The food was positively delicious! Shared a vegetable combo & green chicken. First time having green chicken and loved every bite! I will definitely order this again (as many times as possible). In addition, I can honestly say that I had the best coffee of my life in this place. We ordered lattes after our meal and it was so wonderful I had an urge to immediately move to this neighborhood just so I could drink one every day. Combine these culinary delights with a friendly, gracious (while extremely busy) hostess, and we had a truly enjoyable dining experience!
(5)
Denechia P.
Charming staff. Quaint atmosphere. Yummy, authentic eats. Spotless bathroom. Try an Ethiopian beer! A little pricey but totally worth it.
(5)
chuan h.
I'm new to Ethiopian cuisine, but this place is memorable and I would gladly go back to do more "research". We ordered a veggie platter, lamb stew, and spicy raw kitfo. Everything was excellent and there were so many diverse flavors to try. The atmosphere is a bit like being in someone's home, with very gracious service and homey decor. It's in a converted house which adds to its style. All in all a great experience.
(4)
Tyler L.
I love this place. Great food and friendly staff. Never too crowded. Pleasant atmosphere. I always get the veggie combo and it's incredible. Yum yum yum. Tip: I would not recommend trying Ethiopian wine (here or anywhere).
(5)
Beyene A.
We had a great food and great customer service at this place. My wife and I along with a friend drove from Lynnwood to have dinner and had a couple of their "kitfo" and A "tibs" . It was really good. The place is nice and clean compared to other Ethiopian restaurants in the area and customer service was the best. I will definitely go back and recommend it for others.
(5)
Scott P.
Wow, a great dinner here last night. Now our new favorite Ethiopian place on cherry...
(5)
Wyatt H.
The injera was darker color here than most other ethiopian restaurants I've been too. Maybe it's the flour they use, but think wheat bread vs white bread. It tasted great, so this was a distinction. Vegetable combination is great for a sampler. The key is to eat the injera in the serving platter first, and use the extra injera next. We also ordered the lamb ribs, and they tasted much more tender than the last time we had them here. Tip: if you order the ethiopian tea, remember to put the tea bag in the cup, or else you're only drinking cinnamon water! oops.
(4)
S C.
Good solid Ethiopian. Very friendly and laid back atmosphere..
(4)
Rossana Y.
I've never had Ethiopian food before until I came here after a friend recommended this place. When we walked in, it totally reminded me of someone's house but was made into a restaurant. There were no problems making reservations and the service was attentive. I was surprised that you're not supposed to use utensils when eating but you use your hands the whole time. Our group of 8 ordered family style which included a couple veggie combo platters and several stewed beef and lamb. Here's how you eat it: You rip off a small piece of injera (this spongy, slightly sour bread), use it to scoop up a small amount of food from the platter, and consume. It's like food and crafts! My favorite was the meat especially the stewed lamb. As a note, don't eat the injera too fast because it expands in your stomach. I was surprised that I was already getting full while we were halfway done. We ended up having a LOT of leftovers in the end. Ethiopian food isn't for everyone but I personally enjoyed the food here at Meskel. Don't be afraid to try something new! I'll definitely come back here again when I'm feeling adventurous.
(4)
Nick L.
Probably my favorite Ethiopian place in Seattle. The building is a converted house and feels very cozy. I've tried most of the menu and it's all great. The raw kitfo (ground beef dish) was especially amazing, although I'm risk-averse enough to not eat raw ground beef very often...but you can get it cooked as well.
(5)
Jennifer C.
Hands down my favorite Ethiopian place in Seattle. No need to look anywhere else. If you like Ethiopian food, this is your place.
(5)
Nick W.
Park in a residential neighborhood, walk up the stairs to the deck, approach the backdoor, peek your head in, and take a seat. While this sounds like a way to get an illicit substance, it's actually the way you casually walk into meskel to score some fantastic Ethiopian cuisine. The staff is always friendly, the purveyor seems to always be sitting at one of the tables keeping watch over the customers, and the food always comes immediately (especially if you aren't ordering meat). Their veggie combo is wonderful and certainly enough for two people. Add a couple sides and you can stuff two people to the point of needing naps and the bill will barely cross the $20 mark. While I've never been so bold, they have a rowdy bar in the basement that always seems to feature lots of people, lots of beer, lots of fun, but never much English speaking. I can't compare it to all the other joints in the neighborhood, but standing alone it's a great experience.
(4)
Aditya S.
We love this place. The owner and our 4 year old share great camaraderie. And that's one of the reasons we visit here- because the little one actually has a whole injera! The veg Shiro is a must have!
(4)
Rachel D.
I love this place. Great food, great service, great environment. I've only ever tried the vegetarian combo, but it's so good that I'm sticking to it each time. The yellow lentils and shiro are the best ever, and the injera is the perfect texture and thickness. My stomach is rumbling now just thinking about it...
(5)
Malvina S.
I don't really know all that much about Ethiopian food but if it is all like this, what a find! A friend and I went there for lunch. At first we thought we had come to the wrong place since it looks like it is in a private home but it is in a residential neighborhood so don't let that stop you. The two of us shared the vegetarian combo and the bozena shero. I just loved that cheese the shero comes with, not to mention the wonderful spices. The lentils in the combo also had the perfect blend of spices. What a treat. Will have to try it out for dinner.
(5)
Rob H.
Fortunate enough to live very close by to this amazing little restaurant. Veggie combo is really plentiful for the price point, and comes out at lightning pace. Really nice patio in the summer time, and the staff is all family connected and super friendly. I wish they had better booze selection but overall really great Ethiopian food at a solid price point.
(4)
Daniel Q.
This is my first time eating Ethiopian food and it was pretty good.. got the veg platter and the fitfit (spicy cube beef dish). It was very filling.. enough food for two..maybe 3 petite people... place looks clean. And the server seems nice.
(5)
Coleena S.
Of course if you've read my reviews you notice I lean towards eating vegetables and vegetarian plates when I dine. Meskel was no exception. I ordered their vegetarian combo and it was amazing! I originally wanted to share with someone, but everyone had already paired up with the folks they'd share with. This left me to dig my injera in to my own personal plate, but it was enough to split between two people if you want to share. So far my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle!
(5)
Andrew R.
This is my favorite spot for authentic tasty Ethiopian food in Seattle. It's set in a renovated house and makes you feel like you're at eating in your Ethiopian auntie's home where she's welcoming you and serving all the home cooked food you've been craving. It's clean, comfortable, affordable and delicious Last time I was here I enjoyed the vegetarian combo for $12- all the tasty veg dishes they make served on injera, with more injera to scoop with- red lentils, yellow lentils, collard greens, cheese, shero (buttery red saucy goodness), fitfit (chopped up injera bread with tasty sauce) cabbage & carrots and salad It's great to enjoy the variety of a bunch of super flavorful dishes and to be warmly welcomed with great hospitality- plus they have a huge patio where you can eat in the sun (if it's out) Look forward to go back again soon
(5)
Symone C.
It was my first time to Meskel. Ive had larger portions at other Ethiopian Restaurants, but i enjoyed the food. It was warm and comfy inside. I liked everything besides the lady who was serving us. She gave us a lot of attitude, and when i asked about the price of the wine she got very defensive and argumentive. That sort of treatment is not ok, especially when i was just asking a simple question. Im not sure if i'll go again, maybe if it was the only place open. Good food though.
(3)
S. M.
My first experience with Ethiopian food and it was delicious! There were 3 of us virgins so we got our food family style. We all left happy and full! Very quiet, clean and welcoming environment.
(4)
Chris L.
Having eaten amazingly good Ethiopian food in the dingiest, grimiest scourge-of-the-health-district joints across the continent, I was a bit stunned to find such a wholesome-looking place rated so highly. However, taking refuge from the midday sun under the wide umbrellas on the expansive patio, my coworkers and I were not disappointed. The doro wat, the vegetable platter, the homemade cheese were all so good I can forgive whoever poured the pitchers of water for substituting a flotilla of sad little lemon slices for any measure of ice whatsoever. Inexplicably not air conditioned--are they trying to replicate Ethiopia's climate to enhance the experience?--the inside was nonetheless charming. The only pall cast over the experience was a near brawl that occurred across the street as a band of people hunkered down in lawn chairs outside their house entered into a dialogue with a group who exited the bus at the corner. Certain words were exchanged, as were certain glass projectiles--a bottle or two? The exchange intensified and the tension mounted as we tersely sipped our warming, vaguely lemon-flavored water. Luckily, the bus riders caroused off into the...well wait, then, it was only noon, wasn't it? Caroused off into the...noon? How is it that all of them were so drunk that early? How do I get that job? Aaaaanyway. My compatriots--one an Ethiopian food newbie, the other formerly a believer that it was supposed to be served with cottage cheese--became, respectively, a convert and a zealot. Me, I'm going back some day when I'm not working so I can have some beer. I'm just not taking the bus.
(4)
Jessica B.
Cute building, clean, big. Not spectacular food, especially with so many other options in that area.
(3)
Ally S.
Ethiopian food on every corner. Meskel wins every time.
(4)
Alison V.
Meskel was my first time eating Ethiopian food. First, I discovered it's really not my thing for the most part. More importantly, however, I discovered Ethiopian beer really isn't that different than some US beers. I was kind of disappointed by that. I don't know what I was expecting, but moving on to the food...the reason most people owuld go there. I tried the raw kitfo and wasn't a fan. Then again, I don't like many meats raw...I'm not even a sushi person. However, all the other people at the table seemed really into it and loved it. It was a personal difference. Kitfo, it's me, not you. The chicken dish (I think Green Chicken it was called) was actually quite delicious and would probably be my choice to eat when I end up back there. There were some good beef and lamb dishes, but once again, just not my thing. Meskel still earns 4 stars in my book though, because with a big group coming in unannounced they handled it well, got all our food out hot and fairly quick, and were happy to see us. They were sure to double check that we were sure to order the kitfo raw and that we wanted things spicy. It was nice to have servers who cared that we would be happy with the food.
(4)
Alice B.
My first Ethiopian food experience, and so far, so good! I've been driving past this place nearly every day since I moved to Seattle 5 years ago, but finally stopped in for dinner last night. An old friend of mine who recently spent a year in Ethiopia stopped in town and was craving Ethiopian food. While there were certainly many options around this area, I've heard good things about this place. I was also glad to have someone who knew the food help me order. There were 3 of us, and we ordered the Vegetarian Combo and the lamb tibs for dinner, several extra sides of Injera (although certainly not necessary), and 2 Baklavas for dessert along with the traditional Machiatto coffee. Plenty of food, and total bill was $45. Some tidbits I learned from my friend: Injera, the spongy flat bread used to pick up the food and also what the food is served on can be a blend of teff and other flours. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can request Injera made only from teff, which is more expensive, but also iron-rich. The tibs here were excellent, nice flavor and not too chewy. I think this was made from lamb here, with a unique flavor similar to teriyaki meets BBQ meets Gyros. In Ethiopia, it can be made from beef or goat. If you want the Italian-style (Ethiopia was occupied by Italy and thus left strong influences) coffee/machiatto, you need to request it, or you will get a cup of regular drip coffee. Also ask for sugar on the side since Ethiopians tend to add a signifiant amount of sugar to their coffees. But their machiatto was one of the best my friend has had anywhere. They have a nice elevated patio area that is enclosed from the street, but as it was a late dinner and no one else was outside, we ate inside. Service was good, and though we were the only party past 11 PM, they didn't ask us to leave. They also had nice Ethiopian music from popular singers playing. All in all, I'd say I like Ethiopian food and would give it a try again, and try some new dishes. It passed my friend's taste test, and she said it was quite authentic, very tasty, and definitely satisfied her craving for Ethiopian food.
