Axum Ethiopian Restaurant

Adding this comment literally right after finishing my dinner because this place is such a gem! I’ve always loved Ethiopian food and have been to quite a few restaurants in different cities but haven’t tried ordering online. Saw that the restaurant does ubereats and decided to give it a try. I was a little concerned about ordering kitfo (raw beef) via delivery in this hot summer weather but it did not disappoint at all! The portion size is huge (among the most generous I’ve ever seen compared to dine in experiences), very fresh and beautifully seasoned. And, as an absolute meat lover, I must say that there was so much beef (in the best way)! In terms of the sides, they don’t skimp on the injera either (4 big pieces just for the regular size, no “extra”). Was very glad to see that they use the real injera made from teff, which gives it the characteristic fermented sourness and the chewy texture. (I felt that this is worth commenting on since I was served whiteish “injera” last year at another Ethiopian restaurant and was very disappointed.) The collard greens and misir wot (lentils) as sides were very flavorful too, the spices were bright and balanced. Overall this was a beyond expectation ordering experience and now I feel compelled to pay them a visit in the near future :) Thanks for the amazing food!

Absolutely delicious food and great service. We also enjoyed the live piano music Friday night. I haven’t had Ethiopian food this good since little Ethiopia when I lived in LA but the prices here are better. So glad we stopped in!

Absolutely delicious. The food is delicious, fresh, colorful and beautifully presented. We come here at least twice a month (would be more if we didn’t live so far!). Definitely give them a try — you won’t be disappointed! I recommend their combo meat and veggies platter and their kitfo.

Yo when Ras Dashen closed I thought I would never love again. I had been to a few other Ethiopian restaurants since they closed. Nothing came close to the feelings of joy I got when frequenting RD. But now we have a new wonderful Ethiopian restaurant that specializes in vegetarian dishes. It's so good. I really hope more people realize and keep this place open a long time. Its a labor of love. The owner is very nice and gave my son a free apple juice. Family business, father wife and son I believe. The son was the waiter and very nice and helpful. Hoping they add dupa wat to the menu but everything is wonderful again now that we have another exceptional restaurant in this space.

My first time trying this type of food and I absolutely loved it! Came here for the first time with my boyfriend for his birthday and we had a wonderful time! The owner and waitress were so nice to us and I highly recommend if you ever have the chance to come here that you do! 5 starts in my book! ❤️‍🔥

On a whim, this was my first try of Ethiopian cuisine, and Axum made me a fan! The owner and his staff made me and my friend feel right at home. Again, the food was phenomenal. Portions are generous. I am waiting for another opportunity to return and try more of the menu.

When we couldn’t decide between beef or chicken sambusa for our appetizers, the chef kindly offered to give us one of each, which we happily accepted. The sambusas arrived at the table freshly made but not at all oily. We both prefer the chicken as its filling was lighter and less chewy than the beef. Meat and veggie combo was amazing: visually stunning and packed with flavors. The meat dishes were good (with the exception of lamb being slightly too gamey) but the veggie dishes were truly excellent. Injera was so spongy delightfully tangy, making it the perfect tool to soak up all the flavorful stews.

We had a wonderful experience at this Ethiopian restaurant. The staff was incredibly attentive and polite, making us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. We ordered the meat and veggie combo, which was both flavorful and beautifully presented. The injera was soft and tangy, and every dish on the platter had its own unique, delicious taste. Highly recommend if you're looking for a warm atmosphere and authentic Ethiopian cuisine.

Adding this comment literally right after finishing my dinner because this place is such a gem! So, I've always loved Ethiopian food and have been to quite a few restaurants in different cities but haven't tried ordering online. Saw that the restaurant does ubereats and decided to give it a try. I was a little concerned about ordering kitfo (raw beef) via delivery in this hot summer weather but it did not disappoint at all! The portion size is huge (among the most generous I've ever seen compared to dine in experiences), very fresh and beautifully seasoned. And, as an absolute meat lover, I must say that there was so much beef (in the best way)! In terms of the sides, they don't skimp on the injera either (4 big pieces just for the regular size, no "extra"). Was very glad to see that they use the real injera made from teff, which gives it the characteristic fermented sourness and the chewy texture. (I felt that this is worth commenting on since I was served whiteish "injera" last year at another Ethiopian restaurant and was very disappointed.) The collard greens and misir wot (lentils) as sides were very flavorful too, the spices were bright and balanced. Overall this was a beyond expectation ordering experience and now I feel compelled to pay them a visit in the near future :) Thank you for the amazing food!

