Awash Ethiopian Restaurant

The food was great! A friend of mine brought me here for a new experience as he’s been many times in the past and raves about their delicious cuisine! And let me say they did not disappoint! 5/5 stars! Come check them out! They are super kind and friendly too! Enjoy!

One of our favorite spots to eat in San Diego. We try and visit each trip down. We have been going here since we were introduced to Awash by a friend back in 2011. Excellent food, and very kind owner/staff. Would recommend!

Update to yesterday's review. As We were leaving we talked with the server saying I just don't want to get sick from gluten....she laughed and said, Oh you won't get sick. Oh YES I DID! Celiacs BEWARE! Guess I should have taken the 5% Chance seriously. We came in in the afternoon and no one else was there. Ordered drinks and food. Sat nearly half an hour waiting. Finally food arrived but then she asked if we wanted drinks with the food. We reminded her of what we had ordered when we first arrived. So she did go and get them. We got the meat platter and asked her to tell us what each thing was. She just gave us the number of the items off the menu which we did not have. So we asked what each item was again. She the quickly said and went away...never to return until we went to the counter to ask for another drink. (Don't order the honey wine, it was just gross and tested of mold.) Then about 15 minutes later she brought the drinks. She was nice enough just not a a good server. Gluten free was requested and she would say well it is 95% gluten free. I said what is the 5 percent that isn't. She thought that was funny. I will revise if I get sick. Enjera was gluten free and none of the meat contained gluten, I was told. ???

Not one to make reviews but just thought I’d share my experience. Decided to pick up some Ethiopian food as my mother and I were craving it and are visiting from LA. We ordered kitfo and doro wot and by the amount of stars rewarded you can guess how it went. While the kitfo was ok the chicken from the doro wot looked as though it was thrown into the stew at the last second. Usually the flavors seep into the chicken but this was bland. On top of that it was raw, even after being microwaved on our end (we are in a hotel). Usually Iyb (cottage cheese) or some other side is served as well since spending over $50 but maybe that’s an LA thing. Nice people at the front and I’m sure it was an off day but overall disappointed. Maybe next time.

My first time eating Ethiopian food. I had a friend recommend me a few dishes. I love the spices. Only thing is I had a hard time eating with my hands, without utensils and using the special bread. I also enjoyed the drinks, particularly the ginger tea.

Was just looking for something quick on the way to a class, popped in here for some food, and was incredibly surprised in the most wonderful way. The owners were very charming and attentive, made us feel welcome and even spent time with us to give us recommendations on the menu and teach us how to eat using our hands with the injera! What started out as a need to get some quick nourishment ended up being a fun and happy experience eating delicious and authentic Ethiopian cuisine. Highly recommend!

This was my first experience with Ethiopian food. We took the recommendation of the owner so that we could be a good cross section of culinary flavors. The dishes were a mixture of spice and flavors that really worked well together. Not really know what to expect, I enjoyed the flavors of everything. The owner was very concerned that we enjoyed the food, and checked on us often to make sure everything was good. He even made sure that we were eating the food correctly considering we originally asked for utensils. The atmosphere was very down to earth. And, the the owner was very welcoming. Definitely would consider eating here again.

Delicious food!! Got a bottle of the honey wine and the vegan platter for 2. My boyfriend agreed it’s the best honey wine we’ve tried. The platter was perfectly portioned with plenty of injera and all of the dishes were flavorful. Clearly labeled vegan items as well. The service was great - friendly, attentive, and quick. We came in a bit late and they were still serving food and we did not feel rushed at all. It’s a casual spot with a mini market feel in the back. I will definitely be coming back!! Thank you for the great food and service 🙏 we are lucky to have this spot locally!

I rarely ever use this word: PHENOMENAL!! I am literally so amazed. I have never tried Ethiopian food in my adult life and was not expecting this. Our server was very friendly. He explained a lot of things to us and made recommendations and was accommodating and really nice. The place is cozy and feels authentic. Every single item we got was good. I don't remember what anything was called but the saucy meat thing in the small plate (kind of like a stew) was my favorite. My colleagues liked the short ribs the most. We almost didn't come here but I'm so glad we did. The big plate is shared family style and eaten with hands. No utensils, just the Injera (bread, like a fluffy tortilla). Everything was so flavorful, I don't even have words to describe it. Genuinely the best food I've had in a while! Highly recommend this place for both food and service. Presentation was very nice too.

