Welcome to Lalibela Ethiopian, a hidden gem in Los Angeles that will transport your taste buds to the vibrant flavors of Ethiopia. Located at 1025 S Fairfax Ave, Lalibela Ethiopian is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience traditional Ethiopian cuisine with a modern twist. This restaurant offers a plethora of options for everyone, from vegan and vegetarian dishes to meat lovers.
Lalibela Ethiopian is a family-owned restaurant that offers a diverse menu with vegan and vegetarian options, making it a great spot for groups and families. The restaurant provides a range of utilities including delivery, takeout, reservations, and catering services. With gender-neutral restrooms, free Wi-Fi, and various payment options including cryptocurrency, Lalibela Ethiopian aims to cater to a wide range of customers. The outdoor seating area, private dining options, and happy hour specials add to the dining experience at this casual eatery. Don't miss out on trying their delicious Ethiopian dishes and enjoy a unique culinary experience at Lalibela Ethiopian.
The ambiance is casual yet inviting, perfect for a quick lunch or a cozy dinner with friends and family. The menu features a variety of options, including gluten-free choices and ample seating for larger groups. One of the highlights of Lalibela Ethiopian is their commitment to sustainability, offering compostable containers and reusable tableware. The restaurant also provides free Wi-Fi and accepts various payment methods, including cryptocurrency. Whether you're looking to enjoy a leisurely meal or grab a quick bite on the go, Lalibela Ethiopian has you covered. The flavors and aromas of their dishes will have you coming back for more, making this restaurant a true standout in the culinary scene of Los Angeles.
So, if you're in the mood for an authentic Ethiopian dining experience, look no further than Lalibela Ethiopian. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!
This female family owned restaurant has the best homemade Ethiopian food in LA! The food is made with love! Everything is great! From sambusa lentil appetizer to huge Vegetarian combo! The tiramisu is incredible too! Go enjoy!!! Delicious!!!!!
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Light streams in through the windows of this tranquil family affair in Little Ethiopia. Chef/owner Tenagne Belachew and her daughters are congenial fixtures in a simply adorned setting that feels like a humble abode. They are content to let the food do the talking and offer a dazzling selection of vibrant Ethiopian classics with vegetables and meat alike arriving on oversized silver platters lined with injera. Best shared with a group, the "veggie utopia" offers immediate insight into their talents, spotlighting lentils astutely seasoned with berber and turmeric.
Discover the rich culinary heritage of Ethiopia right in the heart of Los Angeles at Lalibela, located on vibrant South Fairfax Avenue in the Little Ethiopia neighborhood. This authentic Ethiopian restaurant offers an inviting atmosphere perfect for food lovers eager to explore traditional flavors and distinctive dishes. Lalibela is especially renowned for its exceptional vegetarian and meat offerings, all served with the essential injera flatbread that forms the base of Ethiopian dining.
If you're craving Ethiopian food and amazingly sweet service, this is your perfect spot! I have never been disappointed when I go there..and I go there a lot! My favorite items in the menu are lamb awaze tips with veggie combo! The lamb is simply the BEST! It's freshly made with the perfect amount of spices! (It's not directly in the menu but you can order it). Also always ask for extra awaze sauce for the generous portion of injera you will get in your order. You can thank me later! lol In this visit, I also ordered the shiro and it was delish(I always request to add jalapeño inside for a little kick). Shiro is a a soup made of chickpeas and spices! It is THE perfect dish for the cold weather. It is brought out freshly made, boiling in a small pot! You can ask for the shiro to be made with olive oil or kebe(the traditional butter). I chose olive oil to satisfy my lighter appetite.
The bathrooms are clean and newly renovated. The restaurant has plenty seating for a small or large groups. There's also plenty of space for private conversations to take place. I DONT KNOW WHAT IN EATING BUT IT IS ALL DELICIOUS AND I KEEP COMING BACK.
Look, if you don't like flavorful or fragrant food, this place is not for you. But if you have taste and love experiencing other cultures' foods, then PLEASE come check this out. If you've never had Ethiopian food, this is a great place to go. This definitely feels like a date night or nice dinner outing spot because there are tablecloths and lower lighting. If you're lucky you can sit in one of the more lower tables. Since I'm just a beginner, I'm probably just barely scraping the surface of what Ethiopian food is and can be, but let me tell you, this place is BOMB. So basically you eat with your hands by tearing off a piece of injera which tastes like a thicker sourdough crepe. Btw this is a gluten free grain and delicious and spongy. You then pick up either saucy veggies or meats.
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Things I recommend:
- Veggie utopia
- One of the spicy popular meats (I forgot the name but if you ask the server she can make recommendations and that what we did!)
Ethiopian food is really vegan friendly and you can have a whole satisfying and flavorful meal without touching a single piece of meat. Highly recommended to come by here. One warning: because everything is so full of spices and flavor, you WILL leave this place smelling like those spices (think Korean BBQ hair and clothing dilemma) so going out after isn't recommended in my personal opinion.
Seating: indoor table
Parking: paid street (this is a busy street so plan accordingly)
Wifi: no
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Payment: cash, card
Vibe: nicer dinner spot
Dress code: smart casual
What a treat to find this lovely restaurant! Was a tough decision on what to order as everything sounded delicious so went with the Veggie Utopia which was a tremendous selection of both hot and cold veggies served on the most delicious injera bread. Dish was excellent with each veggie presenting in its own unique flavor. My hubby ordered an Ethiopian coffee which was presented beautifully and the flavor was good. Our server was super kind as well as helpful. Street parking is available. Can't wait to return!
