182 Avenue B

Came here to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday with his friend and I -- I'd never had Ethiopian food, and Haile was so amazing and has made me absolutely LOVE it! There is an amazing selection of vegetarian and meat dishes. We also tried the honey wine and ethiopian beer. They were maybe not my favorite drinks but very cool to try! It's a very intimate ambience and would highly recommend making a reservation in advance, as there aren't many tables. Tables are also a bit small, so big groups could be hard to accommodate. We shared a massive platter of food. Because it's customary to eat with your hands, I didn't get a picture of it! But the food was truly delicious and the service was really special. My favorite meat dish had been the Doro Wot (the chicken just melts off the bone), though my boyfriend and his friend really loved the lamb. I generally try not to repeat restaurants to go to given there's so many places to try, but I would love to come back again!

Amazing service and food at this charming spot. The food did take some time to come, but it was so worth it. I got the meat and veggie combination and it was so good, so flavorful. I'd describe the food as a bit mildly spicy. One combo is a large portion, although it says it feeds one. I had a good chunk leftover.

Haile was a fun experience! We got the meat and veggie combo and it was plenty of food for the three of us. The veggies were good but I wish the meat dishes had more meat. The kitfo is very spicy (even for my friend who can tolerate spice much better than me) and we couldnt finish it lol. Honey wine was pretty good too! Would recommend getting a reservation as we had to wait upwards of an hour after putting our name down. But staff are very nice and they squeezed us in close to closing time!

Quaint restaurant, friendly service, great food. Not a ton of seating so you might end up waiting for a table to open up. The service is extremely friendly and patient. The food is really good. It takes a while to come out but I don't mind.

I had the vegetarian combo which came with five vegetable dishes - gomen, yemisir wot, yatakilt alicha, shiro wot, and after kik alicha - and plenty of injera. I loved the different flavors coming from every dish and the variety of vegetables. My favorite was the yemisir wot due to the distinctive flavor from the berebere. It's an enormous quantity of food for just $20. This restaurant is absolutely worth the visit.

Great local spot for some Ethiopian food! Got the Timatim Fitfit and it was so good! I wish it was a little bit more acidic but it still hit and is a must. I got the vegetarian combo and it was really good! Lots of food though I left stuffed but so worth it. I found the shiro to be a bit watery and bland but loved everything else I got. Definitely recommend giving this place a try!

I went to this Ethiopian spot a while back with a group. We went there primarily for a vegetarian night though I have usually had a mix of meat and vegetarian dishes at most Ethiopian spots. As the glasses are nine bucks and a bunch of us went to split, we went with a bottle of the Tej/Honey Wine which was slightly sweet and tasty. The women here were friendly and I would go back to order the meat/veggie combo. We started with the Sambusa which is the Ethiopian version of samosa. The version here was alright. It was a bit dark in some places and the filling was just OK. This is the weakest of the things we had but we didn't really have much outside of this and the platters. The Vegetarian Combination Entree however was outstanding which comes with your choice of five of the vegetarian dishes. We got the first 5 listed dishes; Gomen (collard greens,) Fasoulia (string beans and carrots,) Shiro Wot (chickpeas,) Yemisir Wot (red lentils,) and Ater Kik Alicha (split peas) and also got an extra serving of Yatakilt Alicha (cabbage, carrots, and potatoes) which of course was all served on top of Injera. The mix was delicious with my favorite being the Yatakilt, the Fasoulia, and the Gomen but they were all tasty. The spices here were just better compared to Awash. Wouldn't mind going back before for another combo platter I leave them with a 5 but this is easily the best of the Ethiopian spots in the area in terms of their stews. Closest to the DC stuff and closest to the excellent but much further away Benyam. Tentative 5.

1 of two Ethiopian spots in East Village. It's run by this sweet lady who was super nice. It seems like it's a popular casual dinner spot for mid 20's. Service was a bit slow as the restaurant was packed, and it seemed like there were only two people working the front. However, despite being very swamped she still managed to brew a fresh pot of coffee for us! Food wise, it's pretty reasonably priced for east village although the portion is slightly smaller. If you're really hungry, expect to finish everything. The tables next to us all had empty plates. They also offer free refills of the injera which is nice. Only the appetizers has gluten and they specifically have a gluten free Injera on the menu! I would recommend this for a casual catch up as it's a friendly local spot but not for a more formal dinner.

