Demera Ethiopian Restaurant

Demera is a perfect spot. Rich flavor, lots of different meat and veggies to choose from and great service. Uptown reigns as an incredible food neighborhood

This was my very first time having Ethiopian food and it was such a great experience! We had to rush through dinner to catch a show at the Green Mill across the street, but we got to try such a huge variety of food and everything was excellent. I have to leave a special note about the staff. Everyone was incredibly nice and they seemed so genuine. It really elevates the experience being served by people who truly love what they do. If you've ever considered trying Ethiopian food, I highly recommend trying Demera out. Pro Tip: They have Ethiopian and Nigerian beer! Not something you see pretty much ever!

Demera serves up a fantastic Ethiopian feast in a bright and modern space. The messob set menu is perfect for sharing, with soft, tangy injera pairing beautifully with rich stews and spiced veggies - of the spread we sampled, the standouts were the lamb, lentils, and chicken. The portions were generous, and the service was warm throughout. A must for Ethiopian flavors in Uptown!

Best beets I have ever eaten in my entire life! I had the vegetarian platter and everything was just so delicious.

This was my first time trying ethiopian food and I had high hopes but this place met all my expectations! Food and service were both top tier.

This was my first time ever trying Ethiopian food so I told the waiter you know what just hook it up tell me what I should order bring me that and he did just that this food was when I tell you so delectable tasteful like the energy even in the food was amazing. Everything tasted amazing. The flavors were great. I’m already thinking about when I can go back thank God. It lived down the road. If you haven’t tried this place please do it. Also I’ll say I just felt a very genuine welcoming too when I walked through the door everyone was smiling and very greeting. So happy I found this place.

Excellent experience. It was first time trying Ethiopian food and it certainly won’t be the last!

Excellent! All vegetable dishes are vegan and they have 100% teff injera available. Meat Tibs are dairy free. Service was super sweet and helpful

It was a surprise.. As a vegetarian Indian, i went there expecting no options. It's an Ethopian food restaurant. I was surprised that most options were just like Indian food. Breads, veggies, cooked lentils.. most importantly, the fermented rice wheat bread!! U have to eat with hands as spoons are not provided by default. The dishes are served on a bread crust as a plate.. awesome.

This place is on my list of favorite Ethiopian restaurants-the food is absolutely delicious and flavorful! The coffee is amazing, and it's a must-visit spot to experience authentic Ethiopian cuisine. However, the service was a bit unpleasant, and the host had a rude and discriminatory attitude. Picky and different approaches toward guests.

Probably the best lamb I've had so far. Great place with good vibes. Sambussa Sampler is a must, all 5 types are amazing and the sauce gives it a great kick. 10/10 spot

Restaurant Review: A Redemption Story Worth Repeating If you’re looking for food that punches you in the taste buds and hugs you afterward, this spot is the real deal. After a rough first visit that left more to be desired in the service department, I returned—and I’m so glad I did. Because wow. What a glow-up. Let’s Talk Food: Somsa: • Chicken: Hands down my favorite. Flaky, buttery, and bursting with flavor. It’s like someone gave a croissant and a spice rack a baby. • Cheese: Mild, in the best way possible—gentle, creamy, and a perfect palate cleanser. • Lentil: Okay, confession—I’m not a lentil fan. But this one? This one might convert me. It’s mild but layered with a surprising depth, and the veggie combo inside actually works. Respect. • Sauce Game: That sauce that came with the somsa? Whew. Full-bodied, rich, and the kind of spicy that dances all the way from first bite to aftertaste. It doesn’t just complement the somsa—it elevates the whole thing. A true MVP. Platter (3 meat, 3 veggie): A tour-de-flavor, this platter is where the kitchen shows off. Every element stands tall, but a few deserve a spotlight. • Collard Greens: Sorry, “down South,” but these greens just won. Milder spice, but still singing. Especially good with the bread. • Lentils (again): Yup, they’ve done it twice. This version is bold, perfectly spiced, and absolutely one of my favorites. • Cabbage and Carrots: Meh. Not bad, just… kind of the water break in the middle of a sprint. • Lamb: Lightly spiced, juicy, and made to be eaten with that heavenly bread. • Chicken: Subtle but rich, the sauce wraps around every bite. Easily a favorite. • Beef: Bones are not my vibe, but the sauce makes it worth the excavation. The cheese (yes, there’s cheese!) is mild, but it works brilliantly with the heat. Service: The Comeback Kid Previously… let’s just say service was not the star of the show. But this time? A complete 180. • Drinks refilled without asking. • Greeted and acknowledged throughout. • Observed consistent attention to surrounding tables… with one exception: the wall table. They had to flag someone down, which was eerily similar to my last experience. Maybe the wall seating on the corner of the wall is the Bermuda Triangle of service? Might be worth a management glance. Overall: A beautiful dining experience. A thousand times better than my first round. The food? Always recommendable. But now the service is (nearly) flawless too. Come for the flavors, stay for the redemption arc. This place has earned a permanent spot on my go-to list.

