Cafe Selam
2715 E Cherry St,Ste B, Seattle, WA, 98122
Cafe Selam Menu
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Address :
2715 E Cherry St,Ste B
Seattle, WA, 98122 - Phone (206) 328-0404
- Website https://www.cafeselam.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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T M.
My husband and I have been to almost every Ethiopian restaurant in town, slowly removing contenders from the shuffle when food or service slips below the bar. We only order veggie combos. We were craving Ethiopian and didn't want to cross town, so we stopped at Selam. There was one other table of patrons, and yet it took the server all she could muster to stop chatting with her friend or get off her phone to come take our order. We barely got our waters half way through the meal and the food tasted off. (And I'd liked their spicing up until that point.) A couple other tables still had their plates on them. I swigged my travel remedy to prevent gut rot as soon as I got home just to be safe.
(2)Katie A.
Took my husband to have Ethiopian for the first time. We had the meat combo. It was a great mix of meat and veggies and some sort of green stuff that burnt our lips:) all in all it was a great experience, great service.
(4)Marie B.
Pretty frickin delicious, regular takeout spot for me these days. 1 veg combo with a heap of injera is enough to fill up 2 people, at only $12-15 or so. Most of the dishes are already made so if you're in a rush, this place is fantastic. Beware of the spicy green salsa-type stuff (i have no idea what it is but it knocked me off my feet the first time I tried it). Not a great spot to sit down for a romantic night out, but if you're just looking for some solid and afforable food, check this gem out!
(5)Kirsi L.
Cafe Salem is my favorite Ethiopian in the city (and I've tried a lot of them). The veggie combo is amazing! Plus they have gluten free injera but it's best to call ahead and make sure they haven't run out of it that evening.
(4)Brady D.
I had never had Ethiopian food until I came to Cafe Selam. When I was a kid my parents would often say, "Finish your food! There are starving kids in Ethiopia who don't get to eat." In my head I then associated Ethiopian food with "no food". So when folks would be like, "Let's get Ethiopian food." I would think, "Great, it's probably half an ear of corn and a thimble of water. Blech!" Oh, how I wish I could slap past me. What I learned at Cafe Selam was that Ethiopian food is amazing... Well, at least it was there. My lady and I got the lamb tips and some different vegetable options. The first thing she briefed me on was how to eat it. You don't get a plate or any utensils, but you do get some flat-bread that is reminiscent of a pancake. You tear off pieces of the bread and pick up the meat and sauces. The lamb tips were seasoned and tasty as hell. There was a hot sauce that tasted a bit like a verde salsa and pureed vegetable and bean sauces to dip in. It was like making delicious little tacos. The staff was incredibly helpful and very friendly. Our waitress was also our chef, so she fielded my questions (I always seem to have some when it comes to food) and explained anything we wanted to know. I will definitely come back and hopefully I can bring my parents.
(5)Alan Y.
Great food. Great friendly service and clientele. Wonderful selection of Ethiopian beer. Price is a great value! I had the #18 Meat Combination. It's enough for 2 people (maybe 3).
(5)Ijeoma O.
Consistently great food and very friendly service! The quality of the meat is amazing and their injera is top notch. It's not the most lovely atmosphere - but really, I would avoid any fancy Ethiopian restaurant. Try the ful - it's an amazing breakfast.
(5)Hélène M.
I've been there twice for lunch and have had pretty different impressions. I found my first meal there rather bland but I went back today in search of a sunny place to eat (they have a few outdoor tables) and I thought the food was amazing. This time we ordered Kitfo (raw-ish beef with amazing spices) and a lamb stew (Sega Wot, I think). Both were fantastic, as were the spinach and yellow lentils we were served with the meal.
(4)Aaron H.
My favorite ethiopian place to get food to go. Their lamb tibs are delicious. I dont much care for dining there though because it's too dark. Food is consistantly good.
(4)heather j.
Overall great customer service and food. There are a lot of Ethiopian places to choose from in the area, but Cafe Selam is definitely one of the better ones. I had been wanting to try it for a while, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. When a group of friends was planning on checking it out, I was stoked. We were probably 20 people, and the place is fairly small, so we nearly took over the entire restaurant! The waitress was super nice about pushing tables together, and unlike other places, she spoke excellent English--a nice bonus. Many trays were ordered, and they all came out relatively quickly and at the same time, which I thought was impressive. I only got to try the veggie combo (meat was all the way at the other end of the table), but it was delicious. The injera had the perfect amount of sourness, and all of the veggie/lentil dishes were spiced very nicely. Lots of flavor. My only complaint is that the veggie combo here seemed to feature fewer of the sides, so it seemed a little small in comparison to other places. We tried a few Ethiopian beers, which are mainly on the darker and sweeter end of things. I'm not a fan of that kind of beer, but I did find a beer that I did like: St. Andrew's, which was a lighter, less sweet beer. As always, the meal was inexpensive, with it averaging out to $6 a person, not including drinks. Definitely a great place, and I will be coming back; next time I'll try the meat!
(4)Deborah L.
Get the Meat Combo and Veggie Combo. It's like, $30 and feeds four or two with some hefty leftovers. The injera is fresh, soft and spongy but sturdy enough to nab some tibs or yebeg wot and and shovel it into your salivating mouth. If sour isn't your style, the server will bring you some surprisingly good French bread. It's an Ethiopian restaurant run by Ethiopians. That means English isn't their first language. That doesn't make the servers any less courteous, helpful, or friendly. Yeah, it's an unpretentious, simple place that serves friggin' tasty cheap food (they'll turn up the heat on any of the dishes if you ask). If you want ambiance but meeeh Ethiopian, go to Habesha at 25-30% markup from Cafe Selam prices.
