Sunset Cafe
8115 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98118
Sunset Cafe Menu
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Address :
8115 Rainier Ave S
Seattle, WA, 98118 - Phone (206) 722-0342
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jessica G.
Best. Ethiopian. In. Seattle. Wow. Just wow. Found this place on Yelp (of course!) and decided to give it a go to get out of my usual dining area. Took my friend, who was a little worried about the area, but was willing to give it a go for good Ethiopian. We were blown away! What they lack in humble interior, they make up for with warm, inviting customer service and amazing food. We split the Sunset Combination (various meats and vegetables served atop injera). This was MORE than enough for two people; we had leftovers to take home. Presentation was fabulous - the owner came out and described what each and every dish was (beef, lamb, chicken, collared greens, homemade cheese, etc.) and gave us an additional basket of rolled up injera. When we asked for additional injera to take home, they didn't charge us. The prices are very economical for what you get. Plus, the patrons seem to be regulars, and they made the atmosphere very lively. I think that if you're new to Ethiopian, it's essential to try a place that is good and has a good reputation. My first (and subsequent) experiences (back in Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles) left me feeling very nauseous (the quality of the food wasn't the best), so I didn't eat it again for a very long time. But, I'm so glad I gave it another go. If you're okay with spices (not necessarily hot - just flavor), you will love this fare.
(5)Lisa Z.
Sunset cafe is what I like to call an underdog. Let me tell you, from baseball to food, I love a good underdog. Located outside of downtown, I think, if you weren't looking for good & legit Ethiopian food, you wouldn't venture into these corners of the neighborhood. Sunny is the do everything, do it all goddess. She cooks all the food herself and comes out to serve/explain it to you. She even had a full conversation with us and brought out more of our favorite sides! It's quite hard to come across a business/owner with so much genuine love and heart like this these days! We ordered the ATKILT ALICHA and the SUNSET COMBO. The Injera was nice and fluffy without being overly sour. A lot of cabbage and other veggies of all sorts were incorporated into the sunset combo....so don't be afraid that it'll all just be meat because it's not! We were afraid so hence, the ATKILT ALICHA dish was ordered (it's always good to eat more veggies anyway!). My favorites were the beef & gomen (collared greens) and the taliwat. The lamb and beef were so juicy and so full of flavor. Sunny didn't make the gomen sour or with a funky flavor/aftertaste like other places I've been to... You could tell a lot of Ethiopian love was put into every single dish. The traditional doro wat was surprisingly very tender and cooked perfectly (a lot of places tend to overcook this part!....even the popular Ensarro in Oakland, CA). I have to say, coming from the Bay Area, lots of delicious Ethiopian restaurants coexist on one side of the bay and boy of boy, Sunset Cafe would truly be one of the top contenders if it was in California! Support Sunny you guys! Parking is free and plentiful on the streets! (I don't understand the tax on parking or the 2 hour parking limits everywhere in Seattle!). Sunny is a sweetheart. Her food is super affordable and legit! Noms!
(5)Linda H.
Decided to be adventrous today and try Ethiopian food for the first time. W/ the review and high ratings in Yelp, I decided to go w/ Sunset Cafe. As we pulled up, we found the area to busy and bars outside the windows of this cozy joint, but then again...those are the best places. We were greeted immediately and the gentleman was very nice. I have to say, its been a while but the menu prices were cheap, not reasonable but cheap! We decided to get the Sunset combo $12.99 and the veggie combo $11.99. Each combo feeds 2-3 people. What a deal. Not sure what Ethiopian food is supposed to taste like but it was all great. The platter was beautifully arranged as our server explained what each dish was. I highly suggest getting a combo because you can taste a variety of dishes from collard greens to lentils, string beans. It was all great, hats off to the chef. I appreciate the price, customer service, and the food. Oh yeah...5 stars.
(5)Calvin T.
Checked out this place after reading all the positive reviews about it. It was our first time trying Ethiopian food so had no idea what it would taste like. The service at this restaurant is super friendly and welcoming. Definitely good quantity of food when ordering the combo. I love the fact that the lady introduced all the food items when she took it out for us - definitely add a special touch to the whole experience. However, the food was either too spicy and too sour for my liking to be honest (veggie and sunset combo). I am sure it was good food, but my taste buds and I didn't enjoy the flavour too much. So based on Yelp rating system, I could only give in an a-ok (3 stars) and not I'm a fan (4 stars).
(3)Johnny N.
Yeah, I actually did decide to go get lunch at Sunset while writing my previous review. This time I got the Sunset Combo of all meats, and the owner actually threw in a few extra items just because! There were 3 lamb stews, a chicken stew, another chicken & greens dish, some lamb tripe (I think), and even some kitfo, which I enjoyed more than I thought I would. She was also kind enough to swap out the lentils that usually come with the Sunset Combo and added collard greens instead. My meal ended with some of the regular customers inviting me to share in their freshly roasted Ethiopian-style coffee... sweet and strong! I love it at Sunset Cafe.
(5)Rohan K.
This place truly deserves every one of the outstanding reviews. Right off the bat, you are greeted by an extremely friendly lady who's the chef/owner who's as integral a part of the experience here as the food. My wife and I requested the veggie combo. Since I also love meat, she brought me a hearty portion of lamb tibs on the side and only charged me $1 extra which was amazing. Every single vegetable in the combo was absolutely perfect. Extremely flavorful, distinct and probably the best you can find in Seattle. The owner brings it all out in small bowls and serves it tableside on the injera explaining what each dish is. There's also a basket of injeras on the side which they very generously offer to refill if at all you manage to finish those. The portions are massive and 1 combo can easily feed 3 people with huge appetites and probably still have some to take home. Overall, Sunset Cafe has outstanding food, extremely friendly service that leave you feeling warm and at home, incredible affordable prices and is definitely well worth the drive. I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep going back here every time I crave Ethiopian food. p.s. The meal ends with the nice lady bringing you a plate full of assorted candies.
(5)Gentle V.
Overall, I give Sunset Cafe 4.5 stars. Sunset Cafe is definitely the best Ethiopian restaurant I've tried in Seattle so far. It's a great choice for those that love Ethiopian food or want to try it out for the first time. The parking is not exactly ideal (since it's on a busy street) and the restaurant is a little hard to find, but it's truly worth the effort. Located on Rainier Ave, Sunset Cafe looks like a small, unassuming, somewhat sketchy looking hole in the wall from the outside. However, the interior was homey and charming. ********* CUSTOMER SERVICE The service was very good, and I think that's what makes Sunset Cafe stand out. I've been here twice before and the cook/owner (Sunny) remembered me pretty immediately on my 2nd visit. Sunny was very sweet, and I could tell she took deep pride in her food. She was genuinely concerned on whether we were enjoying ourselves. For my first visit, the waitress (the owner's daughter) was extremely helpful. It was a little busy, so we had to ask for water 1-2 times when our cups were empty, but that was really a small thing. ********* THE FOOD During my 1st visit, we ordered the Sunset and Veggie combo. It easily fed the 6 people in our group. The costs was inexpensive at around $13/combo. They also allowed us to substitute one of the meats with some lamb tips for a couple of extra dollars. Unfortunately, they ran out of Sambusa on the menu (Next time!) The injera was fresh, which made me realized I had gone too long without eating the sour, tangy, spongy bread. Instead of just putting a tray of food on the table, Sunny took the time to explain each component of the dish before placing it individually on our injera plate. The food was very flavorful with the right amount of spices. There's also something fun about eating with your hands, and I can't wait to come back again with friends.
