This is for the food portion of the restaurant only. Having tried Ethiopian in lots of places , this place is hands down the best, great menu selection, and the lentils and bread are as good as they have been through out the years. I wish I could of took more home with me, I certainly would of. I took one star away from the pricing . It is definitely a little on the high end. They really need to redo the interior from when it was a Mexican place, 20 years ago.....
(4)
Chelsea E.
Staff was so friendly and welcoming, the food was good, and beautiful decor and patio. Very authentic.
(5)
Julie T.
A friend invited me to join her at Blue Nile. I had lived in the neighborhood for 7 years and never had gone. I was always curious about it. Well, the first thing that I noticed in the place was the smell. It had a stale urine, dank and musty odor from the entrance into the main dining room. We were the only people in the place for our entire visit. There were people out on the patio doing drinks only kind of thing. So, I guess you could say the place is "quiet". The food was good, I thought. I would love to tell you what I had but the names totally fail me. I got a combo platter which was plenty of food and I thought the prices were reasonable for what I received. I would be interested in going back at some point. I did enjoy the food. I would love to see some improvement in the service. We were very slow to be greeted after being seated and our server sat in the bar area and just kind of stared at us but never initiated any follow up with us. I had to wave her over to get more water, etc. I hope that they are able to do something about that odor, by the looks of other reviews, I wasn't the only one that noticed.
(3)
Summer L.
I understand Blue Nile: it's an Ethiopian restaurant in Minnesota. If you keep that in mind, you will likely enjoy your meal. It's not that anything at Blue Nile is bad. Not at all. I enjoyed my adventure into the world of shafut (spicy buttermilk-soaked bread, or as we called it, "Africoleslaw") and the maraka is indeed flavor-dense as it should be. The problem is that I've had proper Ethiopian food before, so I was somewhat disappointed by the extremely tamed spice level. Perhaps for those new to the cuisine and feeling a bit intimidated by it, Blue Nile is the perfect introduction. Unfortunately, I'm not the target audience. The service was incredibly slow; maybe it was unusually busy for a Sunday night (it wasn't very busy), but 20 minutes from sitting down to beer in hand is a little bit ridiculous. At least the staff seemed pleasant. Where Blue Nile excels is their bar -- they've got some serious beer nerds stocking that baby. They're BFFs with Surly, so if there's anything Surly is playing with, you'll find it. Some other brews seem overpriced, but there's enough variety to avoid the ones that want to make a dent in your rent payment. If I had 2+ hours to kill and was looking for some place to drink quality beer with perhaps a side of something Ethiopian, I'd consider Blue Nile again. But as a huge fan of the cuisine, Blue Nile is far from my top choice.
(3)
Catherine C.
I'm a South African-American, and I have heard lots of great reviews about this place, and I don't know why I have not gone here before! I know they have great music and dancing late at night, but they also have awesome food. So needless to say I should go here as soon as possible. I can only speak for what I have heard others say about the Blue Nile. When I finally do go, I will write another review. 4 stars for the fact that it's African in a sea of not-so-diverse Minnesota. Makes me feel immediately more at home :) Viva Afrique du Sud.
(4)
Jennifer S.
Very different experience. I enjoyed the spicy food and beer and it was definitely very different. I felt bad asking for silverware, but I'm not great at the eating with my hands thing. Also we had an after dinner decaf coffee which was phenomenal!
(4)
Dan K.
I liked this place. I got the Gosa Gosa app combo and the Gosa Gosa C for dinner. My only complaint was that they seemed to be a tad on the skimpy side on the dishes. But, it was tasty and I left there full. The mango pop is not very good btw. The music was pretty cool too, around 10pm or so, they started charging cover and bumpin some really loud reggae tunes. But before that, it was a lot of Bob Marley. Oh and the cardamom cookies are a nice dessert, even if you just take them home.
(4)
Whitney G.
Very UNAUTHENTIC. I used to eat at the Blue Nile in Michigan, thinking, okay, same ownership? Ha. No.
(1)
Jeff M.
I am always happy with the veggie combo and whatever IPA is freshly tapped.
(4)
Emily S.
This is a fun place, that I never expected to be as good as it actually is. I come here alot for the Minneapolis Battle League MC Battles, and the Tuesday night Open Mics. You can hear some really amazing artists sometimes on Tuesdays! Plus, drinks are made pretty good, strong, but good! The overall atmosphere is sorta weird, it doesn't seem like the place to hold some artists that play there at times, but over all, its a fun place to go spend the night with your friends!
(4)
Michael N.
Went for the Surly release of Three, Smoke and Ashy Cynic. The beer selection was great, although I only stuck with the Surlys. I hear the food isn't that great but I just went for the beer. I believe they had the Coffee Bender on tap as well.
(4)
Jay C.
forget all you heared.... Ethiopian food rocks with friends and the wings are the best in town.
(5)
Kristin K.
I love the Blue Nile! I usually get the akaawii because you can order the spice level to your liking. If you don't have any tolerance for spicy food then order extra yogurt to help cool off your palate. Meals are not served with utensils (traditionally you eat with your hands and pick up food with the bread). However, utensils are available upon request. The spongy flat bread that comes with the meals is delicious, and we read a little bit about Ethiopian bread - its actually pretty healthy with whole grains and protein. This is a good place to go in a big group. Last time we had five people, we got a gosa gosa sampler, then two entrees and an appetizer. We were all very full by the end of the meal. I've only tried the cardamom cookies for dessert. The cardamom was really potent - it was good/interesting, but I wouldn't order it regularly.
(5)
Amy H.
I wish I can give a ZERO star to Blue Nile. I totally DISLIKE and HATE this place. DON"T waste your money at this place.
(1)
Mark B.
As good as any Ethiopian in the country. Enjoy this place and get a expand your culinary experienced.
(4)
Ninja S.
A not so notable restaurant but a more interesting music venue. They host a large mix of local music of many styles and genres.
(3)
Patrick B.
Every Tuesday, this place has an open mic night. Local artists of all sorts come out and perform their stuff, some of it great, some of it bad, but generally an enjoyable experience. I have yet to eat a meal here, though my Ethiopian friends tell me to avoid this place for reasons unknown to me.
(4)
Rego S.
We came here before a formal, years ago. My first Ethiopian meal, and I remember it being really good. No silverware, the food is served over a bread that you break apart and eat with your hands.
(5)
Christine g.
My bf and I had reservations at 8pm on a Friday night. Despite being 15min late, we were seated immediately. There were two large (15+) parties so I was concerned about how good service would be or how quickly food would arrive. Our waitress was VERY helpful and patient allowing us tons of time to choose a beer and app. and eventually dinner. She looked to be the only waitress for the entire dinning room but I never felt neglected. The beer selection is great; I'd never heard of most of the beers on tap and half in bottle. Qualifier: I have never had African (or specifically Ethiopian) food. That being said, I was underwhelmed. One vege (bean) side tasted like refried beans. One entree tasted more like ground beef than anything unique. The spice level at first seems very mild but by the end of dinner I had a good mouth on fire feel. We did get the most expensive item on the menu (steak for $16) and that was the best thing on the platter. The bread that serves as forks was really yummy!!! The service qualifies for 5 stars but the underwhelming food taste demotes the over all score.
(4)
Kristen H.
I live nearby and go here fairly regularly, though usually for beer. Al runs a great bar and the beer list is pretty impressive for any establishment, let alone a somewhat random Ethiopian place. There aren't a ton of taps, and a few are reserved for your usual restaurant macrobrews, but the rest are a rotating selection of tasty beers with a heavy emphasis on local. I am no expert in Ethiopian food, and admittedly I've usually only ordered after a few beverages, but I've enjoyed it. I tend to go for sampler platters, especially when sharing with friends, and we've usually had no trouble putting down a big ol' plate of injera with various scoops of goodness. Late night can be iffy depending on what (if any) acts are on the stage, but it's always a great place for a happy hour off the beaten path!
(4)
Anna H.
YUM YUM. Good food, good beer selection. Sometimes they've got good music, too. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
(4)
Suz M.
Yes, it can be eerily quiet in there some nights which makes for a weird atmosphere but the food is great and they always have a wide variety of beers to try. We always buy gift cards on restaurant.com . Toward the end of the month they sometimes offer them at 80% discount so you can get a $25 gift card for Blue Nile for $2...and it counts toward alcohol! So I highly recommend that deal since it is fun and delicious to have a little extra money to try out here.
(5)
Ellen C.
This place is pretty unique. It's a combination restaurant, bar, and lounge. When you first enter, there is what looks like a basement's living room on the right. Then there is a random bar, manned by a bartender and with one or two people sitting around it. And then as you walk further back, you get to the restaurant, which looks dark but mostly normal if it were standing alone. I got the Gosa Gosa C, which according to the person at the counter could feed 3 people. So I was surprised when I brought it home and it felt pretty light. Opening up the styrofoam, there just wasn't much in there. The flavors are certainly there, though everything turns out to taste the same, and could benefit from being a little differentiated from each other. But ultimately it was a good meal for ~$25 but can really only feed 2 at most. The injera bread is a little harder than I'm used to, but is in a more convenient location proximity wise to downtown Minneapolis.
(3)
See X.