I've never had ethiopian food before but was totally blown away by my experience here! Yes, you'll have to eat with your hands and no that does not detract from the experience. We ordered a combo platter and (2) orders of sambusas to share. Restaurant was decently packed on a sunday night but not crowded with steady in and out of customers. Everything was super freshly made, warm, smelled and tasted delicious. 100% will be back when in the area just for their doro wot!

Came here on a Thursday night and it was packed. The restaurant has a small and cozy vibe so I'd recommend making a reservation to ensure you're seated on time. The servers were very nice and gracious and made great recommendations for what to get. We decided to try all seven veggie entrees and one meat entree. Everything tasted delicious and authentic. My favorite was the yemisir wot. It was so spicy and luscious. It's definitely a must try. We also got honey wine which is a traditional Ethiopian drink. It was actually not as sweet as the name makes it sound. Also worth a try.

If you're looking for Ethiopian food, I would say, sure, go here. You'll get your Ethiopian fix. But if you're looking to go out for a great dinner in New York City, no, don't go here. I ordered the vegetable combination platter, and the combinations were lacking texture; they were all just a bit too soggy. I understand this is the style of Ethiopian cuisine, but it was just crossing the line into being too much like baby food.

I have been a fan of Aswash for years and wanted to try Haile Bistro. I was so disappointed. The portion of my combination was half the size of those at other Ethiopian restaurants. They only gave me 1 extra injera. And told me I couldn't have more. (Injera is unlimited at other restaurants.) I had food on my plate but couldn't eat it since I didn't have enough injera. I asked for a fork twice and it took so long to finally get one. Then waited way too long for the check until I got up and headed for the door. Food was unimpressive and I left still hungry. Skip this place and go to Awash!

Truly pathetic. Got there are 8:30 on a Friday and put our name down for a table of 3. They couldn't tell us how long nor how many tables in front of us. Eventually said maybe 30 minutes (to be clear, no one was waiting there). Told us to wait or that they'd call. We went to a bar nearby to kill time. No call. Came back at 9:30pm and they had shut! Crazy. They said oh sorry we didn't call. Wtf? Not sure a restaurant like this will survive in NYC. RIP Haile.

Pardon me, I do not eat this food regularly. I may get things wrong with this cuisine, and I will get this out of the way early, I did cheat a bit to finish this by using a fork, and I did use two hands to eat some of this. There, if you want to judge me for my transgressions and sins towards this cuisine, I will not be offended. I guess that would be like seeing you eat pizza with a knife and a fork. My eating habits notwithstanding, this restaurant, which does not seat many people, has some tasty food. All the stews are beautiful and have some superb flavor, the injera is easy to digest and works well (albeit the amount I received is fairly minimal). Even the honey wine pairs up well, but take your time drinking this. The staff is nice, but a tad judgmental. Again, I do not eat this on a regular basis. Forgive me for I have sinned against some of this food, and perhaps may have offended people because I eat this like a slob. However, work with me and show me how I can improve. Small criticisms aside, all in all it is a tasty dinner and have no real qualms about anything in particular.

First time having Ethiopian food so I can't compare it to anything else- but the food was delicious! Favor flavorful and the honey wine is INCREDIBLE! What an experience. My friend and I each ordered a combination dish: one vegetarian and one meat and asked to combine onto one thing. ALL components of our dishes were delightful, full of flavor, and super enjoyable overall. My only qualm is that the portions are pretty small for how expensive it is. Maybe it's the quality and amount of spices? The okay service and the restaurant setting wasn't enough to justify the price per portion for me personally, but it was a great first experience overall. Undoubtedly the food is amazing, and the honey wine is to die for!

