Enat Kitchen
300 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR, 97217
Enat Kitchen Menu
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Address :
300 N Killingsworth St
Portland, OR, 97217 - Phone (503) 285-4867
- Website https://www.enatguada.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
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Gary B.
Very endearing customer service and excellent food.
(5)Lisa N.
Unfortunately, we had incredibly slow service. It took 15 minutes until someone would take our order, 30 minutes for water and about an hour for the food to come out on Monday night. I had to ask two separate people, three separate times for water. Overall the service left much to be desired on a weekday. The food was good, not very spicy which was a little disappointing. My first foray into Ethopian food was successful but I probably won't be coming back if i were in the neighborhood.
(3)Daniel C.
This being my second time ever trying Ethiopian food, I really enjoyed it this time 'round! The décor here doesn't scream "fine dining" but it's very comfortable and homey. There's booth seats along the window, a small amount of table seating in the middle of the dining room, and a limited amount of seating around the small tiki bar/cashier station toward the back. Good for groups of 4, maybe 5 Ethiopians. The food was outstanding! I tried the Enat Special, which is a spicy minced beef, and a spicy dish of fish with assorted veggies and sauce. The flavors were absolutely great, and all the little accompaniments such as the cheese, collared greens, and salad were perfect. I loved rolling up all the splendid flavors into the doughy ethnic bread they use and taking bite after succulent bite. 5 stars for the food. The service was also very pleasant and friendly, if slightly unorganized. It is a family owned and operated business, so they really care about the experience you receive and will come around to check on you periodically. Street parking is a breeze in this neck, so you shouldn't have any issues finding some. I would recommend coming here with friends, family, or a coworker for a nice Ethiopian meal. Enjoy.
(4)MarLissa E.
This was a pleasant experience. Very different, creative, colorful, relaxing, tasty, and fun. We tried a combination of veg and beef dishes. It all came on one huge plate with the rolled teff flour "injera" bread. Used as silverware, you scoop your way through dinner. We had 9 different dishes- all were unique yet went together well. Friendly staff and upbeat atmosphere. A great value! Very communal experience. The spicy dishes we spicy but not overwhelming. Seemingly funny, but the salad in the middle was wonderfully refreshing in in all. Especially liked the Enat Special, kuanta firfir, potatoes, and Red Lentils. Coming back with our kids!
(4)John P.
I first tried Ethiopian food within the last 2 years and have become enamored. Admittedly I've only tried two different restaurants (one in Boston, MA and the other being Enat) but both places were recommended to me as the favorites of Ethiopian nationals. Enat Kitchen will not disappoint. Firstly, From the Ethiopian beers and coffee to the honey wine and juices, the beverages are absolutely delightful. The food is even better. I can't stop myself from nibbling on the injera (the sourdough like pancake bread) before I even wrap it around any food! I have tried almost all of the Vegetarian dishes besides one, one of the lamb, one of the chicken, and four kinds of the beef dishes. They are all phenomenal! Of course everyone has their one tastes and preferences, and I do like some entrees more than others, but every single dish really is fantastic. Ask for the coffee ceremony at the end of your meal!
(5)Hayden N.
North Portland knows how to do good Ethiopian food. My friend requested E'Njoni Cafe for his birthday, however, they are closed on Mondays! After reading reviews and, mainly, looking at pictures...we met up at Enat Kitchen down the street for lunch. We opted to do the family style couple over the lunch buffet, you get your choice of two meat dishes and five veggie dishes for $27. Since this was his first time having Ethiopian food, it was nice to have smaller portions of a variety of different dishes. We did the Doro Wot and Lamb Tibs as meat options then our veggie combo: Alicha Wot, Kik Key Wot, Gomen, Buticha, and Shiro. Doro Wot is my all-time favourite Ethiopian dish, it's a stewed chicken in a red pepper sauce--they do it slightly different here. They don't include the hard-boiled egg and the sauce isn't as thick, there are way too many onion in it maybe the onion are normally pureed to get that thicker texture. Don't get me wrong, it was still delicious yet I prefer their Tibs over the Doro Wot. My friend liked the Tibs and Shiro (a pureed split pea). Personally, I love the Gomen (collard greens). The food wasn't as spicy as I'd liked so I requested some more Bebere spices. In most Ethiopian restaurants, there's that motherly lady that does all the cooking so she comes out with a jalapeno and habanero sauce along with some bebere spices. My friend was sweating bullets after trying the habanero sauce but I enjoyed it and that made her happy that someone could tolerate the spiciness of the sauce. Every time I go into an Ethiopian restaurant, the staff is always so hospitable and feels like you are eating in someone's home. Enat Kitchen may not be the fanciest place, however, the food and service was amazing.
(4)Josh M.
The lunch buffet is solid, only complaint is the limited choices, Menbere was very hospitable and took his time explaining what each dish was, will definitely be back to try dinner
(4)Deanna D.
Our group of 4 really enjoyed the combination platter and great coffee (with freshly roasted beans). The vegetables were all well done, especially the greens, and the meat with jalapeños had just the right amount of spice. The combination platter was a great way to sample a variety of options and is also a great value. The wine pours were healthy and the service was friendly. It's a no frills place with lack luster decor, but the food will keep me coming back.
(4)Mengesha S.
Today (10/8) I visited Enat Kitchen the 2nd time after my last review, I have no choice but to go to Enat because of the food is the BEST Ethiopian food in Oregon, their service is greatly improving,as Ethiopian I have tried every Ethiopian restaurant in Oregon by far Enat will be on top. My last review I gave Enat 2 stars because of their service only,but on this visit I am giving them 5 stars and hoping they will stay On top of it. If you never try Ethiopian food before I will recommend you to try Enat Kitchen.
(5)Natalie B.
I got the kik key wot with injera and it was PHENOMENAL. I asked the waitress what she recommended (a habit of mine) and I was very pleased. I love eating with my hands, forming each individual bite as I desire. The injera was the best I've had -- a key element! Anyways, I will definitely be returning to this place to try all the vegetarian options (which are plentiful)...First dinner out in Portland was a success!
(5)Veronika A.
Enat's food is addictive; beautifully blended spices, perfect bouncy and slightly tangy enjera, freshest vegetables and meat, all perfectly cooked! Plus, the owners are fabulously sweet and care about how you enjoy your meal. A must go!
(5)Willie N.
This is the best Ethiopian food in Portland! It is a must on my Portland porkfest agenda!! Pay them a visit, you will not regret it!!! I always get the vegetarian family style and add a spicy chicken dish. You better bring a few friends who bath regularly for family style. It is custom to eat with your hands!
(5)Celina A.
When I was in Portland for work I couldn't pass up the chance to eat Ethiopian. After searching the web to find out the best place to go, it looked like "Enat Kitchen" was our best bet. Enat's is constantly winning the "best of Ethiopian" for best injera, meat dish & best overall- though not the highest ranked on yelp, which I can't figure out why. Probably because Enat caters to the local Ethiopian community and hasn't done a good job of marketing themselves to faranji's (foreigners). DON'T let this deter you. The food is WONDERFUL. Reminiscent of a local joint in Addis there is traditional décor, music in the background and the option of eating around a traditional table (Mesob). They offer a traditional coffee ceremony upon request and I would highly suggest that if you have never experience before. The food is traditional and has robust flavors that taste just like home. Enat makes it easy to sample many of the vegetarian dishes. We ordered the veggie combo and were surprised that all of the different dishes tasted fresh and individual. Since all of the wot is made ahead of time it can sometimes taste bland and cold. Many place don't take the time to stew the wot to let all of the flavors come out. At Enat they all tasted fresh and full of flavor. Of all the vegetarian dishes, the Gomen (collard greens) was my least favorite. Next time I would order it with out the Gomen and an extra serving of Atkilt (cabbage, potatoes & carrots) since that was the smallest portion on the sampler. We also had the tibs which were delicious. We ordered the beef tibs and they were served in a sauce that was so delicious I could have liked it off my fingers. Pour it straight onto the injera and let it soak in. This will be the best pieces to eat up later. First Timers: don't be afraid of eating with your hands and using the injera. You may be tempted to order rice, you won't eat it. The Injera is some of the best I've had in the states. It was a little dry and not a sponge as others, but a great taste. It was not too sour, and was a great beginner injera. You will love it. Tip: Start with the salad, it's a simple dish but perfectly complements all of the spice and flavors of a combo platter. Add a glass of Tej (Ethioppian honey wine) to complete the meal. As good as it gets outside of Ethiopia!
(5)Jason D.
This place ain't much to look at, but the food is dynamite. Probably the best injera I have ever tasted, made in house of course. I usually get the lunch buffet. It's very small, with only one meat dish, usually beef or lamb in bere-bere sauce. The meat is super tender and there's really nothing that compares to a good bere-bere. It's spicy but not over the top. The vegetarian bere-bere dish has potatoes and carrots, and is actually a little spicier. The rest of the dishes include collard greens, a couple of types of lentils, and a cabbage and carrot dish made with a spice I can't place, but it is excellent. The chafing dishes in the buffet cart are never more than a quarter full. They don't like their food sitting there drying out, so even though it's a buffet, it's almost like cooked to order, because they basically just replace what people take as they take it. Their spiced iced tea is also great. Couple of hints: don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. There's no way to avoid it. Use plenty of napkins. Second, unroll a couple of injera and cover your plate with it. Cover with goodness from the buffet. When you're done, eat the plate (so to speak). Staff is also super nice.
(4)Dejene T.
Best ethio food in PDX! My family immigrated to the US and one corner stone of the Ethiopian culture is food. Even though can tear it up in the kitchen cooking ethio food, there are days when she is just too tired or a special occasion comes up. Enat is where she wants to go! Very authentic food and very similar to the same style cooked when I went to Ethiopia a couple years ago.
(5)Joey F.
Tried the lunch buffet. Had one lamb dish and three veggie dishes. Injera and rice was also available. Good flavor and service.
(4)Shezza W.
The food was wonderful, but the service was slow. It took 30 minutes to receive appetizers and 1.5 hours to get entrees (appetizers and entrees ordered at the same time). I would not return due to length of time to be waited on and served.
(3)F M.
I came here for the lunch buffet twice and took home the Veggie Combo for dinner/breakfast both times. The food is very tasty, and the injera is great. I do wish they had more meat options during the buffet, though. It looks like it's owned by a family, or at least a group of close-knit people, and they seem to have very good relations with returning customers in the neighborhood. The staff is friendly and helpful. It's a good, quiet place to get lunch. I'll definitely be back for more.
(4)Andrew J.
My wife and I have tried almost every Ethiopian restaurant in Portland. There are plenty to choose from and most are quite good. Enat is in a class of its own. Each time we've been we're the only non-Ethiopians. The food is excellent and authentic. The injera is great. The owner is gracious and friendly. She brought my son extra lentils and offered a new dish for him to try that is her son's favorite. The decor is simply.
(5)ran y.
Walked in on a rainy early evening a few weeks ago after work, excited to find Ethiopian food anywhere even remotely close to St Johns. The establishment looked clean and interesting yet I will be unable to write a full review as I was unable to obtain any service. There was an Ethiopian fellow inside the entrance with a menu in his hands who was greeting the middle-aged white patrons entering the restaurant before and after me. However when he saw me he turned and engaged a table of African gentleman and disappeared around the corner. A lady then came out of the kitchen wearing an Enat's shirt so I'm guessing she is obviously an employee as well. She looked at me then walked around and made small talk with patrons, came back & looked at me again before returning to the kitchen. Maybe they don't mind Mexicans in the kitchen washing their dishes, but they sure didn't seem to want this one in their restaurant eating any food.
(1)Arden T.
