Imagine a picturesque summer day, sitting down with friends for a late lunch, anticipating a delicious meal. However, as a vegetarian, finding satisfying and affordable options can sometimes be a challenge. But what if there was a place where you could savor flavorful dishes without any meat or gluten, in a warm and inviting atmosphere? Let's delve into a review of Azla Vegan, an Ethiopian restaurant that offers just that.
A colorful and flavorful Ethiopian vegan feast.
A Vegan Gem Serving Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine
Azla Vegan is a restaurant that serves delicious Ethiopian plates in a casual yet warm environment. The mother-daughter team of Azla Mekonen and Nesanet Teshager Abegaze are culinary ambassadors, serving a meatless take on traditional Ethiopian cuisine at their restaurant. Perfect for the selective or intrepid eater, you choose the dishes that make up your plate, and between the 2 item, 3 item or feast options, your meal can be just the right size for one person who knows precisely what dish they want or a family of four who wants to try a little of everything.
The standouts include the misir wot, a flavorful stew made from red lentils cooked down with onions, tomatoes, and pungent spices sourced straight from Ethiopia. Despite being vegan, Azla doesn’t use any meat substitutes (except for occasionally in seasonal specials), making the spot a hit for non-vegetarian family members as well, who have never fully warmed up to the idea of soy alternatives.
Menu Highlights and Unique Offerings
Azla Vegan is 100% gluten-free with GF injera and wats and desserts. They have samples so you can try most of the dishes before buying so I was able to choose the items that I liked best. They have amazing beverages as well as gluten-free vegan desserts.
Read also: Ethiopian Cuisine: Philadelphia Guide
Here are some of the highlights from the menu:
- Jalapeno Salad
- Kale Salad
- Chickpea Mash
- Collard Green/Kale Sautee
- GF Brownies
The food is fresh with a nice balance of spices, and the kitchen is gluten-free. Everything is GF and vegan.
Warm Customer Service and Welcoming Atmosphere
The customer service is ridiculously thoughtful. They understand food issues. No heckling, no judgment - just warm hearts. The owners are wonderful and the food is excellent! They're nice enough to have a disclaimer about it. Friendly staff and delicious food!
It is a casual and comfortable atmosphere. Great food, great folks! I was really glad to find this place. Everything they make is vegan and gluten free. They make their injera with quinoa.
A Haven for Those with Dietary Restrictions
For those with celiac disease or gluten-intolerance, this place is an absolute gem. Azla is 100% gluten free with GF injera and wats and desserts. Very filling, large portions, all vegetarian. I was worried the food might make me sick since it's in an open food court, but I was just fine.
Read also: Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine
The staff is nice enough to have a disclaimer about it. The wrap bread was moist and fluffy. So so satisfying. Great price for the specialty niche of people they're feeding. I am definitely happy to go back here often, from here on out.
My favorite vegan restaurant in L.A. | Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine
A Food Court Gem
Azla is located in a local ethnic food market. I wasn't sure when we first arrived, but we walked inside the big space to find a great food-court type set up with wonderful, authentic, ethnic foods. This place is actually in a food court, so they warn of cross contamination due to the possibility of flour moving through the air, but they do not actually make anything that contains gluten.
Guy Fieri's Stamp of Approval
Azla Mekonen and her daughter Nesanet Teshager Abegaze with Guy Fieri of Food Network at their family owned business Azla Vegan in Los Angeles.
Guy Fieri called Azla and Nesanet Abegaze “culinary ambassadors,” as they serve a meatless take on traditional Ethiopian cuisine at their restaurant. This trip, Guy Fieri's grabbing all kinds of cosmopolitan comfort food. In Los Angeles, a mother-daughter team dishing out authentic Ethiopian specialties. Phenomenal flavors, excellent portions, great service.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Azla's foods were simple, not over spiced but really flavorful and really filling. Their deserts are amazing and their customer service was warm and welcoming. The portions are large. I had the 4 item combo plate and was able to split one of them into two so I actually got five items.
Read also: A Taste of Ethiopia in South Carolina
Please note: Azla Ethiopian Vegan permanently closed in 2022.