It was our first time having Ethiopian food in NYC, and it was good. It fails to shine compared to Ethiopian restaurants in DC, but that's probably an unfair comparison. We ordered the meat+veg combination (chicken, beef, and your choice of 3 veg sides), kitfo (comes with 2 veg sides), and honey wine. Our favorites were the doro wot (stewed chicken) and shiro wot (chickpea sauce)! The kitfo had a spice flavor we weren't big fans of unfortunately. The injera was delicious but you don't get much of it. Still, we were stuffed by the end of our meal! The service was fine. When we first arrived with a reservation, there was no one to greet us. There was only 1 person working the dining room, and she was busy serving guests. After we were seated and placed our order, the food took almost 45 minutes to come out, which was frustrating. Our waitress said it was bc the kitfo takes a while, so keep that in mind if you decide to order it! Also fyi, you must call to get a reservation, which is ironic bc the restaurant has a whole electronic set-up in the dining room with multiple tablets for delivery orders.

A masterful exhibition of Ethiopian flavors. I'm someone who loves trying a bit of everything in a single dining experience. I want to be Remi during that one scene of Ratatouille where he's delightfully combining grapes and cheese and wine. For those reasons, I'd recommend getting the combination platter. For those who eat meat, the doro wat and ye siga alicha wat are winners. The injera provides the perfect compliment to the small piles of lentils/legumes/potatos/cauliflower. It's an intimate, cozy space that feels like a grandmother's kitchen. The aromas hit your nose, and you're close enough to the tables next to you to steal glances of inspiration at their platters of food.

I loved Haile!! My friends and I came as a walk-in group of three and we were told it would be about 1.5 hour wait. We returned around that time but they still didn't have space for us so we waited outside a bit. They saw us waiting outside and they were kind enough to squeeze us into a table for two because no one seemed to be leaving and it was nearing their closing time. We got the meat and veggie combo and added the kitfo. It was a good amount of food for 3 people! A word of caution though: the kitfo is pretty spicy!! It is not for the weak. The injera was not as sour as I've had before, if that is to your liking. I personally prefer it to be a little more sour. Overall, the long wait time was worth the wait and I was so grateful to the wait staff for squeezing us in. Next time, I will just make sure to call to make a reservation.

I recently visited Haile Ethiopian Restaurant during my trip to NYC and I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with my experience. The restaurant itself had a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, with traditional Ethiopian decorations and music playing in the background. The menu offered a wide variety of traditional Ethiopian dishes, and the staff were very knowledgeable about the ingredients and preparation of each dish. I decided to try their combo platter, which included a sampling of different stews, vegetables, and injera (a type of sourdough flatbread that is a staple in Ethiopian cuisine). Every dish was beautifully presented and packed with bold flavors and spices. The stews were rich and savory, with tender meats and vegetables in a delicious sauce. The injera was the perfect complement, providing a tangy and slightly chewy texture that helped to balance the flavors of the other dishes. I had try the Ethiopian wine, it was pleasantly surprised by its smooth and fruity flavor. It paired perfectly with the bold spices in the stews and went down smoothly with the injera. The wine was a great way to complete my cultural experience, as wine-making is an important part of Ethiopian tradition and history. I would recommend Haile Ethiopian Restaurant to anyone looking for an authentic and delicious taste of Ethiopian cuisine. The food, atmosphere, and hospitality were all top-notch, and I would love to return for another visit in the future.

It is a fairly late review as I was here last year. But I still remember it very fondly. The two lovely ladies who run the place are so warm and kind. Food was scrumptious and to top it all, our hostess recommended trying a popular Ethiopian honey wine which we really liked. She even took time to explain where could we get that wine if we wanted for later.

The food in this restaurant is absolutely magnificent. My Ethiopian friends swear by it, and there is no better endorsement than that. The two women who run it are lovely people. They work hard and deserve all of the positive reviews that they can get.

Yelp saved the day!!! My go-to Ethiopian restaurant didn't have any gluten free injera so I decided to jump on Yelp and BAM...5 mins away there was this lovely place and they had the handy dandy gluten free injera! When you walk in they greeted me. I explained I wanted to take it to go and they were up for the task. Ordered a veggie platter with shiro wot, Gomen, Yemisir Wot, Key Sir, and Yatakilt Alicha. The vegetarian platter is 5 dishes for $17.50. They do offer a mixed platter for meat and veggie or just meat for a dollar extra. *normally when taking it to go I always ask they don't put the dishes on the injera as it makes it kinda moist...but I forgot and they did it. Not their fault. Just a heads up if you are like me and likes the injera rolled rather than the dishes on top of it.* All in all this was a great choice that I will use when in the City now! Oh and before I forget they do have honey wine that I must try when coming back!