Always craving Ethiopian food since we don't have it back home and was excited to try someplace new for lunch. I didn't read all the reviews just chose based on number of stars and what was open and closest. The place seemed like a very local neighborhood type place with friends hanging out, grocery store in the back. The proprietor was very friendly and responsive and kind. He seemed like a lovely person. The experience is very relaxed, not super professional. So we didn't have napkins until I got up to ask for some after having eaten and messy fingers, water is plastic water bottles from the store, gotta get up to ask for things bc the proprietor is behind the register. It's definitely got a bodega vibe and very casual atmosphere, not so much a restaurant. Food came out quickly. Got the meat combo and veg combo. VERY generous with the amount of injera given. Always my fave is the cabbage and carrots, cooked really nicely here with some nice bite left on the cabbage. The other dishes were fine. Perhaps my bad for not reading the reviews about the vibe and my experience was fine. Just not exactly a restaurant experience.

Great location and great service! We popped in here because a local friend recommended to try it while we were visiting. Our hometown Ethiopian restaurant closed down and we've yet to find a place to replace it. The restaurant is also a market and has indoor and outdoor seating. We were promptly greeted and we sat outside. The service was a little slow, it took them a while to take our order and bring out our drinks and food. It was well worth the wait. The food was fresh and flavorful! They gave plenty of injera to eat with. We are happy overall with our experience and will likely return next time we are in town.

4.5/5* While on a short visit to San Diego we decided to give Awash a try because of the good reviews and I was very pleased! I got the Meat and the Vegan combo so I could sample more items. I can't break down what each one was, but I do know that I was more impressed with the vegan options than the meat ones. It was a nice little spot and has a market in the back section with some other goods.

Incredible feast always treated like kings. Most friendly staff who always make us feel at home. Best service combined with consistently the best food make this a MUST GO. I've tried all the Ethiopian beers and coffee everything is good here. I buy the berber and Ethiopian butter after my meal when I need to restock. You will not be disappointed copying my order

I'm sorry I found it average. I enjoyed it, but they do nothing to separate themselves from other Ethiopian food joints. The service was good enough, the owner seemed like a good dude. As for the ambiance...they aren't trying very hard.

First time trying Ethiopian food and it was delicious! Husband and I attempt to try a new cuisine every month, and glad we came across this place. Large potion size too! 2 sides and 1 entree were enough for both of us (and we're both big eaters) Awash Special Tibs - this was delicious! Really perfectly cooked beef tenderloin, lovely curry (right amount of spicy and didn't seem too oily even though it had butter). Injera - so soft and so fluffy and flavorful! And really big too! Husband enjoyed it plain as well! Tikil Gomen (cabbage side dish) - this had a lot of flavor, but also too much butter. Nice dish overall. Gomen (collard greens side dish) - this was soso. Decent flavor, but had a bit of pungent taste to it for some reason. Probably won't recommend it. Red paste that was on the ribs was nice. Very strong flavor so I wouldn't recommend having too much per bite.

Half grocery store, half restaurant, this little Ethiopian restaurant delivers delicious, high quality food and the friendliest service. The owner and our server were super friendly and kind, explained items on the menu that we had questions about, and created a very familial atmosphere. I will say, once we were seated, the wait to order and actually get our food took a little longer than expected so if you're short on time, that is just something to be aware of. 8/10

Awash is a MUST TRY destination if you're in San Diego. Upon walking in, it's immediately clear that you're about to eat amazing, authentic food. The food was flavorful, spicy (not overly spicy), and memorable. My friends and I caught ourselves talking about how good the dishes were between every bite. The service was great and there was no wait time to be seated. The ambiance is very homey and it is clear that this is family owned establishment. The restaurant is currently under renovation so the market area is limited but they are still stocked with everything you need to bring Ethiopian flavors home with you. Not my first time here and most definitely not my last!

This hole-in-the-wall serves some amazing Ethiopian dishes! The owner was super welcoming and his hospitality made us feel right at home. We tried the #1 Awash Special Tibs and #22 Meat Combo, and the food was so flavorful and filling for our party of four. We also tried the tej, which was very pleasant!

