Reviews Abyssinian Restaurant

Zomato
Danielle Walker
+5
Staff were friendly on arrival and throughout our meal, food was presented in a traditional way. It was full of lovely flavours and very filling . We will be returning again. 🙂
Aug 24, 2019
Zomato
Natasha Bell
+3.5
Very tasty food, a unique experience for your taste buds.
We waited nearly 20 mins for the waitress to take our order - even for drinks.
Good value for money.
Oct 29, 2016
Zomato
Dame Dine Alot
+4
Ambiance: 7 / 10   The
girls were going to a show at the Theby Theatre which started at 7pm, we needed
early sustenance and therefore, the place was empty. Never mind, even so the
warmth is inviting and enveloping. The Ethiopian way of eating with your hands
makes for honest communal dining as well. Don’t be bashful in asking about the
local dining protocol, they take great pride in their culture. (By the way the
show was remarkably unremarkable).

Winelist: 3 / 10   Oh
dear!! Take your own (BYO) unless you like genuine African beer. They have some
fascinating African wines that I was keen to try (because I’ve been in the fine
wine and food industries for about 40 years and love to try new) but, my
friends were not. I’ll try one next time with ‘him, partner in life’. (I’ve
given an extra point for the authentic African products though).

Service: 8.5 / 10   Casual,
relaxed, welcoming, genuine, all of which put all of us at ease and in the
mood, so to speak. The gentleman who greeted and seated us explained the
unfamiliar food with enthusiasm, glee and patience. Now for our waitress, this
stunningly beautiful, statuesque African girl could easily be on the catwalks
of Milan and she doesn’t know it; and has an equally beautiful personality. The
overall result is that one feels completely at ease in this restaurant.

Cuisine: 6.5 / 10  
I'm the harshest on this section as you would know if you’ve read my
previous review/s, a 6.5 is up there. There are flavours and textures here that
you might not be used to however, they are deeply complex and intriguing, so
much so that you crave for the next sensation. It really was a remarkable experience.

Value for what you get: 8 / 10   It's cheap, there’s lots of it and it’s got wondrous
flavours.

 

The deal maker or breaker; would I go back? I already have.