A friend made us a reservation at Haile Bistro while visiting NYC, and it felt like such a nice, quaint local spot! The service was absolutely incredible - The wait staff were clearly passionate about sharing their food and culture with guests which was just an incredible environment to have dinner in. This was my first time having Ethiopian food, and they were so helpful with recommendations. I had the meat combo which I loved, but others got the veggie combo, as well, and everyone was pleased. The food options are also super gluten-free friendly (they are happy to accommodate and most of the menu is safe). Honey wine is also a must - Perfect sweet offset to the savory meal!! We had a reservation, and given the small footprint of the restaurant I'd highly recommend one.

This place is fabulous. The ladies who run this place are so friendly. I've never felt so welcomed in a restaurant. Food was fabulous. We let our server pick what we should order and it was all amazing. First time eating Ethiopian food and I'll definitely be coming back here! 1000% recommend. Cannot say enough good things.

Authentic and delicious, feels like you're sitting in someone's home and being served like family. Food came out fast and was delicious, run by two women who look like they could be sisters. We came right before COVID and I'm so glad they stayed open. Fantastic Ethiopian food and vegetarian/vegan dream!

This place came highly recommended by a few NYC natives, so I had to give it a try. As warned, this place is super packed and had a full roster of reservations all Saturday night (they were running late on the rezzies though) with very limited walk-in capacity. We had an 8:30 reservation (the earliest available when we called and booked day-of) and were called at 9 to be seated Despite the delays, they were very welcoming and efficient once seated! Three of us ordered the meat and vegetarian combo (comes with doro wot (chicken stew), ye siga alicha wot (beef stew), and 3 vegetarian sides of your choice) and honey wine, and one ordered a vegetarian entree that comes with 2 vegetarian sides. The injera was lightly tangy and had a great chew. My faves were the doro wot and the shiro wot, but it was all so flavorful. The Ethiopian honey wine had a heavy honey flavor and was sweet but not cloyingly so. Overall, if you are able to get a table, this spot is great for a cozy, comforting meal with friendly staff. Great for single-serving Ethiopian food, as most other Ethiopian places I've been to are better for larger shared platters for groups. Our entire party greatly enjoyed the food and walked away with full stomachs and some leftovers. Delicious!

Small but mighty. We ordered the lega tibs (lamb) doro wot (chicken legs) and for our vegetable sides we ordered the shiro wat (chickpea sauce), Fasolia (string beans with carrots) , yemisir wot (red lentils) and the yatakilt alicha (cabbage and potatoes). We loved it all, and the chicken fell off the bone and the sauce the chicken was in was incredible, I could have eaten that as a side. I believe she said it was reduced onions. The lamb is a must, very flavorful and tender. Service was great, food was yummy, bathroom door doesn't lock so beware of that. Will be back soon!

We stopped in for dinner on a Wednesday and were quickly seated. We shared a meat and veg platter, it was very rich and flavorful and enough for two people! We also tried the honey wine, which was not my favorite on its own but paired well with the food. I'd say the restaurant is a great value and it's a nice spot for a good quick dinner.

My partner and I stopped in because almost every table was full on a Tuesday early evening, and it was full for a reason! We ordered the vegetarian combination and lamb plate and were able to try all the vegetarian sides! Don't get me wrong the lamb was amazing but I'm more a vegetable girl and these did not disappoint. My favorite of all the vegetable sides were the Gomen, Yatakilt Alicha, and Key Sir. I was so surprised by the Key Sir (beets), I was skeptical and it ended up my favorite! If you're looking for Ethiopian look no further and try this spot, all the food is so flavorful and the injera is spot on!

Can't tell you anything about the food. I had made reservations for my husbands birthday and the restaurant cancelled my reservation. The hostess told me I had cancelled. I insisted I definitely had not. So they showed me the name and phone number of who called to cancel their reservation- the name was similar and the phone number started with the same area code, but it still was not my number. The woman laughed and insisted I should understand why she made that mistake. I understand it was a similar name and the same area code but it was not my phone number. I'm sad I had done extensive research on where to make these dinner reservations. Never as there an apology, an attempt to rectify the mistake except for asking if we wanted to wait a few minutes and laughter. I would pass on this restaurant simply based on the poor customer service.