Arrive on time, there is only a 15 min grace period or your reservation will be given up to someone else. The hosts were kind enough to sit late parties but arrive with your party on time. When seated you will be greeted by a kind and friendly server and the manager might make a visit to your table to learn about your dining experience. If it's your first time, go with the sample platter. You can do mild and spicy. The cocktails are delicious and the food is flavourful and tastes fresh and absolutely yummy. This place is a gem and I recommend making a reservation. Try everything and come back for more. You will want to bring friends and show them a good time.

The food is delightful and the atmosphere is nice! I went with 2 other people and we were seated immediately. We got a shared plate of fish, salad, lentil, chicken, beef, and other foods. It was so great and we also got some tea as well as cake.

My friends and I like to try different cuisines and I had never tried Ethiopian food before. We ordered the sample for the four of us and the servers brought it out pretty quickly. The bread that came with it was soft and had a crepe-like texture. it was also sour like sourdough is, but it was delicious. The dishes in the sampler were great. I loved all the selections of greens and the lamb and chicken were delicious. The bread made the dishes easily scoopable. Demera made eating Ethiopian food for the first time a great experience!

The perfect place for spectacular food and hospitality. Vegan and gluten free options abound- the right choice for date night, celebrating with family, and connecting with friends.

most upscale Ethiopian restaurant I have been to. Food was very good and would go back

We had an absolutely wonderful experience. First time visiting and first time having Ethiopian food. It was amazing. Faven was our server and she was so sweet and nice and explained the menu well. We traveled for a concert from Bourbonnais about 65 miles away. If we have the chance we will come back again.

We went here during restaurant week, however it was reservation only. Unfortunately we did not have one and was very disappointed because all the tables were reserved. The lady at the door was very pleasant about it and suggested we sit at the bar and she can serve us there. We were very happy because as friends we all were meeting up for lunch all coming from different directions of the city. It was our first time and we didn’t know what to order so of course we tried platters that offer a little bit of everything. For me the food was delicious. It was mixed reviews at the table because it was something new for everyone but I absolutely loved it. I love the fact that we eat with our hands. Everything was so flavorful.

I had never tried Ethiopian food but wow!! I love it! My daughter in law brought us here. She’s been coming since she was a child. My favorite was the lemony cubes steak. We tried the big platter with 3 meats and 3 veggies. Potatoes were very spicy. Can’t wait to go back.

Had a phenomenal time at Demera last week. I had never had Ethiopian food before but wow it was so good! My friends and I tried the Chef's platter and it was the perfect way to try a lot of things at once. The dessert was also delicious, especially the Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie. I got a reservation but there were seats available on a weeknight. Everything was on the first level.

Wonderful experience for restaurant week 2021 at Demera. Staff was super friendly and attentive. They have a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian and meat options. Super affordable for 2 people. I would highly recommend coming to Demera for an Ethiopian experience. I will definitely be coming back here in the near future.

Absolutely delicious, fun and filling! Already would want to go back.

We went here for dinner before we went to the Aragon down the street and had a wonderful experience. The food and Demera margarita were delicious, the environment was quiet, and the service speedy and friendly. The staff was happy to assist with ordering as well. The messob for 2 was the perfect amount. We will definitely return!

Demera Ethiopian Restaurant in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood is a radiant five-star masterpiece that weaves the soulful essence of Ethiopian cuisine into an unforgettable dining tapestry, where the aromatic injera flatbread cradles vibrant stews like the fiery doro wat chicken simmered in berbere spices with tender onions and garlic, or the earthy miser wat lentils bursting with ginger and turmeric for a vegetarian delight that’s both hearty and harmonious. The family-style platters encourage sharing and connection, enhanced by fresh vegetable sides and the ritual of hand-eating that immerses you in cultural tradition, all at prices that make the generous portions feel like a generous gift. The cozy, art-filled space pulses with warm hospitality from the attentive staff, who expertly guide you through the menu with stories and suggestions, creating an experience that’s as nourishing for the spirit as it is for the palate—truly a beacon of authentic flavor and joy that beckons repeat visits.

Wow! This restaurant is a find, and I owe it all to my excellent older woman, Angela Clay, who had a fantastic meet and greet here. All the food is excellent. There are delicious, exciting options that give you a real sense of the best of Ethiopian cuisine, reinterpreted through a lens of what practically speaking works for a Chicago pallet. Healthy, delicious and delightful!

