star for that. everything else (the atmosphere, the service, the decor) is fabulous. i am now a fan of ethiopian food!
(5)
S L.
I highly recommend this place, even if it's just for the experience of the restaurant setting, which takes you out of the country. I especially enjoyed the appetizer, which was a minced beef pastry. It was like an Indian somosa, except it tasted even better! The bread was really good too, and all of the dishes were delicious!
(5)
Juliette V.
I was excited to try a new kind of food but unfortunately this place was crap. The food was bland, the bread that it is served on was bland. The atmosphere was bland. Yup, you guessed it my rating is: bland. Do not bother.
(1)
Shiva K.
Going here was definitely an experience! I always up for anything new (especially when it's food-related), so I decided to take my sister here when she was visiting. Food was very unique..not only the taste, but also they way you eat it: you dip bread into stew, veggies, etc. I definitely recommend the combo platter, so you can get a little of everything. It was very decently priced! Two meals and two ethiopian beers (which I highly recommend) came to about $40 or so. Yayy! will def be going back here.
(4)
Robert G.
I loved it here! So different and unique - sitting around a little table, eating with your hands, sharing some ethiopian beer with friends - definitely a great place to go with a group of people or just a few friends. Definitely call ahead and make a reservation, it's a pretty small restaurant and it can get packed! Feels very authentic - african art on the walls and pretty neat hand carved chairs throughout the restaurant.
(4)
Angie T.
Table for party of three, please. My experience at Addis Red Sea sometime between 05-06 may not reflect what it is today, but I felt it fair to share what I know of the establishment. The food was fantastic - flavorful and not overpowering. The bread was not as spongy as some other places, which I preferred. The ordeal lasted over two hours. The meal itself (time during which the food was present on our table) lasted maybe 15 minutes. We were ignored, even had to ask for things repeatedly (like the check). Whatever we wanted would take at least 15 minutes to be delivered (including some water, please, to calm my burning tastebuds). The staff was unfriendly, and at one point a clustered of them formed in the back of the room where they conversed and giggled, while we sat near the front of the restaurant, feeling like we were crashing some party. As good as the food was, I would never patronize this restaurant again. Part of the expense of going out to eat is that I'm paying for the service. For Addis Red Sea, they get five stars for their food, and their service knocked off three.
(2)
Steve S.
Tremont street could be the toughest neighborhood in the city for a restaurant without game. You have 28 degrees, Masa, Tremont647, Sibling Rivalry, Hammerslys' Bistro, Butcher Shop and The Acme Oyster House plus two streets in either direction adds another dozen decent places to eat. Happily, Addis has game. It is a dimly lit interior with ( I am guessing) authentic Ethiopian tables and chairs. We had Samusas for an ap, which is like Indian Samosas. We ordered a chicken and a vegetarian dish for the main course. Ethiopian food as it turns out is somewhat like Chinese Moo shi, meaning you roll it in bread and eat it sans silverware( must save them a fortune in water and related costs)...But it was very different and very tasty The only bummer is that you have to hunt for parking and you may need to stretch out a bit afterward. But for a new food experience, I would(and have) recommend it
(4)
Purvi R.
I really like Ethiopian, and this place is pretty on par with most places I've been to. Cute ambiance, we went in the downstairs area. We got the veggie options and that delicious bread. This was a while ago, so can't really recall what it was like in detail, but I will be back next time I am craving lots of food!
(3)
a w.
This place is amazing. Number one on my list when people visit. It's interesting, unique, and creates great conversation! Make sure to ask the waiter/waitress for advice on what to order if you're unfamiliar. Dig into piles of meat and/or veggies with the spongy bread and enjoy! I love this food because it doesn't make me feel like taking a nap afterwards. I also hear they have great creme brulee but that seems crazy to me.
(5)
Stephanie T.
i like everything, EVERYTHING about addis red sea. except that lots of other people like it too and there is nearly always a wait. but, i can handle that. you eat family style and with your hands - soaking up the meaty, flavorful goodness of your dish with sponge bread (which, you should be warned, definitely expands in your stomach, bringing full to new levels after dining here. in light of this, i usually try to walk home!) the wine is sweet and delicious, there are plenty of vegetarian options if that is your thing, and the food can be really spicy, or not so spicy, depending on your liking and the staff is totally friendly and accommodating - i could go on. go try it! it's a really cute / fun date spot, though maybe not a FIRST date spot since family style eating, close quarters and unfamiliarity are best enjoyed and maybe require some intimacy.
(5)
Ashley I.
This is a wonderful place to eat. The atmosphere is great. The food is delicious. I love the spongy bread they serve all of the dishes on. They also had some of the tastiest coffee I had ever had. I have been there twice, the second of which was for my birthday dinner! They also have a location between Porter and Harvard on Mass Ave which I have yet to check out but am thinking about taking my parents to next week!
(4)
Joyce K.
OMG, I'm so cool...I'm sitting here in an Ethiopian restaurant with baskets and wood things surrounding me. Yes! I'm very cultured! Ok, so glad I got that out of the way. Now I never have to visit Africa or this restaurant ever again. That being said, if my food had been served on an actual plate in any other restaurant, I would have thrown it in the waiter's face and marched out. The flavorings weren't too palatable...I can't even describe it. It's like woody...or spicy with a heavy sun-dried taste spiked with liberal usage of onions. I hate onions and they couldn't take them out because that's just how it is. The bread was delicious when it wasn't all soggy from soaking up the juices from the meats. There was a pico de gallo type of thing that made we want to scream "Ole!" except that would've been potentially offensive and confusing to those around me. The servers are so sweet and attentive! Although the food took FOREVER to come. I had creme brulee for dessert to try to get that heavy spice from boring a whole in my intestines and it was what it was. Generic creme brulee in a tin container with a soggy sugar crust. I've been to a South African restaurant before which used similar spices to Addis and I have to say that I'm just not fond of the flavor. If I have to eat with my hands, I prefer Korean lettuce wraps!
(3)
Julia C.
wonderful. i've never had ethiopian food before coming here a few months back, but if you enjoy indian food, you will most definitely enjoy ethiopian at addis red sea. i think it's the coolest thing that they serve the entrees in a heap on the giant pancake! love the unique, quirky decorations and the intimate seating, where you have to huddle together towards a little rattan table to eat. i remember getting a good number of the lamb dishes presented on the menu (came as a group of 5) and being very pleased, so definitely check that out!
(5)
Whitney R.
Tasty, and great service! I never know what Ethiopian dishes are, and thus, order the combo, a view my friend agreed with.The combo that Addis Red Sea put together for us ignorant types was really tasty, and the honey wine didn't hurt. Easy on the wallet as well for Ethiopian food.
(4)
Aden N.
Eat some nicely spiced meats and vegetables with your hands with a big pan-cakey thing on a low table while sipping well-priced Ethiopian wine amongst local animal skin artworks in dim-ish red light after standing for a while in the narrow corridor to get a seat. My girlfriend is obsessed with this place.
(4)
Laureen B.
The portions were smaller then I excpected, we were walking all day and really hungry. BUT the service was great, the food was great, the beer was great and the atmospher was awsome. It ALMOST got 5 stars but I was REALLY hungry and portion were very small! I edited it to 5 stars because last two times I went it was just awesome!
(5)
Nathan M.
The food was tasty, but the service was terrible. Throughout the night our waitress was unfriendly and seemed very annoyed at any questions we had. For a place so based on atmosphere, it was hard to not focus on the snarky waitress. Also she should probably expect questions since I doubt most people in Boston have much Ethiopian food experience. The $7 charge for sharing an entree is somewhat ridiculous as well. Same amount of food... served the same way....$7 more. If you want to share I would suggest take-out.
(2)
Krishna S.
One of my favorite restaurants in Boston, Addis Red sea is a perfect first date restaurant, allowing you to take measure of just how flexible your date will be, stepping from the world of dinner cloths and many different forks and knives, to the world of Mesob (table) and sharing food and eating with one's hands. As you enter the restaurant, walking down the narrow staircase, your senses are immediately dazzled -- a beautifully decorated restaurant, resplendant in dazzling colors greets yoru eyes, the welcome warmth (esp. in Winter here in Boston!) envelops your skin, and a dozen scents fill your nostrils. You are instantly hungry. As you sit on wicker stools in front of Mesob (the Ethiopian-style table which holds the injera on which your dishes will be served, you feel transported to a realm outside New England, and the experience is complete. Perhaps now you can order the honey wine (Tej), and sip it slowly as you await your meal. It may take a while, but the food will deliver on its promise. I recommend this place quite heartily for fellow vegetarians, as the vegetarian options are quite well done, and the vegetarian combo for two makes for a decent amount of food, and allows you to try many options. Thinking of Addis Red Sea has aroused my appetite -- I must go back soon...
(5)
Finn M.
I can only really compare this place to Asmara in Central Square, because they're the only two Ethiopian restaurants I've been two, and really, both are authentic and excellent. Asmara's food is just a little bit better; the food is a little bit more lively, and the flavors are somewhat more exciting. Addis Red Sea, though, is definitely the nicer restaurant. It's got the quirkier, subterranean layout, and is considerably more quiet than Asmara is. You can't go wrong in either place, but hey, maybe you'll prefer one over the other. The solution, clearly, is to go to both. ASAP.
(4)
Evan L.
I've been coming to Addis for 10 years now and have never had a meal I haven't enjoyed. The food is excellent, flavorful, and the decor is cozy and exotically romantic. It is great for a small group. They have a nice selection of delicious African beers and they always accommodate my special requests like extra berbere on the side or extra rolls of the darker down injera (bread), which has a stronger, more unique flavor. It's fun to eat with your fingers off of the large bread and nobody goes home hungry! This is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Boston and for you D.C. refugees who are used to having tons of Ethiopian restaurants, I promise you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Nami P.
I enjoyed everything with WOT in the name and the cabbage veggie dish. But I've had better ethiopian in other cities. The bread was too thin. I guess I was expecting very rich food. So this restaurant was more ethiopian-LITE. I am going back to get some more doro wot though.
(4)
Marissa P.
I'm a fan of the Ethiopian dining experience. Sharing one communal plate and digging in hands-first always prove for fun, interactive meals. I dined with a few of my Ethiopian-virgin friends on a recent Friday night, and they truly enjoyed Addis Red Sea. Food is good, and the spongy inerja bread it comes with is plentiful. Service is on the slow side - but in this setting, we'll call it "relaxed" and let it slide. I'd suggest washing everything down with a Tusker Kenyan beer.
(4)
Erin F.
I just went to Addis Red Sea last night after lamenting that I hadn't had any good Ethiopian food in a long time. After going to Addis Red Sea, I unfortunately have to say that I STILL haven't had any good Ethiopian food in a long time. This restaurant was the perfect storm of bad service and mediocre to really not-so-good food. The evening started off badly as we arrived on time for reservations for a party of 7. We checked in and the host said something about "setting up" as he walked off. Over the next 25 minutes we watched as he sat about 10 parties without reservations. Fine, we were a large party, but no one actually left during that time and table we were to sit at was unoccupied the whole time. We were then seated without any apologies for making us wait. I could forgive this if the service got better and the food was great, but alas, not so much. Only six of the dishes came out for dinner and when we pointed out the 7th was missing, the waitress left, and came back 20 MINUTES LATER with the dish, as everyone was finishing their meals. They again didn't apologize and did not take the meal off the bill. As for the food itself, a vegetarian "curry" dish came looking like a side dish of steamed veggies virtually without a sauce. Our beef dish (#16 I think) was so tough and sinewy it was virtually inedible. The rest of the table found their food "edible enough." For now, I guess we'll have to drive to New Haven to Caffe Adulis if we want good Ethiopian:(
(2)
Mary H.
I went here tonight on a date night with my friend having had Ethiopian twice before. This place blew the other two out of the water. The atmosphere when you walk-in seems quite authentic. "Stools" and "mosebs" are what make up that table and chairs. While the seating isn't that comfortable I appreciate the authentic experience. I'm vegetarian so my friend was nice enough to appease me by getting all veggie dishes and so we shared the vegetable combination. We got the Butecha (chickpea paste, which was amazing), the gomen wot (collard greens, also amazing), Atakilt (mixed veggies) and Yesmsir Wot (Lentils). We were not disappointed. It was a tasty and healthy meal. I also got their honey wine. They were out of the stuff on the menu so the waitress gave me something off menu that she said was stronger. I could definitely smell the honey and taste it, but the drink also had a bitter/sour aftertaste. I would not order it again. Their Ethiopian coffee, however, was amazing. I never drink coffee black and this went down smooth and they present in a demitasse and and cute teapot. I highly recommend this place for a different evening.
(4)
Katia M.
Great for a date or with a friend! I love the Yemesir Wat. The Ethiopian red wine is tasty (get the Dukam -- so darn good), and the honey mead by the glass is a great, authentic drink -- try it if you're never had it, it's sweet but very good. I don't love the low tables, but they work with the general ambiance. Definitely a favorite. The bread is borderline addictive. Seriously, I could exist solely on the injera. It's spongy and sourdoughy tasting, and basically the greatest thing around. Also, don't forget to eat the bread sitting under the entres -- I think that's the best part! Also, I think I was the friend that took bex g. there ...:)
(5)
Trisha H.
I found out about this place when they had a deal from groupon so my husband and I decided to give it a try. We made a big mistake.... So here it goes.. I called in earlier Friday to reserve a table but I was told that there will not be a problem for party of 2 to get a table. So we drive all the way to south end around 8pm, found a parking after driving around for a while. We get in to the restaurant and ask for a table of 2. Addis' response, sorry we are full, you have to wait 1 hour. There were already people waiting before us to begin with. We understand, it is Friday so busy time. We decided to go somewhere else in the area. Since we had the voucher from groupon, we decided to try again on a Tuesday evening. We enter the restaurant around 6pm. There was only 2 or 3 table occupied at the time. We waited 5 minutes to be seated. We wait and wait for someone to come take the order. Finally, we ordered apps and main course all together with a drink. Apps (sambusa and beef thing) arrived after 25 minutes around 630pm. Beef tasted worse than Mcdonald burger patty. Sambusa was ok.. So killed it in few minutes as we were really hungry at the time.. now again, waiting starts, it took almost an hour before our main course arrived around 730pm. Food was just okay.. Nothing special. I've had better Ethiopian food in DC. Finally, we finished all our food (only because we were hungry). No one came to give us a towel or ask if we were done eating. You can only eat with your hands here; I sat with stinky hands for a while. my husband had to get up and grab someone to give us a check so we can get out of there.. so waitress brought the bill. Our total was 50.xx but with groupon it came out to be 6.xx including tax. I wanted to leave a tip as a courtesy but they said no credit cards for less than $10.. I told them take out 20$ including tip but they said no. I had only 14$ in cash so I left it there and we left.. Service at this place is below 0. Food is about 5 on a scale of 10. I will not be returning to this place ever. Thanks to groupon I did not have to pay 50.xx for such a bad experience. Now don't get me wrong, my husband and I go out to eat a lot to new places and try all kinds of food so hopefully this was a fair review. i feel other people liked this place bacuse of the experience they get eating with their hands without for and knives but not worth it
(1)
Amanda L.
This was my first experience with Ethiopian food and I loved it! The atmosphere is very welcoming and communal. This would be a great place for a first date or a group outing. I happened to go with a friend and she was pleased as well. The owners have done a great job bringing a little slice of Ethiopia to busy, South Boston. I gave this place 4 stars instead of 5 for two reasons: 1. The service was not AMAZING (actually it took a little longer than it should have to get our check and the couple next to us who ordered the same thing, was served first) 2. I haven't tried Ethiopian food before so I don't have a lot to compare it to (Moroccan food is the most similar thing I've tried), but I have heard that the spices are usually very strong and that was not really the case this go around. I have a feeling things have been neutralized a bit for their typical clientele, which I completely understand. Overall, I would recommend the place to friends because the food and style of eating (communally, without utensils at a table that is at the seated level) are worth a try!
(4)
Bridget D.
A friend of mine recommended this restaurant and my new fella was game for trying it out. We went on a snowy Sunday night and waited for a half hour in the tiny squished entrance way. When tables started to clear in the dining area, we were brought to the downstairs part of the restaurant (which I didn't even realize existed). There were only two parties down there and several empty tables. So why the wait? And why hide us away? We are adorable. It was a little strange to be in this secluded area. After about ten minutes it was just us. Except, there was a woman, who I assumed had something to do with the business, oddly sitting with her back to the room. She just sat there the entire time, facing a wall and didn't make a sound. I guess she was our chaperone of sorts. So, the food: my sweet meat-eating boy decided to go vegetarian with me and we shared the veggie combo. We picked four dishes that were all pretty good but cold: lentils, split peas, vegetables, chickpea mush. The bread was really good and different. It looked like sponge. The boy got an Ethiopian beer, recommended by the waiter, and he said it was skunky. I had some guava juice and it was sweet. When we were almost done, the waiter came by with a bowl of chopped tomatoes and dumped it onto our tray. He said it was a salad. Overall, it was an interesting experience.
(3)
Laura A.
LOVE the food here, but the service is always kind of iffy, especially if there are large groups dining at the same time. once i was eating in here and was the only table in the restaurant and they STILL ignored us and took forever to bring our check! ugh.
(4)
Steve N.
"hello, i am Mesob and i am a table" or something like that. love the food and eating it with the injera really is different. i've pretty much sampled around the entire menu and have not found a bad dish in the bunch. they have an interesting selection of Ethiopian beers and honey wine to complete your experience. oh yah, and they have Boobies! you'll know what i'm talking about if you go.
(4)
Chris S.
The food is absolutely amazing and the wait staff is very helpful. The selection of beer / wine fantastically compliments the food which has a unique taste all its own. Even on a Satruday night, the wait wasn't more than 20 minutes! I would definitely reccomend this place!
(4)
Tank B.
Delicious food. Bad service.
(2)
Chad B.
Ah, my favorite place in the South End....have been going here for many, many years. The flavor profiles on all their dishes are amazingly good and the staff are very friendly. My favorite dishes are the doro wot, kitfo, and yesmir wot. Also, love the traditional injera bread here, which is a darker, more vinegar-y tasting bread.
(5)
Kunal P.
I was there for my first try of Ethiopian food. Being pretty close to what Indian cuisine uses in terms of vegetables and spices, I went there and loved it. Their bread was awesome (pretty plain but still goes well along with all the veggies). Very nice and friendly wait staff. Kind of darker ambiance but can take that any time if the food is great
(4)
Dave L.
A unique dining experience. The tables, decor, and atmosphere were interesting and engaging. However, the food quality wasn't that great. We had a lamb dish and a veggie dish. The vegetables seemed like I could make them at home. The lamb was good, but not so good that it would cause a craving mid-week that would have to be satisfied the next weekend. Addis is worth trying, and coming back every once in a while, but I can't see myself craving it any time soon.
(3)
Kassia K.
I love Addis Red Sea, mostly for their addictive injera bread. While the dishes themselves - vegetarian or otherwise - could use a little kick, everything I've had there has been very flavorful and is worth repeated trips. The shared combo meals - veg and non-veg - are a great deal for two people, and pair nicely with the traditional Ethiopian honey wine they offer. This is also a good restaurant to take out-of-town visitors to, mostly for the unique experience. It's my go-to place for impressing relatives - and it hasn't failed me yet.
(4)
Ted M.
Delicious food, friendly waitstaff. I ate here Wednesday night with some friends and relatives and had an excellent time. It was the first time I had Ethiopian food and enjoyed it a lot. Their honey wine is fantastic and the chicken dishes are great too. The even provided special accommodations for my sister who has a gluten allergy. Their decorations are great too including a painting of the church in Lalibela and a photo of Halie Selassie. I'm from out of town and wish I could go here more often.
(5)
Abby M.
I finally went to Addis Red Sea last night, after years of saying, "lets try that Ethiopian place!" and then going somewhere else. I'm really glad I did, so now I can move onto some other restaurant that will take years to actually get to. Anyways, it was a good exerience-- and I DO recommend it, but at the same time I can't say I'm dying to go back. The environment was really comfortable and fun, especially since my husband is African himself and felt closer to home there. The seats are mostly stools, which might be uncomfortable for some people-- so if that's you, try and snag a seat against the wall! We went with a bunch of people so tried lots of different things. The dabo (bread) with green pepper sauce was warm and soft with a hint of cinnamon (cumin?). Anyways, it was good. Also had the spiced cottage cheese, which was enjoyable. For entrees, our group had a lot of variety--fish, chicken, and lamb spread. The table was spread with spongy bread and then the waitress poured our entrees onto the bread so the juices would get all soaked up, and we dug in. The food was great and we gorged on it pretty ferociously. Also, I enjoy eating with my hands. I'm not sure I can explain what went wrong with my meal. I was happily eating, and then I suddenly hit a wall and couldn't eat another bite. I understand how people are reminded of southern Indian food with dosas and curries. BUT: Addis Red Sea uses a very different variety of spices giving it a different flavor entirely, so we're talking about apples and oranges here. Overall: you should try this! But for some reason, I probably won't be back for a while...
(4)
H. G.
The ambiance and character at Addis is excellent, the seating is fun, and eating with your hands is always a good time. Unfortunately, the food is altogether too bland for my taste. I want to like this place. I desperately want to like it. But it's nothing special. If it means anything, I liked the vegetarian dishes much more than the meat dishes. And I do enjoy the spongy, soft bread. Oh, also, I tried the honey wine that everyone raves about, and I found it tasty but far too sweet.
(2)
Aniya Z.
Not a fan to be honest with you... I've been to Addis Red Sea only once before (a while back) and remember not being thrilled about it but I though I'd give it a second chance but unfortunately I don't think I'll be coming back again. For me the experience at a restaurant is fist and foremost about the food but in this case it seems to make sense to rate setting and food separately since one is so much better than the other: Setting: That one would actually get a 3 stars. The restaurant is in a nice location, it's not very big but it is set up nicely, has a nice decor and the staff is generally pretty friendly and attentive. If you can ask to be seated upstairs though Food: in one word - "disappointing". I LOVE Ethiopian food and actually get it quite often, however I claim no expertise or knowledge since I'm not from Ethiopia nor have I ever been. That said, this is how the food we got at Addis differed (not in a good way) from what i came to consider "Ethiopian" food. First, the injera bread was generally pretty flavorless and got very soggy very quickly. I like my injera with a bit of a sour taste... Addis was... well, tasteless. The food itself was *much* more oily than what I am used to. Don't get me wrong, wots are definitely not "light" by anybody's standards but they usually have more of a stew-like consistency which is achieved by cooking the onions (as well as lentil split-peas/meats/veggies) for a longer periods of time till they break down and mix with the oil/fat they are cooked in to get the right consistency; Addis's seemed to be made stew-like just by adding more fat/oil. The flavors overall were just ok but nothing at all to write home about. So all that said, if you want a place with not as nice of a decor but much better food I'd suggest trying Fasika or Lucy Ethiopian Cafe
(2)
Kristina V.
I cannot say enough how much I love this restaurant -- everything from the food to the charming decor. It's located in the south end, in the lower part of a building, so you have to look for the sign and make sure you do not walk past it. The interior is African themed, with masks on the walls, and the tables are brightly covered woven baskets that they cover with the sponge bread dishes. I usually get the doro wot chicken dish with a Tusker beer from Kenya, or some honey wine. For dessert, I highly recommend the cinnamon tea. It tastes like Christmas. The service here can be a little bit slow sometimes, but the staff is always friendly and I enjoy my experience here, so that doesn't bother me so much. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Rachel E.
Very nice servers and pleasant environment, but I'm afraid that couldn't make up for the bland and unappetizing food. I love spice and flavor and found that the chicken dish and beef dish I ordered had neither. Beef cubes were overcooked and tasted like they were just soaked and cooked in oil (no spices as promised). Chicken was ok, a little spicy but not depth of flavor, and I had to spit out a 2" long piece of bone -- yuck. :/ I also didn't like that the spongy bread used to eat with was so soft and cold. Maybe it would have been better if I ordered some vegetable entrees as well, but I really didn't enjoy this bland and overpriced meal.
(1)
Nobbi L.
As an Ethiopian cuisine aficionado (and snob) I was excited to try out yet another place. While visiting Boston, we took the opportunity to dine at Addis. The first clue should have been the absence of any Habesha guests. The decor is very pleasant and all tables were the traditional messob. The menu was traditional. We ordered some of our favorites: kitfo, yebeg wot, and three veggies selections that were included in the kitfo combo (misir wot, gomen, and atakilt). The injera was obviously made without teff. It was white, white and did not leave the gritty residue on your hands. The kitfo was of could quality but light in spicing. The lamb had a unidimensional flavor profile. It looked gray rather than a lovely deep red. The veggies were super bland. Overall, really disappointing. Also the portions were very small. We usually have way too much food and we ate all of this. For the Boston area I would recommend Fasika in Sommerville.
(2)
Olivia J.
Got there around 630 on a Friday night and the place was pretty empty, but it got quickly filled up. Between Christine and me, we shared a addis Red Sea combination dish that comes with four meat dishes and two veggies. Including tip and tax, the total came out to be $35. Everything was very flavorful and satisfying! I asked for utensils because I had a cut on my finger. Not sure if it was because of miscommunication or misunderstanding, but they didn't seem too happy about it. I had to show them the cut and then the waitress brought us forks.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
C B.
The doro wat was amazing and the price was right ($12). I'd definitely go back.
(4)Deepa C.
Went here for the first time last night with a group of 6, which worked out nicely with the seating. I liked the decor and feel of the place - very casual, but some thought went into it. The food was good, but I wasn't blown away. The samosa like sambusa were tasty - i liked the doughiness of the shell (s opposed to a crispy samosa shell), and the fillings were flavorful. My fish dish was good - didn't really even look like fish, but was very tasty, and the spicy chicken dish had the same flavors. The chicken tips I didn't like AS much, but it was still good. A little bland for my taste, but well prepared. I also liked the bread. Upon seeing it, I immediately thought: dosa, but found it was MUCH more towel/sponge-like. The only downside was that because of the seating, I couldn't try the other table's dishes (I didn't want to lean over my entire table), but that is not really their fault. Two bottles of wine, 4 orders of app and dinner for 6 came to about $35 each. good: hot towel before the meal, plenty of extra bread. bad: the food isnt piping hot when it comes out and the portions aren't huge (but i think i am used to gigunda Indian food portions...)
(4)Josie K.
very good, loads of vegetarian options, get the big bread platter with the dips on it...mmmmmm
(4)Erin E.
I went here with my mom right before I took her to see a show at the Caulderwood Pavilion across the street. I've never had Ethiopian food before, but now I think it's one of my most favorite ethnic food types. So delicious! I had their Dabo and Doro Wot and my mom had their Doro Wot combination. When it came I couldn't get enough of it or of the bread it's served on. My mom, a lover of all things vegetable, nearly had a conniption fit over her delicious Gomen Wot, Atakilt, and Lesmir Wot. The service was great and friendly, and the atmosphere/decor was so unique I'd go back just to show people the wall hangings. They only take reservations for parties of 5 or more but, though it seems small at first, their is a second dining room in the basement (where the tiki-esque bar is). Check out their website for a look at the menu before you go so you don't spend all your time drooling on it at the restaurant. Well worth your money. Go here before a Huntington show--it's the perfect combination!
(5)William P.
First Ethiopian experience. Excellent ambiance and cool decor. Spicy lentils were excellent.
(4)Marisa W.
Wonderful food. Great place to go for a special evening.
(4)Kelly C.
I had a late lunch yesterday with a friend and as always, the food is sooooooo tasty. Even knowing that I would be waiting FOREVER for my food, I was still disappointed. We ordered wine and water, and it didn't come for 30 minutes. I can't figure out a good reason for this. I love this place, but seriously? I was also sad that we didn't get the lovely hot warm hand towels that usually come before your meal, although other tables did. Also, my friend said that we were supposed to get a green salad with our veggie combo platter, but that didn't happen either. I don't like that I am not loving Addis right now, because I really want to. I'll keep going back because the food is that good
(3)J. J.
I've only been here once, but it was a fabulous experience on every level. I noticed that in a lot of the reviews below there were complaints about customer service. I thought the customer service rocked--our waitress was welcoming, our water glasses were never empty and our food was brought out quickly. Now, onto the food: We had the Dibulbul as an appetizer (seasoned ground beef patties, basically). When it was brought to the table my first thought was that it was a pretty small appetizer, but given the size of the entrees, it didn't end up being a big deal. For an entree I had the Doro Wot combo and it was SO GOOD! The chicken wasn't dried out, the sauce was flavorful and spicy (without being painful), and the vegetables were delicious (Gomen Wot=cooked collard greens, Yekik Alicha=cooked split peas, Butecha=chickpea paste, almost like hummus). The injera bread was plentiful and perfect. If you go, definitely order the sweet Axumit wine, too (be warned, it comes in little glasses). So, if you like eating with your hands, if you like food that is reminiscent of Middle Eastern food, or if you just like cheap, filling food, you should try Addis Red Sea. Don't be put off by the fact that it's located below street-level (the interior is cozy), or by the fact that they don't have "normal" tables and chairs--it's definitely worth it.
(4)Michelle P.
I ate here weeks ago with a friend of mine to this date I had never had Ethiopian Food and unfortunately I wasn't feeling my greatest when we came here. I ordered the dabo and the dilbulbul tips. I'm not sure if I was expecting the dabo to be more like naan, but it was a bit heavy and dry which was good for my stomach that day. And the dilbulbul tips were also a bit dry but very tasty. I can't remember what my friend had but it was delicious. What was so neat was the authenticity, there was no one in the restaurant when we went so it was quiet. I hope to go back when there are more people around. But the people were super friendly, and brought out warm towels to wash our hands before the meal. Being the all-american kinda girl the whole eating with the fingers thing was different, but it was great. I LOVED IT.
(5)Jack S.
Was really excited to try this place, wanted to show a date how cultured, and accepting of foreign cultures I am. Plus i had heard Ethopian food was the bomb. The seating in this place is pretty awk, u sit on these low stools, with no back, pretty uncomfortable, and they serve you food in this big dish in front of you that your whole party eats out of. These are the kind of quirks that are "really cool, unique and awesome" if the place is good, but when the food is bunk, these quirks become "annoying, a nuisance" and make you say "wah." The food is straight sub-par, no other ways about it. I had the tibs which had been raved about to me many times before. they were bland and lifeless, our appetizers were also subpar, and the rest of the food was very meh. +1 star for being able to say about other people: "What do i know about the world? I eat Ethopian food, thats what I know."
(2)Victoria W.
When I was living in DC, I heard about how Ethiopian food was fantastic, something I'd love. Years later, I finally realized that everyone was right. Better late than never. I was treated to dinner here for my birthday, and it proved a lovely way to celebrate the occasion. We went with a vegetarian platter for two; I was delighted to discover that the meal was flavorful and ridiculously filling. Service was delightful, the ambiance charming...I just loved this place. I'm looking forward to getting back soon.
(4)Neil I.
service isn't always great but the food is fantastic!! reasonably priced for uniques ethnic food in Boston. Great for a date or dinner with friends
(4)Arnab M.
This is probably one of the best Ethiopian restaurants I've ever been to. The injera was soft and freshly made, and the food was delicious, the prices reasonable and the portions were modestly filling. The lamb was the best part, tender and perfectly stewed in whatever spicy gravy, got my hands all messy... All the better to lick them clean, right? The place was beautifully decorated, and they had authentic Ethiopian woven basket serving stools/tables that were beautiful. The staff were really nice, though the service was a little slow, but that seems to be characteristic of such restaurants, interestingly enough. They lose a star for that, and because they had run out of the honey wine we all wanted to try so direly. Absolutely worth it.
(4)Casey J.
We've played around with the idea, dipped it in soup, used it to carry bruschetta toppings but finally Bread is a utensil! Red Sea is a complete experience- It's a beautiful restaurant and a pretty casual environment. Chairs are set around a traditional basket table called a Mesob. The large dish is then placed in the table for all diners to eat from. It feels a bit troth-like the first time, particularly because there's no silverware, just hands everywhere using spongy bread as a utensil to reach over the table and pick up a pile of lentils or chickpea paste. Not to worry, dive in and you'll love the method of eating as much as the food. Each time we get the vegetarian combo, 8 of the vegetarian plates only excluding Kinche, which I hear is the bottom of the totem pole. I love being able to try some (a lot) of everything with some definite favorites- all of the lentil dishes- and not-so-favorites- Gomen Wat, or Collard Greens. Great for lunch or dinner, service is Slow but very helpful and sweet, a relaxing delicious experience, just roll up your sleeves a bit and have fun!
(4)John W.
Best Ethiopian restaurant I've been to in the US. Awesome location in the South End in a gorgeous brownstone. Exquisitely decorated in traditional Ethiopian style. Food is very Ethiopian - earthy, unique, delicious.
(4)sam b.
We came here couple of times and thought it is time to rate it. They have really authentic Ethiopian food, I tried couple of other Ethiopian places but of all places the one on Tremont St is really good. The only disappointing thing is there is long wait during weekends (either to be seated or to get food) and sometimes you will end up thinking not to come again but the food will calm you down. All chicken and veggie dishes are really good and you can order samosa for appetizer while you wait for food. They have pretty decent desert choices but I like only chocolate cake and the tiramisu tastes awful.
(4)Jason M.
Finger Food anyone? Addis gives us what i would hope, a taste of Ethiopia. You need three things here. 1. An empty stomach 2. a large piece of flat bread ( for lack of a better term) 3. your choice of meets Yumm the meet is tasty and well seasoned. The price is right and you leave surprisingly full. Good for a date fun for a group. The desert menu was poor but all in all i say try it.
(4)Hydie N.
This place is incredible. Very authentic feeling atmosphere, with paintings on leather canvas on the wall, sitting on traditional basket "chairs", and actual Ethiopian staff. I usually get the combo platters and the food's always fresh & delish. The injera here is nice & spongy, not very sour, and UNLIMITED!! Not that it's not in other places, but still, i like that. The honey wine is sweet but not too sweet, and doesn't taste alcoholy at all. This is a good meal to serve btwn friends. Something different without being too scarily weird.
(5)Ashley D.
my friends took me to addis on my birthday because they love me and know how much i love to try good new food. this was my first time at an ethiopian restaurant and i was super excited that they surprised me with dinner. first, the location is great and the ambiance in this little downstairs restaurant is really cool and fun and inviting. the seating is a bit awkward and you're pretty much slouching and bending over to reach the table but it was definitely a fun new dining experience. second, the food was really good. all of the flavors were super developed and every bite has so much flavor. the bread they serve acts as the utensil so as a result you end up eating a lot of it and filling up pretty quickly. the bread was very airy, soft and moist. personally, i wasn't that huge of a fan of the combination because it lacked texture. everything the meal is composed of is kinda soft and mushy and i just prefer to have some more crunchy or chewy mixed in with everything. third, i thought the gouder wine was very interesting. my friends were not so amused. it's definitely nothing like anything i've ever tasted so if you're adventurous with your wines try it and if not, stick with the other standard wines they offer. fourth, the service was bad. we waited about 20 minutes to order drinks, waited about 15 to get the drinks, then waited another 20+ to order our food. by the time we finished eating we were already late for our other plans so we had to be proactive about getting the check and getting out of there. so all in all, good food, bad service, interesting experience.
(3)Nathan E.
I really like Ethiopian food, so this was a welcomed meal in Boston. As I've now eaten at a bunch of Ethiopian places, I've started to amass a category for the cluster of generic-run-of-the-mill Ethiopian cuisine. This restaurant falls comfortably into this group. The restaurant was well decorated, the wait staff prompt, and the prices were reasonable. The food was tasty but never exceptional. The sambusas were average and could have used some sauce (or something to make them less dry. The vegetables were good, but never surprised. The split peas in berbere sauce stood out as being the finest choice of the night. If you've never had the experience of eating it, I recommend visiting this place. If you have, you may find it at least satiates all of the necessary elements of an Ethiopian meal.
(3)Lauren B.
This is a fun place to straddle a barrel and catch up with your friends. Addis was only my second time eating at an Ethiopian restaurant. Aretha W. and I opted for the sweet wine for the more authentic experience (meaning the first sip was really good and each sip got progressively not so good). We were very grateful our waiter kept refilling our water glasses. I was relieved there were so many vegetarian options on the menu. After we ordered, we started to appreciate the decor and how much thought was put into making the restaurant feel like you were transported to an exotic Ethipian locale, a lovely escape from the ten below windchill in Boston. When I was in Malaysia, I didn't use utensils to eat Indian food so I felt like an old pro as we tore into our pancake. Because the barrels were so large, our pancake was big enough for us to separate our orders- the veg from the meat- but we could still eat together. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful and it made me want to get on a plane to Ethiopia (or at least wikipedia it and pretend I was going).
(4)Andrea Q.
I had never had ethiopian food before coming here. A friend and I had been talking about checking it our for almost a year before finally making i in but it was worth it. It's crowded, you sit low to the ground and you are practically at your neighbors table while sitting at your own, but that is okay. There's a warm, friendly, casual vibe in the air and the crowd is made up primarily of groups in their 20's and 30's. All food is served on a large porous bread called injera and you tear off pieces of injera to scoop up bites of food. They pass out hot, wet towels before you eat and collect them after everyone has washed their hands since you are sharing a "plate" with your friends and eating with your hands. We had the vegetarian samosa's for an appetizer. They are filled with spiced lentils and were very good. For my meal, I got the Doro Wot Lite combo-which is chicken and lemon in a red pepper sauce and a couple choices of side dishes. My side dishes were Gomen Wot (collard greens with spices and onion), Atakilt (mix of green beans, carrots and potatoes in spices), and Yesmir Wot (lentils in a spicy sauce). All of it was delicious-especially the collard greens (I seriously could have eaten a whole plate of them alone) and the spicy lentils! Very simple, healthy food. I ate more than enough (they serve extra injera on the side) and yet didn't walk out feeling over stuffed because the ingredients they use are healthy, natural and not full of extra salt, dairy and fat. Good stuff. Great service and a comfortable atmosphere. Prices are super reasonable too. With more than 100 other positive reviews, I don't have to say much more. If you like Indian, or Mediterranean food, check it out, you'll probably like ethiopian too.
(4)Liza H.
My last choice in Eastern African restaurants in Boston. Compared to Fasika, the food is bland. In fact the more I eat at Fasika, the less and less I care for Addis' chow. During my last dining experience, I found the staff rude and recalcitrant. My friend was given the wrong beer and they made a stink and would not correct the blunder. That's being a crummy host. Finally the orange, turquoise and brown geometric carpet can induce nausea, seizures or quite possibly both. Last of all, this is the most pricey of the East African places in the area Here's the recap: 1) bland food, you can do better elsewhere 2) Service with a snarl 3) Seizure or vomitus inducing carpet color/pattern 4) Why pay less? Get uninspiring food for more money @ Addis!
(2)jay w.
Fairly good ethiopian food. Reasonable prices too. If you've never had Ethiopian food, this is a good place to start, while it's not the best I've ever had, in the five times I've visited, nothing has been bad. The ambiance is good and the service is friendly.
(3)John A.
This restuarant wasn't even on our radar and it required a 45 minute ride into the city, but we have friends who lived in Ethiopia for a year and they wanted to try it. First of all, according to them, the food and seating is pretty authentic. The seating though, authentic or not gets uncomfortable after a while so that would have to be the only real drawback. The food was unusual for a suburbanite like me and I had no idea what I was ordering. My friends offered some guidance but the best solutiong ended up with each of us ordering a variety of items and sharing. I have to say, it was intersting and very flavorful. While I live too far away to make Addis Red Sea a "regular" on my circuit, I will return.
(4)Pamela P.
I like this place. I like the atmosphere...it's dark, somewhat sultry...let me explain. The pervasive use of reds and maroons found among the various tapestries and woven carpet, blended with the faint smell of sandlewood and spices, create a sort of other-worldy experience. When you enter this restaurant, it's a bit like stepping into another culture. And that's pretty nice in my book, if you're open to it and looking to be transported. They have the funky chairs and tables which everyone I'm sure has already mentioned. Also nice. And as for the food...well I have always had a good experience...I've eaten here probably about 10 times so I think that's enough experience to base a review on. Service is great. They have nice after-dinner drinks to choose from. You may want to make a reservation if you plan on coming with more than 2 people or so as they can get pretty packed. Go if you want to try something different.
(4)rachel o.
Yum. I love this place. It is incredible. Very authentic good adventurous food. If you are not an adventurous person, the doro wot is chicken and amazing. My favorite is the kitfo, a very traditional Ethiopian dish of steak tartar. It is very spicy, but it will completely blow your mind. Every high end chef in town selling steak tartar needs to come eat this and pay hommage. Warning: Be prepared to wait. It's tiny and will only take reservations for 6 or more people. And the food is cooked to order and takes a long time to cook. I went here on a date once when we were starving and we continued to starve for a long time.
(5)Nicole R.
YUM! Addis is so great, so different! Love the flavors and that lovely delicious teff flour bread! Also love that the table (Mesob) introduces itself haha. When you order, everything is served together on the injira bread with 3 sides (usually lentils, collards, and chickpeas). I am vegetarian, and love that all their veg dishes are actually vegan! The lentils are great (any of the varieties), but I usually get the atakilt. The chickpea paste dish is also great. The servers are also wonderfully helpful, pleasant, and speedy. Love going here. Prices are also very reasonable.
(4)James S.
Not a great experience, to say the least. Service was friendly but painfully slow and inattentive. Food was interesting, flavorful, and definitely presented uniquely. Atmosphere is, I assume, authentic but didn't feel very clean.
(2)Karina M.
I reaaaaally reaaaally wanted to love this place. Everyone i spoke to recommended it, and I personally love Ethiopian food (or North African food in general). The atmosphere of the restaurant itself is lovely! My table-thing had a little sign on it, declaring its name, purpose, and that i should be careful because it's fragile (i thought that was very cute and clever of them). But the food was not amazing. My entree was dumped onto the crepe-like bread (which reminded me of the hell that is lunches in elementary school) and it was only slightly warm. The bread was delicious, though. And I still recommend the place, especially for those who have never eaten Ethiopian food (it is quite an experience!) but I just don't want anyone else going there with the highest expectations, and leaving sort of disappointed.
(3)Josh C.
Eating with bare hand and sharing food with others? Lots of people are always skeptical and picky when it comes to food anyway. In college, we all eat pizza and buffalo wing with bare hands and do finger licking the whole time eating these food. Washing your hand well along with using their steamy hot towel to clean your hand should be enough, right? I still think it is cleaner than eating the wing.. I love food with lots of depth (spice and herb) and complexity as well as unique dining experience. Addis Red Sea seems to hit all of these criterias. It was well worth to spend my night off having dinner with my Spanish best friend. Here are the reasons why I highly recommend this place. Ambiance : A plus. It is a good date spot as well as place to hang out with a group of friend. Their traditional outfit, furniture fixtures and decor made us feel like eating in a restaurant in Africa. There are two floors. I would recommend dining on the first floor, underground dining room's ambiance is more like a seaside shack with a bar. Service : Attentive. Waiters were informative. One of the best meal and service I had so far this year. But they cleared the table too fast as I left to the restroom after the meal and my friend had to make a phone call. Quick apology was made as I was paying the bill at the host stand. I requested two glasses of water and got it promply. Food : Appetizer # 1 = Lentils Sambusa was good itself. Some condiment would make it even better. I would carry out next time and have it with Indian Sammosa's minty sauce. Appetizer # 6 = Dibulbul Tips misled me completely. it was not a stir-fried beef with herb. It was a tasty beef patty, almost like a burger patty. I will avoid it next time. We ordered Addis combo (came with two chicken dishes, lamb and beef served on their steamed flat bread and more side bread). Man, just the bread alone.......a large white pancake like sliced in half, very spongy. Use it as a wrap. This place is a vegetarian heaven. Menu is divided into 8 sections (40 items total) ranging from appetizers, salad entrees, chicken, beef, lamb, fish, vegetarian, and combination dishes. Beverage : Good wine and beer list. We ordered Meta, Ethiopian Pilsner. It was one of the best beer I have ever had. Good after taste. A lady next table started having a conversation with us and ending up sampling each other beer and discussing about our dishes. Price? : I was so surprised how inexpensive they are. Entree price range = $9 - $16 (for combo plate). Combo for 2 =$25-$27. Appetizer = $4 - $7. Total bill for 2 appetizers, combo meal for 2 and 2 beers plus tips was just around $60. Dessert was the only issue. I wish they offer some authentic dessert rather than cakes and tarts that displayed in a fridge but hey I didn't go there for dessert but Ethiopian food. If you want to some unique dining experience, here is the place to try. I am sure you will like it as much as I do now. If you want to some unique dining experience, here is the place to try. I am sure you will like it as much as I do now. I will go back to sample all the dishes...