(4)Garbiel A.
Yummers. $12.50 fed me and Chris "Lee" W. with a great big meat platter. I was so happy. There were even leftovers to take to work the next day. I have no idea what I ate but it was super tasty. There was spinach, this super-yummy chick-pea thing, meat and soaky, spongy bread. That's all I got. I love this place and Marta (or Martha?) is so, so nice. I will definitely be back. Really. I can't wait.
(4)Clayton H.
We go to Cafe Selam almost weekly. The reason? Foul. Their foul (served in the mornings) is first rate and fantastic. Other dishes are good, but go for the foul.
(5)may c.
Awesome Ethiopian food! We've tried a handful of Ethiopian restaurants around Seattle and this one is by far the best. We've been here a total of 4 times in the past 2-3 months and would likely have been there more if it were closer to home. But when the craving for ethnic food hits, we will keep going back! The service is super fast and super friendly. We always do the meat combo and veggie combo. So tasty and fresh :)
(5)Luke P.
Looked like a total dive from the outside, and the inside wasn't any more appealing, but the young server was friendly and inviting, so we were cautiously optimistic. It was deserted on Christmas Eve with a loud TV in the background. I have next to no experience with Ethiopian food; my only sample point being a dinner a few years ago at one of the limited restaurants found in Boston. My company was much more versed, as they live close by and had sampled several of the many establishments in the area. I knew I enjoyed my prior experience even if it was the messiest meal I'd eaten. We ended up ordering two veggie combos and the beef tips for 4 people (two of which were light eaters). The amount of food served was ridiculous. I don't think I could have eaten it all even if I had just finished hiking 20 miles on an empty stomach. 4 extra, huge platters of injera plus the massive layer underneath the dishes. A platter with seemed like a 24 inch diameter just loaded with spinach, lentils, salad, and other bean items. All of it was absolutely delicious with great flavors and a perfect level of spice. My favorite feature by far was the injera which was more sour and tangy than what I experienced on the East coast. I could see this being a turn off for some people, but i'm a huge fan of tartness so it only improved my experience. A huge bonus was the cost which amounted to like $10 per person. You cannot beat that value. Definitely look beyond the decor and give this place a shot for outstanding food and value. I just wish I didn't live 3,000 miles away, or I would be going back for sure.
(4)Andrey R.
Food was fine. It was difficult ordering... they didn't speak much English. The atmosphere isn't great, so take your food to-go. ;)
(3)Danielle G.
The food was excellent. I intended on going to Assaimba across the street, but it was closed on Sunday and I'm glad I found this place instead. Down side was the place was really small so if you plan on going during dinner time I recommend getting here a little earlier because it got packed really quick. There's limited parking here too. Three people shared the meat combo and the vegi combo and it was a ton of food, but we finished the whole thing because it was so good.
(4)Shel W.
It was suggested by our server that we not get the Fir Fir (since it was our first-ever time trying Ethiopian food) but we got it anyway and it was delicious. Also got the meat platter - and we had way too much for the two of us (me and my mom). The food was spicy - but oh so yummy. I am definately coming back here and will bring the rest of the family.
(5)Christy I.
Hole in the wall place, looks like a converted garage from the outside. I drove down Cherry street looking specifically for this place, because I'd heard great reviews and found this one to be the best from the pick of 7+ Ethiopian restaurants within a 5 block radius. I've been planning on going out for Ethiopian for a week with an old friend, so we were realllllly excited to try this place! 7:20PM My girlfriend and I finally spotted the joint, and once we found street parking a block away, braved the cold and made our way in to Cafe Selam. We were greeted by a nice young waitress, and she almost immediately asked for our order (within 1.5 mins of seating). We felt pressured, but also because we had an idea of what we wanted, ordered right then anyway. My friend, being a vegetarian, ordered the veggie combo $10.50, and I asked for the meat combination $13.50. However, based on my experiences with meat combos, I asked them to tweak mine a bit. Usually with the combo, you get 2 different types of lamb as the meat kind. I'm not huge on lamb unless it's cooked really, really well, and tender. So, while knowing that most of these restaurants just have a huge vat of lamb stewing all day--I asked to have one kind of beef, and the doro wat to substitute my lamb. The waitress seemed confused and annoyed by this, instead of just saying OK and checking for approval from the cook, she tried to convince me to just get the lamb. I politely declined, telling her that I didn't care for lamb and so she, obviously annoyed, went off to ask if they indeed could substitute. We also ordered 2 glasses of the Honey White Wine, $4 a piece, which aren't bad if you just want a glass of watered down Jack Daniels! It was tasty on the first sip, but I was not expecting that--and handed off the drink to my friend. I'm a lightweight, and had to drive. 7:35PM Still sipping on our wine, and water (me), we hadn't heard back from our waitress regarding my order. There were 2 other tables occupied when we walked in, and no one had their food yet. By this time, another couple walked in and sat at the bar, and a single diner also came in after us. The door to the kitchen kept swinging open, and out came the waitress with platters of food for every single table. Except ours. In rapid succession, each table was attended to, even the bar patrons who ordered 2 platters after us, had their food... we were not even acknowledged, once. My friend and I were starving by this point, and smelling the food and watching everyone else eat before us was not easy. We didn't say anything because it had only been about 20 mins after our initial seating, but it did seem a little odd that everyone else had theirs already. 7:50PM 3 out of 4 of the other tables have eaten, paid, and left....and our food has still not arrived! WTF? I'm really hungry by this point, and my friend didn't want to drink all of her cheap Jack on an empty stomach! The waitress finally acknowledged us and said that our order would be out in 4 minutes. OK we thought, fine. I hate to complain in restaurants for fear that they'll sabotage my food. So just suck it up and be patient. I know that sometimes these restaurants can be a little slow, which would normally be fine with me, if all the other diners were still waiting too. 8:10PM FINALLY our food arrives! I expected a huge platter because I'm comparing to other places where it's twice the size and you could easily feed 3. This wasn't bad, but the portions were much smaller than I'd hoped for. Especially because if you note the time, we'd waited 50 minutes and were starved. As the waitress rudely slammed down our trays, she offered a callous apology and said "We had to make it fresh for you!' with disgust in her voice. My girlfriend and I looked at eachother shocked, and speechless! What do you mean you had to make it fresh for us?! My friend got the veggie platter, which is just lentils and chopped salad, which even if you did make it fresh wouldn't have taken 1 hour, and I'm soooo sorry that I don't want old, tough, lamb that has been sitting in a big pot all day, and maybe even all day yesterday. I wanted something made to order. Isn't that what you're supposed to do at restaurants? Or if that's not the way you work, which is the case for Cafe Selam, don't complain to the customers that you had to make their order fresh for them. That's just rude and unprofessional! I was appalled, really. 8:50PM We've stuffed ourselves and are taking a breather before we head out. Not realizing the place closed at 9, my friend asked if they were closing, and the waitress just snarked "Yeah, it is 9!" with the worst possible attitude. We hurried ourselves and left disappointed. The food was a 3 and that's all their getting the stars for. However, I've had better and cheaper. I won't return, and I suggest you plan for a 2 hour meal if you do.
