Bole Ethiopian Restaurant

My husband and I love this restaurant. We come here nearly every time we take a trip into Portland. The owner is so nice and knows our go-to order. The food is always 10/10 and the prices are very reasonable. Highly recommend this place.

I had a wonderful meal here with my son. We shared the veggie platter for two. Each dish it included was exquisite— uniquely spiced, aromatic and delicious. The atmosphere was cozy, the music beautiful and the service attentive. We will definitely be back!

We ate at Bole this evening. The place wasn't busy, and I can't imagine why as the food is spectacular. The young lady who served us was very pleasant and was willing to answer questions I asked about the Ethiopian alphabet that was on a hanging on the wall. It was fascinating to learn that the characters contain both vowel and consonant sounds. But we were there to eat, and so we did. We had the veggie combination plate. It was delightful. Each of the seven dishes was delightful. The flavors are not terribly complex, but each dish is seasoned in a way that shows off the taste of the different vegetables. We truly appreciate that the items are not oily at all. The serving was plenty for the two of us; we came away full but not feeling stuffed. The injera was lovely,with a nice bright and tart taste and perfect with each of the dishes.

My husband and I shared the veggie combo. All the items were outstanding. Service was friendly. We felt warmly received. We might have taken some food home, but the meal was so good we simply ate it all. A great buy that was both delicious and satisfying.

Bole is such a cozy spot and is so warm and inviting! I went with my parents recently and we had such a great experience! The food was perfect, and comforting and delicious! And the injera was just perfect. I definitely recommend coming to Bole. They are such sweet and kind folks and their food is absolutely delicious!!

I had Ethiopian food after 5 years. It is a family driven restaurant. A beautiful and small restaurant - nothing fancy quite raw. Excellent food.we ordered vegeterian platter. Highly recommended. Samosa is not value for money.

The food is not that great! And I despise the fact that the very people you tried to help their business thrive scam you. The price that shows on the menu and what I got charged are different… Misto $16.50 Kitfo $ 20.00 these are the price I saw on the menu and as a matter of truth you can see the actual menu on here.. one may ask why I tipped after all these for I don’t like taking out the owners intentional deception on the waiter. But after the fact I found out the person I thought is a waiter is actually the owner 😡😡😡

Really good food, and the server was great at answering questions, plus they were super friendly. It took two of us to finish the veggies combo platter, so you get a lot for your money

Great little family restaurant with tasty authentic Ethiopian classics. Their injeera is really great--so light and lacy you can see through it!

Colorful, modest, and incredible yummy food. We loved all the combo meat dishes they served us! So good!

Add this to the many Portland Ethiopian restaurants and carts I've tried over the years. Maybe it's difficult to mess up this cuisine because once again the meal was very satisfying. I craved beef tartar, but you only get the one dish for $20. So I opted for the veggie combo which was a good value and excellent variety for $17. Unless you're very partial to a specific dish, the combo is the way to go. Sadly, they were out of honey wine, a staple at any Ethiopian restaurant, so that was a bummer. The service was very pleasant and the atmosphere very homey and inviting. A definite recommend.

Been here a few times now and always been happy. I've tried their classic Ethiopian spread with Injera (the spongy bread that you use as a utensil) which has a mix of mushy meat and vegetable piles which admittedly doesn't sound appetizing but it is. I couldn't tell you what any of the actual ingredients/meats were on my plate but it was all tasty and colorful. I've also tried their Awaze Tibs which is a grilled meat dish (beef I think) reminded me of a fajita plate sort of. Though I haven't eaten enough Ethiopian food to be able to decide between which out of the few nearby Ethiopian spots is the best but I've enjoyed them all. I think even your white grandmother could enjoy this if she's a bit of an adventurous eater. The flavors here are all very mild while still tasty nothing spicy or too new flavor wise. and not just here most Ethiopian spots I've been. The thing that makes this one my favorite is the very cozy vibe in here. Only a few tables and not very good for a group larger than 5 (at least without calling ahead so they can rearrange tables). The lady here is also very nice.