(5)Khiem T.
I came here with a group of friends, and surely this was a really fun place. Ethiopian food is not mind blowing amazing, but there's a lot of culture to the whole experience. I thought everything was very authentic. I find downstairs to be nicer than the upstairs area, maybe because I like the bar a lot. We ordered the combo and surprisingly it was pretty filling. I recommend this place for groups or exotic second or third dates. I really enjoyed the low table and eating with my hands haha.
(5)Jenny N.
Our whole dining experience at Addis Red Sea took about 4 hours from start to finish. After nearly 2 hours of waiting for a table, the four of us started to feel like we were being shunned. But at least we monopolized the lone bench in the extremely tiny foyer while the other poor patrons shivered outside or crammed in by the host desk...Apparently they don't take reservations unless you have like a party of 10. Personally, I don't think this place is very good for large parties unless you like sharing cramped seating quarters. However, it's not a bad date choice as long as it's not the first date... Anywho, when we finally got around to being seated, we were practically starving. The food overall was pretty good, but they served everything at a very leisurely pace. The Ethiopian cottage cheese dish was quite unique and had a nice kick from the chiles. We found out that you could also ask for the brown injera, as opposed to the white injera that is served as a default. There are subtle taste differences--the brown injera was a bit saltier and I guess it was comparable to eating wheat bread vs. Wonder bread, but both were good paired with the dishes. I really enjoyed the doro wat (chicken) and collard greens, but I was not impressed with the portion sizes given the price. But then again, thanks to the abundance of injera, nobody left hungry. We ended our meal with nice Ethiopian tea and coffee, and a large slice of chocolate cake (but beware: the cake is not listed on the menu and it isn't until you receive the check that you realize that it was a $7 slice of cake...). Overally, I think that you are really paying more for the unique dining experience than anything else. And despite the slow service, our hostess was very sweet. If you're a patient person, you'll be fine :)
(3)Bryan S.
I really like the Addis - I always bring out of town friends here. Especially those who don't live in or near cities and are culture starved. The food is always good and the service is always good. I'll admit that the menu can be a bit tricky for a picky eater, it is one of those places where you just have to relax and trust those that you are dining with. What I like best about the Addis is that the meal itself is an experience, not just a meal.
(5)Alice T.
My girls and I come here every now and then to just catch up. It's a very low key place not many people know of just yet. The environment is awesome and very traditional Ethiopian flare. They have little stools and basket tables. We ordered our food and it would come on a giant tray and they would place it on these small round basket tables. The chicken is always my favorite. Come here if you don't mind eating with your hands because there are not utensils. It's still pretty clean because you use this bread thing to pick up your food. It's amazing!
(4)Arik C.
The best bargain in the South End. You won't find a better deal for delicious food, warm service and affordable prices. A perfect date place as its a very unique environment with finger food, chairs without backs and a small table to use. Open minds only! Try their honey wine from Africa, very similar to a dessert wine but lighter in consistentcy. Their Addis Red Sea Special combo for two is perfect, great price and offers great flavors of lamb, chicken, collard greens and more to please the palate.
(5)Charlee L.
I had never eaten Ethiopian before, but the friend I was with said that this was the best in Boston, so I trusted and went with. ummm.... a-f--king-mazing. I actually went back three nights later because I was craving it so badly. I recommend the sweet wine and the beef patty appetizer - they were to die for. All of the vegetarian dishes were good, as well as the chicken and beef. The seating could be a little awkward if you are in uncomfortable heels - so just take them off! I did, and it worked out great! Plus, you're eating with your hands, so posture is out the window anyway. This is actually a great place for a first date because its such a great ice-breaker! Plus, the service is 5-stars all on its own. The people clearly care about what they're doing and they really take care of you - almost as if you were visiting their home. GO. now. I mean it.
(5)Angela H.
Went here once in tenth grade on an "African culture and history" class trip and remembered it being amazing. When my boyfriend's brother was in town he and his friends spontaneously requested Ethiopian and I remembered Addis and looked them up. To my great pleasure they are still around and doing things exactly as they were back when. The food is spectacular. It comes on a big circle of spongy bread you rip apart and use as utensils to scoop up the incredible globs you find dispersed atop. The ambiance is very nice, intimate to say the least. Dark red lighting, low tables (called Mesob) you have to sit on stools to enjoy your food at. Be careful: the stools tip over easily! But if you fall, one of the waiters will be happy to help you up as we learned from experience. Much better and more interesting than the place I got Ethiopian at in NYC.
(5)Kelli W.
I've had Ethiopian food many times before in other cities and have enjoyed it. The food at Addis was average and the service was poor. Although our appetizers arrived promptly, it was another 45 minutes before our entrees were served lukewarm (and that was AFTER we asked about them). At the very least, they need additional servers. I ordered one of the lamb dishes, but was a bit disappointed as it was dry and the sauce was not very flavorful. I was further disappointed when I realized my entree did not come with sides (I take some responsibility for this). At no point did the server ask if or suggest that I order sides. Although Addis is in my neighborhood, I will likely try other Ethiopian restaurants in Boston before I return.
(2)michelle w.
This was such a fun experience! My friend and I had never had Ethiopian before Addis. We often seek out those restaurants that are most unique-and this it was! The ambiance was great, the food was great, the staff was great-- we loved it! The Ethiopian beverages- honey wine and the beer were both quite tastey! We ordered from the combo dish menus- which I would recommend for variety. It gave a great chance to taste a little bit of everything. The bread that they served the food on was amazing- surprisingly light and airy. I tried the steak tartare which is a dish that I had never had before- it was great! We really enjoyed the appetizers as well~ I'd recommend the Sambusa with Lentils and the Ayib Begomen- it had all the right spices. I certainly want to go back for more!
(5)Sean L.
Before checking this place out, I admit I was very skeptical. Ethiopian food? I couldn't imagine what it would be like. Much to my surprise, however, this place was fantastic. You don't have utensils, instead they lay a large pancake like item on the table, and serve your food on top of it. Once all is set you get more little versions of this pancake object... I had no idea what was going on, and then it hit me-- you use a piece of the pancake to scoop up your food! Its like eating with your hand but you only touch the (I'm being repetitive) PANCAKE THING! Each bite is a little wrap of your food, WHICH is delicious. This was about a month ago so my memory is lax, but I believe I had a chicken lemon dish, delicious. But don't forget the steamed veggies. The last vegetable you might ever eat you just cannot get enough of. The environment is quaint and dimly lit, but not as though it will give you a headache like low lighting often does to me. The help, couldn't say if they were Ethiopian, but they sure knew what they were doing. They might have had a slight issue with understanding me when I spoke to quickly but I like that sort of thing. They were super helpful and answered every question I had about Ethiopian food. They also gave us warm clothes to wipe our hands before we began. I LOVE CULTURE!
(5)Thomas A.
First - we love Ethiopian and enjoy different takes on this cuisine. Unfortunately Addis disappointed and was overpriced for the quality. Generally when a restaurant indicates "hot and spicy" on the menu, I hope for just that. Addis was not only not hot and spicy but our dishes lacked much flavor. The fish dish was our least favorite - yasa wat - and my favorite was the chicken - doro wat. Service was good.
(2)Jonathan L.
Addis was my first go at Ethiopian (went about a year ago) and I was extremely impressed by the style of cooking and the restaurant itself. The service wasn't the best, although they kept the Dabo coming in a big way. The food is great, and unfortunately I have nothing to compare to, but I am a new found fan of the cuisine and I will definitely be back. The seating isn't the most comfortable as you'll find yourself on awkward chairs and a smaller table, but it's all about the experience. The prices are high, but the novelty will not diminish for a while, and its a great date spot.
(4)James L.
My friend and I were here last night, and she's a vegetarian, and I don't eat beef/pork/chicken. We split one 3-course vegetarian meal, and we ordered: yemeser wot, atakilt, and tikle gomen. They also gave us some fish curry, which I ate. I also got an Ethiopian style tea which was like Middle Eastern tea - mild, un-milked, and sweet. I loved the food, and I'm actually craving it right now! I would have rated it 5 stars, but... 1. It took us a LONG time to receive the food - about 30 mintues. 2. The complimentary(?) fish curry was very oily. The people who work there are nice. The ambience is VERY nice. It's like a museum there.
(4)Elana S.
I love this place! It is a great place to take visitors to Boston, as it's really unique and fun to share with a group. You have to get used to sitting very close to the floor, but that's what I love most about it - the setup gives you a full Ethiopian dining experience. I have found that they are exceptionally accommodating to vegetarian food needs, as they have a number of vegetarian options and understand that vegetarian really means absolutely no meat. Their prices are also amazingly low for Boston. I was also inspired by their tea service to buy a set of tea glasses so that I can relive my dining experience at home. The 4 stars - service is not so great. They are really busy, but hey.
(4)Jamie P.
Hard to review since I have never had Ethiopan food. Having said that, the spicy lamb and beef were delicious. The collard greens were really good too. The spongy bread was good but not warm. Would have given five stars but they didnt have the beer we ordered and the desserts were not very good. I will def. be back
(4)s. c.
I left an Ethiopian restaurant hungry! What?! I love Ethiopian food because of the fun of the dining experience (who can say no to no silverware?), the tastiness, gluttony, and price value. Addis provided some of these things, but I was still sorely disappointed, and am reluctant to return despite very strong cravings for my favorite comfort food. On a weeknight, we shared the dining room with only one other party. Service was prompt and friendly. The ambiance was comfortable and quiet. The food, especially for the cost, however, was disappointing. While everything was tasty (my company enjoyed everything about the experience), I found the portions very scant and luke warm. With only one other group in the restaurant, I expected our food to seem much fresher coming out of the kitchen. Never have I ever run out of food or sauces to dip my injera, nor have I ever been left so hungry that I was tempted to order more injera to just eat by plain to satisfy myself. Perhaps I've been spoiled in the past, but for the prices that Addis charges (compared to most other Ethiopian restaurants where I've eaten), I would have expected to leave more than gorged, and not hunting for the second half of my meal. (I should temper these statements with the fact that, anticipating the portions that I'm used to, I came packing a serious appetite.) Addis is a pleasant experience if you just care about sitting in a nice space with friendly people around you. As far as an eating experience is concerned, though, I found it limited. Too bad they are virtually a monopoly for Ethiopian fare. Maybe competition would force the prices down and portions up.
(2)Kathy K.
I really enjoy Ethiopian food -- maybe as I lived next to such a restaurant in DC for some time. I really enjoy Addis Red Sea, but have learned my lesson. Just because I enjoy the experience in terms of seating and eating with hands does not translate into others feeling the same way. To summarize with a short review for a change, if your companions have back issues or do not adjust well to the concept of bread as a spoon of sorts, do not bring them here. BUT, if you like lovely meat and veggie dishes in yummy sauces, push forward and go. Oh -- one last note -- remember the parking issue in the area in case your guests are hell-bent on finding an impossible spot outside of a lot.
(4)Helene B.
I love Ethiopian food. However, I did not love Addis Red Sea. The ambiance was good; The wait was long (45 min); the vegetarian options were tasty. But: The *injera* was the problem here. It tasted like pita bread!! And that's uncalled for. I love injera, it's an integral part of the Ethiopian dining experience. The item being passed as injera at Addis Red Sea....was not. Maybe if I hadn't lived in D.C. for so long---and eaten really, really tasty food at what seems like hundreds of D.C. Ethiopian restaurants---I would have liked this place. If you don't know any better, you'll probably be one of those yuppie New England assholes who talk too loud about how great it is just so people can hopefully assume you're cultured. But if you know Ethiopian food... save your money until you're in either D.C., NYC, or--Christ--even Baltimore (Dukem... yum!).
(2)Niel K.
First time having Ethiopian food. We were at the Extreme Beer fest, across the street at the Cyclorama. We got out at 4:30pm and needed food after all that beer. We walked in and said "Oh WOW" It was quite cozy and we were seated around a couple of mesobs, traditional table woven from straw. We sat on low backless three legged stools. The atmosphere was quiet and the lighting was dim but not dark. None of us had Ethiopian food before and took a while to decide what we wanted. I can't tell you exactly what was ordered, a couple of apps, some breads and 4 or 5 main courses (Wats=Stew). We were presented with hot wet towels to wash our hands. The Apps came out, and were well somewhat small for a party of 6. Would skip them next time. Next they brought out the main course Wats (stews). Served on the injera bread with a side of the ingera bread to use as a utensil. The idea is to use the bread to pick up bites of the Wats. Both the bread and the stews were excellent and we quickly cleaned the mesob. Service was a bit slow but if they are making things from scratch, I don't mind waiting so much (about a half an hour). It was an interesting experience and I would go back again.
(4)Kimmy P.
Great ambiance, delectable food, Addis Red Sea is a fun place for groups. It was my 1st, and definitely not last, Ethiopian experience. I would, however, recommend to get both meat and vegetables (if you are not a vegetarian). I strictly ordered lamb, and although it was delicious, I felt the need to chomp on some greens after an overload of the oh-so-fun spongy bread. This may just be personal preference, but as a first timer too much bread and meat does not feel so great. Quick note, you do not have to run to the bathroom to wash your hands before you eat, they will provide you with warm towels to cleanse those grimy subway fingers.
(5)Mike A.
Unique ethnic dining experience not found elsewhere in Boston. Group dining in a warm atmosphere complimented by amazing food. The menu has a large vegetarian list of entrees, but the spicy meats are definitely where Addis shines brightest. Portions may appear small but they are actually very filling with the special bread they serve which you use as your primary utensil. The Ethiopian beers aren't anything too special, but worth ordering at least one to admire the odd labels. After that, move on to one of the your favorite staple imports to compliment the food better. I came with a large group of people and they managed our group really well, although it took a little too long for our hungry stomaches for the food to come (little over 45 minutes).
(4)Aretha B.
Yelpers, you've never done me wrong. Katia M pointed me towards Addis Red Sea in the talk section and I just ate there last night. It was SO TASTY!!!!!!!! For an appetizer I had the Sambusa - "Spiced ground beef flavored with cumin, garlic, onions, with a touch of nutmeg." and it was delicious! It was kind of like a Jamaican Beef Patty except seasoned better and cooked with more care (not mass produced). My dining companion had the Ayib Begomen - Cottage cheese mixed with mitmita and gomen. I don't know what those last two things are but it was a very creamy, wonderfully rich and well textured, kind of spicy dip. It was... to say the least... completely orgasmic. For an entree I had Yegeb Alcha - Lamb simmered in a mild sauce of butter, onion, ginger and tumeric. It was served with a mashed chickpea side (I think) and when eating it with the amazing, unbelievable pancake thing it was just unbeatable. The food was so well seasoned. It was new to me, but still completely comforting and savory. It was a gorgeous meal. We had all this and a bottle of honey wine, and the price was 60 bucks. Not freakin bad. What a treat. I will be taking many more people here as I am now officially addicted. Great restaurant to bring meat eaters and vegetarians alike.
(5)Casey B.
Not like I have ever been to Ethiopia but.... AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC AUTHENTIC This is a family run business (i learned this because the server was so friendly and talkative) and the place has been open forever! Never thought i would like Ethiopian food but you choose between different veggies and meats (don't worry just ask the waiter to recommend something) and then they bring it out on this huge pancake looking bread and you eat it with your fingers...so fun...so messy... They have Ethiopian beer and wine and really good homemade creme brule (random?) and they aren't really pricey at all. I would completely go back here...with friends or a date (:
(5)Nika O.
The atmosphere here is really great, dark and cozy feeling. I tried the veggie combo, with Butecha, Gomen Wo, Atakilt and Yesmir Wot. The chickpeas and collard greens were nothing to write home about, but the spicy (ish) lentils were absolutely delicious! Next time I will go back for the honey wine and a few orders of Yesmir Wot. I'll definitely be back
(4)Sheila S.
This was my second time at this restaurant. The first sample was better 10 years ago but I could have been dazzled by the ethnic experience. Unfortunately, the meats were not fresh and disguised in the not-so-unique spicy sauces and the injera spongy bread stays with you for more than 24 hours. I walked away wondering whether I would be okay the next day, sadly to say.
(1)Jenny H.
tasty place with adequate seating for me, my darling, and my two cats. we all agreed they had the biggest carrots we'd ever seen.
(4)Laura P.
Addis has some things going for it: location in a trendy neighborhood, great decor, wonderful food. Just sitting here is like going on a vacation and being transported to another country. The food isn't any better than Asmara in Central Square, though the decor is, which means higher prices. Why would you eat dessert here when you've probably filled yourself with the veggies, chicken, lamb, spices etc? Wash down a honey wine instead!
(3)Mcslimj B.
Upscale, romantic Ethiopian food, a fascinating and unique cuisine, and one of the best values in the South End. If you spend much time in the South End, it's easy to get caught up in the roundelay of new restaurants that have opened amidst the neighborhood's recent surge of Back Bay-ification. Meretricious newcomers can distract you from such quiet, solid performers as Addis Red Sea, which opened decades before the boutiques selling $700 dresses. I first visited this Ethiopian restaurant 15 years ago, back when heading to Tremont Street marked your seriousness as an aspiring epicure, demonstrating your willingness to risk a mugging for amazing food. It was special to me, like a treasured childhood friend, but lately I'd neglected it for the shiny new places. I recently renewed my acquaintance with Addis. Taking our seats in the pretty ground-floor dining room, we started remembering what we loved about it: the romantic atmosphere, the low tables, the intimacy of sharing food you eat with your hands. We ordered a bottle of Fleur du Cap sauvignon blanc ($18), a modest South African wine, and two combination plates: kitfo ($15) and doro wat ($15), effectively two meat dishes and six vegan ones. Kitfo is a tartare-like preparation of raw, finely chopped sirloin loaded with mitmita, a fierce chili powder that lends serious but not overwhelming heat and a beautiful brick-red color. Clarified butter provides glossy richness to this beautiful, simple steak preparation. It's served on top of a giant round of injera, the spongy sourdough flatbread that is the foundation of the Ethiopian diet. In fact, injera functions as a tabletop-size plate, eating utensil, and starchy foil for the various highly seasoned meats, legume dishes, and vegetable sautés that made up our meal. (Our server seemed pleased when we ordered extra injera made with teff, an Ethiopian grain rarely seen in the States that produces a darker, richer bread.) We began tearing off strips of injera and using them to scoop up mouthfuls of kitfo, then moved onto doro wot, shredded chicken with a subtle chili fire, sweet spicing, and aromatic garlic and ginger. Next we sampled butecha, a hummus-like chickpea pâté, and tikle gomen: mild cabbage, green peppers, and aromatics. The highly spiced legume stews of yesmir wot (fiery lentils), yesmir alcha (lentils reminiscent of a Punjabi curry), and mittin shuro wot (fiery ground split peas) proved an excellent way to end our dining experience. When our check arrived -- all of $50 -- I ruefully considered all the overhyped new restaurants on which I'd recently been wasting my money, and vowed right there to dance more often with the girl who brought me to the South End in the first place.
(4)Dom T.
Really enjoyed my dinner date here! I'm a sucker for non-standard eating situations, and sitting at a mesob makes for an intimate dining experience. The food was delicious, and reasonably priced (we got some sort of combo) and I had a Kenyan beer that I liked a lot. Wasn't absurdly crowded, even on a Friday night for dinner, and the atmosphere was very attractive. Service was excellent, so really I've got nothing to complain about. I'd been here once before, and will likely be back again.
(4)Annie W.
best ethiopian i've ever had. cute hole-in-the-wall location. awesome honey wine. i like this location's decor best. little straw tables!
(5)Alex R.
While it's not the best Ethiopian food you'll ever have, Addis Red Sea is easily above average - and its comparatively low prices make it one of the South End's best deals. (Don't forget we're in the South End here; finding a good entree for $10 is like finding a chlamydia-free girl at the Foggy Goggle.) The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is great - I see a lot of dates there, and it's a smart idea because if you can't think of anything else to talk about you can make fun of the little signs that say "I am serving you as a 'table.' Please do not lean on!' I recommend starting with the Ayib Begomen, which is like cottage cheese except weird, and then moving on to a bottle of honey wine and pretty much anything else. (The vegetarian fare is great, by the way, or so my wife says. Not like I'd know.) I notice someone below had a bad experience with the kitfo. That's a huge pile of heavily seasoned raw beef: do not order that or the dulet, which is tripe, if you plan on getting laid later.
(5)erica c.
Digging in with your paws never felt so good...or tasted so good for that matter! The atmosphere is warm and totally cozy, the food is yum, and the family that runs this pace is really sweet... It is often crowded, so try to go during off peak hours....oh...and also try the Ethiopian wine.
(5)jane d.
waitresses here are very snobby. if you had real injera before, make sure you tell them you want injera with teff or they'll serve you some weird white stuff that isn't even close to the real thing, but is better for young children.
(2)Jason M.
Great Ethiopian food. Excellent beer- randomly, but brilliantly, serving Belgian style Ommegang.
(5)Matthew A.
Not a fan. I was not sold at this place. Went away hungry.Whats with those odd low chairs and eating with those tastless spongy crepes? My advice is to keep on walking!!
(2)Nicole M.
I am a huge fan of African-inspired restaurants and atmosphere (especially after returning from a trip East Africa last year), so I wasn't disappointed when I finally, after years of wanting to check it out, walked into Addis Red Sea last night. The decor, the low chairs and community Mesob table, eating with your hands, it was all so fantastic. However, I wasn't crazy about the food. The injera bread was good, but my Doro Wot (chicken) was not at all spicy as I was expecting, given the note on the menu. I was disappointed in the lack of flavor. I don't eat red meat but heard the Lega Tibs (lamb) was good and it sounds like they gave the Kitfo (beef dish) all my spices and then some. We made the mistake of not ordering any veggies, and we also mde the mistake of ordering the Dukan wine. We should've went with one of the South African selections, but hey, we wanted to try everything Ethiopian style! Should've tried the beer... Although a Tuesday night, it was packed. There were only 4 of us dining, so we were one person short to be able to make a reservation. We only had to wait about 10-15mins for our table. We ordered drinks and apps right away but didn't get them until at least 45mins later. The entrees came about 20-25mins after that. A fun place for groups, but I'm not sure I'd return to Addis. Though, I'm also not sure the other Ethiopian/East African places in the area would be better...
(3)Tristan S.
Addis is a great little place; I love restaurants that are below street level, and I didn't fully realize how cool they are till I left Boston and moved to LA; here, such a building would terrify the living hell out of people. But regardless, the decor is festive (but not in that Central Square, free-spirit way), the lights are somewhat dim, the cielings are low, and the carpeted floors lend themselves to a deceptively intimate atmosphere. Though the process of eating Ethiopian food itself - eating with your hands off of a huge plate - is inherently communal, and indeed, a great experience for a group of five or six people, I have fond memories of walking from Back Bay station to Addis in the snow with my girlfriend, walking down those little steps and into a warmly-lit and warmly-termperate little place that felt cozy and snug and best of all, smelled absolutely divine, where we sat in a little corner together and shared a flavorful, robust meal. Though my allegience generally lies with Asmara for Ethiopian food, I'll give credit where it's due. Though I feel like Asmara has better overall quality for vegetarian dishes, when I ate meat, I found the yebeg wot and zil zil tibs at Addis to be nigh upon impossible to beat. The injera here, too, is awesome: it is VERY soft and spongy, and has a lighter texture than the injera at Asmara. The spicing is less severe than Asmara, which can be a good thing and a bad thing... it's great for people who don't like spicy food as much as me, and probably a safer introduction for people who are whimps when it comes to trying new and interesting foods. But, then, for people like me, who relish food that is heavily spiced and is dripping with flavor, the vegetarian options here are so-so. Despite all this, I found the staff to be - while friendly - less personable, and though we patronized the place quite often, often times with large parties, we were never recognized as return guests. This isn't a really big thing to me, as I know that waitstaff will deal with hundreds of people in the meantime, but after months of regular patronage, with large parties and minimum-25% tipping, it would be nice to be welcomed back as opposed to explained what injera is when sat down :/
(4)Jonathan Z.
Overall it was pretty good. The food itself was a little bland. I've had Ethiopian food before in San Francisco and it was a lot spicier and had a lot more flavor. Perhaps it's a regional difference. I would definitely go back but would seek out spicier dishes. If you've never had Ethiopian food I would say to go and give it a try. This place was good enough to say that most people would not be disappointed. Give it a try. Looks like a fun date spot given the crowd and relaxed seating style.
(3)J B.
The food was not nearly as bad as the Mass Ave/Porter/Cambridge location yet not nearly as good as Asmara. We both found it quite bland and were disapointed that the 'bread' (sorry, I forget the name) was not as good as that we have had other places (including Asmara). The leftovers did, however, taste better than the food we ate at the restaurant and the prices were a bit lower than Asmara's.
(3)sunny n.
Excellent Authentic Ethopian Cuisine in an awesome ethopian decor with perfect lighting and seating... Perfect Flavor and Spice !!! The injira bread soaked in the spicy curried chicken and beef is...spectacular!!! Wait staff is incredibly personable and courteous!! Ethopian Wine and Coffee (strong) is amazing too! Highly recommended!!
(5)Brooke P.
I am a HUGE fan of Ethiopian food. I could eat it everyday and die a happy fat person. I have only eaten in a 3-4 Ethiopian restaurants in NYC, so I figured branching out a little would validate (or not) how absolutely wonderful it is. I was sooo right. My other half and I decided to check out this joint since it was the best reviewed in Boston (not that there is much competition). There was a little wait on the Thursday we went, but not bad enough to complain. I hadn't eaten in a place that had the cool little authentic(?) tables to sit at, so this made the experience exciting and new to me. The lighting was low and the music not overbearing. The food was delicious, just as I expected it to be. The prices, coming from a NYC girl, are completely reasonable. I will definitely come here again next time I head up to New England. WARNING: Parking (on a really cold week night) is horrendous! Definitely consider taking a cab...
(5)Laura M.
We came as a party of 4 on a Friday night for dinner after work. I was concerned that they wouldn't take a reservation for a group of less than 6, but when we arrived at about 6:45 they place was almost empty and they let us sit even though two of our party weren't there yet (I assured the hostess they were coming in the next 10 minutes or so). Honestly, I wasn't super-wowed by the flavors of the food or the Ethiopian wine we tried, but it was really fun to try a new style of dining and eat with our hands from a shared platter. Plus, lots of bottles of wine for under $20 on the wine list! (Not just Ethiopian, but French, Australian, and other affordable options.) If the prices were as high as other stuff in the South End I would have been kinda ticked that the service was leisurely and the food not out-of-this-world. Given the good deal and the fact that they let us claim a table early, though, I'll bump them up. I won't become a regular here, but it's definitely worth trying at least once. I'd recommend coming before 7:00 if you can't get a reservation -- by 7:15 the line was out the door.
(4)Shruti M.
I love this place! The food was amazing and although it did take a while to get there, it was well worth the wait! By the time we left, we were both stuffed. We had the Doro Wot Lite combination choice, the only difference between the regular Doro Wot and the Lite was that they used Olive oil instead of butter in ours. I honestly wouldn't have known or cared, I was too caught up in amazing food. I was a little comfortable in that our seats were a lot higher than the table, so we spent a good portion of our meal hunched over. Maybe lower stools or maybe cushions on the floor instead of chairs ? ( I've heard this exists here....) Either way... amazing food...totally worth the time and the price...and the decor is lovely too!
(5)Hannah Q.
Best Ethiopian I've ever had. The space is small and most of the tables are the sort where you sit on pillows. I *think* they have a few normal tables (it's been several years since I've been able to go, what with living on the West Coast 'n all), but if you have a physical need sit at a normal height table, I'd call ahead to confirm you can get one. Very intimate setting. Be prepared on the weekends for it to be a bit crushed with people. Weekdays are refreshingly easier to handle.
(4)Michael J.
I really want to eat here. I really do. I hear it's amazing. But I give them full credit at doing everything possible to ensure I was no longer interested in eating there the night I went. We showed up with a 20 min wait. That turned to 40. We asked the maitre d' how many tables were in front of us. He said "one under." There were six names. I went back after around 20 mins to ask the guy again, who said "you've already asked two times!" in frustration. Now, they were slammed, the people eating there seemed to be enjoying it, and the bar where one might wait was closed due to a private party, so 15 people were crowded into the atrium and the doorway, and it was cold out. So there are a lot of variables adding up to this perfect storm. But the attitude of said maitre d' really made my girlfriend and I wonder why we were waiting to give them our money. We went down the street and had a great meal at Aquitane. I am certainly open to changing my opinion if I can actually sit down at a table and eat the food, and would certainly not criticize those who have praised the food below.
(1)Steve K.
After walking through SOWA (South Of Washington street, for those of you - like me - not from Boston), we consulted Yelp (just found you - thanks Yelp!) to find a restaurant that would work for my wife's Gluten free diet. Though Addis Red Sea doesn't specifically offer a Gluten free menu, Ethiopian food seemed a safe bet. The setting was charming and interestingly decorated. The menu was filled with lots of delicious sounding choices and we settled on a Cream Cheese appetizer dip with the Combination Platter for two, which they cheerfully increased to three to accommodate the three in our party. The meal was served family style, with everything in the center of the table and everyone sharing (could have been because we ordered one platter for three). The platter came out as servings on flat, thin, soft bread (like thin pancakes?), which was certainly not Gluten free, but the rest of the platter was fine. Having rarely (if at any time) had Ethiopian food I can't vouch for its authenticity, but everything was quite tasty and had a twist to it that suggested it could have been authentic. And perhaps to also be authentic, the meal was served without utensils; it was all finger food. In all, it was a fine dinner, would come back again, and I recommend it to anyone who might want to try something a little different.
(4)Rob C.
Though i am a finicky eater, i am sufficiently adventurous that i'll try anything that i don't already know i dislike, optimistic to the end. So, somewhat randomly, i stepped into Addis Red Sea and, concurring with my date for the evening, said, 'what the heck'? Ethiopian food, if this is any indication, fits squarely in the middle of the list of things i'm happy to eat, as it turns out. i had a combination platter, with some spicy chicken, collard greens, a wheat thing that tasted like the best grits i'd ever had, and some other veggies, all smeared on some kinda doughy, stretchy bread (like canned frozen pizza crusts, sort of), that stands in place of a utensil. To top it all off, i even managed to do this without thoroughly embarrassing myself (and so did she, as far as i could tell). The service is friendly, although it took a rather long time to get the check, due to them wrangling a party of like, 20. Ethiopian beer is also pretty darn good and goes very well; they've got a surprisingly good selection in general (including a local micro). Oddly, i was a fan of the little stools at first, but eventually my leg started falling asleep. It's quirky, friendly, and allows you to eat a ton of good food for a decent price, in a way that your mom would totally have disapproved of. What's not to like?
(4)Bridget B.
Love it love it love it. The food, the decor, the beer and wine selection, the helpful service, everything is just great. They serve my favorite Ethiopian food in Boston/Cambridge, though admittedly they do not have much in the way of competition. Regardless, I love them.
(5)Mindy A.
3.5 stars for Addis Red Sea. I went here with a group of 8 for a birthday dinner last Friday night. It was a really fun, different experience. We had reservations and didn't have to wait at all, they seated us right away. I had never tried Ethiopian food before, but I am always up for something new. The restaurant itself is very quaint and cozy. The service staff were very nice and attentive, except they forgot our appetizer. She apologized, but I don't know that we received any comps or anything which most restaurants would normally do for that kind of a glitch. We still enjoyed ourselves though, and besides that, the service was really pleasant and they kept our drink glasses full the whole time. The food was definitely different than anything I've ever tried. Our group ordered a combination of vegetarian and meat dishes and we shared almost everything. I really liked most of the stewed meat dishes, especially the really spicy steak tartare, which was awesome. The birthday girl and I agreed that this was the best dish. I am a huge fan of spicy food, though. I didn't like the veggie dishes as much (except for a spicy lentil dish that I thought was good); overall I thought the meat dishes had a lot more flavor. I am still learning about Ethiopian food, though, so maybe that's how it's supposed to be (or maybe I am just a big meat fan). It was a a fun experience and the restaurant's neighborhood feel was really laid back and casual, which I appreciated in the South End.
(3)Matthew S.
The vegetarian sampler for two people (can't remember exactly what it was called) was more than enough food for my wife and me. And everything was delicious. In fact, I had to stop myself from eating the "plate" (more spongy bread) on which everything was arranged...
(4)Austin T.
Addis Red Sea offers a unique dining experience. I mean, where else do you go that your table has a little sign that says, "Hi! I am Mesob! I am a table..." or something like that. Oh, and you sit on little stools and eat with your hands, too. It was kind of disconcerting to eat my food in the red glow of the downstairs room, but I guess everything -felt- like what it was supposed to be. The combination food is pretty hearty - although some of the flavorings reminded me of Chinese stewed meats - and the bread is a lot of fun! On a side note, it was also a lot of fun to hear the patrons next to us proclaim their longing to grab their friend's boobs. Flavor-wise, the food is kind to the palate, but not phenomenal. I'd come back though - it's fun!! [to have your fingers smell like meat for hours after despite multiple soap washings =]
(3)Bindiya T.
Pros: Good, simple,hot, food. Pleasant servers, good coffee. Cons: Long wait for food to be served and awful tables and chairs. not comfortable if you are going for dinner and conversation.
(4)Maureen H.
This is one of my favorite places to eat. Its not your usual american dining experience as you eat using bread and not utensils. the causal atmosphere and layout make this place perfect for both a fun night out with friends or a cute date. The food is fabulous,especially when paired with their local wine, though not the best wine ive ever had, it compliments the ethiopian flavors so well. They have a great selection of vegetarian entrees, and all are good to order and share. I would HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone with even a little sense of adventure. Plus the area is fabulous for hopping around or just taking a stroll later.
(5)Casey F.
As stated in some of my other reviews, I'm an EE (Ethiopian Enthusiast). Show me the Ethiopian, baby!!! The BF and I went here for "hot date night" last night. The food was good, just as expected. We orderd a meat sambosa, a lamb dish that came with some cabbage, and Doro Wat Lite combo. The appetizer was fine - nothing remarkable, just doughy-ness surrounding ground beef. The entrees were delicious as usual... but I really love the beef combo the bestest and wish we ordered that instead of the chicken. Many reviewers have talked about Asmara in Central Square vs. Addis... and the BF and I agree that we prefer the stronger-flavored, wheatier bread of Asmara compared to the white bread-ness of Addis. The atmosphere was nice, but I really like the atmosphere of the Porter square location better. Perhaps this one is more authentic - all of the tables are the basket style with these little stools. Honestly, I like sitting at a table, or having the choice to do so. Or, having a real chair to sit in while sitting at the baskets, like at the Porter Square location or at Asmara. I left this particular location feeling fine about Ethiopian food, but definitely preferring the Porter Square location to this one, or Asmara. Asmara's waitress is also nicer, and the place is less crowded. However, either way, I highly recommend that you try Ethiopian food - simple, delicious flavors, and fun to eat with your hands!! PS. Be forewarned: My BF's family [sort of] jokingly forbade me to bring him here again due to the extreme flatulence he experience when visiting said family the following day! I didn't have the same problem.. but just wanted to give a heads up.
(4)Dave M.
Crazy long wait on a Saturday evening around 8pm. They said it'd be 25 mins, but was 50+ mins. Once I was seated, the service continued the lethargic pace at Addis Red Sea and it took another 30+ mins for food to arrive. The food was extremely average and whole experience was disappointing. The Doro Wot was just "ok" and even a little greasy. Atakilt was very mediocre. After hearing how great this hidden gem of a restaurant was, it was a huge letdown to actually go there and leave on such a bad note.
(1)Thuy L.
I had my first experience with Ethiopian dining at Addis Red Sea and it was delicious. Germaphobes beware---you eat with your hands and become very close with your dinner mates. A huge platter is placed in front of you with all the entree portions placed atop tis fluffly light bread. Just pinch, pick, and swallow. Don't know what to eat--just ask. The food is delicious. The Ethiopian wine is super sweet. Ethiopian beer is quite refreshing.
(4)Matthew B.
Diverse foods and my pallet get along swimmingly, so it's with some pause but no regret that I give these all a solid 'meh.' The food is just okay, the service takes some time and the overall experience wasn't worth the wait or cost. I was also hanging out with a ringer who was disappointed. The injera (bread) was stickier than I hear it should be (so said my friend with me who was in Ethiopia for 6 weeks). Most dishes were pretty moist and textureless. I dug one dish - the lamb - though there was barely enough to share a few bites despite it costing ~$20. For the money and time it takes to get in there and get a full meal, I think it's best to hit somewhere else up.
(2)Truth R.
Folks that work there are super nice. Food was meh. portions are small as far as I am concerned. Honey wine is overwhelming. I order the fried fish...i got what i ordered...flavorless fried fish that was cold and a scoop of cold boiled cabbage and potato. the lamb stew (yereb wot) was tasty, but luke warm. They didn't have meat pasty thing I like, the veggie was whack. chairs are super uncomfortable. I would rather sit on the floor.
(2)Kathy C.
Delicious food, lovely decor. Definitely worth a visit back!
(4)Juliet P.
Atmosphere is great to give you an immersive feeling - low tables, low chairs, no silverware, lots of rugs and ethiopian paintings. You really get the "ethiopian dining experience". Food was good, not great but good. The staff was very nice and friendly. They were baby friendly too! We went early, brought our baby with us and they were totally cool with it. There was plenty of room for us to place our baby at our table because no one was at the table next to us. If someone would have been at that table I probably wouldn't have been comfortable bringing a baby - it would have been too crowded.
(4)Kari C.
This place is utterly amazing. I've been three or four times with meat lovers, vegetarians and vegans. This place has it all, atmosphere, good food and a great location. The downstairs area is even cooler and perfect if you want to be alone with a date or have a nice conversation. If you like Ethiopian or you want to try something new, make this place top of the list!
(4)Jessie H.
My husband took me here for my birthday, which was a really nice treat since I have eaten lots of ethnic foods but never before Ethiopian. Not that this is the restaurant's fault but WOW does parking suck in the South End if you aren't a resident. Ok, got that out of my system. The service was very friendly and prompt. The setting was decorated with all kinds of Ethiopian relics, as in , lots of goat skins stretched and painted. You sit at very low tables, with little 3-legged stools for your hungry bum. This is the first reason I deducted 1 star. I know this is supposed to be all about the experience of eating like they do in Ethiopia, but I was uncomfortable. It's especially difficult to maintain your balance on those 3 legs if you have enjoyed a couple of the South End's finest cocktails. Fortunately, I did not fall off my seat, but another man in the restaurant did, proving my point. The food here is delicious! We ordered the Red Sea dinner platter for 2 which came with a great assortment of salad, veggies, stewed chicken and beef, all atop that spongy bread. It was a fun way to eat your food (they give you hot towels to clean your hands) and all of the stews were full of tender meat and fragrant spices. Pretty much everything is good here if you aren't a picky eater. The 2nd reason I had to deduct 1 star is because there were very large fruit flies buzzing around. One actually landed in my glass of honey wine...gross. The other prominent location of the flies was in the ladies bathroom. Gross. Other than those 2 minor drawbacks I had a great time, and will probably go back when I have out-of-town guests to entertain. Oh, and they do offer proper chairs if you really need one.
(4)Cesar G.
I've been going to Addis Red Sea for years--including the last several years that I've lived away from Boston--and it's always delicious. It can be a bit of a wait sometimes, but it's well worth the wait.
(4)Maureen D.
Ok. So I love Ethiopian food, but Addis needs a little help. My most recent experience was with a party of 15. We ordered sampler plates all around for simplicity; with instructions that two of the group were vegetarian options. The veg dishes were: fresh tomato salad (with flavorless winter tomatoes- bleck), and collard (average). About 30 minutes after the rest of the meal had been served, apparently they remembered to bring some lentils; not berbere, but a pasty bland imitation. There were also no Ethiopian beers or wines available, at all. Addis could benefit from (1) rearrangement of the space, (2) a bit more attention from the staff toward customers, (3) menu update.
(2)Shin L.
Came here with high expectations due to good reviews. However, it turned out to be a disappointment. It is a new and unique way to dine, but the food was meh and overpriced. Dined here with 4 friends and had a variety of dishes; none really stood out (beef, lamb, fish dishes), and I was still hungry after the meal. Portions were not very big. The bread was good, but nothing to shout about.
(1)Miodrag K.
I've been going to this restaurant about once in several months in the last 5 years and mostly by using Groupon. I love Ethiopian food and this restaurant was working perfectly well providing me with those special flavors. However, In the last year or so I've noticed a decline in quality and quantity of food as well as in service. Also, there are changes in how one can use a Groupon in the way you're limited only to certain items in the menu. Perhaps the most annoying of all is the service that was always slow but recently started being extremely slow and the waitress asking for cash when giving the bill. I hope they resolve these issues and give another chance to delicious Ethiopian food in downtown Boston.
(3)Ami P.
Huge portions just how I like it!!! Such a wonderful place and I love the designs inside this place! The waiters could be more attentive but the ambience makes up for it! I had the vegetarian and my friends all had something with meat but we all shared and were so so so full :)
(4)Nitya D.
Ya know...it's weird. I thought I liked this place. I have been dining here sporadically over the last few years because 1) I like Ethiopian food, 2) the veggie dishes are all actually vegan and that makes me happy, and 3) it's fairly priced. I went here last night for dinner and waited for way too long to be seated even though there were plenty of available seats. I thought at first, "oh maybe they are REALLY busy right now...including that one guy just sitting there and reading the paper..." I believe that I was mistaken because over the course of my meal, I noticed the same trend: people would walk in and be forced to cluster in the tiny doorway while the staff kept telling them to "wait just a few more minutes." I swear I saw one couple eyeing my food and wondering between my dining companion and I which one of us was the weaker link. Moving on to our food - I usually get misir wot, just a basic lentil dish cooked with some spicy berbere (yummy in my tummy). It's not that it wasn't yummy this time around, it just seemed like lesser quality than I have had here in the past. They randomly gave me some gomen as well, a kind gesture that I certainly appreciated. However, bad gomen doesn't make up for free gomen. ): I do like the decor here. I think it's cute and charming with the comfy seating and mesabs (traditional Ethiopian tables with a large tray like area that holds your meats and/or veggies plus injera). These little decorative touches add authenticity and warmth to the restaurant making you forget that you're actually dining in a subterranean space. But all around the staff was exceedingly slow (starting with the first encounter, as detailed above) and throughout my meal as well. I had to get up and seek my waitress to request things like napkins or the bill. In fact, when it came time to pay, we just left a note on the table inclusive of tip rather than wait for a credit card to be processed because who knows how long that would've taken. Idk, maybe I'll give them another shot but I guess I'll have to choose a day when I literally have nothing else better to do than to wait around.
(2)Bonnie C.
I came across this restaurant when I wanted to go to Beehive (across the street) for restaurant week. Because it was so packed there, I decided to come here to try their Ethiopian food. The only time I've had Ethiopian food was when my friend bought some from home. Never had it at a restaurant. Upon entering this restaurant, I was enamored with their decor. It's a completely whole new experience. It is located in a basement. They have super low tables and chairs (I think that's how Ethiopians eat their food). Our waitress was super friendly and patience with us because we didn't know how to order. She suggested we get the combo so we can try a little bit of everything. They were all very delicious! I cannot wait to be back. The experience I had here was amazing and definitely eye-opening for someone who has no knowledge of Ethiopian culture. I absolutely love it and I will definitely be back soon!
(5)Monica L.