(5)Sarah M.
I usually favor the vege combo platter in most other ethiopian places, but at sunset cafe, i preferred the meat platter because every single item was tender to my surprise. I ordered 2 vege and 2 meat combo platter for a family dinner for 7 people, and there was an incredible amount of food. everything was flavorful, different, and we couldn't get enough of it. The nice, sweet older lady who must be the cook came out with the tray of food and described every single item. We instantly got excited to eat upon seeing, smelling, and hearing about the food, but you might get impatient having to wait to hear her explain everything if you're starved. This place isn't "nice" so don't expect anything fancy. But the food is superb and the service is great.
(5)Em L.
This place is amazing! Coming from the eastcoast where we have Ethiopian restaurants on every corner, I'm very particular about my Ethiopian food! But they exceeded expectations! For one I'm not a lamb person (certain places make them very gamey) but at sunset cafe it was amazing! The sunset combo is a must, or veggie combo for the vegetarians! Talk about more bang for your buck! And Sunny's presentation of each course is very helpful too, especially with such a big combo! If you love Ethiopian food or want to try something new, give it a try and you won't regret it!
(5)Aprameya R.
This place is very good. It is a small place. It is very neat inside and very tidy. It has a nice feel to it. We got the Sunset Combo. It had: - Doro Wot - Lamb with Doro Wot sauce - Chicken with greens - Chicken Tibs - Beef tibs - One dish of lentils - Collared greens The sauce/gravy of the Doro Wot is amazing. It is the best I have had. It is spicy and flavourful. The meat dishes were a little overdone but mostly nice. The lentils were good but it wasn't either Shiro Wot or Misir Wot. The service was good and the chef/owner (I think) came out to meet us and explain to us all the dishes. It did take a long time to get our food - almost forty five minutes and it seemed that everything in the kitchen is serialized. Overall, this place is great. It is slow though.
(4)Cammy H.
I am a big fan of Ethiopian food and try to find a new Ethiopian restaurant to try in every city I visit, and this is by far the best Ethiopian restaurant I have been to. I wish I lived in Seattle so I could go here all the time. The food was absolutely delicious - rich but not too oily, the meat was tender, and the injera was perfect -- light and not too sour. The combo offerings have the widest variety of dishes I have seen for unbelievably low prices. The Sunset Combo, which included a variety of lamb, beef, chicken, and vegetable dishes, was just $12 -- I paid $35 for a comparably sized but less diverse and less tasty at an Ethiopian place in Atlanta just a few weeks ago. The exterior of the restaurant is somewhat unassuming, but inside it is pleasant, with lots of natural light and tasteful decorations. The food presentation is also artful. The coffee ceremony was also the most authentic I've seen in the U.S. -- i.e., the only one I've seen that is exactly the same as what I saw when I was actually in Ethiopia, when you get to see the beans roasting and have the special garnish to stir/flavor the coffee. It was the best Ethiopian coffee I've had. Also, the lady that runs this restaurant is delightful. She is very friendly and warm, and took care to explain all of the dishes as she presented them at the table. When I asked to add shiro to my combo, she made some fresh right then, and it was perfect. Like everything else here, the tej (honey wine) here is by far the best-tasting that I've had anywhere. If you have time for just one restaurant on a visit to Seattle, go to this one!
(5)Gail S.
check out the photos for my pic of the veggie sampler take out. simply perfection.
(5)T O.
This is the best Ethiopian food I've ever had in my life. The injera was the perfect consistency, not too soggy. The flavors were distinct and well done, everything was well cooked and prepared. Nothing was overly greasy, it really is as good as it gets food wise, I just wish I could have finished it all, go hungry!
(5)Karen B.
My husband and I love Ethiopian food but hadn't gone to any of the local restaurants since we moved into the south lake neighborhood. My son suggested Ethiopian last night and after checking yelp we went to Sunset. YUM!!! The best ever!!! We had both the vegetable and meat platter which included items that were new to us as well as old favorites. The savory spiciness of the dishes makes it hard to stop eating even after you're full and still, there was so much that we had lots of leftovers to take home. The people there are very friendly and create a very inviting and homey atmosphere. This might be our favorite new restaurant!
(5)Madison G.
Overall, I am rating this place a 4.5. I am a fan, but it is not quite "as good as it gets" as the 5 star would suggest. However, this place was still good and some where I would recommend. The customer service is definitely worth 5 stars. Both the waitress and the owner were very pleasant and friendly. The owner came out shortly after the waitress took our order and introduced herself and then explained a little more in detail about what we just ordered, despite us not asking for any additional information about it. I thought that was pretty cool 'cause when I first started eating out at Ethiopian restaurants, I remember sitting there thinking, "Tibs... Tibs... Is that what she had at her family party? Wait... Which one is the saucy one?" So, it's always nice when someone is willing to explain more than just what the menu says. The food comes out differently than any other Habesha restaurant I've ate it. She brought out the injera with nothing on it and then small bowls of the meats we ordered. As she put the meat onto the injera, she then again explained what everything was. The portions were a bit smaller than what I am used to, which is part of my reasoning for 4 stars instead of 5. I felt there was much more sauce than there was meat and the platter which the injera came on was quite smaller than other places and I'm pretty sure I could've finished it myself. So, for this price, it isn't exactly 2-3 people friendly, like I'm used to. The parking is a bit sketchy on this block and I was worried about my car the whole time since it was about 8:45 pm when we came to eat here. Dark, no lights, and right on the street. If you're easily freaked out and will worry about your car being damaged, I suggest taking the bus and going during the day. :) lol. **EDIT / UPDATE** I left out that they ran out of anything having vegetables in it, so we didn't get the combo we wanted due to that. Because of that, I now realize why the portions seemed smaller. I still feel like there was very little meat though.
(4)Celeste T.
Sunny was the best host ever - I felt like I was eating in her home instead of a restaurant, although the Sunset Cafe is cute and feels a bit like a 50s diner in some ways. The meal the 6 of us shared (one veggie combo, one meat combo, and kitfo) was delicious and extremely well-priced. I felt like I was getting a steal, in fact! Two of our diners were kids, one a teenager who had tried Ethiopian food before and didn't like it. She *loved* the different dishes, especially the lamb and the green beans. In fact, there were no dishes that we didn't *all* try & enjoy. Though of course, some were better than others - the okra was one of my favorites, along with one of the chicken dishes and the yellow lentils. My husband, who is a kitfo fanatic, was very pleased with Sunny's rendition. We stayed for several hours eating the beautifully prepared food and chatting with one another and Sunny. I will definitely be back, and soon. Yum!
(5)Nic P.
The BEST Ethiopian!!!! Must have the mint coffee after your meal. Delicious food, great service, great price and it's not pretentious! What more can a foodie asks for? Nothing!
(5)Joe L.
This is a 10 star business. I would risk to eat here even if it's raining bullets. Every single dish was more than amazing. They love their food, that's all I care about.
(5)Yellow S.
This is the kind of place Yelp was invented for. Hole on a wall with great authentic food. Located in Ethiopian neighborhood, it looks a bit scary from the outside. (Inside is clean and charming) We had the Sunset combo ($13) and Buritto ($5) appetizer. Combo was big enough to share with 2 hungry people. They were both so fresh and good! The owner/chef Sunny was very nice and lovely. Coffee was delicious. (And the coffee ceremony is interesting) Sunny obviously take a lot of pride in her food.
(5)Signe H.
