Great food and service, authentic taste, traditional setting and its Halal. Was in town for 5 days and I like Ethiopian food. These guys do an excellent job with hospitality and quick service. My recommendation is to go for either veggie or meat combinations, or both. This way you can try both the regular and a bit hot version of their offerings. Meat includes beef and chicken; I didn’t like chicken though. I came back a few days and the food quality and portion was consistent. Good value for money as well.

So delicious! We had the Yedero Tibs and the veggie special which came with 7 types of veggies. We also got a sambussa as an appetizer which was super crispy. It was a great way to try a variety of flavors. We’re excited to come back again!

Great experience, great stuff and amazing food! When you come be ready to embrace the culture from the incenses to eating with your hands. The food is delicious the place is very clean and the stuff is extremely friendly and willing to explain the history of the various dishes. We will definitely be back and absolutely recommend

Incredible Ethiopian food! Everything we ate was high quality and delicious. The man and woman who own it are super sweet and accommodating. On Saturdays around 1pm, the buna (coffee) is free :) strongly recommend

Our Family has been coming to the Red Sea Restaurant for the past 10-15 years! We really enjoy their delicious cuisine, full of flavorful spices and Excellent Customer Service! Shimé and Yeti are very customer oriented and strive to make your dining experience memorable. For Vegans or Vegetarians, their Veggie combination is to die for. It’s one of their best selling dish & most people love the 6-7 different veggie dishes that come as a combo. You can order it family style where everybody eats together as a family on a big platter or served individually on your plate! Your choice! But for the rest of us "Carnivores", their Special Kitfo, Sautéed Doro Wot, Zilzil Tibs & Gored Gored are at the very top of our list. After devouring the delish food, gulped down with a couple of cold Ethiopian beers, we always look forward to their Beautiful Traditional Coffee Ceremony (if requested) and drink their strong, freshly roasted Ethiopian Coffee that will leave you delighted beyond compare! This Restaurant is a MUST TRY, we guarantee you will be coming back for more!!!!! PS. Dont forget to try their honey-wine if you have a designated driver.. coz it will leave you Buzzin’ & Tinglin’ in the right places!

My friend had a craving for Ethiopian food since the weekend and asked me to join her at Red Sea, in North Park. I've been to Asmara, an Eritrean restaurant that has since closed, and the food here is very similar. It is mostly finger food, with the entrees picked up and eaten using injera bread, a very spongy flatbread with a vinegary after taste. I tried their special Ethiopian coffee, which was strong, hand brewed and served in an espresso cup. We shared the vegetarian sampler plate, which had spinach, two different spiced lentil, and potato entrees. Very filling, and tasty for a vegetarian plate. The atmosphere is like a family owned diner, very laid back with faded pictures of Ethiopia hung on the walls.

Nezar Ilaian

Absolutely unbelievably DELICIOUS! The best Ethiopian food I have ever had! I cant believe i have been to this place before. I got the lamb stew and vegetable combo dishes and they were both Absolutely fantastic. Incredible flavors, the lamb was super tender and the variety, textures and flavors were just incredible. This place is an absolute must try! BRAVO!!!

Hani Harieg

The best Ethiopian food, excellent vegetarian options. The service is more than 5 stars. Try their traditional Honey Wine, a must. Vegi Combo gives you the opportunity to try 4 of their top vegetarian dishes on one plate. Also for carnivores they have a meat combo. Family owned (Husband & Wife) you will always see one or both working.

Felix Velasco

Very nice food. Old style, original Ethiopian environment. Feels like home, best African restaurant in San Diego.

SHERMIKA WILLIAMS

Say it with me DEL-LISH-OUS I have frequent this authentic Ethiopian Restaurant during the past few years of living in San Diego, and I still can't get enough!. Food quality, presentation and of course the most important, TASTE! The owners are truly blessings to the community. Upon entry, the restaurant has a museum like feel, highlighting great Ethiopians and art from the culture I HIGHLY RECOMMEND stopping by for a taste for any occasion! Ask for the Honey wine!