(3)Pete M.
We knew this was the place to be since all of the taxis were sitting outside and the drivers were inside chowing down. 4 of us shared the veggie and meat combos/platters and were stuffed. You get a large portion of food for low prices. Watch out -- it's spicy (and I can usually handle the spice)! The bread does not have as much of that sourdough flavor as I've experienced at other Ethiopian places, but I'm not quite sure if that's a good or bad thing. The veggies stole the show by far. Also tried some Ethiopian beer, recommended by the friendly staff. You need it to cut the spice!!
(4)Cat S.
This is not the kind of place where you come for the atmosphere. Cultural experience, perhaps. It's definitely a whole in the wall. While we dined, we got to watch the local 6 o'clock news. We ordered the meat combo. I expected one or two types of meat and some veggies. Instead, we were served two large portions of chewy, but tasty lamb and a wee bit of spinach, cabbage and yellow lentils. Our food was tasty, the service was friendly and I think it's a good value ($14 with tax).
(3)John E.
Friendly staff and tasty food. There are a lot of Ethiopian places in this neighborhood (at least five within a stone's throw of here), and this is my second fave. I think with further visits it might inch up to #1. Their patio would be particularly nice on a warm evening.
(4)Frazier Y.
Selam restaurant is one of the best ethiopian places in seattle, nice environment, good food and 5star customer service.
(4)CT B.
This place rocks! The owners are very warm and friendly and the waitress, Martha, is an absolute doll! Unlike most other Habesha restaurants that pre-cook their food only to later microwave it, they actually make EVERYTHING fresh each morning and you can taste the difference! The foul is great, the lamb tibs are delicious and tender....basically, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Easily the tastiest/freshest Ethiopian on Cherry. Trust me, I've been to all of them and none even come close. Walk inside and check out the clientele and then ask yourself if this is the "spot." All those Ethio cabbies and the like can't be wrong...
(5)M E.
I went on the quest for the best Ethiopian food in Seattle a few years ago, and I believe I found it here at Cafe Selam. They throw out their food at the end of every night, and start with only fresh ingredients every morning. You can taste the difference. The ambiance is nothing to shout out about (especially from the outside). It is next to a car mechanic's shop. It looks like a little hole in the wall, but it trumps Kokeb, Queen of Sheba and Meskel by a landslide in quality of food. Not to mention they have one of the most professional and sweetest waitresses on the planet - Marta. Ask for the Foul - they only serve it until early afternoon, as it is a breakfast food. Not many other restaurants serve it, and it is a treat.
(5)J I.
You know the food is AMAZING when native Ethiopians love it! The Tibs is my favorite but EVERYTHING is good... although the restaurant may look humble it is authentic, clean, consistent, and down right YUMMY food that always leaves me nostalgic of my time spent in Ethiopia...
(5)Beyene A.
Cafe Selam is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant among others in the area. I've eaten here at least once a month for the last five years. I really enjoy the Veggie-combo, it's fresh and delicious. I also like the fact that the owner does the quality control in the back before each meal is served to the customers.
(5)Alexander S.
Cafe selam is one of the best ethiopian cusin restaurant in Seattle area. When I say that, talking about the food quality and authenticity, close to the real deal of back home. I love everything about the food of cafe selam. One thing I can say is the place to small and cleanness of the house need more attention. Enjoy Alexander Samuel
(5)Erin D.
Oh my gosh, y'all. These folks went on vacation for 10 days and it SERIOUSLY impacted my quality of life. The old lady and I eat here at least weekly. We are gluten-free and they ALWAYS have gluten-free injera on hand. Now, there are many restaurants that have the gf injera these days but they are NOTHING like this. This injera is soft, tangy, and perfect. I can only speak to the vegetarian dishes, but they are miles and miles ahead of the myriad other places in Seattle I've tried. I went on a frantic Ethiopian restaurant sampling spree when I thought Selam was gone forever, and I am afraid my palate is now ruined for all other Ethiopian food. It's that good.