Of all the Ethiopian restaurants in visited in Portland, this by far got my eyes rolling to the back of my head the food was absolutely delicious. What was interesting was the injera was unique, it was a tab bit sweet, with a hint of sour blends and perfectly sticky enough to help grasp at the food when eating with the hands. This place is definitely my favorite and my future frequent visits from me. If you haven't tried traditional Ethiopian cuisine, GO HERE NO JOKE

Delicious, authentic Ethiopian food. We had a variety of plates, each was a slice of heaven. Will come back again.

Absolutely the best Ethiopian food I've had in the U.S. Fresh, smoky, spicy, tangy--the whole flavor array. Very kind proprietor.

I'm from California, this was the best Ethiopian food in Portland, the atmosphere is beautiful too! Best service in town

Amazing food and great ambience. Family-owned authentic and delicious food. I ordered the veggie plate and the injera was some the best I've ever had. Got there early for dinner and it was packed before I left. Was in Portland visiting for work but is at the top of my list for my return trip.

A lovely Ethiopian spot on NE Alberta. Friendly, warm service. And the food: OMG! The best Ethiopian I have had in town. Wonderful experience.

Great Ethiopian food. Friendly atmosphere. Family owned. Fast service Freshly cooked dishes.

Bole has great food and generous portions. It is a sweet and intimate spot on Alberta!

I seek out Ethiopian food and I have been curious about this place with a bright facade. I had the veggie combination and the Misto, beef in two sauces, takeaway. The veggie combo had beets, green beans and carrots, yellow split peas, collards, cabbage and carrots, red lentils and green lentils. It can feed two. I would ask if it is vegan, if you do vegan, the green beans and carrots tasted buttery. Bole follows the flavored by ingredients, mild spices, and a very small amount of salt. All of the veggies were tasty. The red lentils had a little spice. The key wot beef was mild-medium spice, a little thicker berbere, but not like the old Jarra's, or strong cinnamon & clove flavors. It has a slight sour flavor. The alicha wot beef was the star menu item. It is sweet, onions in the dish are blended into a sauce, where other places they would be sliced. There is a blended green vegetable in there too, and carrot pieces. Both meat dishes had ginger in their melange of flavors. The injera was fine, sour not lemony, and not bitter, though I like bitter. It is a small restaurant with a full bar. Their prices are extremely reasonable. I'm adding it to my list of Ethiopian food https://www.yelp.com/collection/S6aAlFKE7m1h14Lmf1_EDw/Ethiopian-Food-Yum. I would put it near the top of current Ethiopian/Horn of Africa restaurants operating today in Portland.

I have been craving Ethiopian food and Bole hit the spot. Great service, quaint atmosphere and the food - well - nothing short of Divine! I HIGHLY recommend Bole. We will be back. Thank you. Oh - we ordered the vegetarian and misto combination. FABULOUS!

Great meal great service! Would recommend especially if you're in the Alberta/MLK area.

Recently from the Seattle are, my sister took me to Bole, I immediately felt at home in a convivial environment. We were served as though we were longtime honor guest, our menu choices were explained to us, and Bole made helpful suggestions which enhanced our dining experience. Bole seemed like an authentic Ethiopian Restaurant, catering to Ethiopian and the general public, who wanted great cuisine at an affordable price. I was greatly impressed by the delicious generously portioned cuisine, prompt and courteous service, comfortable ambivalence, and exceptionally affordable prices.

Humble and delicious! My wife and I have tried most of the Ethiopian restaurants in Portland and this one has become one of our top choices to frequent. We eat vegetarian and love the comb platter! Their Doro Wat is so flavorful and has just the right amount of spice.