Janet

So delicious! We had the Yedero Tibs and the veggie special which came with 7 types of veggies. We also got a sambussa as an appetizer which was super crispy. It was a great way to try a variety of flavors. We’re excited to come back again!

LJ

I was hesitant about writing a review bc I wanted to gate keep this restaurant for myself but this is a small, family owned business. This will be my go-to restaurant for Ethiopian cuisine in the SD area. The depth of flavor and spices along with the portion size and price is unbeatable. The service was a highlight and I saw that the waitress happily answered a lot of cultural questions for the other customers too.

Freddi Linda

I had a lovely experience dining here. The food was delicious, they accommodated my gf request, the service was amazing, and the atmosphere was adorable. The food was flavored and spiced perfectly. I will definitely be coming back!! The owners were so sweet and down to earth. You can tell how much love and care they put into their food. Parking in the area was easy. It was very reasonably priced as well :)

Sweet Hot

In town for a brief visit. Found Red Sea after a Google search for highly rated inexpensive places open for lunch. It also happens to be only a couple minutes away from our AirBnb. So glad we tried it! Food was extremely delicious & flavorful, portions were very generous and pricing was reasonable. We had the sambusa, yebeg siga wot, yedero tibs, and Tej wine. Didn't know there was parking in the back, but fortunately found street parking nearby. Inside wasn't fancy, but clean with comfortable chairs. There was nice music playing in the background, but couldn't hear it too well because of the news show on the TV that was on at the same time. Didn't think to ask if they would turn it down a bit so we could enjoy the tunes. Pleasant, attentive service that wasn't too overbearing. Overall a good experience and I recommend Red Sea.

Akiko T

Excellent food! Between my friend and myself, we ordered the meat & veggie combos. The spices were just right and the injera was well made. Highly recommend!

All of Amy Alexander

My husband and I had the best Sunday brunch at Red Sea. Everything was absolutely tasty. From the appetizers to our dessert! The waitress we had was absolutely so helpful on our questions and warm hearted. We will most DEFF be back!!

Elizabeth Kilrain

As always, one of my favourite restaurants. The food quality is always consistent and delicious. Love coming in on weekends for the gomen besiga! Gluten-free injera available for our celiac friends. Owner and staff are friendly and feel like family! If you have a group of friends who love coffee, ask for the coffee ceremony for the end of your meal. The toasting of the beans and the lovely smell of frankincense plus the traditional service is an experience. Just prepare to be highly caffeinated!

H Yunus

Great food and service, authentic taste, traditional setting and its Halal. Was in town for 5 days and I like Ethiopian food. These guys do an excellent job with hospitality and quick service. My recommendation is to go for either veggie or meat combinations, or both. This way you can try both the regular and a bit hot version of their offerings. Meat includes beef and chicken; I didn’t like chicken though. I came back a few days and the food quality and portion was consistent. Good value for money as well.

Pietro Galli

Great experience, great stuff and amazing food! When you come be ready to embrace the culture from the incenses to eating with your hands. The food is delicious the place is very clean and the stuff is extremely friendly and willing to explain the history of the various dishes. We will definitely be back and absolutely recommend

Kiani Williams

Incredible Ethiopian food! Everything we ate was high quality and delicious. The man and woman who own it are super sweet and accommodating. On Saturdays around 1pm, the buna (coffee) is free :) strongly recommend