Please eat here, it was very, very good and very, very well priced. My husband and I had dinner here for the first time tonight. It is the first time I've had Ethiopian food since I lived in Oakland, CA years ago. Sunset Cafe is on par with the best and the dining room was very quiet, I hope the proprietor Sunny is getting enough business because it would be a shame if she had to close her doors. We had the veggie platter and the veggie burrito appetizer. Both were delicious and we couldn't finish despite the fact that we stuffed ourselves, and trust me we can put down some grub. Wonderfully spiced collards, green peas, yellow peas, cabbage, okra, red beans, and much more. Oh yeah, homemade cheese was great too.
(5)Evan R.
This was likely the best Ethiopian food I've ever had. We ordered the veggie combo. Great variety (red beans, yellow split pea, lentils, okra, barley) and everything had great flavor and perfectly spiced. The owner was very friendly in suggesting food, serving us, and making sure we were content. Lots of Ethiopian restaurants in he area, but I would highly recommend this one. I'll be returning.
(5)Mile I.
The food was amazing, tasty, fresh, different and so carefully plated in front of us by the owner that I can't wait to go back I had the veggie combo and it took sometime to get to our table, but was it worth the wait!!!! The "king" of the dish -as explained by the very nice owner- was a little too hot for me, so she offered to bring something else instead, but she also suggested to mix the dish w/ some of the homemade cheese she had brought us: brilliant idea. It is always nice to have such a great experience in a very authentic and non pretentious place.
(5)Amelia M.
Wow. Incredible food. I can't say that I've had a lot of Ethiopian food in my life, but this place was just delicious. My aunt and I split the Vegetable Combo plate, and the owner came out and explained what each item was. There was so much food that we couldn't even finish it. And so cheap! Overall, a great experience. Amazing food, fast, friendly service, and a really nice atmosphere.
(5)John B.
I have never been to this restaurant. My wife went, spoke well of it, and brought home leftovers. Where some cuisines (e.g. Italian, Mexican) are generally fabulous the next day, Ethiopian food is notoriously unsatisfying after refrigeration and without the presentation. The leftovers from Sunset are some of the best Ethiopian I have had. The freaking _leftovers_. My top criteria of my next apartment hunt will be proximity to this restaurant.
(5)Amy S.
I would give 6 stars if I could! Best Ethiopian food I've had anywhere in the USA. Thank you Yelpers for helping me find this place!! The owner completely understands they type of customer service/experience patrons like to have. We ordered the veggie combo and from the description expected the usual: yellow lentils, red lentils, cabbage, salad, collard greens. But what we got was way way more! We got at least 4 dishes that weren't listed on the menu that we've never had at any other Ethiopian restaurant. It was a nice surprise to be given extra dishes for free. They are a great example of under promise (or perhaps normal promise) and over deliver! In terms of quantity, it was so much food. Be sure to take your leftovers home! Oh and I saw some people come in to get take out so there is always that option as well. We went during the day and the owner talked to us and asked us about how we liked our food as if it were a matter of pride. And if we didn't like it, she would make it right. I also saw her talk to all the customers in this same caring, non-rushed manner. It was so nice and not obtrusive at all because the woman is so charming. At the end of the meal, our bill came with a small bowl of hard candies. I love when restaurants offer this at the end of the meal! A small bowl so you can pick/choose or eat 5 candies if you want is so much lovelier than being given one each. It was also a good mix of what I think were ethiopian candies and the normal brach's. In terms of parking, it is on street either in front of the businesses on Rainier ave or in the neighborhood. It wasn't that difficult but I remember thinking we'd go this one time just to try it and not come back. But in hindsight, it wasn't that difficult to find parking (we were about 1 block away) and I'd gladly take uber to eat here again!
(5)Brynn E.
How did I not know about this gem? Sunset cafe has the best ethiopian I've had in this city. Order the Sunset combo. It's more than enough for two but we didn't know that. We ordered sambosa's as well which are delish! The best part is when they bring you the combo platter the cook comes out and tells you what each dish is and she places on your big injera bread plate. You can tell this food is made with love and a lot of hard work.
(5)T K.
Wow such delicious food with fun experience! Ordered the meat combo plate, really amazing! Really friendly service :) Want to try the veggie combo plate, but need to be next time, so full...
(5)Susana T.
This was a wonderful experience! Love love love this place. My partner and I attempted to order two combos but the owner advised us not to because it would be too much food. She was totally right. We ended up getting the veggie combo and a meat dish instead. It was finger-licking good. (How else would you eat Ethiopian food?!) We also ordered coffee and - my oh my - it smelled amazing while they made coffee right in front of us. The smell of coffee was tantalizing while we waited for it to be ready. It's a pretty long process for them to make the coffee so be patient. The owner is also the sweetest lady. I would definitely go back here if I was in the area.
(5)Tosha A.
Simply the Best ~ We LOVE this place - Love it.
(5)Ian R.
Ethiopian food fans - get your Yelp Bookmark button ready. Sunset Cafe is exactly what you've been looking for. We originally looked to go to Altaye, but apparently they decided to close earlier than their advertised time of 9 pm (we showed up around 8:15 or so). In a scramble to find a replacement place to eat, Sunset presented itself, albeit very discreetly. The outside of the restaurant is unassuming, as it appears like a convenience store. Walking inside, you experience a very humble setting, since lavish decorations are replaced with just a series of tables and some decorations indicative of East Africa. At the front is a simple bar that serves up some of the staple liquors like gin and vodka. The complexity sets in with the food. Should you have any doubts, just look at my photos attached to this review. We originally opted to each order a dish, but we were cautioned by the chef that this would be too much. A completely appreciated and honest assessment, since their portions turn out to be enough to share between two (I felt bad because the restaurant wasn't earning much profit as the meal was only $13). Here is a list of the foods included atop our injera bread: - Beef tibs - Lamb tibs - Collard greens - Chicken with greens - Lamb with greens - Beef with spicy sauce and egg As my review says, the food was nothing short of a 5 star, when taking into account freshness, taste, and texture. It was immediately apparent that the food was cooked with plenty of TLC, and the chef was even kind enough to bring the food out in individual bowls, then portion each dish out on top of our injera bread. An appropriate closing note would be to comment on this staple they call injera. Probably the best I've had - the injera was perfectly tart, and not too thick at all. Not only do they give you a generous starting portion of injera, but they refill you as needed. Perfect to wrap your food with, or to sop up the great sauce they use for the food. Enjoy, peeps.
(5)LEALA S.
The outside of the cafe isn't much to look at. Don't be fooled. The food is amazing, and the owner is a delight. This is some of the best food I've ever had, ever. The food is very affordable -- we had the Sunset platter which would have been PLENTY of food for two or more people. After the cafe closes, she went to go work her second job which is a graveyard shift. Go support her and have some delicious, affordable food.
(5)Megan K.
Aromatic spices fill the air in this small Ethiopian cafe. After a quick Yelp search for Ethiopian restaurants in Seattle, I was led to Sunset Cafe and I was one happy camper! First of all, you feel like you're a guest in the restaurant owner's home. They are super sweet and the vibe is low key, cozy and inviting. The menu is easy to navigate and I'd recommend a sampler so you can dive into the many flavors that the cafe has to offer. My friend and I ordered the sunset platter and at $13 we had more food than we knew what to do with. We brought home AT least enough leftovers for another meal. The different meats with various sauces and vegetables will tantalize your taste buds and you'll be sure to leave stuffed. This isn't the place to come if you're in a hurry and want to rush through your meal. I love the sharing aspect of Ethiopian food - the meal truly lends itself to conversation and exploration. I hope you enjoy as much as we did! I'll be a repeat diner here without a doubt!