I'd definitely come back here! I went here with two of my best friends and we were literally the only people there! This is such a hidden gem! The 3 of us shared a plate of the gosa gosa (app sampler) and the gosa gosa c (entree sampler) and the food was more than enough for the 3 of us. The gosa gosa c was a bunch of stews served on this huge dough/bread and they even give you extra bread on the side. So you basically rip the side bread and dip it with your hands into the different stews and sauces and eat it. When your side breads are done you start ripping the dough under the stew to use to dip into the stews and sauces. Super fun way to eat with your hands if you're open to that idea... And with ppl you're comfortable with doing that with. Wouldn't recommend it for a first time date though. And man is that dough good. It was my first time eating Ethiopian food so I've never had that kind of dough before but it's so good. It's like a cross between a crepe and sour dough bread. I hope more people eat here so this place can keep running!
(4)
Sarah M.
This place is so odd, but I LOVE their combination platter. Vibe- its odd. Smells like a restroom when you walk in, is usually cold. Decor is odd, layout is odd. At this point, you're probably wondering why I gave it 4 stars. Food- I've literally only had the combination platter. One time the vegetarian, one time the veg/meat one. GOOD. So good. I usually share 2 platters with a group of 4 people and there is always food left on the plate. The flavor is wonderful (yes, I can think of 2 dishes that were a bit bland, but besides that) not too spicy, but not at all boring. The variety is great. Mmmmm.
(4)
Ross M.
I have been to the blue Nile a few times, most recently for a birthday. We had a group of nine and were thrilled with both the food and the service. Our server was extremely attentive without being intrusive. He offered to take pictures of our group, accommodated our numerous requests with grace, and brought a surprise bday dessert. He deserved every bit of the 40% tip he got from our group. The food was great. Most of the group had never been to the blue Nile, but we ended up clearing two Gossa Gossa C samplers and one Gossa Gossa A sampler, in addition to a chicken and bread sampler. Everyone in my group said they'd come back again.
(5)
Ken W.
Have heard of this place for years so my girlfriend and I decided to try it out...WOW!! Should be renamed the Sloppy Drunk Dump! Literally stumbling sloppy drunk people. The place was filthy and smelly (like smoking is still allowed smelly). Cannot imagine ordering food here. I've honestly been to better dining establishments in Mexican border towns.
(1)
Steven L.
Really great! I love the Gosa Gosa 3, which served 5 people and it was fantastic! The chicken was great and I loved the beans and the cabbage they cook! The service was good enough!!! Definitely love it!
(5)
Shelby F.
The only reason I didn't give just one star is because the service is great. The waiters constantly came around and asked us how we were doing and gave us more water.... They had to do this to make up for how bad the food was. I've had differently prepared Ethiopian meals many times but nothing I've had had tasted like this. It was like they prepared the food in the morning and scooped it onto overly spongey injera and served it to us...at room temperature. The food was completely unauthentic and sort of tasted like I was going to get sick from it. The amount of food they serve is ridiculous too. It seemed like we got about 2 tablespoons of each dish on the sampler. They charge $3.25 for a cup of tea as well. Definitely will not be going back. Yuck.
(2)
Steve T.
This review is only for the drinks. Yikes. The place seems to be experiencing some lean times. Considering how much beer can be swilled by collegiate students, an easy walk for neighbors, and the advertisement of a 2 for 1 happy hour, I thought it would've been busier. Prices? $6 a beer for a nice craft beer selection, which in the grand scheme of things, isn't awful but a tad on the misleading side. My buddy ordered an Old Fashioned, no call on anything and it was $12. That, I thought, was outrageous. The place itself seems a bit rundown, but there is a nice stage for music which I will probably come back to check out now finally seeing their set up. They were also advertising some sort of music thing that is supposed to happen every Wednesday at 7 but nothing happened. I do like their beer selection though. I also had a Duchesse De Bourgogne, a fantastic Flemish red ale (a nice sour) that I was shocked to see on tap. $8 was a fair price but I wish the bar keep would've filled the glass. Would I be back? Sure. But after all these years, and this being my first time there, it's gonna have to be something special for me to make the stop.
(2)
ALICIA S.
I haven't had Ethopian food since I moved to the twin cities four years ago, and had a strange craving for some last night for some reason. I thought I'd give blue nile a try and I was a little dissapointed. We ordered the Gosa Gosa C... some samples were good..most just ok. I thought the whole thing might be tastier if it was served at a warmer temperature. My husband was a little grossed out at the old platter with chipped paint it was served on. However.. our server was very awesome, the booths were cozy, and someday I might like to go back to hear the music. Maybe we went on an "off" night?
(2)
Libby B.
My favorite date night restaurant -- there is something so intimate about sharing food! Great for vegetarians dating meat eaters -- the vegetarian options are wonderful. The service has been excellent every time I've visited. Good things to know: The beer list is OUTSTANDING! It's open LATE. It's low-key except for the club next door, but even that isn't obtrusive. The patio is LOVELY, and service is prompt out there as well. Awesome happy hour. 2-4-1s from 4-6 and 8-10. Delicious beer! It's open late every night. We get the Gosa Gosa A, Rafuu, and the spicey red lentils -- great meal for 2. Highly recommended.
(5)
Meggan E.
I've been here a few random times, and always because people love the extensive beer list. Nice to have all three Surly flavors available on tap. The happy hour 2-for-1 are a good deal. You're not even beholden to the same beer for the second one. I had one meal here. I'm not super familiar with Ethiopian food but I do know spice. Granted, I had food here a couple years ago. I do recall a good kick in my entrees. Lots of food in one plate so you can definitely share items with a group. So why the three stars? Tonight, I went here and experienced extremely rude service by the lone (and quite drunk) bartender. If you see a super tall middle-aged white guy with a mustache and who can't remember what you order right after asking you, you'll know your experience will be slightly hampered. My friend and I met a group of people there and tried to pay for our drinks. The bartender proceed to exclaim, "i don't know what's going on; you all have tabs open. You have to help me out." Well that's why we are asking what we owe. We will pay out our tabs so you have less to keep track of. My friend who had cash and ordered a soda asked what she owed and if there were free refills. The bartender belligerently said "yeah, welcome to the restaurant business. You have to pay first." Then he proceeded to ramble on at us about paying first before getting the next drink. I don't want a long-time ethnic local restaurant to go down because of one rude bartender. This place is a main stay of Seward neighborhood I take it. I hope they fire this guy b/c what a turn-off, especially for new customers. The other times I've been there, I recall friendly yet not in your face service.
(3)
Kita V.
My wife met some friends there. All of us have never eaten here so we wanted to give it a shot. Personally it was over priced. I ordered a dish...can't recall the name but it was essentially rice and veggies. $12? You gotta be kidding me. If I went to Mexican restaurant ....this would be a side item....like rice and beans.....which I normally don't eat. The bill for my wife and me was almost $50 (2 sodas). Sorry..but for that....I could have gone to a steak house and had a real meal. Well at least I tried it out. I won't be back.
(2)
Jay E.
Walking into an Ethiopian restaurant that had 1950s jazz cutting through the air, the last thing I expected to think of was Lynard Skynard. But ooooh that smell - can't you smell that smell? Yeesh, the place had the dank, funky, and persistent odor of a narrow and well-traveled, urine-soaked alleyway. I can imagine the place can be charming for neighborhood locals, in an anti-charm sort of way. And it's hard to be critical of 2-for-1s during happy hour. But this place has all the ambiance of a morgue. Oh, and avoid the food at all costs. I ordered a chickpea appetizer that could best be described as a doo-doo cake; without hesitation I can label it the single worst appetizer I've ever had in my life. Next time I'm in the area I'll play like Soul II Soul and keep on moving right past the Blue Nile.
(2)
Eva D.
The Gosa Gosa C was delicious!
(4)
Matt G.
I found my way here by way of Yelp trying to get a quick bite to eat before a show. The experience was overall positive, but the place definitely has some kinks they could work out. The positives are that the food is good and the service is friendly as well as a good beer selection. However, I found the atmosphere a bit unusual and dark as well as the portions were a bit off. To start, I had some sort of beef dish cooked with onions and peppers. It was quite good and surprisingly their spice meter actually matched my own for once. The side was some sort of cooked cabbage and vegetable which was tasty. My friend got a chicken stew type dish which had a very deep and rich sauce. That said, I felt the same as many of the reviewers here that the food played some nasty trick on my mind. I looked at the curry and side and thought that I would never feel full. However, I think the sneaky thing about that injera bread is that it must expand in your stomach, because it can fill you in a way not much can. After I was done eating, I hurt from the fullness like a Thanksgiving Day's third round of turkey. As for atmosphere, you are presented with a building which is ostentatious from the outside, completely covered in murals of Ethiopia and completely lacking in any windows. This made for a darker interior, which made me wish it was summer so I could sit on their patio which seems to be quite nice. However, the service brightened things up. They were quite nice and helpful as the items on their menu struggle with the problem that everything is meat X cooked in spices, onions and peppers. So it helps if it is your first time to be able to talk with someone. I think this place is definitely worth a try and I intend to come back. Next time I will bring a larger group and I intend to go for more of the bar experience. I guess they have open mic rap night and some other music performances going on too so there is another whole experience here I need to have.
(3)
Karl H.