Amazing fantastic delicious and I want to eat more but my stomach won't allow it. I love all the spices used. The food is so fragrant. The food was served with rolls of injera bread. You break of pieces of it to grab the meats and veggies to eat. A giant metal spoon was the only utensil on the table. We ate with our hands. Small unique restaurants like these keep disappearing and getting replaced by chains. It's part liquor store, part market for spices and flour, maybe a butcher shop not sure. There's outdoor seating, inside the market seating and behind the market seating. Parking is easy on a weekday after 6pm. Food is cooked fresh so it does take a little time. I thoroughly enjoyed my food and can't wait to eat it at home over rice!

absolutely fantastic ethiopian food! this restaurant is located in a small market and is very unassuming. however, the food is mindblowingly delicious! i have been multiple times and i usually order #20 and #28, the awash special tibs and vegetarian combo. the owner usually is the only one running the restaurant and the market, but sometimes there is an additional server or kitchen staff helping. because of that, sometimes you might have to wait a bit longer. but trust me, it is worth it for the food. i love supporting local businesses like this one, and i highly recommend especially if you've never tried ethiopian food! it's so good!

My friends and I swear by this place as the best Ethiopian place in SD, and we have been coming back here for years! When we first moved to San Diego a couple years ago it was a small restaurant tucked away in the back of a grocery store, but since then they have expanded so that now there's a dining room out front too, which I think speaks to the success of the restaurant. Hole-in-the-wall vibes, this place is not decorated to impress so come here for low-key vibes and authentic, reasonably priced food. Everything here is well seasoned, and we always order the tibs, the veggie combo and the awash special. You have to try the raw beef which is absolutely delicious and I think is quite unique as well. Family-owned business, service can be a tad slow when it's busy because there's only a few people running the show but cut them some slack as they are some of the nicest people ever. Also no tap water here, they sell bottled water for $1 each. Be sure to budget time for parking here, as it's street parking in a pretty busy neighborhood. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place to anyone looking for Ethiopian food in San Diego, it is truly amazing and we love coming here!

Very hard to find ethiopian food in the west coast but glad to stumble upon this restaurant! I'm no expert on this cuisine but I would say its comparable to Muzita which is also nearby!

We really loved this place in El Cajon. The food was authentic and the people who served were extremely kind. They took time to talk to us and to connect with us and speak about Ethiopia.

You come here for the food. My partner and I got the veggie combo and meat combo, and every dish's flavors were delicious, spicy, savory, and full of flavor. The restaurant itself is pretty hole-in-the-wall. It's at the back of the Ethiopian grocery store and doesn't have the best lighting or decor. But eh, who cares about that if the food is good ‍ Like what other reviews said, the food takes a while to prepare. There were only two tables including us, and we both ordered at the same time, and yet our food came out about 15 minutes after the other table's. In total, our food took around 30 minutes. So come prepared, and make sure you choose enough time if you're paying for metered street parking. I'd budget 1.5 hours.

The food is phenomenal. I recommend the veggie platter and lamb stew. Service is always friendly. Love what they did with the remodel.

This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and I am pretty impressed! Ordered the #2 tibs which was a juicy flavorful beef stew dish that had a really tasty sauce. The beef was just a tiny bit chewy but overall very good. Also had the meat combo which had a variety of different flavors of beef as well. The only one I wasn't a fan of was the one sauce that didn't have beef in it, got some strong horseradish taste. Comes with lots of injera flatbread/pancake which I can't say I'm the biggest fan of given the subtle sour/fermented taste. There was so much leftover that it lasted another 1-2 meals. The meat was great when mixed with rice too! Be aware there's no tap water, only bottled that you'd have to pay for. Service was solid otherwise

Came here on Wednesday for lunch and it wasn't that busy. Upon entering, you will see a casual market but the restaurant is actually located in the back. It did take a while for us to be acknowledged but that was expected since there was only one server who had to manage the market and the restaurant. Anywho, my boyfriend and I ordered the Alitcha Tibbs and the meat combo. For those who are new to Ethiopian food, you're supposed to eat it with your hands. The meat that was provided for the meat combo definitely had a variety and unique taste for each one. To my surprise, they gave a lot which I think is really rare when it comes to meat. One thing that I noticed was that majority of the meat were chopped up into tiny little pieces. For the Alitcha Tibbs, I really loved how the sauce tasted and how chunky the beefs were. Overall, they were generous with both dishes, however, if I had to pick between the two, I would order the Alitcha Tibbs. They do charge you for a water bottle, so if you prefer not being charged, bring your own. Overall, it was a great experience and it was different from every other restaurants I've been to. Parking was a bit difficult since it was on a busy street.