Doro Wot is my favorite dish, hands-down. The injera is not as sour as other places, which makes it easier for any newbie friends. The vegetarian options are always meh to me, but my vegetarian friend loved both types of lentils. One was suppose to be spicy, but it was just very flavorful-spicy, not hot/peppery-spicy. I preferred the collard greens and the cabbage, just to help tone down the spiciness of the Doro Wot. Courteous staff. The wait is always longer than they quote. The decor needs a serious upgrade, as everything is showing wear and tear. Side note, hate how tight the female bathroom is. They seriously should move that tiny table that blocks half of the doorway.
(3)Max W.
Delicious delicious delicious! The food is awesome. If you've never had Ethiopian, I'd describe it as a mix of Indian food with West African and Creole/Caribbean food. Lots of spice, lots of root vegetables, and lots of distinct flavors. You won't find yourself adding condiments to anything, because the food is packed with flavor. My favorite part is the bread, which is like a giant fluffy pita that also serves as your plate. You eat with your hands, using smaller pieces of the bread to scoop the food on top of the pile, and pulling up the bread plate to eat the lower levels of the piles. The bread expands in your stomach, and is really filling. Totally unique item. The only downside to Addis Red Sea is that the dining room has seen better days. The carpet is a bit shabby, the tables are a bit worn, and the service can be slow. That said, the servers are incredibly friendly if you engage them, and they're not disinterested; it just takes a bit. Also, the prices are a bit high for what it is. Not back breaking, but everything could be $2-3 cheaper. If you've never had Ethiopian, you should make the trip to Addis Red Sea. If you enjoy it, come back, especially when there's a Groupon, which is a good deal.
(3)Lindsay M.
Let me start off by saying: The service was very good and the food was good. Although, I've been to the one in Cambridge (now closed) and it was better than this one... I went to a late dinner the other day and got the Atakilt and my friend got the Yasa Wot. The Ingera was SO good. Fluffy and not dry at all. Our meals were good, but I was sort of upset with the Atakilt. The last time I got it, I can't remember if it was at the Cambridge location or at Fasika, was a different texture and came with more ingredients. We also had the Ayib Begomen for an app and it was delicious! That was probably the best dish we got. Honestly, I'm probably just going to stick with Fasika. It's a little farther for me to drive, but the food is worth it!
(3)June K.
Not a Groupon friendly place. First of all, the prices shown on their website are not updated. Not to mention it took our waitress 30 minutes to refill our drinks, she didn't seem happy when I showed her my Groupon and completely changed her demeanor. She said in a very short way "The remaining total is under $15 so you have to pay in cash." We still gave her over 20% tip but seriously not a pleasant experience. **Also for your Groupon info, it doesn't specify on Groupon website that the maximum for one meal is $15.95. They will NOT deduct the total price minus $31.90. It will be each entree minus $15.95. So if you order a $12 dish and a $19 dish you will still have to pay $19 minus $15.95. Very strange!
(1)Christine J.
I appreciate diversity and diff cuisines, esp when they set up the restaurant with decors and utensils, furnitures from that culture. It gives you an ethiopian experience without having to go there. The food is pretty good and new to my palate. You eat with hands, the dishes are on top of the flat bread. some dishes were rare/uncooked which was a little weird to me (even though I love sushi..) but they all tasted good! I think I prefer the cooked ones Ethiopian style. Not many ethiopian restaurants in the city so I'm glad this one is here.
(4)Michael W.
Miss Sarit and I went here on the last night we had in Boston; it was a fantastic way to say "teanastellen" to our fantastic long weekend here. Upon walking in, you will notice a small seating area which made me think "oh god..." However the friendly waitress will dip you behind a royal red and gold embroidered curtain (if memory serves) and a large, authentic dining room will be revealed to you. Casting glances about the enveloping room you will see a traditional wicker mesob table at each chair pairing. I've been to Ethiopian restaurants before, but this is the first time I've seen these in use, it really upgraded the whole dining experience. We ordered our starters and entrees, I got two vegetarian spicy dishes with the spongy flat bread and was not disappointed at all in the taste. I'm afraid I failed to note any spicy ness, which was as much a letdown as it was probably a favor. While my tongue silently cursed this, my bowels thanked them. Aside from that, lots of tamarin and cumin was involved with plenty of lentils kept both of the aforementioned fiends more than satisfied. The only reason why they get 4 stars instead of the gold is that a) the music was off - they were playing some Latin beat which I loved since I am Portuguese but it skewered the dining experience and authenticity and b) spicy dishes were not spicy at all. Maybe it was white-boy-spicy, but my taste buds are Ethnic as ****.
(4)Maria P.
Really flavorful entrees. Wait staff was terrific in guiding us through the choices. All entries were consumed with super fluffy Ethiopian pita-esque bread. We went with our kids with a groupon for four and received a terrific blend of flavored, spicy and just rich authentic flavors. Our waitress went the extra mile with our kids, offering exotic fruit juice and dessert the day after our daughter's birthday. She patiently explained Ethiopian culture and traditions to our interrogating son. She was great. Wine selection was great and reasonably priced.
(5)Chris L.
Came here on a Groupon and I was pleased with my experience. I have never had Ethiopian before, so I brought my foodie friend for some comfort. They opened promptly at 5:00 and we were promptly seated. As the night went on - they slowly picked up business and that is when prompt service slacked. 2 people for about 30 tables is a little low. Food - SO GOOD. IM SO GLAD I DECIDED TO TRY THIS. I love different foods, but i don't get out very much anymore. We had 2 dinner combos - veggies and fish. The fish was SO GOOD. I think I could live off of it. It was cooked in great spices and the bread soaked up all of that saucy goodness. Drool. The only concern is the price. They are only open for dinner time, so it calls for south end prices. Not HUGE, just about $20ish. If you're extremely hungry, you might drop a chunk of change here. Ultimately, we were seated, fed, and billed in about 1hr. If you have a friend to catch up with and some time, try it out! I'm going to return for sure. Groupon or not here I come!
(4)Megan E.
First of all - first time I have ever had Ethiopian. The food is SOOO SO good. Like, unbelievable. I am not vegan, but their vegetarian options are all vegan and you can taste the nutrition and quality. I went with work friends and the four of us all tried a different entree, accompanied by the vegetarian sides and I will definitely definitely be back. The environment was cozy and the prices were SO fair. I don't mean to sound like a drunk, but the wine was juice. it was house wine; try other liquor because I feel like even though the glasses were cheap, after four rounds we all stopped buying because it was just a waste of calories. Had a great meal regardless!
(4)Ken S.
I had been twice to the Cambridge location(which is now closed), this was my first experience at this one. We went on a Sunday night. We expected the place to be busier, but it was fairly busy, not too bad. The servers were very friendly to me and my date. However, it took forever for each item to come to us: our first glass of water (we were very thirsty), ordering drinks, receiving drinks, ordering our food, receiving our food, refill on our water, and finally our check. Everything from start to finish was painstakingly slow. Again, we were extremely thirsty when we arrived, so we had hoped to receive some water, but it took about 10 minutes to receive a glass of water. We had already chosen our meal and additional drinks when they poured our water, but it took another 15-20 minutes for the waitress to approach us to take our order. The food was very good, I must say. We ordered the Doro Wot and some vegetarian sides. They were all really tasty. We also had some honey wine, which added to the numerous tastes we were getting from all the food. Despite our best efforts, we could not finish all of the bread they provides underneath. Again, the service was just slow. The wait staff and others working were very friendly, it just took forever to get what we wanted. I suggest you have your entire game plan from the moment you sit down. Order before they walk away! I saw another couple do this and they were in and out fairly quickly (In after us and out before us). The same could be said about trying to get our check after we were finished eating. I am not an inexperienced diner, I can flag down a waiter/waitress like the best of them, but it took a lot of effort to get our check. Be sure to utilize your limited number of staff interactions to complement your wonderful food experience! Unless you are okay with hanging out for 1.5-2 hours, then by all means, enjoy your down time :)
(3)Ibis V.
I will start off by saying this food is excellent, reasonably priced, and an excellent option if you're looking for a departure from your typical dining experience. All orders are served in a communal table arrangement where everybody can try everyone else's orders, making for a great dining experience for a group! The honey wine is also worth trying!! Very succulent and smooth, it complemented our food so well. I will warn prospective diners that the meals served here are very carb heavy since you use Ethiopian bread to eat the entrees rather than traditional utensils. The only negative aspects of dining at addis Red Sea is that the restaurant has a tendency of getting very full and thus service suffers as a consequence. When I came here in a group of 5+ people, our order took almost 45 minutes to reach us :/ however I took a friend recently after rush hour (around 9:30pm), and we were attended to quickly without problems. We came with a groupon which was a great deal. One of the best underrated restaurants of south end!! Don't miss it!!
(4)Jessica L.
The portions are small but the food was ok. Nothing I would crave, but it was nice to try a different type of cuisine. The two star rating is not because of the food, but the service. The real problem was the service. It took us 2 hours and 15 minutes to get in and out of there. The food is served on a giant platter lined with spongy bread. The waitness brought the dishes out and poured them in front of each person. I ordered a vegetarian meal and the waitress asked if I were a vegetarian as she was serving. I said yes. She then proceeded to pour a meat dish right next to my food. The juices from the meat quickly started to spread onto the spongy bread under my food. She also poured one of my friend's food directly across from where she was sitting, not in front of her. Our group had to re arrange seating so that she could reach her meal. I will say that the gentleman that filled up the waters was excellent. I was with a party of 6 and we were never thirsty. I will not be going back.
(2)Denise D.
Came here a few months ago after watching gabe and babe tv on YouTube try out ethiopian food. Naturally it peaked my interest. I didn't care for the service nor the decor which is the main reason I'm giving them a 3. The honey wine was nothing to write home about and the food was mediocre and slightly cold. I won't be returning to this particular location, but will be on the prowl for others.
(3)Diana T.
I got a deal on groupon and high expectations based on reviews. I loved it! The place has nice decor, we had a more private seat downstairs in color weaved seats. The food was eaten with your hands. As a vegetarian, I was in heaven. My meat eating boyfriend also found it enjoyable. The only comment he had was that the portions were small (for him). For me, it was more than enough. As you can see from other's pictures, a regular plate are scoops of a variety of items (i.e. split peas, lentils, etc..)
(5)Jessica S.
Just tried this place after being spoiled by amazing Ethiopian in DC. We were pleasantly surprised by how tasty everything was. Lega tubs were good but very different than we were expecting. Baklava for dessert was very tasty.
(4)Abby R.
Doesn't get busy for dinner here until 7-9, so if you want to avoid being the kid in the corner of an empty restaurant like I did, heed my words and go get a drink after work before you come here. The Vegetarian sambusa was delicious, a great appetizer. Maybe a little bit expensive at $7, but if you're out for a nice dinner it's worth it. I got the Doro Wot and Lega Tibs and they were both a bit bland to my taste, but I think I may have just ordered the wrong things to try. The service was friendly and welcoming, no complaints there. I liked the atmosphere, it was like a warm, basket-filled cave. Nice decor, not overdone, good for dressing up a bit or going casual. I'll be back sometime, because the location is convenient for me, but I prefer Asmara for Ethiopian food.
(3)Molly S.
I love this place!!! Great food and the staff is so nice, and also very affordable for the South End.
(5)Annette A.
Are you looking for a dinner date that's more interesting than Italian in the North End? Well, have I got a place for you. The first thing you'll notice is that there are no utensils. Just when you think you're about to get utensils, the server gives you a wet cloth instead. By now you're probably sweating a little and starting to look around you for cues. A few minutes pass and your food comes down. Still no utensils. Guess you better go for it. Addis is a really unique and fun experience in a cozy environment. Not too formal, not too shabby. You'll be head-over-heels for the food if you love hot and spicy things. And if you don't, well, I'm sure they have something nice and gentle for your kind - like of warm milk.
(5)Mika S.
Very neat little restaurant tucked away on Tremont Street! I loved the atmosphere and décor of the restaurant and enjoyed experiencing the traditional Ethiopian etiquette of eating with your hands. The food was very tasty, but my only wish is that the portions were bigger.
(3)Edith B.
Addis is a fun Ethiopian restaurant in one in the South End, which is one of my favorite areas to dine in Boston. It's a great restaurant for a date or a group because you share the dishes and eat with your hands using the spongey bread. The menu has a variety of meat and vegetarian options and the food is really affordable. They also had a good selection of lower priced wines. Overall this is a great place to have a cheap, but fun night out.
(4)Ariel Z.
Was concerned when I saw the mediocre reviews. I loved this place! However, I had never tried Ethiopian cuisine before. Ordered the Dot Wot combo (very spicy shredded chicken...yum!) with 3 vegetable dishes: lentils (non-spicy one), cracked wheat (rather bland), and split pea mash. Mostly everything was very flavorful and the spice level right on key. You eat it on a fluffy pancake called injera, no utensils! They also serve some extra injera on the side. It takes some getting used to, but you eventually get the hang of it. Also, the honey wine is amazing. The Ethiopian red wine they offer was good but very dry. You get a very small amount of wine for $8 a glass :( To finish off the meal, ask for the Ethiopian tea (black tea with cinnamon and clove). Disliked the seating since it is not the best for people with back problems, though I know it's supposed to be traditional.
(4)Nicholas P.
I went here this past Saturday with a group of five. This was my second time dining here, so I was excited to come again. However, the service was pretty poor this time around. Firstly, I am turned off by any restaurant where you have to ask for water. It should be the first thing brought to the table. The food was great. We ordered a lot, and we loved it. It was the service that made this less than a great experience. In addition to having to ask for water, we asked for different drinks on more than one occasion and the servers definitely forgot us. I love the decor. I think it's fun and creates a certain mood that I enjoyed, and I understand it was a crowded Saturday night, but I thought the servers seemed lack luster. They were very friendly, but they didn't seem to really listen to us. Overall, it was just a mediocre night for me.
(3)Liana K.
If you have a groupon the price is almost reasonable. Their injera is weird, maybe it uses bleached flour instead? The portions are small and lack flavor. If you want great Ethiopian food, I highly recommend going to Habesha in Malden or Fasika in Somerville instead. You experience will be tastier as well as more authentic.
(2)Jenn Z.
Great tasting food and we always end up super stuffed. The honey wine is also worth a try. Cool setting with (what I'm assuming to be) Ethiopian dinning furniture and wall paintings. Service is usually a bit slow even when the restaurant is not too busy.
(4)Justin B.
Hands down the best Ethiopian in the northeast! I have had Ethiopian in Montreal, NYC, Washington, Providence, and Boston, and no one beats Addis Red Sea! The servers are the kindest and attentive people and will explain anything to newcomers. I love their Injera, which is like a sourdough French Crepe that you use to pick up your food. I have some favorites that I order every time I visit and I hope you you try them too; Apps: Sambusa and Timatim Salad Mains: Gored Gored and Yesmir Wot Everything is Fresh and made from the best ingredients. The Gored Gored is hands down my favorite dish. It's Cubed beef simmered in a blend of berbere and onions, ginger roots and a warm herbal butter. I just drooled on my keyboard writing this! The beef is tender and bursting with flavor. There are two floors and the place is very busy on the weekends. The decor has been the same for years, but thats not a bad thing. Its full of african art and traditional seats and tables. And to finish the meal the Ethiopian coffee is to die for. It is so smooth that is should be tasted as is, no sugar or milk! I hope you get a chance to enjoy Addis as much as I have for the last 12 years.
(5)Arielle N.
The decor is great, but they're out of a lot of the Ethiopian stuff on the menu, the food's no better than Lucy or Asmara or Blue Nile, and there's some shady stuff going on. Though they don't say they're cash only, they basically demand cash from you. When we tried to be nice and pay half with cash and half with credit (because that was all the cash we had on us), they just took the cash as a 50% tip and still rang up the whole bill on our credit card.
(2)Dawn A.
We went to this restaurant on a Groupon deal. I probably would never have tried Ethiopian food, were it not for the Groupon. I opted for the dinner for four. We got to pick four dishes off the menu. We got two chicken dishes, a beef dish (Gored Gored) and a veggie dish. All of the dishes were served on top of a large piece of the flat bread. There were extra pieces of bread for us to share. We unanimously loved the spicy beef dish. It was spicy, but not too hot. The Doro Ulcha chicken dish was the unanimous favorite chicken dish. We finished with the mixed veggies which were carrots, potatoes and cabbage. I found the entree sizes to be small. I suggest if you go here, that you definitely get an appetizer or salad first if you plan on only one entree per person. I have a small appetite and was full enough, but my friends could have eaten more for sure. We were on a tight schedule so we couldn't linger and order more. Our service was excellent, particularly when we told our server that we had tickets to a movie later. She brought our food very quickly to us. We went on a Saturday night and had about a 20 minute wait at 8PM. It was a fun way to dine with friends, we will probably go back some time, with the knowledge that we will need to order a bit more food next time, which definitely would throw this place out of the cheap eats category.
(3)Madhura S.
They were ok. I just wish an Ethiopian place has Ethiopian beer in stock at all times :D Nonetheless. They are ok.
(3)Marsha W.
First time here. Fun, mmmm, oooh, ahhh! Beautiful atmosphere, hot like the country the food comes from (not sure they have A/C) come for the experience once, but don't bother coming back unless you truly love Ethopian food. The food is a miss mash of vegetables, herbs, and meat. Meat is used sparingly, and ineffectively for the price they charge. It is the South End, I get it. The quality should match the price though. Vegetables are cheap, and so are the herbs, so it is important the meat should too. We had a few times cartilage in our meat, stuff that falls off a drumstick versus breast meat. Love the bread though, never had any of its kind similar so I cannot compare the quality. I love the airy, crepe feel to it and it does add a very necessary touch to the food as you do not have any utensils. Street parking. Come early or expect a wait with a hard time finding parking. Service is nice enough, but again...come at the wrong time and you will be sitting there for hours, really.
(3)Jenny S.
a REAL ethiopian experience!! and i don't just mean the food but also the table, chairs, decor & waitresses/waiters!! WARNING: if you aren't comfortable EATING W/ YOUR HANDS.. this may not be the restaurant for you! but don't worry they start you off with hand towelettes! APPETIZERS ----sambusas w/ ground beef: i liked the crispy texture but the meat was bland ----Ayib Begomen: cottage cheese mix eaten w/ injera, not bad MAIN COURSE (got the combinations since they come w/ 3 vegetarian dishes) ----doro wot combination: the chicken was flavorful!! ----kitfo: i liked the spiciness of the steak tartar ----the vegetarian dishes: together we tried six of them, which were all pretty bland except the Yesmsir Alcha (lentils) ODDLY their injera (bread used to scoop up your food) is not sour like at other ethiopian restaurants! i've had better vegetarian ethiopian, but if you're more concerned about the meat then Addis would be a good choice!
(3)Astra G.
So I've returned to Addis Red Sea after not having been in over a year (I sadly lived far away). This time the place was hard for us to find as you need to walk down stairs from street level and the sign/entrance was obscured by some healthy growing plants. We sat on the 1st floor this time which has equally nice traditional seating as the basement, but seems brighter. We had an awesome groupon deal that included two apps and two entrees and so we ordered some veggie sambusas, spiced cottage cheese, lega tibs and doro wat. It came with a complimentary small amount of shiro wat on the side which I always appreciate. To my surprise I noticed that the injera this time around was white. Confused, I quickly looked at my handy Yelp app and noticed that others were perplexed about the same strange white injera. It tastes fine and all (another yelper mentioned it being an Ethiopian version of white wonder bread... I agree) but being that I'm trying to stay away from refined white carbs and wanted some authentic Ethiopian injera I wasn't really digging it. Still intrigued by the switch to white injera, I caught one of the waitstaff (all of whom were really attentive by the way, they constantly refilled our waters on a super hot day) and asked about it. I spoke to a somewhat older lady that doesn't speak fluent English so she couldn't answer my question about the injera switch but after she heard me say "brown injera" she quickly returned with some! It seems that they continue to make the traditional injera but if you want it it needs to be requested. So yes, they are now automatically giving people white injera in place of traditional injera. If you are new to Ethiopian food or don't like sourdough bread, you may want to try both the white injera and traditional injera. Besides the white injera though, the food was really good. The cottage cheese appetizer was savory and creamy and made me think of cottage cheese in a completely new way. I'm totally going to go buy some cottage cheese and throw some paprika and cayenne on it at home. Our wats were flavorful with both spice and heat and we were given really juicy chunks of lamb in our lega tibs. Though the white injera initially made me not like this place as much anymore, it was quickly remedied by the awesome food and really good service. Just remember to ask for brown injera!
(4)Nicole B.
First of all, one of the major perks of coming here is that you get to feel very worldly and adventurous. Where I'm from, I don't think it's a commonly known fact that Ethiopia has a very distinct cuisine, much less a chance to try the food. The restaurant itself feels like you're stepping into someone's living room. You sit on small chairs at a table that is more like a coffee table, low and round. There are no utensils; you eat with your hands. I tried the spiced ground beef sambusa which was delicious. Additionally, I got to sample a little bit of everything with the combo platter for two. Sadly I do not know all the names, but the chicken dish was the best, with a fresh tomato salad type dish also making the cut. Everything was served on and with a spongy, pancake-like bread which soaks up the flavors and acts as a vehicle to eat your food. Service was great, with constant water refills and attentive staff.
(4)Kelsey M.
Waited over 20 minutes for water and waitress after seated. The art and environment are great but the seating is uncomfortable. Food was good but the portions are VERY small for the price. The waitress didn't take any time to explain the dishes, so we went with a combo plate and some bland appetizer. I'm sure there are better Ethiopian eateries in Boston.
(2)Rachel M.
I've never had Ethiopian food before so I have nothing to compare Addis to but I've eaten at a TON of restaurants and this was by far one of the more fun and unique dining experiences that I've had. You sit on stools and eat using this crepe-like bread that the dishes are served with. Food was yummy, place was lively and waitstaff were pleasant. This would be an awesome place for a first date.
(4)Joe T.
Fancy, exciting Ethiopian restaurant! I was sad that the Porter Square location closed, so I'm glad this one exists. The vegetarian lentil sambusas and the vegetarian platter were both delicious. I like that we get to use mesobs as tables. The waitress was very nice. Cool, interesting decorations and interesting objects in the glass case. Expensive for an Ethiopian restaurant, but worth it considering there are few Ethiopian restaurants in Boston!
(4)Rosy G.
I had dinner at this place. I like the food. It is delicious but it is very expensive and quantity is so less. Guys when you charge more than usual meal amount what's the problem in serving the right quantity. How can you send your customers home hungry? For a vegetarian combo of $17, you literally serve 2 table spoons of each dish or even less. I and 4 other people with me felt that the entire focus of the restaurant is to serve less food. We ordered lamb, beef, and chicken entrees. Chicken and lamb curries were less than 1 cup each. Only beef was in right quantity in comparison to others. So if you are looking to snack in an eithiopian restaurant, it is a best place. Or order two entrees for one person and that would be $28 without taxes. Bottom line please consider serving the right quantity to your customers.
(2)Brodie B.
Platters for 2 people for $20-30. Bottles of wine for $28. Very delicious. Helpful staff. Very authentic seating and tables
(5)g.o. d.
Cute if odd venue in a basement apartment. Service was just ok. Food was bland and nothing special, and combo options were kind of inconvenient so that none of them really worked for our party's tastes.. Not a great value for the price. I'm sure there's better Ethiopian to be had in Boston.
(2)Jessica Y.
By the time we arrived in Boston it was close to 9pm and we stumbled upon this establishment which was still surprisingly packed. The three of us shared a 2 person combo + a lamb dish. Most were very flavorful and some were spicy. The decor and eating style seems quite ethnic and it was fun to experience. The food is served toether on a wooden small table with chairs around it. Meats/vegetables are eaten without utensils but rather with their pancake (injera). It was disappointing they ran out of Ethopian beer. Service is slow but if you have time this is a relaxing place to come with a couple of friends.
(4)BigFat D.
Went here with SB and the in law sibs the other night. While I enjoyed the food, I will say that the experience left much to be desired. To keep it short: they were out of several food and drink items (seriously, how do you run out of coca cola?), the food took forever to come out (45 min +), and the seating is uncomfortable. Also, it just appears run down. On the good side, the food was delicious and the vegan in laws were oh so happy to find an interesting place to go out for diet appropriate food. We ate several of the vegetarian dishes and all were very tasty. Prices are good, but portion sizes are relatively small. Overall, I'd return, but not before trying a few of the other Ethiopian restaurants in the area. Somehow I don't think any of them will compare to some places in DC that we went to.
(3)Laura A.
Ethiopian home cooking, right around the block! Some friends gave my husband and I a Groupon for Addis Red Sea as a "welcome to Boston" present. It was absolutely delightful! I highly recommend the outstanding yebeg wot (lamb stew with cardamom and ginger) and the vegetarian combination plate. We also ordered the lentils (excellent) although I can't remember which lentil dish because we ordered one kind and the waitress kindly told us that the other one was better (she was right!). This is an excellent place to go if you are looking for a unique experience that will satisfy both carnivores and vegetarians. As mentioned by others, this is not fast food. You are served an authentic slow-cooked meal so this is not the place to eat if you're in a rush.
(4)Jon E.
Great homemade food. Warm service. And. Real bargain.
(4)Vittney V.
I love this place. I've always left there as a happy camper. They frequently have groupons too. I always get the kitfo (steak tartar) and its always amazing. I've also had their Atakilt (mixed vegetables) and Kinche (cracked wheat) which are good but I wasn't over the moon about them compared to the kitfo. My boyfriend always orders and raves about the Lega Tibs (lamb). If you get an appetizer I highly recommend Ayib Begomen. It's a cottage cheese dish that is delicious.
(5)Pia J.
This was our second foray into Ethiopian cuisine. We love the food, every single dish was delightfully flavorful and titivated our taste buds. I highly recommend the Ethiopian Tea & coffee.
(4)Julie N.
I (like many others) had my first Ethiopian food experience at Addis Red Sea. I had no idea what to expect other than for my hands to get messy. I loved the decor and the staff were all extremely friendly and attentive. We went straight for the Beef Sambusa and ordered a combination plate of things I'm still not sure of what they were. Samusa: earthy, touch of spice, wonderful. Combo plate: let's just say we pretty much licked the plate clean. I still couldn't tell you what we actually ate though. Oh, and the Tusker beer than they serve was delicious. For a different, fun, and delicious dining experience, I'd highly recommend Addis.
(4)Vanessa P.
I went there after purchasing a Groupon, and was disappointed. I still have yet to find good Ethiopian food in Boston :( My boyfriend and I split the veggie combo for dinner, which was incredibly bland. (And I usually LIKE bland food...) The most flavorful dish was the default tomato salad that comes with the combo, second best the collared greens. The lentils tasted like mush, and the cabbage basically tasted like it had been boiled with some added oil. I agree with other reviewers that their injera is strange. It is missing the tanginess that I'm used to; it basically has no flavor. Don't get me wrong, I still loved its spongy texture, but it didn't add anything to the meal - just furthered the blandness. Finally, I thought the service was somewhat lacking. It was a Friday, and they were super busy, so I will cut them some slack. However, even after giving our orders and sitting ~10 mins, we had to ask for waters. Plus, when we inquired about how the payment worked with the groupon, the waittress and the hostess became oddly defensive about how we must pay tax & tip - which we were definitely planning on doing already! Perhaps they were overwhelmed by how busy the restaurant was. All in all, I will not be going back. Maybe if I hadn't had super delicious Ethiopian food in the Bay Area, CA and Baltimore I'd think this place was good. But alas, my quest for good Ethiopian food in Boston continues.
(2)Margaret G.
This place has a lot of things that you don't find in Boston restaurants, particularly in the South End - a variety of vegan and meat options; friendly and unhurried service; and reasonable prices. We ordered the vegetable sambusa, vegetarian combo and drinks. Everything was delicious and the whole dining experience was unique and interactive. Definitely look forward to returning there soon. Be aware that the prices on their web site are out of date however with tip our check was under $60, which was more than fair for a lovely meal
(4)Georgina C.
I went to Addis Red Sea quite some time ago on a first date. Walking into the authentically decorated dining room, we were greeted warmly. Our waitress patiently explained Ethiopian tradition and how their fare is eaten (the savory meats and vegetable that has almost a stew-like consistency is scooped up with a thin, sponge-like bread). We ordered a wide array of chicken, beef, lamb and vegetarian delicacies. The Doro Wot sent my taste buds into sensory overload with hints of lemon, ginger and nutmeg. The dishes were so flavorful and healthy, especially the lentil laden Doro Tibs! The Goden Tibs Lamb with sauteed onions, green peppers and rosemary was like the African version of comfort food and my Southern roots were delighted with the Gomen Wot chock full of collard greens prepared in an herbed garlic oil. Amazing experience, wonderful service and the food was exceptional. I tell EVERYONE about this place and will most definitely be back.
(5)Steve Y.
*** ask for the sour injera!!! *** If you don't ask, you'll get the unsour/yellowish injera. It's like Wonderbread injera, rather than the sour injera. My cousin had Ethiopian for the first time and she immediately liked it. We were the first to get there at opening time: 5pm. But we were seated in the very back corner table. I guess they learned from the airlines to load from the rear forward? We ordered the veggie combo and Doro Wot. It was good, just smaller portions than what I'm used to. Doro Wot portions were way smaller than I was expecting for a stand alone dish. It was like a combo size. But the meat was pulled from the bones unlike other places where they just put the whole drum stick on there. The waitress comes by with a platter of desserts that look amazing. So we ordered the chocolate cake $7. It was dry and tasted like the fridge it was stored in. Gross. It actually left a bad taste in our mouth at the end of our meal. Yuck. Ethiopian is one of the foods I crave. This place was simply okay. It wasn't great, but not bad either. It's not near any T stops, but walking in the beautiful South End neighborhood wasn't bad at all.
(3)Andrew M.
Solid food, reasonably priced, and good ambiance. They give you more than enough injera and every dish I've had there has been quite tasty. Tons of cool artwork on the walls and traditional Ethiopian style seating and serving. If you haven't had Ethiopian food before, just know that it's not for everyone. Read through the reviews a little more and you should have a better idea. Seems that for most people it's either a love or hate kinda thing. But for me, I love it and I definitely plan on continuing to come back. Just an FYI, it can be a little difficult to spot if you're not paying attention. Its entrance is below street level. Just look for the sign with an Ethiopian flag in the background.
(4)Jeff G.
I've had Ethiopian before and usually love the bold flavors and moist meat. The experience here was pretty lackluster. The appetizer was a dry and floppy mini hamburger poorly spiced. The entrees weren't impressive either, the lamb was super greasy and the chicken was very dry. Overall experience was ok but besides the artwork, I wasnt really transported to Ethiopia. If you want good African, check out Teranga in South End or Baraka Cafe in Central Square.
(2)David D.
4 stars for the food. Everything was very good, service was good, not great. Minus 1 star however for: When I tried to pay using my CC, I was told the CC machine was down, no big deal, but I did not have enough cash on me since I was not told the CC machine was down so I told them I'd go to the ATM after my glass of wine. I stroll over to the ATM, located diagonally from the business across the street, only to notice an employee of the restaurant came out and followed me halfway there to make sure I was going to the ATM. I could understand their paranoia if I told them I had no other way to pay, but they could not accept my payment and made the situation where I had to go to the ATM. Being watched as if I am going to run off without paying just leaves a bad taste in my mouth after a good meal when it was no fault of my own I had to pay cash and miss out on my 2x CC points. If you can't accept CC's tell me in advance and I'll make a decision whether I want to eat at your establishment. If you tell me after the fact don't watch me accusingly as if I didn't already try to pay you.
(3)Heather G.
After spending a not-immaterial chunk of time with traditional Ethiopian family-cooked food, and learning to make it at home (surprisingly very easy), I can honestly say that, while this place isn't completely authentic-tasting (home-made version is still far superior), it comes closer than most types of food in accuracy. Though the home-cooked version is better, it's also more: 1. labor intensive 2. expensive (at first, for the initial cash outlay because you must invest in all the weird spices) 3. time consuming THEREFORE, i put Ethiopian food in the same category as I do french fries: they're so cheap and easy to have/buy outside of the home, why would you undertake the time and the mess to make it at home? SO, my friends, while Addis Red Sea doesn't stack up to the home-cooked version, it's basically ridiculous to do this sort of meal at home unless you: 1. hate your life 2. value your time at approximately zero intrinsic value 3. love the idea that you walls and curtains will smell like onions, cabbage, and doro wot Some things to note about Addis: 1. don't come here with strangers/acquaintances/professional contacts, as you will be eating with your hands. 2. yes, you will be eating with your hands, so please please remember personal hygiene! 3. The staff here, while friendly, doesn't give a fukk about time, queue, waiting, and whatnot. Be prepared to walk into a disheveled mess of a waiting area with no clear list of who's up at bat, what the wait time will really be like (despite what they tell you), or how long it will take to get through your meal. They move on island time here, and this can translate into a multi-hour event. 4. the injera is the plate - you can eat the plate! As for food, you really can't go wrong. I like the combination plate (for two), which allows you to pick a few veg options along with a meat dish. This way, you get to sample many choices rather than commit to just a couple. Plus, for two people, it's a great value and a ton of food. Chicken and lamb dishes are both stellar, anything with lentils or sauteed cabbage and onions is sure to be a big hit. If I can leave you with just one thing, it would be this: WASH YOUR HANDS!
(4)Stacey D.
The problem with Ethiopian food is it never surprises. Injera bread, some veggies, and a meat dish or two. My sense is if you had Ethiopian food (at least in Boston) at one place, you've had it everywhere. Having said this however, every once in while I do want to eat my food with my hands, scoop up some mixed vegetables, and have something thats like Indian food, but more mellow and not nearly as spicy. But the problem with Addis is that it is sooo very slow. While the host did a really good job of getting people seated, the servers take their time, our water one of my guests stated, was "hard fought for" and it didn't seem worth the energy to ask for refills. The food itself is plain, the portions small. We started with some Sambusa - which is kinda like a cross between an empanada and a dumpling. It was dry, and flavorless, we kept wondering about a dipping sauce. Next we had the dibulbul tips - which is ground beef mixed with spices and herbs. - You know that last piece of hamburger meat on the grill that no one wants to eat? It tasted like that. The rest of the meal reflected the same theme. Boiled vegetables with little to no spice, fried fish that was dry and flavorless. And for the prices the portions were awfully small. The fish, for example, was a full entree price, and my dining partner had to order an extra combo plate even after having an appetizer. Maybe, it was just bad Friday night, maybe they ran out of spices.
(2)Tulan K.
Great great food . Comes with a lot of different varieties . We almost had every veggie varieties and everything was good except for the collard greens. Service was OK considering complains bout it . Chicken was awesome . most of veggies we ordered includes two lentils dish, one streamed veggies dish,collard greens,one chickpea hummus style paste and cracked wheat and also a slipt pea smothered in spicy sauce. The chicken dish was great it was chicken in a nice red pepper sauce and it was awesome. It is eaten with african bread called ingrem which is very soft texture and it more of steamed type bread. it is rolled like lasagna rolls and then given to you to eat with your food. The ethnic ethopian been that my friends ordered was also good and almost all the table had the same beer even though there were other choices. It is a food place where people are usually sit together and then given this big plate of everything they ordered and eaten with hands. it is a truly place where food sharing is literally taken into context. Service was slow but not as bad but could be better def.... def coming back........
(4)Pierre B.
Excellent service and delicious food. The server made one mistake in our order and corrected it immediately by bringing an additional dish. The atmosphere is very intimate and warm.
(5)Gerardo F.
I know at least five people that have been there before, and all of them keep telling le that it's worth it. I don 't mind trying out new types of foods, and I don't think I've had much Ethiopian food in my life. So I joined one my friends the other day to see why many in my circle of friends. Frankly, this place is decent, but not much more. The decoration is all over the place: statues, paintings, sculptures.... I was a bit overwhelmed by the aesthetics of the restaurant. The food was pretty good (my friend and I got a combo meal), but not the most memorable or impressive I ate. The one thing that kind of shocked me was the service. Talk about slow and impersonal. The waiters took forever to take our orders and even longer to serve us and check if everything was ok. Also, the front desk people did not seem very welcoming. Basically, Addis Red Sea did not make much of an impression on me.
(3)Jenn H.
The customer service was terrible. Servers are friendly to offer you a seat, but as soon as they take your order, they don't care to check up on you at all. I had to ask several servers, several times, for a dessert menu, for a refill of my water, and for the check. With their recent Groupon promotion, I'm sure they got busy with more customers than they are used to, but they need to train their waiters and waitresses so they know how to handle serving a lot of tables. Or just hire more servers! They have to do something about the customer service. Other than that, the prices aren't bad for the amount of food offered. Pretty big portions and I left full. The food itself is typical Ethiopian cuisine and was just so-so. The sambusa was okay, but I've had better. The injera (bread served with most entrees) at Addis Red Sea was too soppy. I've had better. Maybe it was an off day for them, because apparently other people do like their food. The fish entree I had was good and the sauce was paired well with the type of fish.
(2)Tiffany T.
Let me start off by saying I rely on my fellow Yelpers pretty often. This restaurant had such mix reviews, but I took the risk with a Groupon. The verdict? Food was ok, I wouldn't come back. It's pretty expensive without a Groupon for portion size. Apps were tasteless. $8 for two small pieces of sambusa and dibulbul is crazy. Meal was better but portion for $14-15 meal is ridiculous. Prices on website lower than in restaurant. Dora Wot $11.95 online, $13.95 actual. For my gluten free people, they offer GF injera ($5 more), which is the traditional way to make injera; it's brown. They don't advertise it. Call in advance to make sure they have it. Service was lacking and super slow. Long wait to order, receive food and pay. Maybe I'll give Blue Nile in JP a try.
(2)Jonique S.
Eat with your hands! I love it. Don't come here with the intent of being dainty or graceful. This place is for people who love flavor and who are unafraid to get down and dirty with food! Everything was great: food, service, price ($30+/- for two ppl), etc... I was not a fan of the artwork that stared at me the entire night however... I prefer the subjects in my artwork to be clothed thank you very much. I wasn't too stoked about being gawked at by this painting's tatas as I was trying to eat my food...
(4)Steve F.
I have been a fan of Ethiopian food since I lived in DC (there is a "Little Ethiopia" there) so I was excited when I moved to Boston and saw that this place existed. I first took my gf here two V-Days ago, and we continue to go here often. The restaurant is set up in the traditional Ethiopian style...family style setting, with a basket in the middle for food and chairs/stools set-up around the table. All the food is served in the middle in the basket, and everyone has to eat with there hands...there is no utensils. You pick up the food with a type of bread called Injera, which is thin and spongey. You will not leave here hungry! I usually get the Doro Wat (spicy chicken) combination platter, which comes with three choices of vegetable sides. The sambusa appetizer is also great, and their lambs dishes are delicious. The only problems I have with this place (which keeps it from getting a 5) is that the service is a bit slow, and they tend to be out of the traditional ethiopian wines (such at the Axom honey wine) seemingly all the time. If I go to an ethnic restaurant, I want to try both the food and the drink, so this is a little disappointing. However, it does have a pretty good wine list, so we've never had a problem finding an adequate replacement. If you're in the mood for something different and a true ethnic food experience, you cannot go wrong with Addis Red Sea.
(4)Shannon S.
The man-friend took me here for my birthday dinner and despite it being packed (a lot of grouponers cashing in almost expiring deals) we only waited about 15 minutes for a table. I didn't realize until we were led downstairs that the place had 2 levels of seating. Though it was only my 2nd time having Ethiopian food, and the first time was takeout, I was tremendously pleased. The food was delicious, I ate my weight in that bread they give you to eat your dish and I left with a super full belly and a happy birthday girl.
(4)Leanne C.
The atmosphere with regards to authenticity gets a thumb up in my book. But at the end of the meal I kept thinking "eh, I've had much better". If you're a handsy couple who think you're edgy and adventurous by trying ethnic food places out you'd fit right in here (based on the patrons I saw outside of our Yelp group). The service was pretty good but the food pacing was a bit slow. The drink orders were provided right off the bat- I ordered the Ethiopian red sweet wine; it tasted like a sugary table wine that lacked any sort of aroma. As for food, we didn't get the opportunity to put in our order in until 30-40 minutes had passed. When we did receive our food, most of the items were between lukewarm and cold. The spice was nonexistent for almost everything I had and their injera was a bit different than I was used to (it had a very thin, crispy, pancake-y edge and was much lighter in color). As for what I had: you name a Vegetarian option, I probably had it (except the two with butter in the description). Really, everything (aside from the company) fell up short for me. If you have expectations about Ethiopian food, I wouldn't recommend here.
(2)Julio S.
The honey wine here is to kill for. Had some type of lentil dish...super good. Service was a bit on the slow side but I believe this may be a cultural thing? It seems to me like Ethiopian restaurants I go to always have great, yet slow service. Regardless, loved it. 1 star down for the service speed but not the quality.
(4)Ross G.
Went to Addis because we had a Groupon and we love to try different types of food. This food is AUTHENTIC. You sit at traditional African tables, and are served family style. Most dishes are small, so order one for each person with some appetizers. Food tasted somewhat bland to me and my group. The bread you eat with became spongy very quickly, and very messy. I am happy I tried it, but I do not think we will be returning.
(3)E H.
This was probably the worst Ethiopian food I have ever had. We ordered the vegetable platter and picked 4 options from the vegetarian dishes. The food was cold or lukewarm when it arrived and all of the flavors were very bland. The only good dish was one of the more spicy lentils which was also very mild but at least slightly warm. When I went to the bathroom downstairs near the kitchen I noticed they weren't cooking anything and the pots were all washed and stacked up and there were still people eating and ordering upstairs. Makes me think they cook many of the dished ahead of time. The only thing going for this place was the decor and ambiance. The tables and stools make it a fun experience for family style eating.
(2)Danielle W.
If you've never had ethiopian food before, this, by far, should be the place you should go to try it. Excellent service and the waitresses are all really nice to the new-comers. The food is all hands on, the setting is quiet and dim, and it's really something quite interesting. Also, the food is delicious and they have many vegitarian dishes as well as really great meat and poultry dishes. Decently priced. Don't be fooled by the outside appearance, seating is on two floors and not packed like other "in the wall" restaurants.
(4)Joanna H.
Need a breather from the fast-paced world we live in? Addis Red Sea is the place to go. This place is one word: CHILL. The lighting is dim, the space cozy and intimate. Not the most comfortable seating (I seriously almost tipped over on the stool once but just sit tight and you'll be fine.) FOOD IS DELICIOUS. Never had Ethiopian food before but we ordered two combos: Doro Wot Lite (chicken) and the Kitfo (steak tartar). Each came with three vegeterian sides. Tried 6/8 of the vegetarian dishes and all were yummy, so I would say you can't really go wrong with whichever you choose. I did really enjoy the Butecha (chickpea paste) and the Yekik Alicha (Split peas) though. Portions didn't seem that much but with the plate of Injera that comes with it, you'll find yourself surprisingly full. Service is good, but a bit slow. Very amiable place overall.
(4)Nancy T.
we went with a groupon and still felt we overpaid. it was very cold inside the restaurant and the food came out freezing cold, particularly the bread. then they asked for an extra 2$ because we used the groupon. all in all we felt ripped off. two stars because it's tasty,but it's worth about 1/3 of what we spent.
(2)Sara C.
Very cozy and authentic Ethiopian dining experience. Friendly waitstaff, although the service is consistently slower than what I would consider the norm. Kitfo, served rare, is my obsession here (and is consumed monthly) with the spongy delicious injera bread and spicy lentils. All of the food here is excellent. Try a sambusa pastry and the cottage cheese appetizer. The honey wine is delicious, but they've been out of it on several occasions. This restaurant is family run, and they stayed open even through hurricane Sandy - pretty sure I was their sole patron that Sunday. Also a solid venue for vegetarians. Seating is very movable so Addis is also conducive for groups, groups which contain no OCD germaphobes as utensils are obsolete and your food overlaps that of your dining mates so prepare to share.
(4)DevilEyeDog D.