My favorite Ethiopian spot in the city. I bring all my friends and out-of-town visitors here and they've all loved it too. The 2-person combo is easily enough for 3-4 people, but leftovers fare well the next day, as the injera has time to soak up all the flavor. Dammnnnnn good. Try the coffee after dinner. It's thick and bitter, like Turkish coffee, and will have you very caffeine-blazed and ready to leap out of your seat. Impressive after eating all that nap-inducing food.
(5)Bethy A.
I'm Ethiopian and I approve this restaurant!!! Enat is Amharic for Mother, so you're literally eating an authentic, incredibly flavorful and spicy home-cooked meal from your mothers kitchen (without having to deal with the burning of eyes from onions, the occasional fire alarm, hair/clothes that smell like they've been drenched in kebbeh & Berbere) #habeshaproblems. Also, you can't deny that the aroma and colors are simply divine! Okay I'm done drooling. #authentic #flavor #spice #aroma
(5)Sara S.
Simply the best! This food was such a delight to eat again. I I didn't know if I just got lucky the first time but now two in a row of heaven in my mouth!
(5)Leah C.
I would give this place 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up because I found the staff to be friendly and helpful. My husband and I ate here on a Thursday night. It was dead when we walked in, but picked up significantly within a half hour. It reminded me of other Ethiopian restaurants I've eaten at, so it was exactly what I wanted. We did a family style meal and it was delicious. The only dish I felt meh about was the potato dish, it just didn't have enough flavor. However, I really liked the lamb dish we got, and I'm not a big fan of lamb. The honey wine was both sweeter and tangier than I remember. I would definitely come back to this place, but next time I would come with a big group.
(4)Arun R.
Some of the best ethiopian food I've had in portland! Had the timatim fitfit for appetizers, vegetarian platter with 5 sides as the main course and a traditional ethiopian coffee. Everything was delicious! The appetizer and the shiro in the entree were especially tasty!
(5)Brittanie M.
I was happy to give this place a try and experience something a little different. I'm not very familiar with this type of food, but I ordered a combination veggie plate and got to try several different dishes. I don't know if it was this in particular or the food in general, but it didn't do a whole lot for me. Not bad, but nothing too exciting either. Aside from the food though, what was somewhat frustrating about this place was the way they prepared my take out order. I specifically asked twice that they package each entree separately, since they were for 3 different people with very different dietary restrictions. Upon arrival, I found they did not do that, and they ended up making it all spicy when I specified that I only wanted 1 dish to be spicy. Additionally, they did not label anything. This made things somewhat difficult because everything literally looked the same on the outside since it was all wrapped in the bread. I'm simply stating this because from their website, it appears they may have recently began offering takeout, and I see a few areas of improvement to their current process. Because of this experience I don't think I will be ordering take out from here again.
(2)Tracy F.
Walked in at 1:50, one person seated, waitress comes out and we ask if they're open and have a lunch buffet. She said yes and motioned towards the six uncovered, crusted over, four hour old steam trays of unlabeled mush. We said thanks, give us a moment to decide if we are staying. She disappeared, we tried to tell her no thank you before we left but she was gone. We won't be back.
(2)Katherine G.
Very good Ethiopian food...I am not a fan of split peas and asked to get the veg sampler without those two items, and our server gladly obliged. Each item was well-spiced without being unbearably hot, and I had to take breaks to breathe as the portions are plentiful. FYI The injera bread seems to be whole grain and is gluten-free, so that's an added bonus for some folks. Just one caveat: The service was slow and we ended up bringing the credit card in and signing so that we could leave. It was one young lady serving the whole place, so that was why. That was pretty much the only drawback.
(4)Sophia T.
the food was ok. the flavors were ok. i enjoyed the shiro. the salad was so bland. i like my salad with abundant citrus flavor. c'mon people!
(3)Anna M.
I got a to-go order. They gave me extra injera. The food was great, service impecable. I'm a jerk for not going sooner. This will be at least a monthly stop for me.
(4)Alex R.
My new favorite Ethiopian with the right price . I could eat here every day, delicious and service with a smile. Plus it's right across from campus.
(5)Ronald A.
My wife and I had dinner here last Friday; we have been looking for good Ethiopian food. This is my favorite right now. The lamb had the right spices and took me back to Ethiopia. We also had chicken tibs and assorted vegetables; both were very good. I would skip the Ethiopian beer on my next visit. The service was good and the staff very friendly. I am looking forward to going back. Please give it a try.
(4)fon z.
This place is becoming our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in town. The owner is a single working mom and super nice. The food is good and consistent. I always see a lot of Ethiopian peopl eating here; that speaks volume of the authenticity and quality. If you are an adventurous eater you should check out their kitfo, a raw beef dish. Yes! I said raw not rare. If not, try their lamb they are always delicious.
(4)Maryna P.
This is a quiet solid Ethiopian restaurant. On a Friday evening there was only two busy tables other than ours, and they seemed mostly friends of the restaurant staff. We got a combination plate, which was a little pricy if you ask me. The veggie dishes - greens and peas - were good. Nothing extraordinary, but still delicious. The meat was well done. There was a chicken breast dish which I had never seen in any other Ethiopian restaurant before. Having lived in Ethiopia, I'm not even sure if I'd call it Ethiopian food. BUT, it was really good. Definitely a hit. That said, I just wasn't very impressed. What I was impressed by is that the place seems to be very involved in Ethiopian community, and on top of that the service was just excellent. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and honest in her recommendations. She was the highlight of our visit to this restaurant.
(3)Marit T.
My boyfriend and I went to Enat Kitchen for the second time last night. We ordered the exact same dishes as we did the first time, simply because it was the best food we'd ever had. We got the azifa fitfit appetizer with lentils, split peas, and pieces of injera. Absolutely delicious. Be aware that even medium is very hot if you're not used to spicy foods. We then ordered the chicken tibs and the beef key wot. I still can't decide which I liked better, but I do know that we could barely move after eating the entire (huge) plate of injera and delicious, tender meat in the most flavorful sauces. It is truly addictive. I have been to other Ethiopian restaurants and can say that Enat far surpasses any other place that I've tried. Both times, service was quick and incredibly friendly which by itself is a reason to keep coming back. I love love LOVE Enat Kitchen and would strongly recommend it to anyone.
(5)Hana A.
We ordered the family style lunch that comes with five veggies and two meat dishes. The food was all right. The sourdough bread was soft and very good. I thought the service was sorely lacking. The waitress was MIA for most of the meal.
(3)Portly P.
Ethiopian is my favorite cuisine, I cook it at home, and I've been to dozens of ethiopian restaurants around the world. Enat Kitchen is one of the best, maybe the best if you factor in consistency. There's a very reasonably priced buffet, but I honestly recommend ordering something instead. The shiro wot is to die for, and of course, get coffee after dinner (often comes with incense!).
(5)Brenda S.
I don't know much about Ethiopian food, but my friend wanted to go. I looked up local places through Yelp, and found that Enat had the most consistent of positive reviews. Even though it's street parking, we easily found a spot - even on a Friday night. There were a few people in the restaurant and we were able to sit in a booth. I knew we wanted to catch-up and the low noise level allowed us to do so. I thought the dining experience was wonderful, given my lack of knowledge of Ethiopian food. We ordered the Couples dish with five vegetable options and two meats. We wanted the Doro Wot, but they had run out, so we opted for a beef and a lamb option. Everything was delicious and blended nicely with our evening of conversation.
(4)Maximus C.
I went for a late lunch with my sweetheart. The place was dead except for a couple of guys drinking at the bar. All seemed well until I started hearing microwave dings coming from the kitchen...ding...ding.... The food arrives, had no spice to it whatsoever, the meat was overcooked (the menu stated that the beef would be medium) and just overall blah. Everything was obviously heated in the microwave, nothing fresh. I can make better Ethiopian food at home so why did I bother?
(2)Griffy C.
Food was fantastic. Had the couples thing where you choose a variety of different dishes, all were amazing. We got rice along with the bread but it wasn't even needed. Will definitely come back next time I'm in Portland.
(5)Jane I.
I love food with heavy spices, and hot spices with a variety of textures, so I'm pretty big on Ethiopian cuisine. Also, I have an appreciation for out of culture experiences such as eating with my hands, so when I heard about this place being legit I just had to try it. The portions were descent, maybe a bit on the smaller side from what I am used to getting [I got the veggie combo], however it was still enough to feed two people. So, that's not too much of a concern. Also, I'm used to Ethiopian food being more naturally on the spicy side, and the food wasn't spicy at all. Additionally, the service was very nice and attentive, yet slow to actually serve you where it loses a few points. None the less, the ingredients and flavor were good and the style was surely Ethiopian. This place is pretty authentic down to the slowness of a mom and pop shop type of joint [which is cool cause it's not all puffed-up hipstery], and it gave me my fix for Ethiopian cuisine. I like my ethnic food heavy on the authentic side, and not "white washed" in fusion aspects, so this place suffices.
(3)Rachel Jo-yu C.
I've been many Ethiopian restaurants in town, this one is definitely the best in me and my bf's opinion. Family style includes 2 meat dishes and 5 vegetables, with plenty of fresh injera, and order a glass of honey wine. O heavenly.
(5)Archie R.
This place has great Ethiopian Food . Wonderful and flavorful. The veggie combo platter has a great sample of all the dishes. The coffee here is great. They also sell their roast coffee beans, just ask them when they aren't that busy ;)..
(5)Laura N.
My husband and I had a very enjoyable dinner here tonight. We often have a difficult time finding a restaurant we both can enjoy as I am vegetarian and he eats a strict paleo diet. But not only did we find what we each liked but it was served traditionally on one large plate. We got to share and eat with our hands which made it even more pleasurable. The food was seasoned perfectly. I would have scored the restaurant higher but the restrooms were in very poor condition. But other than that, the food was excellent, service was friendly and the bill was not too expensive. Perfect for a date night.
(4)Jan D.
Don't hesitate because the place doesn't look like much. The food is wonderful, best since Jarras closed. Fresh spicy salads, great miser wat, the cabbage and potatoes also particularly good, and the enjeera. The people are friendly and will take good care of you, though it can get busy some nights. A nice mix of Ethiopian patrons craving home cooking and new Portland fans, lots of young couples and families. The food here is addictive, we go every week, and always leave happy. The prices are great. Enjoy!
(5)Madeline F.
This is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in Portland. The injera is some of the best I've had. I recommend ordering the family size platters, as you get a variety of dishes at a good rate. The vegetarian dishes are to die for. The restaurant itself is very casual and not incredibly inviting, but the service is good. Takeout portions are large, so I often choose to bring the food home. Be sure to order at least 30 minutes ahead for takeout. Overall, Enat Kitchen is a wonderful, authentic hidden gem.
(4)mo m.
If you have a hankering for Ethiopian, I would recommend Enat on account of two things: decent service and an inviting dining space. I've tried a few other joints around this neighborhood, and Enat definitely provides the most pleasant dining experience. The waitstaff are friendly and attentive, and they are clearly proud of the food they serve. Don't get me wrong, the food is good. Fluffy injira, fresh greens, stewed lamb, what's not to like? But seriously, compared to the place above the grocery store and that other place where it might take you an hour to get your food, this place is like ethiopian food heaven.
(4)Melanie B.
Lunch buffet is bottomless, affordable and most of all delicious. Several entrees and sides to choose from and that yummy pancake bread stuff... traditional Ethiopian coffee experience made from beans roasted daily in these cool little cups. Sooo good. Sometimes I stop by just for some coffee (they also have booze if you're into that). (o:
(5)Joanie D.
The food was amazing... Full of flavor, the presentation was beautiful. The chicken tibs were so yummy!! The service was friendly and accommodating! We will be back for sure!! Highly recommended!!
(5)Bear S.
The best place for this type of food. My wife and I order here if we are in the mood for such a thing. The people that own it are very kind and generous. Large plates and great tasting. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Jana H.
