Bete-Lukas | Ethiopian Restaurant

After a few years away, returning to Bete-Lukas felt like coming home. This warm, inviting restaurant has been one of my most favorite dining spots in Portland for over a decade—and I’m thrilled to say that it’s every bit as exceptional. The quality, authenticity, and soulfulness of the food remain top-notch. It’s rare for a restaurant to maintain such high standards over the years, but Bete-Lukas does it effortlessly. The flavors are deep, comforting, and incredibly satisfying—each bite felt like a celebration of tradition and home-cooked care. The injera was pillowy, tangy with just the right bite—an ideal base for scooping up every delicious stew. The sambusas were piping hot and bursting with flavor, a crisp and savory start that set the tone beautifully. The vegetarian combo was a vibrant showcase of textures and spices, each dish complementing the others in a harmonious balance. The Doro Wot was the crown jewel—rich, slow-cooked, deeply spiced, and utterly nostalgic. It’s the kind of dish that instantly transports you with its depth and complexity. Bete-Lukas is more than just a restaurant—it’s a treasured institution. A place that consistently delivers heartwarming food, rooted in tradition and served with pride. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, you’ll be met with the same exceptional care and unforgettable flavors. After all these years, it’s clear: Bete-Lukas is A MUST VISIT for anyone in Portland and a TRUE GEM that deserves all the praise it gets.

Very cozy place to dine and try this exotic cuisine. Loved the unlimited injera bread with all the curries. Veggie combo is perfect to try everything in one plate.

A friend said this was her favorite Ethiopian restaurant, and having tried many, I decided to give this one a shot. The food was seasoned well enough and the service was good, but eating here made me miss the other restaurants I’ve visited. This was the first Ethiopian restaurant I’ve been to where not a single Ethiopian person was eating there while I was there. I was also only one of two patrons of color. Maybe it was an off night, but that said a lot to me. As for the food, the vegetarian combo had a pretty standard selection. There was no extra injera like you usually get with the combo at other restaurants, just what the food rested on (though you could purchase extra). They also didn’t have the traditional coffee (my favorite thing to get because of how smooth it is). The samosas were flavorful, but the fillings were a little different than most samosas I’ve had. I think there was more cabbage in the veggie one than any I’ve ever had. Still, they were good enough. I honestly don’t have any complaints about the actual flavor of the food and thought it was good overall. However, the atmosphere left a lot to be desired for my personal taste. The decor was extremely muted in comparison to everywhere else I’ve been, as well. There were no colorful paintings on the beige walls. I think I counted three pictures total on the walls, all muted tones. There were white tablecloths but no wet towels for cleansing your hands before you ate. I found myself feeling like it was the white washed version of a traditional Ethiopian restaurant. Perhaps the choice is due to the part of town the restaurant is located in or for the comfort of most of their clientele. But for me personally, it felt off. If you want decent food and don’t care for Ethiopian coffee or traditional decor, this isn’t a bad place to try, but if you want a more authentic experience, look elsewhere.

We recently made our first post pandemic visit to Bete-Lukas, and everything was refreshingly similar to the way it always has been. The gentleman who attends to the tables is still a delight to chat with, and the food remains a neighborhood highlight. Spice levels continue to be just right - hot enough to be flavorful, mild enough to avoid being painful. The restaurant continues to be very low key from outside - if you aren't specifically heading there, it would be easy to miss. Go up the stairs on the south side of the building and you'll find the door - it's not visible from the sidewalk. Inside, they appear to have made some updates to the lighting - it remains subdued and contributes to a calm, relaxing environment for enjoying your meal.

This is the best food in Portland. I can’t believe how amazing it is every time, and I eat here all the time! I bring all my friends here when they are visiting from out of town and they talk about it years later.

Bete-Lukas is a special place for me; it was one of the first meal I had in Portland and it makes me so happy to know they are still here. They offer delicious comfort food that I can comfortably order whatever I want without Celiac's restricting my options, given to you by a man who has led this restaurant honestly and with a warm heart over the years. I have never experienced a flavor quite like the one they achieve with their Asa Goulash (the fish!) I highly recommend this place, as well as the food here. Walk in the door, and you'll see what I mean. Thank you for a memorable experience every time.

Delicious and filling. Met a friend and we both got a dish + the Ethiopian tea. Every was so flavorful. Dishes are served traditionally, meaning you use the injera (flat bread) to scoop and eat.