Wow how did an accidental this is only place open because its prime dinner time become the best and tastiest dinning experience ever! After of course we sat down to eat, it filled up instantly which was a great sign we were there right time. I haven't had Ethiopian food in many years (I think last time was in the SF Bay Area) and the ladies running Haile made everything super friendly and not intimidating on what to order, in the Meat and Vegetable platter. I couldn't get enough of that injera which they promptly kept brining. While it felt it was understaffed the two ladies running it really made sure everyone was attended too and you never felt like you were waiting forever for service. Will absolutely be returning back again!

Haile Bistro! Where have you been in my life. It only took a scroll down avenue B before I saw a fellow dinner that caught my intrigue. We got the meat with vegetables combination. For the vegetables, I got the Gomen, Shiro Wot, and Yatakilt Alicha. Everything was absolutely flavorful. It was very well seasoned. I was stuffed at the end of the meal. In case you are running low on Injera, they give you extra as you eat. I think the vegetable dishes were the true superstar of the meal. You totally get your value worth in terms of food you get. Very nice staff. Highly recommended.

Ordered delivery from Haile yesterday for the first time...and everything was really delicious. We ordered one vegetarian and one meat combination and overall really enjoyed both with the exception of the chicken, which my daughter didn't care for (I don't eat chicken but it was the only item that didn't look appetizing). Next time we'd probably order two vegetarian combinations and I look forward to trying the gluten-free version of the injera!

Wowowowowowowwwww!!! Can I just say I loved this place so much I went back 3 days later!! The food is amazing. You eat with your hands so if that's not for you.. something to consider before going. But step out of your comfort zone.. you'll be SO glad you did!! The most amazing thing outside of the flavors and quality of the food is that the warm and welcome ladies serving you are the ones who made the food themselves! It feels intimate. I couldn't recommend it enough. It's not super fancy, but perfect for like a 2nd or 3rd date before getting drinks.

My first time eating Ethiopian food and I'm hooked. I started with a glass of honey wine and that was the best possible way to start. I split a few items with two friends and got to taste a good chunk of the menu this way. What we ate: Meat and Vegetarian Combination: Meat: Doro wot, yesiga fitfit, Veggies: Gomen, Fasolia, Shiro Wot, Yemisir Wot, Ater Kik Alicha, Yatakilt Alicha, Key Sir One more beef dish that I didn't catch the name of. I loved the veggies. So much!! And I loved the meats. I don't know which was which, but I would eat all of them again. When I first saw the injera, I didn't think I was going to like it. I'm used to eating Rotis and Naan and crepes and tortilla Andy pretty much any kind of flat bread. So the sponginess of the injera threw me. But it's delicious! And the way it soaks up your sauces while the food rests on it, *chef's kiss. I would come back in a heartbeat.

Hands down, Haile is possibly one of my top 10 dining experiences in NYC. Despite being on an up-and-coming dining scene, it is a true hidden gem that I hope remains as is. Apparently, our combination orders got mixed up but by the time we realized it, we were already stuffing our faces halfway through and didn't really care because we got so tied up with how amazing the food was. You get either meat or vegetables as a base and you choose 5 different toppings like chickpeas, lentils, beets--all that good, healthy stuff. It may sound like tapas but I promise that you will be stuffed before you can finish it. Pairing the food with the honey wine was almost as if it was an out-of-body experience and to come here and not get the honey wine (to complement or by itself) is a sin. It's not Ethiopian or important, but rather from an upstate winery--still DIVINE regardless. We absolutely loved everything and our waiter was so patient with explaining everything to us since we had never tried Ethiopian cuisine before. Can't wait to come back again!

Food was excellent - 2nd time I was having Ethiopian food. First was in New Haven Ct. this was far superior. Taste and spices were far superior. Service was excellent. We had booked a table for 4 but was packed and took a while for us to get a table as guests were reluctant to leave - that shows !! Ambience was also very good.

