Seattle, WA
For Ethiopian in Seattle, the local food press points to Cafe Selam, Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant, and Jebena Cafe. Picks from The Infatuation, updated July 2026.
Editor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in The Infatuation. Updated July 2026.
Cafe Selam · Central District
A tiny, lemon and tangerine walled dining room in a Central District full of Ethiopian options, where vegetable dishes are made to order and tibs consistently hit the right ratio of spice to onion to garlic. The foul, loaded with egg, feta, tomato, and serrano chilies, has its own following.
Meskel Ethiopian Restaurant · Central District
A longtime Central District favorite set in a converted house, leaning homestyle rather than flashy, with a charming plant lined patio out back. The tomato fit fit brightens the veggie combo, and the zilzil tibs special sears a particular beef cut with red wine and peppers.
Jebena Cafe · Lake City
Lime colored walls and warm service set the tone at this Lake City spot, where co owner Martha Seyoum roasts her own beans for the coffee menu. Tender green lamb pairs with curried cabbage, and the Jebena combination platter is the standard first order.
Adulis Eritrean and Ethiopian Restaurant · Greenwood
Defin miser, a brown lentil stew, and lamb tibs brightened with awaze and red pepper chutney are the two dishes worth building a plate around at this Greenwood restaurant. The wider injera spread fills in the rest of a shared table.
Agelgil Ethiopian Restaurant Seattle · Central District
A Central District institution built around meat dishes, with a berbere kicked key wot and collard greens stewed with short ribs standing out from the wider injera spread. It draws a steady crowd that comes back for those two plates in particular.
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