I have eaten here about 5 or 6 times. While the restaurant is rather inconspicuous it is in my opinion the best restaurant in all of San Diego! I know that's a big claim but I am blown away by the flavor of every dish. They are always healthy dishes and from a kitchen full of moms it's all made with love at such reasonable prices. Every time I go I get something different because they just don't miss!!!

My issue is with the morals of the owners. As I was backing into a parking spot around the corner from the restaurant, a white Tesla pulled around and zipped into the spot I was backing into, nearly hitting me. As I was about to enter the restaurant, I realized that it was one of the owners of Awash that had done that. And, that's enough for me. She knew I was backing into the spot and took it with entitlement. I called my group and we went to another location that evening. I will never ever eat there again.

Delicious! Great service. My only regret was not getting the platter and only getting two dishes. Such a gem.

This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in San Diego! I always get the vegetarian platter and it's enough food for two people. It tastes delicious and is a great value! Highly recommend.

Small little hole in the wall in the back of a market on El Cajon. Food was delicious and had great flavor. The portions are also generous and you will leave here very full. Definitely need to check out !

This review is based on the to-go experience we had. My boyfriend and I don't have too much experience with Ethiopian food but was craving some and wanted to try a new place. We called in a phone order. The guy on the phone was hard to talk with. He didn't even ask us for our name and just said to come in 20 minutes. We get there. The restaurant is in the back of this market/deli/liquor store. We walk to the back and the guy tells us our order is in the front. So we go back to the front and another guy is has two boxes but didn't quite understand what we ordered so he just gave us one box. I think there was a misunderstanding because we ordered a large awaze tibs but when we came home there was only the meat but no sides. Kind of disappointed because our dinner was so lackluster. Don't get me wrong, the meat was great but I think if we go back we would dine in because it didn't seem like they knew what we wanted.

Must try if you want authentic Ethiopian food. We have been going for years. It has a homey vibe. The food does take a while because it is made to order. The owner is very nice and will check up on you while you wait.

Real hole-in-the-wall gem with delicious Ethiopian food; would definitely recommend! We ordered takeout vegan and meat combo to try a little of everything, and each dish was so flavorful and different. It was neat that they used plastic wrap to separate the injera and dishes so the objects wouldn't get soggy too! The dine-in restaurant is in the back of the little grocery store, but you pick up takeout from the front register. They completed our order on time based off what Grubhub provided us.

Authentic Ethiopian food. They'll take care of you here. Fun and tasty. We picked some things that we were interested in and got some recommendations for things we weren't sure we'd be interested in. Caution: some dishes are SPICEY. You gotta eat it with your hands. This is the way.

A lovely Ethiopian food place. We love the cozy ambiance inside. On the patio, it could get cold and a bit noisy.. depends on the day. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The food is delish.

The food was delicious! It ordered the awaze tibs and the meat was very tender. I usually go to Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles to eat Ethiopian food but now I will go local. Waitress was very sweet and accommodating. I had never drank Tej from a glass like this. The waitress who had just moved from Ethiopia stated how she had ordered these recently so customers could experience drinking the honey wine like in Ethiopia.

My first time trying Ethiopian food, and wow I loved it! As many other reviews mention, the restaurant is at the very back of this small convenience store, identified by the bright yellow exterior paint. The restaurant seating area is super small, quaint, and dim, there were about 6 tables around. The owner is the one waiter and busser, so definitely be patient when dining here. Also, they don't really serve drinks, so if you want a water, they will give you a bottle from their fridges and charge you for it. My boyfriend and I shared a meat combo and got a side of cabbage, and it was a good amount of food for both of us. They serve the meats on a large enjera, which is their soft pancake-like bread with a sour tang, like a super strong sourdough, and they give you a few rolls of enjera per person. You eat with your hands here, grabbing the meats and veggies with the enjera. It was a fun new experience! The meats and veggies were seasoned super well. I definitely want to return to try some of their other dishes! After your meal, you pay at the register at the front of the market, and let the cashier know what you ordered, honor system style.