It's Ethiopian. So...don't write a review unless you are prepared to eat ETHIOPIAN FOOD. It's authentic, great service, fun ambience and good prices. It's UNIQUE and DIFFERENT FOOD. So, if you are a Big Mac fan and the thought of eating rice, beans, chicken that may be messy with your HANDS (no utensils) doesn't cut it for you then don't go. It will be different. It may be spicy, so ask if you don't like spice. It will be messy. It's not a sexy first date place. Be prepared for them to cook your food JUST FOR YOU (they don't have it stored in containers out back to just microwave). You will wait 30-40 minutes. It will leave you talking. Try it if you want something different, but please don't give this place a bad review becase you were not handed a fork or spoon OR because they didn't have french fries on the menu. No...they don't have pita bread. No...they don't offer french bread. They offer ETHIOPIAN BREAD because you are in an ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT.
(5)Michelle T.
After I was traumatized in college by Ethiopian food - my room mates and I ended up throwing the sour-dough like pancakes and catching them on our faces (real mature, I know) - I was real hesitant to try Ethiopian again. In my mind, the concept of Ethiopian food is really similar to Indian. Dense carb "wraps" for you to dip into strong-flavored (many curry-like) "entrees". Except...not as refined. The meal is heavy on fat and carbs, low on vegetables, which probably explains why most of us left feeling like gas was gonna explode out of every one of our holes and crevices. DON'T BRING YOUR DATE HERE IF YOU'RE A "FARTER". Overall, the flavors were great. We were happy with our 3 dishes, which was recommended by our server. 3 Entrees between 4 people (3 females, 1 male) was just enough. It came out to be $14 per person. I would recommend the: 1) Doro Wot (Chicken) - $11.95 - Super spicy but juicy and tender 2) Yasa Wot (fish) - $10.95 - More sauce than fish, but still delicious. Tastes like Buttery buttery fish. + and some of the lamb dishes. The portions actually look really small but since they were so heavy, it was filly. Each entree comes in a small, fist-sized bowl) and is poured onto the doughy wraps, which gets super soggy toward the end. You can request extra "bread". Our party of 20+ people left with full (gassy) bellies and happy mouths. Service here is wonderful - so friendly, efficient water filling, and great for large parties. On a Wednesday night, there was no wait for all 20+ of us. However, we had to wait a REALLY long time (an hour) after placing our order until the food came. Why 3 stars? Its a matter of personal preference. I'd rather go Indian, pay a little less, eat a little more food that's a TAD on the lighter side.
(3)Julia M.
We love this place because it is such a unique experience. It's a shame that it isn't busier when we are there but it provides for a very intimate setting. Try the Ethiopian wine!
(4)Matthew P.
I have been meaning to try Ethiopian food for the longest time. This was my first time trying it and I'm SO happy it was at Addis Red. First off, it's located in the basement and looks very unimposing. You have to know where it is because it won't really catch your eye. When we arrived my date and I were greeted with beautiful smiles and happy hosts and waitresses. We were immediately seated in the back corner where the ambience was completely from another country. I was in love. We were seated closely with another table. It's very cramped in but it's nothing too obnoxious. The seats have no backs and it's essentially sitting on an upside down bucket with a nice cushion. Granted, it's must more pretty with a brown wicker material. Our table was named "Mesops". We ordered the Addis Red Sea Special Combo for two and it was out of this world. We were handed a wet hand towel that is scented with Eucalyptus right before you are served because there are no utensils. Instead, there is this delicious spongy bread that you pick up the food with. The food was just outstanding. All the flavors worked so incredibly well. The spices are very unique. It slightly reminds me of Indian cuisine but it's definitely in a realm of itself. I also want to highly recommend the Meta beer. It's a local Ethiopian brew and it was a smooth sweet taste to it. Very refreshing and it complements the food nicely. The service was spot on. The waitress we had was incredibly friendly and very attentive. Our water glasses were always filled and anything needed was promptly given. I can't wait to come back!
(5)Zac D.
Went in around 8:30pm on a Thursday night. Relatively busy, maybe had to wait 5-10 minutes to get a table. We were taken downstairs to a beautiful bar area, where there was only 2 other tables out of 10 or so that were currently being sat at, while the upstairs was pretty filled up. After 10-15 minutes of sitting and looking at the menu, our waitress comes over for our order. Since I've had ample time to review the menu, I place the order as well as ordering some water. We received our food from one of the runners and the quality was OK. The bread was great, but the entree lacked the flavor that I am usuallaccustomed to when dining at Ethiopian places. The waitress did not visit our table until it was time to pay the bill, did not bring us water, and did not ask us how the food was. I wanted to pay my part of the bill in cash, and asked the waitress to change a $20 bill. She did not return $20 and attempted to short change me. After confronting her about this, she fumbled with her words for a mintue or 2 and simple said "I don't have the change". After I made it clear that if I ask for change, I expect to receive the same amount of money back, she went to "find" the rest of my change. Overall the experience here was extremely poor and the food was mediocre at best. I would not reccomend anyone visit this establishment.
(1)Stephen R.
Yikes. Used to love this place. Took my colleagues there for a special dinner, and I walked away embarrassed. Service was terrible; we were virtually ignored in an empty restaurant. Food took forever to arrive and then was served COLD. They forgot the additional beer order. Man, it's a long way from where they used to be.
(1)Hunter T.
If you've never had Ethiopian food, dine here and you will wonder why you waited so long. The best way I can decribe the food is a cross between middle eastern and Indian, but really it's nothing like either and is fantastic for a date night. The food is excellent (the combo platter is a good balanced way to try several items such as their amazing Doro Wat) with a good selection of wines (try the Tej honey wine, similar to mead) and there are some good beer choices including a few craft beers (they actually had some bottled Ommegang Hennepin) The facility has great ambiance, excellent service, and makes for an interesting and memorable experience. I used to go to Addis Red Sea in college and find myself still coming back years later. Definitely a restaurant everyone should try at least once.
(5)Mallory S.
I enjoyed this place even more the second time around. The Addis Combo Special for 2 people is a great way to try a lot of different things and it's plenty of food as the bread starts to fill you up! Prices are awesome for this part of Boston. Dinner for two was $26 + drinks, tax/tip. They sometimes have a Groupon deal too. Keep your eyes peeled!
(4)Nadia B.
Nice ambiance!! It will be a wonderful cultural experience, so go if you're in the mood for an interesting festive evening, full of great ambiance. Food: If you're a vegetarian, although there are a number of options, don't expect a culinary WOW factor. I wish it had a little bit more of the basic salt and pepper in some of the items.. It's good food with not MUCH pow flavoring if some people are worried with whether their flavors would be overbearing... it was a tad underbearing. I ordered a tilapia in a spicy sauce.. not fishy.... but the spicy sauce wasn't MY cup of tea. Three of my friends with me DID like it though. Their hot sauce is really a chipotle sauce without the zing or spice to it. My favorite was the lentils--- so order a lentil dish if you're there. We also ordered collard greens, cabbage and mixed vegetables (which is exactly just that, no sauce, it seemed to be steamed and had some salt). It really just might be the way ethiopians eat, and when in Rome.... you get it. I'll just add salt and/or lemons for acidity for my personal liking, and that is never a big deal for me. We had a groupon but the portions were VERY tiny.... basically, if there was more, in front of us, we had room to eat it . I know one of my friends was full, but I didn't feel like the appetizers and entrees were the same size between the menu items and the groupon sizes. It sounds more like the "tasting menu" some other reviewers discussed, but I feel lilke they could have mentioned portions would be tiny and we would have went OUTSIDE our groupon deal to order some additional things. It's very basic, decent cuisine. It's clean, the "bread" they give is NOT too heavy, but the opposite... airy and light but filling as well. Service: our waitress was VERY nice and helpful, but it was getting slow. I believe they waited for the second waitress to come in and she looked more available. For a friday night, eight tables, one waitress and another was late made it very difficult. However, ALL our questions were answered and waters by the staff was provided. Our waitress was definitely patient with all our questions, and smiled the entire way through. Final words: Go for ambiance and for a light supper. We WERE hungry after a bit, but we had a wonderful time sharing out of the "mesob"
(3)Isabella C.
I love trying different places and this is def an experience worth trying. You will be eating with your hands and things get kinda messy so it may not be a great first date idea. In terms of the food, I personally didn't think it was that great. It reminded me a little of Indian food but just not as good. Their bread is kinda spongy and couldn't really eat more than half a piece bc it started to taste weird. Anyways, not somewhere I'd like to go again but I would def Rec'd trying once if ur a foodie just bc it's interesting.
(3)Ashley A.
I had never tried Ethiopian cuisine before going to Addis Red Sea. I was really impressed. It was definitely interesting to get used to the concept of eating with your hands, but it was a lot of fun! The food was great, and the service was excellent!
(4)Laura B.
Went here for a date night, and was intrigued by the dark, mysterious basement-entry of this restaurant. We had a good time and left full, but both agreed it was fun for more of the experience than the actual food. I ordered the Doro Wot combo, with the chicken being by far the most flavorful aspect of the meal. The vegetables/ lentils, etc. were good, but I was craving the spiciness that usually accompanies my home-cooked meals. The inera bread was delicious, like a spongy and thick crepe I could eat forever. If only the restaurant sold jars of Nutella. :P The servers were incredibly nice, and the food was very savory and satisfying, though a bit blander than other ethnic cuisines. It is definitely worth a try if you're in the area looking to splurge a little on something new.
(3)Marina K.
This place was so much fun. I went here with my momma, my close friend and her momma - we all really enjoyed our food, and the collard greens were particularly delicious. The atmosphere was relaxed and inviting - we sat on little stools and ate with our hands from a large communal "bread plate." While this is probably not the best dining format for those with dietary restrictions/germophobia, we all really enjoyed our meal and thought it was unique, tasty and definitely worth a repeat visit. I can't speak to the authenticity of the decor since I don't have much background on Ethiopian culture, but I thought it was appropriate to the establishment and created a pleasant ambiance. Since moving to New York, I have been to a few Ethiopian restaurants with equally delicious food, but uninspired atmosphere - and what can I say, it really makes a difference! My only complaint was that the place seemed to be lacking unique dessert options to complement the main courses - the only offerings were generic American-type cakes and pastries, which looked tasty, but seemed to be kind of a cop-out after such an interesting meal. I wouldn't bring a first date here, since the whole eat-with-your-hands thing could go a number of very awkward ways. But, check this place out if you're looking for a unique dinner option in a great area of the city. Cheers!
(4)Teddy S.
First visit to an Ethiopian restaurant and not sure what to expect. We were looking for a casual environment and reasonably priced meal. We got what we wanted. Read the reviews (after we went) and seems like every other review is mixed in their assessment. Is it fine dining, fine china, stemware and a bar for a premeal drink, no. It is a local place (in the basement level) that serves tasty food for a comfortable price-point. The people who greeted us, poured the water and waited on the table were great. The waitress answered our many questions and did not hesitate making recommendations. We shared Doro Wot (chicken), Lega Tibs (lamb), Gomen Wot (veggies), Sambusa. Most were flavorful, except the Gomen Wot (tasted like boiled veggies). The bread (Injera) was tasty and addictive. Was surprised at the texture (spongy) but works great as the scooping tool to pick up the food (utensils are not provided). Only disappointment to me was the beer. Ordered Tusker and did not have much taste (should have stuck with a Sams or Newcastle).
(4)Angel M.
When I think Ethiopia, no food comes to mind. Even though I have been to Ethiopian restaurants and have eaten in homes of Ethiopians, nothing comes to my head. No matter, coming to Addis reminds me what I like about small adventure in dining. Entry on a Saturday evening was no problem, even though it was busy. The staff warm and welcoming, squirmed when I mistook the hostess for having a part time job in another restaurant...for what reason, I am unsure of...anyways...oops. The tables resembled upside down drums, the chairs made for smaller people, and the food made to be delicious. Spicy and blast of flavors, complimented my sweet red wine, chicken and beef, cumin and pepper, soft with fluffy, well paired. The lights were too dim, the menu hard to read, but when the food came out, I may as well have had my eyes shut I ate so fast I barely noticed.
(4)Andrea F.
Much improvement tonight. Service was stellar and good prompt and delicious!!! Try the tuskan beer from Kenya!!
(4)Monique S.
When you walk into this place, the smell of Frankincense and Nag Champa teamed with dimly lit room and authentic seating welcome you. The service is a little slow, but nothing unacceptable. Besides that, everyone is friendly. The vegetable combination was delicious. The spicy lentils are just that and extra filling. The salad is refreshing and flavorful. The mixed vegetables were a bit too hard for my taste and could have been cooked and seasoned more. The same goes for the cabbage. The injera is unlike any I've had elsewhere. It is spongy, but it is not as dark (it's white), sturdy, or tasty as I've had other places. It also falls apart easier than I've seen elsewhere. The Axumit wine is delicious and sweet, a great addition to the meal and reasonably priced. I enjoyed the ambiance, the meal, and the service. A great time.
(4)Michelle S.
My favorite Ethiopian restaurant!! Every time I come to Boston, I make sure to check out the Addis Red Sea. It's been reliably good, flavorful and delicious without fail. I love the seating and ambiance! We always order the vegetarian sampler, and the fresh salads are incredible. The Injera also has a lovely flavor, and is not bland (like the Injera served at some of the other Ethiopian restaurants I've tried). Every dish I have ever had here has been fantastic! Definitely come give them a try!
(5)CJ A.
Addis is one of my favorite spots in the South End. The customer service is superb. I asked for their hottest Ethiopian sauce and they made it just for me. It was fantastic. I love all of the vegetarian options and the atmosphere is cozy and unassuming. It's a great place that is affordable and to get together with a few friends in the city. I always get the butecha and timatim salad. The food is good. But what I think makes this place awesome is spectacular customer service, the atmosphere, and the prices (for the south end. I recommend stopping in, having some ethiopian beer and enjoy the injera!
(4)Kerri Y.
Love the food, love the honey wine, love eating with my hands, hate the service. Be prepared to spend at least 2 hours here because the service is so slow. Also be prepared to drink something other than water- because they will not accept 'water' as your drink for the evening. They will keep rattling of the list of drinks and look at you expectantly because just water does not cut it. They only take reservations for parties of 5+, if you arrive at a busy time, know that they have a waiting area that holds exactly 3 people, anymore than that an you have to stand awkwardly in the doorway or by the front desk. Good experiences outweigh the negative... but if service was better and less pushy, it would be a great place.
(3)Amir K.
Food was good, ambiance is cool but service definitely left something to be desired. After the Groupon I had a 3$ bill. When I called they told me I could pay with my credit card so that's all I had. Then when I tried to pay, they refused to let me unless I spent 10$. I had to buy two mango juices that I didn't want just to pay the bill and leave, it also took 30 minutes just to pay. Sort of ruined the whole experience.
(2)J C.
A dining experience that is a bit different and quite nice. You'll use flatbread, not forks, to scoop up the meat dish, and the tables are standing baskets called mesobs. If you're gluten-free, call ahead and they will make you a bread from teff that is delicious even if you don't usually like teff. The chicken dish was wonderful!
(3)Alex R.
Eh. The good: Entrees were good. I would suggest the lamb wot. The bread served with the dishes was plentiful. Atmosphere was cool and it was fun eating with my hands. Our waitress was nice. The bad: Stay away from the apps. They are extremely overpriced, small portioned, and not that great. The lentil sambusa was ok, but bland. The beef patties (dibulbul tips) were dry, small, and not very flavorful. I've had better frozen meatballs. Additionally, we didn't order the tips. But we got them anyway and were charged for them. After our initial interaction with our waitress (which entailed a whole bunch of confusion about an extended groupon which wasn't accepted) it took a very long time to get our order in. I probably won't go back. That's a shame because I was looking forward to going and thought it might be a place I'd revisit often.
(2)Anna T.
I am very so so on how to rate the Tremont location of Addis. I've been here twice now and the first time was amazing, great food good service relaxed atmosphere. The second time however, I was with 5 friends and everything except the taste of the food was totally wrong. The upstairs seating area wasn't even close to being full but they sat us in the dingy basement away from everything and everyone and the service was beyond slow (probably because we were in the basement) which was extremely unfortunate. However, once again, the food was absolutely delicious! Everyone in our party got something different, chicken, lamb, and beef, and everyone loved their meals. This is the only reason I am giving this place 4 stars, because no matter anything else, the food is truly delicious and as much as I am a stickler for service, I will definitely come back for the food!
(4)Mike F.
We were in town visiting and looking for some food we new we couldn't get back home. We've had Ethiopian food in Pittsburgh and Ann Arbor, but not Boston. I am not one for long, drawn out reviews. The food was great and exactly what I expected. The service when we walked in was subpar. We weren't even sure we were acknowledged. If this place would spend a couple grand on updating the interior to hide boxes of loose papers by the front door and simply clean up the shine, I guarantee they'd get more people. Replace the front door glass and spruce up the curb appeal. You have to walk past polished Thai and Indian restaurants when coming from south Tremont. We almost bailed out on Addis just based on the dilapidated front door. So, if you want good Ethiopian food, this is a good choice. Just don't go there looking for atmosphere. 5 stars for food. 2 stars for ambiance.
(4)Christopher T.
Nice & quaint restaurant with a good vibe. The food is simple and with good, friendly service. I can't recall what I order exactly but it was lamb which was tender and in a good sauce. The "bread" was a good and filling. As this is only the 2nd time I've had Ethiopian food, I can't say how authentic it was but I liked it.
(2)Meghan B.
This was my first time eating Ethiopian food and it surpassed my expectations. The interior of the restaurant is interesting and well-designed, though the entryway could due to be bigger so you aren't bumping into people. The seats were comfortable and the tables were cool. We split a vegetable combination for 2 and it was more food than we could eat. We had the Axum honey wine, which was sweeter than I expected it to be (I'm used to meads that are somewhat sour), but delicious. After dinner we had a cup of coffee, which tasted authentic to my admittedly inexperienced palette.
(4)Rachel S.
Good food but kind of expensive and dirty in there.
(3)Sabina M.
I came here on a vegan diet and overall it was my second time eating ethiopian. We had the gomen wot, atakilt, yemeser wot and mittin shuro wot! I actually really liked the dishes, which are all NATURALLY VEGAN, but I think I wont become a fan of the ethiopian bread. It is essential in the ethiopian cuisine, but I think the spongy texture is something that takes some getting used to. What I really liked was the interior design and oh my god... I think Ethiopian women are just the best looking women on the planet! :) I am jealous, thats what I am trying to say! If you are interested about going vegan, check out my blog at sabinamattern.wordpress.…
(3)Amir F.
0. Terrible ! This was the worst food that I have ever had in the past 31 years of my life. We were 5 and we arrived around 6 PM on Tuesday. The bread was terrible. The food was spoiled and it was just warmed in microwave. I had to chew the meat for 100 times to crush it. The portions was very little comparing to the price. I did not finish my food and we just left quickly. I don't know what to say.
(1)sato h.
I am new to Ethiopian food. I just tried it out for the first time a month ago in Chicago and loved it - the skin like bread that soaks up the sauce, concept of sharing a one big plate with few other people, and you eat everything with your hands! Being that said, Addis had all the things that I liked from my first Ethiopian food experience and even better because they have those traditional tables and ambiance is so nice and cozy. Then why two stars? Service is SO slow. If you read my other reviews, you'll quickly find out that I don't mess around when it comes to service. And slow service is my biggest pet peeve. It's annoying when I have to wait for 10min to get seated when the place is empty. And another 15min until the waitress takes your order. Food was not so good either. My meat dish was not hot, warm. My friend is vegetarian and he got a vegetarian combo. One of the dishes had a potato in it that was completely undercooked and almost raw. He was trying to find the waitress - but she was nowhere to be found. Ugh. She finally came by to check in on us when we were all pretty much done eating. My friend told her that the potatoes were not cooked properly and her response was an awkward smile. No apologies. I won't be back.
(2)Sharon B.
One of our go-to places in Boston for a date night or an interesting dinner with friends. The food is very good and the location is great (right across from the Beehive and Picco). The service is usually slow, so expect a long dinner (I'm sure it is due to the nature of the time it takes to make the food). I would also recommend getting there earlier rather than later so you don't have to wait. Our favorite is the Addis Red Sea combo to split (for two people). And the Tusker beer and honey wine are great!
(4)Dan G.
I love everything about Addis Red Sea! You will eat with your hands, eat out of a straw table (Mesob, don't lean on me I am very fragile) and sit on uncomfy stools, but it is totally worth the experience. Oh and my most favorite part is the end, when you can eat your plate! That's right ladies and gents...what better way to end the evening than eating the flavorful soaked injera that your stews have been resting gently upon. The food is awesome, I always get the Red Sea Combo for two (even when its just me har har!), but I highly recommend it especially for beginners of Ethiopian cuisine. You get a taste of a few dishes and its even very decently priced. The wines are also very decently priced as well, I recommend the Gouder if you like reds, and the honey wine is nice to try as well, but is a bit sweet (white). The service is warm and friendly and they always eager to help if you have questions. It is very slow, so I don't recommend coming here for a quickie especially if you have plans after, but might be nice to enjoy with a hot date Also, when its served, it doesn't look like a lot of food, but trust me, you won't go home hungry.
(4)Clay K.
This was my FIRST experience with Ethiopian food. If you're like me, the first time I heard about Ethiopian Food, I was all like, "Uhhh....like, bags of flour and rice with "U.N. stamped on it? Nothx, srsly." Those of us who grew up in the 80's remember the news footage and the infomercials begging for pennies a month to sponsor a kid. Turns out that Ethiopia suffered a famine largely due to its agricultural/food system being largely based on cattle. When the drought hit, they didn't have grazeland. Thus, food shortage. Well, Sally Struthers was sitting on a secret: AWESOME FOOD. I was on vacation in Boston with a few friends, and we found this gem. We dug it SO MUCH that we ate here TWICE in a ROW for dinner. It was a new experience all around. For the uninitiated thinking about taking the plunge: the food is essentially a collection of meat and spices stewed together and ladled onto a soft, crepe-textured bread. The bread itself has a subtle hint of vinegar in the flavor, and you tear pieces of it and scoop the food up. (Think, "make your own burritos/fajitas," and you've got the idea.) Here's what to get: Kitfo. Get it raw. It's steak tar-tar, and it is amazing. Ayib Begomen - Cottage cheese mixed with mitmita and gomen. I haven't found this stuff SINCE Boston, and that is a damndirtyshame. What is it? Cottage cheese, served warm and savory with spices. I'd never in my life even THOUGHT of cottage cheese as anything other than this cold, pasty crap you mix with pineapple when you're on a diet. I liked this stuff so much that I attempted to make my own at home, with mixed results. Any of the lamb entrees. We tried em all, and they were phenomenal. This place is top-notch, and I hope to return.
(5)Amanda F.
I am absolutely in love with this place. The seating is very comfy, if a bit low to the ground. I'm pretty short, and my dining compainions were of varying heights. We were all comfortable, so no worries on that score. The people who work here are very sweet, and the food is to die for. I always order the Doro Wot, which the menu describes as "Tender chicken marinated in lemon sautéed in seasoned butter and stewed in a red pepper sauce, flavored with onions, garlic and ginger root with a pinch of cardamoms and nutmeg." Next time, I'm going to have to order something else, just so I have something to compare my usual dish to. The honey wine is wonderful. Sweet, but not overly so. The bread (which you use to eat your food (no utensils here!) is light and very good. They'll bring you extra if you want it.
(5)Maura C.
So I know this place has been open for a very long time now and WOW the line was still way out the door, down the hall, and into the basement! I felt very privledged to bypass the crowd and get a table at a place that doesn't take reservations. My suggestion, call ahead and put your name on the list!!! The food is so amazingly delicious! I love that you get to share with your friends and family... the best way to eat. Definitely check it out when you get to Boston and try as many dishes as possible. The veggie dishes are particularly fantastic
(5)Brian D.
This was my first time experiencing Addis and I had a good experience with the whole 'eat with your hands' thing. Back in the winter or spring, I saw a Groupon for this and I've been meaning to try one of these Ethiopian places around the city so I pounced on the Groupon. We finally got around to checking the place out the other week and my girlfriend and I had an enjoyable experience. Yes, eating with your hands is a bit weird, but the food was good. You basically select a bunch of different type of mush and then they throw it on a few big pieces of Indian-Naan like breads (it more has the consistency of a Crepe) and serve it in this big bowl type thing in front of you while you sit in little stools. It's a really cool and definitely a change of pace form your normal experiences of going out to restaurants. I honestly can't say what I ordered, but some were spicy, some weren't, but it literally was all mush but very good mush. My girlfriend and I ate 95% of our dishes, and unlike probably other places where you stuff your belly full, we didn't truly feel uncomfortable afterwards. It was magical. We had a really good experience here , and we will soon be living across the street come September, I'm sure we will be back in here again. If you are looking for something truly different, check out Addis!
(4)MacKinnon A.
I adore Ethiopian food but rarely have the opportunity to have it. I took my daughter here last week and she also feel in love with the food, people and communal style of eating. Everyone should try it. A group of professors from all over the globe were sitting by us, and one of them said it was the best Ethiopian restaurant in the WORLD!
(5)Catherine Y.
I give the food 4 stars. We got the Doro Wot combination and the experience of eating with your hands is always fun. Their injera was not sour, which is great because I've had really sour injera and it just ruins the whole meal. Everything was super tasty here. BUT, I have to give the service 1 star. How can service be that incredibly slow? It wasn't even busy! The waitresses purposely ignore you and avoid eye contact. If service improved, Addis would be golden.
(3)Double J.
This is the best Ethiopian food in Boston, but their service needs an overhaul. It's very slow, and they're often out of things on the menu. I think this may be a cultural thing - I've found this to be true at a lot of ethnic restaurants - but for a restaurant in the trendy South End, you have to deliver on service. Also "cozy" is one way to describe it, but it's a little cramped for me and when it's full it's very noisy. Also the injera was a little soggy the last couple times. Top it off with pain-in-the-ass parking (but, hey, it's the South End - what do you expect?) and it's a very mixed bag.
(2)Derrick C.
My first Ethiopian restaurant experience and though it was definitely unique, I wasn't really wowed. Crossed off my bucket list though...
(3)Sohini M.
This is an Ethiopian place we keep revisiting with anyone who wants to try the cuisine. I would NOT however go their other location in Cambridge. They have the worst service on the planet! This South End location has always been excellent although not the speediest service. If you have to be anywhere in a hurry you might want to avoid eating here. Its great for a leisurely weekend meal with friends.
(4)Lily L.
Ambiance: Addis Red Sea is a very cozy Ethiopian restaurant. With colorful paintings and tables, it definitely transports you to a different part of the world. One part that I did not care for was the proximity between the tables. On our particular dining night, we encountered the 4 rather difficult customers. They requested silverware because they refused to eat with their hands (fine) then announced that they are vegans and made a huge nuisance. Due to some miscommunication, the owners had made gluten free bread for them but they declared that they will not be eating the bread. There was a conversation back and forth about not paying for the bread because they won't be eating it. Honestly, the bread goes with the meal. Why bother coming to this restaurant at all if you have so many restrictions? It's like a vegetarian going to a steakhouse and becoming indignant. I understand that restaurants like to make accommodation to customers but honestly. They did not want to pay for the bread that they were not planning on eating--I sympathize with their point. But when you come with a groupon and already getting a discount, shouldn't you at least be a little nice about it? They were already getting $20 off. But I digress, this merely points out to the proximity of the tables or perhaps my dining neighbors were particularly loud. Service: Service leaves a lot to be desired. My water glass was empty and the waiter did not come very often. It took a while to get the check. Food: The food here was actually pretty great. We got the dorowot with 3 vegetables. They were very well cooked and flavorful. Overall: I would come back for the food. Service is lacking. Ambiance is pretty cute (minus some customers).
(3)Eddie G.
A few weeks ago i decided to make reservations for a party of 7 at Addis Red Sea for last Friday night. I wanted to have dinner with some good friends in a spot with some mood lighting and good food. Well, let me tell you, this place rocks. We were seated even though our entire party was not there at 8pm and it was not a problem to add an additional person to the table. Right away, we were offered water and then a few minutes later they took out drink order. I really do recommend the honey wine. It was sweet but not cloyingly so and paired well with the spicy food. I also had a bottle of the Harar Beer which was refreshing and topped off my honey wine buzz nicely! For dinner we ordered the Special Combination plate which was pretty amazing and great for those who like spice. The beef stew was YUMMY and the lentils again, were SPICY. That is always a plus in my book. I wish the bathroom had been cleaner and the service was slow. But with a few drinks in me, I was able to catch up with my friends and just take in the scenery. It was a pretty mixed crowed but most people seemed to be in the 20-30s age range. No one left hungry and for a party of 8, the meal with drinks amounted to about $30 per person. Pretty amazing for a Friday night in the South End :)
(4)William S.
Good food, the service, and ambiance.
(4)Michelle J.
This was my first time at an Ethiopian place. So I'm not sure if some things were customary. The service was actually good in my opinion. The waitress explained everything we asked and was really nice to return and take drink orders as our group gathered. But I have to say I was expecting better in terms of food. When the bread is the best part of the meal something's wrong. First off everything was served cold. Is that normal? And if it is then why did the main course take so long to come out ? The raw beef and the chicken were tasty but the rice was just terrible. It was hard and grainy. If the food was good we wouldn't have had so much left on our plates. But it was just disappointing.
(2)Marie D.
Whoa, y'all. I am really perplexed about how this restaurant came about getting a four-star rating on Yelp. My dining experience was two hours total. This included approximately thirty minutes of eating time and then maybe ten minutes where we waited for the check. So that leaves an hour and twenty minutes of: Waiting forever to be seated while most of the tables were open. Waiting forever for our server to take our order. Waiting even more forever for our food to come. Now I know that two forevers and a "more" forever do not equal an hour and twenty minutes, but when you're hungry the gap between ordering your food and ingesting it can feel long and miserable. When the food came it was lukewarm, bland and dissatisfying. The only reason I gave them two stars was because they accommodated my dorky food allergies, even though I wound up getting sick in the end.
(2)Samir K.
I think the only bad part about this place is that it is not open for lunch too. I have eaten ethiopian in London, providence and NYC. Addis is the beat of the lot. I am vegetarian and have been accommodated every time and it's been hassle free. The food and ambience is amazing and if your in the area do stop by and enjoy a great meal. Recommend you get the combos since you can try many things. Food is not too spicy but flavorful at the same time. Great job guys !
(4)Alan Y.
I've had fairly decent experiences at this restaurant. The dining experience is unique in that the food is all shared and eaten without use of utensils. All of the food is eaten with bread on small, circular "tables" that resemble african drums. The food itself is quite good, if a bit heavy and soporific. The portion sizes of the dishes are quite small, but since the food is so heavy and so much bread is provided, I was able to get full pretty easily. Too full, in fact. I have never felt so lethargic after any meal, including Thanksgiving. I also tried the honey wine, although interesting and quite sweet, might have contributed to my torpid state. The one downside about this restaurant was the service: it took FOREVER (it felt at least an hour) for the food to reach our table. However, considering how well-marinated and pungent the food was when it arrived, it wasn't a big deal for me.
(4)Michelle K.
SERVICE - seated around noon with only 2 other parties and did not get food until 1 pm. If you enjoy looking across the table at your dining partner's agonizing-in-hunger-face for a substantial amount of time, then this is the place for you! i'm pretty sure everything is just reheated so i'm thinking maybe the bread is made to order and is what takes up so much time? FOOD - that kind of wait would have been worth it if the food was out of this world. it wasn't. it was very much of this world. ordered lamb (yebeg wot) and chicken (doro wot). Both were tasty, but lukewarm to cold. Also got three veggie dishes: butecha (chickpea paste...would not get again), yeshmir alcha (stewed lentils...pretty bland, but paired with the flavorful meats was fine), and attempted to get the gomen wot (collard greens) but when the food came out was told that they did not have this so was substituted with the atakilt (potato/carrot/onions)....I was a bit irked that she took the liberty to substitute it with the very last thing I would have chosen, but there you go. and yes, my instincts were right. don't get the atakilt. All in all, would not come back again. If anything, call in an order so that you can avoid the painful wait and reheat your food. PS. they have a 10 dollar charge minimum which is not posted anywhere.
(2)Abate D.
Their food is not authentic, the white injera is very plain. When you ask for the more authentic version they are hesitant to give it to you. Otherwise it can have good food
(2)Jackie S.
This is my second time coming to this restaurant and the food is always delicious. Pros: The food was delicious. The injara (spongy bread) filling, the beef succulent and the chicken properly spiced. The honey wine was awesome and I usually dislike white wine. Cons: They screwed up our appetizer but were nice enough to fix it and bring us a new order of it. Also, the service was quite slow. We waited 15 minutes just to place our order but then our food came pretty quickly. I would definitely return here because it has a fun atmosphere where you sit on traditional Ethiopian chairs with a traditional table. The food is always delicious and filling. A good date spot especially if you want to try something new together!
(4)Louie M.
Service was fantastic from the second we walked in. Had a Groupon, will for sure be back. Very unique and authentic. Should be a little more spicy. I had Ethiopian in other countries and could't feel my face. Thats the way it should be.
(4)lia S.
I like to try a new places and i've got a Groupon opportunity to try this one.Place is hidden right across the street form The Beehive in South End.As soon you step in you get the spirit of Africa with wall and restaurant decor and staff.They have cute little bar downstairs.Bartender barely understood English but she was very nice and kind.We loved ethiopian beer wine and food was great.We shared a few platters for a table and it was delicious.Only one thing is we were there for occasion and i was trying to make a reservation and i've been told for Sundays I don't need one but when we arrived place was packed! We had to wait for a good half an hour to get a table.
(4)Cecile B.
We really like this place, the food is great and how fun is it to eat w your fingers! Staff is really friendly, but the service a bit slow. Repeat costumers.
(4)Ella B.
Very cute and romantic setting, but I was with my hubby and a good friend of ours - still, the atmosphere made for cozy conversations. We ordered an appetizer of the cottage cheese, it wasn't the one we wanted, but it was the one recommended to us and it was delish! For our main courses we ordered the fish in red sauce, lamb in a brown sauce and cabbage. The fish had a little spice to it which was nice. The lamb was good, but nothing exceptional. The cabbage was cooked with potatoes, also good. All was served with lots of the fluffy kind of Ethiopian bread (they only serve one type here - for those of you who like the "thinner" type of Ethiopian bread - sorry, they don't serve that here). The service was friendly and relatively fast - not like super fast, but good when you're catching up with friends sort of thing, or say, a romantic date sort of thing, which it seemed the crowd was either on a date or groups of friends. Everything topped off with a nice glass of honey wine. :) We walked home very happy and full. The entire meal for 3 was $65 not including tip.
(4)Terri L.
Excellent!!! looking forward to trying otherEthiopian places- didn't realize there were so many in Boston!
(5)Jessica S.
Nice atmosphere. The mild stuff lacks flavor so get the spicy food, not hot but has good flavor. It was interesting, something different, but I cant say I feel all that motivated to return
(3)Jim D.
Great food, great atmosphere. A friend recommended this place and I tried while visiting Boston. It's in the basement of a row house and you sit on stools and eat from a basket-table. (I don't have a lot of experience w/ Ethiopian food, clearly, so take this for what it's worth.) But the food was extremely flavorful and the textures great. I would definitely go back.
(4)Annette N.
I am always happy to walk down the steps from Tremont St. and enter Addis. The scent of cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom sizzling in butter relaxes me instantly. I love Ethiopian and Eritrean food, and I've eaten at the houses of several Tigrinya and Amharic speaking friends. Addis Red Sea is pretty good if you order right. Get the yebeg wot (lamb stew with cardamom and ginger). It's the best. I encouraged everyone in my party that we should get two orders of it. But NOOOOOO... we had to branch out, try lots of stuff, have some variety. So we just got one order. Sure enough, everybody gravitated towards the one order of yebeg wot on the common plate, and it disappeared the first, leaving everyone wanting more. Learn from my tragedy. One of my tablemates ordered the lamb riblets (goden tibs), and I have to say, they were not all that great. I was the one who ended up eating them. Waste not want not. Also, be sure to order bread that is all teff. This costs extra but is well worth it. I am not sure if this is on the menu--I had to ask the waitress. The teff bread is much less dense than the wheat bread and tastes much better. Don't forget to order tej (mead) to drink. I really like the fact that Addis Red Sea does not play music in the background. There is a bar downstairs. If I lived across the Charles in Boston, I might make it a regular haunt, so I could sit in the odor of cloves and cinnamon and drink tej. There was a cute guy handsome as Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum with a lovely beard who was sitting all alone there. Had I been alone myself, I would have made a move.
(4)Logan J.
this place is one of the few ethiopean food places in the area, which makes is a great place to eat when you want something a little different. not only is this place unique though, it also offers some really delicious food. ive been here a few times, and when i eat here, i usually order one of the tasting menus because you get to try more of their food and experience more of the unique flavors. the tasting menus offer a choice of four of any of the entrees but in smaller portions. im in love with any of the dishes involving lentils, but almost all of the vegetarian dishes are delicious. ive had a few of the fish dishes, and i wouldnt recommend them to anyone, but i think thats mostly because i would prefer the vegetarian dishes here. the atmosphere is very casual and not pretentious, which i love, especially if you dont really know how to eat something or if youve never eaten ethiopian food before. this is definitely a fun place to go with friends and a place i return to when im craving ethiopian food!
(4)Todd F.
Yuck!! I consider myself a pretty open minded person when it comes to food, but this place was the worst. Let's start with the fact that our server...and every one else who attended to our table had horrible body odor. Disgusting. The food, whatever it was we ordered, came on a large tray in what I can only describe as piles of yellow, white, and red goo. The waiter didn't bother explaining what was what. The worst part was the "bread" that we were supposed to use to eat the food. I was especially excited for this as I thought it would be an interesting concept, and it would have been, if the bread wasn't completely nasty. It had a spongy, wet texture which put it so far away from what I consider bread, it ruined the entire meal. I'd stay away from this place.
(1)tavia m.
I like Addis Red Sea a lot! It's a unique change from the usual dining spots around Boston. There are many, many options on food, including at least 8 vegetarian entrees. The thing that makes me give this place 3 stars instead of 4 is the service. Man, are they slow. You'll wait forever to order and then it's a long wait to get anything else you need....drinks, more bread, food, the check, and so on. I always plan longer than usual to eat here due to that factor. I've encountered rudeness at Addis Red Sea, just slowness. A few side notes, the honey wine is GOOD. Pretty sweet but tasty and different. You can request the more sour-tasting wheat bread if you want it. Also, the house salad, which a tomato salad, is so tasty--so order two! I will keep coming back here because I like the food and the atmosphere, but make sure you're aware of the slower pace of Addis Red Sea before you dine there.
(3)Jon W.
Years ago I would visit this place more often but the food was on the decline. For a while there was Fasika on South Huntington which was beat Addis but ever since they moved it hasn't been the same. Strangely enough I find that Addis Red Sea in Cambridge tastes much better. I can't explain but I think that this one in the South End has become more bland and mediocre. Go figure.
(3)Feodor H.
While prospect of experiencing authentic ethiopian food is exciting, this place is likely to leave you with a slight taste of disappointment. Ethiopian decor on the walls and original tables and chairs create authentic atmosphere and set you in a mood to try the food. It is unfortunate that you will have to wait significant amount of time before ordering some. On the plus side, that gives you plenty of time to study descriptions in the menu, that promises intriguing flavors. Prices for entrees and appetizers would suggest portions of significant size. After another formidable wait, the food arrives. Its taste does not quite live up to expectations for some dishes, while others are great. In other other words, food preparation lacks consistency of execution. The size of entrees could also be bigger given the price and the fact that it is not fine dining place. If you plan on getting desert, do not expect authenticity here. Tiramisu and fruit tart (from the box, not made there :() are not Ethiopian food by any stretch of imagination. Box of tiramisu in trader joes is 7$ and a piece of tiramisu there is the same price. You are way better of without it. Final word of warning goes to Groupon customers. Groupon explicitly states it's not valid for alcohol. For restaurant management, it means "not valid for alcohol, any non-alcoholic beverage and desert". You will be unpleasantly surprised to find this out after another significant wait for your bill. An attempt to resolve this was for the most part futile, after a discussion manager agreed to apply groupon to non-alcoholic beverages but disagreed that deserts should also be covered, "because we bring deserts from outside (sic)". This pretty much insured that I'm not coming back, for this place is unreasonably expensive without Groupon and a hassle with one. Atmosphere is the only positive factor, countered by too many negative ones.
(2)Julie N.
We were driving around looking at apartments and realized suddenly that we were both starving and it was close to 3 pm. Oops. As we were driving down Tremont, we noticed the pop of color and become excited at the prospect of Ethiopian food yay. It was completely empty when we walked in and we were seated promptly, although the waitress took us all the way to the back. I mean ALL the way to the back, past all the empty tables/chairs. Weird, but ok. I figured at that point the service was going to be slow as we were safely tucked away from the sight of everyone, but whatever, we have time. It was during Lent so we ordered the vegetarian combo. It took a while for the food to come out and when it did it was... blaaaand. Maybe their meat dish is better seasoned/spiced but those veggies were not very good, and the service was leisurely/slow, as I guessed. I remember as we were walking out of the restaurant, I said, "eh, we should have yelped it before we walked in," so I was really surprised at the rating. oh well. I'll have to try somewhere else.
(2)Dino D.
It was a very nice experience, the food was very good, the decor was okay, and it was a memorable night out.
(3)Lynette S.
Service was phenomenal, loved the atmosphere food was bland and unenjoyable for this picky eater! good looking chocolate desserts, tarts, coffees and teas, but did not try them. bread is (and is supposed to be) served cool and is spongey...gross! not my thing.
(2)Kirs P.
It's been five years. Time for an update. I'm a much wiser and experienced food eater and restaurant goer now. And while Addis is not bad, it also is not super awesome 5-star worthy. It's perfectly acceptable, white-ed up Ethiopian food. Perfect place to take non-adventurous eaters on an adventure. Although they will likely stil complain (Why do I have to eat with my hands! This is too spicy! I don't like things that are outside my white-bread American life!) The pluses: Convenient and cheap: The prices really are reasonable and it's super easy to get to because it's right smack dab in the middle of the south end. I can actually walk there from work if I wanted. Pretty okay food: It does not have the appropriate spice level for real Ethiopian food. Ethiopian isn't crazy spicy, but it should still have some bite. It's often hit or miss here- for every one time I get a properly spiced mittin shuro wot there are 10 other times it comes up bland as porridge. I will say, however, that their gomen wot is not spinach, which gives them a heads up on most other Ethiopian places. I prefer my gomen wat made with collard greens and the like, which is more traditional. Spinach just gets too mushy. Ambiance: Not something I usually take much into account, but they've done a pretty bang up job of doing the Ethiopian thing on the top floor. Mesobs, and low slung stools, with cool Ethiopian art and schiz adorning the walls. It's cozy. I like it. Take out! This was recently discovered. Ethiopian surpsingly takes well to take out- they know how to package it up. I have my friend pick it up before she comes over and we sit and watch Toddlers and Tiaras while drinking wine and eating Ethiopian. Pretty fabulous. The not-so-pluses: Service: So hit or miss. Mainly miss. There's one waitress who is awesome. The others? Not so much. Really long waits and you often feel ignored. I wouldn't mind the wait if at least the service was a bit more friendly (occasionally it is), but you are often met with a scowl instead of a smile. Pretty okay food: Yes, I'm repeating myself. But it's a restaurant, for chrissakes, food should probably be better than "meh, it's okay." Again, this is beginner's Ethiopian. For some, this is going to be awesome. For me? I want some more complexity. The wait: See service. See backlogs. See really crowded front entrance way with asshats refusing to move or wait outside (even if it's nice out). And sometimes you wait even if there are open tables. Lots of confusion about seating parties. Very frustrating. Overall Assessment: While I complain, I still keep going back. The convenience just outweighs a lot of the cons. And even subpar Ethiopian is better than no Ethiopian in my book.
(3)Matt O.
I love this place! It's not too expensive (though it's close!), and the food portions are amazing. I love the meat dishes, though I recommend beef/chicken items over the lamb items. The service is good, and the specialty wines are very good. Ambiance is great - not too quiet, but certainly not loud. The Groupon deals make this place even better, so I recommend those.
(5)Ellie W.