If you take anything away from this, please don't ever go here for an event. I went to the Nile for the Harriet Brewing 1yr anniversary party and I wish I hadn't. I was only able to get 1 of the actual beers I ordered, the rest I got weren't what I ordered and I even gave them another try, they still got it wrong. In all honesty, I've been told I'm the most mellow and patient guy in the world on multiple occasions but my patience was pushed to the limits after last night at the Nile. On top of that I paid $8 just to get in the place which only made it that much more infuriating. People were leaving left and right after waiting 30 min just to get 1 beer. I stuck it out for 4hrs and I wish I would have left after 1. (I'm dumb) I ordered the Maraka Lukku and after about an hour after I placed my order I finally was able to chow down on it. Compared to Fasika, I thought the spices were rather bland and on top of that they were incredibly stingy on the servings for what I paid. I should have taken a pic but my phone died because I was on it so much waiting for service for hours. I know this is an incredibly bitter sounding review and I typically don't do this but this was just too bad of an experience to not say anything about. I won't be going back for the food (very average) and the only way I'd go back to the bar is if there's no event and if they issue an apology to the people who attended last nights event.
(1)
Joe I.
Went here recently with my men's book club book. We don't read books, but restaurants with good beer lists are required for our dining locations. We ordered one combination platter of apps, and a giant combination platter of entrees. It was all quite tasty, and a very cool experience, but as another reviewer stated, it didn't exactly blow me away. The service was not too awesome either. I arrived a bit late and waited forever for a server to come by to take my beer order, but she was nowhere to be found, and so I went to the bar. Tallgrass brewery reps were there for some sort of release thing, and the bar staff appeared to be so interested in talking to them that my standing at the bar staring at their taps failed to impress upon anyone my need for a beer. So, back to the table I go, and suddenly its like its server-surplus and my beer order gets taken and then delivered with such amazing speed I'm not sure how it was done. And the beer selection is awesome, which accounts for the bulk of the weight of the four star review. Food very good, service inconsistent, beer list amazing.
(4)
Anna P.
This is the first time I had Ethiopian food. I don't know what took me so long. The flat bread (I forget what it's called) is made with Teff and is gluten free. Most of the menu is gluten free (they're not into adding flour to thicken up sauces). Good food, lots of gf options, Tacky-fabulous decor, great service, and apparently there is a ridiculous open-night mic that I need to get to at some point. Update: They started adding wheat flour to the flat bread...so it is no longer gf.
(4)
Sweet B.
Great vibe, great beer, great food! I have mostly had curry dishes here because I love it, but there are lots of other options that are great and spicy!! ;)
(5)
Jesse B.
Great food! Blue Nile definitely offers a unique menu. It was my first time trying Ethiopian cuisine, so we ordered a combo platter. It was an awesome meal, and I'd recommend the Gosa Gosa vegetarian platter. Pros: great food, decent beer menu, pleasant service Cons: kind of awkward atmosphere (to be fair, we were there on a random week night)
(4)
Camille L.
I give this place 2 stars mainly because of the smell and it's kinda dumpy inside. I was going to maybe give 3 stars since they have a great beer selection and 2 for 1's at happy hour on Fri. night. The bartender also took the time to explain the types of beer and let us try samples. When I left, my clothes reeked of a stale and nasty oil smell; my jacket too! We were sitting in the bar area. There weren't that many people for a Fri. night and it's more of a local/neighborhood bar. The DJ was playing pretty good music later on but nobody was dancing.
(2)
Julie M.
I went to Blue Nile with reservations since I had read such mixed reviews, but my husband and I decided to use what we had read to our advantage! We had exceptional service (although not super speedy, we were in no hurry and always had plenty of food!). We ordered the Gosa Gosa C after a bottle of African beer and some great baba ganoush and pita (they must make their own pita--it was a little different than I have had at Greek restaurants, but very good!). The baba ganoush was not on the appetizer menu that I saw, but had heard it was good and was not disappointed! When the food first came I was a little concerned. Didn't look like much. Once we dug in, we were stuffed and couldn not finish! Of course there were some I liked better than others--I would not expect to love everything equally! The place is older, but looked very clean to me--just not new! When I look at some of the reviews I'm thinking these are people who should stick with Punch and other popular new hangouts. This was great and we plan on bringing the kids next time. Oh--it is true the place is huge, so the fact that on a Wed night when we got there six tables were full it did look a bit empty, but we totally enjoyed the food and will go back!
(4)
Annie D.
For a little history, this is the first Ethiopian restaurant in the Twin Cities (open since 1989!). They've been around so long that I think I need to give them another shot to fully form an opinion but I thought I'd give my first take. I liked almost everything I tried on the combination platter at the Blue Nile, but none of it blew me away. The combo platter comes with injera bread (the HUGE, spongy, slightly sour African flatbread) and I think eight different piles of curry (meat or veg) and lentils. Some things were better than others but, all in all, everything was decent. I don't know how the regular menu items are served but my only real gripe with the platter is that they are a bit stingy with the curries and super generous with the injera (sneaks!). I would have rather had more of the curries and less of the bread. I do love that bread though... I bought a family-size package of it at Holy Land once and I couldn't eat a whole thing before it went bad. I ate it for every meal, four days straight... and couldn't do it. I wanted to do it. It's just so filling it hurts. I'd like to come back to the Blue Nile for a drink (they have lots of beer) and see some music or an open mic night here. I might have another go at the injera again. Yum.
(3)
Anya S.
Im sorry but :BARF. Boo and I both had food poisoning after visiting this "fine" establishment. About 3 1/2 weeks ago. I guess our Russian- vodka-filled-stomachs couldn't take it. Beware.
(1)
Bobo J.
The Blue Nile has been around for a long time, and their food may be the reason. I like the vegetarian gosa gosa a platter, which is a nice assortment of dishes. I also add kale to round things out. But the food is always delicious. The Blue Nile is also a great place for celebration dinners with big groups. It is spacious and there are always large tables available. Plus the service is friendly and meals are affordable. On my most recent trip to celebrate my birthday with a group of 10 they split the check without us asking. One caution: the cocktails are their own creations and the ginger snap was a weird one! Overall, I love the Blue Nile.
(5)
Kedar D.
I've upgraded Blue Nile's rating as it's one of only a few places in Minneapolis that: a) is open late; b) has tons of space; and c) has a variety of good vegan foods and draft beers. The restaurant area is nice enough with Ethiopian dishes (watch out for buttermilk in their berbere sauce) but the bar area is what really grabs me: low-key, large, unpretentious, casual, and generally quiet (except for when the late night DJs come, and it gets super-loud). The draft beer selection is diverse and spans at least three continents with excellent, highly representative selections. I was especially impressed that they have Lion lager on draft, a Sri Lankan beer. There are two happy hours each day when it's two for one. Food-wise, there are a number of great options at the bar (which offers Middle Eastern food). I thought their baba ganouje (~$6) was one of the best I've had in the Twin Cities: fresh; citrus; smoky; and served with soft, warm pita pieces. Every one of us loved it. Their hummus (~$6) was not as good and too salty for my likes. The lentil sambusas (~$6) were good, and definitely a winner in terms of bar food, but not as good as a larger, more substantial samosa or momo at an Indian or Nepalese restaurant. The french fries ($4) are crisp and tasty. Lastly, the falafel sandwich ($5.75) is just slightly above average and generally hits the spot, though is a bit messily-constructed and could use some tahini (the sauce they normally use is made with yogurt, so make sure they leave it off). My only gripe is that the wait time for your food to arrive is generally long (15-20 minutes) even if it's not busy. In the end, though, Blue Nile is a winner and a great all-purpose late night spot for beer lovers and vegans alike.
(4)
Laura S.
I LOVE BLUE NILE! Here is what they have: good (probably Americanized) vegan-friendly Ethiopian food, an excellent beer selection, knowledgeable servers, a great ambiance, and plenty of parking across the street. Apparently they also have a trivia night and a club below the restaurant. I always get the vegetarian combo A, which is delicious. I can't speak to the meat dishes at this restaurant at all. Would eat here all of the time if it wasn't a tad expensive. Also I don't live in Minnesota anymore, so.
(5)
Jewels B.
I've been going to the Nile for years the Open mic night on Tuesdays are classic. The Food is bomb although a bit pricey and the drink specials are on point. This is a great place to go too on a first date. I have made a few girls fall in love with me here (lol I kid I kid) The only negative I would say about this place is that the Open mic night is a tad to late. If you want to support local talent you gotta "EFF" with the Nile.
(4)
Meghann F.
Took some newbs out for Ethiopian food last friday - we had the Gosa Gosa C sampler and then ordered some chicken kabobs and shawirma in case they didn't like the traditional Ethiopian. The first thing eaten was the sampler. The chicken kabobs were well spiced and the shawirma was also pretty good. Love the bread and the traditional dishes. They also have a really good beer selection - Surly on tap as well as Bell's, etc. The decorations are a cross between Ethiopian and middle Eastern - sitting in the big fabric covered chairs and heavy tables makes you feel kinda like royalty!
(4)
Matt A.
