Unlike many international cuisines in the US, Ethiopian cuisine has largely remained in Ethiopian hands. Across the country, family-owned-and-operated restaurants have earned loyal followings with their endless platters of vegetable and lentil stews, and, of course, the injera flatbread.
Here are 13 of the many vegan-friendly Ethiopian restaurants worth seeking out across the US. Not only will you be supporting independent Black-owned businesses, you’ll be enjoying nourishing, flavor-packed food.
Vegan Ethiopian restaurants
Ras Plant Based
1 Ras Plant Based
Brooklyn, NY
This organic farm-to-table restaurant in Crown Heights is not to be missed. Founded by Chef Romeo and Milka Regalli, the entire restaurant is a tribute to their Ethiopian heritage, kindness, and the plant-based lifestyle. Choose from plant-centric or vegan meaty options like minchet abish (with pea protein, porcini mushrooms, and berbere), Mama’s Tofu, and Ras Special Tibs, which are made with sautéed seitan instead of cubed beef or lamb.
Bunna Cafe
2 Bunna Cafe
Brooklyn, NY
Residents of all five boroughs flock to this vegan Ethiopian spot in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. The menu is extensive and offers both à la carte and combination platters for one, two, three, and seven people. Those unfamiliar with the cuisine can rest easy, as each menu item is accompanied by a picture and a detailed description. Every dish is delightful, but the keysir ”selata” (sauteed beets, carrots, and potatoes)—the restaurant’s take on salata—is a must. Don’t sleep on the Enguday Tibs, either. A play on the mushroom-based dish by the name of inguday, this menu item features cremini mushrooms sautéed with spices.
Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine
3 Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine
Los Angeles, CA
Right at home in the Los Angeles neighborhood known as Little Ethiopia, Rahel’s distinguishes itself as completely vegan. The menu does not lack for variety, however. Spare yourself the major indecision and sample it all with the Special Combination Dishes. You’ll get your fill (and then some) of the various stews, salads, and vegetable dishes that are available on the à la carte menu. If you can, choose to dine in instead of ordering takeout—the atmosphere is part of the experience.
Ethio Vegan
4 Ethio Vegan
Washington, DC
Washington, DC’s Ethio Vegan deserves a spot high on any plant-based food lover’s must-try list. Start your day with a hearty serving of ful—seasoned beans topped with olive oil, tomato, onions, and jalapeño—or upgrade to the Special Ful, which comes with avocado and plant-based yogurt. For lunch or dinner, choose from a menu packed with Ethiopian favorites like tofu tibs and lentil wot, alongside familiar comfort foods such as vegan burgers and tomato pasta.
Lulu EthioVegan
5 Lulu EthioVegan
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis locals, this one’s for you. Lulu serves a wide range of delicious vegan Ethiopian dishes, making it a must-visit for fans of plant-based cuisine. Don’t miss the mushroom tibs, which can be paired with a side of gluten-free injera, and be sure to try the Shimbra Asa—baked chickpeas marinated and slow-cooked in berbere—as well as the hearty Dinich Wot potato stew. If you’re in the mood for something a little more fusion-inspired, round out your meal with a side of French fries or hummus.
Ethiopian restaurants with vegan options
Bolé Ethiopian Cuisine
6 Bolé Ethiopian Cuisine
Minneapolis, MN
Co-founded by Solomon Hailie and Rekik Abineh, this vegan-friendly restaurant was named after the neighborhood the pair grew up in. Their menu provides plentiful options for the vegan crowd—from the classic combination platter to à la carte fasolia (green beans, carrots, and tomatoes), misir (split lentils), “tiquel” gomen (a play on tikil gomen made with cabbage, carrots, and onions), house salad, and more. As versatile as its menu, the restaurant is great for takeout or a cozy date night.
Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen
7 Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen
San Francisco, CA
With its two San Francisco locations, this amazing eatery often falls under the radar of vegan locals and tourists alike. If we lived in the city, we’d easily order takeout from Tadu at least once a week. Popular vegan-friendly items include firfir (sliced injera mixed with berbere spices and vegetables), eggplant tibs, kik alicha wot (chickpeas cooked in spicy turmeric, garlic, and ginger), and azifa (sautéed lentils with lemon, ground mustard seeds, onions, and jalapeño).
Massawa
8Massawa
New York City, NY
Since the 1980s, Massawa has been serving flavor-packed Ethiopian cuisine to the people of New York City, and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon. It’s not an entirely vegan establishment, but it does offer a separate vegan entrée menu, featuring delights like birsin (spicy brown lentils), shiro (made with puréed split peas), and timtimo (stewed savory red lentils).
Makina Cafe
9 Makina Cafe Ethiopian-Eritrean Eatery
Long Island City, NY and Brooklyn, NY
If you’re in the mood for takeout, head to Makina Cafe’s food truck (a regular presence at summer events), its cafe on Governor’s Island, or its restaurant in Sunnyside. The Ethiopian-Eritrean menu is delicious yet simple—you just choose your base (injera or yellow rice), choose your veggies (mushroom tibs and beet salad are two standout options), and then choose your sauce.
Enat Kitchen
10Enat Kitchen
Portland, OR
Promising recipes “straight out of Mama’s kitchen,” Enat offers something for all diners. While meat is on the menu, vegan options make up about half of the choices—from the azifa fitfit appetizer (injera mixed with lentils, olive oil, chili pepper, and onions) to the dedicated vegan entrée menu.
Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
11Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
San Diego, CA
California’s southernmost county has its fair share of Ethiopian restaurants, but vegans rave about the options at Awash. The Vegetarian Combination includes all the vegetable hits in addition to injera (which is also available gluten-free). The lentils, yellow split peas, shiro (ground chickpea stew), collard greens, cabbage, and carrot dishes displayed on open-faced injera will make you crave Ethiopian food like you never have before.
Awash
12 Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
Miami, FL
This isn’t a chain; it’s merely a coincidence. The name Awash refers to a significant river in Ethiopia, and it just so happens these two restaurant owners think alike, both in naming their business and leaning into plant-based offerings. At Miami’s Awash, feast on flavor-packed vegan favorites like tikil gomen with cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, shiro, and misir wot.
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
13 Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Chicago, IL
While Chicago-style pizza gets all the hype from out-of-towners, local vegans know some of the best plant-based eats are at Demera. Vegan-friendly offerings include the usual Ethiopian vegetable-based fare—misir wot, gomen, kik alicha, and injera—but customers with a sweet tooth also have the option of ordering the chocolate cheesecake to complete the meal.
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