After spending a week in Portland, this establishment is at the top three of my favorite places (others were Mexican and American burgers. All unique of each other). The atmosphere set is very inviting and soft on the eyes, loaded with what the owner chooses to show as their Ethiopian culture. A party of three, we had the Key Wot beef and awaze tibs (lamb) and it was a wonderful flavor dish. The lovely woman whom served us, she was working solo. The wait didn't feel extended as the setting laid is one to look around and comment. Ethiopian coffee, fresh and nothing added ?my request) - very robust and much power in the brew! She explained the breading used as the utensil and, personally, I should've asked her name.

The flavored were amazing and it was some of the best food I've had in a while! The server was so friendly and welcoming. Will definitely be back!

My partner and I went here yesterday on a Friday evening at 5:15. There were 2 other tables there were seated. We were waiting to be seated and the owner tells us in a low voice, almost as if they didn't want the other tables to hear, that they were out of injera. It seemed off as it was only 5:15 on a Friday and to be already out of injera and two other tables were seated, and to tell us in a whisper? It was off-putting and we thought maybe it was because we were a queer couple. We ended up going to Abbysinian instead. Maybe it was a coincidence, but either way, how do you run out of a main menu item at 5:15 and you aren't a new restaurant and were hardly crowded? There are plenty of other Ethiopian restaurants to try that we are okay not returning to this one.

This is the most amazing Ethiopian restaurant. I've tried almost all of them in PDX. This is consistently the best.

Consistently delicious. The longer you wait, the more fire the food will be. I appreciate them remaining true and always putting out high quality food.

The food was delicious. Language barrier messed up our desire to get seconds but it kept us from spending more money.

HOLY BOLE! I have never had Ethiopian food but let me tell you what; it was bliss! I had given up on lentils they had always been under cooked and poorly seasoned but not these! They have renewed my interest in them, I ate the whole plate and could have eaten more if i wasn't so full. And the injera bread, ahh chef kiss, for something that is so simple it was incredible and compliments every dish so well with the tangy zip on the back of every bite. And such a unique texture but again compliments the heartiness of the entree. I have never been so content with such simple ingredients, absolutely recommend. The dishes are simple but excellent and the atmosphere is small and cozy perfect vibe for a rainy afternoon meal. I had the Defin Miser- Wot and my husband had the Derek Tibs with Lamb- again excellent, perfectly cooked lamb simple ingredients but seasoned so well and bread to soak up all the beautiful sauce leaving you with a clean plate and full belly.

Shared 2 combos of vegetables & meat. Sadly the vegetables- Miser key, Ater kik, Defin, Gormen, Atakilit, unknown beets dish were ALL bland. There was a unknown green bean with hints of cinnamon to it, which I found to be interesting, but again hinting at bland. Had to ask for extra spice to sprinkle on top. Meat combo of Alicia and Key wot beef was delicious. Injera was delicious. Food arrived quickly. Service was low-key & lack luster. Uncomfortably too warm for such a small place. Had an itch for Ethiopian...and it's nice to know this place exists but there are others within a small radius.

I got the vegetable combination with two extra Injera. The Injera is so good, my favorite. So flavorful and tasty. I can't wait to come back and have a more veggies and more injera. The beets aren't on this one but it's also a good dish.

Small restaurant.good service. We really enjoyed the food. The vegetarian combo is a great deal.

Terrible service. Me and my sister ordered kitfo, dorowatt and veggie combo It's a very small restaurant. Not only were the portions small but it seemed like there were many men at the bar who were rowdy, drunk and messy. They were all very upset that me and my sister was from Sudan... One of the 9 rude men at the bar who was very drunk loud and disrespectful began immediately throwing rude looks at both me and my sister and saying rude racist comments at us in English and Amharic. The man was also insulting any white person that walked in! Me and my sister speak Amharic so we understood everything . The bartender/ server was a woman & just laughed and made fun of us with all the drunk loud and rude men at the bar. We try to eat our food in peace on top of all this when suddenly one of the rude man out of the 9 turned and asked us how many languages were spoke in Sudan.... Me and my sister trying to be nice, answered him and he argued with us as an Ethiopian man shouting we are stupid & we were wrong? After she served us our food He immediately Began to get up in our faces and he TOUCHED our food , insulting us back to back calling us ugly (not true) and happy we aren't Ethiopian! During this we were asking him kindly to stop and return to his seat to let us eat in peace. The server just stood there and laughed and egged him on NOT doing anything. me and my sister could barely finish our food and left immediately in tears. The server is a larger Ethiopian woman , kinky black hair with bright skin and very disrespectful. She didn't even have the courage to tell him to stop after we were asking him to stop multiple times , she let him walk up to us, touch our food and insult us, even laughing with him!! As two college educated women, we really were upset just as anyone would be. This was by far the worst day of my life and has traumatized my sister from even wanting to go out to any Ethiopian restaurants in fear they may do this again. Ps: we speak Amharic and Ethiopia is Sudan's neighbors :( how disappointing! Shameful