Got the veggie combo with a side of kitfo, and each individual dish was great and super reasonably priced. Definitely eating here again. 😋

I have been eating Ethiopian food (when I can find it) for 30 years. The number one is in Calgary, This one is the 2nd best Ethiopian restaurant on my experience. The service is good, the curry is flavorful, the injera is "moist" (sorry for the yucky word) and tangy. They are also affordable. BTW, Ethiopian food makes killer leftovers. It actually gets tastier several days afterwards. For this reason, I always over order. Need breakfast? Mix the leftovers with eggs! A great very to wake up in the morning!

The veggie combo was a must! Very delicious. I can't wait to go back for more. It's very filling, and flavorful! The service was hospitable, and I loved how it felt very warm inside like a house. It was very comforting.

We used to live in Portland and would frequent this place because the food, service, atmosphere is the best. Since we moved 10 years ago, it is our number spot whenever we return to Portland. We went tonight and the owner remembered us ! So aside from the best food ever, the service really is what makes the experience. We will always come here.

Fantastic food with amazing spices and quality. The service was spectacular and had a very romantic atmosphere! I loved the chicken that was oh so succulent and the lentils and lamp were incredible aswell! Get ready to get your hands dirty because you won't want to stop eating!

We recently made our first post pandemic visit to Bete-Lukas, and everything was refreshingly similar to the way it always has been. The gentleman who attends to the tables is still a delight to chat with, and the food remains a neighborhood highlight. Spice levels continue to be just right - hot enough to be flavorful, mild enough to avoid being painful. The restaurant continues to be very low key from outside - if you aren't specifically heading there, it would be easy to miss. Go up the stairs on the south side of the building and you'll find the door - it's not visible from the sidewalk. Inside, they appear to have made some updates to the lighting - it remains subdued and contributes to a calm, relaxing environment for enjoying your meal.

Legitimately the best Ethiopian food I've ever had. Cozy location with plenty of seating, great service. If you haven't been here yet, this is your sign. Please try this place.

My family has loved this place for over a decade - delicious food that's a treat to enjoy and also nutritious served by lovely people providing excellent service in an intimate, well appointed setting. I recommend this place to everyone I know!

I have been to all the Ethiopian restaurants in Portland. I used to life, in San Francisco, near one of the best in the city. Nothing comes close to Bete Lukas. The food always tastes fresh, the second floor adds a separation from the everyday traffic, and the owners are helpful, funny, kind, and I formative. Plus, they have a really delicious African amber on tap.

Other Ethiopian restaurants may or may not offer better value, but compared to entree prices at good restaurants, the price to portion here is fair. More importantly, I loved the Asa Goulash entree. It comes with a simple side salad, but I wouldn't mind paying a little extra for an additional side. The hot Ethiopian tea was a great compliment. The space is very aesthetically pleasing, including a tasteful well-stocked bar. The service was personal and attentive. Parking is a bear though. I look forward to returning, what a great first impression.

Hands down the best and most authentic Ethiopian food I've ever had the pleasure of eating as a vegan. Our waiter was hilarious and the atmosphere was lovely. We are from CA but we will be returning the next time we're in Portland We had: The veggie combo and the mix sambusas (2 lentil, 2 veggie).

One in our party had some dietary restrictions and the staff was patient, answered all of the questions, and was very friendly. I had the Veggie Sambusa and Tikel Gomen. Both were flavorful and had the right amount of spice. I also ordered a side of the house cheese, Ayib. As noted on the menu, it is very mild, soft and crumbly like feta cheese.

This restaurant is worth the drive for us from Beaverton every time. Peter and his staff are warm and kind and put out some of the best Ethiopian food we've ever had. Vegetarian friendly. Great date night. Great night out with friends. And works well for take out, too.

Excellent Ethiopian food and a top-notch dining experience. This was the highest rated Ethiopian spot in Portland according to Google, so we decided to give it a shot. The interior feels like a more formal dining experience, but the prices are super reasonable. We got some lentil sambusas ($5) and veggie sambusas ($5) to start, and each got a veggie combo ($13). The sambuas came out in about 10 minutes and the main course in another 10. The lentil sambusas were extremely spicy, but I loved them; the veggie sambusas had a little impressive filling, but were still solid. The veggie combos were all-round excellent. The split pea and kale gomen were perhaps the highlights, but the misir wot, fosolia (green beans) and tikel gomen were also fantastic. You get a decent amount of injera to scoop out, though it could come with more (extra injera for $3). Service was abolutely top-notch. The man who served us was a charming joker and super friendly. Overall, excellent food (4-4.5/5) and top-notch dining experience (5/5). Highly recommended.

This is the ONLY place my Ethiopian students' families recommended to me 12 years ago. My husband and I still eat here for every anniversary. It is the unrivaled peak of authentic Ethiopian cuisine. The service is top-tier, and each plate feels like it should cost twice as much as it does. This should be your first and only stop for incredible Ethiopian food!