(5)Sarah M.
Got an order for pickup. I thought, this place must be good, since it only Ethiopian folks were dining there. The food is great here, however on the very small side. The $13 veggie combo came with 6 small sides: cabbage, fresh salad, spinach(?), and 3 different kinds of lentils. There's really not enough for all the injera. The size is fine for one person, although at most other Ethiopian places, I would be able to a combo and be full. If/when I order from them again, I'll skip on the veggie combo and just order the lentils. If the interior matters, it's nowhere you'd want to go for a nice meal out.
(4)Elisabeth B.
I seek out Ethiopian food in every city I live from Portland to Chicago to Denver. This is the best Ethiopian I've ever had. My favorite! I've tried all the nearby Ethiopian restaurants and this one will be my go-to spot for sure. The serving portions are huge, the food is rich and flavorful with perfect spice, and the service is excellent! Note: they serve gluten free injera. And it's amazing.
(5)Katherine C.
How did I just find out about this place? Ethiopian is my favorite cuisine. Cafe Selam's food is super fresh and my favorite Ethiopian I've had in Seattle. fyi, I'm vegetarian so my go-to is of course the vegetarian combo. Try the gluten-free injera, it's delicious.
(5)Levi P.
I LOVE this place!! I've eaten here on the patio and done takeout too. The place itself is no frills, and the patio outside is great in nice weather. I've gotten the veggie special, lamb, beef, and everything is fantastic. Also the brunch is AMAZING, I always get fuul, and they roast the coffee beans themselves. There are always a lot of Ethiopian people here, which seems like a good sign.
(5)Aprameya R.
This is the new great Ethiopian place. I thought a little while but it does have everything for five stars. The two of us dined really well for 12$. The food was tasty. It was not too oily. It had spice and flavor. Service was good. It is a small family run place. Parking was easy to find. Kudos and we will be back.
(5)Jen L.
Flavors were good, portion was not really sufficient for 2 people, but very well priced for the portion size. We got the meat platter, but wished I had ordered the veggie. I was really displeased with the cuts of meat that literally contained at least 30% fat pieces and gristle. We actually left most of the meat behind, but gobbled up the delicious vegetarian portions we had. The injera was nice and so was the service. I'd like to maybe try the vegetarian version.
(3)Tom D.
You know you've connected with a restaurant when, upon leaving with a drum-tight stomach, you are already thinking about your next visit. We just finished an early dinner at Cafe Salem -- it was our first time. We've eaten at three other Ethiopian restaurants in the area (and enjoyed them) but decided to try based on high Yelping. Without question, it's our instant favorite. The setting is humble, wedged in a mixed use block. There is outdoor seating but it's a bit noisy near the road. Inside, it's airy and clean. I don't remember the dish names but suffice to say we tried meat and vegetarian entrees. Everything tasted full-bodied and well-seasoned. The wait for food was not fast but not slow. I'm imagining just the perfect amount of time to make it perfect. Our waitress was delightful and could not help but smile continuously.
(5)Jack The Reaper K.
Not bad long wait overcrowded early morning around 10 am but the food was pretty good! That all matter the rest is so so! I thought so till I got mass diarrhea yek!
(1)Hanna G.
I come here for breakfast and order Ethiopian spiced tea & foul and some firfir ... Love everything about this place Service is always very friendly and fast..
(5)Keith T.
The first time I went it was my first Ethiopian food and I had mixed feelings about injera, partly cause it's sour and partly cause it's like a floppy pancake. But now I'm completely sold on the food and the restaurant. I love family style eating and eating with your hands is fun. This place is super relaxed so I don't feel bad coming after a hike. Service isn't super fast but I think that suits the style of the place - you kind of go and just chill out for a while. You get tons of food and it's great in a group. I've probably liked everything I've had but my favorites are the foul (pronounced like fool), qey wot, shiro wat, and qeteqna. I think I've also liked beef/lamb tibs and bamiya but can't remember which was which. Foul is listed as a breakfast item but usually they'll make it for dinner and it comes with French bread so it's fun to eat with your hands.
(5)Mia T.
Only order to go. Food is delicious, but the main waitress cannot seem to be bothered by her customers if they are Ethiopian, specifically Ethiopian women. She'll talk to the Ethiopian men, give everyone else great customer service, then come to your table (last, I might add) with a straight face and ask what you want & take forever to get back to you. This has happened at least a dozen times. I recommend take out! Again, delicious food and the other waitress is great (but rarely there).
(3)Cendy N.
Ugh I have a sick obsession with this place. The food is absolutely delicious, authentic and fresh. I usually always stick with the meat combo, and it's ALOT of food. Enough for 2 starving people :) OH, and they didn't forget the silverware. Your suppose to eat with your hands!
(5)L G.
The food was great and the service was friendly and fun. Went with the combination dishes. They were totally worth going back for!
(5)Nikita G.
This is a small place, but they make it look homely. It might feel little concerning to get in, but the food is really good. We had a bit issue while discussing our order with the waitress as she didn't speak English. But we had someone else to finally assist with our doubts. The doro wat and meat plate were really yummy.
(4)Amy P.
I was not disappointed - this place lives up to its 5 star reviews! The veggie sampler was delicious and the gluten free injera was great - hardly differentiable from the standard version. Great people working there too - very friendly but service isn't fast and ambiance is pretty dreary so go only for the food. Best to go on a nice day so you can sit on the patio outside. Crazy cheap - two of us ate with drinks for about twenty bucks.
(5)Jeff M.