33 / 50
Jan 31, 2016
Zomato
Lori P
+5

Yum yum yum!!! Service was lovely, beautiful warm atmosphere and the food was like nothing I've ever tasted before. DELICIOUS!! Will definitely be back!!!
Nov 27, 2015
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BrightonBabe
+3.5
Brighton Beau and I braved another cold, wet, windy Adelaide night to try this Ethiopian restaurant located on Henley Beach Road, just a stone's throw out of the city centre. Used a voucher, and there was only 1 of each of the meat and vegetarian dishes which were not permitted.  So of the rest, there was plenty of choice.  The food was served in two trays, each with 3 compartments.  One tray contained the meat dishes, the other the vegetarian.  Our choices were delicious, spicy and aromatic, and we ate with the traditional injera, a style of 'bread', tearing off bite size pieces and scooping it into the food.   A bowl of rice was also included.   The service was very good, quantities generous, great atmosphere, and overall, a most enjoyable experience.   Yes, we'll be back.
Aug 05, 2015
Zomato
Angela
+4
Delicious food and friendly service. We had the mosab share plate with injera bread and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great flavours and textures. Thanks Abyssinian.
Jun 22, 2015
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Kristy_co
+4.5
Its different!. Strange host who was attentive one minute and awol the next. lol. The world cup was on at the time and there was cheering and noise coming from the kitchen so Im guessing hes a soccer fan.
We had the platter for 2 which seemed to not be much for 2 people but in the end we were full and still had some of the very strange bread left. Its like a cross between a pancake and a crumpet and has a lemony tang to it.
We finished with very strong coffee served in a fantastic little pot.
A good experience, im not sure I would go again, I think its a been there done that kind of place but having said that I have purchased a voucher to send my parents there as a surprise so they can see what its like.
Aug 11, 2014
Zomato
Ed Z
+3.5
Enjoyed my dinner. Ordered at little extra just to try more dishes and as we are big eaters we normally need that extra but the food is super filling so we did not finish our meals. As other reviewers have noted the service is a little hit and miss. The main chap is good but some of his staff are not. This being said the complete staff appears true to the restaurants ethnic heritage. Highlight was the coffee and it's presentation. This place is not for everyone but for me it will be a place to return.
Jul 11, 2014
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Natalie Muhling
+4.5
Amazing food and great service, a unique dining experience!
May 25, 2013
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Bernard McGrurnad
+4.5
Awesome Cuisine. Simply amazing. Great flavours. Unique yet familiar. The mystery bread is an outrage! :-D
Mar 13, 2013
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Gary
+4.5
Delectable. This is one of my favourite restaurants to dine at. It is a small, fairly dark place with posters on the wall and has about 10 tables. Make sure you phone ahead to ensure they're open as I have at times rocked up on their supposed opening days to find them closed. The service can be poor at times as the waiter seems to often be out the back helping to prepare the food. I usually order a vegetarian mixed platter which consists of a chickpea dish, lentils, chopped spinach and other vegetables like potato, carrot and cabbage. Today we ordered a meat and vegetarian platter to share for two people, allowing the chef to chose our dishes for us. The platter came served on an Injera (a flat, slightly tart bread with the texture of a pancake that you use to scoop up the food with) with two additional Injera rolled up on the side. Our platter consisted of Doro Wot (chicken legs in a thick sauce with whole boiled eggs), a cubed chicken dish and a beef dish for the meats. The vegetarian side contained tasty chopped spinach, cabbage mix, potatoes and carrots, a spicy lentil dish and a mild split pea dish. Everything was delicious and perfectly balanced; it was hard to pick a favourite dish. We didn't finish our meal as it was so filling, despite it being only $20 per head. This restaurant is best visited with people who are wiling to share so that you can try a variety of their delicious dishes.
Jan 28, 2013
Zomato
MrMesher
+4.5
Try it!. Very tasty good quality food, I had never thought of trying Ethiopian style food before and if you are unsure yourself you should definitely give it a go!

We had the mixed meat and vegetarian banquet, both the meat and vegetables were of a high quality. I couldn't fault a single dish we tried!

The service was average but staff were always polite. Well priced too, it didn't look like much but we couldn't finish it!
Jan 28, 2013
Zomato
Little Red-Haired Girl
+4.5
Surprisingly Filling!. I went with one other person and ordered the Mosab (or banquet). It looked small but it was very filling and very delicious.

I can't fault the food at all but we ordered the vegetarian option and a meat option came out. This wasn't a huge problem as we aren't vegetarians but if you are, I'd suggest really emphasizing your vegetarian order.

The service wasn't the best. We sat around for quite a while afterwards not really sure what to do. We eventually got up and pressed the bell to get someone's attention to pay. We thought that coffee came with the Mosab (that's what the newspaper print in the menu said) but it never came.

Despite this, I really enjoyed my dining experience and would go again.
Jan 01, 2013
Zomato
Marky Mark
+4.5
It is definitely a dining experience. Get the banquet, you wont be disappointed with the range on offer.
Dec 22, 2012
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Momo
+4.5
The food is great. Let's get that out in the open first. It is worth waiting for.

But how long are you prepared to wait?

I reccomend going when you have plenty of time on your hands, and the 'relaxed' table service won't frustrate you. Go with friends and have the banquet, it's a great experience.

Just don't expect a western standard of service.

If you go in knowing this, you'll have a great time and get to experience a wonderful style of eating that's similar yet more nuanced and varied than Indian. Not hot & heavy, rather light and complex in its spice & flavor.