My husband and I love Ethiopian food, this place is amazing. The buffet is great and the family style combination with lamb. Yummy!!!
(5)Alice H.
Enat was absurdly delicious! We went with a party of four on Christmas Eve, and were greeted with strong warm coffee, sweet traditional wine, and genuine smiles. If you're with a group, definitely order the family platter! Beware: the food is deceivingly filling. In the best way.
(5)Bernie F.
Tasty food, very helpful recommendations and friendly service. Good portion sizes, reasonable prices, clean establishment.
(4)Caitlin C.
As an Ethiopian food junky, Portland's hog heaven for me. We have so many options to choose from that we can afford to be picky. I decided to check out Enat Kitchen based on some strong Yelp reviews and positive mentions in the Willamette Week. My conclusion: Enat Kitchen proves itself as the best bang for your buck in the Portland Ethiopian food scene. First of all, the service is great--expect to get seated quickly with servers attending to you promptly. They are friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient to boot. The food hits the spot as well! I ordered the vegetarian combo and, despite the large portion, yummed it all up in one sitting! (Always the sign of a good meal!) My only critique has to do with the space itself. The restaurant feels a bit haphazardly decorated. I felt very jealous walking past the adjoining market and hearing authentic Ethiopian jazz--they should be playing that in the restaurant too! Nevertheless, Enat Kitchen comes out on top for the value, even if the overall experience could use some polish. I'd love to go back and inhale another vegetarian combo!
(4)John G.
I am experienced with many of the Ethiopian places in Portland and Enat's is about my favorite place for quality of the food. The food is very good, very tasty and my only wish is that they spice up some of the meat dishes a bit more. Their Injera is the best in town - always fresh, spongy and sour. It's got a pretty good atmosphere, very folksy and friendly and the staff are always nice. Service is not slow and they are attentive. I could nit pit a few things having to do with the layout I suppose but how can you not give 5 stars to a place with such good food and the best Injera in Portland?
(5)Andrew A.
I'm like a Pavlov dog: anytime a restaurant is rated the "Best..." I'm there within a few days. This happened with Enat as they were voted Portland's best Ethiopian best restaurant by Willamette Week. Upon entering I was greeted by odd stares of 15 customers, 14 of which were Ethiopian. Not stared-down mind you, but more of a "maybe he's lost." The $7.50 lunch buffet is quite the deal. It consisted of: one very flavorable and popular meat dish, lentils in a creamy sauce, yellow peas/curry, cabbage, a potato and sauce concoction and my favorite, the collard greens. There was also a full basket of Injera. This is the fourth Ethiopian venue I've tried in PDX and the quality was right up there with my favorite: Queen of Sheba. My timing couldn't have been better as a daily coffee ceremony started right after I finished my meal. First, they paraded a pan of freshly roasted coffee beans throughout the restaurant, most of the patrons really tried to get a full whiff of it. Then, all the patrons gathered in a separate section and were served a small cup - with or without sugar - by the delightful owner. Complimentary baskets of pop corn were also offered. Enat is where Ethiopians go, so it's reasonable to say that it's authentic, even though I've never been to Ethiopia. Lastly, the server was so very sweet.
(4)Alice C.
One of the best Ethiopian places in Portland, as of Feb. 2014--and I've tried most of them. Food is more authentic than at several other places, meaning they do use butter in the cooking, and they cook things long enough to let rich flavors develop.
(4)Robert H.
This is a review of the lunch buffet, at a very reasonable $7.95! The dishes included lentils in a red sauce, lentils in a green sauce, carrots-potatoes-cabbage with turmeric, potatoes in a red tomato sauce, collards and beef in tomato sauce. They have an electric hot plate system that keeps all the serving dishes hot. None of the dishes were spicy, and they seemed healthier than some places with less oil. As others have mentioned, almost all the clientele at lunch are from that part of the world and speaking one of the many languages found there. Though I have not been to Ethiopia, it reminded me of several other countries I've visited where the men congregate for hours talking about business opportunities all day, while the women do the work!
(3)Holy-foo' X.
I'm not completely certain, but I'm pretty sure there are more Ethiopian restaurants in a small radius of No-Po, no more than a couple of miles all told, than there are of McDonald's, Burger Kings, andTaco Bells in all of North Portland combined. I couldn't be more thrilled by such a piece of minutia. There may be hope for us afterall... The lunch buffet is how to check out Enat the most economically (a VERY reasonable $8) as well as allow you to try out the maximum number of plates and dishes.As always, I love the spicy lamb chunks, wrapped in Injera bread. This is some great eats for $11 ala cart, still a reasonable value. I would have preferred that they turn up the heat several serious notches, but it was delicious and had that lovely tang to it from the sour Injera dough. If you have never tried Ethiopian before, Please consider giving Enat a try.... or Enjon'i down the block, which is a bit more upscale and expensive than Enat, but also offers a great Lunch buffet...
(4)Stacey D.
Luckily I went to an Ethiopian restaurant for the frist time with two beautiful, lovely Ethiopian women who knew just what to order for me. They say it is their favorite Ethiopian food in Portland, and I believe them. It was delicious.
(4)L Z.
Good, fine, fresh and tasty, good prices, but ambiance and services weren't super fancy. This is exactly what 3 stars means to me- good for the price, would go again, but definitely keep searching for better places too.
(3)Nicholas Z.
The best out of the four ethiopian places (two on Broadway, another in the burbs) I've tried in town so far. I love Kitfo and Gored Gored, and was never turned away here! (many places only serve those dishes on weekends or special occasions). Try the weekend buffet if you're in a hurry, and want a sampling of many of the standard greens/lentil dishes. Tibs and wot , as everything else on the menu, made with care and quality. Great vegan, or at least veggie options, too. Very tasty, original, and made with absolute respect for the palate!
(4)Dinah C.
alright awesome!!! I come in with a sore throat not feeling tops..and they deliver!!! Hot spicy lentils, collard greens, and an an assortment of all the vegetable dishes just so I can try them..with a cup of ginger tea with honey...Lovely experience
(5)Ro W.
Stopped in for lunch and enjoyed their buffet. Gomen (greens) was delicious, as was doro wat and lentils. Injera nicely done. I have forgotten what else I sampled but it was all good. The berbere sauce was not as spicy as some, but on the buffet it made sense not to kill american tongues. Super nice staff, and the place seems to be owned and run by single women, sisters I think. Clean, fast, and service was great. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Kevin H.
This place has really great food. The chicken, lamb and lentils were especially delicious. The injera is perfect. The mixed vegetables were a bit oily and plain. They serve an Ethiopian beer which is well worth trying. The ambiance was nothing interesting...they played some presumably African music while simultaneously blaring the Blazers game. The service is very friendly. We will be going back regularly!
(4)Terry S.
Absolutely amazing food, fresh, very flavorful and lots of choices! Excellent service, helpful explanation of dishes, meeting all the demands of a table of 9 with both food and beverages in such a timely fashion. Spotless with nice ambiance and plenty of parking! My favorite Ethiopian!
(5)Gabe G.
Very tasty chicken dish - one of the best ethiopian dishes I've had in Portland. Veggie split peas were simple but good.
(4)Lindsey D.
We had a large event of 70 people catered by Enat Kitchen. I worked with Membi over the course of 2 weeks to develop a menu for our guests, many of whom had never tasted Ethiopian food before. Membi was easy to work with and was very accessible via phone. The food was delicious ! Membi and the folks at Enat did a wonderful job. We will be back.
(5)Sara J.
Stop what you're doing right NOW and go to Enat Kitchen, on 300 N. Killingsworth. I had never had Ethiopian food before today and oh my heavens...so good. I had the beef stew and then lamb stew in berbere sauce - deep red spicy yumminess. Spongy delicious injera bread on the side. Then I had lentils mixed with more of the injera, and finally, homemade cottage cheese - mouthgasm! Usually after a heavy meal I feel like plotzing but ohhhh it was so good, I felt so energized and happy afterwards! What a great experience.
(5)John P.
I first tried Ethiopian food within the last 2 years and have become enamored. Admittedly I've only tried two different restaurants (one in Boston, MA and the other being Enat) but both places were recommended to me as the favorites of Ethiopian nationals. Enat Kitchen will not disappoint. Firstly, From the Ethiopian beers and coffee to the honey wine and juices, the beverages are absolutely delightful. The food is even better. I can't stop myself from nibbling on the injera (the sourdough like pancake bread) before I even wrap it around any food! I have tried almost all of the Vegetarian dishes besides one, one of the lamb, one of the chicken, and four kinds of the beef dishes. They are all phenomenal! Of course everyone has their one tastes and preferences, and I do like some entrees more than others, but every single dish really is fantastic. Ask for the coffee ceremony at the end of your meal!
(5)MarLissa E.
This was a pleasant experience. Very different, creative, colorful, relaxing, tasty, and fun. We tried a combination of veg and beef dishes. It all came on one huge plate with the rolled teff flour "injera" bread. Used as silverware, you scoop your way through dinner. We had 9 different dishes- all were unique yet went together well. Friendly staff and upbeat atmosphere. A great value! Very communal experience. The spicy dishes we spicy but not overwhelming. Seemingly funny, but the salad in the middle was wonderfully refreshing in in all. Especially liked the Enat Special, kuanta firfir, potatoes, and Red Lentils. Coming back with our kids!
(4)Lisa N.
Unfortunately, we had incredibly slow service. It took 15 minutes until someone would take our order, 30 minutes for water and about an hour for the food to come out on Monday night. I had to ask two separate people, three separate times for water. Overall the service left much to be desired on a weekday. The food was good, not very spicy which was a little disappointing. My first foray into Ethopian food was successful but I probably won't be coming back if i were in the neighborhood.
(3)Deanna D.
Our group of 4 really enjoyed the combination platter and great coffee (with freshly roasted beans). The vegetables were all well done, especially the greens, and the meat with jalapeños had just the right amount of spice. The combination platter was a great way to sample a variety of options and is also a great value. The wine pours were healthy and the service was friendly. It's a no frills place with lack luster decor, but the food will keep me coming back.
(4)ran y.
Walked in on a rainy early evening a few weeks ago after work, excited to find Ethiopian food anywhere even remotely close to St Johns. The establishment looked clean and interesting yet I will be unable to write a full review as I was unable to obtain any service. There was an Ethiopian fellow inside the entrance with a menu in his hands who was greeting the middle-aged white patrons entering the restaurant before and after me. However when he saw me he turned and engaged a table of African gentleman and disappeared around the corner. A lady then came out of the kitchen wearing an Enat's shirt so I'm guessing she is obviously an employee as well. She looked at me then walked around and made small talk with patrons, came back & looked at me again before returning to the kitchen. Maybe they don't mind Mexicans in the kitchen washing their dishes, but they sure didn't seem to want this one in their restaurant eating any food.
(1)Arden T.
My favorite Ethiopian spot in the city. I bring all my friends and out-of-town visitors here and they've all loved it too. The 2-person combo is easily enough for 3-4 people, but leftovers fare well the next day, as the injera has time to soak up all the flavor. Dammnnnnn good. Try the coffee after dinner. It's thick and bitter, like Turkish coffee, and will have you very caffeine-blazed and ready to leap out of your seat. Impressive after eating all that nap-inducing food.
(5)Bethy A.
I'm Ethiopian and I approve this restaurant!!! Enat is Amharic for Mother, so you're literally eating an authentic, incredibly flavorful and spicy home-cooked meal from your mothers kitchen (without having to deal with the burning of eyes from onions, the occasional fire alarm, hair/clothes that smell like they've been drenched in kebbeh & Berbere) #habeshaproblems. Also, you can't deny that the aroma and colors are simply divine! Okay I'm done drooling. #authentic #flavor #spice #aroma
(5)Sara S.