(5)Harsha C.
Good food! Really like the place and the quantity of food there.
(5)Lilly C.
This was my first time eating Ethiopian cuisine at a restaurant. I went with two friends who were new to this type of food, so I was nervous about how they would like it. The location was already off-putting for them, and the fact that there was only one table occupied as we walked in made me even more doubtful about the great reviews I've seen about this place. A man got up from the bar to seat us and hand us our menus, but did not take our orders when we were ready; turns out, there is only one person doing the waiting and cooking that night ( or every night? Not too sure). As soon as the waitress was done helping the other table, she approached us with the brightest smile. We initially wanted to just order the sunset combo to share amongst the 3 of us, but the waitress told us it contains only meat and that we should order veggies as well. So we let her decide on the veggies. She brought us back a HUGE tray filled with at least 7-8 different meat dishes, and 4 veggie servings. I couldn't believe my eyes. She carefully placed each dish onto the injera while explaining what it was. Everything was delicious, but my favorite was the lamb - and I'm usually not a lamb person. The sweet tones added into that dish either took away or covered up the gamey taste, which worked really well in my opinion. I plan on coming back to explore new entrees, but if you are new to Ethiopian cuisine, the sunset combo is the way to go. You get to sample all of the different flavors of this cuisine and all for an unbelievable value of about $13 FOR 3 PEOPLE ( $17 in our case, for the additional veggies). --One more thing: if decor or ambience is of any importance to you, forget about it. Fluorescent lighting and rectangular dining room tables with white table cloths..bare is an understatement. But hey, if the food is good, I'm not complaining.
(4)Margarita O.
I LOVE Ethiopian, but live in a town with no Ethiopian to be found. While visiting Seattle, I knew I had to scratch that itch. I am so very glad we chose the Sunset Cafe! We got a veggie platter and and order of fasolia which was just fantastic. I had never had the fasolia before and it was a really good call! So delicious! It was too much food for the both of us and we had leftovers for lunch the next day to boot! The waitstaff was attentive and informative. It was a crazy hot day, so it was a little uncomfortable as temperatures go, but I surely can't blame them for the weather!
(5)Rebecca A.
My first time eating Ethiopian food. A great introduction! The waitress was very helpful in helping me make a selection (mild beef stew). Ethiopian food is on the spicier side, but they will help you find something mild if you prefer that. As others shared, the chef brings out the food personally! She pours the items individually on a large crepe-like bread. The stew was very delicious! 4 stars instead of 5 because I had a hard time (headache) with some of the incense.
(4)AP N.
Been to so many Ethiopian restaurants in Seattle and this is now my favorite. The location is hidden and can be passed if u aren't looking for it. Parking is scarce. The owner Sunny and staff are very friendly and she brings out the food and puts it on your platter in front of u for a personal touch. Our favorite is the sunset combo, lamb tibs, and zilzil tibs. Don't expect anything fancy here. But if u want really good food then this IA the place. It gives you the best value for your buck in all the restaurants in Seattle. We drive 35 mins to this place just to fill our tummies. It is that good. U will not be disappointed.
(5)Mark W.
This may be the most hidden of gems in all of Seattle. It may also be among the very best bang for your bucks in the city as well. My wife and I went there for dinner after reading the great yelp reviews. The owner/manager/chef was indeed very gracious, welcoming and attentive. My wife and I were quite hungry, so was shared the Sunset combo (meat dishes) and she offered to supplement it was 3 (which ended up being 4) veggie dishes as well. While no Ethiopian food expert, I have dined in the Adams Morgan district in DC (maybe the best Ethiopian in the country) and have been to 5-7 around here. Most of my experiences in Seattle have been lack-luster at best, or awful at worst. The food was all very fresh, well-seasoned and delicious. She added literally home-made Ethiopian-style cheese to our meal, and it was fantastic. While they do have a bar, I think it is fair to say that one would not go out the way to have a drink here. What you really want, and what speaks for itself, is the great food. Highly recommended, and if a fraction of the city knew about this place, I think it would be tough to get into. As it stands now, the place warrants your patronage, as on a rainy night, we were the only diners for dinner.
(5)Nicole B.
Service was lovely. Portions were unbelievably generous. Food was phenomenal. Neighborhood's a little rough...don't let that slow you down...
(5)Ben B.
I love this place! We came with 2 people and ordered the meat and veggie combos. The sweet owner lady let us know that we were ordering too much food for just us and instead added a few extra items to our meat combo for a few dollars extra. Thanks! When the food came out she told us about each dish and wow was it delicious. The only downside was we had to wait a while for a menu as the guys that were there were helping folks that came in but in a pretty lax way. If they're on staff they're not too good at it.
(5)Ciara C.
I never write reviews for yelp. I always look at what other people write and look at and eventually try new places, but never actually review myself...but I just had to for this place. The food is delicious, hot, fresh and clearly full of love. The cook herself came out and explained everything - including what was in what, and what she personally crafted from hand (she makes the cheese herself), which was very appreciated for first timers like me. My guest and I shared a veggie combo (about $13) and a side of lamb tibbs ($12) and could barely finish half of it. We almost order two combo plates and were politely turned away from ordering too much food. I researched a long time for the best place to try Ethiopian food here in Seattle...and I came here for the food admittedly, but I would return a thousand times over for the service. Our waitress and the cook were adorable and beyond polite, even though we came in less than an hour before closing. They never made us feel like we were an inconvenience and even asked us how everything was at the end of our meal with genuine interest. Try it and love it.
(5)Chelsea S.
I ordered the veggie combo as I usually do, at any Ethiopian spot. This sweet waitress got everything out and prepared everything in front of you. My friend who took me there, wasn't hungry so I ate by myself. It could have easily fed 2 other people and it was only 12 dollars! I'm coming there again, the next chance I get! Tip; drinking beer after eating injera, helps you digest your food faster.
(5)Daniel S.
This is an extraordinary place. Tiny dive sort of building. The food is stunningly good! If you haven't had Ethiopian before, definitely get the sunset sampler. Also the Shambusha appetizer is deliciously delicate. The proprietor is very charming and will explain the cuisine to you and how to eat it. She made us feel very comfortable and welcome. This one is worthy of food network. Was such a pleasure to dine here.
(5)Amrutha T.
Me and my husband were on food high after our dinner at Sunset Cafe. We ordered veggie combo and the owner(who is also the cook and waitress) got so many varieties of food and all tasted sooooo good. There was also Ethiopian coffee ceremony, coffee was as good as the ceremony. Will definitely visit this place more often.
(5)Jeremy W.
Oh happy wow, big nummy happy tummy wow! I wish I had taken pics, but also so glad to all the other loyal Yelpers here who did. They roll up the injera into little handkerchief-style rolls so they're easy to use. Stuff is super fluffy and lovely. We got the Sunset Combo (at least I think that's what it was called), which is an astoundingly good meat combo with a few veggie items too. And home made cheese! (not the stuff from Safeway, entreats the eminently kind owner). Every single one of the 10+ dishes were incredible, which is not my usual experience with Ethiopian or Eritrean food. Usually there's at least one or two that I'm not drooling on, but damn, this place made me a subject of Pavlov 10 times over. What's even more amazing is that only one of these 10 dishes was really spicyhot. And she informed us which one while she was serving! How nice..this has never happened to me before at an Ethiopian place. Another great thing - she brought out each dish in a separate container (see the yelper pics for this place for what that looks like!), and told us what each one was as she spooned them lovingly upon our large plate of injera. Ooooo I am in love. With the food. In case my wife is reading this. I'll be driving back down here soon. Come and make the trip, you will not be disappointed!