Our go-to Eithiopian in Chicago. Replacing the legendary Ras Dashen in the same location, they have the most flavorful Eithiopian out there. Be prepared to wait, so bring your conversation and enjoy cocktails as everything is made fresh. Especially if Chef Tikel is there. This is not a rushed dining, turn tables restaurant experience. There's no bad dish here, be sure to be served traditional and get the sampler. While stopping in Addis Ababa, I had to admit Axum's Eithiopian tasted better than in Eithiopian in Eithiopia! There's only one other place I will go to in Chicago, but I wont share it here. Giving Axum its flowers right now! Picture doesn't show outdoor dining patio now open in the summer...

Absolutely outstanding from the moment we walked in until we left. You can feel the ambience and warmth of the owner who personally comes out to each table and immediately greets you with a smile, but when the platter comes out, the food is a delicacy that cannot be explained. He immediately asked what our dietary needs were and hence adapted by offering the veggie platter as I'm a vegan with strict dietary needs. The injera is the most unique part of the dish as most 'Westerners' won't use their hands. It is typical in certain cultures of the world for people to use their right hands to eat and the other hand to do other things. The unique taste of each individual dish on the platter made the experience even better! We were both pleasantly surprised, and my guest actually decided to take everything left on the table home to experience it once again! Thank you, thank you thank you for an amazing experience, but more importantly, healthy food !

Well this is the second time going to axum Ethiopian restaurant. Prices are pretty reasonable there are a lot of Ethiopian restaurants around Broadway and I usually go to Ethiopian diamond or dimitrea I saw another one South of Broadway but I really like how axum prepares the injera bread for some reason demetra makes their bread oily when they put their kitful or their what stews onto the injera. Also they don't serve gored gored on any of the Ethiopian restaurant especially Ethiopian diamond they used to serve it. Service was pretty good I did the online instead of them coming up asking for my order I guess it was pretty efficient. Ambience was pretty classy since there was a musician playing his synthesizers or keyboard I did tip them on Zelle thank goodness despite that he had a tip container other than that I would have to try the other dishes the only disappointment is they don't have a dessert menu and then I was looking for drinking my traditional tej or sweet honey wine or mead. Isis were also not so crazily overpriced like some Ethiopian restaurants but then again the way the cost of dining out has gone up since 1998 when I used to go to Ethiopian or any ethnic restaurant

Kids first time trying Ethiopian food, the four of us had a meat and veggie combo for three and we had more than enough. Stunning flavors, beautiful presentation, and guidance from the kind owner/chef.

Our family absolutely loves this place! I've tried at least 4 other Ethiopian places here and 2 on the west coast and I can say with confidence that Axum stands out as being the best. Their food is not only delicious and fresh (the Kitfo is my absolute favorite), it's presented in a manner that is simply looks artistic. Full of vibrant colors and unique flavors to each dish. We come here at least once a month ever since we discovered this place (my 5 year old demands for us to come back weekly haha). You will definitely love their food and come back for more!

Axum is amazing!!! Went in yesterday for lunch for the first time and I am obsessed. The owner Yared has the most authentic Ethiopian food in the city. He was so kind and welcoming and so knowledgeable about all the dishes. We had the meat and veg combo and it was out of this world. It had chicken and beef and a bunch of sides. The sauce on both meats was to die for. For the sides we had lentils, cabbage, chickpea, collard greens, salad, beets and green beans. They are available for delivery, pickup, and catering as well. The music and ambiance was so great. I can't wait to got back again soon and bring more friends.

The veggie combo was so good! My husband ordered a chicken entree and it was very delicious. The injera (bread) was perfect and the owner even showed us the package and it is organic and gluten free! I brought my 2 and 5 year old girls as well and they loved it.

Great spot with nice decor. The owner is super nice and friendly, and he's clearly excited about people enjoying the food at his restaurant. I split everything with a friend, and here's what we ordered - Two veggie sambusas, which came with a yummy sauce. They weren't too big, honestly I could've had two for myself, but they were good. - One Meat/Veggie combo plate for 2, which was very colorful. It came with ~18 different samples, five of which I think were meat, and the rest were veggie. It also came with 4 rolls of injera bread, plus the one that came with the plate. My favorites were all the lentil/pea dishes, and some of the meats were pretty good too. Everything was really yummy! It was a bit over $30 per person, but the plate really fills you up, so I'd say it's worth it. I definitely want to come back and order some of the other dishes here. It also seems like they offer several wines and other drinks so I'd like to check that out too. Overall, very happy with the place.