The Blue Nile is one of my iconic Minneapolis hangouts. It's a strange place, an Ethiopian Lounge / Restaurant that doubles as a music venue on the right night. The talent on open mic nights starting at 10 PM ranged from very professional to very amateur. I fell someone where in the middle, but the crowd was always supportive and the live band providing spontaneous rhythyms and grooves always tried to make you sound your best. Whether it was slam poetry, neo-soul or the FOB Somali guy trying to sound hard it was always interesting. I'm not sure if Tuesday's nights are as popular as they used to be, but I always had fond memories of the place. I made some great artistic connections and snagged some interesting hook-ups there. There were always crazy conversations from the band members talking about some "artist's" freak out while chain smoking Marlboro Red's. Somali's from the nearby apartment blocks would stroll up offering Quat or whatever else you might need. "Talent scouts" stayed in the back toward the shadows occasionally approaching you about their latest artistic showcase. It was that kind of place, and I'm very curious to know if it's changed. This is not a college hangout, as close as it is to campus. You are as likely to have hardcore gangbangers here as you are the hippy lady with hemp everything. As for drinks, they are reasonable. I especially liked the selection of African beers, Tusker was a personal favorite when I went there. A good conversation was usually accompanied by a free drink which made it even more affordable. I can only talk about the quality of the music and the drinks, but here is a yelper's take on the food, "Both times I've gotten the Gosa Gosa C, which is a comprehensive combination platter. You get several types of maraka (spicy meat stew) and several varities of vegetarian - chickpea, lentil, etc - dishes. I recommend getting the Gosa Gosa A, B, or C for first-timers (and repeaters who have no idea what to get). It's great to try everything. You get more than a few bites of each, and it's perfect for sharing. It's a bit much for two people, and probably right for three. Last night we also got an extra lamb dish, which was really tasty as well." All around, one of my favorite, if less known weeknight hangout spots in the Twin Cities.
(4)
Chris W.
Went mostly for the beer selection at the bar with a group of 150. Nice place, good selection of beverages on tap, great food/apps, band after 10pm. We had 2fer1's just before the kitchen closed down I ordered the sampler platter. An interesting combination of foods with South Med flavors, cloves but, no cinnamon except a hint in the tea, fried apps were well fried and always tasty, fantastic salad dressing unable to describe, great iced tea. The beer selection on tap was great. They had a really nice looking restaurant, a lounge with wi-fi, and free entertainment after 10pm. Wed Nights was the Innocent Reggae Band, a little difficult to hear, dance floor. To be honest I had beer, iced tea, and wolfed down the sampler platter, it was good stuff but, I was not taking notes. Served a party of 150 in the bar area, 2 for 1's, live free band after 10pm.
(4)
Jen K.
My friend had read that Minnesota has a fairly large Somalian population so we were interested in trying out some places that served Somalian food. After scouring my sources and talking to our concierge, Blue Nile kept coming up so I decide to check it out. Not sure what part of the menu was Somalian but the menu looked like Ethiopian food I've had before. Sadly they didn't have any Tej or else I would have ordered it. The place was pretty empty on a Friday night. Ordered the Gosa Gosa appetizer, which came with two types of sambussa. Also shared the combo Gosa Gosa C, with my friend, which had all the items from the veggie and 3 meat items, we choose the chicken, beef curry dish and lamb. I'm not usually a fan of lamb but the sauce it came with was pretty good. Overall was a pretty decent bargain for the food we got. Not as good as the Ethiopian places I had in DC but a nice option, though I don't think it was Somalian unless the two cuisines are quite similar (obviously not an expert here.) Was pretty full after our entre and had asked about their Ethiopian bread pudding since I LOVE bread pudding but I was trying to be good and opted out. But our Minnesota nice waiter, brought me the remainder bread pudding since they had just ran out and he gave it to me on the house, which was just the right amount and I ate it all and it was good. Again great friendly Minnesota service. I LOVE IT.
(3)
shr m.
Last night was my second visit to Blue Nile. Very few restaurants have a full range of vegetarian options to choose from. Blue Nile does an excellent job with the variety of veggie dishes. We ordered the Cosa Cosa combo and everything was very delicious. We also ordered the Raffu which wasn't that great but it wasn't that bad either. I love the kale at Zed's in DC where I had ethiopian food for the first time. So, I've set the bar pretty high for that dish and Blue Nile was not yet there when it came to the Raffu. But overall my experience has been decent. P.S - Don't judge this place by the cover. Try it once, you won't regret it.
(4)
John E.
Very solid Ethiopian / regional food. Good vegetarian options, can be ordered vegan - just watch out for the sauces which contain yogurt and ask about butter / honey. Falafel platter was excellent, the Gosa Gosa A was good, but felt a bit skimpy for the price. Ambience is a bit odd - you can still feel a bit of the original 80s mexican restaurant in the architecture and the bar / lounge doesn't seem to fit with the dining room - but the if you're there for the food it is well worth it.
(3)
Val B.
Yum! I've been to Blue Nile twice now, and both times were really excellent. Reviews here look mixed, but look no further friends - this is really tasty, unique ethnic food. And if you don't like stuff like that, then don't come to places like this. Both times I've gotten the Gosa Gosa C, which is a comprehensive combination platter. You get several types of maraka (spicy meat stew) and several varities of vegetarian - chickpea, lentil, etc - dishes. I recommend getting the Gosa Gosa A, B, or C for first-timers (and repeaters who have no idea what to get). It's great to try everything. You get more than a few bites of each, and it's perfect for sharing. It's a bit much for two people, and probably right for three. Last night we also got an extra lamb dish, which was really tasty as well. All dishes are served on or with bideena, which is a yeasty, kind of bitter bread. It's similar to injera if you've eaten other African food, but a little thinner. Ethnic lesson: at Ethiopian restaurants, you don't eat your food with a fork, knife, or spoon - you eat it by breaking off bits of bideena and picking up the stew/beans/etc by pinching it through the bread. Thus, my friends, every bite is carbolicious. The first time I went they were out of baklava, but this time I made sure to reserve a slice (that, and there was only one other party in the joint, so it was probably safe). It was served warm, with a warm honey / cardamom (?) - type glaze over it. Um, YES PLZ. It had some unique flavors, a little lemony. It was much richer than I expected, but I was also expecting like, the baklava you can get in the bakery section of your local Target. So I suggest their baklava if you like crappy/grocery store baklava like I do - you'll be absolutely wowed. {Disclaimer: I've never had like, real baklava prepared by my real Greek/African/Middle Eastern grandmother or anything, so I'm not like, a baklava connoisseur. I just like caramel.} From the looks of the place, it's half bar/lounge, half restaurant. The table had a note about trivia night on Wednesdays, so I may hit that up sometime since the categories looked funny (presidential middle names, LOL internet, bands that aren't real but should be). My only gripe is the beer list - it's extensive but kinda pricey. However, I got a mango pop when I went last night and it was great - light, not too sweet, and slightly fizzy. I want more mango pop.
(4)
Emily F.
Terrible serivce. Dump. Shady. nuf' said. The food was decent, but nothing worth going back to that place for. I wasn't feeling very safe coming and going, but I do life in the burb's.
(1)
Ildefonso S.
Now I dig the Blue Nile. I really, really do. Here's why: I love African Food. Ohhhhh, Timmy, I could just jump, scream "YEAH", and pop the 'Yeah' bubble with my middle finger's overgrown nail. I like their meat dishes, but more so, I like their vegetarian dishes. If you want food that looks disgusting to eat, something that looks like a cross between vomit and hairballs, then I recommend anything they make with chickpeas. It is incredibly delicious. The atmosphere jives too. Sometimes when I'm there, the music is so rhythmic, I want to get up onto the table and shake my hips like James Brown: "Woow! I feel good!" I don't recommend looking at anybody else's reviews... I would have given you a five but since I give out too many fives, I'll slap you a four, just so more people take my reviews seriously.
(4)
joe s.
A Hop Palace! Al is not afraid of cellaring his kegs and always has a big fest some four-five times a year, or so. Seward neighborhood in Minneapolis. Enough, here's the present tap list: Avery duganA double IPA Flat Earth Mummy Train Pumpkin Ale Troubadour Obscura (Belgium) Lion Stout (Sri Lanka) Two Brothers/Urthel Moaten Flemish Sour Red Ale Bell's Rye Stout Surly Furious Surly Bender Surly Cynic Surly Wet Summit Extra Pale Ale Grain Belt Premium Cheers, Joe
(4)
Ann G.
I was here last night with a group for the Surly beer event. What a great selection of beer! Plus, we were able to sit in the bar area and get food. I split the B sampler platter with a friend, what a great choice! I will definitely be back for more food and beer!
(4)
Rhonda G.
This was a wrap up gathering for veg week. About ten of us were there. I liked my pastry lentil stuffed appetizer with a nice spicy sauce. I shared lentils, and kale with sides of spicy red lentils. Brown lentils were cold. You're brought out a huge round plate that just fits the injera bread. And 4 tiny servings are plopped down on it. I did manage to get full though, because the bread by itself is delicious, and not sour like in some places. There is so much TLC in the construction and decoration that I just tolerate that you don't get what you pay for. A beautiful mural on the wall of the patio. A young man served us, very nice but the only wait staff there, and it was fairly busier for a Monday than usual. The dining area is beautiful, bright and even cozy, but Kedar loves that bar area. To me its cold and dingy. I saw a photo on the wall of the Keith Ellison victory party. Good taste always impresses me.
(4)
Sarah B.
I had never had Ethiopian food before I went to Blue Nile for a friend's birthday, and to be honest I'm not sure what to say about it. I'm really happy to have tried it, and even though I didn't think the food itself was anything special I find myself almost craving it at times. Really odd! Definitely worth a visit, if nothing else for the experience of sharing food this way and eating with your hands. An interesting experience for sure!!
(3)
Alice S.
I just couldn't get past the pancake (Injera). The lentils were great. The beer selection was fabulous - wine selection was pretty limited though. We would probably only go back for a beer event.
