Abyssinia

1st time I have tried this food and found it wonderful. Loved the service and the atmosphere.

Fantastic, family restaurant with amazing, authentic food. Service was everything we needed: polite, considerate and timely. Oh my gosh - our taste-buds are still excited about what we ate hours later! So fresh and delicious. Come here, relax, ask for the food to be served "family style" and enjoy. Good wines, too.

This food is so scrumptious! We moved out of the area last year and while back in town for a visit, I picked up a Veggie combo for 2, to take with me back to Sacramento. The food was ready for pick up in 15 minutes, much faster than many other local haunts. I had forgotten how quickly this food disappears! Not because the portions are small (they are not), but because both my husband and I eat this food faster than any other. Do yourself a favor and stop in when you are next looking for a place to eat in Santa Rosa.

Amazing food! Traditional serving style (no utensils), provided hot washcloths before serving. 2 person special was perfect amount to sample several dishes and satisfy a good appetite. The restaurant was quite crowded when we came in, but the wait was very reasonable and we got our wine and food very quickly. Friendly staff. Would return in a heartbeat :)

This restaurant is almost literally a hole in the wall. It's easy to miss and very small but well worth visiting if you're a fan of Ethiopian food. The pricing is a great deal for what you get and the food was tasty. I come back whenever I can. The honey wine is amazing. Only negative was when we came last time around 6pm, we were the only ones there for a little bit (until people showed up) and there wasn't music so it was pretty silent and awkward.

Outstanding, delicious, and most striking feature of the food is how fresh and light the food is, it's not over spiced or over cooked ...it is so fresh and all the ingredients are cooked perfectly just right...not a degree over, the injera is so light and all the flavors are authentic but easily palatable and digestible ..often Ethiopian and Indian are heavily cooked and spiced.....the bright smile on the owner/chef's face will light up your day...my server was so polite and wonderful.... restaurant is decorated so nicely....just loved this place

Food was great. The staff is nice but the service is just a little slow; another waiter would be great.

We never tried Ethiopian food before. So went went here and were amazed. We had the Ful appetizer dip, very tasty. For the main, we had the meat combo for 2 and we took some home. Nice portions, tasty food. My wife doesn't like lamb so we tried to substitute beef in the combo, so the owner(?) came out and let us sample the lamb first. It was really delicious and we went with the combo. You wont be disappointed.

My partner and I went here tonight and had a great experience. We were taken care of by the waitstaff and overall this was by far one of the best experiences we've had out to eat.

We shared the sampler plate accompanied with a traditional spiced tea (clove, cinnamon, cardamom). The food was delicious. I will return for more, and to practice using injera (the crepe like flat bread) to grab bites of food. You should go to this restaurant.

A family restaurant with a family experience and home cooking, Ethiopian style. Their injera is the best in the Bay Area.

This is one of the best restaurants in town. Inside it is charming and also has a very relaxing and low-key vibe. The food is going to knock your socks off. My wife and I usually share the vegetarian combo. And sometimes opt for But’echa as a delicious savory starter. I’ve also had most of the other dishes (meat ones and veg ones) over the years and they are all amazing. To top it off the service is always friendly and inviting. This is the real deal. And be prepared to add Injera to your vocabulary if it isn’t there already. Sooooo good.

I truly love this spot. Food is great. Great service. Family owned. I go there weekly and sit on the back patio. It's super private. If you like spicy I recommend the Jonathan special:-). (Mimi will know what you are talking about) Once you try this you'll be back weekly as well.

Second time having Ethiopian food and it was just as delicious as I remembered. Such an amazing flavor and different options. Wonderful presentation and service. We will be back.

This is a hidden gem and well worth the experience. Food is highly seasoned and hits your palate in all the right places. From tart, to sweet to spicy with a zip each dish takes you to on a journey. Eating with your fingers makes the food taste even even sweeter. Owner and his staff are friendly and helpful at explaining menu items which is an added plus.

This place is amazing! Saba, our server was a really nice girl. She helped me pick finalize my drink and I picked the Telba. The food was tasty and flavorful. Definitely coming back and supporting this place 💥

Amazing food! First time here so we weren't sure what to order but the lady helped us out and was very welcoming. We weren't a fan of spicy food so she made sure to point out the dishes that weren't spicy! She also reccomended us 3 do a large single sharing dish and showed us how to eat it with the bread. I highly reccomend the fish, non spicy lamb, and the non spicy beef dish! Very delicious all around

Nice, family-run, Ethiopian restaurant with authentic and delicious dishes in the heart of Santa Rosa. Always a pleasure to come back and try the various stews - from beef, lamb and chicken to many vegetarian options. Good stuff!

