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Experience the vibrant flavors of Ethiopia at Makeda Restaurant, where tradition meets culinary artistry. Located in Alexandria, VA. Makeda offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere perfect for families, friends, and food enthusiasts. Our menu showcases an array of authentic Ethiopian dishes, from savory injera platters paired with aromatic stews to vegetarian and vegan delights bursting with spices and fresh ingredients. At Makeda, we pride ourselves on delivering a true taste of Ethiopia, complemented by our exceptional service and cultural ambiance. Whether you’re new to Ethiopian cuisine or a lifelong fan, Makeda is your go-to destination for an unforgettable dining experience. Join us and savor the richness of Ethiopian culture, on
Home-style Ethiopian fare, including a tasting platter, is served in modern surrounds with a bar.
Hours
| Tuesday | 11 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 11 AM–2 AM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–2 AM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–11 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–11 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 516A S Van Dorn St, Alexandria, VA 22304
Phone: (571) 312-7606
Website: https://makedarestaurant-va.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: makedarestaurant-va.com
Order: Order online
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Makeda Ethiopian Restaurant
Contact. Makeda Restaurant. 516A S Van Dorn St, Alexandria,VA 22304. [email protected]; (571) 312-7606. Serving Hours. Monday. 11:00 AM – 11: …
Makeda Ethiopian Restaurant | Alexandria VA – Facebook
Join us for Ethiopian Live Music with Negussie & Nani — soulful vocals, timeless vibes, and unforgettable energy. Good food. Strong drinks. Beautiful people.
MAKEDA ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT (@makeda__restaurant)
Makeda, AUTHENTIC ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT providing the highest quality of food and service since 2017. 516A S Van Dorn St, Alexandria, VA 22304. Follow. Message …
Reviews
Samuel Taye
I placed an order through DoorDash from Makeda Ethiopian Restaurant, and it was a terrible experience. I ordered the Makeda Tibs, and it was honestly the worst-tasting meal I have ever had. The flavors were completely off, and the quality was extremely poor. I would strongly advise anyone against ordering from here. It was a total waste of money, and I definitely won’t be ordering from them again.
… moreLucas Black
my experience at Makeda Ethiopian restaurant in Alexandria was genuinely disappointing from start to finish.
Atmosphere & Service:
The moment we walked in, the energy felt unwelcoming. No smiles, no “welcome,” no friendliness just a blunt “how many people?” before being sat. People were staring, the atmosphere felt rude, and there was no warmth at all. Our server had earbuds in and looked like she couldn’t care less about us being there. The attitudes overall were terrible and made the whole environment uncomfortable.
Food:
I ordered the Doro Wot expecting a proper portion for the $20 price, especially since the menu mentioned $20–$30 dishes. What I got was disappointing: one very small chicken leg and one boiled egg that’s it. For that price, it’s absolutely not worth it.
We also ordered the mixed vegetables with injera, which was the one decent part of the meal. The food overall was fine typical and a bit greasy, which I know is normal for the cuisine. but nothing that made up for the poor service and atmosphere.
Pricing & Charges:
This is where things got even worse. Our food total was $47, but when the bill came, it shot up to $62 because they added an $8 “service fee” on top of tax. Who charges a random service fee without telling customers? Tips are one thing, but adding a fee like that with no explanation is ridiculous. I’ll be attaching the receipt when I post this because people need to see it.
Final Thoughts:
The atmosphere was uncomfortable, the staff was unfriendly, the service was careless, and the pricing was misleading. The food alone wasn’t good enough to justify any of it. Between being stared at, ignored, upcharged, and served tiny portions, I would not recommend this place to anyone. By the way if it means anything my mother and I went and we are Eritrean Muslims. Not sure if they treated us differently cause of that or not. But I’ve not had a problem like this at any other place. I usually go to Nazret Ethiopian restaurant in falls church Virginia near skyline towers. But I was far at the time and I wanted to try this place out.
… moreAtmosphere & Service:
The moment we walked in, the energy felt unwelcoming. No smiles, no “welcome,” no friendliness just a blunt “how many people?” before being sat. People were staring, the atmosphere felt rude, and there was no warmth at all. Our server had earbuds in and looked like she couldn’t care less about us being there. The attitudes overall were terrible and made the whole environment uncomfortable.
Food:
I ordered the Doro Wot expecting a proper portion for the $20 price, especially since the menu mentioned $20–$30 dishes. What I got was disappointing: one very small chicken leg and one boiled egg that’s it. For that price, it’s absolutely not worth it.