Ace Diego

Our Family has been coming to the Red Sea Restaurant for the past 10-15 years! We really enjoy their delicious cuisine, full of flavorful spices and Excellent Customer Service! Shimé and Yeti are very customer oriented and strive to make your dining experience memorable. For Vegans or Vegetarians, their Veggie combination is to die for. It’s one of their best selling dish & most people love the 6-7 different veggie dishes that come as a combo. You can order it family style where everybody eats together as a family on a big platter or served individually on your plate! Your choice! But for the rest of us "Carnivores", their Special Kitfo, Sautéed Doro Wot, Zilzil Tibs & Gored Gored are at the very top of our list. After devouring the delish food, gulped down with a couple of cold Ethiopian beers, we always look forward to their Beautiful Traditional Coffee Ceremony (if requested) and drink their strong, freshly roasted Ethiopian Coffee that will leave you delighted beyond compare! This Restaurant is a MUST TRY, we guarantee you will be coming back for more!!!!! PS. Dont forget to try their honey-wine if you have a designated driver.. coz it will leave you Buzzin’ & Tinglin’ in the right places!

Andrea Knight

My friend had a craving for Ethiopian food since the weekend and asked me to join her at Red Sea, in North Park. I've been to Asmara, an Eritrean restaurant that has since closed, and the food here is very similar. It is mostly finger food, with the entrees picked up and eaten using injera bread, a very spongy flatbread with a vinegary after taste. I tried their special Ethiopian coffee, which was strong, hand brewed and served in an espresso cup. We shared the vegetarian sampler plate, which had spinach, two different spiced lentil, and potato entrees. Very filling, and tasty for a vegetarian plate. The atmosphere is like a family owned diner, very laid back with faded pictures of Ethiopia hung on the walls.

Amanda Holder

Hands down the best Ethiopian restaurant my husband and I have ever tried. Highly recommend. You will get a ton of food at a low price and everything will be delicious. Also the icing on the cake is that the people are always very nice and friendly :) even our cat approves 😂

Such a nice restaurant! Tasty, traditional and really good prices. We really enjoyed it! አመሰግናለሁ

Delicious lunch! We had fresh hot vegetable sambussa (filled with lentils) as our appetizer. Our family shared a meat combo plate. We also ordered coffee, tea and baklava for dessert. Everything was served hot and fresh. My 12-year old son really enjoyed the meal, especially the tea and wants to go back.

Red Sea Ethiopian is amazing! We have tried many different Ethiopian restaurants in San Diego and Red Sea is hands down the best. Their food is incredible, the service is always friendly and great, and the atmosphere is perfect. The menus have great descriptions of the food and are under the glass of the table so you can read it while you eat. We love to get a bottle of the Honey Cider and get the Vegetable Combo and either the Meat Combo or one of the specialties. The food is always incredible, and the staff is always on top of bringing more injera bread. The Sambusa's are also really good and on the spicier side if you are looking for that. We have also done take-out from them and they are always quick and do a great job of sealing the dishes from the injera. If you're on the fence about take-out or dine-in though, we recommend dine-in to meet the friendly staff. Whether it's your first time trying Ethiopian or you've had it many times, Red Sea is great. They have no problem splitting checks if you're going with a group. They are also one of the oldest Ethiopian restaurants in California, so know what they're doing, and do it well.

First time trying Ethiopian food, it was amazing! The spices were so good and the flavor was spot on, I also loved that they represent the culture within their atmosphere, very welcoming

You absolutely need to come here with all your friends. Sharing a huge fluffy injera with the most beautiful rich meats and veggies on top is a five star experience.

We had a party of 6 & ordered 3 veggie combos, 3 meat combos & sambusas for appetizers. The meal came out on a huge shared platter with good size portions. The service was very friendly and the food was OUTSTANDING. We will be back.

I’ve been to Ethiopia and tasted the amazing authenticity! When I returned to the states I felt sad because I loved the food so dearly . My step father who is Ethiopian, led me to the Red Sea , and I’ve been so happy ever since ! Now instead of a 12 + hr flight I can just drive 20 minutes to some of the best Ethiopian food ! How cool ! Until I return to Ethiopia , I will be at The Red Sea!