Simply the best! This food was such a delight to eat again. I I didn't know if I just got lucky the first time but now two in a row of heaven in my mouth!
(5)Leah C.
I would give this place 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up because I found the staff to be friendly and helpful. My husband and I ate here on a Thursday night. It was dead when we walked in, but picked up significantly within a half hour. It reminded me of other Ethiopian restaurants I've eaten at, so it was exactly what I wanted. We did a family style meal and it was delicious. The only dish I felt meh about was the potato dish, it just didn't have enough flavor. However, I really liked the lamb dish we got, and I'm not a big fan of lamb. The honey wine was both sweeter and tangier than I remember. I would definitely come back to this place, but next time I would come with a big group.
(4)Arun R.
Some of the best ethiopian food I've had in portland! Had the timatim fitfit for appetizers, vegetarian platter with 5 sides as the main course and a traditional ethiopian coffee. Everything was delicious! The appetizer and the shiro in the entree were especially tasty!
(5)Brittanie M.
I was happy to give this place a try and experience something a little different. I'm not very familiar with this type of food, but I ordered a combination veggie plate and got to try several different dishes. I don't know if it was this in particular or the food in general, but it didn't do a whole lot for me. Not bad, but nothing too exciting either. Aside from the food though, what was somewhat frustrating about this place was the way they prepared my take out order. I specifically asked twice that they package each entree separately, since they were for 3 different people with very different dietary restrictions. Upon arrival, I found they did not do that, and they ended up making it all spicy when I specified that I only wanted 1 dish to be spicy. Additionally, they did not label anything. This made things somewhat difficult because everything literally looked the same on the outside since it was all wrapped in the bread. I'm simply stating this because from their website, it appears they may have recently began offering takeout, and I see a few areas of improvement to their current process. Because of this experience I don't think I will be ordering take out from here again.
(2)Tracy F.
Walked in at 1:50, one person seated, waitress comes out and we ask if they're open and have a lunch buffet. She said yes and motioned towards the six uncovered, crusted over, four hour old steam trays of unlabeled mush. We said thanks, give us a moment to decide if we are staying. She disappeared, we tried to tell her no thank you before we left but she was gone. We won't be back.
(2)Brenda S.
I don't know much about Ethiopian food, but my friend wanted to go. I looked up local places through Yelp, and found that Enat had the most consistent of positive reviews. Even though it's street parking, we easily found a spot - even on a Friday night. There were a few people in the restaurant and we were able to sit in a booth. I knew we wanted to catch-up and the low noise level allowed us to do so. I thought the dining experience was wonderful, given my lack of knowledge of Ethiopian food. We ordered the Couples dish with five vegetable options and two meats. We wanted the Doro Wot, but they had run out, so we opted for a beef and a lamb option. Everything was delicious and blended nicely with our evening of conversation.
(4)Maximus C.
I went for a late lunch with my sweetheart. The place was dead except for a couple of guys drinking at the bar. All seemed well until I started hearing microwave dings coming from the kitchen...ding...ding.... The food arrives, had no spice to it whatsoever, the meat was overcooked (the menu stated that the beef would be medium) and just overall blah. Everything was obviously heated in the microwave, nothing fresh. I can make better Ethiopian food at home so why did I bother?
(2)Griffy C.
Food was fantastic. Had the couples thing where you choose a variety of different dishes, all were amazing. We got rice along with the bread but it wasn't even needed. Will definitely come back next time I'm in Portland.
(5)Natalie B.
I got the kik key wot with injera and it was PHENOMENAL. I asked the waitress what she recommended (a habit of mine) and I was very pleased. I love eating with my hands, forming each individual bite as I desire. The injera was the best I've had -- a key element! Anyways, I will definitely be returning to this place to try all the vegetarian options (which are plentiful)...First dinner out in Portland was a success!
(5)Jane I.
I love food with heavy spices, and hot spices with a variety of textures, so I'm pretty big on Ethiopian cuisine. Also, I have an appreciation for out of culture experiences such as eating with my hands, so when I heard about this place being legit I just had to try it. The portions were descent, maybe a bit on the smaller side from what I am used to getting [I got the veggie combo], however it was still enough to feed two people. So, that's not too much of a concern. Also, I'm used to Ethiopian food being more naturally on the spicy side, and the food wasn't spicy at all. Additionally, the service was very nice and attentive, yet slow to actually serve you where it loses a few points. None the less, the ingredients and flavor were good and the style was surely Ethiopian. This place is pretty authentic down to the slowness of a mom and pop shop type of joint [which is cool cause it's not all puffed-up hipstery], and it gave me my fix for Ethiopian cuisine. I like my ethnic food heavy on the authentic side, and not "white washed" in fusion aspects, so this place suffices.
(3)Rachel Jo-yu C.
I've been many Ethiopian restaurants in town, this one is definitely the best in me and my bf's opinion. Family style includes 2 meat dishes and 5 vegetables, with plenty of fresh injera, and order a glass of honey wine. O heavenly.
(5)Archie R.
This place has great Ethiopian Food . Wonderful and flavorful. The veggie combo platter has a great sample of all the dishes. The coffee here is great. They also sell their roast coffee beans, just ask them when they aren't that busy ;)..
(5)Laura N.
My husband and I had a very enjoyable dinner here tonight. We often have a difficult time finding a restaurant we both can enjoy as I am vegetarian and he eats a strict paleo diet. But not only did we find what we each liked but it was served traditionally on one large plate. We got to share and eat with our hands which made it even more pleasurable. The food was seasoned perfectly. I would have scored the restaurant higher but the restrooms were in very poor condition. But other than that, the food was excellent, service was friendly and the bill was not too expensive. Perfect for a date night.
(4)Jan D.
Don't hesitate because the place doesn't look like much. The food is wonderful, best since Jarras closed. Fresh spicy salads, great miser wat, the cabbage and potatoes also particularly good, and the enjeera. The people are friendly and will take good care of you, though it can get busy some nights. A nice mix of Ethiopian patrons craving home cooking and new Portland fans, lots of young couples and families. The food here is addictive, we go every week, and always leave happy. The prices are great. Enjoy!
(5)Daniel C.
This being my second time ever trying Ethiopian food, I really enjoyed it this time 'round! The décor here doesn't scream "fine dining" but it's very comfortable and homey. There's booth seats along the window, a small amount of table seating in the middle of the dining room, and a limited amount of seating around the small tiki bar/cashier station toward the back. Good for groups of 4, maybe 5 Ethiopians. The food was outstanding! I tried the Enat Special, which is a spicy minced beef, and a spicy dish of fish with assorted veggies and sauce. The flavors were absolutely great, and all the little accompaniments such as the cheese, collared greens, and salad were perfect. I loved rolling up all the splendid flavors into the doughy ethnic bread they use and taking bite after succulent bite. 5 stars for the food. The service was also very pleasant and friendly, if slightly unorganized. It is a family owned and operated business, so they really care about the experience you receive and will come around to check on you periodically. Street parking is a breeze in this neck, so you shouldn't have any issues finding some. I would recommend coming here with friends, family, or a coworker for a nice Ethiopian meal. Enjoy.
(4)Katherine G.
Very good Ethiopian food...I am not a fan of split peas and asked to get the veg sampler without those two items, and our server gladly obliged. Each item was well-spiced without being unbearably hot, and I had to take breaks to breathe as the portions are plentiful. FYI The injera bread seems to be whole grain and is gluten-free, so that's an added bonus for some folks. Just one caveat: The service was slow and we ended up bringing the credit card in and signing so that we could leave. It was one young lady serving the whole place, so that was why. That was pretty much the only drawback.
(4)Hayden N.
North Portland knows how to do good Ethiopian food. My friend requested E'Njoni Cafe for his birthday, however, they are closed on Mondays! After reading reviews and, mainly, looking at pictures...we met up at Enat Kitchen down the street for lunch. We opted to do the family style couple over the lunch buffet, you get your choice of two meat dishes and five veggie dishes for $27. Since this was his first time having Ethiopian food, it was nice to have smaller portions of a variety of different dishes. We did the Doro Wot and Lamb Tibs as meat options then our veggie combo: Alicha Wot, Kik Key Wot, Gomen, Buticha, and Shiro. Doro Wot is my all-time favourite Ethiopian dish, it's a stewed chicken in a red pepper sauce--they do it slightly different here. They don't include the hard-boiled egg and the sauce isn't as thick, there are way too many onion in it maybe the onion are normally pureed to get that thicker texture. Don't get me wrong, it was still delicious yet I prefer their Tibs over the Doro Wot. My friend liked the Tibs and Shiro (a pureed split pea). Personally, I love the Gomen (collard greens). The food wasn't as spicy as I'd liked so I requested some more Bebere spices. In most Ethiopian restaurants, there's that motherly lady that does all the cooking so she comes out with a jalapeno and habanero sauce along with some bebere spices. My friend was sweating bullets after trying the habanero sauce but I enjoyed it and that made her happy that someone could tolerate the spiciness of the sauce. Every time I go into an Ethiopian restaurant, the staff is always so hospitable and feels like you are eating in someone's home. Enat Kitchen may not be the fanciest place, however, the food and service was amazing.
(4)Josh M.
The lunch buffet is solid, only complaint is the limited choices, Menbere was very hospitable and took his time explaining what each dish was, will definitely be back to try dinner
(4)Celina A.
When I was in Portland for work I couldn't pass up the chance to eat Ethiopian. After searching the web to find out the best place to go, it looked like "Enat Kitchen" was our best bet. Enat's is constantly winning the "best of Ethiopian" for best injera, meat dish & best overall- though not the highest ranked on yelp, which I can't figure out why. Probably because Enat caters to the local Ethiopian community and hasn't done a good job of marketing themselves to faranji's (foreigners). DON'T let this deter you. The food is WONDERFUL. Reminiscent of a local joint in Addis there is traditional décor, music in the background and the option of eating around a traditional table (Mesob). They offer a traditional coffee ceremony upon request and I would highly suggest that if you have never experience before. The food is traditional and has robust flavors that taste just like home. Enat makes it easy to sample many of the vegetarian dishes. We ordered the veggie combo and were surprised that all of the different dishes tasted fresh and individual. Since all of the wot is made ahead of time it can sometimes taste bland and cold. Many place don't take the time to stew the wot to let all of the flavors come out. At Enat they all tasted fresh and full of flavor. Of all the vegetarian dishes, the Gomen (collard greens) was my least favorite. Next time I would order it with out the Gomen and an extra serving of Atkilt (cabbage, potatoes & carrots) since that was the smallest portion on the sampler. We also had the tibs which were delicious. We ordered the beef tibs and they were served in a sauce that was so delicious I could have liked it off my fingers. Pour it straight onto the injera and let it soak in. This will be the best pieces to eat up later. First Timers: don't be afraid of eating with your hands and using the injera. You may be tempted to order rice, you won't eat it. The Injera is some of the best I've had in the states. It was a little dry and not a sponge as others, but a great taste. It was not too sour, and was a great beginner injera. You will love it. Tip: Start with the salad, it's a simple dish but perfectly complements all of the spice and flavors of a combo platter. Add a glass of Tej (Ethioppian honey wine) to complete the meal. As good as it gets outside of Ethiopia!
(5)Hana A.
We ordered the family style lunch that comes with five veggies and two meat dishes. The food was all right. The sourdough bread was soft and very good. I thought the service was sorely lacking. The waitress was MIA for most of the meal.
(3)Portly P.
Ethiopian is my favorite cuisine, I cook it at home, and I've been to dozens of ethiopian restaurants around the world. Enat Kitchen is one of the best, maybe the best if you factor in consistency. There's a very reasonably priced buffet, but I honestly recommend ordering something instead. The shiro wot is to die for, and of course, get coffee after dinner (often comes with incense!).