(5)Deon C.
Good food and a friendly staff. I would recommend this place to any foody. It is a must try don't let this one pass you by. It is an experience everyone should have. I look forward to coming back to try more of these fabulous dishes. I give this place an A+.
(5)Eric S.
I bet the food is great....had it actually came out on time. Seriously, free up your schedule because it takes forever for them to take your order and for the food to come out. I must have waited an hour and I'm still waiting as I write this review.
(1)Henry L.
Wasn't sure why this place got such a good rating. I came here because of the good reviews. However, i don't like the place. The restaurant gave me the feeling that i wanted to get out of there. I went there during a sunday dinner time and i saw no other customers. Ended up, i ordered to go. The waitress didn't speak much English either. The food isn't bad, but the eating environment isn't the kind of place i would go back to.
(3)Shereen A.
Came here with a fellow Yelper after realizing our original plan to have GF Injera at Altaye was a bust. Sunset was our first pick since the reviews were great and it was literally...next door. Don't let the outside fool you, this place is more than you could wish for. We were greeted by a nice lady who told us to pick any seat in the restaurant. We sat at a long table for six. The owner came by introduced herself and thanked us for coming in. We wanted to order 10 things (semi true story) but Tsehay said we should order one item first and if we're still hungry she will make us the burrito we were eyeing. I appreciate such honesty. We decided to order #45 Sunset Combo: A combination of salad, lentils, and multiple special Ethiopian meat entrees served on a platter with injera. Basically every top choice meat item on the menu was in this combo + some vegetarian options. A little while later, she comes out and presents everything in 12 small bowls including a well dressed salad. It looked and smelled fabulous. After telling us what each item was, she turned the little bowl upside down onto the injera. Everything was presented so well! I loved it. After taking a few food porn photos, we inhaled everything. While we were eating, she came back out periodically to check on us. Turns out she made a fresh batch of hot injera in the back especially for us! It was just cooling off when she brought it out. Not wasting a second, we split it and finished up the rest of the dish. I can't say I've ever finished my plate at an Ethiopian restaurant. SO full but SO good. The injera was perfect texture, thickness, and tartness. Some of the best I've had. Seriously! I bet this is what food in Ethiopia would taste like. Authentic, fresh, and delicious. When we were both finished, she could tell how much we enjoyed our meal and how full we were. She made a joke and asked us if we'd like her to start making the sunset burrito. "You have room for more, right?" The owners made our meal unforgettable and for this, I will be back!
(5)Jess M.
I've gone here 3 times now, it's the best Ethiopian I've ever had. Don't let the humble exterior of the building scare you away, it hides a gem! I used to go to the place down the street but they were closed one day and I popped over to sunshine. I was impressed to say the least. Plus, the value is insane! Incredibly hearty portions, for incredibly small prices. Bring your friends, it's a great experience. I suggest veggie combo!
(5)Lia N.
Seriously the best food ever! A definite hidden jewel here in Seattle and Ms. Sunny is the sweetest ever !
(5)Dmytro S.
That was a totally new kind of food for me and it tasted amazing! And the woman who served this was so nice to us. It takes sometime to wait for your order but it's not a big deal, more important the food is great
(5)Max C.
Soooo good, beautiful presentation, and huge portions. We'll definately be back soon! We had two combination plates for 4 people and it was waaay too much food. Try the coffee, it's strong and rich... great spot
(5)Eric B.
When I go out to eat with my family, it's usually Ethiopian food 90% of the time. Needless to say I am a highly qualified Ethiopian connoisseur. Sunset Cafe is most definitely worthy of 5 stars. Great price, great chef, and a generous quantity of food. Yum!
(5)Tom T.
Can I give this place 10 stars? Yes, food is delicious. Yes, incredible value. But extra 5 stars for the service! We had to catch an early afternoon flight and were wondering whether what we should pack for lunch. Really wanted to try this place but weren't sure if the food could be packaged to get through security, etc. So at 10:01, I called Sunset and asked if she thought the food and to-go boxes could be brought through security. She thought about it and said she thought it would be fine. I arrive to find that she packaged our veggie sampler in a tupperware! Not only that, but she had taped it extra shut with surgical tape. and she showed me how she tested it by rolling it around to make sure nothing would spill out! Who goes the extra mile like this?! wow, holy cow! how nice and thoughtful is the owner?! seattle - you gotta support this place! just a couple of minutes off either the 5 or 405
(5)Christina P.
The owner/cook/waitress, Sunny is a very friendly and kind person. She was amazing! My husband and I wanted to order sunset combo and vegetarian combo but Sunny said that we shouldn't. Instead she suggested to add just 4 more dishes for $4. Everything we had was delicious. We had some left overs so we asked Sunny to give us a little box to go, then she asked us what did we like the best and when we told her our favorite one, she said 'I will give you some more of that in your box'. Which restaurant does that? I don't know how she can make money.. I am a little worried.. We enjoyed the food and hospitality of Sunny a lot.
(5)Tom D.
Sunset Cafe is a humble restaurant that, from the outside, does nothing to distinguish itself from the countless other small, diversified shops along Rainier Avenue. The interior is also nondescript. But that's where ordinary ends. If you are willing to wait longer than average for your food to be cooked then you will be rewarded with a soul-satisfying meal. We were lucky enough on Mother's Day Eve to have the owner / chef Sunny present and serve our food. There are down home food experiences I will never forget. Mrs. Marcialis' Sunday feast in New York. Black Baptist church picnic's in Bear Mountain State Park. Cajun fish fries with family in Louisiana. You don't need to be from Ethiopia to know that what Sunny serves up is something made with joy and masterful skill and love. Tips Take a little extra time to read the menu since our waitress was very pleasant but did not know much English. We ended up with several lamb dishes in our combo where we would have preferred something else. And like Italian or Indian where the non-meat dishes are arguably the stars, so it seems to be with Ethiopian. The vegetarian combo items are so plentiful, varied and satisfying that even our meat-eaters wished they had ordered it with maybe a meat side dish.
(5)Michael W.
Best Ethiopian food I've ever had! Truly excellent hospitality, thank you so much. One of the most memorable meals I've eaten. Plus I got to watch the traditional coffee bean roasting process immediately before drinking the most flavorful cup I can recall in a city known for their beans. Highly recommended!
(5)Lana G.
If you want amazing service and delicious Ethiopian food come here! What a great experience!!
(5)Laurie K.
We stumbled upon this place after having our nails done next door at Star Nails. I've driven past this location many times but never even thought to stop. This block of Rainier has been re-done within the past 5 years, there is new housing across the street and this side of the street has had new storefronts added, etc. There is on street parking but it is limited. If you have to park on the east side of Rainier be VERY careful as you cross, Rainier is very narrow and notorious for pedestrian/car injuries. All that being said, this place is incredible! The food is really amazing, the injera was flavorful and added to the taste of each offering. Everything was very fresh and the restaurant was clean and welcoming. The cook came out to talk with us about the food and I felt comforted and taken care of. We will be eating here more frequently! Definitely worth a stop!
(3)Sarah V.
A little unsure of what to expect, I ventured into Sunset. I was immediately enamored. Your senses are stimulated the second you walk in the door as you become enveloped in the soothing smell of incense and the sound of spices being ground. I was greeted immediately and soon decided on the beloved vegetable combo plate. The beautiful, vibrant chef herself (Sunny) prepared the platter in front of me and spent the time explaining each item. The chef is just as colorful and satisfying as the food she makes. The portions are more than generous. To top off the meal, we were provided Ethiopian coffee. This place is amazing. Go. Now!!!
