Brown Sugar
Brown Sugar, 928 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-462-2370 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | Don Rockwell]
It looks intriguing, I have yet to go or hear reports.
Brown Sugar, 928 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-462-2370 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | Don Rockwell]
It looks intriguing, I have yet to go or hear reports.
Cafe Nema, web site, 1334 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-667-3215 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]
Somalian, Middle Eastern, North African, and Italian dishes. Here is their menu, http://www.cafenema.com/cuisine.html, hard to classify. You could call it “International.”
Negril's, web site, 965 Thayer Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, 301-585-3000 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]
Also
Curried stews, red beans, ox-tail, and rolled breads. Cheap, and very tasty. Don’t be scared off by the branching, this place is great.
Roha Ethiopian, web site, 1212 U Street NW, Washington DC, 202-462-1212 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | Yelp]
Another good U Street place. It doesn’t reign supreme, but going here is no mistake. I especially like their spiced yellow lentils. Good lamb tibs also.
Habesha Buffet, web site, 1919 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-232-1919 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [menupix]
Ethiopian buffet and also carry out and order off the menu, run by the brother of the woman who ran Sodere. Consistently good, and the tripe may be the best in town. The vegetables are quite fresh. A fun hang-out. Ultimately “buffet” should be suited to Ethiopian food (tender foods cooked slowly, in spices, like Indian), I am curious whether this innovation prospers.
U Turn, 1942 11th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-299-9882 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | Yelp]
The Washington Post says that spicy beef is their Sunday special. I have yet to go.
Salome, 900 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-518-5493 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)
They are known for their home-made injera, or bread. Right now it is under reconstruction.
Etete, 1942 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-232-7600 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | Hill Rag]
By far the “nicest” and most upscale of the 9th Street places. This is where you should bring your mother. They also have a few pastas on the menu. Excellent vegetarian dishes.
Abiti, 1909 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-328-2223 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper]
Another from 9th Street. The lentils or split peas (Shiro) are the specialty. In fact they are the best I have ever had, anywhere, in any cuisine. The kitfo is first-rate as well. This is perhaps not the most versatile Ethiopian place, but it is one of the best. Note that all the seats are low-lying, and require you to bend over your food. I don’t mind but some might.
Queen Makeda, web site, 1917 9th Street NW, Washington DC, 202-232-5665 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell]
Matt Yglesias likes this one. They are well-known for their catering.
Axum, 1936 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-387-0765 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | Yelp]
Another good pick on the 9th Street row.
Sodere, web site, 1930 9th St NW, Washington, DC, just north of T Street, 202-234-2425 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Don Rockwell]
Closed. A Taste of Carolina, serving southern food, is there now: web site. See the Ethiopian category for other suggestions.
An excellent Ethiopian restaurant in the 9th St. row, just south of T. This corner is the center of the Ethiopian community. Competition is stiff, but this is perhaps the best all-purpose place, even if not my favorite in any particular area. Their sauces are especially good.
Dukem Ethiopian Market, web site, 1114 U Street NW, Washington, DC, south side of the street, looks like a Deli or a food mart. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp ]
Formerly the best Ethiopian food around, but their larger size has made them shakier (go to Rome for the very best). It remains good, but is no longer just mama’s home cooking. Get the Foul (pronounced "fool") for breakfast (crushed fava beans, garnished with fresh onion, jalapeno pepper, sour cream, and fresh tomatoes). I love the fish too. Good tripe.
Erico, 1334 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-518-9742
Closed
See also Bukom Cafe and Chez Aunty Liby.
I love Nigerian cuisine, but this place has been closed each time I have been by. More a music place than a restaurant, I think. I still see them advertising. The place also has Senegalese and Cameronian dishes, a further plus.
Julia's Empanadas
(Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | yelp | openlist | Gayot]
Should this be listed under Argentinean? Who knows. They have Chilean, Jamaican, and Bolivian style empanadas as well, even a vegan entry, all super cheap, good snacks.
Madjet, 1102 U Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-265-4779 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist]
An up-and-coming Ethiopian place on U Street. I like #9, the beef special, one of the best Ethiopian dishes in DC and not found in most other places. The Titanic Tibs is good too. The word “Shiro” also will do good things for you. High quality, although (because?) the menu is more limited than in most places.