I’m leaving a five star for the amazing food and excellent service. Everything is made fresh and lives up to its hype. If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food, you should give it a shot.

If you’re ever in Santa Rosa and looking for something tasty check out Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant! Right downtown, easy parking and the food is so delicious! We ordered a single serving of the meat combo with their house blend spiced tea. We’ll definitely be back!

Really wonderful restaurant. Having never been to Ethiopia I have no idea whether or not it's authentic, but it feels like the kind of place that would be authentic. I love the venue, small and cosy, it's like you're relaxing in somebodies house. The staff are friendly and full of smiles. The food is wonderful, affordable and different than anything I've ever had before. Great place for a foodie to explore. Everything we've had has been excellent, up to and including the beef tartare, don't be afraid of it. Hoping I'll get to come back here soon.

This is a small place tucked in near downtown. There is a distinct smell of spices as you enter the restaurant that reminds you of Indian cuisine also. Very nice and pleasant staff. They give you plenty of time to read over the menu and explain the choices. Once the food arrives, you can enjoy your food without them interrupting frequently although available if you need. The food is nicely presented. Plenty of food for one person. Very tasty and flavorful. My wife and I couldn't finish our dishes and had plenty to take home for one more meal. We will come again and probably become frequent customers.

I got the veggie combo for takeout and it was so delicious!! I didn’t eat it until an hour or so after and the injera and food held up super well. Great and speedy service! And it came with lots of injera which was absolutely amazing!

We love the food Love this restaurant The owner is amazing !

Attentive personalized service, authentic Ethiopian cuisine, reasonably priced - so good.

My work buddy took me here. She’s been living in Santa Rosa for some time and had been telling me about Abyssinia for weeeeeks. So one day, we stopped by for lunch and it was so worth it! We shared a combo meat plate (I don’t remember what it was called) and it was my first time having Ethiopian food. We each got a honey wine to go with our food and it was so good! Sweet, but not too sweet. The food was so saucy and fragrant and jam packed with flavor. The meats were yummy and marinated to perfection. Even the veggie portions were so flavorful! I definitely want to try the veggie combo platter next time. The food is served over this spongy carb thing and you basically eat with your hands and grab. By the end of it, we were so full we could barely walk out of there. My hands smelled yummy for hours after - the flavor and aromas stick... which could be good or bad depending on what you gotta do after. Will be back!

My first time eating Ethiopian food and it was not a disappointment! Incredible flavors and a great experience overall. Would highly recommend! The options for vegans are also amazing.

Very friendly service and accommodating! Got the vegetarian combo and it was very good. Quantities were quite large when got for 2. It is well designed for 2 very hungry peeps :).

Very traditional Ethiopian. Great food. Simple ambiance. Enjoyed our visit.

Imagine if you will, walking into a restaurant and being instantly transported to a sensory journey to a little gem in Santa Rosa, Abyssinia. The intoxicating smell of African spices welcomes you in. We were promptly greeted with big smiles and a friendly disposition. The restaurant was full of many happy looking people who were all enjoying their food and all in cheerful conversation. We were sat at a nice table and looked over our menus options. Looking over the menu the choice was obvious. We chose the Wodi special for two. (See attached photo) Lamb ,minced beef,and chicken each with their own set of flavorful savory spices. With cabbage and collard greens for some buttery veggies all placed on their Injera bread which can be used to eat with as well. The entree came with a nice refreshing salad and we were both pleasantly satisfied and didn’t feel over full. The experience a perfect way to enjoy your night I encourage you to come enjoy some of the edible joys of life

Food was so good. In the combos we had some dishes that weren't the best, but from it we tried about 4-5 dishes we really liked!!!! Don't miss out!

Allezmoy B.

This is a hidden gem and well worth the experience. Food is highly seasoned and hits your palate in all the right places. From tart, to sweet to spicy with a zip each dish takes you to on a journey. Eating with your fingers makes the food taste even even sweeter. Owner and his staff are friendly and helpful at explaining menu items which is an added plus.