I had heard good things about Addis, so I expected something really great...maybe I should've set my standards lower. The ambiance in Addis is really nice--well, the upstairs portion. Downstairs is a bit strange, reminds me of someone's basement decorated with Ethiopian furniture. We were seated downstairs, where it was completely empty and definitely felt like you were eating in a basement... Some of the food was good--at least the chicken. The fish was a bit gross--we ordered it and nobody would touch it because it was really dry and didn't look too tasty. The service wasn't great--our waitress looked like she wanted to leave the entire time she was at our table. You know when someone is about one step away from rolling their eyes? Yes, that was our waitress...the entire night. Probably won't be returning...only one of 5 dishes we ordered here was good, so I don't think that qualifies for a Round 2.
(2)Raj S.
It's a bit of a hike to get to if you're taking the T. Parking in South End on a weekend night is almost impossible. But once there, it's a neat place. I would recommend going with a bunch of friends as the fun is in trying as many different dishes as possible. We almost always get the combination dishes with a couple of chicken, beef and lamb dishes along with 4-5 vegetarian options. You really can't go wrong. The chicken/lamb stew, cabbage dish, lentils, chickpeas, etc. It's a very social affair, sharing your food so don't go here if you aren't close with your group!
(4)Hubert H.
I have to bump this place down a notch due to some other recent Ethiopian experiences I've had in Malden and in California. I went to this place prior to the most recent visit 15 years ago! We ordered the beef tartare, the meat combo, and some veggies. My main criticism was: a) the tartare was not rare enough; b) the injera bread wasn't sour enough, and also on this visit not warm enough either. On the plus side, most of the dishes were fairly tasty, well marinated (in particular the lamb), and their berbere (red pepper flavor) was an effective flavor zinger. Oh - there was a little critter on the plate of food - it wasn't dramatic enough to merit attention, but just a note worth mentioning.
(3)Rani P.
My boyfriend and I had been wanting to come here for months. When we first sat, we were totally caught off guard which was both nerve-racking and exciting. Luckily, I was able to watch the people eating next to me to figure out what to do. I still dream about this food- and although I ordered the vegetarian combo- it was a beautiful medley of flavors. Even the guava juice was delectable. I have a feeling any other Ethiopian food I will eat elsewhere won't nearly compare. Be ready to eat with your hands!
(4)Lee A.
This really is my favorite place to eat. It's close quarters and not super for more rambunctious kids, so I don't get here as much as I'd like, but that doesn't make me like it any less. From the outside and even as you walk down the narrow stairs, it looks like a tiny dive, but once you're inside it's a warm, inviting, comfortable setting. (Well, comfortable as long as you don't have back problems--in which case the chairs are not great.) The food options are pretty diverse and so there are strong options for carnivores, pescivores, and vegetarians. For years it's been my go-to place for "welcome to our city" outings with visiting friends and even one casual business meeting. I think everyone needs to have this place at least in their rotation.
(5)Rich S.
I have come here about 3 times with my g/f. Hadn't had Ethiopian before so it was a fun new experience the first time we went. The upstairs is cozy. The second time we went it was fun but I started to realize how little we were actually getting for the money. Very simple clumps of food to be picked at with the Injera bread. Ok, but lost a little of its luster. The third time I was ushered to their downstairs dining area. Some earlier review mentioned it was "beautiful". I'm not sure what they were seeing because it definitely felt to me like it's a basement they quickly made up to be another dining area. So I'm waiting there alone, waiting for the rest of my party to show up when I go to grab my beer. There are about 7 huge fruit flies on my beer. I start to look around. There are huge fruit flies EVERYWHERE around me! There were tons of them on the wall, on the beams, I mean it was disgusting. I notified my party of this when they came downstairs and we waited in this mass of fruit flies until something opened up upstairs. I was so glad to get up there. Night and day. After that it was fun. Same feeling as before, that we were getting little for the money and it was more of a novelty thing you are paying for. The appetizers were cold so we had to send them back. I'm not sure if I'll be going back. That fruit fly thing still makes my stomach churn.
(2)Deanna D.
The service here was great and the food was also very good. Since there are not very many Ethiopian restaurant Boston this one will get 4 stars. There are definitely better ones in DC and NY but this one is also very good for Boston. The ambiance is great-- wonderful dates spot. The combination platter is the way to go if you want to try out a little bit of everything. Its fairly priced and the portions are good sized. We will be back!
(4)Erica K.
Because I'm one of those people who keep track of which cultural foods they've eaten, I was very excited to dine at Addis. I'd never eaten Ethiopian before so it was both an experience and a check mark. The restaurant itself was pretty cute--it had a 'home like' feel to it so it made the atmosphere very relaxing. A lot of the time when you're taking your food global the environment can be a bit stuffy and uptight so it was nice to keep the stilettos at home (oxfords for men;). On to the food...my eyebrows were raised when I saw my plate! Up until that point I didn't know that Ethiopians used Injera (a traditional flatbread) as an eating utensil and all I could think about was sog! I have zero tolerance for soggy food but to my surprise, I wasn't sopping up my meal. The menu was very appetizing and there were a lot of options for me to choose from (I'm a vegetarian). Dessert was equally as appetizing and they're not expensive at all! Roughly $50 for both me and my husband and we each had an appetizer, entree, dessert and sparkling water... As for customer service. They deserve 3 stars. We sat down immediately but waited about 15 to 20 minutes for a waitress. I believe there was only one working, however, she didn't bother to extend any of the courtesies that busy waitresses extend i.e., "sorry about the wait" or "I'll be right with you" etc. Also, her disposition wasn't rude, it just wasn't inviting...not what you'd expect from a waitress. She did keep a smile though, just a little neutral. Overall, I would definitely revisit Addis.
(4)Sarah M.
Minus one star, because I've had tastier Ethiopian food, but this was still pretty darn good (so 4 stars for food) and minus one star for the seating service. Definitely a good place for a date, although I would bring a third person just so you can make a reservation! If you've never had Ethiopian food before, this is definitely the place to go. Kind of pricey, but the food itself is an experience and it won't disappoint. The only negative - seating. We got there around 6 ish and the place was PACKED. They won't take reservations for only two people, and they kept telling us the wait was 20 minutes: in total, it was around 45 or longer (after a while you go numb from the hunger). Waiting was a semi-stressful chaotic event, because they clearly aren't super organized, and since they don't have enough room for more than 5 or 6 people to wait inside, you worry that you'll miss hearing them call your name, so you fight the ever-surging tied of equally-stressed out wannabe patrons to keep checking on the list. In the end, we were only seated because the host said we could sit and eat at the bar - and we only got to do that because when he asked the people on the list in front of us if they wanted to do that, he said they couldn't eat there (clearly not true). But I kept my mouth shut and thirty minutes later we were scarfing chunks of delicious mystery meat and mushy, melt-in-your-mouth vegetable...things. I went on a date, and we shared a combo platter with chicken, beef and three veggie dishes. It was all delicious, and we both had different favorites - a good sign about the quality/flavor. It's also fun to eat with your hands when it's messy stuff that your mom would have made you use a fork for (or maybe that's just me). We also got a bottle of honey wine, since I'd read a positive review about it, but I wasn't a big fan. Way too sweet (and definitely honey flavored) for me. But it did add to the experience - or maybe that was the alcohol. Either way, I wouldn't be opposed to going here again, so long as I had enough people to make a reservation.
(3)Candy L.
Now that I've moved to the west coast, not living near Red Sea is one of my biggest regrets. I ate here a bunch of times and really only order the same thing becuase it really can't get any better. The Ayib Begomen is creamy and cheesy and perfect. Then the Addis Red Sea Special Combo has a nice combo of delicious beef and lamb dishes. The flavors are all so complex (nothing is too spicy for those of you who don't like spicy). It's a good amount of food for 2 - 3 people. The best part is that you eat everything using the injera (a teff based fermented bread), it gets a little messy but that's all part of the fun!
(5)Eduard D.
First off just want to say that the food was amazing. Absolutely the best Ethiopian food I had in MA. But the service was much lacking. We had to wait a while to be seated even though we were there a little after 5 and half of the restaurant was open. We also had to wait a while until anyone came up to us. Our appetizer was never brought to us. Although at the end of our meal there was an apology. We had a groupon, but the deserts were not covered by it. Although that was our mistake for not reading the fine print or informing the server at the beginning, the desert could have easily been substitutes for the appetizers; especially since they made a mistake. In conclusion: great food, poor service.
(3)Fan L.
Awesome setting, food is meh. Plus I'm not very good at eating with my hands so I kinda made a mess of myself. Portions are small and they only have western dessert.
(3)John D.
Two Stars: Meh. I've experienced better... AT THIS VERY LOCATION! I have been a fan of this place since I discovered it about 7 years ago. I frequented it a few times a year, and even recommended it to friends. Over the past year though, the few times I've been there, there has been a gradual decline in the quality of experience! Something like having the same big bag of chips only to find that the bag has more gas in it than a year ago! Why the two stars... because last night was the tipping point. I got a Groupon (I'm glad I resisted the impulse to get my GF a gift coupon too) The appetizer (Sambusa) we first asked for was not available. We deliberated for a few minutes and then... The second appetizer (Ye-Awaze Dabo) we asked for was not available either. Our server suggested the plain Dabo. It arrived a few minutes later... cold and sticky. I may not be an expert on Ethiopian cuisine, but I THINK this should have been warmer and fresher. Then came the main course - this has been my staple here pretty much every time I've been here - the Addis Red Sea Special Combo! The injera was COLD! 5 of the 6 items on the tray were room temperature. The only thing warm was the Zenge (Beef Stew). It was still flavorful, and it was 9pm, so we at it anyway. To get over the $40 mark of the Groupon we then asked for the appetizers. They brought out a platter of desserts and we picked the Flan ($7), that put us a few cents over $40! Mad Math skills, eh? When our check arrived and we gave them the Groupon, the deducted the wine (understandable) AND THE DESSERT! WHO DOES THAT. It's not in the fine print either. My protests were met with one single line repeated over and over: "Dessert is not part of the Groupon, honey!" Now, I know it's JUST $7... but damn it, it's MY $7! It was annoying to have to get jipped like this. So, to do the math again, I paid $20 for a $33 meal rather than a $40 meal! Addis, thanks for the good times, but your dessert left a bad taste in my mouth... I won't be seeing you for a while.
(2)Liz P.
I found myself in a Boston cab a few months ago and, being the social person that I am, I got talking to the driver... Things I Learned: * He was from Ethiopia. * The place in Central Square is not Ethiopian food * Addis Red Sea is actually quite authentic (both food and atmo). * The one in South End is better than the one in Porter (suprising since they are owned by the same people)
(5)Josh B.
Delicious food, served in a setting completely out-of-sorts for most Americans, and served in a manner that will shock you if you walk in unprepared. Add it all together and you've got a recipe for a great night out. Go with friends, because you'll want to try LOTS of different dishes, and if you're tall, make sure that you go to the chiropractor soon after. Trust me on that one.
(5)Jennifer B.
Reliably delicious and interesting, but the service is sloooow. Good for groups if you're okay to share, but being the group of 12 college kids who are loud and can't decide is NOT fun for the rest of the restaurant (it just slows everyone down). Atmosphere is great in the cavernous stucco space, but be prepared to sit on stools for awhile (i.e. don't bring dad with back problems). Reserve to avoid the wait, but note that you can only call after 5pm since there's no one there to pick up the phone earlier.
(4)Jenn S.
After passing by an Ethioian restaurant in the South End, some friends and I decided to try it sometime. A while after that, I read a friend's blog mentioning a great Ethiopian palce in the city and told my coworkers we should try it - apparently, it was the same place! So we decided it was fate and made a reservation. Only myself and one other girl had experienced the cuisine previously and for me, it was about 10 or 11 years ago - before I really started to branch out and like things other than you know, a burger and fries. (I did find it ironic that it had been all-you-can eat. After all, for my generation, Ethiopia was the country where people were starving, so we MUST finish our plate of food.) As an Indian cuisine lover, I figured I would love the Ethiopian this time around, as they are rather similar. It took us a while to get there, as there is no MBTA stop very close by, but the minute we walked in, we were all hooked. The decor is amazing and, since I had been worried about sitting on a backless chair for a few hours, I loved that we were seated at a "table" with backed chairs. We started off with the Dabo - Special Ethiopian bread with a tasty crust made with Semolina flour spiced with cumin and basted with oil. Knowing what Ethiopian bread is like (very spongy and well, weird - you have to experience it), I was hesitant to get this appetizer (prefering something like the Sambusa - pastries filled with your choice of meat or chicken - think Samosas) but it wasn't the usual spongy bread - it was so tasty and the dipping sauce was divine! I was so upset when the waitress took it away, rather than leave it for us to have with our meal. For the main course, which is eaten with your hands and comes on a HUGE plate of the bread (with bowls of extra bread), we each picked a meal. I don't remember exactly what we had, because at this point, we had gone through 2 bottles of the DIVINE Sauvignon Blanc, Omaka Springs (New Zealand) - with an Exotic kiwi and citrus fruit flavor. If you like wines, TRY it! I'm proud to say I picked this one out and we all loved it. However, I think these are the chicken dishes we got: - Doro Tibs - Herb grilled chicken tossed with fresh garlic, red peppers, white wine and ginger. Served with warm lentil salad (I was not going to eat the lentil salad, but I am so glad I did - it was by far my favorite thing!). - Doro Alcha - Chicken simmered in a mild sauce of butter, ginger and onions. I believe we got the Alcha in beef and had 2 vegetarian dishes. It's hard to remember, as there were 5 of us picking 5 meals (plus, the wine). Either way: GO. The food is delicious, the price is reasonable, the ambiance and decor are wonderful and the service is impeccable. I loved this place and just wish it was closer to where I live or work!
(5)Jimmy H.
Everytime I write review, I try to choose words carefully and make as detail and descriptive as I can so that you, readers, can get what I am saying. I've been to this place 3 times now. Every time I went, I tried to remember or even write down what I ate. But Ethiopian food in general, I am so foreign to it. Therefore I can never remember the name of what the fuck I ate. Some meat. Lamb, Beef or chicken. And it was wicked tasty and I can't get enough of it. For those who never had Ethiopian food, spiciness somewhat reminds me of Indian. And you'll eat those with loads of tasty bread. Price is reasonable. I usually pay $20 flat.
(4)Daina L.
Really great food! Get the Addis Red Sea Special Combo. (good for two) and you'll leave satisfied. Can't wait to come back.
(4)Keli R.
I had my first Ethiopian food experience at Addis Red Sea on Saturday night. We had been searching Yelp for restaurants in our areas and at first had thought we would appetizer hop through a few of them...until we read the reviews about Addis. My boyfriend and I find every new city as a chance to expand our culinary tastebuds...trying things we have always wanted to explore. Addis was a great opportunity for us and we were very excited!! We turned the corner onto Tremont street and could smell the exotic spices and knew we were on the right path...the large group of people waiting outside confirmed it. Now, I am always a bit weary of large groups of people. It either means A. The food is amazing or B. It's just a "trendy" place to be and/or tourist trap. I'm glad the latter was true. Now I must say that I am quite impatient and HATE waiting...but, my every calming boyfriend assured me it would be worth it..so we waited, an hour. We were finally called and ushered into a basement room. I never knew this place was this big! it's an unassuming little basement door from the outside. Never wanting to offend, I made my boyfriend check his eye phone to research the proper etiquette before we ate and learned we must only eat with our right hand...so, I sat on my left so I didn't mess up. haha. We were seated at high back chairs that sat around a brightly colored straw basket/table that resembled a bongo without the skin on top. Cool already. Our waitress was friendly and beautiful. I noticed the constant traffic of older Ethiopian women scurrying from the kitchen which I always LOVE to see because it means the food is authentic..and that's what we're all here for! I told our waitress we were newbies to this whole Ethiopian thing and she suggested we get the sampler platter. We also ordered a type of bread with spicy red pepper sauce and berbere (an ethiopian hot spice). The appetizer came, the bread was a little thick and dry for my taste (sort of tasted like a tomato basil wrap) but the sauce was delish and unlike anything I have ever tasted. I thought it tasted like beans and my boyfriend thought it tasted like peppers. Either way it was spicy...but not too spicy. The kind of spice that hits you at the last minute at the back of your throat. Our meal came and was I believe chicken, chicken, lamb and beef? Basically they're little bowls of stews that she spoons onto our injera..with a salad condiment which turned out to be only tomatoes. Not sure if this is how it normally is or they ran out of lettuce? I liked 3 out of the 4 stews that we had...although we weren't really sure which was which. One of the stews tasted very oily and I was tasting it still the next day. But the bread....the injera... YUM! so light and fluffy. Like a pancake/crepe...I quickly googled how to make it and will order Teff online soon. All in all, I enjoyed my time at Addis and have been researching places in Connecticut to try that have delish Ethiopian food as well. Any suggestions?
(4)Meagan F.
I love this place. The service can be a little slow, and you have to ask to get your water glass refilled, but the food and atmosphere make it all worth it. At Addis Red Sea, you sit on small benches close to the ground and eat out of a communal African Basket with your hands. Candles light each corner of the room, which is filled with interesting African art. The staff is in traditional garb, making the experience not just a culinary but also an aesthetic one. We have been here countless times, and we like to try something different every time. This time we tried Sambusa with spiced meat and lentils, Yesmir Wot (lentils in a spicy Ethiopian BBQ sauce), Doro Wot (chicken in a red pepper sauce), and Yasa Tibs (fried fish). We had a Groupon this time, so we also received a couple of salads. Everything is so fresh, the stew sauces are packed with flavor, and the bread is perfection. I've tried other places, and the bread can taste strongly of baking soda, but not Addis Red Sea. It is just wonderful. A solid dining experience every time, if you don't mind a relaxed pace when eating.
(4)Celeste M.
I love Addis Red Sea. I've been here with my bf about 4 or 5 times now. We always get the Addis Red Sea combo so we don't have to choose between the chicken, lamb, and beef. Everything is tender and delicious. I wish that I could get the combo for one but that particular combo only comes for two. Service can be a little bit slow, so this is more of a choice for a luxurious, relaxed, dinner with your lover, family, or friends.
(5)Mark R.
The food is so-so, the service a little slow (though friendly enough) and yet, as an experience, the place is fantastic! Seriously, how often do you get to try ethiopian food? Lots of interesting flavours, big portions (my wife and I shared a combination platter and a second entre and couldn't finish it) and the place has ambiance to boot. If you're at all intrigued, you should give it a chance.
(3)Jason H.
The skinny: great tasting ethiopian food at a good price. Note the flavor is the non sour (non eritrean) type which tends to be more agreeable with most people not accustomed to it. The dip: i have had a decent variety of ethiopian food in los angeles. So i am not an expert but know a little bit. The fod here was tasty, in good quantity, served nicely with good service at good price. To me that's 5 stars. I took a friend who'd never had ethiopian before so i ordered the sampler platter. Sorry i don't remember the exact name. But it had chicken beef and three veggie toppings. This was about $28 and would feed 3-4 people in most situations. We also had an $8 glass of the honey wine. Maybe a little pricey but not by much for boston. So basically what i have to say is that the food tasted fresh. The injara bread was well made. The quantity was more than worth the price. The decor was pleasant. The bathrooms were clean. They even offered a showing of dessert just in case we weren't stuffed. So for anyone with some ethiopian experience come on in its good quality. For those who have no idea this is a good place to have a first experience. If you bring a date just be aware that the restaurant is in a less pretty neighborhood so don't be spooked. But it's safe.
(5)Mon R.
(Maybe reviewers should let people know whether this was their FIRST ethiopian food experience, because this might change the way others view their reliability). I LOVE ethiopian food, so I was a bit put off by Addis Red Sea. The decor is wonderful- the atmosphere definitely makes Addis worth visiting. Unfortunately, the decor doesn't match the service or the food. For a Monday night they were pretty busy, but it felt like EVERYONE was waiting for their food to finally arrive. We were given ample time to search through the menu. My husband and I opted for a combination dish ('for two'). I didn't like the fact that for 'combination' options they only really had 'vegetarian' OR 'meat' - I like a mix of both. Regardless, we got , the Addis Red Sea combo- all meat options. My husband got a glass of their Ethiopian honey wine, $7, and we ordered steak tips as an appetizer. Neither the honey wine nor the steak tips were worth the purchase. The steak tips honestly just seemed like they were microwaved, and were definitely over-cooked. Did I mention the service was slow? We finally received our main dish WITHOUT two of our meat options. The waitress apologized profusely and went to go retrieve them. All of the food was bland for Ethiopian, and many were cold by the time they made it to our table. Needless to say, my hunger was satisfied, but disappointed to know that better Ethiopian exists out there... edit: After reading other reviews, I realized that for those who've never tried ethiopian food before- this is generally a good place to start (they've all given high ratings), but for those of us who have tried ethiopian food before, you will surely be let down.
(1)Adam G.
I keep giving this place another chance, but it never gets any better. From the very start, it doesn't matter when you have a reservation, you will wait on the weekend and the staff doesn't really seem interested. The service was poor despite there being plenty of people, and even some who asked us if we needed something. It took 4 requests from 4 different people to get water and drink menus. We were not in a rush, but we became a bit impatient. 2 of my friends were Ethiopian and we let them order. We were all disappointed in the food. It was bland and fairly small portions. My friend, who is Ethiopian) asked for some spicy powder which took a while to come, but when I put it on the food it gave it some good flavor. Why don't they season their food with this? It almost seems like they make it bland for the mostly white clients instead of going for a more authentic experience. I have had much better Ethiopian food in DC and NYC. I don't think I'll give this place a 4th chance.
(2)Steve M.
I was very disappointed. I am a vegan and ordered the Green Salad and Yesmsir Alcha (a lentil dish). Both dishes were boring and a poor value for money. My dining companion had a beef dish which she enjoyed. The service was good. The atmosphere was very nice.
(2)H S.
Very small but busy little place. The food was good, but they seemed to be out of a lot of different things, including food, certain beers, and certain wines. It seemed like every thing we ordered they were out of, so we had to settle for silver in most cases. The service wasn't very great, we had to wait long periods of time to order, to eat, to pay, etc. We also had to continuously beg for more bread, as we were a big party and they kept giving us only two pieces at a time. I might try the other location next time.
(3)Jason L.
3.5 stars A refreshing change of pace on the usual Tremont Street restaurants, Addis Red Sea is an Ethiopian place that serves affordable Tremont dining for those wishing to change up the 'ol routine. My dining companion and I went for the big sampling platter, which included Doro Wot, Doro Alcha, Lega Tibs, Zenge (Exotic Beef Stew), House Salad and Gomen Wot (for two: $24.95). We wanted to try more of the menu so instead of having 2 chicken dishes we substituted the Doro Alcha for the Yebeg alcha (lamb). We also had the sambusa appetizers (ethiopian version of a samosa fried pastry), which for two mediocre size pieces at $7 was frankly, underwhelming in flavor and not worth it. Should have tried their honey wine instead. All in all, the decor is warm, the service is acceptable, but somehow in the end, once the novelty of eating with your hands wears off, I find myself thinking that the lamb meat was really tough, and although the flavors of beef Zenge were delicious, there were many recycled flavors throughout. I also would have no problem just eating that light and fluffy injera bread plain. Still worth a visit if you've never tried. Food (6/10) Decor (4/5) Service (3/5) Value (5/5) - what a steal on Tremont street
(3)Sarah N.
Waited awhile... 2 hours, it was groupon night. They told us we didn't need to reserve a table, boy that was wrong! The service was not great, very slow. The decor is lovely. The beef was excellent and the chicken was very good but the lamb was full of grizzle..
(3)samatha r.
Well, I shall start by saying I will actually give 4 1/2 stars, Because I do think it's a little expensive for what it offers. Key word is "little". They are almost reasonable. the Place looks great. every thing looks and smells clean, unlike most places who cook African/Asian food. Food comes a little late compared to the other restaurants, How ever, Taste makes up for it. If you are Indian, or Understand what I am saying, The place serves Dosa's with different curries. Chicken tastes exactly like SouthIndian home cooked chicken curry. so, if you wanna go, I recommend it. All they are missing is a coconut chutney. In case you are not, Food comes on a big platter on a spongy Bread(Dosa).When they say side dishes, they mean more curries. They spread it on the big platter on the spongy bread. Every one eats from the same plate. It's a little oily, if you really don't like it, I guess you gotta ask the staff to reduce oil content. We had mango and guava juice, Mango juice tastes really artificial, but guava juice is quite good. All in all, you can go here when you want a different experience & ethnic food which is not too spicy. Though I am saying it's a $$$ restaurant, it's more like being quite high end on $$ restaurant.
(5)Kevin B.
Feels a bit outdated inside but food is great and one-of-a-kind. No complains, will be back.
(4)Andrew G.
What you should know: -service can feel slow -the low no-back seating can be a little uncomfortable if you're tall like me; my wife is not tall and she doesn't mind -the negatives don't matter; they're amazingly nice people who provide an amazingly unique meal that I've never been disappointed in. -don't be afraid to order things with the spicy symbol; it's not very spicy -the cottage cheese appetizers are amazing -ordering individual items can make it a little overpriced, but ordering one of the five dish combos to share amongst 2 or 3 people makes it an amazingly good deal; these combos are not excluded from the frequently offered groupon -whenever someone from a non-urban place comes to visit, this is an awesome option. you can show them a meal that they likely can't get at home without breaking the bank - HIGHLY RECOMMEND
(5)Thana T.
So I'm headed out to dinner with a group of friends and am told to keep an open mind. Fearing the worst, I step into Addis with a mild sense of trepidation. Will I have a plate served to me with various innards staring back up at me from my plate? No? Oh, I just have to eat with my hands. Well I can handle THAT silly. In fact, Ethiopian food has quickly climbed the ladder from 'what's that?' to 'can I PLEASE have one of everything?' Now excuse me while I butcher the spelling and nomenclature of anything Ethiopian related. Between four of us, we shared 3 warm, puffy ''plates' of (dough?) with our various orders poured onto them. The food choices ranged from lamb to spiced fish to lentils and encouraged a communal eating style between all of us. Everything was absolutely DELICIOUS, if you couldn't tell from the plate being wiped completely clean afterwards. Warm wet towels supplied beforehand and moist towelettes afterwards ensures that your eating experience is both filling and clean. And the best part? At $10 to $15 per person, I can indulge whenever I want without breaking the bank. I am definitely coming back again.
(5)Claudette B.
Such a pretty restaurant! The servers were nice Ethiopian style dresses and the tables and chairs are all Ethiopian style too. Wish the food were as authentic as the styling of the restaurant! Food was very high quality; service was very nice. Sadly, their berbere seasoning lacked flavor. Their injera was not sour. Their kitfo did not come with the expected seasoning salt/spice powder not traditional cheese. It was all tasty and settled nicely, but it was Ethiopian food for beginners.
(3)Manesh P.
The subterranean location and somewhat aged interior can be a bit off putting, but the food is pretty good. Not sure if the injera is supposed to get so soggy that you can barely pick food up, but maybe I just don't have the eating with your hands technique down. Not a ton of variety on the menu, but probably enough to go with a group and find something for everyone. I love the little communal tables and the fact that all your food comes out all on one plate. Go with good friends (with good hygeine), enjoy the camaraderie, and try not to start a food fight. Feel free to discretely pat a buddy on the back with your saucy fingers.
(3)Evan V.
On my insistence, a large group of close friends and myself headed to Boston for most everyone's first dose of Ethiopian. Having closely studied the dining customs of the culture (aka googling "how to eat Ethiopian") I informed everyone in the "what to expect department". Despite their training, my fellow diners managed to not only complain, but made absolute fools of themselves. The staff, being accustomed to first-timers, were quite patient, helpful and friendly. As a strict vegetarian my options were limited, but I found something that would hold me over. Atop the spongy, traditionally-made injera bread, that serves as a dish, I received a smattering of what can only be described as scoops of similarly-textured, earth-toned mush. The tiny piles of chickpeas, lentils and two other veg dishes were interestingly seasoned, but far from satisfying - at least for the price ($14.95). I have to imagine that what patrons here are really paying for is the experience that comes along with the novelty of eating with your hands and what have you. Now, I am not questioning the authenticity of the dishes by any means. I have since however done some experimenting in the kitchen myself and made some pretty slamming teff-based stew for next to nothing, on the cost front, and that also really filled me up. It is a nice restaurant, unquestionably, but for this reviewer, Addis Red Sea really falls short in both value and variety. Again, I found the service outstanding.
(3)Jacob M.
Been going to Addis for almost ten years now. Food is very good. Service, kind. A little slow on a busy night, but manageable. Their kitfo (spicy beef tartar) is my favorite, and their injera is dangerous addictive.
(4)Nalin R.
Delicious vegetarian options, addictive bread, and unique wine list that complements the spicy and flavorful fare. Richly decorated and with authentic tables and seating for the full experience. Helpful and welcoming staff.
(5)Spencer T.
Great place. Not just dinner....this is a dining experience! I felt like I was in the desserts of Ethiopia in someone's home, eating off their wicker tables with no utensils. Amazing food, polite staff. Speed is moderate-slow, but that's culture so it's part of the feel. Order some mango or guava juice! Wow!!!! Can't go wrong with any dish here.
(5)Hui Ying C.
Very delicious. Deceptively super filling with soft bread and very flavorful bean dishes. Great for vegans and vegetarians. Delicious Non Veg options available as well. Loved the atmosphere, price range and food.
(5)Aditya R.
It's a difficult to find restaurant, but boy I was lucky to find this! I don't remember what exactly I ordered, but I remembered ordering the 2 spicy dishes on the vegetarian section. The food was great, finished the whole platter. The service was great too, extremely friendly. Should check this out for different dining exprerience!
(4)Laura C.
Many people cite Addis as being the go-to Ethiopian joint in Boston. I whole-heartedly disagree. I've eaten Ethiopian in New York, DC, and Atlanta, at some of the best in the country, and I always feel disappointed when I come to Addis. First off, they don't use the traditional Teff flour in their injera, they use white flour, making the entire dish just a little bit off. I really enjoy the tang of good teff injera, and it adds such a depth of flavor to the entire meal. Instead, Addis takes the cheap route and doesn't even use a little bit of teff. We went with a gluten-free member in our party and had to ask for special injera (which I've never had to do at any other Ethiopian restaurant, ever). Especially when the bread you eat is basically your utensil for your food, it's really important to strive for perfect injera. Especially if your dishes are going to lack flavor.... leading to.... Secondly, they focus all their energy on producing good meat dishes that the vegetarian dishes get the shaft. Ethiopian food is a boon to vegetarians and vegans for making hearty, healthy, protein-filled dishes with a wallop of flavor. Not so at Addis. Even the Yemisir Wot (lentils with berebere) were lacking in strong flavor. And the usually yummy and mild Tikil Gomen (cabbage with turmeric and ginger) was watery and bland. And without that injera to add the sweet tang, the vegetable dishes just end up boring and uneaten. That said, though, their meat dishes are quite good. Their Gored Gored is excellent and they even have raw Kitfo on the menu. But it isn't fair to sacrifice the amazing flavor of great vegetarian dishes to focus on the meat. To top it off, the service is iffy and slow. The people are kind, but we ended up waiting a long time for service, and then getting the wrong type of lamb than what we ordered. Additionally, they were out of two of the types of wine we tried to order and both of the Ethiopian beers on the menu. It was only a Thursday, your menu shouldn't be out of so many options. And if they are permanently removed from your menu, then you should update your menu. And considering how much this place costs, there is no reason to sacrifice so much from your kitchen. For a really astounding and caring place to go in town for Ethiopian, go to Asmara in Central Square. Their service is amazing, their vegetarian combo is out of this world, and they use real teff flour for a much more authentic experience and much easier on your wallet.
(2)Emmi Z.
The food, when it came, was delicious. Unfortunately, it took over an hour to get to our table. I went on a Friday night and it took about twenty minutes to seat us (understandable, it was busy and there were lots of people waiting) and then ANOTHER thirty minutes before someone came to our table, poured us our water, and took our order. After that, it was a good 40 minutes before our food was brought out, no one ever refilled our water, and - after we'd finished eating - I had to ask for my check THREE TIMES before someone brought it to me. I would have understood if it had been super busy but, by the time our food came, the waitresses and two of the bus boys were hanging out by the bar passing a smart phone back and forth watching a youtube video. The manager did apologize and offer to bring us dessert for free when I brought it to his attention but, as I didn't want to be stuck there for another hour, I declined.
(2)Fulgencio M.
Oh my God, the most confusing experience of my life. I live in Miami, and so I've never met an Ethiopian, and didn't realize that they had restaurants. I was wandering down Tremont one night this past September, on my way to my fabulous hotel, when the GPS on my phone malfunctioned. Since Boston cab drivers always mistake me for being stupid and try to take me on rides without the meter running, I decided to stop into a little restaurant to ask for directions. Addis Red Sea was the closest place. I skipped in, wearing my most European trenchcoat with a full-bodied scarf that complemented my green contact lenses, and asked for directions. These people didn't understand a word I was saying, and before long I was seated in the back of this cozy, single-room restaurant, being served Ethiopian red wine and vegetarian sambusa. I had no idea what I was eating, and wondered why my table was so low to the ground. My theory is that this place used to be a Kindercare and they just couldn't afford to buy new tables. I wouldn't have stayed but whenever someone hands me red wine I can't say no. Being a wine snob, having never heard of Ethiopian wine, I was pleasantly surprised. "Gouder" was the name of it, and since I've been searching Miami for a bottle. I assumed that these people weren't going to give me directions until I ate some more food, so I ordered a vegetarian combination platter. Of course I wasn't going to eat meat, hEllO, not with this body. I told the waitress to bring out whichever vegetarian dishes she recommended most. When she returned with a large piece of spongey bread and little piles of 'things' on them, I'll admit, I had no clue what to do. To make matters worse, there were so many gays in there (please, the South End, hEllO) that I couldn't embarrass myself. So I scooped up the little piles of food with the sponge bread and wOw is all I can say. The kinche was sOOo delicious. The butecha nearly made me cry. One more glass of Gouder and I think I would have. When the waitress returned I asked her for directions and she still wouldn't give in. I felt like a latin James Bond (with a 27 waist) in a force-feeding stand-off. And so I ordered dessert. A delicious little fruit tart that I devoured. All the gays in there must have been wondering how I ate so much yet stay so thin. But I didn't know what they were saying because half were speaking crazy-talk. Turkish, or something. Now if only Addis Red Sea would open a branch in South Beach... what a wonderful little place, and what wonderful food. I left feeling... so international. And yes, she finally gave me directions, but only after a 20% tip. This has been a Review by Fulgencio
(5)Del S.
OK, I don't get this place. I wasn't impressed with their bland cold food, somewhat unfriendly service or the pathetic portions for the price you pay. On top of that the place was crowded and uncomfortable. I am giving the place 2 stars instead of 1 star simply for it's uniqueness and originality of the restaurant setting, but I don't plan to visit again.
(2)May W.
I've definitely had better Ethiopian food. The bread was not fresh at all, and the servings seemed small. Some of the flavors weren't that great, and some of the meat was too chewy.
(2)Renee M.
I was debating whether to give Addis Red Sea 3 or 4 stars, but in the end I went with 3. I had never had Ethiopian food before this, and wasn't too sure what to expect. I ordered a spicy chicken dish, which ended up being the best at the table. While my dish was yummy, it wasn't shockingly different than other types of cuisine I've tried. Kind of tasted like spicy chili, but without the beans.The spongy bread you use to pick up your food was good but very filling. This place is nice to go with a group of friends, and I enjoyed eating with my hands :) And, while my food was good, I don't know if it's worth making the long trek to the South End to return to Addis Red Sea. Good, but didn't rock my socks.
(3)Nicole K.
LOVE the food, love the staff, ambiance, et al. I've seen comments about the slow service, but I get the impression it's intentional. I've been eating here for 10 years, and I have always had the same experience, and it seems to me the idea behind this communal eating is to slow down, enjoy each others company, and savor the food. So, try #4 on the app list (Ayib Betmitmita), anything in Wot sauce, and the Baklava. Don't expect to eat in an hour then catch a show across the street. Enjoy!
(4)Nadeem I.
This place is great. It has the best Ethiopian food in the Boston area but it is kind of pricy. Get the lentil dish...yum! and eat lots of injera with your bare hands.
(4)Joanna L.
Really like this place. Another gem in south end, where you can have fun dining in a unique and hands-on interactive way. Great for a date or a small group of friends who want to try something new. Style of eating here is at a low-table with a spongy mat of bread rolled out across the table; whatever stews you order are placed on the mat of bread in different locations, and you tear at the bread as you eat different things around the table. Just hands, no utensils! Interior and ambience are laid-back, cool, and funky - but not impressive. Kind of like someone's basement with ethnic flair and funk. Staff is friendly and warm. All the stews, veggie and meat, i've tried are delicious - definitely get beef tibs, and the veggie combo to supplement. Things are flavorful and tasty, but in a really easy-going way. If this is one of your first times eating ethiopian food, you won't find the dishes "too exotic" or "acquired tastes." And, if you've eaten lots of ethiopian food, you'll still enjoy it.
(4)Jacqui L.
I've been wanting to try Ethiopian food for a while and came across Addis Red Sea in Boston, MA. I would 100% say it was worth my wait! It's a little hole in the wall type of restaurant. When I walked in..the decor was so beautiful...lots of warm colors and unique iteams from Ethiopia..every last detail was gorjous! I'm a vegatarian and I ended up ordering off the salad section: Ye-Miser Salata - Warm lentil salad laced with onions, green peppers and herbs. $6.95 The flatbread (Injera) that sits under your food was delicious..my food tasted so good and I loved eating with my hands...something very different...I made a mess but it was so much fun and I loved every bite! This place was amazing and I'm deff going back as soon as possible!!! :)
(4)Michelle L.
Hoping to impress, I decided to take my girlfriend here for our first official date. Neither of us had ever tried Ethiopian before and we wanted to expand our horizons. Eating with our hands and sharing our food sounded intimate and romantic. We didn't have to wait, though it probably helped that the weather was terrible all weekend. We were led straight to a table , where the music, warm colors and soft-lit ambience proved my intuition correct: this was going to be a charming and romantic evening. We investigated everything on the menu and decided on the Red Sea Combo for two, since we both wanted to try everything. The injera was tasty-- not a lot of flavor in itself, but a perfect conduit for the piles of delicious food mounded on top. Portions were small for each dish, but filling. The GF and I agreed we needed to look up injera recipes when we got back home. We liked everything we tried-- the salad ended up a little neglected simply because it was cold and less exciting-- but we especially loved the Doro Alcha, with tender, falling-apart chicken, and the Gomen Wot (collard greens). Service was good; we never ran out of water, which would have been dangerous with the spicier dishes we'd ordered. Warning: when it comes time for dessert, your server will not simply ask if you'd like the dessert menu. Ours approached us with a tray of their available desserts and proceeded to wave them under our noses as she asked us if we wanted dessert. Resistance is futile. The creme brulee, though obviously not Ethiopian at all, was too tempting to pass up-- it was the most romantic desert either of us could think of, and the juicy ripe strawberries sitting on top sealed the deal. The brulee was very tasty, and the perfect amount to split after a very full meal. I was surprised at how affordable the price was, especially for Boston, especially for the South End. This was a perfect date spot. My review may be a little rose-colored by the success of the date, but Addis Red Sea fulfilled my expectations completely.
(5)Sarah S.
The atmosphere is spectacular. We ordered the vegetarian combination, and the servings initially look small, but then neither of us could finish. The giagantoid plate is deceiving. Their injera is spongy and fresh and perfect. We avoided the dishes labelled spicy, and I was a bit disappointed that the other dishes were a little too un-spicy, but that could have been our own ordering mistake. As another reviewer stated, the appetizers are overpriced for what you get. Decent selection of wines.
(3)Megan S.
Be ready for a wait on the weekend. Ethiopian restaurants are few and far between in Boston, and those in the know go to Addis. They cramp you in a tiny lobby, tell you it will be just ten minutes and then force you to endure the mouth-watering smells of deeeelicious food that everyone else is eating. When you finally receive your table, be careful about ordering champagne. It goes well with the spicy food, but the waitress may hit you with the cork. Then the moment comes--your food has arrived. Get some extra sponge bread and dig in--especially the lentils and peas. Mmmmm.
(4)Thy L.
I had a horrible experience at this place. The food was OKAY. I was not impressed. I just felt like I was getting fed a slob of mushy gunk. Do people just go here to enjoy the "experience" of eating on a foreign table? Food aside, service was horrible. I made a reservation for a party of 10 at 7:00pm. About 3 of us were going to be late. I told the host and asked if he could hold the table for an extra 10 minutes at around 6:55 since I knew they had a full-party seating rule. He told me he could hold it for another 5 minutes. that's fine. my fault for not ensuring all 10 of my friends would be on time Then I didn't know they don't allow outside cakes until I got there. They have a little pastry area that you "have the option" of ordering from. I asked the waitress to put the cake in the fridge for me and we'll go somewhere else to eat it later. Okay, I look at the menu. Not a lot looked appetizing to me. I decided to share with a friend. When I told the waitress she said there is a $7 surcharge for sharing. Am I going to get more food? Why am I getting punished for having a small appetite? Why are they encouraging gluttony? I decided to order my own entree because I wasn't going to pay $7 for absolutely nothing. I was not impressed by the spongy bread they serve the food on. I would much rather eat Naan bread. If you leave the food there too long the bread gets really mushy and gross. Oh and don't expect to get utensils. I asked, they don't have any. You have to use your hands to eat your food for the full experience. We pay, the 18% gratuity is included of course even though the waitress was annoying and rude. why do i say that? well, we brought our cake back.. and it was broken in half. I know it wasn't broken when I gave it to them because i looked at it before we got into the restaurant. Thank you Addis for ruining my friend's birthday. IN SHORT: 1) make reservations, arrive early/on time because they won't hold it. 2) don't bring a cake 3) you can't share, if you want to you have to pay a $7 penalty 4) don't expect anything you give to the waitress to put aside for you to come back in one piece
(1)Catherine S.
Such a unique dining experience! My boyfriend had been before, and took me back after getting a Groupon to use. It was helpful having him there because this isn't your typical restaurant. The waitress brings out warm towels before you get your meal, and you use them to wipe your hands off (just telling you this so you don't get confused like I did). You order your meal, and they put it on a round, spongy piece of bread the size of the small table you're served on. You scoop it all up with your hands, which turns out being a nice thing because the food is so good, all you want to do is shovel it in. I had a chicken dish, which was great. The closest thing to compare to is chicken tikka masala: the chicken is cooked in sauce for a while, and comes out moist and liquid-y. If you're into trying new things, I highly recommend this place!
(4)Agape W.
Having had a college roommate who grew up in Ethiopia, I've learned to appreciate good Ethiopian food. Unfortunately, Addis Red Sea was mediocre at best. The injera lacked the sourness I have grown accustomed to from restaurants in NYC and Denver, and the chicken and 3 vegetable sides I had lacked a depth of flavor. The cabbage side was virtually cut steamed cabbage... Not a spice to be found. The same goes for the mixed vegetables. While I was disappointed, those with me who didn't know what to expect found the food to be perfectly palatable. It wasn't terrible but I definitely won't go back before trying a different Ethiopian restaurant.
(3)Calli C.
This is my go-to spot for first dates; the lighting is flattering, the atmosphere is friendly and intimate, and the food is (no bettter word than) FUN. You eat with your hands! As someone who commonly drops utensils on the ground and is baffled by complex table settings, relying upon the best ten utensils we were born with - and luckily didn't lose in that freak stapler accident - is the way to go. There is a communal platter covered in the mouthwatering spongy bread called injera, and the dishes you order come out in small bowls that are then poured onto the injera. With additional pieces of the bread you can rip them off and scoop the food into your mouth. The tactile quality of the food only amplifies the moans of pleasure coming from your tastebuds. I think I've tried most everything on the menu, and have never been disappointed. The Ethiopian beer and wine are both delicious, and the waitstaff have always been friendly and attentive. Note though, that this is not a place for a quick bite to eat. Come ready to relish a delightful meal while perched on somewhat unique seating.
(5)Chris B.