For the uninitiated, DO NOT BE AFRAID. This is a very welcoming place with a good vibe. Went for lunch during restaurant week but ordered off the chef’s selection messob. Beautiful platter with vibrant flavors. And you eat with your hands. How fun!

We made a reservation, bc it’s always packed. The cabbage dish hit the spot, and the vegan cheesecake* with vegan shai ice cream was literally the best thing I’ve had in the past 12mo! LITERALLY. Shoutout @chefs & BOH. Beriha was a great server, too, and we left with huge smiles from talking with her. I also appreciated that the space was well lit. *It’s more of a brownie texture fyi

Went there for restaurant week. This was my first time trying Ethiopian food, so I wasn't sure what to expect. However, we were in for a surprise. This place is fantastic and the food is full of flavor.

Decent Ethiopian food, but I still prefer Tesfa as my go to spot. The flavors felt a bit muted here, though the vibes and atmosphere were great. Drinks were also good.

This was our first time trying Ethiopian cuisine and we’re hooked! We came for restaurant week but wanted to try more so we orders from the regular menu. The sambussa sampler was great. The chicken, beef and spinach sambussas were our favorites and the sauce really took the flavor combinations to the next level. The Messod was everything! We ordered chicken, shrimp, beef, cabbage, split pea and mushrooms. All for the proteins were phenomenal. The spice level was perfect and the depth of flavor was great. The mushrooms were good and the cabbage was so flavorful! We also tried the vegan cheescake which was tasty and not too rich.

first time tasting ethiopian food, loved it. recommend having the ethiopian beer either the dumplings. also recommend brazilian’s xingu, a tasty dark beer. highly recommend the sambussa sampler.

Food was very tasty and healthy. Lots of vegetarian options. Service was okay.

I came here for Chicago Restaurant Week, and the food did not disappoint. However, the service was not great. We had to wait about 30 minutes between finishing our entrees and having someone come by just to take our dessert order. Getting a to-go box also took another 15-20. I’m chalking it up to them being busy because of CRW, but it was slightly disappointing. That being said, everything was delicious and the portions are generous, I also highly recommend getting the cardamom tea with your meal!

First time having Ethiopian food and it was amazing! Messob appetizer and family-style messob were very flavorful; however, the beef was too tough. Also had the tiramisu and tea. Tiramisu was a home run, but the tea was very light in flavor. Finally, the food is a bit overpriced for the quantity you get and tends to be oily for my taste.

Food was very good, but the service was disappointing. The staff wasn’t friendly, didn’t check in on us for additional drinks, and initially forgot to take our drink order altogether. I don’t really understand the high ratings . There are plenty of places with equally good food and much better service.

Went out to eat last weekend with my friends. Never tried Indonesian food so was pretty excited to see what the fuss was about. There was a concert nearby which was interesting as well, hosts weren't as inviting as I would have hoped, but the restaurant itself looked nice overall just really dark. Our server was Indonesian herself so maybe there was a cultural difference but the service was lacking. She didn't know anything about making drinks and had to make out drinks. When we asked her her what was her favorite things or suggestions she didn't really respond. Once we got our food it was good and substantial. But I was expecting more from the lamb and beef, veggies overall head a familiar taste. The sourdough wrap was good and the chicken. Proportion sizes was definitely low. Not like the pictures at all. For $60 it seemed this should have been more than just sampler kind of version on a big plate..

This was the most overpriced Ethiopian restaurant I’ve been to. The food was average at best, and the portions were really small for what we paid. I’ve had excellent Ethiopian food around the world, and this was among the worst experiences. I would not recommend it if you’re looking for something reasonably priced and satisfying.

I’ve been wanting to try Ethiopian food for a while and finally made it today with a friend. We ordered the sampler, which included three meat dishes and veggies served on a round tray with a unique, spongy wrap that had a slight vinegar taste—great for scooping up the food. The staff was friendly, and our order was taken and served quickly. We were the only ones there for Sunday lunch, and the food presentation was appealing. However, while we were eager to dive in, the quality was underwhelming. The meat dishes were overcooked, making the chicken tough, and the lamb had small bone fragments mixed in. The flavors of the sauces didn’t seem to penetrate the meat, which was disappointing. Given the portion size and the fact that we only ordered the sampler, the final bill of est $58 (plus tip $68) felt a bit steep for what we received.

If there was an option to give less than 0, I would give it -10. I order vegan food, and it was a trash. It happened twice. As you can see in the pics, the cabbage was not cooked, no carrots or anything on the beetroot; where in the world do you see cooking a beetroot without carrots or other ingredients. It doesn’t taste like a food whatsoever. Last time l, I reported them to the ubereats, but they never improve. It was a $18 a month ago, but now it’s $23 because of the fasting but for gods sake send the right quality food. Learn how to satisfy your customers like the other restaurants, like Demand restaurants.