Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant is a charming establishment offering traditional Ethiopian cuisine with a focus on vegetarian options. It is known for its fantastic food, including meat and vegetable combos served on one platter. The restaurant has been recommended by food enthusiasts and is considered an excellent introduction to Ethiopian cuisine.
Located in Seattle, Queen Sheba is more than just a restaurant; it's a cultural experience. The restaurant's history and ambiance reflect a deep connection to Ethiopian traditions and a desire to share that culture with the wider community.
Assortment of Ethiopian dishes served on injera.
The Early Days of Ethiopian Cuisine in America
For decades, occasional morsels in newspaper stories had to suffice to fill our minds rather than our bellies with Ethiopian food until cities had the chance to taste it for themselves. Finally, though, our country’s first Ethiopian restaurant opened in 1966 in Long Beach, Calif. The owner, Beyene Guililat, was an Ethiopian man studying to become a commercial air pilot.
His dinners consist of authentic native dishes, including chicken. Beyene was more of a dreamer than a businessman, so his restaurant only lasted for a few months. Three years later, Beyene revived his Ethiopian Restaurant at 248 W. Washington St. in San Diego, and the San Diego Union wrote about his unique enterprise. Beyene eventually turned up, and his restaurant opened.
Read also: Filming The African Queen
In the newspaper’s March 9, 1969, issue, he told Rhoades that he prepared enough food every day for 40 meals, and he sometimes had to turn people away. Beyene said, “I am not in business to make money, only to introduce the culture of my country."
Anteneh Gelaye: From Refugee to Restaurateur
When Anteneh Gelaye emigrated from Ethiopia to the United States in 1992, he was hungry, not for food, but for stability and opportunity. After leaving Ethiopia in 1989, Gelaye went to the neighboring country of Kenya. Three years later, at age 24, he landed in St. Louis. He came to Jacksonville in 1994 after learning how to drive an 18-wheeler and run a convenience store.
Now Gelaye is hungry again, except this time, he's hungry to share his Ethiopian cuisine and culture with the rest of the city by way of his restaurant Queen of Sheba, and he hopes people here will be hungry enough to try it out. "I was young when I left the country [Ethiopia] you know, and my family used to own a business, a restaurant," he said. "I would like to show our food and our culture here. ... Here I saw a lot of Chinese restaurants, Indian restaurants and other restaurants ... and I see I am from Ethiopia and there are no [Ethiopian] restaurants."
When Gelaye talks of using his restaurant just west of Florida 9A on Atlantic Boulevard as a conduit for enlightening people about Ethiopian culture, he intends to stimulate more senses than just taste.
The tables and walls are shrouded in red, black, green and yellow - colors of the Ethiopian flag. Footage of dancers and singers celebrating Ethiopia day in Los Angeles plays continuously on a giant flat-screen television perched above a display of baskets, jugs and cups neatly arranged for what is known as a "coffee ceremony." A coffee ceremony is how Ethiopians give a formal end to the fellowship shared during a meal.
Read also: The Rise of Moroccan Influencers
That fellowship is shared not through using utensils, but through eating off one platter, using a soft flatbread known as injera to pick up lamb, beef and various spicy mixtures of beans and vegetables. "Once you eat from one plate, you're never apart," Gelaye said. "The common thing is that when you eat with your hand, everything that is spiritual goes into your body. We don't use a spoon and a fork. ... Husband and wife, they feed each other."
Gelaye's journey from refugee to restaurateur has been an interesting one. When he came to the United States, he said, he wasn't worried about not being successful. After going to trucking school, Gelaye said he decided to move to Jacksonville from St. Louis because the weather was warmer. Besides driving the truck, Gelaye said he also worked in a convenience store. He still does those jobs today, but he also owns the store.
Over the years, Gelaye brought most of his family to the United States. Today, he has a wife, two daughters and a son - all of whom help him in the restaurant. Yet even with all the opportunity, something was still missing for Gelaye.
For one, he said, he'd like to see more connectedness among Ethiopians in Jacksonville. He also said that when those Ethiopians do catch a breather, he wants them to do it at Queen of Sheba. Despite its troubles, Ethiopia still boasts a rich and unique history. "Most people from Jacksonville, they don't know about Ethiopian food. They don't know about Ethiopia," Gelaye said. "We have our own language, our own writing ... a long history of religion, of [Emperor] Haile Selassie and the Queen of Sheba. ... We believe Queen of Sheba is from Ethiopia.
Traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
Yadesa Bojia and the Design of Queen Sheba
Here is one connection between Seattle and former Libyan dictator Muammar el-Qaddafi: Yadesa Bojia. In 2009, the Ethiopian-born graphic designer was watching Larry King Live when Qaddafi appeared on screen. After recognizing his work on TV, Bojia wasted no time calling the headquarters in Africa, and the organization did not waste much time making amends. He was awarded the $10,000 prize, and he and his family were flown to Addis Ababa to celebrate his important contribution to black history.