Had a great time here with my wife. The owner is warm and friendly and made the whole experience. Split the vegetarian and beef combo with a chicken wot and was too much but we finished it out of respect for the chef. It was all very good but the white neon light on the ceiling was a bit cold for my taste.

Delicious dinner at Bete-Lukas! The food was so tasty we didn't have time for a photo. We had a group of 5 and got a nice big round table in the corner for sharing our meal. The lamb was a particular favorite. In addition to being a skilled and knowledgeable host, the man in charge of the place had a stand up comedian charm about him that had us laughing all night. You can tell he loves his work. There were big groups and small groups, as well as a bar. If you're visiting Portland do not miss Bete-Lukas, they will treat you right!

It was my first time eating Ethiopian food. I highly suggest this place. Our server was the best server I have ever had. The food was full of flavor. Next time I will try something more spicy my group went the mild route to be safe. Even though the spicy lvl was mild the flavor was the opposite. Every thing we tried had so much flavor. I did my best to let the flavor linger on my tounge but it was so yummy I ate it all so fast. If you want great food with great service this is the spot.

I have not had a lot of Ethiopian food. Some friends recommended this place and was a great meal. Food was excellent. Combination is the way to so you can try everything. Staff/owner was friendly and funny. Nice intimate place to have dinner. Parking is a bit of a pain.

Arrogant proprietor and unaccommodating reservation process. They claim on their website to take reservations for small groups, and they are listed on Google for reservations. I made one for my wife and I three hours in advance only to have them refuse it upon opening, and when I called to make one, the owner rudely told me, "we don't accept reservations after we open." Understanding from the reviews this place to be quite popular, I simply asked what the wait time was like for two, and was snidely dismissed. I'm sure the food is good, but hospitality and service are important too, and there are honestly too many delicious Ethiopian food options in Portland run by kind people to go to a place with this kind of smug vibe that frankly reminds me of San Francisco.

Delicious food. Amazing service. I highly recommend this great spot. The sample plate is a great way to go. Enjoy!

I think I was a victim of high expectations. I've eaten tons of Ethiopian, and the reviews made me think that this was going to be "it": the one. It's quite good, but not as incredible as what I was anticipating. The man working front of house is lovely and the food is good, but having one person serving, along with only one injera brought out at a time, meant that we needed to ask for a recharge a number of times. No real complaints, but would continue to try other local places before returning.

One of the more bizarre and unpleasant dining experiences of my life. Me and my girlfriend went in for dinner on a wednesday night, and the restaurant was mostly empty. Things got off to a strange start as we were being seated. I asked the fellow seating us, the owner, if we could have a particular table, and he responded by asking "why?" I quickly learned that every verbal interaction would be a strange contest of wits, with him rebutting every menu question with a question of his own, designed to try make me look stupid in front of my date. And the thing is - I am extroverted and genuinely enjoy engaging with waitstaff at restaurants. But this was like being heckled at a comedy club, or at best, the kind of ribbing done amongst old friends. The food was middling at best. I wanted tea, but my query regarding whether it contained caffeine was met with a belittling response, so I passed on that. The samosas were fine, but came with a pea-sized pellet of sauce in a dish, sufficient for 2 bites. The injera and its ingredients were at best warm, and portions were minimal. Asking for silverware generated much opprobrium from the owner, and I didn't fight him when he said we should eat it in the traditional way. Fine, but some tools would really help as we're getting towards the end of the dish. And something to clean our hands with is usually furnished at Ethiopian restaurants...but not at Lete-Bukas. I felt filthy after eating the meal. Our interactions were clearly unpleasant throughout the meal, and as I paid the bill I attempted to close the loop on a high note by inquiring what the name of the restaurant meant. Unable to help himself, he threw it back at me and said "why don't you try guessing", again engaging in his insecurity-driven dominance contest. I paid the high bill, chose a custom tip, and got us the hell out of there as fast as we could.

We've been here several times, it's been a hot minute, but tonight my wife wanted Ethiopian for her birthday. The place was as quaint as I remembered, and it smelled like heaven the moment we walked through the door. The owner (sorry I don't remember his name) does most of the waiting on tables and is usually ready to chat us up with a side of humor. He taught me, on my first visit years ago, to take the leftover spice-saturated injara home, cut it up and cook it in scrambled eggs the next morning. He said that's called fir-fir (sp?) and I've made it every time since. Tonight was busy, so he was a in the weeds, but the food was as delicious as we remembered and he comped us a side of injara for the wait.