(4)
Lisa B.
This is one of my standbys. The veggie combo and the lamb tibbs are very, very good. Portions are big, easy to share. The injira is almost always fresh, as is the food. They have a nice deck for the summertime. Service can be hit or miss.
(4)
Cori S.
yum yum yum. been here a few times, never disappointed by the food. it's always too much to finish b/c it's so heavy, but it's delish. atmosphere is a little off, it's a small place so normally only one waitress helps everyone. and it's in a house so you don't get much privacy.
(4)
Heather D.
I'm not saying the food is TERRIBLE, but, it lacked the heat and spices I'm used to...The oddly cold injera tasted store-bought and the gomen was absolutely flavorless. I feel like there is so much wasted potential here if this is how the food normally is but maybe I just caught them on an off day. I honestly don't understand why people are saying this is the BEST Ethiopian place in Seattle.... I left feeling disappointed.
(3)
Sara H.
My favorite for ethiopian! I've tried many ethiopian restaurants in seattle, including a few that are no longer around and Meskel has always been my favorite. Have been a semi-regular since before they were forced out of the old location. The veggie combo is my fav!
(5)
Craig Y.
I LOVE Ethiopian food and take every opportunity to try a new restaurant which is why I am flabbergasted at Meskel's less than 4+* rating. This food here is authentic and super fresh. Yes, the food is not as mouth-burning as other places, but, as a result, the complexity and richness of the spices come through more clearly. Meskel's seasoning is rich, complex, savory, smooth and balanced. And there is tremendous variety; each dish and flavor profile is distinct, authentic and very different. I order the vegetarian special and have never been disappointed. I've been to so many Ethiopian restaurants where the veg dishes are prepared earlier in the week; not Meskel. Everything here is prepared fresh. If I weren't vegetarian, I would try the raw (tartar) meat dishes. This seems to be the favorite of the local Ethiopians and Eritreans who frequent Meskel and there is no greater testament to freshness and cleanliness than a kitchen committed to raw meat dishes. Few Ethiopian restaurants dare serve up this speciality; if you like spice and raw meat (such as sushi, serviche, steak tartar, carpaccio or black and blue steak) you have to try this dish. A word about the injera; I am super picky when in comes to injera. The texture and flavor must be just right and sadly many Ethiopian restaurants serve dry and stale injera. Meskel's injera is consistently moist and springy with just the right mouth feel and mildly sour flavor. Meskel's consistency here is a reflection of the owner's focus on quality. The owner, a woman by the way, is warm and gracious. I am gay and come here with my partner all the time and have always felt welcome.
(5)
Eric C.
Stopped by for lunch on a Saturday after reading reviews on here and was not disappointed. Between the 4 of us we ordered a BBQ meat something (it was the special), green chicken, veggie platter, and a meat tips dish. All were good but the BBQ meat and the green chicken were great . (The BBQ meat is what has pushed this review from 4 stars to 5.) Service was great as well - our waters were always kept full. We ordered the "Honey Wine" which was unique. The server also brought out a small glass of their home made honey wine for us to try. The atmosphere was just normal - nothing special. The restaurant was clean an nothing that I would complain about. The bill for an entree for each of us and a bottle of wine came to $20 per person plus tip. Next time we'll order just 1 entree for each 2 people. And yes, there will be a next time.
(5)
Adine L.
i had been meaning to try ethiopian food for a long time, and finally, i went on a date with a guy who wanted to take me. i love eating with my hands, and i was always told that the food was similar to indian food, which i LOVE. the food was amazing. i really preferred the vegetarian stuff opposed to the meat selections, which is strange because i do love most meats... the service was great, and although i wouldn't say the ambiance was equally so, the whole experience was amazing.
(4)
Jennifer B.
I like this Ethiopian Restaurant the best so far in Seattle. It is pricier than all the other places I've been with smaller portions but it is clean and the food has good spice and flavor. The staff is really nice too and they come around a lot asking you how things are and keep your water filled. I like their veggie platter and usually get the lamb with it. I also like the chicken and beef (can't remember the names off the top of my head). The green chicken is a favorite amongst my friends.
(4)
D.J. Y.
Get in ma belly!!! I want my baby-back baby-back ribs, I want my....oops, wrong jingle.... Needless to say, this place rocks, met a bunch of the old crew from high school, and we had a grand time. Service was attentive yet left us alone while we chatted the night away. While the Injera, the sponge-like, torilla-ish pancake for a lack of a better term, seemed a bit too "sour" for my tastes it was enjoyable. I did inhale the tibs both chicken and lamb, along with our veggie platter. I found it a bit interesting that the veggie platter was a bit, cold/chilled, I don't recall it being served this way at other Ethiopian places I have been to. I did like the fact our server asked how "spicey" we wanted our food, sadly, I was in the minority and we opted for "mild". It was very tastey none the less. Street parking was okay, but had this been a weekend I could see how people could get pissed. I'll have to take the bus during the Summer months and revisit this place to try out the deck! Ethoiopian beer and honey-wine served, my crew said it was all delish!
(4)
Robel A.
This is by far the worst Ethiopian food I've ever had and am not a Picky eater. I won't return and certainly won't recommend it to anyone.
(1)
Gates B.
The biggest draw to Meskel for me is the wrap around outdoor patio you can see from Cherry Street. Much of the year in Seattle it's not quite warm enough to enjoy it, but this summer has been great for eating Ethiopian on the patio. But I'd only give them three stars as the service can be a bit spotty - last visit it seemed two waitresses were serving us and forgot one of our Mango juices after we asked for it twice. There was also a light on a motion sensor that starting going on and off until a patron next to us had them turn it off. Meskel is a bit pricier than my favorite Ethiopian place nearby, Mesob. You'll pay ~$12 for a combo platter here that is a few bucks cheaper at Mesob. And I think the quality is okay here but not as good as others.. a bit on the bland side. So if you want patio dining and some Injera, come here, otherwise I'd consider one of the other Ethiopian joints.
(3)
Heather J.
While I was very confused trying to find the door to this place, I was pleasantly suprised by the tastiness of the food. I had to try three doors to enter and then I was worried they wouldnt take credit cards (but they did). I much enjoyed my veggie platter, particularly my inerja, the salad and the chick pea dish. The coffee was also mighty tasty and strong. It appears that the patio will be nice in the summer. With so many ethopian places in the area its hard to know if I made the right choice, but this one came recommended and I will recommend it as well.
(4)
John E.
Although I can walk to at least six Ethiopian restaurants here in the CD, I am still searching for that mysterious mix of ambiance, tastiness, traditional style, and price. Meskel is passable on the last three, but the food is not that spicy and the service is uneven. Once, we had to nag a couple of times to get drinks and side orders, which made the ambiance at our table "testy vegans". Noone wants that, right? Do not withhold food from the vegans: they have no fat stores. They have a good vegetarian combo, and good injera. I'll be back.
(3)
Trang M.
Went here with my friend for lunch today. The place is nice and definitely a converted house. I think that gives it some charm. Definitely too cold to sit outside, so we dined inside. I ordered a veggie combo to share with my friend and she ordered a Kitfo (minced spiced raw beef) she had hers cooked lightly. The staff are nice and the owner is also sweet. It also helps that my friend is Ethiopian too, makes the dining experience fun. The food didn't take that long to come out, or it could of been that we were busy catching up. The veggie combo had it's standard items.I noticed the portion is a bit smaller than other places I frequent. Not necessarily a bad thing, since I've since cut back on my portions. My friend and I were able to enjoy it. There was a bit of spice missing from some items, but it was passable. It wasn't the best I've had, but it was good. You get one piece of injera on the separate platter, along with what is put on platter itself. I thought that was enough for me, but you can always ask for more. My friend liked her Kitfo and ended up taking leftovers home, which she will revamp with more spices. The staff don't hover and they kind of just leave you alone. A nice touch at the end of the meal when they give you toothpicks, hand wipes, and Andes mints with your check. Next time I'll take the Mr and see if they deserve another star.
(3)
Carlos E.
The combo platters always come through. The ambience was fancier than the other ethiopian restaurants I've been in Seattle, which is nice from time to time, but I prefer quiet humble ambience.
(3)
wes y.
Been here a couple of times and it's been very good. Nice vibe being in a converted house. Several local Ethiopians also eating so that's a good sign. I would recommend this place if you're looking for good food in a very relaxed setting. A good place to take a date if you're looking for the out of the ordinary. The service can be a bit slow but if you take the time to talk with the waitresses who are foreign, it helps. Try one of the 3 Ethiopian beers.
(4)
Chadd B.
I have been eating Ethiopean food in Seattle since the mid-90's, and for the past few years Meskel and Lalibela (sp?) have been our go to places on First Hill, and Zuma Grocery by our house in the Northend. My dad was in town, he was stationed in Addis and Asmara in the 60's, so we went to Meskel, our fave. We ordered the Veggie Combo and Doro Wot - plus a few beers for the three of us. I was shocked by how the food seems to have shrunk. There was about a quarter or half cup of each: Greens, Lentils, Potato, yellow lentils, and the spicy chopped Injera. Lots of cheese, the photo is pretty accurate. The $12 Doro Wot was one scrawny chicken leg and an egg. The sauce was delish, but those are Crush and Crow prices for a chicken leg! In all, we were dissapointed. At Zuma (takeout) one $10 veggie combo will stuff the two of us for dinner, with enough left over for lunch for the both of us (so 4 meals). Here we had two entrees, and literally scraped the platter clean. So sad that this happened...
(2)
E T.
Overall, we had a good experience - the food seemed authentic, we loved that they brought out these massive, but light plates with the layers of Injera and then dumped our food on it. I played it safe, splitting the Green chicken which was delicious and very buttery and the Vegi combo which had a lot of variety. The portions were just right for our group - we underestimated the Injera and we could definitely feel it expanding in our tummies. Fast eaters beware... 3 stars because I have to admit, I am going to remember the crazy lady who threatened my friend and rhymed most of her phrases much more vividly than our food. Just be on your toes when you're sitting outside...that neighborhood has a lot of character. And the service was just okay.
(3)
Erin D.
I'd rate this as one of my top 3 favorite Ethiopian restaurants (the other two being Queen Sheba and Addis). We've always had pretty good service, the food has always been well-prepared, fresh and tasty. The injera is just like injera should be - soft, spongey and slightly tangy. It's definitely not a hurry-up kind of vibe - it's the kind of place where you have a friendly, lingering dinner with friends, eating, drinking, and laughing. Also? There's lots of funny in this world and the review two below just ain't one of 'em - besides not actually being much of an actual review.
(4)
Mrs. T.