(5)Helan L.
Amazing food! We came on a Saturday based on Yelp reviews and boy are we glad. Ordered the veggie combo and awaze tibs. Both were the best we have had in the area! Only thing to warn is that it took about 45 minutes for our food to arrive. If you have the time, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Malie P.
LITERALLY, the best Ethiopean food I have EVER had. EVER! Better than Saba, you don't have to wait to be seated, or wait to order. Sunny, the gracious owner and cook, comes out with your food and hand delivers it onto the injera that she makes from scratch, complete with homemade, whole milk cheese. Generous portions that tempt, you never want the meal to end! Please, experience this amazing place. You won't regret it. If you do, there is something seriously wrong with you.
(5)Joel J.
Loved our visit. Owner is friendly, and the food tastes wonderful. Takes some time with a large group (more than 7 or 8 people), but well worth the wait.
(5)Kim K.
We went to Sunset today, as out-of-towners having only Yelp to recommend places in the neighborhood around Kubota gardens. While there, we were treated with kindness by the owner, who took our order. She had run out of one dish that we wanted, which was understandable as we came in for a late lunch, but helped us make alternative choices. She assembled our plate (sunset sampler) at the table, taking the time to tell us what we had. The dishes were very good, the best of the previous Ethiopian experiences I have had. The people were very kind, especially as we had an irritated toddler in tow. The coffee was a delightful experience. We felt very fortunate to have found this restaurant while in town. What a jewel to have, Seattle.
(5)Chrissie C.
Oh, how I love this place! The owner, Tsemay, is a delightful woman and might I add, talented chef. She'll welcome you with authenticity and promptly serve you some seriously delicious Ethiopian food. You, my friend, simply have to walk through the door! The prices are lower than other Ethiopian places in the area (which, admittedly, aren't expensive), but for this price, I might just start coming here daily. So, so good! The decor/ambiance is reminiscent of, well, my grandparents house, which only adds to the warm feeling of being well-cared for. The boyf and I have been here twice and both times we ordered the beef burritos (yep, Ethiopian burritos) to start, and the combo veggie platter to share. Why the same thing both times, you ask? Well, because it was perfect, and why mess with perfect??? Seriously, yum. The burritos are an appetizer, but an order of those nearly fills us on their own. The combo platter has so many delicious tasty morsels, all with a unique and delicious sauce of their own. Uh oh...I think I have to go back...NOW.
(5)Chanel C.
A 4.5 star! Excellent, freshly cooked Ethiopian food. She even makes the cheese herself. My boyfriend and I arrived at 9pm. We were the only ones there and she looked like she was closing early. We asked if we should leave but she was very welcoming and insisted that we sit down and enjoy her food (even though she had work elsewhere that night.. :/ ). The veggie combo is a must - excellent flavors. I ordered the lamb tibs and he ordered the chicken. Both were delicious. This is my third time having Ethiopian and so far this is my favorite. Also very affordable and plenty left over. The leftovers are just as delicious too! Will definitely go back. Very friendly service.
(4)Jeremy S.
Best. Ethiopian Food. Ever. We live on Capitol Hill and it is SO worth the drive to have this food. Distinct, clean rich flavors and very low prices. Meat combination could feed 2-3 people and is $12. We met Sunny who is awesome. She mentioned almost closing until she started getting good reviews. So grab some friends and get yourself down here! We do not want to lose this gem of a place in Seattle!
(5)Scott X.
Of the many Ethiopian Restaurants I've tried in Seattle the Sunset is the best...Had the veggie combo and it was spectacular...Very friendly service...Humble décor...my kind of place....HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!!
(5)Nesia J.
My only thing is that she was kind of looking at me like I was dum cause I didn't know what to order being that it was my first time eating this kind of food. If someone comes in and she sees they are not Eritrean and having problems ordering then don't make it look like the person is dum, but help me please... She keep trying to sell me lamb and I keep saying no I don't like lamb, then she got aggressive and said WHAT YOU DON'T LIKE LAMB!!!! IDK this place made me feel uncomfortable being that it was my first time eating here and eating this kind of food. For first time people eating this food, I don't recommend here...
(3)Masud S.
The food is amazing. It's also incredibly affordable. Great customer service. My regular order is the veggie combo and the lamb tibs. I bring all my friends here and everyone likes it, best Ethiopian food in Seattle.
(5)Shannon M.
Sunset gave us an amazing experience, great food and excellent service! I would highly recommend it to anyone
(5)Dude M.
Omfg delicious, best Ethiopian food in Seattle. And the chef is delightful. Food was fresh and came to us quickly. Will definitely be back often.
(5)Dylan K.
The veggie Injera burrito is delicious! Friendly service and the Ethiopian beer is good too. I'll be back here for sure. Support a local business and eat at the Sunset Cafe.
(5)Joe C.
The Sunset Cafe is my new favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle, and I've been to most of them. Great Injera, wonderful sauces. The meat is high quality, and the veggie dishes are top notch. The owner is such a sweet heart, and hilarious to boot. I love bringing people here, as they are always so impressed.
(5)Rebeca N.
Great food, amazing service, affordable prices! The owner made us a custom sample platter that we absolutely loved. Coffee was also amazing. Will return soon!
(5)Zoe L.
Like it very much. Like all reviews have stated, food is delicious and portion very generous. And the owner is so warm and welcoming. We were invited to sit for the coffee ceremony, and spent over two hours there. It's like eating at a friends house!
(5)Cassie B.
Sunset Café is fabulous! Their Ethiopian food is the best in Seattle, and the service is friendly and helpful. We've fed 4 people on one veggie combo and one meat combo (with a bit of extra injera) and we were all stuffed. The owner/chef always comes out and explains all of the dishes and I'm always determined to remember what they all are, but I never do. They're simply, "the OMGAMAZING lamb one," "the fabulous chicken one," "the tasty lentil one," etc. There's never been a single dish that I've tried that I haven't at least liked (and most of them I love). Well, there was the one time with the jalapeno when I thought it was green pepper, but that's me being a wuss. If you like Ethiopian food, or if you haven't tried it before and you're looking for something new, Sunset Café is definitely the place to go.
(5)Juliet O.
This place is great. The service is friendly and Sunny gave us extra food when she boxed up our leftovers. We had the veggie combo and it was enough for two people. Highly recommended.
(5)Keisha S.
Very delicious! The beef combo was so good. So much food with layers of injera stuffed with pockets of beef. The taste was fresh and not greasy. It was so much food. Enough for maybe three people, but at least two people.
(5)Samuel P.
As we walked through the door on a rainy Friday evening we were greeted by the foggy haze of burning incense. The restaurant was empty save for a man sitting in the corner drinking Corona and chatting with the waitress who promptly got up and gave us a choice of tables. She showed us menus, poured us water and smiled. When we ordered she didn't really understand our request for both vegetarian and meat combo platters. Then, as if on queue, out of the kitchen appeared the chef to clarify our order. When the food came the chef explained each of the items as she poured them out onto a large tray layered in a traditional Ethiopian bread. First an egg, followed by lamb, beef and collared greens. The rest of the tray was covered with red beans, cabbage, potatoes and split peas. I got great satisfaction from eating the food with my hands. With each bite I unrolled some of the bread provided for us in the basket and scooped up the contents of the tray. To finish,'we tore into the bread on the bottom of the tray which had been soaking up the juices the whole time. Overall I got great pleasure from my first Ethiopian experience. The service was good (remember this is African style so not super fast but super friendly) and the prices were low (can't beat $25 to feed 4). I would certainly consider going back. I just hope they have more customers the next time.