The food service and ambiance are all incredible. It has great vegetarian food (I usually go for the vegetarian combo plate). Occasionally I'll do the beef combo plate which is equally as delicious. Beyond the food being delicious, the owner's sassy mouth is always a breath of fresh air that keeps me on my toes. Bete Lukas Ethiopian food is a great place to spice up date night or come with a large group of friends first a birthday.

Food was delicious. It was the first time we took our kids out to Ethiopian food and they loved it.

5 out of 5! Beta-Lukas is our favorite Ethiopian spot for the food, the experience and the staff. I like how they explicitly communicate the vegetarian choices as opposed to the meat-based choices. It is nice to not have to guess and second-guess the ingredients. WE have went to Bete-Lukas for many years, and we have always ordered the Veggie Platter plus one additional Entree, and it works really well for us! My husband adores the owner of the Restaurant, he is quite a character and makes some cheesy jokes from time to time, and keeps you on your toes! We went there often in person before the pandemic, but since the pandemic we have called to order or food as take away- and that works really well. I think their might be a website available to order online, but it is preferred by the restaurant if you call in your take-away order! And, if you haven't eaten Ethiopian food before, definitely be aware there is no silver ware provided. You can eat everything with your hands!! The food entrees are typically served on the injera bread, and you use the bread itself to grab and scoop the curries and other food entries. If you have never had injera bread, you should definitely remedy that asap and go eat at Bete-Lukas to try it! It is commonly defined as a sour fermented flatbread with a slightly spongy texture, traditionally made of teff flour. It seems more closely related to a pancake, then to bread, in my opinion, it is delicious and very light!

This is our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Portland! The food is always delicious (we usually get a veggie combo and meat combo, and add on extra orders of eggplant, chicken, fish, or lamb - one dish per person), prices are fair, and you can't beat the hospitality and humor (especially if you like deadpan) from Peter. Some dishes are definitely spicy, so if that's not your thing ask for advice before ordering. It's a cozy restaurant limited to about a dozen tables, and they're popular enough that they usually fill up quickly, so best to arrive when they open, or call ahead to see if you can get a reservation. The only warnings are that street parking is limited due to nearby construction, and it's a bit tricky to find (on the 2nd floor, head up the outside stairs that face 50th Ave), but don't let that dissuade you from giving it a chance!

My son and I just had the most incredible meal here - everything was wonderful from the hilarious restaurant owner to the delicious sambusa appetizers and veggie platter to the pleasant and relaxing ambience. You can taste that the food is made with love. The service was quick but we never felt rushed. I wish that I lived in Portland so that I could come here often, but I'll definitely be back whenever I'm in the area!

This is more than just delicious food, it is a lovely meal with delightful hosts. The focus is flavor and achieving it with perfect balance of spice. Thank you for the suggestions, the outstanding food, and making us feel welcome.

Coming to Bete-Lukas, is like coming home for dinner. The owner is superb, and is filled with humor! The restaurant is quaint and comfortable. Having been here many times - I can vouch for almost every dish on the menu! The Doro Key Wot, the fish dish, the veggie combo and beef combo - YUM! I think I've said "mhm" on a continuous loop while eating here. In over 10 years of my grandparents frequenting Ethiopian restaurants - no one has ever shown them how to properly eat the dishes as well as the proper bread/food ratio. When they visit from California they have to stop here! Best Ethiopian Ive tried by far!

Best Ethiopian food in PDX. Also gluten free. Only a dozen tables so often sells out fast. Outstanding.

Reliable Ethiopian food, nice people, easy take out. Glad to have Bete-Lukas in SE Portland!

Ordered the Ye- beg wot( lamb stew) $15 and the Ye-beg Alicha $14cubed lamb), Fosolia- $10Green beans and Tikei Gomen $9 ( cabbage, carrots and potatoes). Weekend special of Endugai Tibs $12 and Special DuroTibs(cubed Chicken and spinach)$13 Food was awesome especially for first experience with Ethiopian food. Eating with your fingers, using bread " Injera" to pick up the different foods! Delightful experience!

This place is delicious. Get the lentil samosas. They are spicy and delicious. The veggie samosas are also good but not spicy. From there we opted for the Beef combination, yabeg wot and the Gomen. Our favorite dishes were the kitfo with the Aylin and the sweet yellow beef dish. The amount of food was perfect for the two of us. We left full and VERY satisfied.

This place was wonderful. The location was nice. The ambience was superb. The prices were affordable and the Miser wat was the best I've ever had. We will be back!