Just GOOD Ethiopian food. I prefer this place over any other Ethiopian place I've tried. Not in the best of areas, but it's easy to find (looks like a house from the outside). Give it a try! - It's clean. - Run by good people. - Portions are nice and big. - I recommend the Bozena Shiro...It'll look very different from anything you've ever tried, but trust me, it's so darn good! - Doro tibs is a safe thing to try if it is your first time trying out Ethiopian food. - Crazy-looking delicious bread. I've been going here for years. And whenever I try some other Ethiopian place, I either get food poisoning or I leave unsatisfied.
(5)
Sheila Y.
Went here awhile back and I still remember my meal. Unfortunately it doesn't hold a candle to Ras Kassa's in Boulder so I just can't in good conscience give it more than three stars. The Chicken Tibs was meh, but the vegetarian combo was decent and the injera was super sour, which I love. The service was great, but then again we were one of three tables at this place. I am pretty sure this is the best bet in Seattle, which is a bit disappointing but I'll try to give this place another chance.
(3)
Jen A.
Great food. Though I usually eat more veg than meat, when I eat ethiopian, I prefer the meat. Great lamb
(4)
Laura B.
Wowsers, awesome. We had the vegetarian combo and doro wat. Now... I really kinda sorta wished there had been a meat combo as some others have, but after having the doro wat, I really kinda forgot about that... not to mention we were so full we brought home a ton more injera than we'd ever eat (we got, for 2 people/2 dishes, the one the veggie combo was served on then 2 more huge, thick, moist pieces, way bigger and better than the injera elsewhere like Saba, Sheeba, etc)... we downed all the veggies, liking all but the tomato-vinegar sauce with chopped injera one... the collards, the lentils, the cauliflower (oh give me more of that, mmm), the split peas, and the salad (which the other person with me took all but one lil bite of, the thief!) were great. The doro wat... wellll. I gotta say that chicken, both then and the day after, had my heart humming happy songs. SO tender, so lush... so lovely. The egg was cooked quite well but they don't do the little poking holes thing in theirs, so the flavor of the berbere wasn't as soaked into the egg as I'm used to. No bother--the berbere quickly incorporated, as I decided to actually use the provided spoon to split the egg so she wouldn't have to share much of my spit). In her words, "her" being someone whose nose wrinkled 4 times at suggesting Ethiopian, "Mmm I loovvvve this. I could just eat this like SOUP!" She tried... and her face did a "whoa that's got kick" expression before I said, "The injera really tempers it... or try it with some cheese." We had more cheese than we could figure out what to do with--the salad got some, but really... a whole BOWL of cheese for doro wat? They offered us extra plates (we politely said we'd figure it out), offered several things. She even took my ID when I ordered honey wine, mostly out of sentiment... both of us liked their honey wine, though for some reason it seemed stronger than Sheeba's--I figured it would be the same stuff, but maybe not. This may just be fresher/not decanted/not stale... was good anyway. They even put a slice of lime in the water. It works. The service was freakishly fast... I mean, I know the stuff is cooked early and they are just putting it on plates, but WOW. Oh, Don't miss out on going through the lounge/bar and acting lost... it's really quite the spectacle. I loved how HAPPY everyone there was, and the waitresses were so sweet and cute. The one that put our things in a (cool thick paper carton) to go box (that my guest proceeded to decorate with cute little aliens and strange animals once we got the pen to sign the card stuff!) had an adorable giggle, for what it's worth. WAY nicer than some places I've been--I know WHY they were voted BEST Ethiopian food (with NONE of the 20+ competitors in town even getting on the list!) by Seattle Met (that I agree in general with most all of the winners of, that gave me another 20 places to yelp, curse you!!)... everything, the setting in particular being several notches above the rest, was just so much BETTER than the others. I didn't have a bit of anything that wasn't perfect, and that... gets them 5 *s when others... get few.
(5)
Joe A.
Nice authentic Ethiopian. My wife Cate and I really enjoy the food.
(4)
Sara F.
Went here for the 2nd time last night with some friend peeps and we were all equally sated and satisfied by the delicious Ethiopian cuisine! I probably could live on yebeg tibs, doro wot and the veggie combo with all the amazing veggie concoctions they serve you, (sadly my husbo doesn't let me eat Ethiopian everyday, otherwise I would!), and this place doesn't dissapoint! Our only sorta complaint was we asked for the food to be extra spicy and it was not spicy in the least, definitely full of delicious seasoning, but heat wise nada. Other than that, I would have licked the plate clean if it wasn't for this silly thing called public embarrasment! Will be going back, soon I hope!
(4)
anesia k.
amazing, i would totally recommend! i've not tried others but was very impressed. am definitely going again....i forgot to snap a pic! :/
(4)
Neal M.
This is our favorite Ethiopian restaurant to go to. The prices might be a bit higher than some of the others, but we feel the food to be worth it. The vegetarian combo is an awesome deal and could fill up two people. The doro tibbs are really flavorful chicken pieces in a tomato based sauce. But it is the injera that keeps us coming back. We prefer the injera at Meskel to any of the other places we have been to. And since you eat injera with every bite, you have to like it. Service has always been good for us too.
(5)
Matt A.
Meskel as my first Ethiopian food experience while living in Seattle. Unfortunately it didn't really do it for me. There is an awesome Etriean place back in Portland, ME that I am holding in the highest regard, so it might be hard to beat. I think it helped that there was a huge refugee population in Portland that helped keep the quality good. The food at Meskel was good, but nothing amazing. The portions were actually small compared to what I am used to. We tried the Ethiopian wines, neither were that good. Service was great however. I probably won't go back to this one, but will be trying a few more in town.
(3)
Rachael L.
Came here last night with a group of 7 for dinner. We were pretty much rookies when it came to ordering, but somehow managed to order enough food to fully satiate (and beyond) the whole table. We had 4 entrees and we were able to finish nearly everything. I apologize for not being able to be more specific: we had 1 beef dish, 1 chicken dish, 1 lamb dish and the veggie platter. It all was amazing. The people next to us had the green chicken that looked phenomenal as well. I think that everyone had at least 1 beverage (alcoholic or otherwise) and with tax and tip we got out of there for $100. The service was a little slow (we almost had to beg for the check) but maybe that's cultural? Oh well, it certainly wasn't enough of a deterrent to keep us from coming back!!
(4)
Jeff G.
I'm torn here. I think Meskel is one of the very best Ehiopian restaurants in Seattle. It's in a fantastic location; an old converted house with a large porch for sunny days. Their vegetarian combo is a ton of food and with a side of Tibbs(beef or lamb) it's a huge meal for two or three people.They also have wine beer and cocktails! Here's where I'm torn though. I live across the street and on weekends if I go out in the early evening I usually can't find a parking space when I get back. This place is that popular. And the deck can get pretty noisy on a warm summer night. So if you do come here for delicious Injera, the sunny deck, and cocktails, please take a cab here and use your inside voice.
(4)
John H.
Ask for the BBQ (beef). It's not on the menu, but it now seems to be available regularly. Served with thin-sliced caramelized onion and peppers in a charcoal-warmed clay pot. Yum!
(5)
David R.
A very fun meal will await you at this place. A friend had a birthday Dinner here and was a great way for a group to share the food experiance. The RAW kitfo was amazing. I can't remember the name of the hot powder that was super yummy but it was something like bubblyberry? They asked twice when we ordered Raw just to make sure its what we really wanted (was a nice gesture) The bread reminded me of a crepe served cold and thats not a bad thing. Prefect way to reach over your friends beer for your next handful sized portion of veggies and meat dishes. Really a great place to go with friends and dine with friends in a fun fashion. Downstairs is the bar where it seemed Futbol is the game of choice.
(4)
Karin A.
Delicious food and pleasant low key atmosphere (looks like a residence from the outside). There is something liberating about using your hands to eat and the injera has a delicious different taste. Good Lamb options available too!
(4)
Kevin Q.
The dish just had one piece of chicken, boiled egg was ice cold and the injera was dry and not fresh. The staff did little to help. Avoid this place as much as possible.
(1)
Frank A.
I can happily say Meskel is the best ethiopian food in Seattle. I've done the rounds (see my other reviews), and this restaurant consistantly provides great food and a good overall experience. My favorites are the the veggie platter and the mixed platter. The home-made cheese included with the veggie platter melts in your mouth. The yebeg tibbs (lamb) is a little chewy, but still well seasoned. Meskel's interior is in bad need of an up date. The window treatments alone make me feel like I'm eating ethiopian at my mother's house. But, while out-dated, the restaurant is always clean. As mentioned, the patio is wonderful on a warm day. Their bathroom is huge, and is also kept clean.
(4)
Jess S.
at first i thought it was good that i was the only 'person of Caucasian descent' there because if everyone else is Ethiopian the food must be great, right? well, the server i had only visited me 2x. she took my order & brought me the food 30 minutes later. i got no water until i managed to flag down another server to get some. i got no napkins so i got up & got some paper towels from the bathroom myself. the food was alright. but the sheer neglect reminded me too much of being a kid again.
(1)
Nourisha W.
I ate here for New Year's Eve and my mouth was happy. They were missing a few of my favorite mushroom dishes but the green chicken more than made up for it! It smelled good, had a great atmosphere and the service was nice. The location makes it a great option for a Friday night dinner when I'm heading across the 520 and don't feel like dealing with the I-5 madness right away. In the words of terminator, I'll be back.
(4)
Lily K.
this was a good place. i feel like it's hard to get bad ethiopian food. meskel has friendly, low key staff. everything comes out quickly and the bar downstairs can get pretty crazy, i hear! please check out my food blog for a full review with photos!
(3)
Grace S.
My favorite Ethiopian restaurant. They're veggie platter with an extra side order of Shiro Wat is my favorite. If you're a coffee drinker, their ethiopian grounds are ultra-yummy too. Bring containers - you'll get many meals out of this.
(4)
Pickle b.
I am not an expert on Ethiopian cuisine, but this was delicious. Sharing the veggie combo and stewed lamb (baa! baa!) I was in heaven and the ghostly cries of the lamb were quelled by my satisfied tummy. The service is a little slow, but you know what, the food is worth it. And more importantly, service was pleasant, attentive but not overly so.
(5)
Stephanie P.
This was my first time eating Ethipian food and for the most part it was very tasty. The veggie combo was by far my favorite. We had a couple of meat dishes that were OK. The service was great and it is a good place to go with a group of friends.
(3)
Danelle E.
Been here several times over the years, and the food is absolutely exquisite. Kitfo is to die for. Love this place. Looking forward to coming there this week.
(5)
kelly c.
Meskel is one of my favorite CD amenities. The food is solid, though not out-of-this world and lacking in the important spice factor, and they have a nice selection of beer and wine. The service is kind and accommodating, though admittedly they can quickly become overwhelmed by a large crowd. The patio, however, is Meskel's crowning glory. In order to fully experience and appreciate Meskel, you simply must sit outside! It is a great joy for me to sit outside! in my very own neighborhood! experiencing dinner!
(4)
Evy L.
