Nestled at the corner of Commercial Drive and 6th Ave, Harambe Ethiopian Restaurant has been a beloved culinary gem for over two decades. This vibrant eatery, with its warm orange tones and striking artwork, invites you to experience the rich flavors of traditional Ethiopian cuisine.
A traditional Ethiopian food platter with various stews and injera.
A Taste of Ethiopia in Every Dish
The making of Ethiopian flavors, specifically the aromatic stews, are a rich alchemy born out of trade with Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. One bite at Harambe and your mouth goes places.
Doro Wot: The National Dish
No, not the origin of life paradox; it’s doro wot, the national dish of Ethiopia, and you won’t find a better example of the crimson-hued stew around town than the one served by chef-owner Hanna Tsegaye at Harambe Ethiopian Restaurant in Five Points. Made from finely minced onions, garlic and ginger cooked in butter and seasoned with the spice mixture known as berbere, Harambe’s doro wot is pleasantly spicy, and comes with plenty of injera - a gray flatbread made from teff flour - and house-made ayib -a cheese similar to ricotta, which serves to cool off the heat from the berbere.
Doro Wot Cost: $12.99
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Doro Wat, a traditional Ethiopian chicken stew.
The star of the menu is undoubtedly their combo platters featuring hearty stews served on injera-a spongy flatbread that doubles as both plate and utensil.
And Harambe, which means “all pull together” in Swahili, brings friends and family together to experience traditional Ethiopian. Ask for the Chef’s Special, and have that spongey, pancake-like injera bread topped with a shared platter of greatest hits you can eat with your hands: Yebeg Wot, Doro Wot and Alitcha Wot with assorted vegeterian dishes.
Why Choose Harambe?
- Experience authentic Ethiopian cuisine served on injera
- Enjoy flavorful vegetarian dishes recommended by knowledgeable staff
- Appreciate the warm and welcoming atmosphere with colorful decor
Customer Reviews
Harambe Ethiopian Restaurant offers a fantastic dining experience with perfectly spongy injera and flavorful stews. Reviewers praise the friendly and attentive service, recommending dishes like the veggie combo and Awazi. The restaurant is known for its delicious vegetarian options, warm atmosphere, generous portions, and affordable prices. Customers appreciate the accommodating staff for catering to dietary restrictions like gluten and dairy allergies.
Here’s what customers are saying:
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"I have been here more than once and the food is consistently delicious. Service is very warm, they make you feel like family. The prices are extremely affordable making this place a really good value for the high quality food. I get the vegetarian combination everytime which happens to be vegan. Pictured here is the vegetarian combination and the chefs combination. I definitely recommend Harambe and I will be back."
"We were a little indecisive about where to have our Sunday lunch on “the drive”. First we tried a popular pizza place but it was too crowded and noisy. Then we went to another pizza place and wanted to sit on the patio but the umbrella did not adjust to provide us both shade so we ventured up the street to this welcoming, peaceful and quiet oasis. We are never disappointed when we eat here. Very cheerful and friendly lady that runs the restaurant with her helper in the kitchen. Our order arrived surprisingly fast. They eat using their hands scooping up the delicious food with the spongy fermented bread. Relaxing, quiet background music."
"I stumbled upon this restaurant on Italian day on the drive. I had lunch here with my family and we sat at their patio outside. The staff is really friendly and everyone’s all smiles."
Tips Before You Go
- Visit during off-peak hours or make a reservation as it can get busy
- Don't expect utensils - embrace eating with your hands using injera bread
- Ask for recommendations from the staff for an enhanced dining experience
- Explore traditional Ethiopian flavors by trying unique dishes like Misir Wot or Harambe salad
So If you really want to celebrate the culture, you could do as internationally renowned Ethiopian-Swedish chef Marcus Samuelsson did when showing Martha Stewart how to eat the dish on her show, and practice gursha, the rather intimate practice of feeding your guest a bite with your own hands.
Quick & Easy Ethiopian Chicken Stew (Doro Wat) Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide | How To Cook Great
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