Again, I reccomend this place, but I don't reccomend it for the service ;)
Aug 11, 2012
Zomato
Belair Foodie
+4.5
Tasty food, relaxed atmosphere. I've been to eat here a few times over the past few years and the experience is always similar and satisfying. The service isn't slick or fast but its friendly. The food is really tasty and consistent. This is a great relaxed place to come to have a tasty dinner, but you'll obviously be disappointed if you're wanting a fine dining service experience - thats not what its about.
Jul 21, 2012
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Matt Quick
+4.5
Fantastic - great food, reasonable BYO charge, great prices and friendly service.... Definetly returning
Apr 19, 2012
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Annap
+4.5
Awesome food but it takes FOREVER to come out. Don't sit near the door, it doesn't close properly and the air-conditioning is set on Arctic cold. try the imported beer!
Dec 08, 2011
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AG2376
+4.5
LOVED IT. Absolutely loved this place. Its not fancy, and yes, you may want to sit away from the door but its all worth the it. The food is just great and the people are genuine and friendly.
Aug 22, 2011
Zomato
Keschey
+4.5
Worth waiting for, which is good because you will be waiting a long time - 90min or so. The egg curry was outstanding. Make sure you request a table away from the door as we had to get up every 10min to close it properly.
Oct 30, 2010
Zomato
Lucas X
+4.5
Great food, laid back service but a great experience nonetheless
Dec 21, 2009
5
Rota R
+5
I absolutely love this restaurant 🙂. Obviously I come for the food - vegan veggie platter with injera. But in addition to that the staff are upbeat and friendly, and we always feel taken care of. The Ethiopian beer is something I have taken to having when I visit - it goes well with the cuisine. My favourite part though is wrapping up the meal with Ethiopian coffee. It is accompanied with a little vessel of beautifully scented burning resin, which completes the whole experience and is really relaxing after the big feed I always end up having there! Definitely recommend this place 👍👍
5
Chale Gobbett
+5
Hands-down most authentic Ethiopian food in town. Great flavours on both vegetarian (& vegan) and meat dishes. This is how Ethiopian food really should taste like. Friendly service and lovely deco as well. Can highly recommend.
5
patito8796
+5
I wish we were staying longer in Adelaide to go and eat here again. The food (we ordered the vegan plate) was absolutely delicious and flavorful. It was my second time eating Ethiopian food ever and it was such a delight. The staff was kind, helpful, and friendly. I particularly loved the music that was playing, the volume was perfect, not loud at all and it created a beautiful atmosphere. The TV with the pictures from Ethiopia (I'm assuming) were also stunning. Cheers!
5
Jessica Skewes
+5
Took a chance going in when the shop was empty... paid off! Service was friendly, food was excellent. First time eating Ethiopian food for me and I loved it! Got the mesob plate, so many tasty flavours. Also tried the vegetable sambussas which were crisp and delicious. One lady running the show - front of house and kitchen - what a champ!
5
Eugene Tan
+5
We didn't know what to expect from Abyssinian but were blown away by the vegetarian platter. Portions are huge and every dish was delicious. The service was slow on the night due to higher than expected number of patrons but staff did their best.
5
Sarah Palmer
+5
I love Ethiopian food and this is one of the best I have tasted. All the dishes had a very different flavour to each other. I loved that the vegetables that are normally done in garlic were done in a different way. They were really nice. Good value for money as well. Staff are very friendly. I will definitely be back.
5
Philippa Jerram
+5
*chefs kiss* not only ws the food deliciously moreish and packed full of flavour, but they have a TV in the corner playing g videos on how the food I made, which I enjoyed thoroughly. If you're precious about your hands this probably isn't for you as the traditional way to eat is with your hands, using the bread as your 'cutlery'. It's fun, it's delicious, and I can't wait to go back.
5
Louis Parry-Mills
+5
Really good. I've been there a couple times now and it's a great introduction to new flavours that take a moment to click but once they click I can't get enough.
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