(5)Erin Z.
This is the best Ethiopian food I have ever had. I'm a vegetarian and split the veggie combo with two other friends and STILL took leftovers home. The Injera was perfect, the seasonings artful and Sunny, the owner and cook so sweet and wonderful. If you love Ethiopian and are within 50 miles of this place go!
(5)Matt A.
The Fir Fir. Ohhhhh the Fir Fir. Everyday on the way to and from work I drive down 23rd Ave and pass Fir St. Every time I pass the street I say Fir Fir and I imagine downing a giant plate of Fir Fir from sunny's. Mmmmmmm. Fir Fir.
(5)Braxton S.
We stopped in here late last night, pleased about the parking right in front; greeted warmly by the owner at the front door, who invited us to sit even though we were wanting our order to go. She was warm, excited and shared stories about how this place was her dream and how no one knew about her food until Yelp reviews started popping up; so I'm here to write another. The atmosphere here is simple, cute, and brightly colored - a homey feel. Our order was prepared quickly and she invited us to come back again so we could experience the full presentation - she seemed so proud of; while we waited there was a little appetizer she brought us which was a delicious blend of steamed veggies and cooked beans. We ordered the veggie combo and a meat combo, prices are great, food tasted fresh and savory. We will definitely be back!
(5)Susie W.
Friends found this little Ethiopian restaurant on Yelp- and all of the 5-star reviews are true! The atmosphere was relaxed and Sunny, the cherf/owner, made sure we were well fed. We got a veggie combo, doro wat, and awaze tibs. When the food came out, Sunny gave us a tour of each dish- how it was made and what ingredients we would should pay attention to. The food was amazing, a wide variety of flavors and spices. The injera, as others have mentioned, is perfectly sour and just the right thickness for grabbing all of the tasty stews and veggies dishes. It was a savory feast! We will be back.
(5)David M.
This is the easiest review I've written - service & food get a solid 5. I will endorse almost everything else said here and leave it at that.
(5)Cece T.
We picked this place based on previous yelp reviews. Driving by, the restaurant looks unassuming, but we decided to give it a try and we are so glad we did! We tried the veggie combo and a chicken and collards dish. The owner/chef came out and explained each dish to us as she filled our plate. Everything tasted fresh and perfectly spiced. The food was plentiful, and the bread was wonderfully chewy and tart! We ate as much as we could and then took the rest for leftovers (which taste just as good or even better the next day)! I had driven past this restaurant previously and had not noticed it (the exterior reminds one of a convenience store). However, the interior is warm, clean, and bright, and the service is sincere and prompt. We live in Tacoma but will definitely go out of our way to visit here again!
(5)Ben C.
Very very good Ethiopian food. We showed up and could tell right away we were in for a treat. There were two tables full of happily eating people, eating what looked to be extremely authentic food. We were greeted by very friendly staff who seemed eagerly pleased to have us there. After having some real Ethiopian beers (had no clue they existed) our meal arrived and oh man. We ordered the sampler. A little of this and a little if that. The chef came out and explained each dish to us and made sure we had everything we needed. Overall, great service, great good. We will go back and we highly recommend others give it a try.
(5)John S.
Wow, that was a lot of fun! I went in with my World Cultures class and was greeting warmly by the owner. I explained to her that we wanted to sample traditional Ethiopian fare. With a large smile, she provided us with an incredible array of diverse tastes and flavors with a combination if their sampler trays loaded with sides of injera. The injera was the best I have eaten. Very fresh and wonderfully sour. Our dishes were a blend of differently spiced meat and vegetable dishes and all moderately priced. We spent $50 and it fed all 8 of us to the brim and still had three boxes of leftovers.
(5)Christine G.
What a great local neighborhood spot! We've lived here three years and have only just stopped in tonight. We regret all the time we have wasted driving all the way to 23rd and Union for good Ethiopian food when it was just down the street. Argh! We got our usual veggie combo and enjoyed that Sunny, the super gracious and hardworking owner and chef, explained what each of the dishes were to us. We also got the Zizil ribs, grilled steak strips, which were deliciously spiced and perfectly grilled. All the servings were generous and everything tasted delicious. We will definitely be back! Thank you, Sunny!
(5)Twila B.
Excellent food at very reasonable prices. Huge portions, you won't leave here hungry. Warm & welcoming staff. I think the lamb curry was my favorite, although it was hard to pick a favorite with all of the great dishes. I ordered the #45 combo so we could try a wide selection of dishes. Had to take half of it home - my stomach ran out of room. Ethiopian cuisine is meant to share, do be sure to bring a friend or two.
(5)Dena H.
Amazing food, friendly service - a great find. This place should be packed out it is so good! Sunny makes your trip to the Rainer Valley worth every mile.
(5)Christopher R.
I have been to a lot of good Ethiopian restaurants in a seattle. Sunset Cafe is the best one! The spicing of the dishes is always rich, fresh and authentic. It is clear that the food is being made as it is supposed to be made and not pandering to the audience. The result is amazing dishes that will delight enthusiasts of Ethiopian cuisine. The service is also five stats. So friendly, attentive and genuine.
(5)Sara L.
This place has a really good and fulfilling Veggie Platter combo. The food here is outstanding, and the owners are extremely nice. Be sure to partake in the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony if you get the chance!
(5)Ross O.
I don't think I've ever reviewed anything on Yelp before, but this place is worth reviewing. This really is the best Ethiopian food I have ever tasted. Tsehay, the owner/cook, is such a wonderful person and an amazing cook. The portions are HUGE and everything I've tried so far is delicious. I've eaten at a lot of places in Seattle (including other Ethiopian places) and this by far my favorite! Give this place a shot-- you will not regret it.
(5)Kelsey A.
We stumbled across this place when some friends were visiting from out of town. It is easily the best service we've had here! The cook was so welcoming and friendly, and explained each dish to us. My partner and I got the veggie combo, and our friends got the sunset convo and lamb tibs. She even brought out extra dishes for us to try and cared about our comfort. This is now our favorite Ethiopian place! The food was so fresh and delicious! Sonny is an excellent cook! Everybody left happily full and all smiles.
(5)Lacey P.
A good friend of mine is Ethiopian and she cooks phenomenal Ethiopian cuisine. Sunny's food is right on par. I've been to a lot of Ethiopian restaurants in the Seattle area and this is by far the best and Sunny is incredibly sweet. I am obsessed with this place. Highly recommend!
(5)Jennett M.
We LOVE LOVE LOVE this place and adore Sunny the owner. We drive over an hour to come here at least a couple times a month. Most amazing food that we crave. Unbelievable value and authentic experience. We have brought so many friends here and it never failed to have a great time.
(5)s p.
Great service by the owner and the food was amazing! Best Ethiopian food I've ever had! We got the combo meat plate and was able to substitute the lamb for beef. She was really flexible in letting us pick another meat to sub for the lamb. Collard greens were perfectly cooked and great flavor.
(5)Justin M.
Sunny was a wonderful host: willing to talk to you about the food and preparation, and able to make some great suggestions. The food was as good as it comes. We had lamb tips and a vegetable combo (knowing this was going to be too much for the two of us). Every dish had big and complex flavors. We wound up eating too much and taking a good bit home with her recommendation to have the leftovers with some eggs for breakfast.
(5)Rebekah B.