(3)
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Address :2027 E Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, MN, 55404
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Music : DJ, Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
Brenda B.
This is for the food portion of the restaurant only. Having tried Ethiopian in lots of places , this place is hands down the best, great menu selection, and the lentils and bread are as good as they have been through out the years. I wish I could of took more home with me, I certainly would of. I took one star away from the pricing . It is definitely a little on the high end. They really need to redo the interior from when it was a Mexican place, 20 years ago.....
(4)Chelsea E.
Staff was so friendly and welcoming, the food was good, and beautiful decor and patio. Very authentic.
(5)Julie T.
A friend invited me to join her at Blue Nile. I had lived in the neighborhood for 7 years and never had gone. I was always curious about it. Well, the first thing that I noticed in the place was the smell. It had a stale urine, dank and musty odor from the entrance into the main dining room. We were the only people in the place for our entire visit. There were people out on the patio doing drinks only kind of thing. So, I guess you could say the place is "quiet". The food was good, I thought. I would love to tell you what I had but the names totally fail me. I got a combo platter which was plenty of food and I thought the prices were reasonable for what I received. I would be interested in going back at some point. I did enjoy the food. I would love to see some improvement in the service. We were very slow to be greeted after being seated and our server sat in the bar area and just kind of stared at us but never initiated any follow up with us. I had to wave her over to get more water, etc. I hope that they are able to do something about that odor, by the looks of other reviews, I wasn't the only one that noticed.
(3)Summer L.
I understand Blue Nile: it's an Ethiopian restaurant in Minnesota. If you keep that in mind, you will likely enjoy your meal. It's not that anything at Blue Nile is bad. Not at all. I enjoyed my adventure into the world of shafut (spicy buttermilk-soaked bread, or as we called it, "Africoleslaw") and the maraka is indeed flavor-dense as it should be. The problem is that I've had proper Ethiopian food before, so I was somewhat disappointed by the extremely tamed spice level. Perhaps for those new to the cuisine and feeling a bit intimidated by it, Blue Nile is the perfect introduction. Unfortunately, I'm not the target audience. The service was incredibly slow; maybe it was unusually busy for a Sunday night (it wasn't very busy), but 20 minutes from sitting down to beer in hand is a little bit ridiculous. At least the staff seemed pleasant. Where Blue Nile excels is their bar -- they've got some serious beer nerds stocking that baby. They're BFFs with Surly, so if there's anything Surly is playing with, you'll find it. Some other brews seem overpriced, but there's enough variety to avoid the ones that want to make a dent in your rent payment. If I had 2+ hours to kill and was looking for some place to drink quality beer with perhaps a side of something Ethiopian, I'd consider Blue Nile again. But as a huge fan of the cuisine, Blue Nile is far from my top choice.
(3)Catherine C.
I'm a South African-American, and I have heard lots of great reviews about this place, and I don't know why I have not gone here before! I know they have great music and dancing late at night, but they also have awesome food. So needless to say I should go here as soon as possible. I can only speak for what I have heard others say about the Blue Nile. When I finally do go, I will write another review. 4 stars for the fact that it's African in a sea of not-so-diverse Minnesota. Makes me feel immediately more at home :) Viva Afrique du Sud.
(4)Jennifer S.
Very different experience. I enjoyed the spicy food and beer and it was definitely very different. I felt bad asking for silverware, but I'm not great at the eating with my hands thing. Also we had an after dinner decaf coffee which was phenomenal!
(4)Dan K.
I liked this place. I got the Gosa Gosa app combo and the Gosa Gosa C for dinner. My only complaint was that they seemed to be a tad on the skimpy side on the dishes. But, it was tasty and I left there full. The mango pop is not very good btw. The music was pretty cool too, around 10pm or so, they started charging cover and bumpin some really loud reggae tunes. But before that, it was a lot of Bob Marley. Oh and the cardamom cookies are a nice dessert, even if you just take them home.
(4)Whitney G.
Very UNAUTHENTIC. I used to eat at the Blue Nile in Michigan, thinking, okay, same ownership? Ha. No.
(1)Jeff M.
I am always happy with the veggie combo and whatever IPA is freshly tapped.
(4)Emily S.
This is a fun place, that I never expected to be as good as it actually is. I come here alot for the Minneapolis Battle League MC Battles, and the Tuesday night Open Mics. You can hear some really amazing artists sometimes on Tuesdays! Plus, drinks are made pretty good, strong, but good! The overall atmosphere is sorta weird, it doesn't seem like the place to hold some artists that play there at times, but over all, its a fun place to go spend the night with your friends!
(4)Michael N.
Went for the Surly release of Three, Smoke and Ashy Cynic. The beer selection was great, although I only stuck with the Surlys. I hear the food isn't that great but I just went for the beer. I believe they had the Coffee Bender on tap as well.
(4)Jay C.
forget all you heared.... Ethiopian food rocks with friends and the wings are the best in town.
(5)Kristin K.
I love the Blue Nile! I usually get the akaawii because you can order the spice level to your liking. If you don't have any tolerance for spicy food then order extra yogurt to help cool off your palate. Meals are not served with utensils (traditionally you eat with your hands and pick up food with the bread). However, utensils are available upon request. The spongy flat bread that comes with the meals is delicious, and we read a little bit about Ethiopian bread - its actually pretty healthy with whole grains and protein. This is a good place to go in a big group. Last time we had five people, we got a gosa gosa sampler, then two entrees and an appetizer. We were all very full by the end of the meal. I've only tried the cardamom cookies for dessert. The cardamom was really potent - it was good/interesting, but I wouldn't order it regularly.
(5)Amy H.
I wish I can give a ZERO star to Blue Nile. I totally DISLIKE and HATE this place. DON"T waste your money at this place.
(1)Mark B.
As good as any Ethiopian in the country. Enjoy this place and get a expand your culinary experienced.
(4)Ninja S.
A not so notable restaurant but a more interesting music venue. They host a large mix of local music of many styles and genres.
(3)Patrick B.
Every Tuesday, this place has an open mic night. Local artists of all sorts come out and perform their stuff, some of it great, some of it bad, but generally an enjoyable experience. I have yet to eat a meal here, though my Ethiopian friends tell me to avoid this place for reasons unknown to me.
(4)Rego S.
We came here before a formal, years ago. My first Ethiopian meal, and I remember it being really good. No silverware, the food is served over a bread that you break apart and eat with your hands.
(5)Christine g.
My bf and I had reservations at 8pm on a Friday night. Despite being 15min late, we were seated immediately. There were two large (15+) parties so I was concerned about how good service would be or how quickly food would arrive. Our waitress was VERY helpful and patient allowing us tons of time to choose a beer and app. and eventually dinner. She looked to be the only waitress for the entire dinning room but I never felt neglected. The beer selection is great; I'd never heard of most of the beers on tap and half in bottle. Qualifier: I have never had African (or specifically Ethiopian) food. That being said, I was underwhelmed. One vege (bean) side tasted like refried beans. One entree tasted more like ground beef than anything unique. The spice level at first seems very mild but by the end of dinner I had a good mouth on fire feel. We did get the most expensive item on the menu (steak for $16) and that was the best thing on the platter. The bread that serves as forks was really yummy!!! The service qualifies for 5 stars but the underwhelming food taste demotes the over all score.
(4)Kristen H.
I live nearby and go here fairly regularly, though usually for beer. Al runs a great bar and the beer list is pretty impressive for any establishment, let alone a somewhat random Ethiopian place. There aren't a ton of taps, and a few are reserved for your usual restaurant macrobrews, but the rest are a rotating selection of tasty beers with a heavy emphasis on local. I am no expert in Ethiopian food, and admittedly I've usually only ordered after a few beverages, but I've enjoyed it. I tend to go for sampler platters, especially when sharing with friends, and we've usually had no trouble putting down a big ol' plate of injera with various scoops of goodness. Late night can be iffy depending on what (if any) acts are on the stage, but it's always a great place for a happy hour off the beaten path!
(4)Anna H.
YUM YUM. Good food, good beer selection. Sometimes they've got good music, too. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
(4)Suz M.
Yes, it can be eerily quiet in there some nights which makes for a weird atmosphere but the food is great and they always have a wide variety of beers to try. We always buy gift cards on restaurant.com . Toward the end of the month they sometimes offer them at 80% discount so you can get a $25 gift card for Blue Nile for $2...and it counts toward alcohol! So I highly recommend that deal since it is fun and delicious to have a little extra money to try out here.
(5)Ellen C.
This place is pretty unique. It's a combination restaurant, bar, and lounge. When you first enter, there is what looks like a basement's living room on the right. Then there is a random bar, manned by a bartender and with one or two people sitting around it. And then as you walk further back, you get to the restaurant, which looks dark but mostly normal if it were standing alone. I got the Gosa Gosa C, which according to the person at the counter could feed 3 people. So I was surprised when I brought it home and it felt pretty light. Opening up the styrofoam, there just wasn't much in there. The flavors are certainly there, though everything turns out to taste the same, and could benefit from being a little differentiated from each other. But ultimately it was a good meal for ~$25 but can really only feed 2 at most. The injera bread is a little harder than I'm used to, but is in a more convenient location proximity wise to downtown Minneapolis.
(3)See X.