Best Ethiopian meal ive ever had. Excellent fresh and colorful to the eyes and the flavors are blended perfectly. Truly awsome. Cant wait to try breakfast
(5)Tobi G.
Great for any time of the day, really, but it's the breakfast that will have you coming back over and over. Ethiopian fūl with a twist - there are few better ways to start your morning. There's no pretension about the place, it's a small family owned neighborhood restaurant that prepares everything fresh each morning and will leave you satisfied. If you're used to the giant portions of other Habesha restaurants in town, you might raise an eyebrow or two at first, but the point is that everything here will leave you happy and full without sending half of your dish back to the kitchen.
(5)Yobo L.
This is by far the best Ethiopian food in the central district and capitol hill neighborhoods. After trying multiple Ethiopian restaurants in the area (most that did not even compared in flavor and price), I have to say this place is a true gem. The lamb titbits and veggie combo are delicious together and a make for a satisfactory dinner for 2. The atmosphere of this place is very laid back. Time seems to just slow down as soon as you enter the their front patio. That being said, you must be patient with the staff, do not expect quick service. Instead, spend the time waiting for your food, people watching and sipping on a beer, it is part of the charm of this family owned restaurant. This is the place to chill in a summer afternoon. Order a few beers off of their Ethiopian beer selection for $3 a piece and enjoy some (literally) finger-licking good food. xoxo -Yobo
(4)Jeremy N.
This place is a great little spot there meat combination is amazing and only $18. It could feed 3 people or 2 if ur really hungry. Our server was named Amy she was really sweet and attentive.
(5)Denechia P.
I never leave here unsatisfied. The price is right and so is the injera. Cafe Selam is consistently yummy with friendly, attentive service. A true five star establishment!
(5)ShmoHaw K.
Five stars because: It's delicious. The vegetarian plate includes multiple pieces of injera with various types of wat (usually two different lentil dishes, red and yellow, cooked with onion and various spices), a cabbage/carrot mixture where the carrots are tender and delicious, a spinach side, a generic salad side, and a jalapeno puree. Everything is great and goes well together! The price is very reasonable for two. $12 The whole staff is friendly and hospitable. Check it out!
(5)Terran W.
Cafe Selam is my usual place for Ethiopian grinds. Friendly and delicious. I generally get the vegetarian combo. It's easily enough for two (or three, even.) Their teff injera (GF) is fluffy -if flatbread can be fluffy - and delicious as is the regular version. I have to dock a star. I ordered a meat dish once and it was mostly bones. Although delicious and properly cooked, I was disappointed because the cost to quality ratio was wack. Also, the service could be a bit more streamlined, for example, when I order tea or coffee, I often need to remind our server at Cafe Selam that I'm still waiting on it. I'm down with the the moderate pace of service while dining out and can put up with slow service, most of the time, but forgetfulness isn't an option. Sorry. But it is way better than any other nearby Ethiopian places I've been and the overall experience and satisfaction keeps me coming back,
(4)Scott F.
We have been coming to Cafe Salem for ten years and it's still our favorite. We love their beef tibs and vegie combo. The green chili sauce is delicious and the injera is the best. The decor can use some help but once you tasted the food the lack of ambience becomes inconsequential.
(5)Natalie G.
Shared the veggie platter and it was enough for two people. The food was delicious, and they offer gluten free injera if you need it for an extra cost. The have a Ethiopian beer and wine, it was fin to try some unique beverages you don't see anywhere else. The only thing lacking was the service, they were slow and didn't bring us water until we asked.
(4)C. I.
I loved Cafe Selam. I went for breakfast on a Saturday morning and had the foul (fava beans with onion, tomato, chilis, hard-boiled egg, and feta cheese) served with a baguette. It was delicious. The service was also great. They were very friendly and accommodating. I will definitely be back!
(5)Minah Y.
If you're the type of person who's normally pretty partial on meat dishes in general, skip out on the meat and go straight for the veggie combo. In my opinion, it was the most delicious part of the meal. Both dishes are very tasty, and there's a lot of meat on the meat platter.
(4)Julia O.
I love this place. I went here the other night, and I was immediately greeted very warmly by the waitress. We ordered the meat and veggie combo, and it came out pretty fast being that it was a lot of variety and made from scratch. The injera was delicious and I liked it more than other places because it was thinner and I enjoyed that very much! The food was perfect, and there was a lot of leftovers! I definitely suggest this place to anyone looking for an great Ethiopian restaurant! If you want a little of everything, definitely order the veggie and or meat combo! Getting both probably serves about 4 people. A must try place!!
(5)Thelonious T.
This is a shack. No, this is not the Dominican Republic. This is the Central District. No waves, or palm trees. But who cares when there's Qey Wot (lamb stew), and Mesir Wot (red lentils) to satisfy you. The food...outstanding. Simply outstanding.
(5)Sarah D.
I am so grossed out. I really wanted to give this a go but we ended up leaving before we even ordered. The table was filthy and had rings on it from the plates of the last people who were there. All of the tables were dirty. The menus were dirty. Then the water glasses came wet with chunks stuck to them like they had barely been rinsed. The last straw for me was the roach that ran across my shoe. I am not a priss about eating in funkier out of the way places but I was really concerned about food poisoning.
(1)Paws C.
yum yum yum! For 12 dollars, my husband and I shared the veggie plate. It was so much food we were both full! The lentils were a little salty, that's my only complaint. The service was fairly prompt even for the restaurant being packed. The outdoor seating is nicer than indoor. We will certainly be going back!
(4)Raquel D.