Getting into the restaurant is a bit confusing, because the restaurant is upstairs, but the ground floor doesn't make it perfectly clear which way to go. But go through the front door, head past the bar, and up the stairs. It took awhile for us to get seated. I think partially because the place was so busy. But, it was worth it, once we received our order. We ordered the vegetarian combo and the #6 (a beef dish that I cannot remember the name of). Everything was very flavorful and really good. Injera, of course, expands in your stomach. So, while it didn't look like a ton of food, it really was. Definitely check the place out. It's not particularly charming--but the food is delicious.
(4)
Bob E.
After having tried numerous Ethiopian restaurants around Seattle over the past decade, I've settled on Meskel as the place I always go now for Ethiopian food. Not only are the portion sizes quite good, but it's easy to make a meal for 2-3 people by simply ordering a veggie platter and a meat dish. The individual dishes are fresh and not cooked down like at some other places. Also, each dish is spiced and flavored differently so the variety on the veggie platter and other dishes is refreshing. In the summer, I have very much enjoyed dining al-fresco on the patio with friends and beers. They provide a full Injera to each diner around the table so there's no shortage at all, but it would be nice if they provided a plate per diner to hold the Injera.
(5)
Jacob B.
While Meskel wasn't bad, it wasn't that great either (when I went). I've read some good stuff about the restaurant, but I was disappointed. I had the vegetarian platter and felt that the flavors were a bit timid compared the other Ethiopian food I've had in the past. Not much spice and the food wasn't very warm either. Cafe Soleil is still my favorite Ethiopian dinner in Seattle.
(3)
Jennifer G.
My favorite ethiopian restaurant. This was my first taste of ethiopian food and the experience compelled me to try other ethiopian restaurants here in Seattle. The others didn't stack up well next to Meskel's. This place is the best. I really enjoy their kitfo RAW!!
(5)
Ya Y.
It was good. The food was good. The service was surprisingly fast, particularly in that it was Saturday. The ambiance was nice. I will be returning again. Mesob used to be my default Ethiopian place, but now Meskel will be.
(3)
Jason T.
This might be the best Ethiopian place in town. The food is fantastic--tons of amazing flavors! Service is quick and friendly and they don't pressure you to leave the minute you finish your food. It's nice to feel relaxed and able to sit and chat after a large meal. The Vegetarian Combination is great and the Tibs Wat are fantastic. I can't recommend this place enough! As others have noted it's easy to miss the restaurant as it looks just like a house, and the entrance is on the side.
We live nearby and this is one of our go-to spots for delicious food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The veggie combo is tasty and plentiful. The lamb tibs (medium spice) are fresh and the perfect level of spice/ heat. Service is attentive and friendly. The woman who greets and serves is also very sweet with children. Our toddler loves her...and the food!
(5)
Jessica N.
I'm not an expert but I love Ethiopian food and Meskel is always my go to when the craving kicks in. The fact that it's in a house gives the authentic feeling right off the bat. The food is always well prepared and flavorful. I recommend the doro wat, beef tibs and veggie platter. We even asked for an extra egg in the doro what... Great call! Service was good - when we went the whole restaurant was packed and there was only one server. She did her best considering!
(4)
Lawrence L.
They now have a truck which is in Downtown Bellevue every Friday! My first time trying it, I had to do the sampler (so I know what to do next time). Sampler is $12. Each of the other individual orders is $10. Not sure how I feel about individual servings as I understand the fun of Ethiopian food to be eating in community (sharing bread). But the food is good...the curry is very flavourful, the stew as well and the tibs have just the right texture. Comes with a salad on the side. See you next Friday!
(4)
Aaron W.
Been a while since I had Ethiopian food. Hats off to fellow Yelpers for this tip. The #13 (Yebeg Tibbs) was a server's recommendation. Cubes of fresh lamb sauteed with onion, and a side salad. Our meals came with injera, the Ethiopian spongy flatbread with that sourdough taste. Very flavorful and tender lamb. Admittedly, the meat was quite oily and the salad got drenched with Italian dressing. I can only assume they wanted to ensure the panda received extra fluff for his buck. Other similar dishes to consider: #15 (Yebere Tibbs; using beef) and #16 (Doro Tibbs; using chicken). Gotta take advantage when the weather is great and sit outside. Good service. Overall, it's a solid place to try.
(4)
Michael B.
We found Meskel to be ok, it didn't really stand out from many of the other Ethiopian restaurant's on First Hill. The service was very slow even though there was only a couple other tables dining.
(3)
Chris B.
At 7:30 on a Wednesday, there was one other couple eating on the patio and we joined them outside. My wife and I shared the veggie platter with gluten free ingera. For $20 we were totally satisfied. The salad was fresh, there was a home made ricotta type cheese, three dals, greens and cabbage. Perfect amount for two people. Service was friendly and efficient. The patio was perfect for the 75 degree evening. We will be back.
(4)
Anna M.
Meskel is my go to place for Ethiopian food. Their food is always amazing (I go here often and the quality is consistent), the hostess is a terrific person who always makes you feel welcome, and the building itself is always bright and is well decorated. The portions are large and I always have left overs to enjoy the next day. One little tip is that the entrance is the side door so don't be discouraged if you can't find it at first. Enjoy!
(5)
Lela D.
Came here on my visit to Seattle. I was craving REAL Ethiopian food. My aunt was at the Swedish hospital a few miles away. Went with my mom and cousin. It was super confusing just trying to find the door. It has a house vibe. Restaurant was empty, food was bland. Try elsewhere.
(2)
Lindsey L.
I love this place. I order take out here so often I don't have to finish placing my order, they can do if from the sound of my voice. The owners are pleasant, the service can be slow, but worth the wait and the atmosphere is friendly. I usually order the veggie combo for my kids, plus a side of spicy lentils, a side of gomen and an order of bozeno shiro. (I usually have to fend off my husband from devouring the last one by hissing and using a sharp fork). (I don't really hiss). In the summer you can sit outside, in the winter it is a haven of warmth with great food and a decent, well priced, wine collection. Yay! I'm a fan.
(5)
Kris T.
It was by prompting of my new wife to go and have Ethiopian cuisine and we were just drawn to this place. We both love exploring hole in the wall places and this was absolutely wonderful! We will be back again and again! Wow! We stuffed ourselves with Doro Wot, red lentils and amazing injera. You gotta try this place and make it a place to frequent!
(5)
Phil C.
Homey atmosphere, great patio seating, and quick and friendly service that genuinely wants you to be satisfied. The vegetable combination serves as a great foundation for the meal, and is well paired with either the keye firfir (beef) or yebeg tibbs (lamb). For two people, extra injera is debatable and possibly unnecessary, but an Ethiopian beer on the side hits the spot (I'm a fan of the St. George pale lager).
(4)
Behr S.
What can I say about this little Ethiopian gem? Honestly, not enough! I had been here before after it was recommended to me by an Ethiopian friend of mine. And I have to say that my second visit was just as good as my first. When I walked in both times, my nose was seduced by the smoky scent of berberre and the tangy sourness of injera. The waitstaff (two women) were friendly and very attentive. My party the last time consisted of 5 and they easily made room for us. With orders of the vegetarian platter, doro wat, kitfo, extra ayib, yebeg alicha and addis tea; there was plenty of food for all of us. It was absolutely delicious. Where there is food this good and polite service such as is found here...I will be back.
(5)
Candice C.
Not from Seattle but happy to be taken to this great place. Good food and had their BBQ platter! It was good!
(3)
Sarah Elizabeth P.
Great food, friendly staff, good beer. I'd put the food on par with most other Ethiopian places in Seattle, it was good, but not better than anywhere else I've been. I think the atmosphere was better than other places and they had a variety of Ethiopian beer (which was quite tasty).
(4)
Chris D.
People are super nice, and there's an extra mysterious little flavor in the food that makes this probably the best Ethiopian I've ever had.
(5)
Greg O.
Used to live nearby. Now not so much. Love this place. Don't love the hours! Doro Wat, Tibs, and wish they had Timitim salad. Already looking forward to going in late July. Friendly staff, delicious food.
(4)
Ane P.
If you're looking for a place to take friends to try Ethiopian food (or for that matter Eritrean food--because I still haven't found a good place), this is a sure bet. They operate out of a house on the corner, which offers comfortable seating and even high chairs (haha)! The food is fresh, and they have several meat and veggie selections. Their injera tastes to be homemade, and their green chicken is a hit with my little guy. If you're a fan of Ethiopian food, this place won't disappoint.
(4)
Gail L.
We arrived here on a Saturday night and we were seated right away. We each ordered a beer, but it took exactly an hour to receive the beer. We had ordered our food at the same time as the beer, but an hour and a half later our waitress asked for our order again and retook it. After 2 hours the food came. Our waitress told us the beer would be comped, but the manager came out and didn't approve the comp. This is by far the worst service we have ever had. The food was excellent which is why I am giving this 2 stars instead of 1, but I wouldn't return after having such terrible service.
(2)
Rafael H.
The food is delicious, nice atmosphere but try to be patient when they get busy because the waitress tends to forget stuff
(5)
Katrina D.
This is a great Ethiopian restaurant right up the street from where I live! If you haven't had Ethiopian before, it is amazing! Probably my most favorite food ever- if you like Indian food, you'll like this (I think and hope). Meskel was actually recommended to me by some other Ethiopians I met nearby. They exclaimed that Meskel was by far superior to any of the many others that are lined up and down Jackson and Rainier. I've spoken to Ethiopian folks and they agree Meskel is the best...If you haven't had Ethiopian yet, live a little and get out of your comfort zone! It is amazing food!
(4)
Sharon H.
Okay, I was tired and grumpy when I arrived, so my first impression was not good. Then my daughter and I settled into a great table in the outdoor patio and reviewed the menu. Can you believe that I was grumpy again because the menu was hard for me to read? Our waitress also came across as tired - it is hot out. Well... Once settled in, and through the menu, and a bit rested, all turned around. We've eaten Ethiopian all over the US - primarily in DC - and I would come here again in a heartbeat. The food came out quickly and was excellently prepared. Every bite was delicious, leaving both my daughter and I satisfied, full of the happiness that comes with a good meal and ready to continue our week-long road trip. A wonderful experience! One that I recommend to anyone with a desire for the good things in life.
(4)
Sonya D.
Of the Ethiopian restaurants I've been to (about 7 in the U.S.) I've enjoyed this place the most. First, the location is easy to find, next the service is fast and friendly, third the food is delicious with generous portions and the injera is soft and firm. I've brought two friends here to have their first Ethiopian food experience, they were both very pleased.
(5)
Nelya B.
Ive been to about 5 different ethiopian restaurants and this one is my absolute favorite. Food was fresh, tasty, and the waitress was friendly. Wow. This is my new ethiopian restaurant! They just stole a customer from their competitors.
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 : Quiet Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
Average I.
The food was positively delicious! Shared a vegetable combo & green chicken. First time having green chicken and loved every bite! I will definitely order this again (as many times as possible). In addition, I can honestly say that I had the best coffee of my life in this place. We ordered lattes after our meal and it was so wonderful I had an urge to immediately move to this neighborhood just so I could drink one every day. Combine these culinary delights with a friendly, gracious (while extremely busy) hostess, and we had a truly enjoyable dining experience!
(5)Denechia P.
Charming staff. Quaint atmosphere. Yummy, authentic eats. Spotless bathroom. Try an Ethiopian beer! A little pricey but totally worth it.