I enjoy Addis quite a lot. A friend of mine said to avoid the Cambridge location (I've never been), but this one has been solid the 3 times I've been. One weird quirk -- on my last time, they served two different times of inerja bread: one sour, and one like a pancake (tasteless). The sour one is definitely far better, so I'm not sure what the deal was with the other one. I'm pretty sure historically I've only ever had the sour one at Ethiopian restaurants. A few notes: ~ We've gone all-meat, and all-veggie on different occasions. One of the chicken stews stands out as an excellent dish. ~ I sincerely wish they would give a simple green salad in the middle of the plate to compliment some of the flavors -- my favorite Ethiopian place in San Jose, CA did this to great effect. ~ Sometimes the food doesn't seem to be super awesomely cooked, which is a bit unfortunate, but the experience is always so nice we come out very happy nonetheless. ~ The honey wine is to die for -- always get a bottle or at least a glass. They get a couple stars just for this. Interestingly, it looks like they might use a US-based provider of the wine, from Oakland CA? ~ Try not to sit downstairs... upstairs is much happier. ~ Service is great -- happy, helpful people.
(4)Tita D.
Love it! Fantastic atmosphere, great service and best of all amazingly delicious food! If you haven't been there Addis is a must go for all occasions. Can't wait to go back
(5)Emily A.
Delicious Ethiopian with great ambiance. However, the portions were much smaller than what I'm used to getting at other Ethiopian restaurants and the prices were MUCH steeper. Don't expect to get out of there spending less than $30. The array of desserts were disappointing, with nothing seeming to be authentic at all. However the injera was really tasty and the service was good.
(4)Steve L.
I love eating with my hands! This is a cool place to go and the food is very tasty. It's one of my favorite places to bring out of town visitors, and just about everyone has loved it. The only drawback is that the wait can be very long and they only serve beer/wine. There's also nowhere to wait.
(5)LuluandDaquan B.
Maybe I am just not a fan of Ethiopian food, but this place seems way overrated to me. Many come here for the experience: African decor, sitting on little stools and using bowl shaped tables, etc. It's probably fun for a not so ordinary dinner but I felt that the food was sub-par and definitely could have been better so that's the 2 stars. The selection of food is heavy on meat and fish stews that you eat over spongey bread. I don't like stews, and though the bread was ok it wasn't flavorful and not good enough to overlook the entrees. The food doesn't look very appetizing and doesn't have great taste either. Service was poor, came here with a group, did not get served until an hour and 10 minutes after.
(2)Jeffrey K.
Porter Square on the (whichever) Red Line! I've been to this place twice now, and has been my only experience with Ethiopian food. With that in mind, the food here is damn good. I was slightly skeptical of the sponge bread (Injera), but got over that quickly when I tasted the delicious varieties of goop they spread all over it. Just because I still haven't found exactly what I like, I've shared the Addis Red Sea Special combo both times. I find the meat dishes strikingly similar in flavor to Indian food, but a little heavier (they use a LOT of butter) and more mild/bland in flavor. The only reservation I would warn about this place is that the service is seriously slow, especially if you get sit in the lower level. Also, if you're a texture person the Injera might be a little difficult to get past.
(4)Harry D.
If you're on a budget and its a dinner for two, make sure to get the addis red sea combo, its a huge meal accompanied with injera bread. This restaurant doesn't leave anyone out; With vegetarian and vegan friendly menu items to choose from. Bon appetite!
(5)Huan z.
I would give this restaurant 3 and half star for the friendly service and beautiful decoration. Food is also very carefully made and delicious. Pick Injera with your right hand only. Make sure you do not eat with your left hand! In Ethiopia, food is a respected gift from God and eating with your left hand is a sign of disrespect.
(3)Brent C.
Great group atmosphere. Served family style with utensil bread. This place is a ton of fun. Food was just as good. Highly recommended.
(4)stephanie c.
Really cute place. Love the cushion chairs and ambiance. Great date spot for something adventurous and different. Injera was light, fluffy, and tasty. I could pick at that alone. Tried the Yebeg Wot (lamb), Gomen Wot (chopped collard greens), and split peas. Everything was tasty and surprisingly much lighter than I expected. Service was great and the Ethiopian beer was not bad at all! (for someone who typically doesnt enjoy beer). It was a great experience. Not sure if Ethiopian food is my all time favorite, but I'd definitely come again for something different and tasty.
(4)Kristen W.
I can't believe it has taken me so long to write you all and profess my unabashed love for this place! Used to come here once a month in the early 00's as I went to law school just a hop skip and a jump away. The cool, comfortable basement locale is equally wonderful with a group of friends or just one on one with your special guy / lady. Thanks to a good friend who recently went vegan and had heard this was a good location for vegans, I, in all my suburban glory, would have forgotten to write about Addis Red Sea's delights! Oh but Addis Red Sea, I will never forsake thee! I am already plotting my next visit, in fact. If you have never had Ethiopian food, you may want to find a dining partner who has and start your exploration of the stewed meats and veggies that way. The injera here (the spongy bread on which you eat and with which you eat) is fresh fresh fresh and never brittle - you can also ask for a whole wheat version. The food is so much fun to share - when I dine out with meat-eating buddies the "Winnie Mandela" is usually on the mesob (ethiopian name for the lovely woven tables you dine on). It features the meal Mrs. Mandela ordered here during her visit here (which I think was back in the 90's?). Do start with sambusas (like Indian samosas)! Cheap and filling! For your main course - pretty much everything is a combo plate - one or two meat based dishes with some vegetarian dishes. For veg: the Gomen Wot (Chopped collard greens cooked in herbed oil with onions, green pepper and garlic) is a personal favorite. The split pea dish is also quite tasty. I love all of the chicken dishes - the chicken has litterally fallen off the bone once it is on your plate of injera - the texture is reminiscent of Moroccan clay pot cooking but with more pureed veggies and less overwhelming spice - one can really taste the subtle slow cooked, butter enhanced flavors for themselves rather than being overwhelmed by spice which could invade your enjoyment of the other dishes. My personal faves - anything "alcha" - chicken, lentils, beef - all so wonderfully delicate - they play well with the other flavors that will wind up in your tummy. I am not the hugest lamb fan - but I heat the lamb is amazing (it is affordable for certain, as is everything here - we're talking an average $6 for a glass of wine and $15 or so for a combination dish) You are getting a good amount of starch to fill you up with the bread you eat with / on - so I was a bit disappointed with my choice to try the Kinche (Cracked wheat blended with herbed oil or butter and spices) as one of my veggie options on my last visit. It was the only thing that was hard and messy to eat and really was just like having a pile of pastene (small pearl pasta) or couscous to eat with bread. I would have rather more Gomen Wot or Tikle Gomen (Cabbage cooked with vegetable oil, garlic, ginger and green peppers) instead. This was my only disappointment of this visit. I would say unless you are itching for a couscous-like option, skip the Kinche and get more veg or meat! My friend and I were oohing and aaahing over our meal the whole time, joking we sounded like Sally in the famous When Harry Met Sally scene - I was thinking I felt more like Bob in What About Bob... Hands down the BEST Ethiopian in the Boston area and I would say it exceeds the quality I have had at many establishments that feature this cuisine in Washington D.C. (if you love Ethiopian food and are planning a visit to the capitol, you MUST go to the Adams Morgan area and virtually any Ethiopian restaurant will not disappoint you).
(5)Garrick R.
Good food and service. Lamb wasn't as good as expected. Chicken was much better than expected.
(4)Francine W.
The food here was good. I'm not sure I love ethiopian food and the kinds of spices they use though so that could be why i'm giving it 3 instead of 4 or 5 stars. Some of the chicken dishes were great but a lot of the food seems kind of sour/vinegary. Also, the vegetables seemed overcooked (but maybe that's the way they eat it?). Anyway, it was a good experience and some of the food my group ordered was certainly delicious.. others were only okay. The bread is really interesting! Not what I'm used to but it was good. The service was EH. None of the people in my group ordered drinks.. because we were going out afterwards.. well the waiter seemed really mad about that and came back twice to tell us every single beverage/alcoholic drink they had. Everyone just felt like having water.. we ordered more than enough of food. That was rude. Some of my friends really love ethiopian food so I will probably be back at some point. if you've never been, you should go just for the experience!
(3)Benjamin E.
Addis popped my Ethiopian food cherry. It was delicious. Me and my date shared the Addis Red Sea Special Combo for two ($24.95). I would definitely recommend that dish to anyone who has not tried Ethiopian before. Not all dishes on it were on the same level of greatness, so I think next time (and there will be a next time) I am ready to pick my own single dish. The Zenge was phenomenal. There was one chicken one that did not have much flavor. We were both very full after that meal and a bottle of their cava (they were out of Ethiopian White Wines, I really liked the cava, though). While their desserts look delicious, they do not look very authentic to Ethiopia and (I apologize if I am wrong) do not look home made. We passed on those. TIP: The occasion did not arise, but I would have asked for more injera (the bread they give you to eat with) before I used the ones the food was served on. They get soggy. Also, for anyone with back problems or anything like that, the chairs there are not too great. Some barely had chair backs at all.
(4)Amanda L.
This is a really great spot for the foodie-inclined or the adventurous - not for the picky eater or lover of all-American, milque-toast fare. I loved the whole ambiance, the service was extra friendly, really great food and a unique experience. I loved the injera and had a standout mango drink that I'm still thinking about. Also some good imported beers here. It's a very romantic spot, though I wouldn't recommend it for a first date - maybe a 10th date. Then again, you can get a good sense of someone's character by the food adventures they're willing - or not willing - to go on. At least I can. Some people didn't like the subterranean locale, but I thought it added to an original experience. I'd definitely go back when I'm in the Bean.
(4)Trip B.
I absolutely loved this place. You have this soft and fluffy crepe-like bread that surrounds your entire meal of lamb and chicken stews and fresh vegetables. Cool down your palate with some tasty, hard to find Kenyan or Ethiopian beer and you are good to go. I suggest going with some friends for a fun evening out. Go hungry too, you'll need your appetite for sure.
(4)Brady B.
I absolutely love this restaurant. The atmosphere, the staff, the wine and of course the food! I usually start with an order of Sambusa, whether it be a veggie or meat version...either is great. As far as the entrees are concerned I've yet to try something that I haven't truly enjoyed. They do lamb beautifully, which is hard to come by in my opinion. Their honey wine makes a great finish to an amazing meal. Just sweet enough that I can only fully enjoy it as a dessert wine. The waitstaff are always so chill and all in all Addis Red Sea is such a comforting place. Regardless of my mood that I show up with, I always feel so relaxed here that I just want to take my shoes off, decompress and eat seriously intriguing food. Let go and let Addis.
(5)Katie G.
This was one of the first restaurants I tried after moving to Boston, and now that I've moved away, it's one of the first restaurants I visit when I'm back in town. I love everything about this place. I mean, anything you can eat with your hands gets extra points in my book, but it's not just the whole "experience" (the mesob/upside-down sombrero table, the injera-instead-of-a-fork, etc.) that draws me back to Addis*---it's the food. The food is just unbelievably delicious. It's fragrant, spicy (ask for extra spice if you like heat), comforting and most likely unlike anything you've ever eaten before. This is the sort of place you go through withdrawal from if you don't get it enough---it's just that good and different. I'm so over $100+ per person dinners at chichi restaurants with the same pork belly on the menu ...bo-ring. Just give me a big pile of yasa wot and some spongy bread and away I go, happy as a clam. The one downside is the wait for a table can be long as a walk-in, but that can be circumvented by making a reservation. (Duh.) *Though I will note that it's kinda sad to walk into a new Ethiopian restaurant and see it has normal tables. Boo! So clearly the "experience" does play into Addis' awesomeness.
(5)Julien P.
Ethiopian food... Sure! We usually eat ethiopian every 3-4 months. We like Ethiopian from DC and Seattle best (over Chicago and Boston). Decor: great. Seated fairly quickly but service is slow Staff: friendly Kitfo ordered raw and spicy, as it should be. Depends on the day, but mostly ok. Ask for Awaze (Berbere in a garlic sauce?) on the side Doro wot is good. Injera is fluffy but a bit starchy. To me, Injera can make or break the deal. And here, it was a bit disappointing. Skip the dessert. Nothing to see there.
(3)Doug P.
This is my first and still favorite exposure to Ethiopian food. The restaurant has a very dim lit and comfortable atmosphere. I highly recommend getting the combo meals so you can can sample the wide array of dishes available. I have never left here without a borderline food coma and I love every second of it. Since is the only game in town for good Ethiopian, the place is packed in the evenings. You can except an hour+ wait on the weekend evenings so I recommend getting there by 7 at the lastest if you want to avoid the wait.
(4)Lauren R.
I was really tired after a long work week and was struggling with whether or not I should go into town for a birthday dinner gathering. After looking up the menu and checking out the restuarant online, my decision was made. I was excited and all geared up to go try Ethiopian food for the first time. What a great idea! The parking was quite difficult on a cold Friday evening, but after driving around for a bit, we finally found some free parking. Since the rest of the group had already waited for tables, we sat right away when we arrived. Little sectioned off low chairs and tables were scattered around amidst the authentically decorated atmosphere. It wasn't until the salad came out that we realized that you ate everything with your hands, or by attempting to use the moist crepe-like bread to scoop up the food. The salad was quite delicious, especially dipping that bread into the dressing. The meals, all served together in one super large table/bowl, were meshed together. The portion of the food seemed quite small, but with all the bread eaten, I was surely full. I got the veggie combo meal so I could try 4 different veggie menu items, having never eaten Ethiopian food. The food was rather tasty, similar to Middle Eastern food I thought. Although an interesting, new experience for sure, the seating was uncomfortable on low stools with no chair backs, leaning over all night to eat with my hands got tiring. A steamed cloth was given out at the beginning of the meal to clean your hands, but I definitely could have used another at the end. I had dried lentils all over my finger tips and under my nails. Not sure if I'd go back, but I now know that I like Ethiopian food and could go for it again every now and again.
(3)Joshua M.
The food is decent enough. The injera could be a little less dry. But come on people, stop skimping on the portions! There are some other Ethiopia...ehhh i'll leave it at that.
(3)Kerrie K.
Be ready to eat with your hands, the bread they provide you with to eat with is amazing, kind of crepe-like. The food is actually excellent, but its a meal for sharing so make sure you're comfy with men and women you are consuming with. Its a quite cool restaurant.
(4)Emily F.
I love eating with my fingers and thouroughly enjoy the "starch as a vehicle for spiced vegetable mush" formula, in all it's variants (pita with hummus, many Indian dishes, etc.). I had high hopes for Addis. I don't have any basis for comparison as far as authenticity goes - Addis has been my only foray in Ethopian food, but I found it all pretty delicious. Staff was so friendly, asking about our taste preferences before recommending specific dishes when we wanted some guidence. Sure, the spongy, sort of damp bread feels foreign to my palate. I admit, my first reaction a yearning for some fluffy, dry pita. But I withheld my cultural food preference biases and soldiered on. Within bites, I was sold and the food devoured. My boy commented that he felt like this is the way he was *meant* to eat. The vegetarian for two combo was the perfect amount of food for us at only $23. All of their veggie dishes are vegan, definite bonus point in my book. Try the Ethopian beers. YUM. The atmosphere is soothing, warm, intimate, and comfortable. Dim lighting, low stools & tables (not the most comfortable but certainly not uncomfortable, at least for the hour our vital young bootys were stationed there), and an assortment of vibrant art all combines for a wonderfully sensual meal.
(4)Tyler L.
I'm so happy we stumbled on this place! This was our first experience with Ethiopian food. I had this idea in my head that Ethiopian food would be mostly meat dishes but there were plenty of vegetarian (actually vegan) options. The night that we went to Addis Red Sea it was completely packed. We got a table downstairs and promptly ordered our food. Between the three of us we ordered 8 out of 9 vegetarian options on the menu. We didn't try the "Kinche." They have combos so that you can try several options in smaller portions. That would be my recommendation if you're an Ethiopian food novice. It took a LONG time for our food to come but we actually didn't mind. It was an exciting experience being there and we had good conversation. I loved eating with the bread instead of utensils. It's called Injera and it is a thin spongy bread that works great for scooping up food. All the food we ordered was amazing, but the Yesmir Wot really stood out to us. According to their menu it is, "Lentils simmered in a spicy hot berbere sauce." If you haven't tried this place out you should make a reservation right now.
(5)Danika A.
My boyfriend took me to Addis for Valentine's Day. Ethiopian is by far my favorite type of cuisine, and the only other restaurants I had been to were in Washington, DC, so I was excited. Addis did not disappoint. Great atmosphere, good service, and fantastic food. We both had a glass of honey wine, shared the beef sambusa, and the Addis Red Sea Special Combo. Fantastic! Perfectly marinated meats, flavorful vegetables, and of course the unique injera bread made this a wonderful Valentine's Day experience.
(5)Kelly L.
I can't believe I've never written a review for this place before. I LOVE it here. Yes, there can be a large wait on weekends after 6:30/7pm. I was there a few weeks ago and the line went out the door and partially up the outside steps, but in my opinion, it's worth it. They have a great selection of South African wines, if you are a fan, and beers from the continent. My brother-in-law, a South African obsessed with all things related to his country was very impressed with the wines and beers available. The ambiance is great. Nice mood lighting and the low tables and chairs feel cozier, but as my brother-in-law pointed out, there's one semi nude photo that can startle you if you're looking around. It's a nice painting though, so I don't mind it. As for the food, I always plan to eat almost nothing during the day before coming to eat here, but I always leave stuffed. The bread is amazing, but if you don't mind some more bread with an appetizer, you really should try the Ye-Awaze Dabo (a spicy red pepper dip). The cottage cheese app is also very good, but I would never skip the red pepper dip. For dinner I almost always get a combination platter, usually the Addis Red Sea Special Combo, but I follow the advice of many other smart Yelpers and ask to sub one of the chicken dishes for lamb. Yum.
(4)Nicholas B.
Being my first experience at an Ethiopian restaurant, I didn't know what to expect, but I was cautiously optimistic going in and left a huge fan! The food was delicious, had a lot of flavor and the portions were good without being overly big. I'm not sure exactly what my dish was but I split a meal for two with a friend. It had beef stew, collard greens, a spicy chicken, pork and steak. Be prepared to eat with your hands, but it was totally worth it! Definitely will go again :)
(4)Julie C.
I honestly dont know what the rave is about. My Bf and I went here after we went to the Bizarre Bazzaar. We like trying new exotic food and thoght this place would be great. We had never had Ethiopian and wanted to try it. We opted to get one of the cobo dishes as we didnt really know what to order and we chose the best that sound and looked like it would taste the best. the food came out and it was awfully strange. we werent sure what to do but looking around we just took some of the dough stuff and mixed and ate. it was interesting to say the least. The food was not hot as it was sorta luke warm and more on the cool side. I enjoyed it but not really. I would want to try it again to see if I wold like it better the 2nd time around . Overall, it was an experience and I am glad I tried it.
(2)Rowena T.
First Ethiopian restaurant I've ever been too, and me likey! The combo specials are a great way to get a variety of different flavors. Very relaxing atmosphere and great food. Good thing I had some tapas before eating here though! The service was so slow, but I didn't mind too much. Wish they gave you a towel after eating too.
(4)Caroline C.
I LOVE Ethiopian food, which is why I find Addis Red Sea so heartbreaking - for one of the few Ethiopian restaurants in Boston, the food is just mediocre. Not even close to the awesomeness of which Ethiopian can and should be. Not only is it often bland, sometimes it's not even the correct temperature. Still, I have to give the restaurant three stars, simply because it's Ethiopian, and the traditional seating and decor are fun and enjoyable. The service has always been fine, although never amazing -
(3)Katherine W.
Cooks in olive oil and canola oil. Totally reasonable prices...
(3)Francisca W.
(review dated 12/07): it's fun to be able to eat with your hands, like ethiopians do. but like my friend's friend said, one might feel bad eating ethiopian food knowing that most ethiopians these days don't have this much food to eat--w/ or w/o their hands. food is mostly spicy, w/the usual ingredients (beef, lamb, chicken). the non-spicy lamb was the best out of all that we ordered. the raw beef dish didn't look raw at all, it was quite spicy instead. the (unlimited) bread that comes w/the meal tastes good itself. but make sure you get a good size so that you can grab the food that's less than solid. spices aside, the food isn't that much different from what we eat everyday (at least from an asian standpoint), but the procedure is what makes it unique. it's worth a try. :)
(3)Sidanshu G.
If you are a vegetarian, then do not bother going here to eat. All you get is lentils in veg here. The best part is the Chicken. Very Tasty :). One more problem is that everyone needs to take atleast 1 entree so if you are thinking of sharing then...that is not gonna happen...
(3)A P.
Terrible food and terrible service. Waitress didn't really give a damn. She told us the food was pre-prepared so they could not accommodate any changes (as in making the dish a little spicy). The food came in microwaved. I've always been a fan of Ethiopian food but this was the pits.
(1)Elizabeth R.
I've eaten here about five times over the past 12 years or so. I would have given it five stars about six years ago, but my last two experiences bring it down to three stars. Food: The food is good to excellent. I'm a vegetarian and typically order the veg plate for two. The collard greens, lentils, mixed veggies, and salad are outstanding. The chick peas are kind of boring and cold. Wine: Lots of comments here about the honey wine. I didn't love it. Ambience: The upstairs has a great ambience---low lights, traditional furniture, very exotic and cozy feeling. It is nice to just sit there and drink it all in. The downstairs---not so much. The floor is hard white bright tile and although the furniture is traditional, the tables are packed together very tightly with a lot of stools and chairs around each one making it very hard to get comfortable. I was seated with a view of a lot of cast off furniture and other items stacked next to the bar. Interestingly enough, we were two women eating together and I noted that all the customers on the lower level were female, while the men and mixed parties were seated upstairs. Sexism? Perhaps. Would recommend you ask for the top floor only if you are going to eat here. Service: Kind of slow. I wouldn't have cared if I wasn't looking at a pile of discarded furniture!
(3)Michele B.
Ethiopian food is one of my favorites but I'm not as impressed with this place since I started cooking my own. First off, the wait was long. When we go to the table it took a long time before they even took our drink order and then it was a good half hour before our food came out. When it did the vegetables were cool, and the injera bread was soggy like it had been put on the plate hot some time ago and had cooled off there. The injera itself seems to be an Americanized version. It isn't sour and doesn't seem to be made with teff flour. It's more like a big crumpet than injera. That's OK I guess because injera might be a strong flavor for a lot of people, but it goes so good with the other spicy food it's kind of a shame. The berber spice dishes are OK but not nearly as hot as if you make it yourself and follow an Ethiopian recipes. Those are probably the hottest thing you've ever eaten, and Addis just doesn't compare. Their "hot" meals are probably mild or medium at most Indian restaurants. The waitstaff is pleasant when they show up at the table though.
(2)Ashley S.
Delicious. Started off with the beef sambosa, which was flavorful but a dipping sauce would have been extra yummy. We didn't know that each order came with 2 sambosas, and so we ended up with 4. Then we got the veggie combo for two and it was definitely plenty of food - we were quickly stuffed. My favorite dish was the cabbage ... sooo good, but the spicy lentils came in a close second. Our server was helpful and friendly. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Matthew B.
I would rather be punched in the face than have to wait for service at this joint. With that said, the atmosphere is pleasant, but a little crowded at those tables. The price is decent considering the over head they must have being in the south end. The fish is delicious. They have Ommegang :) The injera is nice and spongey, but appears to be made with white flour and is not the least bit sour, which is how it should be.
(2)Nikhil S.
My experience here was quite miserable. Was looking forward to good Ethiopian food. Service was quite terrible. Food was alright. For starters, we were ready to order (in the middle of the afternoon - empty restaurant) and the two women working upstairs decided to ignore us and have us wait for several minutes to finish their random conversation about nothing important before they would come take our order. For our meal, we got a vegetarian combo for 2 (I think) and were told we couldn't adjust the spice levels because they were pre-made. It's easy to make something spicier. Really? Alright, whatever... We asked for peppers on the side with our food and they forgot to bring it out with our apps. No biggie. It was fine besides that. After we finish appetizers - in an empty restaurant, mind you - about 15 minutes later (30+ minutes after we first ordered), we ask where our (pre-made) food is. After about 2 minutes, our food is brought to our table. Seems like they forgot to get our food. Slightly obnoxious. We dig into our food.......and it's COLD! What's their solution? Oh, we'll take it downstairs, microwave it for 30 seconds and bring it back up. Seriously?!? Once slightly warmed up, the food was alright. Last time I had been to this place was about 8 years prior, and I never went back because it was bland food and I didn't really enjoy it. After this experience, I don't know if I'll ever go back since the service was terrible.
(2)Erin C.
Great food with an awesome environment. The decor is fantastic from its wicker-type tables to maps on the wall. A friend and I enjoyed the Vegetarian dishes of Butecha, Atakilt, Yesmir Wot and Tikle Gomen. The lentils dishes were by far the best! Beware though...don't be in a rush to get anywhere when coming here to eat. Everything is a bit slower in this restaurant so take the time to enjoy your company and the decor! I will definitely be making a return visit...even if its just for the honey wine!
(4)Allie B.
The decor is cool in this place; I'll give it that. But the food was just plain bad. It came out room-temperature/cold, and the lamb dish we ordered was so full of gristle I couldn't swallow the vast majority of it, and had to spit it out into a napkin. Also, i expected spicy, flavorful food as I've had at other Ethiopian restaurants, but instead it was pretty bland. I wanted to love this place, but at $15-20 for a meal, I'd expect much better. I won't be returning.
(1)R. B.
Some of the best (perhaps THE best) ethiopian food I've had. Food- 5 stars (awesome awesome awesome) Service- 3 stars (can I have some water please?) Atmosphere- 4 stars (the place is cozy and interesting/fun... the bathroom is interesting in the not-so good way)
(4)Marissa P.
This is a solid choice for Ethiopian cuisine. I have dined her many, many times and never been let down by the food. The one negative: the service, though very warm, sometimes takes a year and a day. Favorites: doro wat, any of their lamb dishes, red lentil, cabbage, collard greens. Authentic seating and decor. I love this place! (I'm salivating as I write this...)
(4)Leila A.
Awesome vegetarian food, funky atmosphere--I love to take my visiting small town friends and family here for an exotic big city experience. The food is delicious and totally worth the fact that it's a few dollars more than my usual dinner picks. I love the seating at the round wicker tables and stools (though I wouldn't recommend it for elderly or disabled diners). The service is friendly but a little slow and inattentive at moments (we had trouble getting our bread refilled on a recent visit). I wish they would take reservations (they do so only for large groups), but if you go early enough there shouldn't be a wait. I almost always get the vegetarian combo so I can sample a bunch of things. They're all tasty and healthful. It's one of those rare restaurant meals that will fill you up without weighing you down. So don't go in a hurry and be open-minded. You'll love it.
(5)Spm S.
Good food, great service. My friend and I stuffed ourselves for $33 (including tip). We got one of the combo plates - while all the items on the plate were good, there was something made out of lamb that was amazing!
(4)BeeBop L.
Favorite place in Boston. The atmosphere really makes Addis a great dinner destination. I recommend the Doro Wat combo. Very authentic my Ethiopian friends say. The wine selection is great and a beer goes well with some of the spicy entrees. Staff is really helpful with explaining items on the menu and prices are very reasonable. I keep going back again and again. Don't bring friends who will snicker at the boobies on the wall. Also, mmmm, injera. To all the reviews who think that it's unhygenic, you actually never touch your hands to your mouth and if eaten properly, your hands never touch anyone else's food. The bread is easy to rip off with one hand and using it as a barrier between your food and your fingers ensures it doesn't touch the rest of the portion on the plate. Lastly, traditionally your fingers aren't supposed to touch your mouth when you put the bread in, this takes some practice, but is pretty easy to learn. So wash your hands, use the hot towel also, and eat without fear!
(4)Aaron K.
Do you want to abandon all utensils and take a trip over to Ethiopia? This restaurant is the next best thing. The meals are served on a soft bread that is used to pick up bites of all the delicious offerings that are offered. They have a wide variety of options from vegetarian dishes, soups, salads, drinks, and entrees, all from Africa. The entire environment is traditional African, with the "Mesob" wicker woven tables, the canvas stools, and the exceptional wall art. They offer a wide selection of wines and beers, many imported from Africa. The hospitality offered is above what you normally expect from a restaurant in this area, as the waitress insisted we try the wines and brought over small glasses of each that we were looking at. The only thing that I was disappointed by was the desert selection. The options looked to be good, but they seemed like items that could be purchased at any pastry shop around, and there was nothing unique to the restaurant. This makes sense however, because after you eat your meal, you really do not have room for desert, as portions are quite ample, and you do not realize initially how much food you are getting. I truly encourage all to try dining at Addis Red Sea, as you will not be disappointed.
(4)Leighann F.
As someone who has little experience with Ethiopian food, I'd have to recommend Addis Red Sea specifically for that reason. For anyone in my position you should feel comfortable heading into their cozy, subterranean living room of a dining room, sitting down and asking the staff for recommendations. Their gracious dispositions, smiles and warmly attentive service makes you not only feel at home, but will allow you to enjoy your meal without worrying about being unsure of your order. I feel no need to rave about the food, because as you can see from other, more experienced reviewers, it is some of the best Boston has to offer in this style of cuisine. Thought I cannot offer comparison, I can say (lacking vast Ethiopian-food experience) that it was spicy, hearty, filling, served quickly, enjoyed quietly and seemed to be made with care. Perfect for a group of friends or an intimate dinner for two, Addis left me satisfied in hospitality and satiated in appetite. One tip: the table on the far left, way at the back corner of the restaurant has a nasty cold draft in the winter time. It's very out of the way and offers a view of the entire restaurant, but it was hard to ignore the chill.
(4)Ira H.
I'll keep this review short. The food is excellent. I like the concept of sharing the meal with the friends we were with but it is intimate and you should be prepared for scooping up family style food with a crepe like bread. We had the Combo platter which was 3 meats and salad. The service was great and the waitress made good recommendations and was prompt. The food took a long time to come out of the kitchen. We sat on a 3 legged stool with no back. This could be challenging for some. I noticed some chairs which I would use when I come again. Give this place a try. It can get crowded.
(4)Susan N.
Yum. Yum. Yum. Yummmmmmmmm! This is by far the best Ethiopian restaurant I have gone to thus far. I never hated Ethiopian food but it never was high on my list either. I always found the bread to be too sour for my taste. Not at Addis Red Sea. The bread here was the perfect texture and flavor, which is a good thing considering that you're basically using it as cutlery. The entrees are also quite fabulous. Everything I've ever eaten there has been phenomenal. I would definitely go back. Actually I have been back several times now but I will keep going back.
(5)jennifer F.
Love this place - don't be discouraged because you have to walk down to the basement for dining. Food and service are great! Vegetarian platter is amazing (my personal favorite are collard greens and cabbage). Also their sambusas (yes, I thought they were called samosas too here but they're not) are amazing.. Make sure you go with clean hands because no utensils allowed!
(4)Salette A.
My husband and I split the Vegetable Combination (Vegan). It comes with your choice of four vegetarian dishes and house salad. It's listed as $22.95 on the web site, but it was actually $25. Still a good deal for Boston. We chose the Butecha (Chickpea paste blended with oil, lemon juice, green pepper and black pepper); Gomen Wot (Chopped collard greens cooked in herbed oil with onions, green pepper and garlic); Atakilt (Mixed vegetables, green beans, potatoes, carrots and onions sautéed in a blend of exotic herbs); and Yesmir Wot (Lentils simmered in a spicy hot berbere sauce.) The service was excellent. We were seated promptly and offered drinks even though the people we were meeting did not show up until later. The wine service was handled very nicely, and everything was served in a timely manner.
(3)Mark W.
I live 2 blocks away from this place and heard a lot of good things. I have to say if you eat here, eat in. I was too tired after getting back from work to cook dinner so i thought why not try something new. So i went to addis red sea for pick up. I got the Doro Wot Combination. I have to say that the Doro Wot was excellent. A great spicy flavor. But they gave me such a small portion of it that i felt like i could eat it in two bites. I would of been much happier with more especially since i assume it's suppose to be the "star" of the combination plate. For the three vege dishes i got Butecha, Gomen Wot, Yesmsir Alcha. The best of the three was the Gomen Wot. I'm a fan of collard greens and the spices in this was just right. The portion was as same size as the Doro Wot which was fine because it was more of a side dish. The Butecha and Yesmsir Alcha weren't that great. They were pretty bland and kinda cold. I don't know if they were suppose to be cold but they were. Kinda made it taste like i was eating some cold mush. The injera which is the bread that they give you to eat the food with was good. It was like a crepe/pancake kinda thing which you rip and scoop the food with. It was really soft and good. They are really huge and 1 or 2 of them can really fill you up. Maybe it was getting take out which killed it for me because i could see how fun it is to eat at the cool tables. Maybe i'll give it another try at the place. Maybe the ambiance will make it better. On another note, the place is pretty pricey for what it was. I saw some other ethiopian places on yelp and thought they probably were a better choice at like half the price.
(3)Jonathan E.
Excellent, out of the ordinary meals. Try the Tej (honey wine).
(4)Kira K.
I like Addis Red Sea enough. I've been to a lot of Ethiopian restaurants and this isn't the best, but it is good. The price is fantastic (we spent about $30 bucks for two people before tax) and I like the set up of the restaurant. I also like the fact that the people who are serving the food are Ethiopian themselves. They know the menu and can explain anything to you. The one thing that I really don't like about Addis are the seats. If you have a bad back, please hold off until you feel better. I'm pregnant and I was thinking about going to Addis the other day until I realized I probably wouldn't be able to get off of the seat at the end of the meal. They really are that uncomfortable. Call me a spoiled American. I like that it's traditional, it's just not comfortable for eating.
(3)Kelly O.
Another one of my favorites... my friends and I come here about once every 2 or so months, we can't get enough. Such a fun atmosphere whether you're on a date or with a group of rowdy friends, and of all the friends and acquaintances I've introduced to Addis, not one of them hasn't absolutely loved it, veggies and carnivores alike (I recommend this place basically to anyone that'll listen). The injera is the best part, the spongy bread soaks up sauces and holds food bits beautifully, and it's so fun to share around a communal plate. Warning: injera will expand in your stomach and 15 minutes later you suddenly feel like you want to explode (in a good way) because you just became full. Take that into consideration when ordering (I never do an app or dessert, just one entree and lots of injera). My roommate always gets the Timatim Salad for an app which is basically fresh bruchetta (tasty though), and I once got a veggie samosa that was not bad (actually the waitress originally brought over a beef one which I couldn't eat, boo), but the way to go here is the entree-only route IMO. My fav entree is Doro Alcha, chicken in this rich delicious butter sauce, mmm... I've also had some of the other entrees (lamb tips, veggies, etc) and all are tasty, but the alcha sauce always calls me home. You think it's not going to be a lot of food, but like I said, DON'T underestimate that injera. They are often out of the 'good' honey wine (I *think* it's the Axum but it could be the Royal Mead?)- actually I don't think they've even had it for the past 2 years-, and the other 2 honey wines aren't quite up to snuff... but when they have the good stuff, oh man it's so good, it's sweet and has a sort of hazelnuty taste to it. We tried to buy it once at the wine shop across the street, but ended up buying the wrong version that tasted like sweet spoiled beer, yuck. Honey wine fail. On the rare occurrance I can fit more in my stomach after my Doro Alcha, I love the Ethopian coffee that comes in the really neat carafe/vessle thingie, and any of the mint teas/coffees are good choices as well. Desserts are standard, not bad but not really good either (typical baklava, cake slices, etc), not made in house I believe and not really worth it IMO. Prices are wicked reasonable, but service tends to be s-l-o-w and sometimes scattered, and the wait time can be quite long if you're headed on a weekend night. Dinners usually last 2-3 hours, so be prepared to linger. Also expect to be uncomfortably stuffed if you have no self-control for injera (like me!), so plan your dinner early enough so that you're not immediately headed out dancing or something. Trust me on this.
(4)Mark G.
We had a very nice time at Addis on Friday night. They were able to handle a large group (8 of us) with minimal waiting (about 30 minutes wait at 9:30 pm). Everything about the experience was wonderful. The wait staff were all very pleasant and helpful. We asked for them to help us decide what to order and share for the group and got a great assortment of vegetarian, chicken, beef, and lamb dishes. They took care for the one side of the table to get dishes that weren't too spicy. Knowing it was a birthday in the group, they brought desserts and sang with traditional African drums. A very nice experience and we will definitely be back.
(4)Stephanie M.
I had never had Ethiopian food before and was excited to try something new. Going for the entire Ethiopian experience I tried the Ethiopian Beer (I am by no means a beer expert - it tasted pretty much like every other beer in the world to me) My date and I ended up getting the sampler that was a little bit of everything which was a good choice, especially if you're an ethiopian newbie like me. The food was delicious and the restaurant had a nice mellow atmosphere. It actually might have been a little too mellow. Everyone seemed to be talking in hushed voices, and it was exceptionally quiet. Being half Spanish and a generally excitable person, I felt like I was practically yelling every time I went to speak and was slightly paranoid everyone was listening to my conversation. On a side note, If you're dating someone exceptionally tall, bring them here. My date sat in a tiny folding chair and looking at him entertained me for the entire meal. I still giggle occasionally envisioning him hunched in that chair. It's the kind of place you have to be in the mood for, but I would definitely go back again.
(4)Niousha V.
I visited this place few months ago for the second time. Unfortunately, the 2nd experience was very bad. The service was very poor this time. The food was not as delicious as the first time either.
(3)Aimee G.
Our waiter gave us attitude when we asked whether the vegetarian dishes were fried in oil (used for meat). She also seemed to balk at our attempt to opt for 8 different dishes in the shared meal for two. I would not know about these challenge if I hadn't gone with a vegan. Restaurants should make every effort to accommodate or at least communicate/share the preparation process with customers. Thankfully, the quality of service was the only disappointing aspect of our evening. If you like Ethiopian food, Addis Red Sea is a nice South End option. Or you could try the Mass Avenue location. I suspect the Cambridge location has to be used to inquiries.
(3)G J J.
Really expensive for an Ethiopian place. For example, out of the tens of Ethiopian places I have tried in America, you don't expect to pay over 12 dollars per person on injera and the dishes that come on top. Here you can pay over 20 dollars a person without any trouble. They don't offer you more injera, which is not that great. However, comparatively, service is friendly, ambiance is nice, seating is authentic. Alcoholic drinks are expensive, but they have Ethiopian honey wine (Tej). Desserts seems fancy and are all European...odd...but didn't try any (No Discover, $$$)
(4)Ryan L.
Given that there are almost no other ethiopian places to compare this to I guess I can say that this the best ethiopian place I've ever been to! A very different eating experience as you eat everything with your hands and with this large sticky bread. You order some dishes (such as chicken or goat curry), tear a piece of the bread and grip the food with it. Pretty good overall, the texture of the bread is really unique, really spongy and moist, and the meat curry i had some heat to it, not indian food heat but not bland either. try the ethiopian honey wine too, sweetest wine you'll ever taste.
(4)Aditi R.
I think I might have expected too much from this place. I had a lot of friends over in town and they wanted to try a different cuisine than the regular fare we always have. I thought of Ethiopian because I had this lovely meal in Cambridge at a place who's name escapes me, but I'd heard of Addis just as well and had never been there. So decided to give it a go. As we walked in, the place looked cozy and beautiful. There are two levels to the restaurant and we were taken downstairs where there was a small tiki bar area almost and it was quieter and in my opinion, prettier than upstairs. So we could easily have conversation. The menu looked good and we ordered a lot of different dishes. Two lamb dishes and one chicken dish along with 3-4 vegetarian dishes as well. We also had the sweet red wine which was pretty good. As far as the food is concerned, it was good, but certainly not exceptional. We were given ample amounts of bread, but somehow the meats just seemed slightly less flavorful than I expected it to be. It's a pity because the ambiance of the restaurant was perfect but the food just did not match up to it. Regardless, the servers were courteous, nice, and helpful. They immediately seated us and it was a fairly busy Monday night which goes to show that the place is popular. And it is an affordable place to go to and have a filling meal. It's definitely worth a try, but I've had better Ethiopian food just across the river.
(3)Sara S.
I've wanted to go to Addis for the past six years I've lived in Boston, but for some reason I've always overlooked it for other places. Well, thanks to Susie A and her creative thinking skills, she brought me here for my last and final birthday celebration... it was AWESOME! The atmosphere of this place is so cool and different. The seats and tables are very low... maybe a little, tiny bit too low, as me, Susie, and someone at the other table nearly toppled out of their straw seat. And no, this was not alcohol induced. We started with a bottle of the honey wine. YUM. I can see how some people may not like this, though, because it has a very distinctive, incredibly sweet flavor. It's very much like a dessert wine. However, we both loved it, and I would recommend everyone get at least a glass to try it. We wanted to start with the sambusa, but they were out, so we took the waitress' recommendation and got the ayib begomen- cottage cheese mixed with mitmita and gomen. Apparently mitmita and gomen are spices... this dish tasted very similar to Saag that you would get at an Indian restaurant. The bread that you eat with it (and basically everything else) is AMAZING. It's literally the softest thing I have ever touched in my entire life. Throughout the meal, I was fantasizing about wrapping myself in a bread cocoon and living in it for the rest of my life. Seriously. Susie and I split the two person vegetarian combination. Basically you can pick four different options off the vegetarian menu. We chose the butecha (chickpea paste blended with oil, lemon juice, green pepper and black pepper), atakilt (mixed vegetables, green beans, potatoes, carrots and onions sautéed in a blend of exotic herbs), yesmir wot (lentils simmered in a spicy hot berbere sauce) and mittin shuro wot (Ethiopian style ground split peas simmered in a spicy berbere sauce). All four dishes were amazing, although my favorites was the yesmir wot and and mittin suro wot. I am partial to Indian cuisine, and these two tasted most like Indian food. Once again, we ate TONS of the soft bread. I love the soft bread! We ended with a fruit tart and chocolate mouse cake. Not quite Ethiopian, but good nonetheless! Service was great. Highly recommended, and I cannot wait to go back!
(5)Honey D.
What a disappointment. I used to go here all the time. This establishment took a substantial portion of my income over the years. Then I moved away for a few years. Since returning I have tried the food three times. Every time it was awful. The gomen wot (collard greens), which was always my favorite dish, is literally prepared utterly plainly now. No salt. No garlic/onion. No "herbed oil" as it says on the menu. Plain collard greens every time. Why would I pay for this? The vegetables in atakilt were hard, and far from al dente. I could barely get this food down. The portion size is small, the prices have gone way up, and the food is always room temp. The only redeeming factor is the injera, and I always special order the brown (authentically made with teff flour). I will not go back again.
(1)Scott W.
I have learned the ins and outs of Ethiopian cuisine by eating my way through the multitude of amazing restaurants in Oakland. I look for injera with more teff than white flour and just the right balance of the spices that make this regions food some of my favorites. Other than the lovely decor and excellent service, my only meal here left me very disappointed. I ordered the vegetarian sampler and was underwhelmed with the portion sizes and flavoring. As us usually the case, the lentil dish (yesmir wot) was my favorite and is a great counterpoint to the tasty Gomen (greens). The atakilt (potato/carrot) helped fill me up, but the mitten shuro was more sweet than I like. The salad seemed like an afterthought. Addis reminds me of a very popular restaurant from when the Ethiopian/Eritrean scene first started in the Berkeley/Oakland area. The Blue Nile was a watered down version of the traditional foods made more palatable for an American palate. After trying it I was happy to move on to the places filled with Ethiopian ex-pats in one of the largest communities outside of Africa housed in San Francisco's east bay. I recommend any fans of this restaurant try food that better represents the best the cuisine has to offer.
(2)Brian G.
Sorry Addis, I'm not impressed. You are pretty, I'll grant you that. Nice artwork on your walls, cool tables that are hard to eat off of, and barely any light, thus resulting in food on one's lap. But let's get down to business. You are bland. I've had great Ethiopian food before, and what makes it great is that it has some goddamn ZING to it. You are zing-less. Work on that. Also, we got 9 different dishes.... bullshit, I only tasted 5 different ones, all decently prepared but bland as hell. You are hugely overpriced. Since we had a bunch of vegans we got the vegetarian platter for two... twice. Granted we were all full at the end, but that's only because of the sheer amount of bread we all consumed. Crafty strategy indeed..... but when I dip into the dish with my bread, I want more lentils/peas/veggies than bread in my mouth as the end result, not a stomach full of bread. Sorry to say it, but I probably won't be coming back. You press hard on this cheap vegans pocket book simply to fill me with bread. I can do that at home.