Came here for dinner on a weekend. Very friendly service. I'd recommend making a reservation in advance if you can since there is somewhat limited seating. We ordered a Vegetable combo plate and a Meat combo plate to share. Their standard injera isn't gluten-free, but you can get a gluten-free version for $3 extra. The food was good, but as someone who loves Ethiopian food, I thought that Haile's flavors fell a bit short. The injera lacked that classic sour taste (though the gluten-free version had more of that) and I felt that the vegetarian and meat dishes in general were not as flavor-packed as other places I've been to.

The owner is charming, the food is amazing, fresh and packed with flavor - the secret of this tiny gem is now out so better go early to score a seat!

Wonderful experience. The meat dishes were all very very well cooked, the drumsticks was especially tender. Other veggie dishes are also very well stewed. The table had fun sharing dishes.

There really aren't a lot of great Ethiopian restaurants in NYC surprisingly, but this one definitely qualifies as one of the good ones. I had the meat and vegetable combo platter, going with the chickpeas, lentils, and peas as my three vegetable sides. Everything was delicious! The doro wot was especially good and would probably me by choice for a standalone order, but glad I tried a smattering of things. Price is very reasonable too!

Great little spot for a fun dinner. Came here with a friend on a Saturday night and the place was very lively. We were seated in the back and served promptly. My friend and I got the lamb and chicken entrees and 4 sides total, which was a ton of food between the 2 of us. Both meats were well-flavored and juicy. All the meats and sides had plenty of sauce / juice that soaked into the flatbread, which was delicious to eat afterwards. I would come back.

AMAZING FOOD! BEST RESTAURANT IN THE EAST VILLAGE! I get the vegetarian combo with a different selection every time am always happy with what i get. also, the woman who runs the restaurant is lovely. i brought my mom here. the only thing i miss is a little more injera with the food (when doing take out) but the food here is still 100% worth it. I get hailie's bistro to celebrate any occasion. :-)

After an last minute decision to eat a Haile on a Friday night, I rushed to meet my friend and narrowly beat out the other friend couple that were hoping to grab the last table without a reservation. The restaurant is a quaint little place with super friendly service! As for the food: Sambusa - we got it with the lentil and it was reminiscent of an Indian samosa. The chutney/dip it came with really addd a nice kick and more flavor Vegetarian combo - I was excepting slightly larger portions but the food overall was very flavorful and the injera was a great texture. I scrapped the entire plate and had there been more, would have had as well Meat combo - my friend got the meat combo and said it was quite filling with the meat flavored very well Overall, I enjoyed the food a lot and prefer this to some of the other Ethiopian places in the city! January 27, 2023

cozy little spot in EV! their vegetarian combo was BOMB. super filling, healthy and flavorful... satisfied my ethiopian food craving. their sambusa was mediocre though.

This restaurant is absolutely amazing and such a special place. The owners are incredible women! This is an absolute must go and will very likely become your new go to restaurant

Another treasure trove of New York City earns a well-deserved five star rating from me. Given that this was my first experience with Ethiopian food, I had no previous disposition or standards with which to anchor my opinion. That said, you have every right to question my assessment, but nonetheless, I was very happy with my tasty and filling meal that I would gladly have again despite being so uncomfortably full for the rest of the night. I came here in a group of 5, and we all kicked off with a bottle of honey wine, wonderfully fragrant with a crisp, meady finish. The bottle provided a perfect split of 5 servings, assuming you're not trying to get blasted before your meal. However, if you're here alone or with the wrong company, maybe get the whole bottle anyway to make the wait more bearable. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a wait, but it was well worth it. I was eventually presented with a beautiful composition of entrees laid out upon my injera canvas that tasted as good as it looked. If you're one for having a party of flavors and spices in your mouth, come here and order a combination meal, and I don't think you'll have any regrets.

I come here for the combination platter with both meat and vegetable dishes, served with plenty of injera. It's an authentic and delicious experience in my opinion. Don't miss out on trying the honey wine if you haven't had it before.

Haile Bistro is a gem!! The menu is focused around injera, the traditional spongy flatbread that is served with various vegetable and/or meat sides and eaten with one's hands. I chose the vegetarian combo entree which allowed me to choose 5 veggie sides that are served atop the injera. They were all good, but my absolute favorite was shiro wot, a thick saucy dip made from chickpeas. I also loved the ater kik alicha (yellow split peas). The Ethiopian honey wine was unique and tasty. Possibly best of all was the truly warm, welcoming, and kind service.