Divya K

This place is amazing! Saba, our server was a really nice girl. She helped me pick finalize my drink and I picked the Telba. The food was tasty and flavorful. Definitely coming back and supporting this place 💥

Daniel Kofman

I’m leaving a five star for the amazing food and excellent service. Everything is made fresh and lives up to its hype. If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food, you should give it a shot.

Matthew

Amazing food! First time here so we weren't sure what to order but the lady helped us out and was very welcoming. We weren't a fan of spicy food so she made sure to point out the dishes that weren't spicy! She also reccomended us 3 do a large single sharing dish and showed us how to eat it with the bread. I highly reccomend the fish, non spicy lamb, and the non spicy beef dish! Very delicious all around

Stefan Merkl

Nice, family-run, Ethiopian restaurant with authentic and delicious dishes in the heart of Santa Rosa. Always a pleasure to come back and try the various stews - from beef, lamb and chicken to many vegetarian options. Good stuff!

lindsey cruz

If you’re ever in Santa Rosa and looking for something tasty check out Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant! Right downtown, easy parking and the food is so delicious! We ordered a single serving of the meat combo with their house blend spiced tea. We’ll definitely be back!

Teach Mayer

Attentive personalized service, authentic Ethiopian cuisine, reasonably priced - so good.

Annie Mayer

We love the food Love this restaurant The owner is amazing !

Ryan Payne

Really wonderful restaurant. Having never been to Ethiopia I have no idea whether or not it's authentic, but it feels like the kind of place that would be authentic. I love the venue, small and cosy, it's like you're relaxing in somebodies house. The staff are friendly and full of smiles. The food is wonderful, affordable and different than anything I've ever had before. Great place for a foodie to explore. Everything we've had has been excellent, up to and including the beef tartare, don't be afraid of it. Hoping I'll get to come back here soon.

Praful Patel

This is a small place tucked in near downtown. There is a distinct smell of spices as you enter the restaurant that reminds you of Indian cuisine also. Very nice and pleasant staff. They give you plenty of time to read over the menu and explain the choices. Once the food arrives, you can enjoy your food without them interrupting frequently although available if you need. The food is nicely presented. Plenty of food for one person. Very tasty and flavorful. My wife and I couldn't finish our dishes and had plenty to take home for one more meal. We will come again and probably become frequent customers.

Mackenzie Mathewson

I got the veggie combo for takeout and it was so delicious!! I didn’t eat it until an hour or so after and the injera and food held up super well. Great and speedy service! And it came with lots of injera which was absolutely amazing!

Anna

My work buddy took me here. She’s been living in Santa Rosa for some time and had been telling me about Abyssinia for weeeeeks. So one day, we stopped by for lunch and it was so worth it! We shared a combo meat plate (I don’t remember what it was called) and it was my first time having Ethiopian food. We each got a honey wine to go with our food and it was so good! Sweet, but not too sweet. The food was so saucy and fragrant and jam packed with flavor. The meats were yummy and marinated to perfection. Even the veggie portions were so flavorful! I definitely want to try the veggie combo platter next time. The food is served over this spongy carb thing and you basically eat with your hands and grab. By the end of it, we were so full we could barely walk out of there. My hands smelled yummy for hours after - the flavor and aromas stick... which could be good or bad depending on what you gotta do after. Will be back!

Kiam Jamrog-McQuaid

My first time eating Ethiopian food and it was not a disappointment! Incredible flavors and a great experience overall. Would highly recommend! The options for vegans are also amazing.

S D

Very friendly service and accommodating! Got the vegetarian combo and it was very good. Quantities were quite large when got for 2. It is well designed for 2 very hungry peeps :).

Jim Ratchford

Very traditional Ethiopian. Great food. Simple ambiance. Enjoyed our visit.

William Eraklidis

Imagine if you will, walking into a restaurant and being instantly transported to a sensory journey to a little gem in Santa Rosa, Abyssinia. The intoxicating smell of African spices welcomes you in. We were promptly greeted with big smiles and a friendly disposition. The restaurant was full of many happy looking people who were all enjoying their food and all in cheerful conversation. We were sat at a nice table and looked over our menus options. Looking over the menu the choice was obvious. We chose the Wodi special for two. (See attached photo) Lamb ,minced beef,and chicken each with their own set of flavorful savory spices. With cabbage and collard greens for some buttery veggies all placed on their Injera bread which can be used to eat with as well. The entree came with a nice refreshing salad and we were both pleasantly satisfied and didn’t feel over full. The experience a perfect way to enjoy your night I encourage you to come enjoy some of the edible joys of life

Wow! If you haven’t ever tried Ethiopian food before, this is a great place to start. We ordered the veggie sampler and the meat sampler platters so that we could get a taste of each dish. I’d highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking to try some of the best food on planet earth!