It's unfortunate I live so far from Lalibela, this would be our once a week spot if we were closer. Out of all the Ethiopian restaurants we've ate at, I think Lalibela is my all time favorite. All the items on the veggie platter was extremely fresh and piping hot. The flavor was out of this world. The doro wot was also very delicious, with complex smoky flavor. It was so good, I couldn't help but stuff myself with injera bread! Service was okay, it did take awhile to get the food, ambiance was nice. Would be a nice date spot. If we're in the area, I would definitely make a trip back here for lunch or dinner. Quiet lowkey spot with a family friendly vibe. Really great Ethiopian food. I knew when I bit into the perfectly warm, flaky lentil sambusa that this restaurant was someplace special. I came alone but like with many Ethiopian restaurants, it's probably better to come as a group and split entrees. It's always early enough for Ethiopian Coffee so make sure you order some here. It's absolutely beautiful, just like literally every bite of food I've tasted here. Does coffee go with Doro Wot? A surprising but wholehearted yes. And this doro wot will stun you speechless. Confirmation bias be damned, this does taste different from any other doro wot I've tried, and though the spices check the boxes, there is something more memorable about these flavors. There's nothing like the richness of a Kittfo. Is it meat-butter or butter-meat? At Lalibela it's delightfully hard to tell. Chopped so finely it turns to liquid silk on the tongue, buffered by a creamy cottage cheese, this is a dish that evolves as you eat it, and it will leave you gasping in the best way possible. If you're looking for some of the best Ethiopian food around, you MUST try Lalibela anytime you're around.
Menu Highlights
The menu at Lalibela Ethiopian offers a delightful dining experience with a variety of flavorful Ethiopian dishes. Customers rave about the homemade food made with love, including the sambusa lentil appetizer, Vegetarian combo, and Doro Wot. Must-try items include the gluten-free injera and Ethiopian coffee, adding an extra touch to the dining experience. Lalibela Ethiopian stands out for its vegan-friendly options, attentive staff, and vibrant flavors, making it a must-visit spot for a memorable meal.
Starters
Begin your meal with the crispy Sambusa, a deep-fried pastry artfully filled with a savory blend of lentils, grilled onions, jalapeños, and aromatic herbs. This starter is a perfect introduction to Ethiopian spices, offering a delightful contrast of textures and flavors that prepare your taste buds for the vibrant courses to follow.
Sambusas
Main Courses
Lalibela’s main dishes showcase an array of authentic Ethiopian preparations catering to diverse palates, including vegetarians, vegans, and meat lovers alike.
Vegetarian Options:
- The Veggie Utopia is a standout, featuring 14 vibrant plant-based dishes such as red lentils, spicy shibera asa chickpeas, collard greens, sunflower seeds, and traditional injera flatbread. It offers a comprehensive taste of Ethiopia’s vegetable-forward cuisine.
- For those preferring a mixed vegetarian selection, the Veggie Combo serves assorted vegetarian dishes paired perfectly with injera.
- For a hearty vegetarian main, the Bozena Shiro offers a rich ground chickpea stew infused with traditional Ethiopian spices, served alongside injera to savor every bite.
Meat Options:
- Meat enthusiasts will delight in the Awaze Tibs, featuring spicy sautéed beef cubes simmered in a fiery berbere sauce.
- Derek Tibs, a flavorful mix of sautéed beef cubes with onions, peppers, and spices.
- Another classic is the Doro Wot, a spicy chicken stew enriched with hard-boiled eggs, embodying Ethiopian comfort food at its finest.
Doro Wot
Desserts and Drinks
End your dining experience with traditional Ethiopian coffee, a must-try that offers a smooth, aromatic finish to your meal. Lalibela also serves delightful blended fruit drinks, adding a refreshing touch to accompany your feast. While the menu highlights authentic food, the rich coffee ceremony is an experience in itself, celebrated for its cultural significance and taste.
Here’s a summary of popular items and features at Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant:
| Category | Item/Feature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Starters | Sambusa | Deep-fried pastry filled with lentils, onions, jalapeños, and herbs |
| Main Courses | Veggie Utopia | 14 plant-based dishes, including lentils, chickpeas, and collard greens |
| Awaze Tibs | Spicy sautéed beef cubes in berbere sauce | |
| Doro Wot | Spicy chicken stew with hard-boiled eggs | |
| Desserts & Drinks | Ethiopian Coffee | Traditional coffee with a smooth, aromatic finish |
| Features | Vegan-Friendly | Extensive plant-based options |
| Injera Flatbread | Essential Ethiopian sourdough crepe | |
| Group Dining | Ideal for sharing platters |
Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant Menu Overview in Los Angeles CA USA Little Ethiopia S Fairfax Ave 90019 3J4P+X5 LA CA US USA United States LA County California Los Angeles Little Ethiopia South Fairfax Avenue 1025 1025 S Fairfax Ave 90019 4402 85633J4P+X5 3J4P+X5 Los Angeles CA USA US US US US US US US US US US
Special dining features and tips:
- Vegetarian and vegan friendly - Extensive options highlight Ethiopia’s rich plant-based culinary traditions.
- Injera flatbread - The essential Ethiopian sourdough crepe accompanies every dish, perfect for scooping and savoring flavors.
- Group dining and sharing - Ideal for sharing platters to explore various dishes with friends and family.