(5)chuan h.
I'm new to Ethiopian cuisine, but this place is memorable and I would gladly go back to do more "research". We ordered a veggie platter, lamb stew, and spicy raw kitfo. Everything was excellent and there were so many diverse flavors to try. The atmosphere is a bit like being in someone's home, with very gracious service and homey decor. It's in a converted house which adds to its style. All in all a great experience.
(4)Tyler L.
I love this place. Great food and friendly staff. Never too crowded. Pleasant atmosphere. I always get the veggie combo and it's incredible. Yum yum yum. Tip: I would not recommend trying Ethiopian wine (here or anywhere).
(5)Beyene A.
We had a great food and great customer service at this place. My wife and I along with a friend drove from Lynnwood to have dinner and had a couple of their "kitfo" and A "tibs" . It was really good. The place is nice and clean compared to other Ethiopian restaurants in the area and customer service was the best. I will definitely go back and recommend it for others.
(5)Scott P.
Wow, a great dinner here last night. Now our new favorite Ethiopian place on cherry...
(5)Wyatt H.
The injera was darker color here than most other ethiopian restaurants I've been too. Maybe it's the flour they use, but think wheat bread vs white bread. It tasted great, so this was a distinction. Vegetable combination is great for a sampler. The key is to eat the injera in the serving platter first, and use the extra injera next. We also ordered the lamb ribs, and they tasted much more tender than the last time we had them here. Tip: if you order the ethiopian tea, remember to put the tea bag in the cup, or else you're only drinking cinnamon water! oops.
(4)S C.
Good solid Ethiopian. Very friendly and laid back atmosphere..
(4)Rossana Y.
I've never had Ethiopian food before until I came here after a friend recommended this place. When we walked in, it totally reminded me of someone's house but was made into a restaurant. There were no problems making reservations and the service was attentive. I was surprised that you're not supposed to use utensils when eating but you use your hands the whole time. Our group of 8 ordered family style which included a couple veggie combo platters and several stewed beef and lamb. Here's how you eat it: You rip off a small piece of injera (this spongy, slightly sour bread), use it to scoop up a small amount of food from the platter, and consume. It's like food and crafts! My favorite was the meat especially the stewed lamb. As a note, don't eat the injera too fast because it expands in your stomach. I was surprised that I was already getting full while we were halfway done. We ended up having a LOT of leftovers in the end. Ethiopian food isn't for everyone but I personally enjoyed the food here at Meskel. Don't be afraid to try something new! I'll definitely come back here again when I'm feeling adventurous.
(4)Nick L.
Probably my favorite Ethiopian place in Seattle. The building is a converted house and feels very cozy. I've tried most of the menu and it's all great. The raw kitfo (ground beef dish) was especially amazing, although I'm risk-averse enough to not eat raw ground beef very often...but you can get it cooked as well.
(5)Jennifer C.
Hands down my favorite Ethiopian place in Seattle. No need to look anywhere else. If you like Ethiopian food, this is your place.
(5)Nick W.
Park in a residential neighborhood, walk up the stairs to the deck, approach the backdoor, peek your head in, and take a seat. While this sounds like a way to get an illicit substance, it's actually the way you casually walk into meskel to score some fantastic Ethiopian cuisine. The staff is always friendly, the purveyor seems to always be sitting at one of the tables keeping watch over the customers, and the food always comes immediately (especially if you aren't ordering meat). Their veggie combo is wonderful and certainly enough for two people. Add a couple sides and you can stuff two people to the point of needing naps and the bill will barely cross the $20 mark. While I've never been so bold, they have a rowdy bar in the basement that always seems to feature lots of people, lots of beer, lots of fun, but never much English speaking. I can't compare it to all the other joints in the neighborhood, but standing alone it's a great experience.
(4)Aditya S.
We love this place. The owner and our 4 year old share great camaraderie. And that's one of the reasons we visit here- because the little one actually has a whole injera! The veg Shiro is a must have!
(4)Rachel D.
I love this place. Great food, great service, great environment. I've only ever tried the vegetarian combo, but it's so good that I'm sticking to it each time. The yellow lentils and shiro are the best ever, and the injera is the perfect texture and thickness. My stomach is rumbling now just thinking about it...
(5)Malvina S.
I don't really know all that much about Ethiopian food but if it is all like this, what a find! A friend and I went there for lunch. At first we thought we had come to the wrong place since it looks like it is in a private home but it is in a residential neighborhood so don't let that stop you. The two of us shared the vegetarian combo and the bozena shero. I just loved that cheese the shero comes with, not to mention the wonderful spices. The lentils in the combo also had the perfect blend of spices. What a treat. Will have to try it out for dinner.
(5)Rob H.
Fortunate enough to live very close by to this amazing little restaurant. Veggie combo is really plentiful for the price point, and comes out at lightning pace. Really nice patio in the summer time, and the staff is all family connected and super friendly. I wish they had better booze selection but overall really great Ethiopian food at a solid price point.
(4)Daniel Q.
This is my first time eating Ethiopian food and it was pretty good.. got the veg platter and the fitfit (spicy cube beef dish). It was very filling.. enough food for two..maybe 3 petite people... place looks clean. And the server seems nice.
(5)Coleena S.
Of course if you've read my reviews you notice I lean towards eating vegetables and vegetarian plates when I dine. Meskel was no exception. I ordered their vegetarian combo and it was amazing! I originally wanted to share with someone, but everyone had already paired up with the folks they'd share with. This left me to dig my injera in to my own personal plate, but it was enough to split between two people if you want to share. So far my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle!
(5)Andrew R.
This is my favorite spot for authentic tasty Ethiopian food in Seattle. It's set in a renovated house and makes you feel like you're at eating in your Ethiopian auntie's home where she's welcoming you and serving all the home cooked food you've been craving. It's clean, comfortable, affordable and delicious Last time I was here I enjoyed the vegetarian combo for $12- all the tasty veg dishes they make served on injera, with more injera to scoop with- red lentils, yellow lentils, collard greens, cheese, shero (buttery red saucy goodness), fitfit (chopped up injera bread with tasty sauce) cabbage & carrots and salad It's great to enjoy the variety of a bunch of super flavorful dishes and to be warmly welcomed with great hospitality- plus they have a huge patio where you can eat in the sun (if it's out) Look forward to go back again soon
(5)Symone C.
It was my first time to Meskel. Ive had larger portions at other Ethiopian Restaurants, but i enjoyed the food. It was warm and comfy inside. I liked everything besides the lady who was serving us. She gave us a lot of attitude, and when i asked about the price of the wine she got very defensive and argumentive. That sort of treatment is not ok, especially when i was just asking a simple question. Im not sure if i'll go again, maybe if it was the only place open. Good food though.
(3)S. M.
My first experience with Ethiopian food and it was delicious! There were 3 of us virgins so we got our food family style. We all left happy and full! Very quiet, clean and welcoming environment.
(4)Chris L.
Having eaten amazingly good Ethiopian food in the dingiest, grimiest scourge-of-the-health-district joints across the continent, I was a bit stunned to find such a wholesome-looking place rated so highly. However, taking refuge from the midday sun under the wide umbrellas on the expansive patio, my coworkers and I were not disappointed. The doro wat, the vegetable platter, the homemade cheese were all so good I can forgive whoever poured the pitchers of water for substituting a flotilla of sad little lemon slices for any measure of ice whatsoever. Inexplicably not air conditioned--are they trying to replicate Ethiopia's climate to enhance the experience?--the inside was nonetheless charming. The only pall cast over the experience was a near brawl that occurred across the street as a band of people hunkered down in lawn chairs outside their house entered into a dialogue with a group who exited the bus at the corner. Certain words were exchanged, as were certain glass projectiles--a bottle or two? The exchange intensified and the tension mounted as we tersely sipped our warming, vaguely lemon-flavored water. Luckily, the bus riders caroused off into the...well wait, then, it was only noon, wasn't it? Caroused off into the...noon? How is it that all of them were so drunk that early? How do I get that job? Aaaaanyway. My compatriots--one an Ethiopian food newbie, the other formerly a believer that it was supposed to be served with cottage cheese--became, respectively, a convert and a zealot. Me, I'm going back some day when I'm not working so I can have some beer. I'm just not taking the bus.
(4)Jessica B.
Cute building, clean, big. Not spectacular food, especially with so many other options in that area.
(3)Ally S.
Ethiopian food on every corner. Meskel wins every time.
(4)Alison V.
Meskel was my first time eating Ethiopian food. First, I discovered it's really not my thing for the most part. More importantly, however, I discovered Ethiopian beer really isn't that different than some US beers. I was kind of disappointed by that. I don't know what I was expecting, but moving on to the food...the reason most people owuld go there. I tried the raw kitfo and wasn't a fan. Then again, I don't like many meats raw...I'm not even a sushi person. However, all the other people at the table seemed really into it and loved it. It was a personal difference. Kitfo, it's me, not you. The chicken dish (I think Green Chicken it was called) was actually quite delicious and would probably be my choice to eat when I end up back there. There were some good beef and lamb dishes, but once again, just not my thing. Meskel still earns 4 stars in my book though, because with a big group coming in unannounced they handled it well, got all our food out hot and fairly quick, and were happy to see us. They were sure to double check that we were sure to order the kitfo raw and that we wanted things spicy. It was nice to have servers who cared that we would be happy with the food.
(4)Alice B.
My first Ethiopian food experience, and so far, so good! I've been driving past this place nearly every day since I moved to Seattle 5 years ago, but finally stopped in for dinner last night. An old friend of mine who recently spent a year in Ethiopia stopped in town and was craving Ethiopian food. While there were certainly many options around this area, I've heard good things about this place. I was also glad to have someone who knew the food help me order. There were 3 of us, and we ordered the Vegetarian Combo and the lamb tibs for dinner, several extra sides of Injera (although certainly not necessary), and 2 Baklavas for dessert along with the traditional Machiatto coffee. Plenty of food, and total bill was $45. Some tidbits I learned from my friend: Injera, the spongy flat bread used to pick up the food and also what the food is served on can be a blend of teff and other flours. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can request Injera made only from teff, which is more expensive, but also iron-rich. The tibs here were excellent, nice flavor and not too chewy. I think this was made from lamb here, with a unique flavor similar to teriyaki meets BBQ meets Gyros. In Ethiopia, it can be made from beef or goat. If you want the Italian-style (Ethiopia was occupied by Italy and thus left strong influences) coffee/machiatto, you need to request it, or you will get a cup of regular drip coffee. Also ask for sugar on the side since Ethiopians tend to add a signifiant amount of sugar to their coffees. But their machiatto was one of the best my friend has had anywhere. They have a nice elevated patio area that is enclosed from the street, but as it was a late dinner and no one else was outside, we ate inside. Service was good, and though we were the only party past 11 PM, they didn't ask us to leave. They also had nice Ethiopian music from popular singers playing. All in all, I'd say I like Ethiopian food and would give it a try again, and try some new dishes. It passed my friend's taste test, and she said it was quite authentic, very tasty, and definitely satisfied her craving for Ethiopian food.
(4)Lisa B.
This is one of my standbys. The veggie combo and the lamb tibbs are very, very good. Portions are big, easy to share. The injira is almost always fresh, as is the food. They have a nice deck for the summertime. Service can be hit or miss.
