Kati Lenhardt
I am so full of South African food and joy! I am a huge fan of anything you want to give me on injera and the owners did a phenomenal job of showcasing all of my favorites. I ordered a vegetarian sampler for 1 and it was an extremely generous serving. The injera was SO soft, warm, and fresh. I ordered extra because I always love it so much, but they gave my plenty with the meal and I probably didn’t even need to order more. The owners were beyond kind and the wife helped walk me through the injera making process while the husband translated for her so she could tall fast and not have to think while showing me. It was so sweet. She really set me up for success. I am so happy to have met these two wonderful people and will absolutely be back to patron their restaurant again when I am back in town! It’s worth the 3.5 hour drive for me. Thank you!
… moreKristine Chow
We love Ethiopian and Eritrean food and hands down we loved this place!! We had the veggie combo and zigni.
I personally like my collards done really soft and the greens were the perfect texture. You can tell they cook it on the stove for a long time to get that melt in your mouth texture.
Zigni was also really soft and the meat just came apart in the mouth. The sauce also was seasoned very well.
The owner came and talked to us and he was really kind. When we come back to Portland we’ll make sure to visit again! Pro tip: bring cash just in case, they couldn’t take card the day I came
Favorite was the Zigni
Veggie platter and beef zigni
… moreMatthew Rand
I was visiting Portland for the African Festival event, and decided that I would extend my African experience beforehand by eating lunch at the Red Sea Restaurant. It’s a small, welcoming place, and the staff are very friendly. I felt welcomed to experience Ethiopian and Eritrean culture through their food. The food is served without silverware, although you can ask for silverware if needed. I ordered what are vegetarian options: Fava ful and Red lentil stew…very tasty. You can ask for more or less spice, depending on your taste.
If you are a coffee drinker, and especially if you are a coffee afficionado, I highly recommend their coffee! It takes a while to prepare, but it is well worth the wait! If I could, I would come every day just for the coffee.
… moreGian-Paul Vidal
Came here for dinner. It’s a small 6 table restaurant, with a hole in the wall vibes. It is family owned with the husband, wife, and daughter. The whole family was very nice and friendly. Fortunately they were able to survive the pandemic . The food was great. We had the beef sambusas which were crispy and flavorful. The tsebihi doro chicken which had little bit of spice, and vegetarian sampler for one. My wife and I shared the food. I think it’s great to be able to find cuisine like this in Portland and have someone different. Recommend. For those who don’t know, you generally eat by tearing off pieces of injera (spongy pancake) and picking up the other items with your hands.
… moreJoshua Langworthy
Really delicious food, wait was not very long. The beef, lamb, and chicken were all prepared and seasoned perfectly. The waitresses were very kind and helpful.
… moreThomas “Tom” Morris
I was craving Ethiopian and this place hit the spot! The red lintels were spiced just right! Friendly family run establishment.
… moreMax ROJAS
Having dined at numerous Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurants, I was quite disappointed with the food quality at this establishment. The dishes lacked the bold flavors I’ve come to expect from this cuisine.
I was excited to see a couple of dishes I had never seen before, and thus, I ordered them eager to try them. When the food arrived, the server set them on the table and quickly left. I couldn’t quite tell which were the new dishes I ordered so I had to go back to the lady at the cashier to ask if she could tell me what each dish was. Typically in these restaurants the server will set the food on the table and ask if you have any questions. Not at this joint.
If you’re unfamiliar with Eritrean/Ethiopian cuisine, this might be a decent introduction. However, for those who are experienced with the cuisine, the lack of flavor and the subpar service may be disappointing.
… moreSamara Holbrook
The food is absolutely EXQUISITE. If you don’t know what to order, bring a friend and either get the meat platter or vegetarian platter for two so you can try everything…because EVERYTHING on the menu is so good. The service is always excellent. The portions are GENEROUS. You can taste the care and love in every bite. You won’t leave unsatisfied- I never have.
Thanks to the employees for all their hard work. It’s always such a pleasure to go here.
… moreNancy Henion
We were out celebrating my birthday and I wanted to try something I’ve never eaten before. We found this little place on google maps and decided to give it a try. SO glad we did!!
We weren’t sure what to order so we chose the sampler plate – the beef dish was so spicy it made me cry and my nose run – it was THAT good!! The hot spiced tea was the perfect thing to douse the fire.
The owner is very friendly and helpful. We only waited a few minutes for our dinner even though some reviews stated otherwise.
All in all, this is a keeper!!
… moreNicole Morissette
We enjoyed our trip to the Red Sea Restaurant! The owner couldn’t have been more welcoming as he continuously checked in and chatted with us. If you’ve never tried Ethiopian or Eritrean food, this could be a great first experience. 🙂
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