We also ordered the mixed vegetables with injera, which was the one decent part of the meal. The food overall was fine typical and a bit greasy, which I know is normal for the cuisine. but nothing that made up for the poor service and atmosphere.
Pricing & Charges:
This is where things got even worse. Our food total was $47, but when the bill came, it shot up to $62 because they added an $8 “service fee” on top of tax. Who charges a random service fee without telling customers? Tips are one thing, but adding a fee like that with no explanation is ridiculous. I’ll be attaching the receipt when I post this because people need to see it.
Final Thoughts:
The atmosphere was uncomfortable, the staff was unfriendly, the service was careless, and the pricing was misleading. The food alone wasn’t good enough to justify any of it. Between being stared at, ignored, upcharged, and served tiny portions, I would not recommend this place to anyone. By the way if it means anything my mother and I went and we are Eritrean Muslims. Not sure if they treated us differently cause of that or not. But I’ve not had a problem like this at any other place. I usually go to Nazret Ethiopian restaurant in falls church Virginia near skyline towers. But I was far at the time and I wanted to try this place out.
Mamas Kitchen
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rozina went above and beyond with her service — so kind, attentive, and welcoming. The vegan and vegetarian options were some of the best I’ve ever had, full of flavor and creativity. And the fish dulet? Absolutely top-notch — fresh, perfectly spiced, and unforgettable. Highly recommend this spot for anyone who appreciates great service and delicious food!
… moreRozina went above and beyond with her service — so kind, attentive, and welcoming. The vegan and vegetarian options were some of the best I’ve ever had, full of flavor and creativity. And the fish dulet? Absolutely top-notch — fresh, perfectly spiced, and unforgettable. Highly recommend this spot for anyone who appreciates great service and delicious food!
Bea Robinson
We mourned the loss of our neighborhood Ethiopian restaurant, so were happy to get a recommendation to try Makeda. It did not disappoint. An excellent dinner an we will definitely be back.
… moreD T
Excellent Eritrean Food. Excellent Service. Lovely People. I Love My Eritreans. I Love My People. Highly Recommend. Please Visit.
… moreJohnny Jon Jon Penn
I have had a good experience with family at Makeda. Being an African-American person who enjoys Ethiopian culture and cuisine is nothing short of amazing. Chef Mimi and staff have been great, plus the food is astronomical when it comes to Ethiopian culture
… moreDagim Tadele
We had a great evening last Friday at Makeda Restaurant! The food was absolutely amazing, awesome old music selection and along with the overall vibe, made the night even better. Special thanks to the owner, Dani, who is truly wonderful. Even though it was a very busy late evening, we asked him for a cup of coffee and without hesitation he said “OK” and made it himself. It was such a pleasant surprise and the perfect cherry on top of an already great night.
I highly recommend Makeda Restaurant for its excellent service, delicious food, and great vibe especially on Friday nights. Thank you, ዳኒ! I will definitely be back.
… moreI highly recommend Makeda Restaurant for its excellent service, delicious food, and great vibe especially on Friday nights. Thank you, ዳኒ! I will definitely be back.
Charlie Scott
The food was great! Spicy but also savory. The service was timed perfectly and helped build up and appetite. The space was nice and calm with cultured music. The stunning paintings on the walls made the place very welcoming
… moreD Tesfaye
We’ve been coming to this place for years, and tonight was honestly the worst experience we’ve ever had here. Our waitress was incredibly rude from the moment we sat down. If she was having a bad day, she should’ve stayed home instead of taking it out on customers.
The veggie combo was also terrible. We let her know politely, and she clearly didn’t care. No apology, no effort to fix it just attitude and zero interest in listening to us. That’s not how you treat guests, especially people who drove 40 miles to eat here.
Customer service matters. The way we were treated tonight was completely unacceptable. Management really needs to look into what happened and check who was working on the evening of 01/04/26. We’ve supported this restaurant for years, and this experience was a huge disappointment.
… moreThe veggie combo was also terrible. We let her know politely, and she clearly didn’t care. No apology, no effort to fix it just attitude and zero interest in listening to us. That’s not how you treat guests, especially people who drove 40 miles to eat here.
Customer service matters. The way we were treated tonight was completely unacceptable. Management really needs to look into what happened and check who was working on the evening of 01/04/26. We’ve supported this restaurant for years, and this experience was a huge disappointment.
Vernadette Beal
Ive dined Ethiopian food several times. The food here did not taste fresh and it was luke warm. I know traditionally it is eaten with the hand but when it is obvious you aren’t Ethiopian, bring eating utensils.
… more