(5)Madeline F.
This is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in Portland. The injera is some of the best I've had. I recommend ordering the family size platters, as you get a variety of dishes at a good rate. The vegetarian dishes are to die for. The restaurant itself is very casual and not incredibly inviting, but the service is good. Takeout portions are large, so I often choose to bring the food home. Be sure to order at least 30 minutes ahead for takeout. Overall, Enat Kitchen is a wonderful, authentic hidden gem.
(4)Mengesha S.
Today (10/8) I visited Enat Kitchen the 2nd time after my last review, I have no choice but to go to Enat because of the food is the BEST Ethiopian food in Oregon, their service is greatly improving,as Ethiopian I have tried every Ethiopian restaurant in Oregon by far Enat will be on top. My last review I gave Enat 2 stars because of their service only,but on this visit I am giving them 5 stars and hoping they will stay On top of it. If you never try Ethiopian food before I will recommend you to try Enat Kitchen.
(5)Veronika A.
Enat's food is addictive; beautifully blended spices, perfect bouncy and slightly tangy enjera, freshest vegetables and meat, all perfectly cooked! Plus, the owners are fabulously sweet and care about how you enjoy your meal. A must go!
(5)Willie N.
This is the best Ethiopian food in Portland! It is a must on my Portland porkfest agenda!! Pay them a visit, you will not regret it!!! I always get the vegetarian family style and add a spicy chicken dish. You better bring a few friends who bath regularly for family style. It is custom to eat with your hands!
(5)Sophia T.
the food was ok. the flavors were ok. i enjoyed the shiro. the salad was so bland. i like my salad with abundant citrus flavor. c'mon people!
(3)mo m.
If you have a hankering for Ethiopian, I would recommend Enat on account of two things: decent service and an inviting dining space. I've tried a few other joints around this neighborhood, and Enat definitely provides the most pleasant dining experience. The waitstaff are friendly and attentive, and they are clearly proud of the food they serve. Don't get me wrong, the food is good. Fluffy injira, fresh greens, stewed lamb, what's not to like? But seriously, compared to the place above the grocery store and that other place where it might take you an hour to get your food, this place is like ethiopian food heaven.
(4)Melanie B.
Lunch buffet is bottomless, affordable and most of all delicious. Several entrees and sides to choose from and that yummy pancake bread stuff... traditional Ethiopian coffee experience made from beans roasted daily in these cool little cups. Sooo good. Sometimes I stop by just for some coffee (they also have booze if you're into that). (o:
(5)Joanie D.
The food was amazing... Full of flavor, the presentation was beautiful. The chicken tibs were so yummy!! The service was friendly and accommodating! We will be back for sure!! Highly recommended!!
(5)Bear S.
The best place for this type of food. My wife and I order here if we are in the mood for such a thing. The people that own it are very kind and generous. Large plates and great tasting. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Jana H.
My husband and I love Ethiopian food, this place is amazing. The buffet is great and the family style combination with lamb. Yummy!!!
(5)Alice H.
Enat was absurdly delicious! We went with a party of four on Christmas Eve, and were greeted with strong warm coffee, sweet traditional wine, and genuine smiles. If you're with a group, definitely order the family platter! Beware: the food is deceivingly filling. In the best way.
(5)Bernie F.
Tasty food, very helpful recommendations and friendly service. Good portion sizes, reasonable prices, clean establishment.
(4)Caitlin C.
As an Ethiopian food junky, Portland's hog heaven for me. We have so many options to choose from that we can afford to be picky. I decided to check out Enat Kitchen based on some strong Yelp reviews and positive mentions in the Willamette Week. My conclusion: Enat Kitchen proves itself as the best bang for your buck in the Portland Ethiopian food scene. First of all, the service is great--expect to get seated quickly with servers attending to you promptly. They are friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient to boot. The food hits the spot as well! I ordered the vegetarian combo and, despite the large portion, yummed it all up in one sitting! (Always the sign of a good meal!) My only critique has to do with the space itself. The restaurant feels a bit haphazardly decorated. I felt very jealous walking past the adjoining market and hearing authentic Ethiopian jazz--they should be playing that in the restaurant too! Nevertheless, Enat Kitchen comes out on top for the value, even if the overall experience could use some polish. I'd love to go back and inhale another vegetarian combo!
(4)John G.
I am experienced with many of the Ethiopian places in Portland and Enat's is about my favorite place for quality of the food. The food is very good, very tasty and my only wish is that they spice up some of the meat dishes a bit more. Their Injera is the best in town - always fresh, spongy and sour. It's got a pretty good atmosphere, very folksy and friendly and the staff are always nice. Service is not slow and they are attentive. I could nit pit a few things having to do with the layout I suppose but how can you not give 5 stars to a place with such good food and the best Injera in Portland?
(5)Andrew A.
I'm like a Pavlov dog: anytime a restaurant is rated the "Best..." I'm there within a few days. This happened with Enat as they were voted Portland's best Ethiopian best restaurant by Willamette Week. Upon entering I was greeted by odd stares of 15 customers, 14 of which were Ethiopian. Not stared-down mind you, but more of a "maybe he's lost." The $7.50 lunch buffet is quite the deal. It consisted of: one very flavorable and popular meat dish, lentils in a creamy sauce, yellow peas/curry, cabbage, a potato and sauce concoction and my favorite, the collard greens. There was also a full basket of Injera. This is the fourth Ethiopian venue I've tried in PDX and the quality was right up there with my favorite: Queen of Sheba. My timing couldn't have been better as a daily coffee ceremony started right after I finished my meal. First, they paraded a pan of freshly roasted coffee beans throughout the restaurant, most of the patrons really tried to get a full whiff of it. Then, all the patrons gathered in a separate section and were served a small cup - with or without sugar - by the delightful owner. Complimentary baskets of pop corn were also offered. Enat is where Ethiopians go, so it's reasonable to say that it's authentic, even though I've never been to Ethiopia. Lastly, the server was so very sweet.
(4)Alice C.
One of the best Ethiopian places in Portland, as of Feb. 2014--and I've tried most of them. Food is more authentic than at several other places, meaning they do use butter in the cooking, and they cook things long enough to let rich flavors develop.
(4)Robert H.
This is a review of the lunch buffet, at a very reasonable $7.95! The dishes included lentils in a red sauce, lentils in a green sauce, carrots-potatoes-cabbage with turmeric, potatoes in a red tomato sauce, collards and beef in tomato sauce. They have an electric hot plate system that keeps all the serving dishes hot. None of the dishes were spicy, and they seemed healthier than some places with less oil. As others have mentioned, almost all the clientele at lunch are from that part of the world and speaking one of the many languages found there. Though I have not been to Ethiopia, it reminded me of several other countries I've visited where the men congregate for hours talking about business opportunities all day, while the women do the work!
(3)Holy-foo' X.
I'm not completely certain, but I'm pretty sure there are more Ethiopian restaurants in a small radius of No-Po, no more than a couple of miles all told, than there are of McDonald's, Burger Kings, andTaco Bells in all of North Portland combined. I couldn't be more thrilled by such a piece of minutia. There may be hope for us afterall... The lunch buffet is how to check out Enat the most economically (a VERY reasonable $8) as well as allow you to try out the maximum number of plates and dishes.As always, I love the spicy lamb chunks, wrapped in Injera bread. This is some great eats for $11 ala cart, still a reasonable value. I would have preferred that they turn up the heat several serious notches, but it was delicious and had that lovely tang to it from the sour Injera dough. If you have never tried Ethiopian before, Please consider giving Enat a try.... or Enjon'i down the block, which is a bit more upscale and expensive than Enat, but also offers a great Lunch buffet...
(4)Stacey D.
Luckily I went to an Ethiopian restaurant for the frist time with two beautiful, lovely Ethiopian women who knew just what to order for me. They say it is their favorite Ethiopian food in Portland, and I believe them. It was delicious.
(4)L Z.
Good, fine, fresh and tasty, good prices, but ambiance and services weren't super fancy. This is exactly what 3 stars means to me- good for the price, would go again, but definitely keep searching for better places too.
(3)Anna M.
I got a to-go order. They gave me extra injera. The food was great, service impecable. I'm a jerk for not going sooner. This will be at least a monthly stop for me.
(4)Alex R.
My new favorite Ethiopian with the right price . I could eat here every day, delicious and service with a smile. Plus it's right across from campus.
(5)Ronald A.
My wife and I had dinner here last Friday; we have been looking for good Ethiopian food. This is my favorite right now. The lamb had the right spices and took me back to Ethiopia. We also had chicken tibs and assorted vegetables; both were very good. I would skip the Ethiopian beer on my next visit. The service was good and the staff very friendly. I am looking forward to going back. Please give it a try.
(4)fon z.
This place is becoming our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in town. The owner is a single working mom and super nice. The food is good and consistent. I always see a lot of Ethiopian peopl eating here; that speaks volume of the authenticity and quality. If you are an adventurous eater you should check out their kitfo, a raw beef dish. Yes! I said raw not rare. If not, try their lamb they are always delicious.
(4)Maryna P.
This is a quiet solid Ethiopian restaurant. On a Friday evening there was only two busy tables other than ours, and they seemed mostly friends of the restaurant staff. We got a combination plate, which was a little pricy if you ask me. The veggie dishes - greens and peas - were good. Nothing extraordinary, but still delicious. The meat was well done. There was a chicken breast dish which I had never seen in any other Ethiopian restaurant before. Having lived in Ethiopia, I'm not even sure if I'd call it Ethiopian food. BUT, it was really good. Definitely a hit. That said, I just wasn't very impressed. What I was impressed by is that the place seems to be very involved in Ethiopian community, and on top of that the service was just excellent. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and honest in her recommendations. She was the highlight of our visit to this restaurant.
(3)Marit T.
My boyfriend and I went to Enat Kitchen for the second time last night. We ordered the exact same dishes as we did the first time, simply because it was the best food we'd ever had. We got the azifa fitfit appetizer with lentils, split peas, and pieces of injera. Absolutely delicious. Be aware that even medium is very hot if you're not used to spicy foods. We then ordered the chicken tibs and the beef key wot. I still can't decide which I liked better, but I do know that we could barely move after eating the entire (huge) plate of injera and delicious, tender meat in the most flavorful sauces. It is truly addictive. I have been to other Ethiopian restaurants and can say that Enat far surpasses any other place that I've tried. Both times, service was quick and incredibly friendly which by itself is a reason to keep coming back. I love love LOVE Enat Kitchen and would strongly recommend it to anyone.
(5)Dinah C.
alright awesome!!! I come in with a sore throat not feeling tops..and they deliver!!! Hot spicy lentils, collard greens, and an an assortment of all the vegetable dishes just so I can try them..with a cup of ginger tea with honey...Lovely experience
(5)Ro W.
Stopped in for lunch and enjoyed their buffet. Gomen (greens) was delicious, as was doro wat and lentils. Injera nicely done. I have forgotten what else I sampled but it was all good. The berbere sauce was not as spicy as some, but on the buffet it made sense not to kill american tongues. Super nice staff, and the place seems to be owned and run by single women, sisters I think. Clean, fast, and service was great. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Kevin H.
This place has really great food. The chicken, lamb and lentils were especially delicious. The injera is perfect. The mixed vegetables were a bit oily and plain. They serve an Ethiopian beer which is well worth trying. The ambiance was nothing interesting...they played some presumably African music while simultaneously blaring the Blazers game. The service is very friendly. We will be going back regularly!
(4)Terry S.
Absolutely amazing food, fresh, very flavorful and lots of choices! Excellent service, helpful explanation of dishes, meeting all the demands of a table of 9 with both food and beverages in such a timely fashion. Spotless with nice ambiance and plenty of parking! My favorite Ethiopian!