(4)Cori S.
yum yum yum. been here a few times, never disappointed by the food. it's always too much to finish b/c it's so heavy, but it's delish. atmosphere is a little off, it's a small place so normally only one waitress helps everyone. and it's in a house so you don't get much privacy.
(4)Heather D.
I'm not saying the food is TERRIBLE, but, it lacked the heat and spices I'm used to...The oddly cold injera tasted store-bought and the gomen was absolutely flavorless. I feel like there is so much wasted potential here if this is how the food normally is but maybe I just caught them on an off day. I honestly don't understand why people are saying this is the BEST Ethiopian place in Seattle.... I left feeling disappointed.
(3)Sara H.
My favorite for ethiopian! I've tried many ethiopian restaurants in seattle, including a few that are no longer around and Meskel has always been my favorite. Have been a semi-regular since before they were forced out of the old location. The veggie combo is my fav!
(5)Craig Y.
I LOVE Ethiopian food and take every opportunity to try a new restaurant which is why I am flabbergasted at Meskel's less than 4+* rating. This food here is authentic and super fresh. Yes, the food is not as mouth-burning as other places, but, as a result, the complexity and richness of the spices come through more clearly. Meskel's seasoning is rich, complex, savory, smooth and balanced. And there is tremendous variety; each dish and flavor profile is distinct, authentic and very different. I order the vegetarian special and have never been disappointed. I've been to so many Ethiopian restaurants where the veg dishes are prepared earlier in the week; not Meskel. Everything here is prepared fresh. If I weren't vegetarian, I would try the raw (tartar) meat dishes. This seems to be the favorite of the local Ethiopians and Eritreans who frequent Meskel and there is no greater testament to freshness and cleanliness than a kitchen committed to raw meat dishes. Few Ethiopian restaurants dare serve up this speciality; if you like spice and raw meat (such as sushi, serviche, steak tartar, carpaccio or black and blue steak) you have to try this dish. A word about the injera; I am super picky when in comes to injera. The texture and flavor must be just right and sadly many Ethiopian restaurants serve dry and stale injera. Meskel's injera is consistently moist and springy with just the right mouth feel and mildly sour flavor. Meskel's consistency here is a reflection of the owner's focus on quality. The owner, a woman by the way, is warm and gracious. I am gay and come here with my partner all the time and have always felt welcome.
(5)Eric C.
Stopped by for lunch on a Saturday after reading reviews on here and was not disappointed. Between the 4 of us we ordered a BBQ meat something (it was the special), green chicken, veggie platter, and a meat tips dish. All were good but the BBQ meat and the green chicken were great . (The BBQ meat is what has pushed this review from 4 stars to 5.) Service was great as well - our waters were always kept full. We ordered the "Honey Wine" which was unique. The server also brought out a small glass of their home made honey wine for us to try. The atmosphere was just normal - nothing special. The restaurant was clean an nothing that I would complain about. The bill for an entree for each of us and a bottle of wine came to $20 per person plus tip. Next time we'll order just 1 entree for each 2 people. And yes, there will be a next time.
(5)Adine L.
i had been meaning to try ethiopian food for a long time, and finally, i went on a date with a guy who wanted to take me. i love eating with my hands, and i was always told that the food was similar to indian food, which i LOVE. the food was amazing. i really preferred the vegetarian stuff opposed to the meat selections, which is strange because i do love most meats... the service was great, and although i wouldn't say the ambiance was equally so, the whole experience was amazing.
(4)Jennifer B.
I like this Ethiopian Restaurant the best so far in Seattle. It is pricier than all the other places I've been with smaller portions but it is clean and the food has good spice and flavor. The staff is really nice too and they come around a lot asking you how things are and keep your water filled. I like their veggie platter and usually get the lamb with it. I also like the chicken and beef (can't remember the names off the top of my head). The green chicken is a favorite amongst my friends.
(4)D.J. Y.
Get in ma belly!!! I want my baby-back baby-back ribs, I want my....oops, wrong jingle.... Needless to say, this place rocks, met a bunch of the old crew from high school, and we had a grand time. Service was attentive yet left us alone while we chatted the night away. While the Injera, the sponge-like, torilla-ish pancake for a lack of a better term, seemed a bit too "sour" for my tastes it was enjoyable. I did inhale the tibs both chicken and lamb, along with our veggie platter. I found it a bit interesting that the veggie platter was a bit, cold/chilled, I don't recall it being served this way at other Ethiopian places I have been to. I did like the fact our server asked how "spicey" we wanted our food, sadly, I was in the minority and we opted for "mild". It was very tastey none the less. Street parking was okay, but had this been a weekend I could see how people could get pissed. I'll have to take the bus during the Summer months and revisit this place to try out the deck! Ethoiopian beer and honey-wine served, my crew said it was all delish!
(4)Robel A.
This is by far the worst Ethiopian food I've ever had and am not a Picky eater. I won't return and certainly won't recommend it to anyone.
(1)Gates B.
The biggest draw to Meskel for me is the wrap around outdoor patio you can see from Cherry Street. Much of the year in Seattle it's not quite warm enough to enjoy it, but this summer has been great for eating Ethiopian on the patio. But I'd only give them three stars as the service can be a bit spotty - last visit it seemed two waitresses were serving us and forgot one of our Mango juices after we asked for it twice. There was also a light on a motion sensor that starting going on and off until a patron next to us had them turn it off. Meskel is a bit pricier than my favorite Ethiopian place nearby, Mesob. You'll pay ~$12 for a combo platter here that is a few bucks cheaper at Mesob. And I think the quality is okay here but not as good as others.. a bit on the bland side. So if you want patio dining and some Injera, come here, otherwise I'd consider one of the other Ethiopian joints.
(3)Heather J.
While I was very confused trying to find the door to this place, I was pleasantly suprised by the tastiness of the food. I had to try three doors to enter and then I was worried they wouldnt take credit cards (but they did). I much enjoyed my veggie platter, particularly my inerja, the salad and the chick pea dish. The coffee was also mighty tasty and strong. It appears that the patio will be nice in the summer. With so many ethopian places in the area its hard to know if I made the right choice, but this one came recommended and I will recommend it as well.
(4)John E.
Although I can walk to at least six Ethiopian restaurants here in the CD, I am still searching for that mysterious mix of ambiance, tastiness, traditional style, and price. Meskel is passable on the last three, but the food is not that spicy and the service is uneven. Once, we had to nag a couple of times to get drinks and side orders, which made the ambiance at our table "testy vegans". Noone wants that, right? Do not withhold food from the vegans: they have no fat stores. They have a good vegetarian combo, and good injera. I'll be back.
(3)Trang M.
Went here with my friend for lunch today. The place is nice and definitely a converted house. I think that gives it some charm. Definitely too cold to sit outside, so we dined inside. I ordered a veggie combo to share with my friend and she ordered a Kitfo (minced spiced raw beef) she had hers cooked lightly. The staff are nice and the owner is also sweet. It also helps that my friend is Ethiopian too, makes the dining experience fun. The food didn't take that long to come out, or it could of been that we were busy catching up. The veggie combo had it's standard items.I noticed the portion is a bit smaller than other places I frequent. Not necessarily a bad thing, since I've since cut back on my portions. My friend and I were able to enjoy it. There was a bit of spice missing from some items, but it was passable. It wasn't the best I've had, but it was good. You get one piece of injera on the separate platter, along with what is put on platter itself. I thought that was enough for me, but you can always ask for more. My friend liked her Kitfo and ended up taking leftovers home, which she will revamp with more spices. The staff don't hover and they kind of just leave you alone. A nice touch at the end of the meal when they give you toothpicks, hand wipes, and Andes mints with your check. Next time I'll take the Mr and see if they deserve another star.
(3)Carlos E.
The combo platters always come through. The ambience was fancier than the other ethiopian restaurants I've been in Seattle, which is nice from time to time, but I prefer quiet humble ambience.
(3)wes y.
Been here a couple of times and it's been very good. Nice vibe being in a converted house. Several local Ethiopians also eating so that's a good sign. I would recommend this place if you're looking for good food in a very relaxed setting. A good place to take a date if you're looking for the out of the ordinary. The service can be a bit slow but if you take the time to talk with the waitresses who are foreign, it helps. Try one of the 3 Ethiopian beers.
(4)Chadd B.
I have been eating Ethiopean food in Seattle since the mid-90's, and for the past few years Meskel and Lalibela (sp?) have been our go to places on First Hill, and Zuma Grocery by our house in the Northend. My dad was in town, he was stationed in Addis and Asmara in the 60's, so we went to Meskel, our fave. We ordered the Veggie Combo and Doro Wot - plus a few beers for the three of us. I was shocked by how the food seems to have shrunk. There was about a quarter or half cup of each: Greens, Lentils, Potato, yellow lentils, and the spicy chopped Injera. Lots of cheese, the photo is pretty accurate. The $12 Doro Wot was one scrawny chicken leg and an egg. The sauce was delish, but those are Crush and Crow prices for a chicken leg! In all, we were dissapointed. At Zuma (takeout) one $10 veggie combo will stuff the two of us for dinner, with enough left over for lunch for the both of us (so 4 meals). Here we had two entrees, and literally scraped the platter clean. So sad that this happened...
(2)E T.
Overall, we had a good experience - the food seemed authentic, we loved that they brought out these massive, but light plates with the layers of Injera and then dumped our food on it. I played it safe, splitting the Green chicken which was delicious and very buttery and the Vegi combo which had a lot of variety. The portions were just right for our group - we underestimated the Injera and we could definitely feel it expanding in our tummies. Fast eaters beware... 3 stars because I have to admit, I am going to remember the crazy lady who threatened my friend and rhymed most of her phrases much more vividly than our food. Just be on your toes when you're sitting outside...that neighborhood has a lot of character. And the service was just okay.
(3)Erin D.
I'd rate this as one of my top 3 favorite Ethiopian restaurants (the other two being Queen Sheba and Addis). We've always had pretty good service, the food has always been well-prepared, fresh and tasty. The injera is just like injera should be - soft, spongey and slightly tangy. It's definitely not a hurry-up kind of vibe - it's the kind of place where you have a friendly, lingering dinner with friends, eating, drinking, and laughing. Also? There's lots of funny in this world and the review two below just ain't one of 'em - besides not actually being much of an actual review.
(4)Mrs. T.
Just GOOD Ethiopian food. I prefer this place over any other Ethiopian place I've tried. Not in the best of areas, but it's easy to find (looks like a house from the outside). Give it a try! - It's clean. - Run by good people. - Portions are nice and big. - I recommend the Bozena Shiro...It'll look very different from anything you've ever tried, but trust me, it's so darn good! - Doro tibs is a safe thing to try if it is your first time trying out Ethiopian food. - Crazy-looking delicious bread. I've been going here for years. And whenever I try some other Ethiopian place, I either get food poisoning or I leave unsatisfied.
(5)Sheila Y.
Went here awhile back and I still remember my meal. Unfortunately it doesn't hold a candle to Ras Kassa's in Boulder so I just can't in good conscience give it more than three stars. The Chicken Tibs was meh, but the vegetarian combo was decent and the injera was super sour, which I love. The service was great, but then again we were one of three tables at this place. I am pretty sure this is the best bet in Seattle, which is a bit disappointing but I'll try to give this place another chance.