I've been joining a group here off-and-on for foul Sunday mornings for YEARS, and I can't believe I haven't written a review of this wonderful place. An interaction last weekend reminded me that I needed to let people know about this gem of a restaurant. 2 people in our normal group got married last weekend, and when we arrived Sunday morning for our customary foul, the place was decked out with flowers, tables were pushed together, and the staff had gone out and bought our group 2 cakes for dessert. While this obviously isn't the normal experience one has here, it is a testament to how thoughtful and sweet the owners and staff are here. We have been coming in weekly for years, and they wanted to contribute and help us celebrate. Now, on to the "normal" stuff: Their breakfasts are incredible; most of our group comes for foul, but lately my obsession is their shiro, which is the best I've found. Bonus: they seem to always have teff injera available without my calling in to order it. Not only that, but their teff injera doesn't have the chalky dryness that other Ethiopian places are plagued with. This place is full of awesome.
(5)Tom Z.
Cafe Selam is best Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle! The dishes are consistently fresh and delicious. Also, unlike many other Ethiopian restaurants they serve breakfast.
(5)Damien D.
Great food and friendly service. Odered the meat sampler and the vegi sampler. Both were wonderful. The resturant and bathroom really could use a good cleaning.
(4)Vivian S.
I read the rave reviews and expected great cuisine. I have eaten Ethiopian all over the US and this was not great. The lamb tibs was tough, it was way too hot and they have neither minchet abech nor yebeg alecha, my two favorite dishes. Also the inerja was much darker than I have seen before...but it tasted great. Also, the bathroom was a tad gross. Overall the food was tasty. The waitress was cute as a button. I'm glad I didnt pay more and will try one of the competitors next time.
(2)M H.
Love this place! Cute and cozy, great service and the food is delicious. I was told this is one of seattle's best places for Ethiopian food, and it was so good I'm not really motivated to go anywhere else. We got the Lamb Tibsi and the vegetarian sample plate. It was a perfect amount for two hungry people. The St George (I think) beer was the best of the two Ethiopian beers we tried. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Dustin R.
The food is fantastic and the value exceptional. Get one of the combination plates and a drink and you got a meal for two for $20. I am no expert on Ethiopian, but my wife and I will be trying every one of the many Ethiopian places in Seattle. I can't imagine the others to be better, but if they are as good it's gonna be awesome. You may have seen some comments about the cleanliness of the place, and yes, it's a hole in the wall. My only complaint was the front door wasn't staying closed when the wind blew and it was cold. Get past all that and you will be rewarded with some of the best food you've ever had.
(5)Dana S.
Friendly, delicious, great prices. This is the kind of cozy hole-in-the-wall place I associate with Ethiopian places in SF and NY. They also have gluten free injera, and a funky gravel area outside for the warmer months. This is definitely my go-to spot for Ethiopian.
(5)Sasha B.
As we all know, "hole in the wall" restaurants are where it's at (it being a foodie's dream), and this place is no exception. We ordered the veggie and meat combos, which is what we usually get at any Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle, just because it gives you such an awesome variety of dishes to sample, and we really enjoyed it. Most importantly (to us anyway) is that they offer gluten-free injera made from just teff, and it was way better than the other gluten-free injeras I've had at other establishments. The honey wine, which is also something I always have to order as I adore it above all other wines, was excellent. A+ restaurant in my book. :)
(5)Travis J.
One of the best meals of my life. My first time having Ethiopian food and I can't wait to go back. The ideal hole in the wall. Make sure to prefer the meat sampler and foul. You can't go wrong.
(5)Leo F.
I always get the mesir wat here. Sometimes they give me the red more spicy one, sometimes it's the milder yellow. I like both. I like the side of carrots cabbage and potatoes it comes with. Sometimes I ask if I can pay more and get extra but there are occasional language barriers and I don't get extra :( But the people who work here are friendly and the food is yummy. It's always enough to last me 2 meals.
(5)B V.
Best ful beans in the city. My husband and I go here frequently and always bring out of town guest. The veggie combo was also pretty delicious!
(5)Del D.
Delicious food. We ordered take-out and the lady taking the order struggled with English and we ended up missing an item. If there is an online menu (I didn't find one) ordering by number would be best. The food was awesome though and the portions quite large. We had 1 meat combo and 1 veggie combo and were still eating leftovers the next day.
(4)Jay V.
Good food, excellent service. I ordered the veggie combo and it was a pretty large amount of food. The staff was very friendly and it was an overall very pleasant dinner. I would recommend it to a friend.
(4)Al D.
Ordered the veggie combo to go. The take out box felt like it weighed 5 lbs but 85% of that was the bread. I thought the food was just OK. It was pretty oily. And they put this very very hot green sauce in the middle on the top of everything which was a blazing hot shocker for me (thanks for asking if I wanted any in the first place, cafe selam, or at least for the heads up). I had to eat some greek yogurt with my meal to overcome the spiciness of that green sauce. The inside of the restaurant seemed small and a little dirty. I was not wowed by this meal but it satisfied my Ethiopian craving.
(3)s p.
The food was good but too greasy for me. Also, I ordered a beef dish and it had pieces of lamb (which I dislike because of its gamey taste) and beef. I would not go back.
(3)Reed L.
I went here tonight for the first time with my ladyfriend (not my special lady) and was impressed with everything from the ambiance (very laid back and cozy) to the food (absolutely delicious) to the beverages (I highly recommend any of the Ethiopian beers!). The service was fast and friendly. Ask them for recommendations on what to get! We had the vegetable combo and it was all good - but the spinach was easily the star of the show. The combo came with two large pieces of injera and was easily enough food for both of us. The injera bread was good and, for some unknown reason, slightly darker than what we were typically used to.
(5)Lauren S.