What an incredible platter of food!! If you haven't eaten here I highly recommend. The fresh spices and intense flavors are indescribable. I am a huge fan of Ethiopian food and this was a real treat! Parked easily, seated immediately and served quickly. We particularly love the combination plates as we like to try all the variety it offers. The homemade cardamom tea was a perfect addition.

Sanjay Bagai

Outstanding, delicious, and most striking feature of the food is how fresh and light the food is, it's not over spiced or over cooked ...it is so fresh and all the ingredients are cooked perfectly just right...not a degree over, the injera is so light and all the flavors are authentic but easily palatable and digestible ..often Ethiopian and Indian are heavily cooked and spiced.....the bright smile on the owner/chef's face will light up your day...my server was so polite and wonderful.... restaurant is decorated so nicely....just loved this place

Bryce W. Merkl Sasaki

Wow! If you haven’t ever tried Ethiopian food before, this is a great place to start. We ordered the veggie sampler and the meat sampler platters so that we could get a taste of each dish. I’d highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking to try some of the best food on planet earth!

Melinda Stuart

What an incredible platter of food!! If you haven't eaten here I highly recommend. The fresh spices and intense flavors are indescribable. I am a huge fan of Ethiopian food and this was a real treat! Parked easily, seated immediately and served quickly. We particularly love the combination plates as we like to try all the variety it offers. The homemade cardamom tea was a perfect addition.

Good place for Ethiopian food in Santa Rosa. They were running out of injiras when we went there but they accommodated us.

It's pretty good! Food is tasty, portions are reasonable, and value is great. Service is a little slow and the food, while very good, is similar to the other places I've gone to in the Bay Area, so it doesn't earn five stars. Still, there's nothing to complain about here, and a very good Ethiopian place is something to celebrate even if it is fortunately pretty common in the wider Bay Area. Recommended!

Don’t let the simple settings of plain tables and paper napkins because the food is not only authentic but outstanding flavors. We just pigged out and managed to get a food spots on our shirts which is always a good sign of enjoying the food. Super friendly waiter and a nice family run operation. We got the mixed meat and veg platter that you eat with scooping up with the soft spongy bread accompanying the food. If you a fork and spoon you can ask for one.

We had a good experience at this restaurant. Good selection of vegan options. Always try to find azifa if you can in the world. Quite tasty. Clean restaurant, I did not inquire about Wi-Fi but they did have restrooms. Heads up I got a parking ticket because I did not keep a timer on and it costed me. Oh well, lesson learned.

Cameron Rossi

We had a good experience at this restaurant. Good selection of vegan options. Always try to find azifa if you can in the world. Quite tasty. Clean restaurant, I did not inquire about Wi-Fi but they did have restrooms. Heads up I got a parking ticket because I did not keep a timer on and it costed me. Oh well, lesson learned.

Food didn’t taste bad but was definitely over-priced compared to what you get. Ordered 3 main dishes, appetizer, beer and water. Not worth the price. Mashed food and bread for $100? We ordered lamb, beef and chicken and we hardly tasted/saw any protein. Chicken dish only came with 1 small drum stick and it was tough. Beef dish had no beef. Lamb dish had no lamb - at least I couldn’t tell. This place is not for me. If you advertise protein then serve protein and don’t be stingy about it especially if each plate is ~$30 each. Spongy bread was new and interesting.

This is what you get here when you order the $36 vegetarian combo for two. A half-full entree and a few shreds of lettuce. Will never come back.

from 9/20/2024: I don't know what people eat usually that this place gets such high ratings!!! The Ethiopian restaurants in Walnut Creek and Oakland are so much better than this. Food: There was barely any meat in the chicken and lamb combo. If you’re a meat lover, avoid it—there’s so little meat that even vegetarians could eat it! As for the beef plate, it was terrible. We left it untouched! it was ground beef and god knows what part of meat that was. It tasted anything but meat and had too much tomato mixed in it. It seems like they're trying to cut costs by skimping on the meat! Ambient: inside smells so funky that we couldn't bear it so we sat out side, which was nice. If the kitchen smells obnoxious, it’s hard to expect much from the food coming out of it!