(5)Gabe G.
Very tasty chicken dish - one of the best ethiopian dishes I've had in Portland. Veggie split peas were simple but good.
(4)Lindsey D.
We had a large event of 70 people catered by Enat Kitchen. I worked with Membi over the course of 2 weeks to develop a menu for our guests, many of whom had never tasted Ethiopian food before. Membi was easy to work with and was very accessible via phone. The food was delicious ! Membi and the folks at Enat did a wonderful job. We will be back.
(5)Nicholas Z.
The best out of the four ethiopian places (two on Broadway, another in the burbs) I've tried in town so far. I love Kitfo and Gored Gored, and was never turned away here! (many places only serve those dishes on weekends or special occasions). Try the weekend buffet if you're in a hurry, and want a sampling of many of the standard greens/lentil dishes. Tibs and wot , as everything else on the menu, made with care and quality. Great vegan, or at least veggie options, too. Very tasty, original, and made with absolute respect for the palate!
(4)Sara J.
Stop what you're doing right NOW and go to Enat Kitchen, on 300 N. Killingsworth. I had never had Ethiopian food before today and oh my heavens...so good. I had the beef stew and then lamb stew in berbere sauce - deep red spicy yumminess. Spongy delicious injera bread on the side. Then I had lentils mixed with more of the injera, and finally, homemade cottage cheese - mouthgasm! Usually after a heavy meal I feel like plotzing but ohhhh it was so good, I felt so energized and happy afterwards! What a great experience.
(5)Gary B.
Very endearing customer service and excellent food.
(5)Jason D.
This place ain't much to look at, but the food is dynamite. Probably the best injera I have ever tasted, made in house of course. I usually get the lunch buffet. It's very small, with only one meat dish, usually beef or lamb in bere-bere sauce. The meat is super tender and there's really nothing that compares to a good bere-bere. It's spicy but not over the top. The vegetarian bere-bere dish has potatoes and carrots, and is actually a little spicier. The rest of the dishes include collard greens, a couple of types of lentils, and a cabbage and carrot dish made with a spice I can't place, but it is excellent. The chafing dishes in the buffet cart are never more than a quarter full. They don't like their food sitting there drying out, so even though it's a buffet, it's almost like cooked to order, because they basically just replace what people take as they take it. Their spiced iced tea is also great. Couple of hints: don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. There's no way to avoid it. Use plenty of napkins. Second, unroll a couple of injera and cover your plate with it. Cover with goodness from the buffet. When you're done, eat the plate (so to speak). Staff is also super nice.
(4)Dejene T.
Best ethio food in PDX! My family immigrated to the US and one corner stone of the Ethiopian culture is food. Even though can tear it up in the kitchen cooking ethio food, there are days when she is just too tired or a special occasion comes up. Enat is where she wants to go! Very authentic food and very similar to the same style cooked when I went to Ethiopia a couple years ago.
(5)Joey F.
Tried the lunch buffet. Had one lamb dish and three veggie dishes. Injera and rice was also available. Good flavor and service.
(4)Shezza W.
The food was wonderful, but the service was slow. It took 30 minutes to receive appetizers and 1.5 hours to get entrees (appetizers and entrees ordered at the same time). I would not return due to length of time to be waited on and served.
(3)F M.
I came here for the lunch buffet twice and took home the Veggie Combo for dinner/breakfast both times. The food is very tasty, and the injera is great. I do wish they had more meat options during the buffet, though. It looks like it's owned by a family, or at least a group of close-knit people, and they seem to have very good relations with returning customers in the neighborhood. The staff is friendly and helpful. It's a good, quiet place to get lunch. I'll definitely be back for more.
(4)Andrew J.
My wife and I have tried almost every Ethiopian restaurant in Portland. There are plenty to choose from and most are quite good. Enat is in a class of its own. Each time we've been we're the only non-Ethiopians. The food is excellent and authentic. The injera is great. The owner is gracious and friendly. She brought my son extra lentils and offered a new dish for him to try that is her son's favorite. The decor is simply.
(5)Joanie D.
The food was amazing... Full of flavor, the presentation was beautiful. The chicken tibs were so yummy!! The service was friendly and accommodating! We will be back for sure!! Highly recommended!!
(5)Bear S.
The best place for this type of food. My wife and I order here if we are in the mood for such a thing. The people that own it are very kind and generous. Large plates and great tasting. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Jana H.
My husband and I love Ethiopian food, this place is amazing. The buffet is great and the family style combination with lamb. Yummy!!!
(5)Caitlin C.
As an Ethiopian food junky, Portland's hog heaven for me. We have so many options to choose from that we can afford to be picky. I decided to check out Enat Kitchen based on some strong Yelp reviews and positive mentions in the Willamette Week. My conclusion: Enat Kitchen proves itself as the best bang for your buck in the Portland Ethiopian food scene. First of all, the service is great--expect to get seated quickly with servers attending to you promptly. They are friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient to boot. The food hits the spot as well! I ordered the vegetarian combo and, despite the large portion, yummed it all up in one sitting! (Always the sign of a good meal!) My only critique has to do with the space itself. The restaurant feels a bit haphazardly decorated. I felt very jealous walking past the adjoining market and hearing authentic Ethiopian jazz--they should be playing that in the restaurant too! Nevertheless, Enat Kitchen comes out on top for the value, even if the overall experience could use some polish. I'd love to go back and inhale another vegetarian combo!
(4)John G.
I am experienced with many of the Ethiopian places in Portland and Enat's is about my favorite place for quality of the food. The food is very good, very tasty and my only wish is that they spice up some of the meat dishes a bit more. Their Injera is the best in town - always fresh, spongy and sour. It's got a pretty good atmosphere, very folksy and friendly and the staff are always nice. Service is not slow and they are attentive. I could nit pit a few things having to do with the layout I suppose but how can you not give 5 stars to a place with such good food and the best Injera in Portland?
(5)Gabe G.
Very tasty chicken dish - one of the best ethiopian dishes I've had in Portland. Veggie split peas were simple but good.
(4)Lindsey D.
We had a large event of 70 people catered by Enat Kitchen. I worked with Membi over the course of 2 weeks to develop a menu for our guests, many of whom had never tasted Ethiopian food before. Membi was easy to work with and was very accessible via phone. The food was delicious ! Membi and the folks at Enat did a wonderful job. We will be back.
(5)Madeline F.
This is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in Portland. The injera is some of the best I've had. I recommend ordering the family size platters, as you get a variety of dishes at a good rate. The vegetarian dishes are to die for. The restaurant itself is very casual and not incredibly inviting, but the service is good. Takeout portions are large, so I often choose to bring the food home. Be sure to order at least 30 minutes ahead for takeout. Overall, Enat Kitchen is a wonderful, authentic hidden gem.
(4)Willie N.
This is the best Ethiopian food in Portland! It is a must on my Portland porkfest agenda!! Pay them a visit, you will not regret it!!! I always get the vegetarian family style and add a spicy chicken dish. You better bring a few friends who bath regularly for family style. It is custom to eat with your hands!
(5)Jason D.
This place ain't much to look at, but the food is dynamite. Probably the best injera I have ever tasted, made in house of course. I usually get the lunch buffet. It's very small, with only one meat dish, usually beef or lamb in bere-bere sauce. The meat is super tender and there's really nothing that compares to a good bere-bere. It's spicy but not over the top. The vegetarian bere-bere dish has potatoes and carrots, and is actually a little spicier. The rest of the dishes include collard greens, a couple of types of lentils, and a cabbage and carrot dish made with a spice I can't place, but it is excellent. The chafing dishes in the buffet cart are never more than a quarter full. They don't like their food sitting there drying out, so even though it's a buffet, it's almost like cooked to order, because they basically just replace what people take as they take it. Their spiced iced tea is also great. Couple of hints: don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. There's no way to avoid it. Use plenty of napkins. Second, unroll a couple of injera and cover your plate with it. Cover with goodness from the buffet. When you're done, eat the plate (so to speak). Staff is also super nice.
(4)Dejene T.
Best ethio food in PDX! My family immigrated to the US and one corner stone of the Ethiopian culture is food. Even though can tear it up in the kitchen cooking ethio food, there are days when she is just too tired or a special occasion comes up. Enat is where she wants to go! Very authentic food and very similar to the same style cooked when I went to Ethiopia a couple years ago.
(5)Joey F.
Tried the lunch buffet. Had one lamb dish and three veggie dishes. Injera and rice was also available. Good flavor and service.
(4)Shezza W.
The food was wonderful, but the service was slow. It took 30 minutes to receive appetizers and 1.5 hours to get entrees (appetizers and entrees ordered at the same time). I would not return due to length of time to be waited on and served.
(3)F M.
I came here for the lunch buffet twice and took home the Veggie Combo for dinner/breakfast both times. The food is very tasty, and the injera is great. I do wish they had more meat options during the buffet, though. It looks like it's owned by a family, or at least a group of close-knit people, and they seem to have very good relations with returning customers in the neighborhood. The staff is friendly and helpful. It's a good, quiet place to get lunch. I'll definitely be back for more.
(4)Andrew J.
My wife and I have tried almost every Ethiopian restaurant in Portland. There are plenty to choose from and most are quite good. Enat is in a class of its own. Each time we've been we're the only non-Ethiopians. The food is excellent and authentic. The injera is great. The owner is gracious and friendly. She brought my son extra lentils and offered a new dish for him to try that is her son's favorite. The decor is simply.
(5)Katherine G.
Very good Ethiopian food...I am not a fan of split peas and asked to get the veg sampler without those two items, and our server gladly obliged. Each item was well-spiced without being unbearably hot, and I had to take breaks to breathe as the portions are plentiful. FYI The injera bread seems to be whole grain and is gluten-free, so that's an added bonus for some folks. Just one caveat: The service was slow and we ended up bringing the credit card in and signing so that we could leave. It was one young lady serving the whole place, so that was why. That was pretty much the only drawback.
(4)Sophia T.
the food was ok. the flavors were ok. i enjoyed the shiro. the salad was so bland. i like my salad with abundant citrus flavor. c'mon people!
(3)mo m.
If you have a hankering for Ethiopian, I would recommend Enat on account of two things: decent service and an inviting dining space. I've tried a few other joints around this neighborhood, and Enat definitely provides the most pleasant dining experience. The waitstaff are friendly and attentive, and they are clearly proud of the food they serve. Don't get me wrong, the food is good. Fluffy injira, fresh greens, stewed lamb, what's not to like? But seriously, compared to the place above the grocery store and that other place where it might take you an hour to get your food, this place is like ethiopian food heaven.
(4)Melanie B.
Lunch buffet is bottomless, affordable and most of all delicious. Several entrees and sides to choose from and that yummy pancake bread stuff... traditional Ethiopian coffee experience made from beans roasted daily in these cool little cups. Sooo good. Sometimes I stop by just for some coffee (they also have booze if you're into that). (o:
(5)Andrew A.
I'm like a Pavlov dog: anytime a restaurant is rated the "Best..." I'm there within a few days. This happened with Enat as they were voted Portland's best Ethiopian best restaurant by Willamette Week. Upon entering I was greeted by odd stares of 15 customers, 14 of which were Ethiopian. Not stared-down mind you, but more of a "maybe he's lost." The $7.50 lunch buffet is quite the deal. It consisted of: one very flavorable and popular meat dish, lentils in a creamy sauce, yellow peas/curry, cabbage, a potato and sauce concoction and my favorite, the collard greens. There was also a full basket of Injera. This is the fourth Ethiopian venue I've tried in PDX and the quality was right up there with my favorite: Queen of Sheba. My timing couldn't have been better as a daily coffee ceremony started right after I finished my meal. First, they paraded a pan of freshly roasted coffee beans throughout the restaurant, most of the patrons really tried to get a full whiff of it. Then, all the patrons gathered in a separate section and were served a small cup - with or without sugar - by the delightful owner. Complimentary baskets of pop corn were also offered. Enat is where Ethiopians go, so it's reasonable to say that it's authentic, even though I've never been to Ethiopia. Lastly, the server was so very sweet.