As always, Phenomenal food. My favorite Ethiopian place in town. All food was well spiced and savory. As a group of three, we got one meat combo and one vegetarian combo. It was the perfect amount of food for us. They give a very generous portion of the injera to enjoy. My personal favorite was the Miser Wot. Beautiful consistency and spiced to perfection. As a note, Yebega siga Wot (lamb) was good but has bones in it so he careful eating this. Not my fav but by no means bad. Ambience is very simple, a few cafeteria style tables, a brightly painted stone block wall, and a wooden room divider. Our host was very accommodating with a great sense a humor and did a great job explaining dishes to a friend who was unfamiliar with Ethiopian food in general. No complaints at all. Recommend 5/5 stars.

I am grateful for this amazing restaurant. The food is seasoned to perfection. The owner makes you feel like you're at home. The restaurant is a market as well, so be sure to pick up some ingredients.

I haven't had Ethiopian food since moving from the East coast! This place really brought back great food experiences! They're located in the back of the convenience store. You'll know you're at the right place cos their storefront has a yellow awning. Parking can be a lil hassle to find, but eventually you'll find a spot on the street. Our favorite dishes here: Meat combo Vegetarian combo Tibs (beef tenderloin tips) Everything was flavorful and delicious and it keeps you full.

You must eat here. Very vegan and vegetarian friendly. The staff was very helpful in answering questions. We had the vegan sampler platter. It was plenty for two people. The ginger tea went great with it. We even came back later. In the day to the market and purchased a lot of the ingredients for the food that we ate. We are excited to try to make our own Injera. When we came back later in the day, the staff was equally as helpful and very excited to share their knowledge of the food with us. We will be returning here our next time in the area.

Always delicious. Always fresh. They are generous with the spices, care, hospitality and portions. Awash is my favorite spot for habesha food in San Diego. Their teff injera is fresh and reminds me of home. Whether a veggie combo or an awaze tibs, it always hits the spot! Here is gomen and door wot- Konjo! Ti'um! Delightful!

Feels very authentic. When a restaurant doubles as a grocery store and 80% of the folks inside aren't speaking English, you know the food's gonna be amazing. This place hits all the right notes!

I needed injera because my wife doesn't like to make it and they have both the light and dark kind. It was very good and the price is right.

Excellent service, DELICIOUS food. Only thing is I really think the place needs a good deep cleaning and organizing. It's extremely filthy in the market/ liquor store, cluttered with random items everywhere - it just makes me a bit concerned with hygiene etc. I know the kitchen is in the back so hopefully that looks a bit better, but I just couldn't help but notice the level of filth and dust. Bussing tables, picking up dirty napkins from the floor then serving food (which hangs off the edge of the plate.) I would be interested to see what the health inspection rating is. If that stuff doesn't bother you definitely try it out, the food is good but feels slightly sketchy on hygein..

I've never visited the restaurant itself, but my boyfriend and I always order through DoorDash! We get the Vegetarian plate with extra Injera each time, and it NEVER disappoints! Ethiopian food that always hits the spot I'll definitely be a customer for life!

This was my first time havin Ethiopian food and WOW! First of all, the owner was so nice! He seemed genuinely happy to help and checked back in to make sure we were doing okay. The food was incredible! The place kind of looks like a market on the inside with some generic table and chairs. Nothing fancy. They let the food speak for itself. If I were to go back I would just get the vegetarian combo. The meat was great, but I loved the vegetables more. Try this place!!

My friend introduced me to Awash. I have driven by a million times and didn't even realize there was a restaurant in the back. Ordered the sampler with meat to get a little bit of everything and was away with flavor. The employees made were we were good with our order and kept my water full. The restaurant would definitely be a hole in the wall but I prefer a hole in the wall with amazing food over a trendy place any day.

Great Ethiopian food, might even be the best I have had in San Diego. It's a hole-in-the-wall place but doesn't let that discourage you, this place is definitely worth a try. Food: I loved their lamb stew the best, I had it a week ago and since then I am dreaming about it and can't wait to go back. The injera is very soft and melts in your mouth. I liked the beef dish too but it does not stand up to the lamb. Service: It's in the back of a grocery store and there is a couple of tables on the front too. The owner is very friendly and sweet. He said we should feel at home and just grab anything from the refrigerators if we wished to. Price point: It came out to $34 for two people(before tips). And we came back with leftovers so great quantities too. In-all: Great food and that's all that matters.

