Elsi Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar blends authentic Ethiopian cuisine with an elegant, vibrant nightlife. Enjoy bold flavors, handcrafted cocktails, and live music in a stylish setting—ideal for elevated dining, celebrations, and unforgettable nights out.
behn farahpour
Even though it’s located in a shopping mall next to Ross Dress for Less, the food here was excellent! It came highly recommended by an Ethiopian friend, so I decided to give it a try — and I’m glad I did. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and the portions were generous. You can tell the dishes were made with care.
The interior looked newly renovated and very clean. I just wish the lighting were a bit brighter, but overall it was a really nice spot. I’ll definitely be coming back!
… moreJesspaul Nibber
Absolutely fantastic from the Derek tibs to the Ethiopian coffee. I was extremely impressed by Everything from the interior presentation of this restaurant to the absolutely fantastic food, which is priced very reasonably considering the costs of food these days. I couldn’t even finish my food right and there, so the tibs lasted me at least 2 meals in a day/week. The coffee was amazing too 🙂
… moreAnalise Jaiteh
Came here for lunch on a Saturday and had a great experience. The food was amazing, and the veggies were fresh! We had a lot of questions about the menu and our server was very patient and understanding. Also, there was a miscommunication and slight issue with our bill, but they were apologetic and removed the extra charge without hesitation. There are so many Ethiopian restaurants in the area, but Elsi will be our go to spot from now on. I truly appreciate the owners and server earning my business.
… moreRajesh Prabhu
Great Ethiopian place and wonderful atmosphere. I was visiting Maryland and came across this place, drove right away and got my fav veg combo and chicken dish. The plate was really huge. The food tasted fantastic. Affordable price and great customer service. Will definitely visit again and it’s a great place to try if you like authentic Ethiopian food. ❤️❤️❤️
P.S. It would be great to reduce excess oil in the recipe and provide more vegetarian options
… moreYedidiya Habetamu
I don’t even know what to really say for this restaurant. The place was really good and has a fancy look. The food wasn’t terrible, we tried the Veggie Combo, but it definitely didn’t justify the price. The biggest issue was the service — it was slow, inattentive, and overall disappointing. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t return.I was really disappointed with my experience. What made it worse was the poor service — it felt disorganized and inattentive. Then what really surprised me was the automatic 18% gratuity added to the bill. For the level of service we received, that felt unjustified.
… moreNeima Nasser
I took a few coworkers out for lunch, and the food was delicious. However, when the bill arrived, an 18% gratuity had already been included. After giving our card when the receipt came back for signature it still asked for an additional tip, which felt a bit ironic. I’m sure many people wouldn’t notice and might end up tipping twice, which was strange. Overall, the food was good, but the restaurant was a bit cold considering the winter weather.
… moreSolomon J
We ordered takeout Doro Wat in the medium-size aluminum foil tray, and it was amazing—truly tasted like back home. The flavor was authentic, and everyone in my family enjoyed it.
The only thing I want to be honest about for anyone reading this review is the price. Compared to other restaurants in the area, this same medium takeout tray can be about $20–$25 more. That said, the quality and authenticity of the Doro Wat we received were excellent, so for us it was worth it. I can’t fairly compare it to other Ethiopian restaurants nearby because I haven’t tried them yet.
Overall, I would recommend this place—especially if you’re having a small gathering or a holiday party at home and don’t want to cook. Give them a chance—you won’t be disappointed.
… moreAdam Lenarz
Called ahead and reserved. No one greeted us for 5 minutes until we flagged someone down. Finally we ordered. Nothing came for 40 minutes, and when we asked they said another 20 minutes. 30 minutes after, we just left, no one even noticed. If this restaurant was downtown and had the best Ethiopian food in the world, maybe worth the poor service. Instead this is way out in the burbs.
… moreRonald Lapitan
The servers are kind and gracious, the atmosphere is joyful, and they have some of the most delicious habesha food I’ve tasted. We came here for a friend’s birthday. They brought out a cake, played a birthday song on the speakers for her, and then their musician played some songs so we could dance. Best place we could’ve for that occasion.
… moreSri Uma Aisvarya Balasubramanian
Loved their veggie combo. Great for sharing – good for 2 people that enjoy a nice meal! Doro wot is also pretty good. The ambience and food are very authentic! Already been here on 3 different occasions and never disappointed. Highly recommended!
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