The food and experience here is top-notch. Some co-workers and I shared a vegetarian combo platter and tried the lentil sambusas as an appetizer. Both were delicious and filling. The owner came out and gave us a sample of traditional Ethiopian coffee which was caramel-y, smoky and a perfect end to a great lunch. Definitely recommend this place both for the curious eaters and the long-term Ethiopian food fans.

Friend and I went on a recommendation from an Uber or Lyft driver. That was the best recommendation ever. This place is so quaint with amazing food. Highly recommend getting the meat and/or vegetarian combo to try the variety. Will be going back again and again and again.

Great authentic food, great service.

Awesome food! We shared the vegetable and meat entree combos and got the coffee ceremony for 4. Tasty food and extremely nice staff. Service was a bit slow, but overall a great place for a leisurely lunch!

This is our family favorite restaurant. Been coming here for years they watched my daughter grow up. Great food, beautiful people, if its your first time I recommended the meat combo. Very tasty

A Haven of Authenticity and Warmth Red Sea Ethiopian Food is truly a gem tucked in our city. Not only does it serve as a welcoming gathering space for our church community, it also shines through with its delectable offerings of authentic Ethiopian cuisine. The food is a testament to the rich heritage of Ethiopia. With each bite, you can taste the depth and complexity of the flavors. The traditional dishes are prepared meticulously with a wonderful blend of spices and ingredients. Not to mention, the Injera (sourdough flatbread) is absolutely sublime. Their service is exceptional. The staff are attentive, personable, and knowledgeable. They've created an inviting atmosphere that enhances the overall dining experience, making every visit feel like a warm homecoming. The atmosphere, much like the cuisine, is a tribute to the vibrant Ethiopian culture. With cozy, thoughtful decor that transports you straight to the heart of Addis Ababa, the restaurant encapsulates the perfect blend of comfort and cultural immersion. Whether you're a lover of Ethiopian food or a first-time trier, Red Sea Ethiopian Food is a place where food, faith, and community intersect in the most delightful way.

My husband and I used to live in San Diego and go to the Red Sea often. I loved it. We moved away and just returned for a visit 16 years later. The food was as wonderful as ever. As we planned our trip, revisiting the Red Sea was a must! Also, the injera can be made gluten free! I love this place so much. So happy it’s still in San Diego going strong.

Great food. Honey wine is the best wine I've ever had.

Incredible. We are fortunate to have such a fantastic establishment in San Diego. It’s hard to imagine a more authentic experience. Truly delicious food, amazing atmosphere, and warm, friendly service. Whatever main dish you choose, be sure to order some sambussa’s. Amazing. And if you like coffee, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t order an Ethiopian coffee. I love coffee and I’ve never had anything quite like it. Can’t wait to go back and explore more of the menu.

I've loved this restaurant for so many years now! The food is so healthy and delicious and prepared with love. A welcoming atmosphere awaits as you walk in the door and for a truly authentic Ethiopian dining experience, order the "coffee ceremony" early. A feast for all your sences and also for your soul! I love this place. 💕

Very comfortable, friendly, welcoming environment with great food.

Stop your search and go to this restaurant. I’m from the south and I know good food. They are a stable, being in this community many years. I go here almost every week. When I can’t go in person I order it via DoorDash, and IT’S STILL AMAZING! The food is consistently delicious. The atmosphere is always welcoming. The prices are unmatched. I’m not being paid, I’m committed to continuing to eat here and absorb the energy as long as I live in California. This is an authentic Ethiopian experience in every way. Try it for yourself.

This place is great! We were walking around and saw through the window and decided to stop. Place has a unique decoration, menu, and history of Ethiopian on the table. Music in the background transports you to another place. We enjoyed the tasteful dishes. We ordered 2 beers, 2 appetizers (similar than a samosa), a meat combo, and a veggie combo. It came with a special Ethiopian bread similar to a creep. Ready for the real experience? You will use this bread to take small amounts of the dishes. We also share between each other. We love our charismatic server and how respect our meal times, a thing we don't see often in the fast food industry so take your time to enjoy a good drink and conversation while the food arrives. Definitely, we gonna go back! We took some food at home and the price was unbelievable!! This is a hidden gem even when the owner says they have been in the bussines since 1986.