(3)Jen A.
Great food. Though I usually eat more veg than meat, when I eat ethiopian, I prefer the meat. Great lamb
(4)Laura B.
Wowsers, awesome. We had the vegetarian combo and doro wat. Now... I really kinda sorta wished there had been a meat combo as some others have, but after having the doro wat, I really kinda forgot about that... not to mention we were so full we brought home a ton more injera than we'd ever eat (we got, for 2 people/2 dishes, the one the veggie combo was served on then 2 more huge, thick, moist pieces, way bigger and better than the injera elsewhere like Saba, Sheeba, etc)... we downed all the veggies, liking all but the tomato-vinegar sauce with chopped injera one... the collards, the lentils, the cauliflower (oh give me more of that, mmm), the split peas, and the salad (which the other person with me took all but one lil bite of, the thief!) were great. The doro wat... wellll. I gotta say that chicken, both then and the day after, had my heart humming happy songs. SO tender, so lush... so lovely. The egg was cooked quite well but they don't do the little poking holes thing in theirs, so the flavor of the berbere wasn't as soaked into the egg as I'm used to. No bother--the berbere quickly incorporated, as I decided to actually use the provided spoon to split the egg so she wouldn't have to share much of my spit). In her words, "her" being someone whose nose wrinkled 4 times at suggesting Ethiopian, "Mmm I loovvvve this. I could just eat this like SOUP!" She tried... and her face did a "whoa that's got kick" expression before I said, "The injera really tempers it... or try it with some cheese." We had more cheese than we could figure out what to do with--the salad got some, but really... a whole BOWL of cheese for doro wat? They offered us extra plates (we politely said we'd figure it out), offered several things. She even took my ID when I ordered honey wine, mostly out of sentiment... both of us liked their honey wine, though for some reason it seemed stronger than Sheeba's--I figured it would be the same stuff, but maybe not. This may just be fresher/not decanted/not stale... was good anyway. They even put a slice of lime in the water. It works. The service was freakishly fast... I mean, I know the stuff is cooked early and they are just putting it on plates, but WOW. Oh, Don't miss out on going through the lounge/bar and acting lost... it's really quite the spectacle. I loved how HAPPY everyone there was, and the waitresses were so sweet and cute. The one that put our things in a (cool thick paper carton) to go box (that my guest proceeded to decorate with cute little aliens and strange animals once we got the pen to sign the card stuff!) had an adorable giggle, for what it's worth. WAY nicer than some places I've been--I know WHY they were voted BEST Ethiopian food (with NONE of the 20+ competitors in town even getting on the list!) by Seattle Met (that I agree in general with most all of the winners of, that gave me another 20 places to yelp, curse you!!)... everything, the setting in particular being several notches above the rest, was just so much BETTER than the others. I didn't have a bit of anything that wasn't perfect, and that... gets them 5 *s when others... get few.
(5)Joe A.
Nice authentic Ethiopian. My wife Cate and I really enjoy the food.
(4)Sara F.
Went here for the 2nd time last night with some friend peeps and we were all equally sated and satisfied by the delicious Ethiopian cuisine! I probably could live on yebeg tibs, doro wot and the veggie combo with all the amazing veggie concoctions they serve you, (sadly my husbo doesn't let me eat Ethiopian everyday, otherwise I would!), and this place doesn't dissapoint! Our only sorta complaint was we asked for the food to be extra spicy and it was not spicy in the least, definitely full of delicious seasoning, but heat wise nada. Other than that, I would have licked the plate clean if it wasn't for this silly thing called public embarrasment! Will be going back, soon I hope!
(4)anesia k.
amazing, i would totally recommend! i've not tried others but was very impressed. am definitely going again....i forgot to snap a pic! :/
(4)Neal M.
This is our favorite Ethiopian restaurant to go to. The prices might be a bit higher than some of the others, but we feel the food to be worth it. The vegetarian combo is an awesome deal and could fill up two people. The doro tibbs are really flavorful chicken pieces in a tomato based sauce. But it is the injera that keeps us coming back. We prefer the injera at Meskel to any of the other places we have been to. And since you eat injera with every bite, you have to like it. Service has always been good for us too.
(5)Matt A.
Meskel as my first Ethiopian food experience while living in Seattle. Unfortunately it didn't really do it for me. There is an awesome Etriean place back in Portland, ME that I am holding in the highest regard, so it might be hard to beat. I think it helped that there was a huge refugee population in Portland that helped keep the quality good. The food at Meskel was good, but nothing amazing. The portions were actually small compared to what I am used to. We tried the Ethiopian wines, neither were that good. Service was great however. I probably won't go back to this one, but will be trying a few more in town.
(3)Rachael L.
Came here last night with a group of 7 for dinner. We were pretty much rookies when it came to ordering, but somehow managed to order enough food to fully satiate (and beyond) the whole table. We had 4 entrees and we were able to finish nearly everything. I apologize for not being able to be more specific: we had 1 beef dish, 1 chicken dish, 1 lamb dish and the veggie platter. It all was amazing. The people next to us had the green chicken that looked phenomenal as well. I think that everyone had at least 1 beverage (alcoholic or otherwise) and with tax and tip we got out of there for $100. The service was a little slow (we almost had to beg for the check) but maybe that's cultural? Oh well, it certainly wasn't enough of a deterrent to keep us from coming back!!
(4)Jeff G.
I'm torn here. I think Meskel is one of the very best Ehiopian restaurants in Seattle. It's in a fantastic location; an old converted house with a large porch for sunny days. Their vegetarian combo is a ton of food and with a side of Tibbs(beef or lamb) it's a huge meal for two or three people.They also have wine beer and cocktails! Here's where I'm torn though. I live across the street and on weekends if I go out in the early evening I usually can't find a parking space when I get back. This place is that popular. And the deck can get pretty noisy on a warm summer night. So if you do come here for delicious Injera, the sunny deck, and cocktails, please take a cab here and use your inside voice.
(4)John H.
Ask for the BBQ (beef). It's not on the menu, but it now seems to be available regularly. Served with thin-sliced caramelized onion and peppers in a charcoal-warmed clay pot. Yum!
(5)David R.
A very fun meal will await you at this place. A friend had a birthday Dinner here and was a great way for a group to share the food experiance. The RAW kitfo was amazing. I can't remember the name of the hot powder that was super yummy but it was something like bubblyberry? They asked twice when we ordered Raw just to make sure its what we really wanted (was a nice gesture) The bread reminded me of a crepe served cold and thats not a bad thing. Prefect way to reach over your friends beer for your next handful sized portion of veggies and meat dishes. Really a great place to go with friends and dine with friends in a fun fashion. Downstairs is the bar where it seemed Futbol is the game of choice.
(4)Karin A.
Delicious food and pleasant low key atmosphere (looks like a residence from the outside). There is something liberating about using your hands to eat and the injera has a delicious different taste. Good Lamb options available too!
(4)Kevin Q.
The dish just had one piece of chicken, boiled egg was ice cold and the injera was dry and not fresh. The staff did little to help. Avoid this place as much as possible.
(1)Frank A.
I can happily say Meskel is the best ethiopian food in Seattle. I've done the rounds (see my other reviews), and this restaurant consistantly provides great food and a good overall experience. My favorites are the the veggie platter and the mixed platter. The home-made cheese included with the veggie platter melts in your mouth. The yebeg tibbs (lamb) is a little chewy, but still well seasoned. Meskel's interior is in bad need of an up date. The window treatments alone make me feel like I'm eating ethiopian at my mother's house. But, while out-dated, the restaurant is always clean. As mentioned, the patio is wonderful on a warm day. Their bathroom is huge, and is also kept clean.
(4)Jess S.
at first i thought it was good that i was the only 'person of Caucasian descent' there because if everyone else is Ethiopian the food must be great, right? well, the server i had only visited me 2x. she took my order & brought me the food 30 minutes later. i got no water until i managed to flag down another server to get some. i got no napkins so i got up & got some paper towels from the bathroom myself. the food was alright. but the sheer neglect reminded me too much of being a kid again.
(1)Nourisha W.
I ate here for New Year's Eve and my mouth was happy. They were missing a few of my favorite mushroom dishes but the green chicken more than made up for it! It smelled good, had a great atmosphere and the service was nice. The location makes it a great option for a Friday night dinner when I'm heading across the 520 and don't feel like dealing with the I-5 madness right away. In the words of terminator, I'll be back.
(4)Lily K.
this was a good place. i feel like it's hard to get bad ethiopian food. meskel has friendly, low key staff. everything comes out quickly and the bar downstairs can get pretty crazy, i hear! please check out my food blog for a full review with photos!
(3)Grace S.
My favorite Ethiopian restaurant. They're veggie platter with an extra side order of Shiro Wat is my favorite. If you're a coffee drinker, their ethiopian grounds are ultra-yummy too. Bring containers - you'll get many meals out of this.
(4)Pickle b.
I am not an expert on Ethiopian cuisine, but this was delicious. Sharing the veggie combo and stewed lamb (baa! baa!) I was in heaven and the ghostly cries of the lamb were quelled by my satisfied tummy. The service is a little slow, but you know what, the food is worth it. And more importantly, service was pleasant, attentive but not overly so.
(5)Stephanie P.
This was my first time eating Ethipian food and for the most part it was very tasty. The veggie combo was by far my favorite. We had a couple of meat dishes that were OK. The service was great and it is a good place to go with a group of friends.
(3)Danelle E.
Been here several times over the years, and the food is absolutely exquisite. Kitfo is to die for. Love this place. Looking forward to coming there this week.
(5)kelly c.
Meskel is one of my favorite CD amenities. The food is solid, though not out-of-this world and lacking in the important spice factor, and they have a nice selection of beer and wine. The service is kind and accommodating, though admittedly they can quickly become overwhelmed by a large crowd. The patio, however, is Meskel's crowning glory. In order to fully experience and appreciate Meskel, you simply must sit outside! It is a great joy for me to sit outside! in my very own neighborhood! experiencing dinner!
(4)Evy L.
Getting into the restaurant is a bit confusing, because the restaurant is upstairs, but the ground floor doesn't make it perfectly clear which way to go. But go through the front door, head past the bar, and up the stairs. It took awhile for us to get seated. I think partially because the place was so busy. But, it was worth it, once we received our order. We ordered the vegetarian combo and the #6 (a beef dish that I cannot remember the name of). Everything was very flavorful and really good. Injera, of course, expands in your stomach. So, while it didn't look like a ton of food, it really was. Definitely check the place out. It's not particularly charming--but the food is delicious.
(4)Bob E.
After having tried numerous Ethiopian restaurants around Seattle over the past decade, I've settled on Meskel as the place I always go now for Ethiopian food. Not only are the portion sizes quite good, but it's easy to make a meal for 2-3 people by simply ordering a veggie platter and a meat dish. The individual dishes are fresh and not cooked down like at some other places. Also, each dish is spiced and flavored differently so the variety on the veggie platter and other dishes is refreshing. In the summer, I have very much enjoyed dining al-fresco on the patio with friends and beers. They provide a full Injera to each diner around the table so there's no shortage at all, but it would be nice if they provided a plate per diner to hold the Injera.