(2)Jamie L.
For my birthday I made a reservation at Addis Red Sea for 10 people. I knew that service was slow, so I asked the woman on the phone if I could pre-order the food to cut down on the wait time. She directed me to the website, I called her back and put in my order about a week before the event. The day before my birthday, I called to make sure they still had my reservation and the food order. They confirmed everything - so far so good. On the day of the dinner, we waited for half and hour before being seated. It was a cold day, and there were about 20 people jammed into a space that could reasonably only hold about 5. After finally being seated, I told the waiter that I had already preordered everything. He had no idea what I was talking about, so I ended up ordering everything again on the spot. I was fine with this, but unfortunately it took about half an hour for the appetizers to arrive, and about another hour for the dinner to come. That said, the food was decent and the waiter was very helpful and friendly. I would not go there if you are looking for a quick dinner, but if you have time to kill and are patient it is quite a charming place. PS. For those who are celebrating birthdays there, they do not allow outside cakes to be brought in, nor do they have whole cakes there. There is however a limited selection of cake slices.
(3)Kimberly P.
I have been looking forward to dining at Addis Red Sea for over a year... perhaps my expectations were set too high. I second everything that Marissa P. stated: the atmosphere was nice but uncompfortable, portion sizes were small for the price, service was slow. Also, even the rich sauces could not cover up the fact that the meat (my friend had a beef dish and I had the lamb) was dry as a desert. Perhaps I would return and try other dishes but my experience was so underwhelming that I probably won't return.
(2)Jeff M.
I was remember I was in Mugar Library on the BU campus. I ran into a friend who was working at the library. I asked her if she knew a good date place with good food. She said Addis Red Sea. At the time, I hadn't realized there were any Ethiopian places in Boston. So I took my date here. I owe my friend big time. Traditional Ethiopian setting, including the tables and stools. Not only was the food absolutely delicious (not only for me, a carnivore, but my date, a vegetarian), but the idea of sharing food and injera made it that much more intimate and enjoyable. I've been here numerous times, for different type of reasons. Have never been disappointed.
(4)Lin Z.
I've been to Addis more times than I can count, and I've never had a bad experience there. The atmosphere is quite cozy, and it's a great place for a date or for catching up with a few close friends. In my experience, the waiters have always been incredibly attentive; on one occasion, they even joked around with me and my date (that probably sealed its five-star rating). The food is excellent -- and if you're at a loss trying to figure out what to order, the waiters are always ready to help you out. The wine/beer list, while not extensive, is certainly sufficient. I recommend the Ye-Awaze Dabo, Lega Tibs, Doro Wot, and the Addis Red Sea Special Combo.
(5)Marc C.
Have you ever felt like a pork chop or ham dinner walking into a synagogue? I have... (feeling like Sophia Petrillo since I am still in mourning over Estelle Getty's death). Picture it... South End... 2008... I was with my boyfriend... we were tired from traveling... it was later... we didn't feel like walking anymore... we needed to eat... sat down at another restaurant... they handed us menus... they took our drink order... they brought us our drinks... we told them we needed another minute... they said "take your time,"... three minutes later we let our server know we are ready... she takes our order... she comes back with our check... "I'm sorry, we're closed." ::blank stares all around:: This was how the night began after dropping off the car from the bf meeting my crazy family for the first time. We weren't starving, but were tired and most definitely needed sustenance before zonking out for the night after traveling many hours round trip the same day. (Now would be the time for the sidebar... My family and I are a loud Italian family that drinks... My bf is the reserved, even keeled Texan that doesn't drink, does Ironman triathlons, was on total, complete sensory overload the entire time with my family, and did the driving since I had been drinking). So we start meandering back towards my apartment and stroll past Addis Red Sea. They are open, still seating, have a "table" available and it isn't too near to closing time. Neither of us had Ethiopian food before (he may be a Texan, but he isn't closed minded food-wise being around the world including working for the UN). Bleary eyed I look at him and I get an approving shrug (he is a southerner). We get seated at these wicker(ish) stools around what can be best described as a giant wicker Eucharist holder (I was raised Irish Catholic). We notice larger, loud, boisterous groups around us, then we are greeted by a server with a smile as big as Texas and a twinkle in her eye. We explain we are Ethiopian food virgins. She asks if we would like something to drink first or want her to start walking us through the menu. We already had beverages at the other restaurant, so we choose the latter option. Our server spends ten minutes finding out our likes, dislikes, and hunger level (at which time someone else brings water for us to start). She then proceeds to wink at us and said she would take care of it. Not much later she brings us a large platter and sets it on the table. She explains what everything was and explains that we eat it with our hands using the bread (smooth on one side, bubbly on the other, and reminded me of tripe in appearance). We proceeded to eat all the moist, savory, and earthy morsels until all gone. There was a small assortment of many items, but her attentiveness proceeded to satiate our hunger perfectly. Next up, warm damp towels to clean up. We then paid our check and were happily on our way to bed. Everything was great and just what we needed. The server got us exactly what we needed. We were very happy and satisfied and would definitely go back. The drawbacks to this experience (and yes I do understand that it is traditional) are the wicker table and stools. The table is rickety and unstable and I am extremely clumsy and accident prone so I had to hold on with one hand so I didn't knock it over. The stools are short and low and, contrary to popular belief, I am not short, dainty, delicate, or petite... I thought I was gonna go crashing down hard. Hovering at around 6' 2" and "big boned"... not a pretty picture
(4)Sonia G.
What can I say.... I adore this place love the food (all the veggie options are great, the split pea, the lentils, everything) and the atmosphere is magical-love the paintings on the skins and tables!
(5)Brian D.
It's like being swept away in a whirlwind and getting dumped on your keester in far away Ethiopia. Well, not so much but I really had a good experience at Addis Red Sea. This place has a lot going for it, can you smell a list brewing? -You have to go downstairs and in through a door that doesn't exactly say 'Howdy, Come On In!!!'. -The place is dimly lit, filled with warm colors and smells of all makes and models of spices that you probably don't encounter everyday. -The servers are welcoming and more than willing to help those of us with Ethiopian Dining Retardedness (EDR) pick out a solid meal. -Excellent, excellent, excellent Ethiopian lager beers. -'Interesting' food, please take that as meaning good - the menu said that I was eating lamb and beef, and I ate some things that were really tasty and very likely were beef and lamb. -You get to eat with your hands! Fuck you fork you ain't even on the table! -Speaking of table, the little hand woven tables are pretty neat. -Funky downstairs lounge. -Cheap, cheap, cheapest meal in the South End. End of list, will certainly be headed back for more.
(4)Douglass D.
Addis Red Sea is a great choice for a date night. because it's classy, different, and encourages lively conversation as well as good dining. I learned at Addis Red Sea just how delightful, how different, how tasty, and how fun a meal in the style of Ethiopia can be. My partner and I wanted a "date night," and she chose Ethiopian as the cuisine. We used Yelp to research our options and chose Addis because it was close to our home. The food was well prepared and plentiful. The ambiance was great. (Another reviewer said upstairs is much better than downstairs; I didn't venture downstairs, but I can vouch that upstairs is lively and delightful.)
(4)April I.
I was ignorant and afraid of trying this restaurant. I don't know what I was thinking, but since I am pretty much open for any new dining experience I went for it. And it was worth it!! We had the Addis Red Sea Special Combo which included Dora Wot and Dora Alcha, Lega Tibs, Zenge, and Gomen Wot. Not a good choice if you are a vegetarian...luckily I am not. The Gor Wot and Dor Alcha are two types of chicken dishes, both well seasoned and simmerred so the chicken is tender and juicey with bites of onion an ginger. The lega tibs were actually two separate dishes -- one was made with beef and the other was made with lamb -- both were cooked with onions, green peppers, and rosemary. I couldn't get enough of this. The Zenge is some type of beef stew -- better than my mom ever made. I couldn't stop sopping this up with the injera which was this spongy bread used like a utensil (or in my case a shovel). I also loved the only vegetarian offering on this platter -- the Gomen Wot. So to answer your question -- it is true that you do not use utensils. So what!!! The Injera was perfect for scooping up the food. It is also true that your food is presented on a large platter and your table has a name and is a bit fragile. Oh...and yes they do serve Honey wine which I could keep drinking and drinking and drinking and I recommend that you try this when you go. It is quite sweet, but part of the entire experience. It was a unique dining experience that challenged me to think about my notions of fine dining. I liked the food. I liked the atmosphere and I liked the prices. I didn't wait to be seated. My servor was attentive, pleasant, and displayed much patience with me. All and all very good.
(4)Ankur P.
rating= 2.5 stars. went here with fiance (veg) on 4th july. Was not able to make reservations for two per the hostess on the phone so went there around 7 for late dinner. we were seated after about 15 min or so, downstairs. the ambience was lacking as the downstairs was pretty empty as they had already filled the upstairs. the seating is just as described and was kinda meh. i wasn't thrilled about the prospect of eating out a upside down hat. we waited for quite a while before the waitress made her way to take our drink and food order. they were out of their ethiopian beer, which was a huge disapointment as we were wanting to try it. we ordered a vegetarian platter for 1 and doro wot the chicken dish for me. they came back with the food in a reasonable amt of time. the firs tthing i noticed was the portion size, decidedly small. it was served in an interesting enough fashion as they laid the food out on the spongy bread and spooned the dishes right on top. the chicken was very flavorful and the bread compliementd it well altough i was disappointed that they gave such a meager portion. i mean really, it was about a half cup of food on top of the bread. my fiance's meal was also somewhat small even being a "platter" or whatever. there were four veggie dishes, as i remember one was decent the other 3 were pretty terrible. they were basiclly ground up gush mixed with spices, and like i said 1 of them wasn't half bad. there was also a "house salad", basically chopped up tomatoes with onion. eating with our hands wasn't so bad but we were deprived of the hot towels i had read about and also had to ask to get a paper napkin from the waitiress. the waitress was pleasant enough although was hard to find and did not refill out waters once...can't complain too much cuz i kno it was pretty busy but still. after we were finsihed, and it didn't take long for me to house the chicken, the waitress came by and managed to mumble something about having some coffee, tea or dessert...it was funny because it was poorly rehearsed and we really weren't interested in staying any longer. total bill was ~50 with tip included, not bad for tremont or south end eateries in general but the place lacks the cache and cool factor of some of the other eateries (aquitanes and metropolis's of the world). the food was pretty flavorful but small portions kinda bummed us out. the service was also sorely lacking as it seems they really understaffed for the night. thats why its getting 2.5 stars from me, not so bad but there is absolutely no reason to return here and with so many other places just down the street (mela anyone?) i dont know why anyone would.
(2)Enay V.
Good parts - honey wine & beers - food looked small but really filled you up & was killer! Ambiance was cool too. Bad parts - took FOREVER, even though we got there early - service kinda crappy Would have given this place 3.5 stars but unable to. I would definitely come back though. If it's your first time, get the veggie combo platter - you will NOT be disappointed! :)
(3)Mo I.
Customer Service = TERRIBLE! Don't do it to yourself, don't go! The entire experience was horrid, from waiting to get a table, to getting something to drink, to trying to get more bread. What a nightmare, and to make matters worse the food is very average to below average. I was so disappointed that the food didn't have more spice. The chicken in the chicken tibs was very fatty and rubbery YUCK!
(1)Teak L.
Final Decision: Best Ethiopian Spot I've ever been to. So I heard about this spot from my boss at work a few years back and wanted to give it a try. The decorations in the restaurant seemed to give the place a feel as if it was Egyptian as he described it, but when we arrived, we got a shocker as it was an Ethiopian restaurant. Having never been here before, we walked in to grab a table on a cold wintry night and got a big surprise, a nice long wait of 45 minutes. We we finally got seated, man were we hungry. It was interesting as we were sat near the front entrance and sat around a basket weaved table. We ordered some appetizers and our food. The appetizers took a little bit of time to get out, but it was worth it. The entrees took just as much time as well. Items ordered: Sambusa with ground beef - appetizer...the flavors resemble a miniature curried puff pastry...all i gotta say is YUM... Yesega Alcha - cubed beef with a great blend of ginger onions and tummeric...I think I can still taste all the flavors in my mouth even till this day Yebeg Wot - simmered lamb in a red pepper sauce...man this was just as tasty... Doro Wot - not bad, interesting flavors, but I still liked the beef a whole lot better. Sides Butecha, Yekik Alacha, Yesmire wot. I really digged the Buetecha and the yekik alacha. The splite peas and chickpeas were bursting with all the flavors that each dish was cooked with, but I wasn't so excited about the lentils. The service throughout the meal was great, the girls had various wines that was offered and they all seemed to enjoy them, bummer I can't remember the names. I really love this place for the decor and all the food that it offers. Bummer that the capacity is low that the place can't get people in and out a little faster, but I guess the prize is worth the wait.
(4)Liz T.
My boyfriend and I would've enjoyed dinner a lot more if we hadn't been seated in the shadows of the basement. I couldn't see him let alone what I was eating--if you're a vegetarian in the company of meat eaters, consider yourself warned. We had the Gored Gored (cubed beef simmered in spices) and the Vegetable Combination (4 vegetarian dishes and house salad). They were just ok--I've definitely had better Ethiopian food in Washington, DC and Seattle. The food on the website looked delicious, but the stuff in reality wasn't quite as appetizing. This is probably why the place is so poorly lit. We got out of there faster than you could hail a taxi on Boylston Street.
(3)Bo W.
Be sure to check out the 70's vintage hotel/airport lounge bar in the basement. If I were dating a hot disco mama I would take her here to celebrate the re-opening of Faces. I popped my Ethiopian cherry at the old-school places in Adams-Morgan, D.C., so Boston has always been somewhat lacking to me. Now that I've established myself as a nostalgic elitist, I will say that Addis is the real deal, and pretty damn awesome. Somehow until last night I had never had the Kitfo, which is Ethiopian steak tartare. It is also known as pure-awesome-ness. Spicy (in both the "complex flavor" and "packing some heat" definitions) and sans chewiness, it went down easy and fast. Definitely bring a group so that you can all share dishes. Definitely try the Ethiopian beers. Definitely do not plan on having one spare gram of space inside your tummy, as you will be packed to the gills with earthy, rustic flavor. Also, what's up on the "No" votes for "Good for Kids"??? YOU EAT WITH YOUR HANDS. Who doesn't want to eat with their hands more than the wee tots?
(5)Nimmita n.
I fail to understand how this place managed to get 4 star reviews. Looking at the reviews, we gave this one a try. The experience ,,,,,bland, unappealing food ,,,,i felt sorry for people who have never had Ethiopian food before and think what Addis serves is good. Well if you want only salt added ,,,,,i guess this is the place for you! We had the veggie combo - Shuro wot, Yemisir wot, Atikit and some yellow lentil Cons - Long wait to be seated Long wait for the food to come extremely disappointing food I more thing i realized towards the end of our meal is that they have 2 different kinds of injera ,,,,,the authentic made with teff and the white spongy crap they fed us. I would have appreciated if our waitress had made us aware about the two kinds :( by default i think they serve the crappy one Pros - I am never going back there
(1)Kendra P.
The authentic Ethiopian cuisine is what keeps us coming back. However, the service is really slow, but that's my only complaint. The traditional Ethiopian bread "injera" makes the meal. It has a pancake-like consistency and you use it to pick up your food. Yebeg Alcha, a mildly-spiced lamb stew, is my favorite entree. For an appetizer, I recommend the Ayib Begomen, a buttermilk cottage cheese seasoned with hot spices. If you're looking for a cultural experience and like trying new foods, this is the place for you!
(3)Damon I.
I've walked by Addis Red Sea many times and always I've been curious. Addis is deceptively large inside with two floors of cozy seating and a sweet bar in the basement that must've been lifted from a tropical beach front. I found the seats to be a little awkward and wished for something even lower to the ground, perhaps involving large pillows, but hey, if this is how it's done in Ethiopia. . . Ethiopian lager was charmingly crisp and paired well with the punchy flavors to come. Wanted to try the Sambusa pastry app, but only the beef filled variety was available. The Dabo was good, but I can't help but think that I missed out on something more special during Addis's Sambusa scarcity. For dinner, ordered the vegetarian combo. The mixed veggies and cabbage didn't tickle me as much as sopping up Gomen Wot (garlicky, collared greens) and Yesmir Wot (spicy lentils in a provocative berbere sauce) with perfectly spongy wedges of Injera. Didn't stay for dessert as a signature creme brulee called from across the street. I'll venture again to Addis, simply for the joy of watching so many well dressed folks eating with their hands.
(4)Meg H.
Love this place. For a picky person and a picky eater, I love Addis Red Sea. The waiting service is so friendly and helpful, and most importantly the food is incredible. My first ethiopian food experience, I'm so glad I had it here.
(5)Erich W.
First off I love Ethiopian. It is both tasty and ridiculously fun to eat. This restaurant has the perfect atmosphere. Low level lights, cultural place settings create a classy yet relaxed air. This is definitely a place i would come back just for the atmosphere and a perfect place for fist timers. The food was not the best however. Both the bread and meals seemed to be lacking flavor and tasted a bit bland. It seems as though some of spices and seasonings that make this food so unique was removed in order to make it more palatable to the masses. By no means was the food bad i feel it just lacked a bit of authenticity in its flavors.
(3)Allison C.
I've been meaning to write a review of Addis for quite some time. I had the opportunity to check out this Ethopian restaurant with Angel M. a few months back. I'm definitely an Ethopian- noob. To be quite honest, if were to have asked me what Ethopian food was a few months ago, I probably would've responded with a blank stare. I'm not even sure I would even be able to explain what Ethopian food is today. Its good though. Definitely different. I'm not exactly sure what we ordered but it consisted of some sort of starch and meat. I think the spongy bread threw me off a little, but I'm definitely game to check this place out again. Soooooo, if youre looking for something new to try, Addis Red Sea is definitely a great place to explore with a friend, a date, or even solo :)
(3)Dave H.
NOT my cup of tea. I wish i could say my ethiopian food experience was pleasant. But, it wasnt. First off, I dont like having to bend over at the waist to eat my dinner b/c the table is at the same height as my knees. 2nd, I dont like to bust out my cell phone to use the background light feature to read the menu b/c it's so dark in there! 3rd, I need utensils! Eating with my hands has been a no-no in my household since forever, so i was kind of raised to be a germ-conscious dork. Then there's the food, I cant say mashed up beans was spectacular. Or that their beef that I couldnt really see in the dark was the highlight of the evening. But I will give them the bread. Ethiopian bread is unique in everyway and very tasty. But, alas, I dont like to get full off bread.=\
(2)Liz E.
Not many places in Boston offer such a unique dining experience. It's fun for groups (no picky eaters allowed as the dining is fairly communal; or at least more fun if you can share everything). I love the meat dishes that are saucy; the sauce soaks into the bread and you can eat it at the end. Yum. We enjoyed Alcha, Wot, and not as much Tibs (although it was tasty enough). You can get these styles with chicken, beef, or lamb. My favorite of the vegetarian selections were the lentils. The meat dishes were just a little more flavorful and interesting. Nice wine list. Nothing to write home about, but nice. Try the Axum (honey wine) which is not as sweet as you may expect. It's sweet, but not sugary-muscat sweet. It was a little reminiscent of plum sake. Fun for a group or a date!
(4)K O.
This is an experience. This Restaurant tries to bring its guests a little bit of Ethiopian culture. I mean, think of a theme Restaurant like the RainForest cafe run by honest caring individuals and not a greedy corporation. And, luckily for the guests, this is not just a gimmick restaurant. You have to eat with your hands. And you have to wait a little for service. But if you want to be pampered by 3 or 4 waiters go to Smith & Wollenskys. If you want reasonable prices for delicious food that you have never tried--come here. Excellent wines available. Don't be afraid to ask your server for suggestions and house specials. Come here at least once if you live in Boston, you will not regret trying something new.
(5)Jimmy T.
Say hello to your new friend, Mesob, who will be serving you as table. Please do not lean on!! Ok, this place is just awesome. The ambiance alone makes it worth checking out. And then there's the food... mmmmmm spicy Ethiopian meats! Order a combo meal and you should be set for 3 people. They also have an interesting selection of Ethiopian wines... the honey wine is my favorite. I took some friends from out of town here for dinner over a year ago, and they still rave about it.
(5)Tyler W.
Overall, a pretty good restaurant. The wait was a bit long, both for a table and for service once at the table. The food was very good, however, and fairly unique for Boston. Definitely worth a try for the interesting tastes, but I probably won't be going back.
(3)Melli S.
Addis was a HUGE disappointment. When my boyfriend and I arrived, we were quoted a 20 minute waiting time. While we waited, we heard other groups saying that they had been quoted the same, 40 minutes ago. We waited for close to 45 minutes and as we told the hostess to remove our name from the wait list, remarkably we were 'next on the list' and we were seated immediately. All this time, what appeared to be the floor manager, sat at a table for four, by himself, with a laptop and a water, and would wander around the restaurant at times to check tables. We waited 10 minutes to order drinks (one diet soda), and another 10 to receive it, and then another 10 minutes to order our food, and 40 minutes to wait for it. We had a beef dish and a chicken dish and the portions were small, the food was mediocre, and the service was terrible and rude- she literally rolled her eyes at us when we asked about bread (the one and only question we had for her the entire meal). I never write reviews, even when I have had disappointing experiences, since I used to wait tables and I know how restaurants work. But this restaurant was unorganized, unhelpful, unpleasant, and unimpressive. Don't waste your date night on it like we did!
(1)Gebre-e G.
I don't know why people give the place more than two stars. i've been at this place three or four times to show my non-ethiopian friends a taste of ethiopian food. the food - to say the least - is subpar. The service is terrible and i mean very terrible. the dude at the front desk is super-rude.
(1)Hillary M.
While the food is good, the customer service is only so-so (didn't bring water, forgot water when requested, didn't refill water) and the bathroom was pretty nast. But, again, the food was good, comes out quickly and the price is right for the S. End.
(2)Charles F.
I have a tendency of going far out of my way to try new foods that I've never had the opportunity to taste before (this includes buying plane tickets). Luckily, thanks to Addis, I don't need to buy a plane ticket to Ethiopia in order to try some fantastic cuisine from the region. An easy walk from the Back Bay Orange Line T stop right on Tremont St., Addis sits in plain view with an inviting facade that already presents a new experience for most Bostonians. The dimly lit dining area sports traditional art on its walls, but not so much as to seem cheesy and pretentious. You sit on stools in front of what's called a mesab, which is a traditional eating table, whose surface reminds you of an upturned wicker hat. The wait staff is very friendly and personable, and totally understanding of the bewilderment that overcomes those who have no idea what Yesega Alcha is (true story; I now know that Yusega Alcha roughly translates to "OH DEAR GOD THIS IS DELICIOUS" [this is a very rough translation]). Oooh fancy, hot towels for you to wipe your hands with. What is this, Buckingham Palace?...wait...where are the forks? And there it is, one of my favorite aspects of Ethiopian cuisine: eating with your hands! Well, not exactly, but using a traditional bread known as Injera (soft and spongey texture, delicious) to scoop up meats, veggies, lentils, juices...EVERYTHING! Of course, I'd do this on my own at any restaurant or at home. I've got to have a ton of bread to mop up every last morsel of deliciousness on my plate. But to have it as the standard way of eating? I may book that flight to Ethiopia just yet! The menu items are not in English, but the detailed descriptions are, so you'll have no trouble picking out just exactly what'll razz your palate. My suggestions include the Dabo bread appetizer, of course the Yesega Alcha (a beef dish), and the chicken entre called Doro Wot. Essentially, fans of bread, stewed meats, and steamed vegetables will be pleased here. Especially if said items are preferred to be seasoned with flavorful and vivacious spices. Like Indian food, Ethiopian food is wild with flavors and zest! Also like Indian food, fans of spicey hot foods will be pleased here as well. The atmosphere here is just right. Exotic enough to feel truly apart from other restaurant experiences, but no so much as to seem excessive. The dim lighting adds a nice touch and makes this perfect for a nice date (assuming your date has some adventure in his/her eating rituals, which should be a given standard, shouldn't it?). And the pricing? Not bad at all, considering the quality meal you'll be getting. I have been here several times and cannot think of a single downside to report. Wait... ...I think I remember somethi... ...nevermind, I literally have no bone to pick with Addis Red Sea. Great restaurant!
(5)Ligaya T.
After eating here I want to say, "No, no. Really you guys go ahead, I'll catch up with you in a bit." Fast forward many moons. Ligaya is still riveted to the cozy Ethiopian table in the corner surrounded by the photos and art of these countrymen, scooping up their doro, mittin shuro and gommen wot with her hands, stuffing her open mouth and drinking barrels of tej that the servers quietly deliver. She has turned into an amorphous blob, incapable of all vocal expressions aside from grunts and mmmmms. She is ineffably happy.
(4)Rhan K.
Service was horrible! I went a while ago and when I asked for a check, they told me to "enjoy the company of my group some more" and REFUSED TO GET ME MY CHECK! It wasn't that they wanted us to eat more because we weren't going to and they were told that. They just wanted us to sit there, with our empty plates and stare at each other! I was there with a large group and since it came out to be a large bill, I would have liked them to be a little more attentive, but they never refilled our drinks (we had to go find a pitcher ourselves and pour our own water) and they wouldn't get us our check. I don't know about you, but in my mind, if a table is trying to leave the restaurant, you get them the check so they are happy, they tip you and you can seat more people at their table. The food wasn't bad, but compared to the other places that I've had Ethiopian food, it wasn't great either. Big Disappointment But I guess at least it was fairly cheap.
(1)Nathan A.
I'll keep this short and to the point. I have been intrigued by Ethiopian food so when I saw the Groupon, I immediately purchased it and went to dinner two nights later. The parking is difficult and they do not have valet like the other places nearby. I drove around for 20 minutes to eventually park half a mile away (i don't mind walking so no big deal). We were seated immediately. The decor is very nice and welcoming. There are about 10-15 tables which were 60% full each with couples. We sat for 20+ minutes before we had our order taken (no water, nothing in the meantime). Two other couples got up and left fed up with the service. We then waited another 30 mins for our appetizers and drinks. The appetizer was essentially bread with a dipping sauce (definitely not something that takes 30 mins to make). We then waited another 20 mins for our food which was luke warm when it came out. Each dish was essentially some form of stewed meat in a sauce meant to be eaten with your hands and their bread. The food tasted allright. I imagine that it is good for Ethiopian food but the food itself was lackluster. We ate quickly since we were so hungry by this point, got the check, paid as quickly as possible and left. All in all a 2 hour dinner for dishes that were likely premade sitting in crockpots in the kitchen. I'll give this place 3 stars for the food but only one star for the service. I won;t be back, not even with another groupon.
(2)Ashley A.
I read a bunch of reviews before coming here for dinner, and i'm sure they all accurately reflect the mediocrity of the place. I don't mean mediocrity to have a negative connotation, either, it was just an average experience. I wasn't "wow-ed". The company was the best part, but we can't always take good dates to average places and expect fireworks. The style of eating was fun, the atmosphere was quiet enough for conversation, the seating was alright. I think we got the 4-dish vegetarian platter and told the waitress "surprise us" with whatever she thought was best. We got 3 good dishes (i think ground chickpeas, some red and spicy bean thing, and something that looked and tasted like collard greens) and one serving each of steamed, mushy carrot and green bean "salad". I think I might try again, but get different dishes, and keep my expectations a bit lower.
(3)owen brenna i.
Ok, So i like this place but i also don't like it. Came here with a big group, great atmosphere, we were seated downstairs, because there was no room for a big group upstairs. My friends called it the VIP area because nobody else was there.. So weonly saw our waitress when she was bringing us things, she never really check up onus, so we caight on fast that we would need to order all at once in order to get thingsin a timely fashion.So my friend and I split a vegetarian combo, and she said that the 1 person wouldn't be big enough but it was. the bread fills you up really fast,its spongy and acts like that,it soaks up your hunger. so we ordered 4 vegetarian dishes from the list one of which, cracked wheat, could be made with either butter or oil and my friend is vegan so we ordered it with oil. So it comes and the lentils were soo good,but not as spicey as we were hoping, and the collard greens were great too. i forgot our other dish, but we realized we had no cracked wheat. so after asking the busboy to get our waitress for us since we never really saw her, she brought us the cracked wheat, which was good but made with BUTTER. it was kind of sweat, nothing great, kind of needs to be eaten with something else, with more spice in it. So my non veggie friends had some meat stuff that smelled SOO GOOD, we had wished there was more spice in ours, we were told the veggie dishes are a bit bland, but thought we would try it anyway..they were bland, good but needed more of a kick.
(3)jessica k.
It was great to try some new food! the atmosphere was very intimate. Not the most comfortable seating because it was traditional ethiopian seating, but still very interesting, service was great but the wine list was pretty limited. overall it was a great place for a date!
(4)Luke P.
I've been here twice now and both experiences have overall been good. The ambiance and decor of the restaurant are its best features; it definitely has a unique, foreign feel to it with interesting seating arrangements around a round, bowl shaped table - I have not seen this setup at other restaurants. The food was decent although I think I've had better Ethiopian in Seattle. Personally, I also much prefer the sour, darker colored injera. Addis gives you a little bit of this style but the majority they serve is lighter colored and doesn't have that tangy, sour-dough like taste. The staff have always been friendly and accurate, but they do not check in often and you will likely wait a long time for your bill, initial drink/food orders, etc. unless you flag them down. Definitely don't come here if you're trying to have a quick dinner. If you've never tried Ethiopian and are into ethnic foods, this is a good place to be introduced to the cuisine.
(3)joel t.
The service is impeccable, if a bit slow. Beware that the food can be a bit harsh on the stomach so don't eat too fast.
(4)lauren t.
Quite possilbly the worst dining experience of my life. To begin with, the host told us that the wait for our party of 4 would be 20-30 minutes. After 45 minutes, I kindly asked him where we stood on the list & was told that we would be seated within the next 15 minutes. After another 45 minutes had passed, we were finally seated in the "basement" only to receive the worst service! We ordered our food the moment that we were seated but had to wait over 30 minutes to receive our drinks & dinner. Our waitress checked on our party three times, once to take our order, once to deliver our food, and then to bring us the bill. It's sufficient to say it was a horrible evening and we will NEVER be eating there again.
(1)Lisa P.
I am so dissapointed I didn't even have the opportunity to try the food here last night. I had tickets to a play across the street at the BCA for 7:30, sat down with no wait at 6:15 no problem. I was thinking great we will be able to get in and out and enjoy some great food prior to our play. WRONG!!! Our waitress came over very quickly and we ordered our meal within minutes of sitting down. I should have known when it took nearly 25 minutes to get one BOTTLE of beer we were in for a problem. I kept looking around at the tables around us that had come in AFTER us and noticed they were being served promptly. I was starting to get worried as the time/wait got longer and longer and still no food OR sign of our waitress. After waiting very patiently for over an hour and still no sign of our waitress since she brought over the beer my boyfriend went to the front and told them we were going to leave and we paid for the beer and were going to walk out. As we were getting our belongings together and walking out the door it was as if some miracle occurred and our food appeared but at this point it was too late. I was extremely disappointed as I was very much looking forward to the food we had ordered after looking around at the surrounding tables eating theirs. Honestly I have never had such bad service in my life, it was as if we had been completely forgotten and I am a very good patron and avid restaurant goer so I know good service and happily pay for it when I see it. This was just plain horrible.
(1)Matt R.
Forget what your mother told you as a kid. It's time to dig in with your paws. Hopefully they'll be cleaner this time around though. (The hot towels served to you prior to your meal help to ensure that.) Out of the three Ethiopian restaurants I know of in Boston, this is definitely the cream of the crop. Once seated at your table (whose name is "Mesob"), be prepared to have a finger-licking feast. Plenty of options for both carnivores and omnivores. Some of the most tender lamb I've had to date, and all their meats are served in delicious sauces, waiting for you to wrap them up in spongey bread and feed your face. Gorgeous interior and the low lighting provides great ambience. If you're a beer lover, try the Belgian-style Ommegang.
(4)Nicole B.
i love addis red sea! i just got back and i was very happy with the experience. i love trying new foods and have been dying to come here for a long time. the atmosphere is warm and inviting. the chairs and table are very cool. i had a glass of honey wine. it was kind of like champagne but with less bubbles. now, i'm not a huge champagne fan. in fact, i usually go for reds. but this wasn't too bad. it was a bit earthier than champagne. i don't think i'll order it again the next time i go (yes there will be a next time) but i will try some of their other ethiopian wines. the food was excellent. the bread is spongy and delicious! i took some home with me. my boyfriend and is sampled a bunch of different dishes. they were all very good! to me, it was kind of a mix of indian and mexican. yes mexican! there was a chicken dish and a beef dish that kind of tasted like mole. yummy yummy! while i didn't get desert, i could see them from a distance. they were all pretty good looking fruit tarts, chocolate cakes, tortes, etc. i would have loved to see some ethiopian deserts. but i'm not one to complain about sweets. i love them all! overall, a very good experience. great food, great atmosphere. can't wait to come back!
(4)stacey w.
a warm welcome & a lovely ambiance.
(4)Starry E.
wonderful food and service! and it smelled so good inside - the air was filled with a complex undertone of spices. the waitress was very helpful and attentive, even though we were there on a busy friday night.
(5)Nit S.
So the food here isn't bad for a vegetarian. Only thing is..it's quite bland if you are. I think the spicy berbere sauce lentils were my favorite. I suggest going once to figure out what you like, and then getting a large order of that one dish. I've been to the cambridge and south end locations, and I really see no difference.
(3)Arun C.
There were a lot of Ethiopian places in Oakland and Berkeley so I was glad to see that there were a few in the Boston area. If you haven't had this type of food before then I think it's definitely worth trying out. The place seems to be busy and crowded on Fridays and weekends so make reservations if you can.
(4)Maritza M.
i feel like everyone LOVES this place because it's sooooooo ethic! which is cool but i think that's not enough to make it great. ok, so addis isn't THAT bad, but it's not soooooooooo GREAT. the lamb dishes were pretty good but i honestly don't remember the rest of the food...and my tummy didn't feel so good a couple hours afterwards...
(3)Nick M.
This place is the perfect place to take an adventurous eater. You feel like you have crawled into a bungalow in Africa. The lights are dim and the waitresses set the mood. The food is unlike anything you've likely had. There is a large circular piece of spongy porous bread and the food is dumped in piles ontop. There are plenty of vegetarian options including chickpeas and assorted vegetables.
(5)Dawn W.
I'd really like to like this place, but the manager seemed hell bent on destruction the night we tried. I went with friends on Sunday night, and was told it would be a half hour wait. An hour later, we were still sitting there, ravenous if not for the peppermints at the front counter. This was after a group of two who came in after us sat down before two groups of the same number, and a girl who had reservations waited for a half hour before being seated. Oh, and a girl who ordered takeout waited for over an hour as well (it was supposed to be 20 minutes). The whole time there were not one, not two, but FIVE empty tables. Of the occupied tables, one had food. And don't tell me it's not sitting in big vats in the kitchen waiting to be spooned onto bread, why they couldn't pick up the pace on that end, I have no idea. Then, by the grace of god, we were finally seated...only to sit for twenty minutes without so much as an ice cube coming our way. Finally we came to our senses and got up to leave (what the hell took us so long, probably our dramatically dropping blood sugar levels), and that's when the waitress showed up. Woe. Just because Addis doesn't have any competition doesn't mean you should eat there! Do yourself a favor and save Ethiopian for a trip to New York, or even better, D.C.
(1)Ben B.
I love this restaurant. It was recommended to me by an Ethiopian taxi driver who said it was by far the best in Boston, one of the best in the US (apparently Washington DC has some contenders) and better even than most in Addis Ababa.
(5)h g.
True its the best Ethiopian in Boston, but hey the other places (Asmara) dont set the bar very high. I went on a Monday night, and though it was pretty empty when we got there around 6 by the time we left at 7:30 the places was filling up pretty fast. AND there were Ethiopian men coming to eat there--in my experience this is a very good sign. This place seats only mesob-style which luckily I like, but for those who have bad backs or issues with sitting on the three legged stood, or wood chair hunched over the mesob may not like so much. I was quite dissappointed that they were out of the Ethiopian honey wine, but had a Harar beer instead. My dining partner had mango juice. I am used to insanely large portions, a common occurance in other cities in general but particularly with Ethiopian. When we were going to only order the Doro Wot combo our waitress told us we needed to order more, so we got the veggie combo and a Doro Wot order. When it came we were both surprised to see how small the portion was for the price, which is the way that Boston is in general so I can forgive it. Red Sea uses enjera made of wheat flour rather than teff flour--this means that the bread has a more fluffy consistency and does not have the sour dough type taste that the teff creates--which is good for those who dont like the sour taste of teff, for others (myself included) the teff enjera is preferred. The use of wheat flour is a regional preference in Ethiopia. The Doro Wot was good, more mild than I would have liked but spicy enough that I devored it all. They remove the chicken from the bone here and there was no egg--both complaints in my book, but could be good for some. The veggie dishes were good, run of the mill, not too spicy not too bland. We ate it all, even the bottom layer of enjera! We ordered the quick style ethiopian coffee--it was perfect, served in a cute little kettle shaped gord. Between the two of us we spend $40 and we were kinda still hungry afterwards. Overall--It aint great, but its the best thing Boston's got!
(3)Vivian L.
This place was chosen by the vegetarian in our group. Us meat eaters went along, reluctantly. But we all had a great time! I almost fell off the small circular stool things once but aside from that and everyone digging into the same large circular tray of food, it was a good time had by all. None of the food was spicey butr everyone was super full in the end. I would have skipped dessert though. I think the humidity of Boston makes flaky desserts not very flaky and crunchy anymore. The coffee and the way they serve it was pretty cool. This place was more for the experience than the food I think. It was very crowded for a Sat night and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I would suggest everyone in the party to use the bread stuff to pick up food instead of dive into the plate with your fingers though. That is kinda icky. The beer selection was pretty good, too. The honey beer is worth trying, too. Just go with an open mind and be ok with having all your beverages in these small tables.
(5)Joyce T.
Very fun and unique atmosphere - dimly lit, can we say romantique? :) Quiet. Good service.
(4)kelly k.
Our favorite Ethiopian restaurant and we've searched 3 states to find it!(MA NY and CA) Love the ambiance, the authentic tables and chairs, the yummy Ethiopian red wine and of course the spicy, flavorful, awewome food.
(5)Sandra C.
Intimate, casual, very unique place to go/take someone. It's best if you get a combo with someone and share. Love the flat bread. There's no utensils, you just use the bread to pick up the food. The small tables and dimly lit atmosphere is good for a small group of friends. I don't think more than four would fit at a table though. Great decor and atmosphere.
(5)So S.
While the food is not as good as how my Ethiopian friend makes it, it is still worth a try. Only place to get decent Ethiopian. Beautiful place to take a date. Update: WHAT HAPPENED??!! I had to change from 4 to 3. It used to be so good and now its ok. I hope its just a bad night!! I guess my ethiopian choice will now be Asmara! Im a devasted but at least I have Asmara.
(3)Kirby M.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the food at this place. This is such a fun meal to bring people to who are adventurous and have never heard of this type of dining (that's how i got addicted!) I love the atmosphere, however I took 1 star off because of the uncomfortable seating and the fact that if you want to go there for dinner on the weekend, we had over an hour and a half wait. But we did wait, so I think that says a lot.
(4)E C.
Disclaimer: I love injera & eating with my hands, so my review is clearly nuanced. Flavorful lamb curries and the lentil dish has perfect texture. Enjoyed the ambience, however the round chairs are at an awkward height and tip easily (I think my co-worker said something funny and I literally fell from my chair laughing because of its instability). Minus one star.
(4)Ashley J.
This is a great date place. It is exotic, fun, different and it creates a nice distraction if you are nervous. You can always have fun with the new experience and I personally find if my date isn't down with eating with his hands he is never going to be the guy for me. Good way to weed out the uptight people. I have to say I agree with the assessment that the quality of the food has gone down in the last few years. I used to love it here but now I go here and there with a friend when I want something really different. Parking is a total nightmare. The honey wine is good. Check it out. I always love the reaction from people when I tell them about Ethiopian food. It is a good conversation starter.
(3)Jaclyn N.
This place has great food and it's a lot of fun to eat - plus it's unlike anyplace else I've ever eaten. I'm not sure I would go on a date here, but I went with a lot of close friends and it was hilarious. I'm not even sure what exactly I ate - but I loved all of it and left totally stuffed. It definitely does take a while, however, so if you're in a rush you'll want to go elsewhere. Also, we were drinking and kept getting the wrong beer, but there are no points subtracted because it was still beer! Highly recommended if you have patience and/or a sense of humor.
(5)tara d.
We haven't been there recently but wanted to recommend it. We found it a very nice restaurant to take the kids for a change of venue.. My measuring stick may not be accurate as this is the only Ethiopian food we've had, but it was fun, interesting and tasty,. More importantly the kids enjoyed the experience, loved the spongy bread and stews, and the strong sweet coffee and tea were great..So go for a different experience, keep in mind the cuisine is heavy on the stews, try a sampler to get a broader spectrum.. A beautiful people, a warm cuisine with some different flavors, the waitstaff was very hospitable, and welcomed our questions, It is an engaging and fun place to go with friends or family...the atmosphere and decor delightfully authentic
(4)Seafoodie R.
Cool/different but thought the dishes all tasted the same. Wonderful staff. The seating was a bit uncomfortable.
(3)Melissa G.
I was here over 7 years ago and returned today for lunch/dinner. It was Saturday around 3pm and there was only one other couple there! (Usually on weekend nights the line is out the door). The food was delish, and I ordered a meat dish but I am sure the vegetarian food is just as yummy. Great experience, great food!
(5)J. H.
Always an adventerous meal! On our most recent visit we had trouble getting the server's attention for things such as drink refills. Addis Read Sea has the best atmosphere and all around experience for an Ethiopan restaurant in the Boston area. Ethiopian food isn't for everyone. You do eat with your hands and bread, so if that isn't your thing, be warned! If you are looking for something spicy or flavorful be sure to ask the staff for their recommendations and they will gladly help you out.
(4)mark m.
I got NASTY NASTY food poisoning there once from kitfo, but I still go back because I like it so much. the family who run it really are lovely people
(4)Tara T.
I love Addis Red Sea. Great atmosphere... intimate and informal where you sit closely with your friends or date and eat off the same plate essentially. My only negative comment would be that there food is not very spicy for Ethiopian, but it is still full of flavor. Oh, and make sure to try the honey wine even if you're not typically a wine drinker... It's not wine, it's not mead, but something a little like both and oh so good.
(4)S S.
I really would like to give it two and a half stars! Nothing stood out to be. For an ethinic cusine , you could have more fun with the ambiance, which was rather kitschy! I tried the ethopian lager beer, but i guess i am more of an IPA kinda gal! Not a big fan of eating with your hands, but will do in the spirit of trying something new. They should have more cleaniness and disposeable dishes for that. The owners seems really friendly and nice. I did want to give this place more than a 21/2 stars , however, nothing stood out for me, had better ethopian food!
(2)Kate B.
Good choice for a reasonably priced dinner in the South End. We chose it because it was right across from the BCA where we were going to see a play and it satisfied the needs of the vegetarians in our party. The service was nice and the food was tasty. Not spectacular, but good. If you don't like eating with your hands from a communal platter, this is not the place for you.
(3)wsl l.
I totally dig this place . Definitely for the more adventurous eater. If you aren't comfortable eating on a communal plate and with your hands, this isn't for you. Not sure if its a great place to take on a first date.. I can say though, its much more amusing with a bunch of friends.
(4)Jake F.
I love this restaurant so much! It's a great way to really bond with the company you're sharing your food with, and the food has never been disappointing. I would recommend the fried fish, lentil salad, and any lamb dish for a great meal.
(5)elizabeth m.