Bojia says to me at Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant (916 E John St) on Capitol Hill. Bojia adds with a chuckle: "The flag is in a lot of music videos and on T-shirts. We are at Queen Sheba not just because it serves some of the best Ethiopian dishes in town-I ordered Sheba's spicy chicken tender, which is a chicken breast chopped up with greens, and kei wot, which is beef in a spicy red sauce and comes with a big bone that's immensely pleasurable to suck (both $12.95)-but also because he designed a couple of its features: the lettering on the rusted iron sign above its entrance, and also the menu, which has a shiny image of a traditional Ethiopian woven fabric.
Bojia, who was born in Ambo, Ethiopia (though most of his childhood was spent in the country's capital, Addis Ababa), and has lived in the United States since 1995, has provided his services as a designer and events coordinator to a new class of ambitious Ethiopian restaurateurs, who since the mid-aughts have abandoned the usual decor of tourist posters and traditional knickknacks in favor of interiors that are distinctly cosmopolitan.
To get a good idea of Bojia's aesthetic and mood, one has to recall the restaurant that, in my opinion, marked the beginning of a new spirit in restaurant decor, Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant (which opened in 2006 and closed six years later). Owned by Abey Assefa, the current owner of Queen Sheba, Habesha introduced a new direction in furniture, art, lighting, and signage, which Bojia designed. And what all of these elements had in common, and also what defines Bojia's work, was a kind of modernism that was continuous with the past, with the old traditions.
Bojia's work is on this tip. For example, the Queen Sheba sign he worked on with other artists is original (there is no rusted iron tradition in Ethiopia), but it represents something traditional (a wedding-size cooking pot). Finally, this branch of modernism is cosmopolitan in the sense that it's tasteful and professional.
Though Bojia's work as a whole includes paintings and photography and a combination of both, such as the pieces he contributed to the recent Black Lives Matter exhibit at the Columbia City Gallery, he is first and foremost a graphic designer-that is his background, his training, and the way he makes a living. He is also a reggae musician and can play piano in the Ethiopian style.
Recently, Bojia saw his flag behind another world-historical figure, Barack Obama. The American president was at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, giving a speech to dignitaries and civil servants about the importance of respecting term limits in Africa.
As Obama spoke (or lectured-depending on how you felt about his criticism), two American flags and two African Union flags stood directly behind him. It was as if Bojia had secretly snuck behind the most powerful leader in the world and watched with silent delight as a whole hall of eyes fixed on the POTUS's trim figure.
Bojia says to me after reflecting on that unreal-feeling moment, "Yet, I have such mixed feelings about Obama's trip. It is really interesting to see an African-descent US president make his speech in the African Union near my flag, and I also liked his direct message to Africa's leaders about democracy and rule of law. [But] he was not in a solid foundation to speak about it in the eyes of many because he praised the Ethiopian government as 'democratic.' You know, his national security adviser, Susan Rice, called the country 'democratic' during a White House press conference and could not hold herself back. Obama might not be crazy, but not everything he says is sane. Africa is a complicated continent.
Queen Sheba: Experience Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine!
Customer Reviews and Ambiance
Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant is a cozy and sentimental spot where guests enjoy delicious Ethiopian cuisine. Reviewers appreciate the friendly staff, flavorful food, and reasonable prices. The atmosphere is described as pleasant, with clean surroundings and a variety of dietary options available. While some mention minor issues like service delays or small portions, overall, visitors highly recommend this restaurant for its authentic dishes and welcoming ambiance.
Many customers have shared their experiences, highlighting the unique aspects of the restaurant:
- The staff were very kind. We had a great time! We recommend this location.
- Very pleasant dinner experience here. Our server was very polite, the food was tasty, I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant, and the price was incredibly reasonable.
- We have been coming here for years and the ownership and staff have changed a few times, but we have always had a delightfull experience. The food is fresh and flavorful, the service is friendly and real and the new interior updates are nice. Highly recommend.
Tips for Visiting Queen Sheba
- Consider bringing a sweater as it can be chilly inside the restaurant
- Try the Gomen Tibs dish for a tasty experience
- If you're vegetarian, opt for the veggie combo entree which offers rich flavors
- Visit during off-peak hours to avoid potential service delays due to limited staffing
Menu Highlights
Please see our full menu for detailed information of our offerings.
Queen Sheba: A Cultural and Culinary Landmark
Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Ethiopia and the dedication of individuals like Anteneh Gelaye and Yadesa Bojia who strive to share their traditions with the world. From its authentic cuisine to its thoughtfully designed interior, Queen Sheba offers a unique and memorable experience for all who visit.