Just had late lunch with my son. It's a cute little restaurant with beautiful curtains. My son had the lamb very spicy. Let the server know I have stomach issues and nut allergies. She brought me a lamb plate. Delicious!!! We had the Honey Cider Wine. This was our first time here and will return!

Great spot we've been coming back to. Delicious food, nice people, presentation, well priced. We usually get some meat dish with a veggie combo, take home some leftovers. We love it and will keep coming back.

The food is excellent! The service was very good. It may take a few extra minutes for the food to come out, but it is freshly made and very much worth the wait. The staff is very friendly and can recommend things for different tastes. My mom loves is because of their delicious vegan food. Open for take-out, but try and make it for a sit-down when they re-open. The coffee ceremony is pretty cool.

Fantastic food, have been going here for years

From the moment we went into the restaurant it was as if we entered another world, full of families and friends sharing with each other, all full of smiles. The vibe is slow and calm, so don't go in expecting a quick meal, but rather an experience to be enjoyed. The food was similarly excellent. We tried three entrees and a mixed vegetable dish as well, all were very tasty. The bread used for dipping was quite tasty, as was the coffee. I highly recommend this for both the experience and the food.

Wonderful friendly staff, great food, authentic Ethiopian experience, and my favorite part is the coffee ceremony

No one can cook like her, taste like home made food, this food you can put in the fridge and it’ll still be good the next day, I love eating here all the time, she gives so much food!

Very happy place for traditional style Ethiopian cuisine. Any dish with a side of their amazing awaze is a must.

This is one of my favorite restaurants I have ever been to! I feel so happy when I eat here and my body feels so healthy and nourished afterward which is impressive given my sensitive stomach. I haven't had anything that wasn't absolutely delicious. I particularly enjoy the honey wine and the awaze tibs. It is a special experience to eat with one's hands, a rarity for most Americans. I loved bringing my friends here and they can't wait to come back. Staff are so friendly and take great care of you. Support this amazing local business!

Best direct tibs dry lamb meat with vegetables. Great quite place to go to very family orientated serve great food and drinks wonderful tea and coffee.

Some of the best food in San Diego. Don't come in a rush to eat. Be ready to take your time. Veggie combo platter is fantastic & will feed two people. Ask about the coffee ceremony if you have the time to sit and wait for fresh pan-roasted coffee beans served family-style the old fashioned way. There's nothing else like it.

We were recommended this restaurant and so happy we listened to suggestion! Everything we ate was so good and it was also my husband's first experience eating Ethiopian food and he loved everything too. The service was great extremely helpful and over all we too recommend! We will return to Red Sea on our next trip to San Diego.

Delicious food and very kind service

Absolutely excellent food and service! We would highly recommend the meat combination platter and the vegetarian combo platter, there is more than enough food for two people. Yes, they even offer a Gluten-Free (GF) Injera bread, so be sure to ask when you place your order. If you like spicy food order the meal mild, there is plenty of heat. As a bonus, the Baklava was outstanding.

The food is delicious. The best Ethiopian food I ever had. A lot of good/healthy options for my vegan friends. Love all the meat dishes. I recommend it! They take time to serve (not fast food). Found out the reason that they prepare the food fresh. Maybe a problem if you are hungry.

OMG! This Ethiopian food is so authenticate. The food was great. Service was excellent. My partner is vegetarian, so she was very happy. It's real big quantity so think twice before ordering. Also, two main entries are enough for 4 people. The entree and main dishes aren't that expensive and it's very filling for money.

Always a hit. We bring family and friends whenever we want something fresh and unique. The food is amazing and service is great! We usually get the veggie combo and tibs. So yummy and authentic.