(4)Alice C.
One of the best Ethiopian places in Portland, as of Feb. 2014--and I've tried most of them. Food is more authentic than at several other places, meaning they do use butter in the cooking, and they cook things long enough to let rich flavors develop.
(4)Alice H.
Enat was absurdly delicious! We went with a party of four on Christmas Eve, and were greeted with strong warm coffee, sweet traditional wine, and genuine smiles. If you're with a group, definitely order the family platter! Beware: the food is deceivingly filling. In the best way.
(5)Bernie F.
Tasty food, very helpful recommendations and friendly service. Good portion sizes, reasonable prices, clean establishment.
(4)Robert H.
This is a review of the lunch buffet, at a very reasonable $7.95! The dishes included lentils in a red sauce, lentils in a green sauce, carrots-potatoes-cabbage with turmeric, potatoes in a red tomato sauce, collards and beef in tomato sauce. They have an electric hot plate system that keeps all the serving dishes hot. None of the dishes were spicy, and they seemed healthier than some places with less oil. As others have mentioned, almost all the clientele at lunch are from that part of the world and speaking one of the many languages found there. Though I have not been to Ethiopia, it reminded me of several other countries I've visited where the men congregate for hours talking about business opportunities all day, while the women do the work!
(3)Maryna P.
This is a quiet solid Ethiopian restaurant. On a Friday evening there was only two busy tables other than ours, and they seemed mostly friends of the restaurant staff. We got a combination plate, which was a little pricy if you ask me. The veggie dishes - greens and peas - were good. Nothing extraordinary, but still delicious. The meat was well done. There was a chicken breast dish which I had never seen in any other Ethiopian restaurant before. Having lived in Ethiopia, I'm not even sure if I'd call it Ethiopian food. BUT, it was really good. Definitely a hit. That said, I just wasn't very impressed. What I was impressed by is that the place seems to be very involved in Ethiopian community, and on top of that the service was just excellent. Our waitress was friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and honest in her recommendations. She was the highlight of our visit to this restaurant.
(3)Marit T.
My boyfriend and I went to Enat Kitchen for the second time last night. We ordered the exact same dishes as we did the first time, simply because it was the best food we'd ever had. We got the azifa fitfit appetizer with lentils, split peas, and pieces of injera. Absolutely delicious. Be aware that even medium is very hot if you're not used to spicy foods. We then ordered the chicken tibs and the beef key wot. I still can't decide which I liked better, but I do know that we could barely move after eating the entire (huge) plate of injera and delicious, tender meat in the most flavorful sauces. It is truly addictive. I have been to other Ethiopian restaurants and can say that Enat far surpasses any other place that I've tried. Both times, service was quick and incredibly friendly which by itself is a reason to keep coming back. I love love LOVE Enat Kitchen and would strongly recommend it to anyone.
(5)Dinah C.
alright awesome!!! I come in with a sore throat not feeling tops..and they deliver!!! Hot spicy lentils, collard greens, and an an assortment of all the vegetable dishes just so I can try them..with a cup of ginger tea with honey...Lovely experience
(5)Ro W.
Stopped in for lunch and enjoyed their buffet. Gomen (greens) was delicious, as was doro wat and lentils. Injera nicely done. I have forgotten what else I sampled but it was all good. The berbere sauce was not as spicy as some, but on the buffet it made sense not to kill american tongues. Super nice staff, and the place seems to be owned and run by single women, sisters I think. Clean, fast, and service was great. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Kevin H.
This place has really great food. The chicken, lamb and lentils were especially delicious. The injera is perfect. The mixed vegetables were a bit oily and plain. They serve an Ethiopian beer which is well worth trying. The ambiance was nothing interesting...they played some presumably African music while simultaneously blaring the Blazers game. The service is very friendly. We will be going back regularly!
(4)Terry S.
Absolutely amazing food, fresh, very flavorful and lots of choices! Excellent service, helpful explanation of dishes, meeting all the demands of a table of 9 with both food and beverages in such a timely fashion. Spotless with nice ambiance and plenty of parking! My favorite Ethiopian!
(5)Nicholas Z.
The best out of the four ethiopian places (two on Broadway, another in the burbs) I've tried in town so far. I love Kitfo and Gored Gored, and was never turned away here! (many places only serve those dishes on weekends or special occasions). Try the weekend buffet if you're in a hurry, and want a sampling of many of the standard greens/lentil dishes. Tibs and wot , as everything else on the menu, made with care and quality. Great vegan, or at least veggie options, too. Very tasty, original, and made with absolute respect for the palate!
(4)Sara J.
Stop what you're doing right NOW and go to Enat Kitchen, on 300 N. Killingsworth. I had never had Ethiopian food before today and oh my heavens...so good. I had the beef stew and then lamb stew in berbere sauce - deep red spicy yumminess. Spongy delicious injera bread on the side. Then I had lentils mixed with more of the injera, and finally, homemade cottage cheese - mouthgasm! Usually after a heavy meal I feel like plotzing but ohhhh it was so good, I felt so energized and happy afterwards! What a great experience.
(5)Gary B.
Very endearing customer service and excellent food.
(5)Mengesha S.
Today (10/8) I visited Enat Kitchen the 2nd time after my last review, I have no choice but to go to Enat because of the food is the BEST Ethiopian food in Oregon, their service is greatly improving,as Ethiopian I have tried every Ethiopian restaurant in Oregon by far Enat will be on top. My last review I gave Enat 2 stars because of their service only,but on this visit I am giving them 5 stars and hoping they will stay On top of it. If you never try Ethiopian food before I will recommend you to try Enat Kitchen.
(5)Veronika A.
Enat's food is addictive; beautifully blended spices, perfect bouncy and slightly tangy enjera, freshest vegetables and meat, all perfectly cooked! Plus, the owners are fabulously sweet and care about how you enjoy your meal. A must go!
(5)Celina A.
When I was in Portland for work I couldn't pass up the chance to eat Ethiopian. After searching the web to find out the best place to go, it looked like "Enat Kitchen" was our best bet. Enat's is constantly winning the "best of Ethiopian" for best injera, meat dish & best overall- though not the highest ranked on yelp, which I can't figure out why. Probably because Enat caters to the local Ethiopian community and hasn't done a good job of marketing themselves to faranji's (foreigners). DON'T let this deter you. The food is WONDERFUL. Reminiscent of a local joint in Addis there is traditional décor, music in the background and the option of eating around a traditional table (Mesob). They offer a traditional coffee ceremony upon request and I would highly suggest that if you have never experience before. The food is traditional and has robust flavors that taste just like home. Enat makes it easy to sample many of the vegetarian dishes. We ordered the veggie combo and were surprised that all of the different dishes tasted fresh and individual. Since all of the wot is made ahead of time it can sometimes taste bland and cold. Many place don't take the time to stew the wot to let all of the flavors come out. At Enat they all tasted fresh and full of flavor. Of all the vegetarian dishes, the Gomen (collard greens) was my least favorite. Next time I would order it with out the Gomen and an extra serving of Atkilt (cabbage, potatoes & carrots) since that was the smallest portion on the sampler. We also had the tibs which were delicious. We ordered the beef tibs and they were served in a sauce that was so delicious I could have liked it off my fingers. Pour it straight onto the injera and let it soak in. This will be the best pieces to eat up later. First Timers: don't be afraid of eating with your hands and using the injera. You may be tempted to order rice, you won't eat it. The Injera is some of the best I've had in the states. It was a little dry and not a sponge as others, but a great taste. It was not too sour, and was a great beginner injera. You will love it. Tip: Start with the salad, it's a simple dish but perfectly complements all of the spice and flavors of a combo platter. Add a glass of Tej (Ethioppian honey wine) to complete the meal. As good as it gets outside of Ethiopia!
(5)Hana A.
We ordered the family style lunch that comes with five veggies and two meat dishes. The food was all right. The sourdough bread was soft and very good. I thought the service was sorely lacking. The waitress was MIA for most of the meal.
(3)Portly P.
Ethiopian is my favorite cuisine, I cook it at home, and I've been to dozens of ethiopian restaurants around the world. Enat Kitchen is one of the best, maybe the best if you factor in consistency. There's a very reasonably priced buffet, but I honestly recommend ordering something instead. The shiro wot is to die for, and of course, get coffee after dinner (often comes with incense!).
(5)Natalie B.
I got the kik key wot with injera and it was PHENOMENAL. I asked the waitress what she recommended (a habit of mine) and I was very pleased. I love eating with my hands, forming each individual bite as I desire. The injera was the best I've had -- a key element! Anyways, I will definitely be returning to this place to try all the vegetarian options (which are plentiful)...First dinner out in Portland was a success!
(5)Jane I.
I love food with heavy spices, and hot spices with a variety of textures, so I'm pretty big on Ethiopian cuisine. Also, I have an appreciation for out of culture experiences such as eating with my hands, so when I heard about this place being legit I just had to try it. The portions were descent, maybe a bit on the smaller side from what I am used to getting [I got the veggie combo], however it was still enough to feed two people. So, that's not too much of a concern. Also, I'm used to Ethiopian food being more naturally on the spicy side, and the food wasn't spicy at all. Additionally, the service was very nice and attentive, yet slow to actually serve you where it loses a few points. None the less, the ingredients and flavor were good and the style was surely Ethiopian. This place is pretty authentic down to the slowness of a mom and pop shop type of joint [which is cool cause it's not all puffed-up hipstery], and it gave me my fix for Ethiopian cuisine. I like my ethnic food heavy on the authentic side, and not "white washed" in fusion aspects, so this place suffices.
(3)Rachel Jo-yu C.
I've been many Ethiopian restaurants in town, this one is definitely the best in me and my bf's opinion. Family style includes 2 meat dishes and 5 vegetables, with plenty of fresh injera, and order a glass of honey wine. O heavenly.
(5)Archie R.
This place has great Ethiopian Food . Wonderful and flavorful. The veggie combo platter has a great sample of all the dishes. The coffee here is great. They also sell their roast coffee beans, just ask them when they aren't that busy ;)..
(5)Laura N.
My husband and I had a very enjoyable dinner here tonight. We often have a difficult time finding a restaurant we both can enjoy as I am vegetarian and he eats a strict paleo diet. But not only did we find what we each liked but it was served traditionally on one large plate. We got to share and eat with our hands which made it even more pleasurable. The food was seasoned perfectly. I would have scored the restaurant higher but the restrooms were in very poor condition. But other than that, the food was excellent, service was friendly and the bill was not too expensive. Perfect for a date night.
(4)Holy-foo' X.
I'm not completely certain, but I'm pretty sure there are more Ethiopian restaurants in a small radius of No-Po, no more than a couple of miles all told, than there are of McDonald's, Burger Kings, andTaco Bells in all of North Portland combined. I couldn't be more thrilled by such a piece of minutia. There may be hope for us afterall... The lunch buffet is how to check out Enat the most economically (a VERY reasonable $8) as well as allow you to try out the maximum number of plates and dishes.As always, I love the spicy lamb chunks, wrapped in Injera bread. This is some great eats for $11 ala cart, still a reasonable value. I would have preferred that they turn up the heat several serious notches, but it was delicious and had that lovely tang to it from the sour Injera dough. If you have never tried Ethiopian before, Please consider giving Enat a try.... or Enjon'i down the block, which is a bit more upscale and expensive than Enat, but also offers a great Lunch buffet...
(4)Stacey D.