Favorite restaurant! I've been going here for years and I prefer this location to the Porter Sq. one because the experience is just funner when you sit on the floor in the dark- Porter Sq is more like a bar or diner. Lots of veg options, I like the adakilt and my non-veg boyfriend loves the zil zil tips. The dipping sauce that comes with the dabo appetizer is amazing but the honey wine- pass. Try to sit upstairs if you can and want your water/drinks refilled often. Prices aren't bad and it's not too crowded on an off night.
(5)Marc S.
I've eaten a lot of Ethiopian food, and love the spices and aromas of the food I usually get. Although the ambiance of Addis was great, the food was bland. We got the vegetable ensemble, it tasted like the vegetables had been simply boiled, but not prepared with any wonderful spice. The vegetables tasted more like items in a mundane stew rather than a tate-bud trip to Ethiopia. Our dinner, vegetable ensemble for two, cost $25.00. The portions seemed small to us, and the food was not hot when it was put on our table. I would not recommend this restaurant.
(1)Immer E.
it's all about BREAD when it comes to ethiopian food. that spongy injera bread is oh so good. addis freshly bakes them everyday before they open. for people w/ wheat allergies, you can call them ahead of time and they'll make ones w/o for you. i was surprised to see that they have a decent sized vegan menu here. we ordered the vegetarian combination for 2, which i thought was a good price at $22.95 (it comes w/ 4 different veggie meals of your choice). the portions are actually really skimpy, but they give you so much of the bread that you get filled up very fast. overall, the food was tasty, but it definitely could have been more spicey. it really didn't matter though, they could have thrown spagetti sauce or a slab of butter on my injera bread and i would have been happy. i really like the texture of this bread. it's light, chewy and goes well w/ anything. he owner is very friendly, but our waitress was a bit pushy and gruff. the ethiopian table and chairs are low, so you might be uncomfortable if you not used to nonstandard western furniture. i noticed some pregnant women having issues w/ them. be prepared to use your fingers as utensils. i loved eating w/ my hands - it really is the ideal way to eat this food. they do give you a hot, wet cloth to clean 'em up before your food comes out, plus a little wet nappy when you're done pigging out. i left the establishment stuffed and w/ lingering memories of my beautiful injera bread. we'll meet again my love.
(4)Andres M.
Best Ethiopian restaurant in Boston (there are only two I think). It's a nice experience and the food is delicious albeit a bit oily. If you haven't had Ethiopian food you have to be open minded and be willing to eat with your hands and have a spongy bread called injera. I really liked it.
(5)Nicole W.
This place is worth trying out if you are interested in authentic Ethiopian food. I LOVE the honey wine. The decor is wonderful as well. I enjoy going here about once a year for special occasions.
(4)Ashley H.
I LOVE coming here. It's a really good place to go with friends, the food is so delicious, and the beer is as well. The basket tables, little stools, low ceilings and dim lighting, make the place comfy and cozy. The food takes a long time to get to you, but if you're with friends, it leaves you time to talk and have some drinks. They also have hot towels. HOT towels. WHOA. And they're opening another one in Cambridge. I feel like this location is not easy to get to, and it feels out of place in the neighborhood. It will fit right in, in Davis square.
(5)Allison L.
I've never had Ethiopian food before, but since I'm planning to go to Addis in October for a medical missions trip, I decided to check this place out. The hostesses were excellent and I thought the food was great too. It was a bit pricier than I expected, but otherwise the ambiance was great. On a Sunday afternoon it was very relaxed. Vegetables, chicken and beef were all so tasty! I would definitely recommend people to come check it out, cost aside.
(4)Anonymous P.
Average or slightly below average Ethiopian food, but the best in Boston that I'm aware of. Wonderful atmosphere.
(3)Emily M.
i was going to give 3 stars (maybe 3.5), but i upped the rating to 4 simply from the utter joy i felt upon reading the beverage list. they had tusker! (a kenyan lager that brings me back to the wonderful summer spent there. ironically enough, i was dining with someone i had met during my time there! but i digress...) it seems my same criticism of kenyan food translates to ethiopian food as well. basically the medium for bringing the food from plate to mouth (injera in ethiopia, ugali in kenya) is an extremely bland starch. maybe that's a critique of the cuisine itself and not addis. but when my mittin shuru wot (ground split peas in spicy sauce) also lacked distinctive flavor, it made for a pretty boring bite, in both taste and texture. i tried a bite of my two fellow diners' chicken dishes and they were tastier. our ye-awake dabo appetizer (thick bread with red pepper dip) was so-so. well received though because we were starving (no reservations = long wait)! overall, i did enjoy it though if only for the sheer novelty of the communal, utensil-less eating experience. it was fun and i'll willingly go back and do it again. but next time i'll order a different main dish. the beer will remain the same.
(4)Jay and Jenn O.
The best Ethiopian place we have ever been to (also the only Ethiopian place we have ever been to). Any place where bread is used as a utensil I love.
(4)Lori E.
It's good, but I've had better Ethiopian food.
(3)Joey M.
This was a unique place compared to other places I've been in the South End and Boston in general. It feels very authentic but I can't say I'd ever had ethiopian food before. My girlfriend & I are vegan for the most part so It was great for us. We got the vegetarian sampler for 2 which was only $25 total! They serve all the food on large, verry thin yummy bread and you eat with your fingers. We got an assortment of vegetables (potatoes, carrots, etc), chickpeas, split peas with a spicy sauce (my favorite thing), and lentils which were also really good. Doesn't sound like a lot but it was really filling. Also the guava juice was really good. Good deal for the price and menu. Try it out.
(4)Brandon B.
I liked this place a lot. They have pretty good Ethiopian beer.
(5)jaimee w.
Addis Red Sea is a great, authentic Ethiopian Restaurant hidden in the South End and worth a try. My cousin loves Asmara in Central Square but I love the ambiance of Addis. I would say the food is better at Addis and it's unique from anything else offered in the SE. Don't be afraid to descend the stairs to the "garden" level entrance, it's truly a worthy experience
(4)Maren C.
Ethiopian food is one of my favorite foods. I have had the privledge to have eaten wonderful stews, vegatable and meat alike, in East Africa. My first experice with Ethiopian food was in Kenya. Followed by another in Uganda. To my delight there was a tiny little ethiopian resturant in City Heights, San Diego with plastic placmats outlining the country's history, that served outstanding food. After living in Vermont for a year I was excited to once again be able to say to my beau, "I think we should go for Ethiopian food." And we did just the other evening and we keep thinking about it, and all we can say is "Bummer." Addis seemed to forget the spices, serving us what seemed to be once frozen then carlessly steamed green beans, carrots, and a potato or two thrown atop Injera. The cabbage was boiled, no flavor added, the lentils were average, the chickpeas a bit salty-the chicken-it was the only redeaming portain of our meal. Ethiopian food is full of wonderful flavors, spicey, savory, salty and Addis completely missed the target. Will not return, hope there is better Ethiopian food in Boston. Aside from the food, the wait, for the table and the food, was really long -- this wait was the most authentic part of our meal.
(2)Ana M.
I actually went here last night because reading everyone else's reviews of it made me very hungry. The wait was an hour long (*note: they only take reservations for parties of 5 or more) but definitely worth it for the experience. My sense is that this place, (while definitely romantic) is best for larger groups of 5-6 people. The service was excellent, but slow, which we kind of liked - this is not a place you eat and rush out of - and the food was good. The combo plate was definitely a good recommendation.
(4)Lacey P.
I love this place. They take reservations, it's a really pleasant atmosphere, with cool tables and chairs and side tables. It makes you really like the person you went with. And their downstairs area is a cool tiki lounge, that instatntly makes you feel cool. The waitstaff is amazing, knowelagable, kind, and patient. They bring you these nice warm damp towels for you to wash your hands with before you eat. There was a waitress the last time I was there with the perfect ass. My friend mentioned it right as I was admiring it, and soon the whole table was exclaiming. This woman was shaped exactly like a beautiful vase. Lovely.. Ahhh. The food is to die for, every time I go there I remember why I keep going back. Everyone should go here once. Love it.
(5)rkl d.
interior decoration is great. you should try the ethipion lager beer - i luved it I am giving slightly low rating bcoz its not kids friendly. I have a 4 yr old and 10 mnth old. They dont have the high chairs, so had a big struggle handling the kids and eating from the centrally located table/plate. Also the appetizer was very midly warm (kinda surprising for me) Parking is another struggle - street parking is difficult to find and have to hand over the keys to valet most of the time.
(3)Yosh H.
If one is ever in search of creative dining, this would be a great option because of its great atmosphere and food. I've been here frequently and always recommend it as a worthwhile restaurant to visit.
(4)Miss L.
fantasitc Ethiopian food served at reasonable prices, and it beats any Ethiopian spot in D.C. the honey wine doesn't taste like "wine" at all, but it is delicious and pairs excellently with the cuisine. the one part that could improve? the ambiance; the food is served a little quickly and "all-business" for my tasted, but the flavors certainly make up for it.
(4)Anna P.
The restaurant is definitely a bit overrated. The food is decent - but overpriced, in my opinion. Although, I do have to say that it's a great experience, particularly if you like playing with your food and putting your hands in other people's plates!
(3)Selena T.
Having heard good things about this restaurant, a group of friends and I decided to go there for a couples dinner night last week. There were six of us and we made reservations for 8:30pm. We got there on-time for our reservation, but the minutes kept ticking by and we were not seated. Every time we asked the man who seemed to be the floor manager how much longer, he would say "very soon, soon". After 30 minutes had gone by, we were starving and there was a huge line of people waiting behind us. We noticed that we weren't the only ones the manager was lying to about the wait-time. After an hour had gone by we still were not seated. We tried to call other restaurants but without having reservations ahead of time, trying to book a table for 6 in the Back Bay on a Saturday night is near impossible and we had no luck, so we continued to wait. Finally we heard the manager saying something about a group of ten that was waiting ahead of us and we had had it, so we started to walk out. At that point the hostesses and manager called us back in because magically, a table all of a sudden became available. When we sat down we were so angry, frustrated and hungry...we figured the least they could do was comp us some appetizers or drinks. When we asked the manager, he looked straight into my friends eyes and gave him a cold, abrupt "no" without even the hint of an apology for making us wait for so long even though we had made reservations. I have extensive experience dining at Boston restaurants and never have I been treated so disrespectfully by the management or staff at a fine dining establishment. If you are considering Addis the Red Sea, I would wholeheartedly recommend you spend your money elsewhere to avoid an experience such as ours.
(1)Melissa B.
You know, I eat anything from low-brow street food to sweetbreads and fois gras, but this place was just not my thing. I hated it. The injera (sp?) -the spongy unleavened bread - had no flavor and the lentil dishes seemed nothing more complicated than what I could make in my own kitchen. Sure, the beers were good.
(1)S S.
It's too bad that some ppl rated this place with lower number of stars coz I thought it was really good. Super cool atmosphere (I guess Ethiopian-style), and it would be a great spot for a romantic date. I remember that it was kind of hard to get to (transportation-wise) - like it wasn't too close to a T stop. I've also tried other Ethiopian restaurants but Addis is by far the best. I liked how their bread (is that what it's called?) was not sour.
(5)Oli M.
I'm writing Addis off as faux-ethnic cuisine, compromised for the light-hearted masses. The boy and I came here during the summer in search of Ethiopian food we'd loved at Abyssinia up in the Roch. Abyssinia was a hangout for local Ethiopians, so we were pretty confident that the sizzling, spicy lamb and beef dishes, and flavorful, herbed veg dishes were an ethnic standard. I'd tried Ethiopian food elsewhere before and looked it up in cookbooks, all of which reiterated that spice and flavor were integral part of the cuisine. We walk into Addis thinking "score, not only will this place have the same awesome food, but it has authentic seating and a great wine list too." We order a lamb dish labeled as extra spicy on the menu, collard greens, and a few other things.... all of which were returned to us delicately prepared but BLAND AS ALL HELL. It was just so boring. Did they compromise the food to attract more clientele? Who even knows what went wrong at Addis. I plan to try out the more hole-in-wall Ethiopian restaurants listed on Yelp to find a truly authentic experience in Boston. Addis' only selling points: whole-wheat injera and a decent selection of African wines.
(2)Alice K.
There's no bonding experience quite like eating off the same three-foot wide circle of flatbread. Other that, though, the restaurant is relatively unremarkable; the food is not distinctive in the least. Enjoy the framed African art while you're there.
(3)Michael G.
I'm usually not much of a fan of Ethiopian food, but this was surprisingly good. If possible, go in a large party, so you can share and try a number of dishes, which are dumped on large sheets of sponge bread for you to eat. However, if you're only getting one thing, then definitely get the ZilZil-Tibs. They also have actual Ethiopian beer here, which is good (certainly better than American beer).
(4)David T.
So cool. This place has big wicker Ethiopian table-y things that are really fun. It's crowded, the food is great, and down on the second-basement-down level I really felt like I'd left the continent. The place reeks of authenticity. Try the honey wine.
(5)Stellina M.
Great family run authentic Ethiopian restaurant. Take your date there is not espensive and the food is wholesome, beware that you will eat with your hands! It is also a great place for groups I would not suggest it to a meat and potato kind of guy! PS. They take reservations!
(4)Aunt Selma g.
The food is very bland and flavorless. My friend lived in Ethiopia and said it is not authentic. It seems as if it has been toned down for the American palate. I see from the ratings below however, that if you are a yankee that likes boiled meat and vegetables with no salt or other spices this place is probably spicy for you. I did really enjoy the dining experience even though the service was slow and the Ethiopian Honey wine tasted like Mad Dog 20/20.
(2)Ruth P.
If you've never been to an ethiopian restaurant - you should definetly take the time to go here. The place is intimate and the style of eating is unique - you have a large tortilla type piece of bread on a round table, and the dishes you order are plopped directly onto it and then you eat with your hands. (hence the towel to wash your hands before you eat...)
(5)Lynn W.
I love when friends of mine force me into new restaurant experiences, and going to Addis Red Sea Ethiopian Restuarant was one of those instances. I am always up for an eclectic change of pace with food (and I will try anything once, I will pretty much eat anything - even cow brain- if it is sauteed properly lol). I was a bit worried at first b/c I was under the assumption that Ethiopian food was made with alot of curry, and sorry guys, I am just not a curry fan, but I was very excited when I saw the menu and realized that is is mainly the spice of cumin that they use in their cooking! They have a long list of stews and veggie concoctions that are brought out in a communal style huge bowl, and these the stews are plopped on top of this amazing, weird, soggy style bread that you use to pick up the food with your hands and eat. IT WAS DELICIOUS! And, it is a great way to encourage meal sharing b/c of the communal set-up, this restaurant is great for entertaining larger parties of 5 to 8 peaople. The restaurant is small and dimly lit with the most amazing original artwork on the walls - made me feel like I was in a cozy home. Prices are fair and the options of eclectic drinks are varied. I tried the Honey Wine (waaay too sweet for me, but everyone else in the group loved it! ) And they also have this mango drink that looked delicious. Tip: These guys have no valet service, so make sure to go on an off night to find parking in the south end or just hop public transportation, you don't want to be coming out of a great dinner experience and then having to go bail your car out of a tow yard! Overall, this is a great little gem in the South End that I will be introducing all my friends and family to...hope to see you there!
(4)Vern B.
i went here on valentines day 2 years ago with someone who sucks... but other then that its wonderful. i thought it was funny cuz its very intimite. dim lighting and you eat with your hands. i love it because i love to be messy with my food... maybe im just a slob... Not sure.... but its a very fun place to go!
(5)Chris S.
Wow! I just went back here after an 8 month hiatus. It's as good as I've always remembered it. The food was fantastic; I've gone here maybe 30 times since I moved to Boston 9 years ago and the food has always been great. It's pricey if you are on a budget (everything is though on a budget), but compared to the average, it's pretty dirt cheap. It's dark and cozy, with a touch of Orientalism... not bad, just very ornate. It seems exotic if you're the olive garden sort, which makes it great if the Mom and Dad from the suburbs of Kansas are in town and you'd like to show them something fun and out of their ordinary (sorry no disrespect to Kansas, just lots of chain restaurants as I remember). In the past I've dined there with friends about 5-6 heads average, and the longest wait was half an hour. If your party is over 6, plz make a reservation, as during busy times the wait may be much longer. If you're on a first date I most definitely recomend this place! It's fun to explore the different cuisine together (buy all combos, the Lamb and tartar rock!) it's non-pretentious, and the service is first rate. Sit in the back if you'd like privacy, save room for tea or coffee after dinner, and if you drink Just the right amount of Tusker Lager you might fake yourself into thinking your dining in Africa, and what could be better that that, I hope you like it like I have. Good Eats! I go there when I want to pretend I'm not in Boston and don't have the dough to fly away.
(5)Jennifer L.
I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. I'd been wanting to try this place for a while and finally convinced my boyfriend we should go. The seats are sort of uncomfortable and it was so loud in there. We were screaming across the table at each other. How is that romantic? We tried the honey wine, which was sweet, and kind of reminded me of Manischewitz with a bit of honey. We ordered a chicken combo that came with 3 veggie options, of which we chose some chickpea thing, a bulghar salad and lentils, and we added an order of beef. It came served on that spongy bread. It did not look appetizing and I couldn't understand what the waitress said we were eating! I enjoyed the flavor of the beef, but the texture was that of dog food (or so I can imagine). The chicken was too spicy for my tastes, and the veggie sides weren't terrible, but mildly bland. I enjoyed the spongy bread. I can't say I'd go back though.
(3)Sophia C.
This is a wonderful place to relax & eat. There were so many combinations of spices & ingredients that were so simple yet elegant. Plenty of vegetarian options, and the waitstaff is very calm, friendly and exotic-looking. We will definately go again - an experience unlike any other!
(5)Jen R.
I was really torn about how many stars to give this place. I had been dying to try it and finally went with 3 friends 2 weeks ago. Upon entering, I almost stumbled down the 2 narrow, steep stairs so watch your footing. Upon entering, the incense smell is strong to say the least. I found myself sneezing almost instantly. We were shown to our table by friendly staff. We sat in low backed extremely uncomfortable chairs-- actually they were the most uncomfortable I have ever sat in. I would have rather been sitting on the t or on an airplane for that matter. The table, if you can call it that is a low round wicker round table. So, I really never got over the fact that I was uncomforable and spent the meal either leaning back or slouching forward. The wait was very long-- long enough that we all noticed. The food was smaller portioned than we were expecting--- and all tasted similar. They give you this squashy bread-- sort of like a cross between pita bread, a sponge and squished angel food cake-- and you use the bread to scoop up the food. Dessert-- I would skip-- the baklava was overly sticky yet dry and impossible to cut thus hard to share. The chocolate cream cake was dissapointng. The decor was unique and you really felt like you were transported somewhere else. So, clearly a mixed review.
(3)Christie T.
my first experience with ethiopian food and i was not disappointed! love the african decor and the service was great. i recommend the combo plate for 2, get variety and enough food to probably feed another person...i'm definitely planning on going back
(5)bex g.
so i thought that "ethiopian food" was an oxymoron, but hell-to-tha-no. my friend brought me here for the first time, and basically ordered everything for me, and? i'm in love. we had ethiopian wine -- yum! we had four vegetarian dishes -- double yum! and the dipping bread -- addictive. the tables/sitting area could be a little more comfortable, but i won't drop them a star for that. everything else (the atmosphere, the service, the decor) is fabulous. i am now a fan of ethiopian food!
(5)S L.
I highly recommend this place, even if it's just for the experience of the restaurant setting, which takes you out of the country. I especially enjoyed the appetizer, which was a minced beef pastry. It was like an Indian somosa, except it tasted even better! The bread was really good too, and all of the dishes were delicious!
(5)Juliette V.
I was excited to try a new kind of food but unfortunately this place was crap. The food was bland, the bread that it is served on was bland. The atmosphere was bland. Yup, you guessed it my rating is: bland. Do not bother.
(1)Shiva K.
Going here was definitely an experience! I always up for anything new (especially when it's food-related), so I decided to take my sister here when she was visiting. Food was very unique..not only the taste, but also they way you eat it: you dip bread into stew, veggies, etc. I definitely recommend the combo platter, so you can get a little of everything. It was very decently priced! Two meals and two ethiopian beers (which I highly recommend) came to about $40 or so. Yayy! will def be going back here.
(4)Robert G.
I loved it here! So different and unique - sitting around a little table, eating with your hands, sharing some ethiopian beer with friends - definitely a great place to go with a group of people or just a few friends. Definitely call ahead and make a reservation, it's a pretty small restaurant and it can get packed! Feels very authentic - african art on the walls and pretty neat hand carved chairs throughout the restaurant.
(4)Angie T.
Table for party of three, please. My experience at Addis Red Sea sometime between 05-06 may not reflect what it is today, but I felt it fair to share what I know of the establishment. The food was fantastic - flavorful and not overpowering. The bread was not as spongy as some other places, which I preferred. The ordeal lasted over two hours. The meal itself (time during which the food was present on our table) lasted maybe 15 minutes. We were ignored, even had to ask for things repeatedly (like the check). Whatever we wanted would take at least 15 minutes to be delivered (including some water, please, to calm my burning tastebuds). The staff was unfriendly, and at one point a clustered of them formed in the back of the room where they conversed and giggled, while we sat near the front of the restaurant, feeling like we were crashing some party. As good as the food was, I would never patronize this restaurant again. Part of the expense of going out to eat is that I'm paying for the service. For Addis Red Sea, they get five stars for their food, and their service knocked off three.
(2)Steve S.
Tremont street could be the toughest neighborhood in the city for a restaurant without game. You have 28 degrees, Masa, Tremont647, Sibling Rivalry, Hammerslys' Bistro, Butcher Shop and The Acme Oyster House plus two streets in either direction adds another dozen decent places to eat. Happily, Addis has game. It is a dimly lit interior with ( I am guessing) authentic Ethiopian tables and chairs. We had Samusas for an ap, which is like Indian Samosas. We ordered a chicken and a vegetarian dish for the main course. Ethiopian food as it turns out is somewhat like Chinese Moo shi, meaning you roll it in bread and eat it sans silverware( must save them a fortune in water and related costs)...But it was very different and very tasty The only bummer is that you have to hunt for parking and you may need to stretch out a bit afterward. But for a new food experience, I would(and have) recommend it
(4)Purvi R.
I really like Ethiopian, and this place is pretty on par with most places I've been to. Cute ambiance, we went in the downstairs area. We got the veggie options and that delicious bread. This was a while ago, so can't really recall what it was like in detail, but I will be back next time I am craving lots of food!
(3)a w.
This place is amazing. Number one on my list when people visit. It's interesting, unique, and creates great conversation! Make sure to ask the waiter/waitress for advice on what to order if you're unfamiliar. Dig into piles of meat and/or veggies with the spongy bread and enjoy! I love this food because it doesn't make me feel like taking a nap afterwards. I also hear they have great creme brulee but that seems crazy to me.
(5)Stephanie T.
i like everything, EVERYTHING about addis red sea. except that lots of other people like it too and there is nearly always a wait. but, i can handle that. you eat family style and with your hands - soaking up the meaty, flavorful goodness of your dish with sponge bread (which, you should be warned, definitely expands in your stomach, bringing full to new levels after dining here. in light of this, i usually try to walk home!) the wine is sweet and delicious, there are plenty of vegetarian options if that is your thing, and the food can be really spicy, or not so spicy, depending on your liking and the staff is totally friendly and accommodating - i could go on. go try it! it's a really cute / fun date spot, though maybe not a FIRST date spot since family style eating, close quarters and unfamiliarity are best enjoyed and maybe require some intimacy.
(5)Ashley I.
This is a wonderful place to eat. The atmosphere is great. The food is delicious. I love the spongy bread they serve all of the dishes on. They also had some of the tastiest coffee I had ever had. I have been there twice, the second of which was for my birthday dinner! They also have a location between Porter and Harvard on Mass Ave which I have yet to check out but am thinking about taking my parents to next week!
(4)Joyce K.
OMG, I'm so cool...I'm sitting here in an Ethiopian restaurant with baskets and wood things surrounding me. Yes! I'm very cultured! Ok, so glad I got that out of the way. Now I never have to visit Africa or this restaurant ever again. That being said, if my food had been served on an actual plate in any other restaurant, I would have thrown it in the waiter's face and marched out. The flavorings weren't too palatable...I can't even describe it. It's like woody...or spicy with a heavy sun-dried taste spiked with liberal usage of onions. I hate onions and they couldn't take them out because that's just how it is. The bread was delicious when it wasn't all soggy from soaking up the juices from the meats. There was a pico de gallo type of thing that made we want to scream "Ole!" except that would've been potentially offensive and confusing to those around me. The servers are so sweet and attentive! Although the food took FOREVER to come. I had creme brulee for dessert to try to get that heavy spice from boring a whole in my intestines and it was what it was. Generic creme brulee in a tin container with a soggy sugar crust. I've been to a South African restaurant before which used similar spices to Addis and I have to say that I'm just not fond of the flavor. If I have to eat with my hands, I prefer Korean lettuce wraps!
(3)Julia C.
wonderful. i've never had ethiopian food before coming here a few months back, but if you enjoy indian food, you will most definitely enjoy ethiopian at addis red sea. i think it's the coolest thing that they serve the entrees in a heap on the giant pancake! love the unique, quirky decorations and the intimate seating, where you have to huddle together towards a little rattan table to eat. i remember getting a good number of the lamb dishes presented on the menu (came as a group of 5) and being very pleased, so definitely check that out!
(5)Whitney R.
Tasty, and great service! I never know what Ethiopian dishes are, and thus, order the combo, a view my friend agreed with.The combo that Addis Red Sea put together for us ignorant types was really tasty, and the honey wine didn't hurt. Easy on the wallet as well for Ethiopian food.
(4)Aden N.
Eat some nicely spiced meats and vegetables with your hands with a big pan-cakey thing on a low table while sipping well-priced Ethiopian wine amongst local animal skin artworks in dim-ish red light after standing for a while in the narrow corridor to get a seat. My girlfriend is obsessed with this place.
(4)Laureen B.
The portions were smaller then I excpected, we were walking all day and really hungry. BUT the service was great, the food was great, the beer was great and the atmospher was awsome. It ALMOST got 5 stars but I was REALLY hungry and portion were very small! I edited it to 5 stars because last two times I went it was just awesome!
(5)Nathan M.
The food was tasty, but the service was terrible. Throughout the night our waitress was unfriendly and seemed very annoyed at any questions we had. For a place so based on atmosphere, it was hard to not focus on the snarky waitress. Also she should probably expect questions since I doubt most people in Boston have much Ethiopian food experience. The $7 charge for sharing an entree is somewhat ridiculous as well. Same amount of food... served the same way....$7 more. If you want to share I would suggest take-out.
(2)Krishna S.
One of my favorite restaurants in Boston, Addis Red sea is a perfect first date restaurant, allowing you to take measure of just how flexible your date will be, stepping from the world of dinner cloths and many different forks and knives, to the world of Mesob (table) and sharing food and eating with one's hands. As you enter the restaurant, walking down the narrow staircase, your senses are immediately dazzled -- a beautifully decorated restaurant, resplendant in dazzling colors greets yoru eyes, the welcome warmth (esp. in Winter here in Boston!) envelops your skin, and a dozen scents fill your nostrils. You are instantly hungry. As you sit on wicker stools in front of Mesob (the Ethiopian-style table which holds the injera on which your dishes will be served, you feel transported to a realm outside New England, and the experience is complete. Perhaps now you can order the honey wine (Tej), and sip it slowly as you await your meal. It may take a while, but the food will deliver on its promise. I recommend this place quite heartily for fellow vegetarians, as the vegetarian options are quite well done, and the vegetarian combo for two makes for a decent amount of food, and allows you to try many options. Thinking of Addis Red Sea has aroused my appetite -- I must go back soon...
(5)Finn M.
I can only really compare this place to Asmara in Central Square, because they're the only two Ethiopian restaurants I've been two, and really, both are authentic and excellent. Asmara's food is just a little bit better; the food is a little bit more lively, and the flavors are somewhat more exciting. Addis Red Sea, though, is definitely the nicer restaurant. It's got the quirkier, subterranean layout, and is considerably more quiet than Asmara is. You can't go wrong in either place, but hey, maybe you'll prefer one over the other. The solution, clearly, is to go to both. ASAP.
(4)Evan L.
I've been coming to Addis for 10 years now and have never had a meal I haven't enjoyed. The food is excellent, flavorful, and the decor is cozy and exotically romantic. It is great for a small group. They have a nice selection of delicious African beers and they always accommodate my special requests like extra berbere on the side or extra rolls of the darker down injera (bread), which has a stronger, more unique flavor. It's fun to eat with your fingers off of the large bread and nobody goes home hungry! This is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Boston and for you D.C. refugees who are used to having tons of Ethiopian restaurants, I promise you won't be disappointed.
(5)Nami P.
I enjoyed everything with WOT in the name and the cabbage veggie dish. But I've had better ethiopian in other cities. The bread was too thin. I guess I was expecting very rich food. So this restaurant was more ethiopian-LITE. I am going back to get some more doro wot though.
(4)Marissa P.
I'm a fan of the Ethiopian dining experience. Sharing one communal plate and digging in hands-first always prove for fun, interactive meals. I dined with a few of my Ethiopian-virgin friends on a recent Friday night, and they truly enjoyed Addis Red Sea. Food is good, and the spongy inerja bread it comes with is plentiful. Service is on the slow side - but in this setting, we'll call it "relaxed" and let it slide. I'd suggest washing everything down with a Tusker Kenyan beer.
(4)Erin F.
I just went to Addis Red Sea last night after lamenting that I hadn't had any good Ethiopian food in a long time. After going to Addis Red Sea, I unfortunately have to say that I STILL haven't had any good Ethiopian food in a long time. This restaurant was the perfect storm of bad service and mediocre to really not-so-good food. The evening started off badly as we arrived on time for reservations for a party of 7. We checked in and the host said something about "setting up" as he walked off. Over the next 25 minutes we watched as he sat about 10 parties without reservations. Fine, we were a large party, but no one actually left during that time and table we were to sit at was unoccupied the whole time. We were then seated without any apologies for making us wait. I could forgive this if the service got better and the food was great, but alas, not so much. Only six of the dishes came out for dinner and when we pointed out the 7th was missing, the waitress left, and came back 20 MINUTES LATER with the dish, as everyone was finishing their meals. They again didn't apologize and did not take the meal off the bill. As for the food itself, a vegetarian "curry" dish came looking like a side dish of steamed veggies virtually without a sauce. Our beef dish (#16 I think) was so tough and sinewy it was virtually inedible. The rest of the table found their food "edible enough." For now, I guess we'll have to drive to New Haven to Caffe Adulis if we want good Ethiopian:(
(2)Mary H.
I went here tonight on a date night with my friend having had Ethiopian twice before. This place blew the other two out of the water. The atmosphere when you walk-in seems quite authentic. "Stools" and "mosebs" are what make up that table and chairs. While the seating isn't that comfortable I appreciate the authentic experience. I'm vegetarian so my friend was nice enough to appease me by getting all veggie dishes and so we shared the vegetable combination. We got the Butecha (chickpea paste, which was amazing), the gomen wot (collard greens, also amazing), Atakilt (mixed veggies) and Yesmsir Wot (Lentils). We were not disappointed. It was a tasty and healthy meal. I also got their honey wine. They were out of the stuff on the menu so the waitress gave me something off menu that she said was stronger. I could definitely smell the honey and taste it, but the drink also had a bitter/sour aftertaste. I would not order it again. Their Ethiopian coffee, however, was amazing. I never drink coffee black and this went down smooth and they present in a demitasse and and cute teapot. I highly recommend this place for a different evening.
(4)Katia M.
Great for a date or with a friend! I love the Yemesir Wat. The Ethiopian red wine is tasty (get the Dukam -- so darn good), and the honey mead by the glass is a great, authentic drink -- try it if you're never had it, it's sweet but very good. I don't love the low tables, but they work with the general ambiance. Definitely a favorite. The bread is borderline addictive. Seriously, I could exist solely on the injera. It's spongy and sourdoughy tasting, and basically the greatest thing around. Also, don't forget to eat the bread sitting under the entres -- I think that's the best part! Also, I think I was the friend that took bex g. there ...:)
(5)Trisha H.
I found out about this place when they had a deal from groupon so my husband and I decided to give it a try. We made a big mistake.... So here it goes.. I called in earlier Friday to reserve a table but I was told that there will not be a problem for party of 2 to get a table. So we drive all the way to south end around 8pm, found a parking after driving around for a while. We get in to the restaurant and ask for a table of 2. Addis' response, sorry we are full, you have to wait 1 hour. There were already people waiting before us to begin with. We understand, it is Friday so busy time. We decided to go somewhere else in the area. Since we had the voucher from groupon, we decided to try again on a Tuesday evening. We enter the restaurant around 6pm. There was only 2 or 3 table occupied at the time. We waited 5 minutes to be seated. We wait and wait for someone to come take the order. Finally, we ordered apps and main course all together with a drink. Apps (sambusa and beef thing) arrived after 25 minutes around 630pm. Beef tasted worse than Mcdonald burger patty. Sambusa was ok.. So killed it in few minutes as we were really hungry at the time.. now again, waiting starts, it took almost an hour before our main course arrived around 730pm. Food was just okay.. Nothing special. I've had better Ethiopian food in DC. Finally, we finished all our food (only because we were hungry). No one came to give us a towel or ask if we were done eating. You can only eat with your hands here; I sat with stinky hands for a while. my husband had to get up and grab someone to give us a check so we can get out of there.. so waitress brought the bill. Our total was 50.xx but with groupon it came out to be 6.xx including tax. I wanted to leave a tip as a courtesy but they said no credit cards for less than $10.. I told them take out 20$ including tip but they said no. I had only 14$ in cash so I left it there and we left.. Service at this place is below 0. Food is about 5 on a scale of 10. I will not be returning to this place ever. Thanks to groupon I did not have to pay 50.xx for such a bad experience. Now don't get me wrong, my husband and I go out to eat a lot to new places and try all kinds of food so hopefully this was a fair review. i feel other people liked this place bacuse of the experience they get eating with their hands without for and knives but not worth it
(1)Amanda L.
This was my first experience with Ethiopian food and I loved it! The atmosphere is very welcoming and communal. This would be a great place for a first date or a group outing. I happened to go with a friend and she was pleased as well. The owners have done a great job bringing a little slice of Ethiopia to busy, South Boston. I gave this place 4 stars instead of 5 for two reasons: 1. The service was not AMAZING (actually it took a little longer than it should have to get our check and the couple next to us who ordered the same thing, was served first) 2. I haven't tried Ethiopian food before so I don't have a lot to compare it to (Moroccan food is the most similar thing I've tried), but I have heard that the spices are usually very strong and that was not really the case this go around. I have a feeling things have been neutralized a bit for their typical clientele, which I completely understand. Overall, I would recommend the place to friends because the food and style of eating (communally, without utensils at a table that is at the seated level) are worth a try!
(4)Bridget D.
A friend of mine recommended this restaurant and my new fella was game for trying it out. We went on a snowy Sunday night and waited for a half hour in the tiny squished entrance way. When tables started to clear in the dining area, we were brought to the downstairs part of the restaurant (which I didn't even realize existed). There were only two parties down there and several empty tables. So why the wait? And why hide us away? We are adorable. It was a little strange to be in this secluded area. After about ten minutes it was just us. Except, there was a woman, who I assumed had something to do with the business, oddly sitting with her back to the room. She just sat there the entire time, facing a wall and didn't make a sound. I guess she was our chaperone of sorts. So, the food: my sweet meat-eating boy decided to go vegetarian with me and we shared the veggie combo. We picked four dishes that were all pretty good but cold: lentils, split peas, vegetables, chickpea mush. The bread was really good and different. It looked like sponge. The boy got an Ethiopian beer, recommended by the waiter, and he said it was skunky. I had some guava juice and it was sweet. When we were almost done, the waiter came by with a bowl of chopped tomatoes and dumped it onto our tray. He said it was a salad. Overall, it was an interesting experience.
(3)Laura A.
LOVE the food here, but the service is always kind of iffy, especially if there are large groups dining at the same time. once i was eating in here and was the only table in the restaurant and they STILL ignored us and took forever to bring our check! ugh.
(4)Steve N.
"hello, i am Mesob and i am a table" or something like that. love the food and eating it with the injera really is different. i've pretty much sampled around the entire menu and have not found a bad dish in the bunch. they have an interesting selection of Ethiopian beers and honey wine to complete your experience. oh yah, and they have Boobies! you'll know what i'm talking about if you go.
(4)Chris S.
The food is absolutely amazing and the wait staff is very helpful. The selection of beer / wine fantastically compliments the food which has a unique taste all its own. Even on a Satruday night, the wait wasn't more than 20 minutes! I would definitely reccomend this place!
(4)Tank B.
Delicious food. Bad service.
(2)Chad B.
Ah, my favorite place in the South End....have been going here for many, many years. The flavor profiles on all their dishes are amazingly good and the staff are very friendly. My favorite dishes are the doro wot, kitfo, and yesmir wot. Also, love the traditional injera bread here, which is a darker, more vinegar-y tasting bread.
(5)Kunal P.
I was there for my first try of Ethiopian food. Being pretty close to what Indian cuisine uses in terms of vegetables and spices, I went there and loved it. Their bread was awesome (pretty plain but still goes well along with all the veggies). Very nice and friendly wait staff. Kind of darker ambiance but can take that any time if the food is great
(4)Dave L.
A unique dining experience. The tables, decor, and atmosphere were interesting and engaging. However, the food quality wasn't that great. We had a lamb dish and a veggie dish. The vegetables seemed like I could make them at home. The lamb was good, but not so good that it would cause a craving mid-week that would have to be satisfied the next weekend. Addis is worth trying, and coming back every once in a while, but I can't see myself craving it any time soon.
(3)Kassia K.
I love Addis Red Sea, mostly for their addictive injera bread. While the dishes themselves - vegetarian or otherwise - could use a little kick, everything I've had there has been very flavorful and is worth repeated trips. The shared combo meals - veg and non-veg - are a great deal for two people, and pair nicely with the traditional Ethiopian honey wine they offer. This is also a good restaurant to take out-of-town visitors to, mostly for the unique experience. It's my go-to place for impressing relatives - and it hasn't failed me yet.
(4)Ted M.
Delicious food, friendly waitstaff. I ate here Wednesday night with some friends and relatives and had an excellent time. It was the first time I had Ethiopian food and enjoyed it a lot. Their honey wine is fantastic and the chicken dishes are great too. The even provided special accommodations for my sister who has a gluten allergy. Their decorations are great too including a painting of the church in Lalibela and a photo of Halie Selassie. I'm from out of town and wish I could go here more often.
(5)Abby M.
I finally went to Addis Red Sea last night, after years of saying, "lets try that Ethiopian place!" and then going somewhere else. I'm really glad I did, so now I can move onto some other restaurant that will take years to actually get to. Anyways, it was a good exerience-- and I DO recommend it, but at the same time I can't say I'm dying to go back. The environment was really comfortable and fun, especially since my husband is African himself and felt closer to home there. The seats are mostly stools, which might be uncomfortable for some people-- so if that's you, try and snag a seat against the wall! We went with a bunch of people so tried lots of different things. The dabo (bread) with green pepper sauce was warm and soft with a hint of cinnamon (cumin?). Anyways, it was good. Also had the spiced cottage cheese, which was enjoyable. For entrees, our group had a lot of variety--fish, chicken, and lamb spread. The table was spread with spongy bread and then the waitress poured our entrees onto the bread so the juices would get all soaked up, and we dug in. The food was great and we gorged on it pretty ferociously. Also, I enjoy eating with my hands. I'm not sure I can explain what went wrong with my meal. I was happily eating, and then I suddenly hit a wall and couldn't eat another bite. I understand how people are reminded of southern Indian food with dosas and curries. BUT: Addis Red Sea uses a very different variety of spices giving it a different flavor entirely, so we're talking about apples and oranges here. Overall: you should try this! But for some reason, I probably won't be back for a while...
(4)H. G.
The ambiance and character at Addis is excellent, the seating is fun, and eating with your hands is always a good time. Unfortunately, the food is altogether too bland for my taste. I want to like this place. I desperately want to like it. But it's nothing special. If it means anything, I liked the vegetarian dishes much more than the meat dishes. And I do enjoy the spongy, soft bread. Oh, also, I tried the honey wine that everyone raves about, and I found it tasty but far too sweet.
(2)Aniya Z.
Not a fan to be honest with you... I've been to Addis Red Sea only once before (a while back) and remember not being thrilled about it but I though I'd give it a second chance but unfortunately I don't think I'll be coming back again. For me the experience at a restaurant is fist and foremost about the food but in this case it seems to make sense to rate setting and food separately since one is so much better than the other: Setting: That one would actually get a 3 stars. The restaurant is in a nice location, it's not very big but it is set up nicely, has a nice decor and the staff is generally pretty friendly and attentive. If you can ask to be seated upstairs though Food: in one word - "disappointing". I LOVE Ethiopian food and actually get it quite often, however I claim no expertise or knowledge since I'm not from Ethiopia nor have I ever been. That said, this is how the food we got at Addis differed (not in a good way) from what i came to consider "Ethiopian" food. First, the injera bread was generally pretty flavorless and got very soggy very quickly. I like my injera with a bit of a sour taste... Addis was... well, tasteless. The food itself was *much* more oily than what I am used to. Don't get me wrong, wots are definitely not "light" by anybody's standards but they usually have more of a stew-like consistency which is achieved by cooking the onions (as well as lentil split-peas/meats/veggies) for a longer periods of time till they break down and mix with the oil/fat they are cooked in to get the right consistency; Addis's seemed to be made stew-like just by adding more fat/oil. The flavors overall were just ok but nothing at all to write home about. So all that said, if you want a place with not as nice of a decor but much better food I'd suggest trying Fasika or Lucy Ethiopian Cafe
(2)Kristina V.
I cannot say enough how much I love this restaurant -- everything from the food to the charming decor. It's located in the south end, in the lower part of a building, so you have to look for the sign and make sure you do not walk past it. The interior is African themed, with masks on the walls, and the tables are brightly covered woven baskets that they cover with the sponge bread dishes. I usually get the doro wot chicken dish with a Tusker beer from Kenya, or some honey wine. For dessert, I highly recommend the cinnamon tea. It tastes like Christmas. The service here can be a little bit slow sometimes, but the staff is always friendly and I enjoy my experience here, so that doesn't bother me so much. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Rachel E.
Very nice servers and pleasant environment, but I'm afraid that couldn't make up for the bland and unappetizing food. I love spice and flavor and found that the chicken dish and beef dish I ordered had neither. Beef cubes were overcooked and tasted like they were just soaked and cooked in oil (no spices as promised). Chicken was ok, a little spicy but not depth of flavor, and I had to spit out a 2" long piece of bone -- yuck. :/ I also didn't like that the spongy bread used to eat with was so soft and cold. Maybe it would have been better if I ordered some vegetable entrees as well, but I really didn't enjoy this bland and overpriced meal.
(1)Nobbi L.
As an Ethiopian cuisine aficionado (and snob) I was excited to try out yet another place. While visiting Boston, we took the opportunity to dine at Addis. The first clue should have been the absence of any Habesha guests. The decor is very pleasant and all tables were the traditional messob. The menu was traditional. We ordered some of our favorites: kitfo, yebeg wot, and three veggies selections that were included in the kitfo combo (misir wot, gomen, and atakilt). The injera was obviously made without teff. It was white, white and did not leave the gritty residue on your hands. The kitfo was of could quality but light in spicing. The lamb had a unidimensional flavor profile. It looked gray rather than a lovely deep red. The veggies were super bland. Overall, really disappointing. Also the portions were very small. We usually have way too much food and we ate all of this. For the Boston area I would recommend Fasika in Sommerville.
(2)Olivia J.
Got there around 630 on a Friday night and the place was pretty empty, but it got quickly filled up. Between Christine and me, we shared a addis Red Sea combination dish that comes with four meat dishes and two veggies. Including tip and tax, the total came out to be $35. Everything was very flavorful and satisfying! I asked for utensils because I had a cut on my finger. Not sure if it was because of miscommunication or misunderstanding, but they didn't seem too happy about it. I had to show them the cut and then the waitress brought us forks.
(4)