Young/Cool Crowd. Downtown fun. I had a wonderful time with friends. Must Order Item: Honey Wine!!!

Tried Ethiopian food for the first time and it was a nice experience! The place was clean and tidy, but the service was pretty slow. My husband and I ordered the Veggie and Meat combo for 1 (~$35) - I would say it was a good enough quantity for the both us. We were also served the complimentary spring rolls in the beginning. The overall taste was pretty good, would love to visit again and try out other items on the menu!

We had such a great experience here! I'm a big fan of Ethiopian food but prior to moving here last year, there was only one Ethiopian restaurant in my area. That's the magic of Chicago - so many cultures here brings so much diverse and delicious food options and several to choose from! We've tried a few Ethiopian restaurants in the Edgewater area and this one is by far our favorite. We had a chance to meet the owner as well and you could tell the pride he has in his cooking and this restaurant, as well as a genuine desire to make sure all of his customers have a great meal and great service. We shared the meat and veggies combo which was more than enough for us (and we're pretty big eaters). Our meats were cooked perfectly and seasoned well (it comes with beef, lamb, and chicken options) and the veggies were perfectly cooked too. I can't think of anything on this platter I would have preferred not to have, but if I were to add a small critique, I would have liked maybe one more roll of injera for the combo for 2. To be fair, we were offered the option of more but I didn't want to pay extra for it (according to the menu, additional injera incurs a charge). But not a critique to knock down a star from the 5 stars Axum definitely deserves. Looking forward to dining again there soon and getting the chef's combi. We'll need to come very hungry for that one though!

Flavorful! I was excited to see that my previous Ethiopian spot that shutdown soon after the pandemic got a new Ethiopian restaurant in its place. I met the chef and he was very welcoming and made this veggie meat combo! The restaurant layout looks good and I'm glad they kept certain aspects of the old layout and added their own touch and identity to it! So happy to have a delicious Ethiopian place to go to again!

Great food and service! Will definitely be back. We came for valentines dinner and was also really nicely decorated. Prices were very fair

Food is fantastic and the service is great. We got the chefs platter for 2. Quite a bit of food, but it still seemed rather pricey. With tip, no drinks(only water) we spent $145.

This place is EXTRAORDINARY! The service was attentive, but not intrusive, and the atmosphere was super inviting. But the FOOD! Oh, goodness, the food was stunning. As a vegetarian, I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of veg options in Ethiopian cuisine, but this is my new favorite Ethiopian restaurant. There is a quality to the simpler ingredients that just feels good mixed with a sophistication of spicing that is artisanally inspiring ingredients. Support this gem!

We had the vegetarian combo which was a sampling of all the vegetarian dishes and we were stuffed! It was delicious. The owner was very welcoming and the tables are well spaced out here. It's quiet but there room for a lively crowd. The lentils, spiced and mild dishes were amazing. The mushrooms were tender and meaty, and on the medium to spicier side. The injeera tender and so hearty, it's a challenge not to over indulge.

This place is amazing and a worthy replacement for the former (Rasdashen). Our party of 5 ate last night and everything was amazing and cooked well. Service was great. They didnt have certain beers in stock but it didnt matter because the food was so good. In our opinion this place is better than Ethiopian Diamond (which is also great) which was our most recent comparison.

Had another outstanding meal at Axum. One of the benefits of living in Edgewater is the multitude of Ethiopian restaurants. We have tried most of them and always return to Axum for the succulent and flavorful dishes they serve. Split a veggie/meat combo with my niece and we were already pleasantly full half way through. The combo came with ~16 samples with 4 of them meat (primarily lamb) and the rest veggie (cabbage, lentils, beets, mushroom, spinach). Everything was delicious but the standouts were the yebeg alicha and the mushroom wat. The owner is invariably at the restaurant and it is evident how much pride he takes in the food he serves and in the enjoyment of his customers. Can't wait for my next visit.

I've never had such terrible take out. We had to throw it all out. Ordered the gored gored and zil zil tibs. The gored was raw, not rare, raw! The tibs were so over cooked they were burnt and we could barely chew through the piece we each tried. Also, the "sides" that supposedly come with the meat dishes were laughable at best. Maybe three spoonfuls each. These two takeout containers cost $60.