Luckily I went to an Ethiopian restaurant for the frist time with two beautiful, lovely Ethiopian women who knew just what to order for me. They say it is their favorite Ethiopian food in Portland, and I believe them. It was delicious.
(4)L Z.
Good, fine, fresh and tasty, good prices, but ambiance and services weren't super fancy. This is exactly what 3 stars means to me- good for the price, would go again, but definitely keep searching for better places too.
(3)Anna M.
I got a to-go order. They gave me extra injera. The food was great, service impecable. I'm a jerk for not going sooner. This will be at least a monthly stop for me.
(4)Alex R.
My new favorite Ethiopian with the right price . I could eat here every day, delicious and service with a smile. Plus it's right across from campus.
(5)Ronald A.
My wife and I had dinner here last Friday; we have been looking for good Ethiopian food. This is my favorite right now. The lamb had the right spices and took me back to Ethiopia. We also had chicken tibs and assorted vegetables; both were very good. I would skip the Ethiopian beer on my next visit. The service was good and the staff very friendly. I am looking forward to going back. Please give it a try.
(4)fon z.
This place is becoming our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in town. The owner is a single working mom and super nice. The food is good and consistent. I always see a lot of Ethiopian peopl eating here; that speaks volume of the authenticity and quality. If you are an adventurous eater you should check out their kitfo, a raw beef dish. Yes! I said raw not rare. If not, try their lamb they are always delicious.
(4)John P.
I first tried Ethiopian food within the last 2 years and have become enamored. Admittedly I've only tried two different restaurants (one in Boston, MA and the other being Enat) but both places were recommended to me as the favorites of Ethiopian nationals. Enat Kitchen will not disappoint. Firstly, From the Ethiopian beers and coffee to the honey wine and juices, the beverages are absolutely delightful. The food is even better. I can't stop myself from nibbling on the injera (the sourdough like pancake bread) before I even wrap it around any food! I have tried almost all of the Vegetarian dishes besides one, one of the lamb, one of the chicken, and four kinds of the beef dishes. They are all phenomenal! Of course everyone has their one tastes and preferences, and I do like some entrees more than others, but every single dish really is fantastic. Ask for the coffee ceremony at the end of your meal!
(5)MarLissa E.
This was a pleasant experience. Very different, creative, colorful, relaxing, tasty, and fun. We tried a combination of veg and beef dishes. It all came on one huge plate with the rolled teff flour "injera" bread. Used as silverware, you scoop your way through dinner. We had 9 different dishes- all were unique yet went together well. Friendly staff and upbeat atmosphere. A great value! Very communal experience. The spicy dishes we spicy but not overwhelming. Seemingly funny, but the salad in the middle was wonderfully refreshing in in all. Especially liked the Enat Special, kuanta firfir, potatoes, and Red Lentils. Coming back with our kids!
(4)Lisa N.
Unfortunately, we had incredibly slow service. It took 15 minutes until someone would take our order, 30 minutes for water and about an hour for the food to come out on Monday night. I had to ask two separate people, three separate times for water. Overall the service left much to be desired on a weekday. The food was good, not very spicy which was a little disappointing. My first foray into Ethopian food was successful but I probably won't be coming back if i were in the neighborhood.
(3)Daniel C.
This being my second time ever trying Ethiopian food, I really enjoyed it this time 'round! The décor here doesn't scream "fine dining" but it's very comfortable and homey. There's booth seats along the window, a small amount of table seating in the middle of the dining room, and a limited amount of seating around the small tiki bar/cashier station toward the back. Good for groups of 4, maybe 5 Ethiopians. The food was outstanding! I tried the Enat Special, which is a spicy minced beef, and a spicy dish of fish with assorted veggies and sauce. The flavors were absolutely great, and all the little accompaniments such as the cheese, collared greens, and salad were perfect. I loved rolling up all the splendid flavors into the doughy ethnic bread they use and taking bite after succulent bite. 5 stars for the food. The service was also very pleasant and friendly, if slightly unorganized. It is a family owned and operated business, so they really care about the experience you receive and will come around to check on you periodically. Street parking is a breeze in this neck, so you shouldn't have any issues finding some. I would recommend coming here with friends, family, or a coworker for a nice Ethiopian meal. Enjoy.
(4)Hayden N.
North Portland knows how to do good Ethiopian food. My friend requested E'Njoni Cafe for his birthday, however, they are closed on Mondays! After reading reviews and, mainly, looking at pictures...we met up at Enat Kitchen down the street for lunch. We opted to do the family style couple over the lunch buffet, you get your choice of two meat dishes and five veggie dishes for $27. Since this was his first time having Ethiopian food, it was nice to have smaller portions of a variety of different dishes. We did the Doro Wot and Lamb Tibs as meat options then our veggie combo: Alicha Wot, Kik Key Wot, Gomen, Buticha, and Shiro. Doro Wot is my all-time favourite Ethiopian dish, it's a stewed chicken in a red pepper sauce--they do it slightly different here. They don't include the hard-boiled egg and the sauce isn't as thick, there are way too many onion in it maybe the onion are normally pureed to get that thicker texture. Don't get me wrong, it was still delicious yet I prefer their Tibs over the Doro Wot. My friend liked the Tibs and Shiro (a pureed split pea). Personally, I love the Gomen (collard greens). The food wasn't as spicy as I'd liked so I requested some more Bebere spices. In most Ethiopian restaurants, there's that motherly lady that does all the cooking so she comes out with a jalapeno and habanero sauce along with some bebere spices. My friend was sweating bullets after trying the habanero sauce but I enjoyed it and that made her happy that someone could tolerate the spiciness of the sauce. Every time I go into an Ethiopian restaurant, the staff is always so hospitable and feels like you are eating in someone's home. Enat Kitchen may not be the fanciest place, however, the food and service was amazing.
(4)Josh M.
The lunch buffet is solid, only complaint is the limited choices, Menbere was very hospitable and took his time explaining what each dish was, will definitely be back to try dinner
(4)Deanna D.
Our group of 4 really enjoyed the combination platter and great coffee (with freshly roasted beans). The vegetables were all well done, especially the greens, and the meat with jalapeños had just the right amount of spice. The combination platter was a great way to sample a variety of options and is also a great value. The wine pours were healthy and the service was friendly. It's a no frills place with lack luster decor, but the food will keep me coming back.
(4)ran y.
Walked in on a rainy early evening a few weeks ago after work, excited to find Ethiopian food anywhere even remotely close to St Johns. The establishment looked clean and interesting yet I will be unable to write a full review as I was unable to obtain any service. There was an Ethiopian fellow inside the entrance with a menu in his hands who was greeting the middle-aged white patrons entering the restaurant before and after me. However when he saw me he turned and engaged a table of African gentleman and disappeared around the corner. A lady then came out of the kitchen wearing an Enat's shirt so I'm guessing she is obviously an employee as well. She looked at me then walked around and made small talk with patrons, came back & looked at me again before returning to the kitchen. Maybe they don't mind Mexicans in the kitchen washing their dishes, but they sure didn't seem to want this one in their restaurant eating any food.
(1)Arden T.
My favorite Ethiopian spot in the city. I bring all my friends and out-of-town visitors here and they've all loved it too. The 2-person combo is easily enough for 3-4 people, but leftovers fare well the next day, as the injera has time to soak up all the flavor. Dammnnnnn good. Try the coffee after dinner. It's thick and bitter, like Turkish coffee, and will have you very caffeine-blazed and ready to leap out of your seat. Impressive after eating all that nap-inducing food.
(5)Bethy A.
I'm Ethiopian and I approve this restaurant!!! Enat is Amharic for Mother, so you're literally eating an authentic, incredibly flavorful and spicy home-cooked meal from your mothers kitchen (without having to deal with the burning of eyes from onions, the occasional fire alarm, hair/clothes that smell like they've been drenched in kebbeh & Berbere) #habeshaproblems. Also, you can't deny that the aroma and colors are simply divine! Okay I'm done drooling. #authentic #flavor #spice #aroma
(5)Sara S.
Simply the best! This food was such a delight to eat again. I I didn't know if I just got lucky the first time but now two in a row of heaven in my mouth!
(5)Leah C.
I would give this place 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up because I found the staff to be friendly and helpful. My husband and I ate here on a Thursday night. It was dead when we walked in, but picked up significantly within a half hour. It reminded me of other Ethiopian restaurants I've eaten at, so it was exactly what I wanted. We did a family style meal and it was delicious. The only dish I felt meh about was the potato dish, it just didn't have enough flavor. However, I really liked the lamb dish we got, and I'm not a big fan of lamb. The honey wine was both sweeter and tangier than I remember. I would definitely come back to this place, but next time I would come with a big group.
(4)Arun R.
Some of the best ethiopian food I've had in portland! Had the timatim fitfit for appetizers, vegetarian platter with 5 sides as the main course and a traditional ethiopian coffee. Everything was delicious! The appetizer and the shiro in the entree were especially tasty!
(5)Brittanie M.
I was happy to give this place a try and experience something a little different. I'm not very familiar with this type of food, but I ordered a combination veggie plate and got to try several different dishes. I don't know if it was this in particular or the food in general, but it didn't do a whole lot for me. Not bad, but nothing too exciting either. Aside from the food though, what was somewhat frustrating about this place was the way they prepared my take out order. I specifically asked twice that they package each entree separately, since they were for 3 different people with very different dietary restrictions. Upon arrival, I found they did not do that, and they ended up making it all spicy when I specified that I only wanted 1 dish to be spicy. Additionally, they did not label anything. This made things somewhat difficult because everything literally looked the same on the outside since it was all wrapped in the bread. I'm simply stating this because from their website, it appears they may have recently began offering takeout, and I see a few areas of improvement to their current process. Because of this experience I don't think I will be ordering take out from here again.
(2)Tracy F.
Walked in at 1:50, one person seated, waitress comes out and we ask if they're open and have a lunch buffet. She said yes and motioned towards the six uncovered, crusted over, four hour old steam trays of unlabeled mush. We said thanks, give us a moment to decide if we are staying. She disappeared, we tried to tell her no thank you before we left but she was gone. We won't be back.
(2)Brenda S.
I don't know much about Ethiopian food, but my friend wanted to go. I looked up local places through Yelp, and found that Enat had the most consistent of positive reviews. Even though it's street parking, we easily found a spot - even on a Friday night. There were a few people in the restaurant and we were able to sit in a booth. I knew we wanted to catch-up and the low noise level allowed us to do so. I thought the dining experience was wonderful, given my lack of knowledge of Ethiopian food. We ordered the Couples dish with five vegetable options and two meats. We wanted the Doro Wot, but they had run out, so we opted for a beef and a lamb option. Everything was delicious and blended nicely with our evening of conversation.
(4)Maximus C.
I went for a late lunch with my sweetheart. The place was dead except for a couple of guys drinking at the bar. All seemed well until I started hearing microwave dings coming from the kitchen...ding...ding.... The food arrives, had no spice to it whatsoever, the meat was overcooked (the menu stated that the beef would be medium) and just overall blah. Everything was obviously heated in the microwave, nothing fresh. I can make better Ethiopian food at home so why did I bother?
(2)Griffy C.
Food was fantastic. Had the couples thing where you choose a variety of different dishes, all were amazing. We got rice along with the bread but it wasn't even needed. Will definitely come back next time I'm in Portland.
(5)Jan D.
Don't hesitate because the place doesn't look like much. The food is wonderful, best since Jarras closed. Fresh spicy salads, great miser wat, the cabbage and potatoes also particularly good, and the enjeera. The people are friendly and will take good care of you, though it can get busy some nights. A nice mix of Ethiopian patrons craving home cooking and new Portland fans, lots of young couples and families. The food here is addictive, we go every week, and always leave happy. The prices are great. Enjoy!
(5)