Red Sea Ethiopian is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants I've been to — noting that I've eaten at my fair bit of restaurants in London, SF, NY and Addis Ababa. My family has been coming here for over a decade and we always feel so welcomed and cared for. Samosa, veggie combo, and honey wine are the go-to orders :)

Service charming, setting off-beat and relaxing, food wonderful. As in delicious, beautiful, fragrant and colorful. We went for a late lunch, had the vegetarian sampler on the sourdough bread. One of us had and enjoyed the honey wine, the other had a great cup of coffee. Can't wait to go back!

Excellent food, Excellent service, casual vibe.

Super cool place. Food is very authentic (or so I was told). It was our first time trying it and it was super good. We have tried pan roasted strips of beef and vegetarian combo (for two of us). Tasted amazing. Yeti, our server, was very nice and helped us pick the food. Very happy with the choice we made for our date night and we will be recommending this place to other ppl too!

Healthy, delicious, hearty food, with great service. For 6 people (2 women, 4 men) we got 2 veggie combos, 1 meat combo, 1 zilzil tibs, and a bottle of honey wine. We finished it all so quickly but it was the perfect amount for us. The collard greens and yebere siga wot were my favorites. Highly recommend if you would like to come somewhere unique with your friends and family.

Red Sea is my favorite restaurant in San Diego...I practically live here! Seriously, go here and eat all the things!! Everything is amazing...gored gored, special shiro, meat combo, veggie combo, the delicious salad, awaze spicy sauce and chili powder, the lamb... plus the owners are the best, super kind and welcoming!! :)

Very friendly staff and if you wanna try something new in san diego you can't go wrong with coming here. They offer a combination plate in meat and vegetarian option.

incredible flavors :) loved the sambusa and everything else

Delicious food and fantastic service! Everyone was very happy to answer any questions we had and gave great recommendations. We will definitely be back!

This place is delicious I highly recommend it. First timers should be aware that one of the house specials GoredGored is blue rare steak, it was delicious, but if you're not the type who like steak blue rare it may come as a surprise.

This is the only Ethiopian restaurant we will eat at! Everywhere else is not as good food or service and twice the price! By far our favorite! And the owners really make you feel at home.

Really good food and service. The atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable.

Such yummy food!! Great vegetarian options, which were my favorite even compared to the meat offerings. Great relaxed atmosphere and sweet waitress. Prices were pretty reasonable as well - give this spot a try.

The best Ethiopian food in the city of San Diego. Amazing owners, they really take care of the place. Love the vegetarian combo. If you come for lunch you may catch a cup of traditional Ethiopian Coffee

Excellent food and service. Quaint setting. Authentic Ethiopian food. Inexpensive... Try it. You'll like it!

AMAZING FOOD, AUTHENTIC ATMOSPHERE. VEGAN FRIENDLY (all vegetarian entrees are technically vegan). Get here before too many people find out how great this place is!

I come for the injera and the dulet, the gored gored is also very nice, the owners are beautiful and kind souls, park in the back

Great food, great environment. Coming here for 15 years now.

I love this place. The food is great. The service is excellent! Lots of culture inside. Things to look at, conversation starters. Definitely worth a visit!

amazing experience trying authentic ethiopian cuisine here, the injera was delicious and the service was top-notch! a must-visit spot in san diego.

The best Ethiopian food I’ve had in San Diego! My fiancé lived in Ethiopia and he agreed. Staff is super friendly and the portions are really big and price is great!

The food was amazing i really recommend it, they’re also good with the customers and they bring the food early.

Strictly the best Ethiopian food in town. Get the Dulet for sure

This place has great food, great service, and the restaurant looks so nicely decorated

Came here for a graduation dinner. The food is delicious 😋 and the people are the most friendly people in the world. Nothing beats Ethiopian culture. If you've never tried Ethiopian food go to the Red Sea for an Ethiopian experience.