Fabulous dining experience last night! Peter is incredibly fun & made excellent menu suggestions for my first time enjoying their excellent Ethiopian cuisine. The kale dish, the fish, the chicken & spinach were my 3 favorites among the 5 dishes we shared. All were very flavorful. The Berbere sauce on two of the dishes is quite spicy. A Malbec cut the heat nicely. Highly recommend for a great dining experience. Reservations a must. Thanks to Peter & team! I'll be back.

Slow service. Bland food. Unclean dining area. Two of us shared the veg combo and the meat combo. Everything was under seasoned and only slightly distinguishable from each other. The injera was ok, not as sour as you may be used to. No Ethiopian beers available.

We were looking to try a restaurant that we hadn't visited before and finally settled on this place out of all our choices. The unassuming outside belies how lovely this restaurant is inside. We had to try Tej - the Ethiopian honey wine, it's really good, highly recommend trying it, it was my first time trying it, and I enjoyed it a lot. We got veggie sambusa, Doro Key Wot(Chicken), Ye-beg Wot(lamb), and Veggie combo. The veggie sambusa's are a great start to the meal, very tasty. I liked all the entrees we had, I only wish they had a chicken or lamb combo, similar to the veggie combo.

I tried their veggie and meat combos before covid hit and man, I love this place! The service is dope. The food is delicious. And the honey wine was a perfect dessert! This place got me hooked on ethiopian food. Thanks Bete Lukas!

Best food, best service, and best ambiance of any restaurant in Portland, imo. Every time I visit I feel like family.

This place is so good. I get the vegetarian combo and always love it. Staff is great, fun place with authentic food.

Food was great, injera was darker than I'm used to when eating out which suggests more teff flour and less white flour so yay! The server was absolutely delightful and quite funny. The restaurant is just the right size to accommodate a good amount of people but still nice ambience. I'll go back!

The food at Bete-Lukas is mediocre and generic. I tried a wide range of dishes, and found none to be unique, innovative, or inspired. This is, at best, a run-of-the-mill place. What I found most unpleasant, however, was that the waiter, who simply could not stop spouting witless, idiotic "jokes," took the liberty of pushing my group into "family style" dining, despite our obvious inclinations to the contrary. Additionally, he nudged certain members of my party away from their original choices toward other menu items. These two strategies were employed solely based upon concerns of 1) profitability, and 2) convenience for the cook. Moreover, it's a lot easier to wash one large dish than, say, eight smaller ones. This waiter is cynical and exploitative. He sees customers as wallets to squeeze, not guests to please. Finally, quality Ethiopian restaurants which serve dishes without silverware customarily bring a pot of warm water to the table, and pour it over the hands of the diners so that each person can rinse before digging into the food. This is a very common practice -- and a particularly good idea during flu/cold season (especially during a pandemic). Needless to say, Bete-Lukas isn't conscientious enough to do this.

Authentic Ethiopian/Eritrean food. we really enjoyed the food and the service. The owners were also really humble and a joy to talk to.

Googled Best Ethiopian restaurant in Portland and this was one of the first options, it was my fiancé & I's second anniversary so I wanted to take us somewhere delicious. Very cute & quaint restaurant tucked away on the second floor of a three story building, a bit of a hidden gem. The lentil sambusa's flavors & mouth feel are incredible and so well balanced in rich & warm flavors. We ordered the veggie combo (a sampler of all the veggie options) & the Doro Alicha Wot, which is a Bone-in chicken thigh sautéed in a butter & onion curry sauce with a side of boiled egg. We got this family style- which I would recommend, and is basically all the entres shared on one huge piece of Injera, the flat spongey bread. They give you more Injera on the side as well. Appetizer, 2 entrees, 2 glasses of wine & a tea for under $60. The family that owns this restaurant is so sweet & the owner was joking around with everyone, making it such a warm space to be in.

The most delicious food you've had in a long time. And Peter just makes the place that much more amazing.

Bete-Lukas has some of the best Ethiopian food in Portland! The food is amazing and the service is great! The lamb ribs and the veggie combo are favorite dishes.

Great food. Great service. Good value. Ethiopian restaurants provide a unique dining experience and this one is no different. Everything is delicious and there are a ton of vegetarian options. We've been a few different times and most recently we brought our toddler along. The waiter was very good with her and helped warn which items were spicy and which are not and oriented the communal plate so she wouldn't get a bad surprise. They also provide plastic plates and cups for young dinners. The only possible downside to the restaurant is that it's on the second floor of the building and seems to only have stairs, so people with limited mobility may have difficulty.

Great food, lovely staff. We return often and especially enjoy Doro Wat. Highly recommended.