Best Upscale Ethiopian Restaurants in Manhattan | Upscale Ethiopian Food

12 restaurants in Best Upscale Ethiopian Restaurants in Manhattan | Upscale Ethiopian Food

• Cafe Massawa — Middle Eastern · rated 5/5: The air at Cafe Massawa is thick with the intoxicating scent of berbere and slow-simmered spices, drawing guests into a space where communal dining is celebrated as an art form. Vibrant mounds of savory stews and crisp vegetables rest atop clouds of tangy, house-made injera, inviting diners to tear, scoop, and share in a rhythmic dance of bold East African flavors. This soulful destination captures the essence of traditional hospitality, offering a sensory journey where every hand-shared bite feels like an invitation into a warm, cultural embrace.
• Addey Ababa — Middle Eastern · rated 4.9/5: Located at 736 W 181st St in Washington Heights, Addey Ababa offers a delightful journey into traditional Ethiopian cuisine with its array of vegetarian options and flavorful dishes. This welcoming spot, run by three sisters, has quickly become a neighborhood favorite since its opening in September 2023. With a stellar rating of 4.9 from 125 reviews, Addey Ababa is praised for its cozy atmosphere, attentive service, and authentic flavors. Their honey wine and Ethiopian beer pair perfectly with the generous portions, making it a must-visit for both new and returning guests. Enjoy their lunch, dinner, and takeaway options, and don't miss their delightful homemade desserts!
• Benyam — Middle Eastern · rated 4.8/5: Nestled at 2795 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, Benyam offers a cozy, casual dining experience with traditional Ethiopian fare, including delicious veggie options. Featuring modern art-covered walls, the restaurant serves wine, beer, and cocktails. With outdoor seating and free street parking available, Benyam is family-friendly and perfect for groups, boasting a stellar 4.8 rating from 366 reviews.
• Awaze Ethiopian Restaurant — Middle Eastern · rated 4.7/5: Discover Awaze Ethiopian Restaurant, a delightful haven for authentic Ethiopian cuisine in the heart of New York at 2288 Frederick Douglass Blvd. With a stellar 4.7 rating from satisfied patrons, this family-friendly spot offers an extensive menu catering to both adults and kids. Enjoy the lively ambiance with communal eating, perfect for groups and sports enthusiasts, while savoring exquisite dishes paired with premium wine and coffee.
• Abyssinia — Ethiopian · rated 4.6/5: Abyssinia invites guests into a warm, fragrant sanctuary where the air is thick with the intoxicating perfume of slow-simmered berbere and freshly roasted coffee. The experience brings together friends and family around vibrant communal platters, where they tear away pieces of tangy, cloud-like injera to scoop up rich mounds of spicy doro wat and earthy, jewel-toned lentils. This
• Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant — Middle Eastern · rated 4.6/5: Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant, nestled in Central Harlem at 268 W 135th St, offers a relaxed dining experience with authentic Ethiopian cuisine. From kitfo to tibs, vegetarian combos, and sambusas, the dishes cater to vegan, vegetarian, and halal preferences. The cozy, unpretentious setting welcomes children and groups, offering high chairs, quick service, and reservations. Guests typically spend $20-30, enjoying a menu that includes beers, teas, and honey wine. Rated 4.6 stars from 483 reviews, it's a highly recommended dining spot in NYC.
• Hav & Mar — Seafood · rated 4.5/5: Located in the Starrett-Lehigh Building, Hav & Mar is a celebrated seafood restaurant in New York. Known for its innovative fusion of Swedish and Ethiopian flavors, this establishment offers a unique dining experience with its well-balanced and flavorful dishes. Rated 4.5 stars by 345 reviewers, Hav & Mar is perfect for date nights and intimate gatherings. Enjoy happy hour from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weekdays, and savor their delightful desserts and curated selection of wines and cocktails.
• Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant — Ethiopian · rated 4.5/5: Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant offers an authentic dining experience with classic Ethiopian cuisine, including vegetarian and vegan options, in a stylish, welcoming environment. Located at 2084 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, the restaurant features free street parking, outdoor seating, and is family-friendly. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Lalibela is known for its flavorful dishes, attentive service, and warm, cultural atmosphere. With a rating of 4.5 from 272 reviews, it’s a must-visit for Ethiopian food enthusiasts. For reservations, call +1 917-409-1609.
• Sweetleaf — American · rated 4/5: The air at Sweetleaf is thick with the intoxicating scent of freshly roasted beans, drawing visitors into a sleek, high-energy haven where the craft of caffeine is elevated to an art form. Guests can indulge in the velvety, potent kick of their signature Rocket Fuel cold brew or explore the nuanced, sun-drenched flavors of single-origin Ethiopian roasts that highlight the roastery's artisanal precision. This is a vibrant sanctuary for coffee aficionados, where every bold blend and concentrated pour is designed to fuel the day with unparalleled intensity and flavor.
• Buunni — Ethiopian cuisine). * · rated 3/5: The air is thick with the intoxicating fragrance of freshly roasted Ethiopian beans, drawing neighbors into a vibrant space where the rich heritage of the birthplace of coffee is celebrated in every pour. From the floral complexity of a single-origin Yirgacheffe to the velvety, spiced layers of a Fort Tryon Mocha, each cup offers a sensory journey through high-altitude estates and artisanal craftsmanship. Whether sipping a bright, citrusy Sidama or a comforting Hudson Fog, guests find a warm community hub that honors traditional roasting techniques while embracing a modern, creative coffee culture.
• Birch Coffee — American: This vibrant neighborhood sanctuary hums with the rhythmic hiss of espresso machines and the deep, nutty aroma of small-batch beans being brought to life. From the bold, dark intensity of Black Magic to the bright, floral notes of single-estate Ethiopian roasts, each pour offers a curated journey through the world’s finest coffee regions. It is a place where the community gathers over velvety shots of Emma’s Espresso, finding a moment of artisanal calm and rich, caffeinated soul in every meticulously crafted cup.
• Stumptown Coffee Roasters — American: The air hums with the rhythmic hiss of steam wands and the deep, earthy perfume of freshly roasted beans, drawing coffee purists into a space where artisanal craft and urban energy collide. From the signature complexity of the Hair Bender blend to the bright, floral notes of single-origin Ethiopian roasts, every cup celebrates the journey from farm to glass through meticulously pulled shots and velvety, slow-steeped cold brews. This is a sanctuary for the caffeine-obsessed, where the bold richness of an organic French roast meets a modern aesthetic designed for both quick morning rituals and lingering afternoon breaks.