This place is the best!!! My family looks forward to it all vacation long! We talk about it all the time. The staff is so kind and amazing and have helpful suggestions. We accidentally ate all the food in 10 minutes it was so good! Get the hot tea it’s so beautifully made.

The food at the Red Sea Ethiopian restaurant is amazing! We had the combination plates with 3 meats and 4 veggie dishes. We couldn’t decide which one we liked best because they were all so good. It is rated as a top notch restaurant & I can confirm that these highest reviews are accurate.

My favorite Doro by far. Meat combo + Veggie combo for the win

My wife and I have been on the Ethiopian kick, and this by far is the best place we've been to. In San Diego. She loves the vegetarian combo I love the zilzil tibs so good!!

Hands down the best Ethiopian restaurant my husband and I have ever tried. Highly recommend. You will get a ton of food at a low price and everything will be delicious. Also the icing on the cake is that the people are always very nice and friendly :) even our cat approves 😂

Authentic, friendly staff and more importantly... Great food. Although it is on the main street if University heights, it is a hidden gem. It is easy to miss as it is still and bland. The same time is carried inside. Outdated furniture, old carpet and pealing walls. But the staff is very friendly. The menu is reasonably priced. Must try their sambusa! The combo plate had tasty dishes with ample quantity of injera. The baklava had the authentic flavor. Must try and great options for vegetarians.

A hidden gem! I recommend the kitfo (raw) and the vegetarian combo. It feels very homey inside and the food is absolutely delicious. Come and the come again!

Wonderful authentic experience, we would definitely come again. Delicious and affordable, We had a great time. Waitress was very accommodating, pleasant & knowledgeable

Absolutely amazing experience. Shimmy and Eden have a very welcoming restaurant. I originally came here for a school project about different cultures: Shimmy walked me around and showed me different cultural items and explained their meanings. The food was delicious, fresh, and enjoyable. The restaurant itself is clean, comfortable, and feels like home. I go here whenever I can now. They are very community oriented people: this isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a gathering place. They do everything they can to keep their prices affordable, and give us a great experience. See you soon Shimmy and Eden!

I love The Red Sea!! I've been coming here for many many years. Hands down one of the best restaurants in the area. Wonderful comfort food, full of flavor and always fresh and hearty. Plus the owners are awesome. They also have solid vegetarian options, so there's something for everyone. Great place, highly recommend, five stars always!

I’ve been a customer at red sea Ethiopian since October of last year and I make the weekend trip because it’s worth it. The service is amazing. The food is incredibly delicious. You can tell it’s prepared the right way and everything is very good. The hospitality is better than anywhere and it’s definitely worth the trip. Don’t forget to bring your friends and family. 10/10

Red Sea has the most amazing Ethiopian food I’ve ever had. We’ve been going there for years. Excellent food and a wonderful service.

seth stewart

My wife and I have been on the Ethiopian kick, and this by far is the best place we've been to. In San Diego. She loves the vegetarian combo I love the zilzil tibs so good!!

Chris s

Satisfying comfort food We stopped in for an early dinner. Initially I was looking for something similar to curry or Indian food and this kinda satisfies the same itch. Warm wonderful flavored meats eaten by hand with a soft pancake like bread. This was my first time eating a meal in this style and it is a great experience- you are going to get a little messy, but this helps with the conversation at a family style dinner. I preferred the chicken that we ordered-> but the beef was just as good. Don’t forget the red sliced sauce that is served with the food. The ambiance feels super authentic with comfortable arm chairs. There is a pleasant medium strength perfume that you smell when you walk in (if you are sensitive to scents it may be good to be aware of). The only drawback was Fox News was playing pretty loudly over the dinning room detracting from the experience

Food is alright but price is a bit high and portion not enough for me.

Great food, cute place. Courteous people. Cheap for what it is.