I'd definitely come back here! I went here with two of my best friends and we were literally the only people there! This is such a hidden gem! The 3 of us shared a plate of the gosa gosa (app sampler) and the gosa gosa c (entree sampler) and the food was more than enough for the 3 of us. The gosa gosa c was a bunch of stews served on this huge dough/bread and they even give you extra bread on the side. So you basically rip the side bread and dip it with your hands into the different stews and sauces and eat it. When your side breads are done you start ripping the dough under the stew to use to dip into the stews and sauces. Super fun way to eat with your hands if you're open to that idea... And with ppl you're comfortable with doing that with. Wouldn't recommend it for a first time date though. And man is that dough good. It was my first time eating Ethiopian food so I've never had that kind of dough before but it's so good. It's like a cross between a crepe and sour dough bread. I hope more people eat here so this place can keep running!
(4)Sarah M.
This place is so odd, but I LOVE their combination platter. Vibe- its odd. Smells like a restroom when you walk in, is usually cold. Decor is odd, layout is odd. At this point, you're probably wondering why I gave it 4 stars. Food- I've literally only had the combination platter. One time the vegetarian, one time the veg/meat one. GOOD. So good. I usually share 2 platters with a group of 4 people and there is always food left on the plate. The flavor is wonderful (yes, I can think of 2 dishes that were a bit bland, but besides that) not too spicy, but not at all boring. The variety is great. Mmmmm.
(4)Ross M.
I have been to the blue Nile a few times, most recently for a birthday. We had a group of nine and were thrilled with both the food and the service. Our server was extremely attentive without being intrusive. He offered to take pictures of our group, accommodated our numerous requests with grace, and brought a surprise bday dessert. He deserved every bit of the 40% tip he got from our group. The food was great. Most of the group had never been to the blue Nile, but we ended up clearing two Gossa Gossa C samplers and one Gossa Gossa A sampler, in addition to a chicken and bread sampler. Everyone in my group said they'd come back again.
(5)Ken W.
Have heard of this place for years so my girlfriend and I decided to try it out...WOW!! Should be renamed the Sloppy Drunk Dump! Literally stumbling sloppy drunk people. The place was filthy and smelly (like smoking is still allowed smelly). Cannot imagine ordering food here. I've honestly been to better dining establishments in Mexican border towns.
(1)Steven L.
Really great! I love the Gosa Gosa 3, which served 5 people and it was fantastic! The chicken was great and I loved the beans and the cabbage they cook! The service was good enough!!! Definitely love it!
(5)Shelby F.
The only reason I didn't give just one star is because the service is great. The waiters constantly came around and asked us how we were doing and gave us more water.... They had to do this to make up for how bad the food was. I've had differently prepared Ethiopian meals many times but nothing I've had had tasted like this. It was like they prepared the food in the morning and scooped it onto overly spongey injera and served it to us...at room temperature. The food was completely unauthentic and sort of tasted like I was going to get sick from it. The amount of food they serve is ridiculous too. It seemed like we got about 2 tablespoons of each dish on the sampler. They charge $3.25 for a cup of tea as well. Definitely will not be going back. Yuck.
(2)Steve T.
This review is only for the drinks. Yikes. The place seems to be experiencing some lean times. Considering how much beer can be swilled by collegiate students, an easy walk for neighbors, and the advertisement of a 2 for 1 happy hour, I thought it would've been busier. Prices? $6 a beer for a nice craft beer selection, which in the grand scheme of things, isn't awful but a tad on the misleading side. My buddy ordered an Old Fashioned, no call on anything and it was $12. That, I thought, was outrageous. The place itself seems a bit rundown, but there is a nice stage for music which I will probably come back to check out now finally seeing their set up. They were also advertising some sort of music thing that is supposed to happen every Wednesday at 7 but nothing happened. I do like their beer selection though. I also had a Duchesse De Bourgogne, a fantastic Flemish red ale (a nice sour) that I was shocked to see on tap. $8 was a fair price but I wish the bar keep would've filled the glass. Would I be back? Sure. But after all these years, and this being my first time there, it's gonna have to be something special for me to make the stop.
(2)ALICIA S.
I haven't had Ethopian food since I moved to the twin cities four years ago, and had a strange craving for some last night for some reason. I thought I'd give blue nile a try and I was a little dissapointed. We ordered the Gosa Gosa C... some samples were good..most just ok. I thought the whole thing might be tastier if it was served at a warmer temperature. My husband was a little grossed out at the old platter with chipped paint it was served on. However.. our server was very awesome, the booths were cozy, and someday I might like to go back to hear the music. Maybe we went on an "off" night?
(2)Libby B.
My favorite date night restaurant -- there is something so intimate about sharing food! Great for vegetarians dating meat eaters -- the vegetarian options are wonderful. The service has been excellent every time I've visited. Good things to know: The beer list is OUTSTANDING! It's open LATE. It's low-key except for the club next door, but even that isn't obtrusive. The patio is LOVELY, and service is prompt out there as well. Awesome happy hour. 2-4-1s from 4-6 and 8-10. Delicious beer! It's open late every night. We get the Gosa Gosa A, Rafuu, and the spicey red lentils -- great meal for 2. Highly recommended.
(5)Meggan E.
I've been here a few random times, and always because people love the extensive beer list. Nice to have all three Surly flavors available on tap. The happy hour 2-for-1 are a good deal. You're not even beholden to the same beer for the second one. I had one meal here. I'm not super familiar with Ethiopian food but I do know spice. Granted, I had food here a couple years ago. I do recall a good kick in my entrees. Lots of food in one plate so you can definitely share items with a group. So why the three stars? Tonight, I went here and experienced extremely rude service by the lone (and quite drunk) bartender. If you see a super tall middle-aged white guy with a mustache and who can't remember what you order right after asking you, you'll know your experience will be slightly hampered. My friend and I met a group of people there and tried to pay for our drinks. The bartender proceed to exclaim, "i don't know what's going on; you all have tabs open. You have to help me out." Well that's why we are asking what we owe. We will pay out our tabs so you have less to keep track of. My friend who had cash and ordered a soda asked what she owed and if there were free refills. The bartender belligerently said "yeah, welcome to the restaurant business. You have to pay first." Then he proceeded to ramble on at us about paying first before getting the next drink. I don't want a long-time ethnic local restaurant to go down because of one rude bartender. This place is a main stay of Seward neighborhood I take it. I hope they fire this guy b/c what a turn-off, especially for new customers. The other times I've been there, I recall friendly yet not in your face service.
(3)Kita V.
My wife met some friends there. All of us have never eaten here so we wanted to give it a shot. Personally it was over priced. I ordered a dish...can't recall the name but it was essentially rice and veggies. $12? You gotta be kidding me. If I went to Mexican restaurant ....this would be a side item....like rice and beans.....which I normally don't eat. The bill for my wife and me was almost $50 (2 sodas). Sorry..but for that....I could have gone to a steak house and had a real meal. Well at least I tried it out. I won't be back.
(2)Jay E.
Walking into an Ethiopian restaurant that had 1950s jazz cutting through the air, the last thing I expected to think of was Lynard Skynard. But ooooh that smell - can't you smell that smell? Yeesh, the place had the dank, funky, and persistent odor of a narrow and well-traveled, urine-soaked alleyway. I can imagine the place can be charming for neighborhood locals, in an anti-charm sort of way. And it's hard to be critical of 2-for-1s during happy hour. But this place has all the ambiance of a morgue. Oh, and avoid the food at all costs. I ordered a chickpea appetizer that could best be described as a doo-doo cake; without hesitation I can label it the single worst appetizer I've ever had in my life. Next time I'm in the area I'll play like Soul II Soul and keep on moving right past the Blue Nile.
(2)Eva D.
The Gosa Gosa C was delicious!
(4)Matt G.
I found my way here by way of Yelp trying to get a quick bite to eat before a show. The experience was overall positive, but the place definitely has some kinks they could work out. The positives are that the food is good and the service is friendly as well as a good beer selection. However, I found the atmosphere a bit unusual and dark as well as the portions were a bit off. To start, I had some sort of beef dish cooked with onions and peppers. It was quite good and surprisingly their spice meter actually matched my own for once. The side was some sort of cooked cabbage and vegetable which was tasty. My friend got a chicken stew type dish which had a very deep and rich sauce. That said, I felt the same as many of the reviewers here that the food played some nasty trick on my mind. I looked at the curry and side and thought that I would never feel full. However, I think the sneaky thing about that injera bread is that it must expand in your stomach, because it can fill you in a way not much can. After I was done eating, I hurt from the fullness like a Thanksgiving Day's third round of turkey. As for atmosphere, you are presented with a building which is ostentatious from the outside, completely covered in murals of Ethiopia and completely lacking in any windows. This made for a darker interior, which made me wish it was summer so I could sit on their patio which seems to be quite nice. However, the service brightened things up. They were quite nice and helpful as the items on their menu struggle with the problem that everything is meat X cooked in spices, onions and peppers. So it helps if it is your first time to be able to talk with someone. I think this place is definitely worth a try and I intend to come back. Next time I will bring a larger group and I intend to go for more of the bar experience. I guess they have open mic rap night and some other music performances going on too so there is another whole experience here I need to have.
(3)Karl H.