What can I say... all around delicious experience. Don't let the outside deter you from going in. It's warm and homey. We had never tasted Ethiopian food before now and went on recommendation. We were all pleasantly surprised! The food was amazing and so was Sunny, the chef/owner. Thanks for the great afternoon feast! Veggie combo was perfect.
(5)Jaal M.
Delicious food, incredibly friendly service! A great value, they always give us so many leftovers too. The vegetarian combo is delicious! Definitely try this place, best Ethiopian in Seattle.
(5)John R.
I am absolutely in love with The Sunset Cafe! One day, we were walking around south Seattle and looking for something to eat and we walked by the Sunset Cafe. One of the owners waved us down in an enticing way, so we decided to give it a try. The place is small on the inside, but that's how I like my restaurants! From the moment we sat down, we fell in love. The manager/ owner/ cook Sunny is a godsend. She is a fantastic cook and a wonderful, hospitable person. As the other reviews state, she explains each dish carefully and happily addresses any concerns. I can't wait to go back! And might I suggest the vegetarian combo!
(5)Penny S.
Can't imagine a better meal. Kid friendly, adult impressive, and just so much fun. My sister and her family are regulars and I only wish I lived closer than 2500 miles away. The veggie combo was even more awesome than the meats and the injera was perfect. We all stuffed ourselves and still had enough to fill two take-out boxes to the brim.
(5)Becky D.
We have eaten at many ET restaurants and have been to ET several times. This restaurant embodies all that is wonderful about Ethiopian food! The owner is kind and attentive. The injera was perfect! We ordered the sunset platter and veggie platter. So much food! So delicious! I don't know why you would ever eat at any other Ethiopian restaurant! The staff was very kind to our children and made us feel like family. There was even a coffee ceremony (free) which was a nice treat. 100% recommend!!!
(5)Matt K.
If I lived in Seattle, this would be my go-to place for Ethiopian. Delicious food, nice people, great music videos in the tele. Glad the people I was visiting were aware of this place - can't figure out why more people aren't.
(5)Jason W.
Nice food and great service will come back again for sure! Service is like home. Personalized. I even had free good to go. Thanks Sunny.
(5)Tony M.
The best Ethiopian food I have ever tasted! Lots of unique dishes and generous portions. The cook/server is super-nice and makes sure you walk out full, satisfied and happy.
(5)Rebecca G.
I love this place! The owner/cook is so friendly, and the food is always excellent. We usually get the veggie combo, but we have taken friends and gotten the meat combo, too. It's a good deal and it's excellent.
(5)Amy H.
Waitress did not understand my questions and told us there was no lamb and no lentils (there were), but I understand that language barriers happen. Food was fantastic. Loved that the cook brought it out and described each dish. I did not like the really loud music. Food a 5. Atmosphere a 3.
(4)Keri W.
The reviews are all spot-on. After a 5 hour swim meet at Rainier Beach Pool, I decided this was a good time to introduce my kids (& their much earned hunger) to Ethiopian Food. Couldn't have picked a better place. Me the vegetarian, them, carnivores in the true definition of the word. Everyone is friendly and everyone really truly cares about their restaurant. From the guy out front sweeping up the leaves to the owner who really does come out, sit at your table, greet your family, and make you coffee. (It's not just turning on a machine... it's truly a ceremony). After my 12 year old swimmer ordered the Sunset Combo (for himself), Sunny came out to make sure we knew it was ALOT of food. After the food came out she checked in again. Sat with us and talked about her kids, their swimming days etc. In the end, we stayed for a couple of hours enjoying the company, feeling welcome and most importantly the amazing food. While a bit too spicy for the smallest (who had many other non-spicy but equally flavorful options), those that really appreciate a good blend of spice that doesn't kill the flavor we truly found a place that strikes a perfect balance. Sometimes, atmosphere can make the food taste better than it might otherwise. But it's a rare time when you have both incredible food and a very inviting atmosphere. And yes, the food might take some time to come out, but there is a reason for that.
(5)Mike L.
Charming chef but nowhere near the quality of food as Altaye. Most of it was over-microwaved and while still tasty just lacked the subtlety of the insanely good Altaye. Sunset probably does have slightly nicer ambience though with more space or blaring TV, which might explain its higher yelp rating.
(3)William L.
Saw all of these good reviews, and I really wanted to go here. However, they dissapointed me greatly. Before I even entered, the restaurant looked sketchy. It's located on a ghetto like street. When I entered the restaurant, it was very hot. They had two useless fans blowing away. However, the waitress was very helpful and friendly. She let us choose a table and explained the menu. Because of the recommendations, we ordered 2 veggie combos, beef tibbs, and hot wings. The waitress taught us how to eat, which was good. The beef tibbs were also good. The hot wings were mediocre. It was also labeled as an appetizer, despite coming after the main entrée. They have good service, but the food and location is not good.
(3)Masil M.
I have now dined in and had another great experience. The owner brought out the food and explained the dishes to us. She is a gem. She even brought out a couple of things that weren't on the menu for us to try. There was so much food! It was all tasty and spicy. The injera was really good. Other than awkwardly trying to order alcohol with a server not familiar with drinks, it was top notch.
(5)Jeff N.
This is a pretty solid Ethiopian restaurant and it was a good place to take someone who had never had Ethiopian food before because the cook comes out and actually explains each dish to you and spoons it out onto the injera bread. That extra touch is very nice. My friend was visiting from Korea and he really liked it. The Sunset Combo is a great place to start and to be honest it was enough for three of us. Usually two of us get it and we have a lot left over. With three it was perfect. The young lady taking our order kept insisting it was't enough food but we know how much we can eat. I have had some of the appetizers here as well and most were pretty good. The Sunset burrito which is with injera and beef or veggies. The thing is if you get a combo platter it is very similar, so try and get a different appetizer. The burritos were so big we could barely eat our food when it came! The Tibbs are all good. We have had the lamb, beef and they are nice and spicy with jalapeños. The chicken Tibbs None of them were dry and the balance of spices were great. The Doro Tibbs is chicken and it was very tasty as well. The Que Wott lamb stew was very flavorful. The only downsides were that I had the tea it was disappointed because it was flavored water with a teabag. Also, there were communication issues with the young woman taking our order both times we were here.
(4)Kimberly S.
The best things about Sunset Cafe were the portion sizes (HUGE!) and the fact that they "plate" the injera in front of you so that you have a chance to remember what it is you're eating. Three of us split an order of chicken wings, the vegetarian combo, and the meat combo and it was way too much food. The waitress had luckily discouraged us from ordering more food! Feeling like I've tried a good portion of the menu, I think I have a good understanding of what Sunset Cafe offers. There were many things that were just OK. Some of the highlights included the garbanzo bean puree, the beets (spicy!) and meat curries. Otherwise, a lot of the vegetarian dishes were pretty bland and several of the meat dishes were quite dry. The chicken wings had a good flavor but were pretty soggy. All in all, extra points for quantity but just OK on the quality.
(3)Jack The Reaper K.
It used to be good! Disappointing! Saba is best choice for steady good Ethiopian food! I know Seattle has lots of Ethiopian restaurants, but none of them are great or really good! Like other big cities with great Ethiopian food in DC, Dallas, San Jose, Vegas etc.... the restaurant we have here in Seattle wouldn't be open for more than a month because nobody will eat their food, tolerate their bad customer services, awful interior design, bad food or roaches (chef cafe) etc.... it's just a shame and naturally people without any real knowledge about the food will assume that they had great Ethiopian food when they all did is just eat at bad taco bell and assume they had real Mexican food!
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