Fantastic. This place is wonderfully homey. The food is delicious. The service is warm and helpful. Having fallen in love with Ethiopian food in the Bay Area I really hoped I wouldn't have to give it up after moving to Seattle. Thank the gods, I don't! This place was just as good as any in the Bay Area. As always, I got the veggie combo, and it was just delicious. The injera was also wonderfully sour and plentiful. So so so good.
(5)Another Y.
I had the lamb tibs, which the server suggested when I ordered. YUMMY. Mine was take-out and I wasn't sure if sides would be included. Sure enough, they included plenty of injera, a nice red lentil dish, a cabbage and carrot dish and some very good green hot sauce. ALL of these were full of flavor in all the right ways. I can't wait to go back and will probably spend time there drinking coffee or tea. The smell of the food was KILLING me on the short drive home. This is one of the two best Ethiopian restaurants I've visited in Seattle, and it might be number one for me. I want to check out their breakfast.
(4)Smitha S.
Hole in the wall restaurant that was surprisingly packed - there was even a short wait. Food was delicious, cheap ($10 pp including wine), and plentiful. Recommend the vegetarian combo and meat combo if you want to try the main dishes. The injera was soft, not sour, and actually not too heavy.
(5)jyotsna s.
Amazing food & service!
(5)Felicia F.
Ordered beef tibs and spinach with salad, it was delish and service was good! Definitely recommend to try out.
(4)Alice C.
Hey, I know I'm not Ethiopian, but this place is good! I went here with my Dad and brother last night, and not only was the veggie and meat platter we had absolutely huge (between three people, we had leftovers), according to my Dad, "the meal was pretty much free." 26 bucks and some change for dinner, plus leftovers, for three adults? Seriously?! I thought that never happened anymore! I'm personally a really big fan of the spinach and lentils they had. The owner was super nice, brought us some coffee (Ethiopian style and roasted in house, of course!), and was patient with my Dad while he grilled her on where to find green coffee beans (Costco, in the coffee aisle). Seriously, there are 6 Ethiopian places within a two and a half block stretch. Come here first!
(4)Dakshina T.
Thanks sreeja for referring this to us. We didn't know what we were missing in our backyard. Delicious spread. Loved the lamb, spinach and green chutney. It's nothing fancy, simple flavorful food at a great price. Me and my husband were so full but couldn't leave without completing each and everything on the non veg combo platter. I am so impressed by the lady who is running this small joint. Now that's called winning hearts through your stomach. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Gautam M.
WOW!! This is what i call yummy good flavors. simple food.. but wonderful food.. the non veg combo platter was mouth watering and left me wanting a lot more.. been going back there quite often and never has it let me down yet.. woohoo.. the best Ethiopian food i've eaten in town by far!
(4)gary g.
Excellent. Huge portions, super tasty and fresh. The qey wot was amazing! One of the best and least pretentious Ethiopian restaurants in Seattle.
(4)Annie D.
This is my first Ethiopian restaurant in the city of Seattle. The menu is rather small and the place is a little shabby looking, but that's no biggie. I drove here on a weeknight and the patrons were all East African cab drivers who had their cabs taking up all the parking spaces. Parking can be tricky in that area. For those of you are thinking of trying Ethiopian food for the first time, I would recommend the fir fir (pronounced fur fur). It is essentially a plate of injera bread (spongey soft bread - Ethiopian staple) topped with lamb, yogurt, spices, and peppers. Very delicious. But if you can't handle spicy or greasy dishes, be careful here. Pretty generous portions as well.
(5)Grace H.
Cafe Selam serves the best Ethiopian food that I've eaten in Seattle. I haven't conducted a truly exhaustive sampling of the other Ethiopian restaurants in the city, but I have tried those in the CD and Capitol Hill, and this rises above the rest. The only moment of anything less than bliss that I've experienced at Cafe Selam is when they're out of gored gored (who knew I could ever love raw beef this much?).. Plus, everything is super affordable. I love this place.
(5)sreeja s.
We came here with our friends on a Sunday night and it was full. This is a "small hole in the wall" place which serves amazing Ethiopian food. As you enter the aromas will tantalize your taste buds. We ordered the "Qateqna" for appetizers, it was amazing and very flavorful. For main course we got the veggie and the lamb combination which turned out spectacular. The side of the spinach was the best. Also specially want to mention about their spicy green sauce (chutney) was brilliant. The meat gravy was very delicious. Perfectly cut meat cubes which made it even more appetizing. The only reason I am not giving it a 5 star is they dint have everything available when we went there. We also got a chance to talk to the Chef :) she is awesome :) . Will surely go back there when i crave for Ethiopian food. Also their pricing is very reasonable.
(4)Betsy T.
The breakfast at Cafe Selam is to-die-for. Menu is tiny - I think basically the only two options are the "ful" and the scrambled eggs, but they are both deeply satisfying dishes filled with earthy spicy delicious flavors. You can eat both with injera or crusty french bread - I recommend the latter. I also enjoy the fact that every time I come here to eat my breakfast outside, someone from the kitchen comes out and picks vegetables from the patch in front of the restaurant. I would give this restaurant five stars based on the deliciousness of the breakfast alone, but for the fact that I'm loyal to my favorite Chef Cafe and the owners there, and the service at Cafe Selam isn't as warm and the interior isn't as welcoming as Chef Cafe. (They do have a better breakfast though ...!)
(4)Sarah Elizabeth P.
This place is great! The food (we had a lamb dish) was excellent and the service was great. We got there a little late (8:30-ish) and they stayed open to serve us (she said they normally close around 8:30pm -- it was a Friday night). Food was cheap too, our total was $19 and included 2 beers (try the Ethiopian beers).