If you take anything away from this, please don't ever go here for an event. I went to the Nile for the Harriet Brewing 1yr anniversary party and I wish I hadn't. I was only able to get 1 of the actual beers I ordered, the rest I got weren't what I ordered and I even gave them another try, they still got it wrong. In all honesty, I've been told I'm the most mellow and patient guy in the world on multiple occasions but my patience was pushed to the limits after last night at the Nile. On top of that I paid $8 just to get in the place which only made it that much more infuriating. People were leaving left and right after waiting 30 min just to get 1 beer. I stuck it out for 4hrs and I wish I would have left after 1. (I'm dumb) I ordered the Maraka Lukku and after about an hour after I placed my order I finally was able to chow down on it. Compared to Fasika, I thought the spices were rather bland and on top of that they were incredibly stingy on the servings for what I paid. I should have taken a pic but my phone died because I was on it so much waiting for service for hours. I know this is an incredibly bitter sounding review and I typically don't do this but this was just too bad of an experience to not say anything about. I won't be going back for the food (very average) and the only way I'd go back to the bar is if there's no event and if they issue an apology to the people who attended last nights event.
(1)Joe I.
Went here recently with my men's book club book. We don't read books, but restaurants with good beer lists are required for our dining locations. We ordered one combination platter of apps, and a giant combination platter of entrees. It was all quite tasty, and a very cool experience, but as another reviewer stated, it didn't exactly blow me away. The service was not too awesome either. I arrived a bit late and waited forever for a server to come by to take my beer order, but she was nowhere to be found, and so I went to the bar. Tallgrass brewery reps were there for some sort of release thing, and the bar staff appeared to be so interested in talking to them that my standing at the bar staring at their taps failed to impress upon anyone my need for a beer. So, back to the table I go, and suddenly its like its server-surplus and my beer order gets taken and then delivered with such amazing speed I'm not sure how it was done. And the beer selection is awesome, which accounts for the bulk of the weight of the four star review. Food very good, service inconsistent, beer list amazing.
(4)Anna P.
This is the first time I had Ethiopian food. I don't know what took me so long. The flat bread (I forget what it's called) is made with Teff and is gluten free. Most of the menu is gluten free (they're not into adding flour to thicken up sauces). Good food, lots of gf options, Tacky-fabulous decor, great service, and apparently there is a ridiculous open-night mic that I need to get to at some point. Update: They started adding wheat flour to the flat bread...so it is no longer gf.
(4)Sweet B.
Great vibe, great beer, great food! I have mostly had curry dishes here because I love it, but there are lots of other options that are great and spicy!! ;)
(5)Jesse B.
Great food! Blue Nile definitely offers a unique menu. It was my first time trying Ethiopian cuisine, so we ordered a combo platter. It was an awesome meal, and I'd recommend the Gosa Gosa vegetarian platter. Pros: great food, decent beer menu, pleasant service Cons: kind of awkward atmosphere (to be fair, we were there on a random week night)
(4)Camille L.
I give this place 2 stars mainly because of the smell and it's kinda dumpy inside. I was going to maybe give 3 stars since they have a great beer selection and 2 for 1's at happy hour on Fri. night. The bartender also took the time to explain the types of beer and let us try samples. When I left, my clothes reeked of a stale and nasty oil smell; my jacket too! We were sitting in the bar area. There weren't that many people for a Fri. night and it's more of a local/neighborhood bar. The DJ was playing pretty good music later on but nobody was dancing.
(2)Julie M.
I went to Blue Nile with reservations since I had read such mixed reviews, but my husband and I decided to use what we had read to our advantage! We had exceptional service (although not super speedy, we were in no hurry and always had plenty of food!). We ordered the Gosa Gosa C after a bottle of African beer and some great baba ganoush and pita (they must make their own pita--it was a little different than I have had at Greek restaurants, but very good!). The baba ganoush was not on the appetizer menu that I saw, but had heard it was good and was not disappointed! When the food first came I was a little concerned. Didn't look like much. Once we dug in, we were stuffed and couldn not finish! Of course there were some I liked better than others--I would not expect to love everything equally! The place is older, but looked very clean to me--just not new! When I look at some of the reviews I'm thinking these are people who should stick with Punch and other popular new hangouts. This was great and we plan on bringing the kids next time. Oh--it is true the place is huge, so the fact that on a Wed night when we got there six tables were full it did look a bit empty, but we totally enjoyed the food and will go back!
(4)Annie D.
For a little history, this is the first Ethiopian restaurant in the Twin Cities (open since 1989!). They've been around so long that I think I need to give them another shot to fully form an opinion but I thought I'd give my first take. I liked almost everything I tried on the combination platter at the Blue Nile, but none of it blew me away. The combo platter comes with injera bread (the HUGE, spongy, slightly sour African flatbread) and I think eight different piles of curry (meat or veg) and lentils. Some things were better than others but, all in all, everything was decent. I don't know how the regular menu items are served but my only real gripe with the platter is that they are a bit stingy with the curries and super generous with the injera (sneaks!). I would have rather had more of the curries and less of the bread. I do love that bread though... I bought a family-size package of it at Holy Land once and I couldn't eat a whole thing before it went bad. I ate it for every meal, four days straight... and couldn't do it. I wanted to do it. It's just so filling it hurts. I'd like to come back to the Blue Nile for a drink (they have lots of beer) and see some music or an open mic night here. I might have another go at the injera again. Yum.
(3)Anya S.
Im sorry but :BARF. Boo and I both had food poisoning after visiting this "fine" establishment. About 3 1/2 weeks ago. I guess our Russian- vodka-filled-stomachs couldn't take it. Beware.
(1)Bobo J.
The Blue Nile has been around for a long time, and their food may be the reason. I like the vegetarian gosa gosa a platter, which is a nice assortment of dishes. I also add kale to round things out. But the food is always delicious. The Blue Nile is also a great place for celebration dinners with big groups. It is spacious and there are always large tables available. Plus the service is friendly and meals are affordable. On my most recent trip to celebrate my birthday with a group of 10 they split the check without us asking. One caution: the cocktails are their own creations and the ginger snap was a weird one! Overall, I love the Blue Nile.
(5)Kedar D.
I've upgraded Blue Nile's rating as it's one of only a few places in Minneapolis that: a) is open late; b) has tons of space; and c) has a variety of good vegan foods and draft beers. The restaurant area is nice enough with Ethiopian dishes (watch out for buttermilk in their berbere sauce) but the bar area is what really grabs me: low-key, large, unpretentious, casual, and generally quiet (except for when the late night DJs come, and it gets super-loud). The draft beer selection is diverse and spans at least three continents with excellent, highly representative selections. I was especially impressed that they have Lion lager on draft, a Sri Lankan beer. There are two happy hours each day when it's two for one. Food-wise, there are a number of great options at the bar (which offers Middle Eastern food). I thought their baba ganouje (~$6) was one of the best I've had in the Twin Cities: fresh; citrus; smoky; and served with soft, warm pita pieces. Every one of us loved it. Their hummus (~$6) was not as good and too salty for my likes. The lentil sambusas (~$6) were good, and definitely a winner in terms of bar food, but not as good as a larger, more substantial samosa or momo at an Indian or Nepalese restaurant. The french fries ($4) are crisp and tasty. Lastly, the falafel sandwich ($5.75) is just slightly above average and generally hits the spot, though is a bit messily-constructed and could use some tahini (the sauce they normally use is made with yogurt, so make sure they leave it off). My only gripe is that the wait time for your food to arrive is generally long (15-20 minutes) even if it's not busy. In the end, though, Blue Nile is a winner and a great all-purpose late night spot for beer lovers and vegans alike.
(4)Laura S.
I LOVE BLUE NILE! Here is what they have: good (probably Americanized) vegan-friendly Ethiopian food, an excellent beer selection, knowledgeable servers, a great ambiance, and plenty of parking across the street. Apparently they also have a trivia night and a club below the restaurant. I always get the vegetarian combo A, which is delicious. I can't speak to the meat dishes at this restaurant at all. Would eat here all of the time if it wasn't a tad expensive. Also I don't live in Minnesota anymore, so.
(5)Jewels B.
I've been going to the Nile for years the Open mic night on Tuesdays are classic. The Food is bomb although a bit pricey and the drink specials are on point. This is a great place to go too on a first date. I have made a few girls fall in love with me here (lol I kid I kid) The only negative I would say about this place is that the Open mic night is a tad to late. If you want to support local talent you gotta "EFF" with the Nile.
(4)Meghann F.
Took some newbs out for Ethiopian food last friday - we had the Gosa Gosa C sampler and then ordered some chicken kabobs and shawirma in case they didn't like the traditional Ethiopian. The first thing eaten was the sampler. The chicken kabobs were well spiced and the shawirma was also pretty good. Love the bread and the traditional dishes. They also have a really good beer selection - Surly on tap as well as Bell's, etc. The decorations are a cross between Ethiopian and middle Eastern - sitting in the big fabric covered chairs and heavy tables makes you feel kinda like royalty!
(4)Matt A.