We had a delicious dinner. The service was warm and excellent. The food was delicious. Axum's portions on the vegetarian platter are more generously sized than other Ethiopian restaurants in Chicago. The salad dressing is unique and amazing. We met the owner and he was very charming. He said they just opened in May. We will definitely be back, because we LOVED dinner here.

I have always loved slow braised meats in their juicy sauce. Their pulled pork is fantastic! Try the other sides to contrast (and appreciate the meats better). Lentils and greens were fine. Not a fan of the chicken although it was flavorful.

Stumbled across this spot and decided to try it since I LOVE Ethiopian food. Chose the veggie platter which came with a lot of food for a single diner. The food was amazing in flavor, with a good variety of dishes to try. Most of the dishes were warm, not piping hot. Service was attentive and prompt.

I liked it! It was a slow weekday afternoon so the food came quickly. It was delicious and service was decent. The interior is a little basic but the important thing is on point, which is the food.

The food was very tasty and diverse... we counted 15 dishes or items on our big tray each. I think we each had a big tray and it's a great way to explore Ethiopian food. It was one or two tablespoons of about everything they had to offer a thing served on injera bread...that's a spongy bread. We had cabbage, lamb, beef, okra, beets, carrots, etc.

Amazing food & service. Was inspired to learn about the owner's family in Addis, who freshly grind & blend the spices every week to make his food so delicious. Mmmmm. Thank you!!!

The best Ethiopian food I've had. Ras Dashen used to be here but closed down. I thought Ras Dashen was great but this is as good or even better than Ras Dashen. The portions are huge and everything tasted awesome and fresh. The owner is very friendly as well. I HIGHLY recommend this place.

Perfect Ethiopian spot. The injera tasted great and didn't fall apart. We got the key wot and veggie platter - both delicious with distinctive flavors. The owner is such a nice man and gave great recommendations - like pairing the mushroom side with the key wot (a perfect combo). Will be visiting again!

Small family owned very good vibes..I had to wait a bit for my food on a busy Saturday night, but chile,it was 100% worth the wait! Bursting with fresh flavor, well rounded and PLENTY of food. I got the veggie and meat platter for one. As I scarf down my plate while writing this, I am mentally mapping out my next trip.

This is the absolute most delicious Ethiopian food I've had. This restaurant took over a previous Ethiopian restaurant, which was my favorite, and I would say it's even BETTER than the previous one. The food is really flavorful, so much so, that my seven year old son requests to eat here. The staff is incredible friendly. We have had the chicken sambusa's , which were a new item to me and they are the tastiest thing I've eaten. This spot does not disappoint!

We got the all veggies combo for two and it was delicious! Service was fast and everyone was super nice--we'll definitely be back.

AMAZING food absolutely ruined by the fact we made it very clear we were ordering one chefs combo to share three ways (we weren't very hungry) and they gave us THREE chefs combos which was WAY too expensive.

My first time dining here and my first time eating an Ethiopian dish! I got the Ye Doro Tibs with Gomen--so good! I loved my experience with a new cuisine!

I've only gotten take out but the interior seemed nice as well. I got the veggie sampler and everything was delicious and very filling - would definitely come back for more!

My friend and I ate at Axum recently and were highly pleased. The veggie combo was unparalleled. It more than enough for she and I. The service was stellar and the ambiance was warm and welcoming. I am creating an excuse for my next meal there!

First time here and ordered the meat and veggies combo for 2. The portions were great, and I love the many varieties of lentils and the gored gored beef. With the combo plate you have the opportunity to try many different things. The Ethiopian beer and honey wine were great. I'm not sure if the honey wine is made in house, but it has a very nice herbal taste to it. The service is fantastic, the head chef ensures every dish is to our expectations. Definitely coming back with friends! Thanks for a great meal!

I've eaten plenty of Ethiopian food in my day. This place is solidly great. Nice ambiance, very clean, and on the day we visited, the owner was our server. Very warm and friendly person. We got the vegetarian combo for two and it was delicious-- enough for 3 people with moderate appetites, I'd say. As it was, I took home the leftovers. There were 3 or 4 legume dishes and a variety of vegetables (each in their own sauce) including cabbage, okra, mushrooms, and two types of greens. There was a cold salad included too, with apples and beets. The injera was perfect-- warm, light, and stretchy with just the right sourdough tang. The meal comes with complimentary spiced hot tea (very caffeinated but delicious) and egg rolls with a spice paste for dipping. I would definitely come back here.