(4)Raj G.
Nice little hole in the wall sort of place. At the time I was the only one in the joint except the waiter and (presumably) the cooks in the back. I had a pretty good lamb dish, though I'm not huge on bones, and it was enough for 2-3 meals. Apparently pretty much all the dishes are for 2 people to share. The sauce on the meat was pretty tasty, though it didn't immediately jump out at me or anything. Basically, the food was good and the service pleasant. I'd definitely go for another round.
(5)Kathy Z.
This is the best deal in the city. You will feel like you are in Ethiopia when you go to Cafe Selam. Make sure you go hungry because they give you so much food. The food is fresh and the service is great. This is the only Ethiopian food that I have ever had but now I am a fan of Ethiopian food. I have gone to Cafe Salem with my husband and now he love it so much that he will take clients there for lunch.
(5)dawn h.
I don't have much experience with Ethiopian food, but I tell you what, I LOVE this place. The vegetarian platter was a great way to sample some different dinner options, but what keeps me going back is breakfast when they serve foul. Pronounced "fool", it is made of fava beans with scallions, tomatoes, onions, and hard-boiled eggs. Mmmmmmmmm. The first time I had foul, I will admit that it took me a few bites to really "get it". By the end of the meal though, I had sopped up every last iota of deliciousness that was in my bowl with the crusty french bread that is served on the side. I crave this stuff. It's that good. And, as an added bonus, the people there are fabulous. Very fast and friendly service.
(5)Mel C.
I absolutely LOVE Cafe Selam. Okay, so it doesn't have the same atmosphere as Pan Africa or Meskel, but the food is what's up. And anyway, if you're focused on atmosphere and not food, this place isn't for you. Cafe Selam is humble, but it's a genuine family owned business and the woman who owns it always makes you feel welcome. In fact, she always remembers who we are and what we order. I recommend Cafe Selam for brunch. The foul (fava beans cooked in tomato topped with pepper, onion, feta, and hardboiled egg) is out of this world. It's served with warm, crusty baguette bread that makes my heart flutter :) The coffee is strong and amazing as well. Portions are hearty - I eat the whole thing and I don't want to eat again until dinnertime. Altogether it's usually about $10. Not bad!
(5)Lisa C.
On both occasions the food was fresh and flavorful, the service was warm and friendly, the pricing was fair. Other Ethiopian restaurants I've visited in the Cherry street stretch all had some kind of drawback. Cafe Selam is the whole package and I'll be happy to return.
(5)Mar B.
Being Ethiopian, I have to say this place has the most delicious and fresh Ethiopian food in Seattle. My top favorites are the Foul from the breakfast menu and their Veggie combo. Their stuffs always been nice but some servers are better than others. For example, the lady who helped us yesterday was supper nice but she was having hard time answering simple questions in English. The big turn off about this place is how crappy it looks from inside and outside. I don't understand why they don't work a little to at least make the interior look a bit nice and clean. It doesn't take a lot to do that. ugh Anyways, their food gets a 5 star and their service gets 3 stars.
(4)jay f.
café selam is my wife and my favorite place for Ethiopian food in the city. we've been coming back for probably some 3-4 years, and it's always delicious and a great value. the meat combo is amazing and always filling. come here when you can. the foul is amazing, as noted by others.
(5)Trang M.
Yummy!! My mouth is just watering thinking about Cafe Selam! My co-workers were so nice to treat me to a nice take out lunch! We had the Vegetarian Combo (of course), and a very nice spiced and hot beef stew dish. The vegetarian combo was delish, and tasted so fresh. The women informed us she had just finished cooking when we walked in! The vegetables were nicely spiced and the portions were very good to feed 3 hungry nurses! The beef had a wonderful spicy kick. My co-workers asked them to add more chile, and that is fine by me. The meat was pretty good and tender, and went very well with the Injera. The injera there was not as sour as the other places I've had. I didn't mind a bit, it went really well with our food! I will definitely be back, this place is good enough for me to drive from the North to sample their fares! Parking is a bit tight, but worth it. The place is nice and cozy and the staff are very sweet and friendly.
(5)Grace S.
I'm vegan and I have only had, and really like, their fool for brunch on the weekends (i get it with no eggs or cheese). I agree with the others about the atmosphere. Often they have a television blaring that can drive anyone up a wall, especially if you actively avoid televisions.
(3)Cr L.
The food here is simply amazing. My somewhat unusual order was taken by the completely unfazed, beautifully sweet waitress Martha, who also helped me decide what and how much to order. She was so helpful! I'd brought my own dishes for them to fill with food for a picnic, which they happily did. We were really wowed by the fantastic service, the superb food (I recommend the foul [pronounced "fool"] and lamb tibs very highly. Also can't go wrong with their tasty side dishes. YUM!), and the indredibly good deal this restaraunt is. (This is my first review. I signed up with Yelp specifically to comment on how great this place was!)
(5)S C.
Very flavorful! I love their veggie combo! Their meat selection seems a little limited and not all of the meat dishes are available all the time, either. Still, really great food for very good price.
(5)Robin R.
This is the best Ethiopian restaurant that I've found in the area - I love it. I'm a regular and love that the waitress smiles each time I bring new friends to chow down. I love the veggie plate - such amazing flavors! The injera is super fresh! They also have a great variety of ethiopian beer to sample.
(5)Marta D.
Ok there are bars on all the windows in the neighborhood. Don't be put off by the car mechanic next door. Take the plunge and go in, the interior is clean and comfortable - and the food is fresh and delicious!
(4)