The Blue Nile is one of my iconic Minneapolis hangouts. It's a strange place, an Ethiopian Lounge / Restaurant that doubles as a music venue on the right night. The talent on open mic nights starting at 10 PM ranged from very professional to very amateur. I fell someone where in the middle, but the crowd was always supportive and the live band providing spontaneous rhythyms and grooves always tried to make you sound your best. Whether it was slam poetry, neo-soul or the FOB Somali guy trying to sound hard it was always interesting. I'm not sure if Tuesday's nights are as popular as they used to be, but I always had fond memories of the place. I made some great artistic connections and snagged some interesting hook-ups there. There were always crazy conversations from the band members talking about some "artist's" freak out while chain smoking Marlboro Red's. Somali's from the nearby apartment blocks would stroll up offering Quat or whatever else you might need. "Talent scouts" stayed in the back toward the shadows occasionally approaching you about their latest artistic showcase. It was that kind of place, and I'm very curious to know if it's changed. This is not a college hangout, as close as it is to campus. You are as likely to have hardcore gangbangers here as you are the hippy lady with hemp everything. As for drinks, they are reasonable. I especially liked the selection of African beers, Tusker was a personal favorite when I went there. A good conversation was usually accompanied by a free drink which made it even more affordable. I can only talk about the quality of the music and the drinks, but here is a yelper's take on the food, "Both times I've gotten the Gosa Gosa C, which is a comprehensive combination platter. You get several types of maraka (spicy meat stew) and several varities of vegetarian - chickpea, lentil, etc - dishes. I recommend getting the Gosa Gosa A, B, or C for first-timers (and repeaters who have no idea what to get). It's great to try everything. You get more than a few bites of each, and it's perfect for sharing. It's a bit much for two people, and probably right for three. Last night we also got an extra lamb dish, which was really tasty as well." All around, one of my favorite, if less known weeknight hangout spots in the Twin Cities.
(4)Chris W.
Went mostly for the beer selection at the bar with a group of 150. Nice place, good selection of beverages on tap, great food/apps, band after 10pm. We had 2fer1's just before the kitchen closed down I ordered the sampler platter. An interesting combination of foods with South Med flavors, cloves but, no cinnamon except a hint in the tea, fried apps were well fried and always tasty, fantastic salad dressing unable to describe, great iced tea. The beer selection on tap was great. They had a really nice looking restaurant, a lounge with wi-fi, and free entertainment after 10pm. Wed Nights was the Innocent Reggae Band, a little difficult to hear, dance floor. To be honest I had beer, iced tea, and wolfed down the sampler platter, it was good stuff but, I was not taking notes. Served a party of 150 in the bar area, 2 for 1's, live free band after 10pm.
(4)Jen K.
My friend had read that Minnesota has a fairly large Somalian population so we were interested in trying out some places that served Somalian food. After scouring my sources and talking to our concierge, Blue Nile kept coming up so I decide to check it out. Not sure what part of the menu was Somalian but the menu looked like Ethiopian food I've had before. Sadly they didn't have any Tej or else I would have ordered it. The place was pretty empty on a Friday night. Ordered the Gosa Gosa appetizer, which came with two types of sambussa. Also shared the combo Gosa Gosa C, with my friend, which had all the items from the veggie and 3 meat items, we choose the chicken, beef curry dish and lamb. I'm not usually a fan of lamb but the sauce it came with was pretty good. Overall was a pretty decent bargain for the food we got. Not as good as the Ethiopian places I had in DC but a nice option, though I don't think it was Somalian unless the two cuisines are quite similar (obviously not an expert here.) Was pretty full after our entre and had asked about their Ethiopian bread pudding since I LOVE bread pudding but I was trying to be good and opted out. But our Minnesota nice waiter, brought me the remainder bread pudding since they had just ran out and he gave it to me on the house, which was just the right amount and I ate it all and it was good. Again great friendly Minnesota service. I LOVE IT.
(3)shr m.
Last night was my second visit to Blue Nile. Very few restaurants have a full range of vegetarian options to choose from. Blue Nile does an excellent job with the variety of veggie dishes. We ordered the Cosa Cosa combo and everything was very delicious. We also ordered the Raffu which wasn't that great but it wasn't that bad either. I love the kale at Zed's in DC where I had ethiopian food for the first time. So, I've set the bar pretty high for that dish and Blue Nile was not yet there when it came to the Raffu. But overall my experience has been decent. P.S - Don't judge this place by the cover. Try it once, you won't regret it.
(4)John E.
Very solid Ethiopian / regional food. Good vegetarian options, can be ordered vegan - just watch out for the sauces which contain yogurt and ask about butter / honey. Falafel platter was excellent, the Gosa Gosa A was good, but felt a bit skimpy for the price. Ambience is a bit odd - you can still feel a bit of the original 80s mexican restaurant in the architecture and the bar / lounge doesn't seem to fit with the dining room - but the if you're there for the food it is well worth it.
(3)Val B.
Yum! I've been to Blue Nile twice now, and both times were really excellent. Reviews here look mixed, but look no further friends - this is really tasty, unique ethnic food. And if you don't like stuff like that, then don't come to places like this. Both times I've gotten the Gosa Gosa C, which is a comprehensive combination platter. You get several types of maraka (spicy meat stew) and several varities of vegetarian - chickpea, lentil, etc - dishes. I recommend getting the Gosa Gosa A, B, or C for first-timers (and repeaters who have no idea what to get). It's great to try everything. You get more than a few bites of each, and it's perfect for sharing. It's a bit much for two people, and probably right for three. Last night we also got an extra lamb dish, which was really tasty as well. All dishes are served on or with bideena, which is a yeasty, kind of bitter bread. It's similar to injera if you've eaten other African food, but a little thinner. Ethnic lesson: at Ethiopian restaurants, you don't eat your food with a fork, knife, or spoon - you eat it by breaking off bits of bideena and picking up the stew/beans/etc by pinching it through the bread. Thus, my friends, every bite is carbolicious. The first time I went they were out of baklava, but this time I made sure to reserve a slice (that, and there was only one other party in the joint, so it was probably safe). It was served warm, with a warm honey / cardamom (?) - type glaze over it. Um, YES PLZ. It had some unique flavors, a little lemony. It was much richer than I expected, but I was also expecting like, the baklava you can get in the bakery section of your local Target. So I suggest their baklava if you like crappy/grocery store baklava like I do - you'll be absolutely wowed. {Disclaimer: I've never had like, real baklava prepared by my real Greek/African/Middle Eastern grandmother or anything, so I'm not like, a baklava connoisseur. I just like caramel.} From the looks of the place, it's half bar/lounge, half restaurant. The table had a note about trivia night on Wednesdays, so I may hit that up sometime since the categories looked funny (presidential middle names, LOL internet, bands that aren't real but should be). My only gripe is the beer list - it's extensive but kinda pricey. However, I got a mango pop when I went last night and it was great - light, not too sweet, and slightly fizzy. I want more mango pop.
(4)Emily F.
Terrible serivce. Dump. Shady. nuf' said. The food was decent, but nothing worth going back to that place for. I wasn't feeling very safe coming and going, but I do life in the burb's.
(1)Ildefonso S.
Now I dig the Blue Nile. I really, really do. Here's why: I love African Food. Ohhhhh, Timmy, I could just jump, scream "YEAH", and pop the 'Yeah' bubble with my middle finger's overgrown nail. I like their meat dishes, but more so, I like their vegetarian dishes. If you want food that looks disgusting to eat, something that looks like a cross between vomit and hairballs, then I recommend anything they make with chickpeas. It is incredibly delicious. The atmosphere jives too. Sometimes when I'm there, the music is so rhythmic, I want to get up onto the table and shake my hips like James Brown: "Woow! I feel good!" I don't recommend looking at anybody else's reviews... I would have given you a five but since I give out too many fives, I'll slap you a four, just so more people take my reviews seriously.
(4)joe s.
A Hop Palace! Al is not afraid of cellaring his kegs and always has a big fest some four-five times a year, or so. Seward neighborhood in Minneapolis. Enough, here's the present tap list: Avery duganA double IPA Flat Earth Mummy Train Pumpkin Ale Troubadour Obscura (Belgium) Lion Stout (Sri Lanka) Two Brothers/Urthel Moaten Flemish Sour Red Ale Bell's Rye Stout Surly Furious Surly Bender Surly Cynic Surly Wet Summit Extra Pale Ale Grain Belt Premium Cheers, Joe
(4)Ann G.
I was here last night with a group for the Surly beer event. What a great selection of beer! Plus, we were able to sit in the bar area and get food. I split the B sampler platter with a friend, what a great choice! I will definitely be back for more food and beer!
(4)Rhonda G.
This was a wrap up gathering for veg week. About ten of us were there. I liked my pastry lentil stuffed appetizer with a nice spicy sauce. I shared lentils, and kale with sides of spicy red lentils. Brown lentils were cold. You're brought out a huge round plate that just fits the injera bread. And 4 tiny servings are plopped down on it. I did manage to get full though, because the bread by itself is delicious, and not sour like in some places. There is so much TLC in the construction and decoration that I just tolerate that you don't get what you pay for. A beautiful mural on the wall of the patio. A young man served us, very nice but the only wait staff there, and it was fairly busier for a Monday than usual. The dining area is beautiful, bright and even cozy, but Kedar loves that bar area. To me its cold and dingy. I saw a photo on the wall of the Keith Ellison victory party. Good taste always impresses me.
(4)Sarah B.
I had never had Ethiopian food before I went to Blue Nile for a friend's birthday, and to be honest I'm not sure what to say about it. I'm really happy to have tried it, and even though I didn't think the food itself was anything special I find myself almost craving it at times. Really odd! Definitely worth a visit, if nothing else for the experience of sharing food this way and eating with your hands. An interesting experience for sure!!
(3)Alice S.
I just couldn't get past the pancake (Injera). The lentils were great. The beer selection was fabulous - wine selection was pretty limited though. We would probably only go back for a beer event.
(3)