(5)Jacob B.
While Meskel wasn't bad, it wasn't that great either (when I went). I've read some good stuff about the restaurant, but I was disappointed. I had the vegetarian platter and felt that the flavors were a bit timid compared the other Ethiopian food I've had in the past. Not much spice and the food wasn't very warm either. Cafe Soleil is still my favorite Ethiopian dinner in Seattle.
(3)Jennifer G.
My favorite ethiopian restaurant. This was my first taste of ethiopian food and the experience compelled me to try other ethiopian restaurants here in Seattle. The others didn't stack up well next to Meskel's. This place is the best. I really enjoy their kitfo RAW!!
(5)Ya Y.
It was good. The food was good. The service was surprisingly fast, particularly in that it was Saturday. The ambiance was nice. I will be returning again. Mesob used to be my default Ethiopian place, but now Meskel will be.
(3)Jason T.
This might be the best Ethiopian place in town. The food is fantastic--tons of amazing flavors! Service is quick and friendly and they don't pressure you to leave the minute you finish your food. It's nice to feel relaxed and able to sit and chat after a large meal. The Vegetarian Combination is great and the Tibs Wat are fantastic. I can't recommend this place enough! As others have noted it's easy to miss the restaurant as it looks just like a house, and the entrance is on the side.
(5)Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: A dozen friends were gathering for a feast at Meskel and I was among those invited! Type of cuisine: "Flavors burn a little brighter at Meskel, and the menu extends beyond the standard wots (stews rich in berbere, an Ethiopian chile-based spice blend), tibbs (cubed-meat sautes), and veggie combos--there always seems to be something special simmering in the kitchen. And here the injera isn't just a floppy, edible utensil, but a lively flavor unto itself, lending a cool, pleasantly sour counterpoint to all the slow-cooked stews." (The Stranger) Ambiance: A homey setting from the moment you walk up to the corner establishment, reminiscent of visiting a friend for an extraordinary meal. Outdoor patio seating for sunny and warmer days, brightly colored red interior with seating for small and large parties. The family friendly environment is palatable from the moment one sets foot in the doors, and is welcomed by Belaynesh Chera or other members of her family. What I ordered: Shared plates all around, our table had one order of the Vegetable Combination ($15.99): red lentils cooked with spices, cabbage, carrot, potato, shero, greens and tomato fitfit, as well as the Yebeg Tibbs ($14.95): cubes of fresh lamb sautéed with onion and served with fresh salad. Not to mention, plenty of injara! What I loved: The salad! Everything on our large plate was smashing, from the spicy to the mild, from the vegetables to the beans, but there was something about the lemony salad that truly stole the show. Why I loved it: Simple, homey atmosphere enjoyed with friends and excellent food! Cost: Average ($13 - $16 per shareable lunch entrée)
(4)Sarah W.
We live nearby and this is one of our go-to spots for delicious food in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The veggie combo is tasty and plentiful. The lamb tibs (medium spice) are fresh and the perfect level of spice/ heat. Service is attentive and friendly. The woman who greets and serves is also very sweet with children. Our toddler loves her...and the food!
(5)Jessica N.
I'm not an expert but I love Ethiopian food and Meskel is always my go to when the craving kicks in. The fact that it's in a house gives the authentic feeling right off the bat. The food is always well prepared and flavorful. I recommend the doro wat, beef tibs and veggie platter. We even asked for an extra egg in the doro what... Great call! Service was good - when we went the whole restaurant was packed and there was only one server. She did her best considering!
(4)Lawrence L.
They now have a truck which is in Downtown Bellevue every Friday! My first time trying it, I had to do the sampler (so I know what to do next time). Sampler is $12. Each of the other individual orders is $10. Not sure how I feel about individual servings as I understand the fun of Ethiopian food to be eating in community (sharing bread). But the food is good...the curry is very flavourful, the stew as well and the tibs have just the right texture. Comes with a salad on the side. See you next Friday!
(4)Aaron W.
Been a while since I had Ethiopian food. Hats off to fellow Yelpers for this tip. The #13 (Yebeg Tibbs) was a server's recommendation. Cubes of fresh lamb sauteed with onion, and a side salad. Our meals came with injera, the Ethiopian spongy flatbread with that sourdough taste. Very flavorful and tender lamb. Admittedly, the meat was quite oily and the salad got drenched with Italian dressing. I can only assume they wanted to ensure the panda received extra fluff for his buck. Other similar dishes to consider: #15 (Yebere Tibbs; using beef) and #16 (Doro Tibbs; using chicken). Gotta take advantage when the weather is great and sit outside. Good service. Overall, it's a solid place to try.
(4)Michael B.
We found Meskel to be ok, it didn't really stand out from many of the other Ethiopian restaurant's on First Hill. The service was very slow even though there was only a couple other tables dining.
(3)Chris B.
At 7:30 on a Wednesday, there was one other couple eating on the patio and we joined them outside. My wife and I shared the veggie platter with gluten free ingera. For $20 we were totally satisfied. The salad was fresh, there was a home made ricotta type cheese, three dals, greens and cabbage. Perfect amount for two people. Service was friendly and efficient. The patio was perfect for the 75 degree evening. We will be back.
(4)Anna M.
Meskel is my go to place for Ethiopian food. Their food is always amazing (I go here often and the quality is consistent), the hostess is a terrific person who always makes you feel welcome, and the building itself is always bright and is well decorated. The portions are large and I always have left overs to enjoy the next day. One little tip is that the entrance is the side door so don't be discouraged if you can't find it at first. Enjoy!
(5)Lela D.
Came here on my visit to Seattle. I was craving REAL Ethiopian food. My aunt was at the Swedish hospital a few miles away. Went with my mom and cousin. It was super confusing just trying to find the door. It has a house vibe. Restaurant was empty, food was bland. Try elsewhere.
(2)Lindsey L.
I love this place. I order take out here so often I don't have to finish placing my order, they can do if from the sound of my voice. The owners are pleasant, the service can be slow, but worth the wait and the atmosphere is friendly. I usually order the veggie combo for my kids, plus a side of spicy lentils, a side of gomen and an order of bozeno shiro. (I usually have to fend off my husband from devouring the last one by hissing and using a sharp fork). (I don't really hiss). In the summer you can sit outside, in the winter it is a haven of warmth with great food and a decent, well priced, wine collection. Yay! I'm a fan.
(5)Kris T.
It was by prompting of my new wife to go and have Ethiopian cuisine and we were just drawn to this place. We both love exploring hole in the wall places and this was absolutely wonderful! We will be back again and again! Wow! We stuffed ourselves with Doro Wot, red lentils and amazing injera. You gotta try this place and make it a place to frequent!
(5)Phil C.
Homey atmosphere, great patio seating, and quick and friendly service that genuinely wants you to be satisfied. The vegetable combination serves as a great foundation for the meal, and is well paired with either the keye firfir (beef) or yebeg tibbs (lamb). For two people, extra injera is debatable and possibly unnecessary, but an Ethiopian beer on the side hits the spot (I'm a fan of the St. George pale lager).
(4)Behr S.
What can I say about this little Ethiopian gem? Honestly, not enough! I had been here before after it was recommended to me by an Ethiopian friend of mine. And I have to say that my second visit was just as good as my first. When I walked in both times, my nose was seduced by the smoky scent of berberre and the tangy sourness of injera. The waitstaff (two women) were friendly and very attentive. My party the last time consisted of 5 and they easily made room for us. With orders of the vegetarian platter, doro wat, kitfo, extra ayib, yebeg alicha and addis tea; there was plenty of food for all of us. It was absolutely delicious. Where there is food this good and polite service such as is found here...I will be back.
(5)Candice C.
Not from Seattle but happy to be taken to this great place. Good food and had their BBQ platter! It was good!
(3)Sarah Elizabeth P.
Great food, friendly staff, good beer. I'd put the food on par with most other Ethiopian places in Seattle, it was good, but not better than anywhere else I've been. I think the atmosphere was better than other places and they had a variety of Ethiopian beer (which was quite tasty).
(4)Chris D.
People are super nice, and there's an extra mysterious little flavor in the food that makes this probably the best Ethiopian I've ever had.
(5)Greg O.
Used to live nearby. Now not so much. Love this place. Don't love the hours! Doro Wat, Tibs, and wish they had Timitim salad. Already looking forward to going in late July. Friendly staff, delicious food.
(4)Ane P.
If you're looking for a place to take friends to try Ethiopian food (or for that matter Eritrean food--because I still haven't found a good place), this is a sure bet. They operate out of a house on the corner, which offers comfortable seating and even high chairs (haha)! The food is fresh, and they have several meat and veggie selections. Their injera tastes to be homemade, and their green chicken is a hit with my little guy. If you're a fan of Ethiopian food, this place won't disappoint.
(4)Gail L.
We arrived here on a Saturday night and we were seated right away. We each ordered a beer, but it took exactly an hour to receive the beer. We had ordered our food at the same time as the beer, but an hour and a half later our waitress asked for our order again and retook it. After 2 hours the food came. Our waitress told us the beer would be comped, but the manager came out and didn't approve the comp. This is by far the worst service we have ever had. The food was excellent which is why I am giving this 2 stars instead of 1, but I wouldn't return after having such terrible service.
(2)Rafael H.
The food is delicious, nice atmosphere but try to be patient when they get busy because the waitress tends to forget stuff
(5)Katrina D.
This is a great Ethiopian restaurant right up the street from where I live! If you haven't had Ethiopian before, it is amazing! Probably my most favorite food ever- if you like Indian food, you'll like this (I think and hope). Meskel was actually recommended to me by some other Ethiopians I met nearby. They exclaimed that Meskel was by far superior to any of the many others that are lined up and down Jackson and Rainier. I've spoken to Ethiopian folks and they agree Meskel is the best...If you haven't had Ethiopian yet, live a little and get out of your comfort zone! It is amazing food!
(4)Sharon H.
Okay, I was tired and grumpy when I arrived, so my first impression was not good. Then my daughter and I settled into a great table in the outdoor patio and reviewed the menu. Can you believe that I was grumpy again because the menu was hard for me to read? Our waitress also came across as tired - it is hot out. Well... Once settled in, and through the menu, and a bit rested, all turned around. We've eaten Ethiopian all over the US - primarily in DC - and I would come here again in a heartbeat. The food came out quickly and was excellently prepared. Every bite was delicious, leaving both my daughter and I satisfied, full of the happiness that comes with a good meal and ready to continue our week-long road trip. A wonderful experience! One that I recommend to anyone with a desire for the good things in life.
(4)Sonya D.
Of the Ethiopian restaurants I've been to (about 7 in the U.S.) I've enjoyed this place the most. First, the location is easy to find, next the service is fast and friendly, third the food is delicious with generous portions and the injera is soft and firm. I've brought two friends here to have their first Ethiopian food experience, they were both very pleased.
(5)Nelya B.
Ive been to about 5 different ethiopian restaurants and this one is my absolute favorite. Food was fresh, tasty, and the waitress was friendly. Wow. This is my new ethiopian restaurant! They just stole a customer from their competitors.
(5)