Great hole in the wall spot for authentic Ethiopian food nestled in North Park, located in an unassuming convenience store. We enjoyed a meat combo and tibs for two, and that was plenty of food, with lots of injera served on the side. Food was flavorful and well spiced. The owner was the server for the whole restaurant it seemed so service was a bit on the slower side, but we did not mind. It felt very casual and homey, and overall a friendly atmosphere.

This place is perfect to try something new and experience a new cultures food! We ended up getting a tasting plate with a mix of vegetable and meat dishes. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. The dining room is in the back of a Ethiopian store front with limited seating. But check it out if you are interested in trying some Ethiopian food!

Delicious Ethiopian food with extremely friendly staff. Had the sambusa, kitfo, and lamb stew, and they were all amazing. The ginger tea is quite comforting for chilly nights. Would come back if I'm in San Diego again

Terrible and salty, the tibs came shriveled like jerky and completely salty. I asked nicely for no tomatoes due to an allergy and it was as if they spitefully put extra tomatoes in my order. The ambience is like a liquor store and I strongly discourage you from wasting your money and time. There are several Ethiopian restaurants with far better pricing and flavor.

I have only tried this place through delivery and was still pretty solid considering. I was elated to have so many choices for Ethiopian food in San Diego since there weren't many in Orange County. I had the yedoro wot/chicken which came in a seriously huge portion, with enough injera to last like a week. The food was carefully wrapped to minimize spill and leakage which was very appreciated. The chicken was perfectly cooked, the sauce was very savory, and the injera was the perfect amount of tangy to bring the flavors together.

We have been coming to this place for years but have never wrote a review. After we left Washington DC, we struggled to find an Ethiopian restaurant that met the standard...until we found Awash. Awash is a classic Ethiopian spot with a little market in the front and a restaurant in the back. The place is owned by 2 brothers who are very family friendly and always welcoming. We generally get the Tibs and Kitfo with a side of Miser and Shiro. Don't forget a side of Mitmita. Hands down the best Ethiopian restaurant in San Diego.

I had been recommended to dine at Awash by an Ethiopian waiter who formerly worked at the India Palace in Hillcrest. I never got around to following up on his recommendation, but when I read a recent positive review of Aswash in Yelp written by a Yelp Friend, I decided to give the restaurant a try. I like the bright yellow awning out front, that seems to promise an adventure just by crossing the threshold. One enters into a shop, filled with spices and food and even cigarette lighters. Demillie immediately greeted me by name [I had called him the previous day and told him I had been recommended to dine at Awash by Mulageta, his friend from the India Palace]. Thereafter, you traverse the shop and proceed to the very back to reach the dining room. As expected, the dining room décor is exceedingly plain. Nonetheless, there are a couple of colorful Ethiopian-themed works of art on the walls that merit your attention. Hari brought me the menu and then Abubu took care of me for the rest of the meal. Since I was the first person in the dining room that evening, Abubu put on a video for me, of a group of men and women dancing in Ethiopia. The video was very interesting and the music lively. The dancing mostly consisted of shaking of the head and shoulders, and jumping in place. The traditional garments of the dancers were elegant and bold. At Awash, there is honey wine to drink, directly from the small vessel in which it is served. For an authentic experience, Abubu did not recommend using a European wine glass [although they are available for the non-adventurous]. The vast menu consists of numbered items. For a first visit, Abubu recommended #24, which was described as a "Meat Combo". On a large plate was placed various chopped and ground beef, as well as chopped lamb. Two kinds of injera bread were strategically positioned on the plate. One grabs the food with the injera, and Abubu will be happy to demonstrate the technique on another plate of food he will bring out from the kitchen for the welcome tutorial. I am not sure the rather strange [to me] texture of the injera appealed to me, but I am willing to learn. There is no check at the conclusion of the meal. One simply proceeds to the cash register at the front of the shop and on the "'honor system", you advise Demillie what you had ordered. Credit cards are graciously accepted.