Satisfying comfort food We stopped in for an early dinner. Initially I was looking for something similar to curry or Indian food and this kinda satisfies the same itch. Warm wonderful flavored meats eaten by hand with a soft pancake like bread. This was my first time eating a meal in this style and it is a great experience- you are going to get a little messy, but this helps with the conversation at a family style dinner. I preferred the chicken that we ordered-> but the beef was just as good. Don’t forget the red sliced sauce that is served with the food. The ambiance feels super authentic with comfortable arm chairs. There is a pleasant medium strength perfume that you smell when you walk in (if you are sensitive to scents it may be good to be aware of). The only drawback was Fox News was playing pretty loudly over the dinning room detracting from the experience

My family decided to try Ethiopian food, since we had never tried it before. We started with the freshly cooked appetizer of Sambussas, they did not disappoint! Everyone liked them! For our main entrée, we enjoyed the different spices used to flavor the beef, chicken and lamb dishes in addition to the lentils, greens and salad. You can specify how spicy you want the food, we had medium spiciness and it was perfect. The food is served in a big round serving plate from which everyone can use the unleveled bread to scoop small portions into the bread and eat. Some in our group did not like the bread, for they are not accustomed to the texture; instead, they used a fork in lieu of the bread. I tried the Ethiopian beer and it was good. We finished our dinner with dessert of baklavas. They are richly sweet and went well with a hot cup of tea. The service was great! Our waitress was friendly and courteous. She gave us good suggestions on what food to try too. We were able to park behind the restaurant and walk right in. I gave four stars only because we don't know if we could have had a different type of bread, but then again, we did not ask if there was a different type of bread. I recommend you try Red Sea Ethiopian restaurant. It's good!

Any time I get in a cab in San Diego and the driver happens to be from Ethiopia I always ask what their favorite Ethiopian restaurant is. 9 times out of 10 it's Red Sea. So we finally went and checked it out. The atmosphere of the place is extremely plain. But we came for the food, which in my humble opinion is not the best. I've eaten at 10 or so Ethiopian places and this had to rank near the bottom on flavor. Nothing really blew me away. We had samosas (my favorite dish we tried), the meat combination, and the vegetable combination. (Both of which I felt were a little plain). The prices however, are amazing. Dinner for 3 with a bottle of wine was under 50 bucks. And the server/owner was extremely attentive and so friendly. I'll probably give them another shot as they're very close to me.

Ate here and loved it. Great service and great food. I did have a problem with this statement on the menu. Ethiopia is one of TWO countries in Africa to have maintain independence throughout colonialism . It’s very important to have accurate information on the history of Africa. Overall great service tho. Recommend to anyone in Cali

Pretty good food. We did take out. Bought 6 different entrees. They were all cold at pick-up. Not a big deal. I’d eat here again but not take-out so it will be hot food. Spicy was all over the place too.

If you want to eat some meat and a pretty good portion, go here. If you want meat with flavor and to make you feel satisfied, do not go here. Left me feeling blah. Not much flavoring at all. And prices have gone up for the number one.

the portions were so small for a 70 plate, no vegetables just meat and the disgusting bread, yo add insult to injury they serve coffee in a tiny coffee cup, these people are cheap. Please dont eat here you will ruin your weekend meal with this trash.

Today I went to Red Sea for lunch wasn’t aware that there was parking in the back of the building. Food was good portion size horrible for the price I ordered a number 11 which included number one number eight and number nine not for sure, which was which portion of what I ordered the beef was about 2 to 3 tablespoons and the beef and chicken combo was about 2 to 3 tablespoons. The salad was about 2 to 3 tablespoons. Will I return no

Denise Midgette

Today I went to Red Sea for lunch wasn’t aware that there was parking in the back of the building. Food was good portion size horrible for the price I ordered a number 11 which included number one number eight and number nine not for sure, which was which portion of what I ordered the beef was about 2 to 3 tablespoons and the beef and chicken combo was about 2 to 3 tablespoons. The salad was about 2 to 3 tablespoons. Will I return no