I'm have my favorite items but I tend to just order a chef type sampler to make things easy and it never disappoints

Axum was a wonderful choice for a Sunday afternoon with my family. We have had a hard time with a good dining experience since Covid. This was the first one that we enjoyed in a long time. I have to say it was extra quiet when we went which worked to our advantage as we had kids with us. The owner and chef was hospitable. The food was VERY delicious and hit the spot. We opted for the veggie and meat combo for 2. I cant tell you which item on the dish I enjoyed more because I didnt know what was what but it didint matter because all of it was great. Between 2 Adults and two small kids after the appetizer it was more than enough food. My 9y.o. couldn't stop talking about how much he liked the food as he's eating it. I plan on visiting with other family members in the future.

Amazing food in a nice atmosphere! We came in for a late lunch and the owner/chef was very welcoming and personable. Food was tasty and spicy...just what you would expect from the cuisine. Would definitely recommend this restaurant!

Delicious!! The restaurant has a great "home" feel to it, it feels like you're eating in someone's home kitchen. The service was fast and friendly and the food was sooo good. I ordered the Meat and Veggie combo and everything was great. We had tried Ethiopian food at a different restaurant and I was bummed that I didn't enjoy the food. I'm so happy I gave it another chance at Axum! If you're looking for Ethiopian I would definitely recommend coming here :)

My sister and I came here for the first time and shared the veggie platter. It was absolutely incredible!! Service was wonderful and quick! The presentation was beautiful as well. We finished every last bite and when we asked for our leftover injera to go they gave us some extra of our favorite veggies to go at no extra cost! Wonderful experience, we will definitely be back.

I'm ethiopian and I will never go back very darr and a little mouse and roaches I'm very disappointed with this place?

Wow!!! So good! The owner is so kind, you can tell the food is cooked with love. It was also so light but yet filling. I had the veggie platter along with veggie sambusa and I will definitely be coming back. It was my first time having Ethiopian food and the owner showed me what everything was and how to eat it. The service was just as good as the food, which I find is rare to come by.

Ordered from here on a whim cuz I was hungry. Got a veggie combo platter. It was delicious. I have Al eaten a good amount of Ethiopian food in my life, and I had some lentils cooked in styles I have not eaten before, including one with mushrooms that was amazing, a lovely purple cabbage dish, some tasty green beans and carrots. The variety was fantastic, well seasoned, not greasy. I'll be coming here in person soon.

We're fans of Ethiopian cuisine and have visited several of the other places up on the North Side, and just visited Axum for the first time. We ordered a variety of meat and veggie food from them and it was really good, and the service was excellent, and the chef brought the food out and uncovered the trays with some flourish, which the food deserved because it looked great in addition to how it tasted, with a wide and colorful variety of samples from their menu. Would recommend, and would come back again.

The food is superb, the customer service is second to none, and the ambiance is so chill. All being accomplished by the PHENOMENAL Yared Teklu! The first time we stopped in we were greeted warmly by Yared at our seats. I noticed immediately that the face on the table placard matched that of the man that stood at our table. It was also the man that brought us our water, took our order, assisted with the cooking (alongside a woman), brought out our food, and brought our check!! Yareds "never meet a stranger" approach is just as delightful as the food! I've been three times now with my partner and each time has been incredible. I highly recommend the meat and veggie plate (to those that eat meat). The diversity in the veggies is refreshing, sometimes adding okra, and mushrooms in berbere sauce. The fresh injera is fermented just right, and all of the meat is succulent and tender.

I have been to Axum four times, and I can honestly say that everything about Axum is wonderful. It is the best Ethiopian restaurant in Chicago. The owner and his staff are very smart, polite, and diligent. The cooks prepare all meals to your liking. The first time that I was here, I had a mild chicken and lamb dish served on injera with lentils and cabbage. It was really good. Since then, I have been ordering these proteins cooked with more spice. I've also had the spinach and beets as my vegetables and they were delicious. I will make Axum my go-to restaurant for its fresh and nutritious food. I also wish the owner and his family success with this endeavor

excellent food, large portions, great service. I think the food here is now even better than it was when it was ras dashen.