My favorite Ethiopian restaurant. it is in a very down home, small and simple room with only a few tables and, when I've been there, it seemed the server and cook were the same woman. awesome food and injera.

This place is just so darn tasty! I've been here three times and have had basically everything on the menu - it's all good! The injera is perfect - spongy and light with a pleasant acidity. It's a small place with a small staff, so bring your patience along with you.... you will not be disappointed!

We're visiting from San Francisco- this place was so amazing! We ordered the combination vegetarian with a few other meat dishes- so delicious!!

The sauces were very good! Flavorful meats (in sauce) some of the best in Portland. Small restaurant with it looked like 2 ladies working it -- one waiting and one cooking.

Me and my partner came here the other day and were very impressed. The woman running the restaurant was extremely sweet and created a beautiful environment. We got the veggie plate and some sweet honey wine. We liked the wine so much we bought a bottle of it to take home. If you're looking for great service and delicious/comforting food I'd recommend coming here

As good as you can get for Ethiopian food. -Flavor -Lot of options -Great injera -Flexible -Great service We came with 10 people and the did a great job on everything. Thumbs up for this place.

Wonderful restaurant. The owner is such a lovely presence and graciously accommodated all our requests. The food was incredibly flavorful; the lentils were just divine! The tea was a perfect way to end the meal. Highly recommend!

Absolutely scrumptious! Loved every dish included in the veggie sampler. Very happy to have serendipitously discovered this gem.

The best Ethiopian restaurant I've tried in Portland. Get the combo meals if you want to taste a lil bit of everything.

This is the best Ethiopian food in Portland for sure. The quality of the food is amazing. Food is fresh and delicious. Service is great. I highly recommend this place.

The lady who runs the restaurant was super nice, and the food was AMAZING! try the veggie combo. it was enough for four people. the injera was velvety and delicious, and the greens and the cabbage will live on in my dreams for ever. Love this place!

Wonderful food! Extremely hospitable and authentic atmosphere. If you are visiting PDX or a Stumptown foodie, this Ethiopian is truly the best in the city. The injera is just the right thickness and the doro wat, just as pictured is delicious. If veggies are more your thing then try the combination platter. The two of these dishes were plenty for me and my honey.

Awesome spot! Loved our Ethiopian dinner here! We ordered the mixed veggie and lamb dish. Will definitely be coming back!

Open now! Lovely little place, easy to miss but for the bright colored exterior. I got the veggie combo which was easily enough for two (or lots of leftovers for one). Cabbage was edging towards bland but the spicy red lentils were divine and the beets both sweet and savory.

Got the veggie combo and meat combo to go, $14 each. The Injera was fluffy, sour, perfection and it was so plentiful. Both combinations were so delicious, I couldn't decide which was my favorite! Everything was flavorful, fresh and satisfying. I highly recommend Bole, especially of you are trying to support black owned business.

Great hole in the wall Ethiopian restaurant. I'll make this a part of my monthly rotation of Restaurants.

My spouse and I ate there tonight. We've eaten at a good many Ethiopian restaurants all around the US. This one is very impressive. We had the veggie combination, and we found all the dishes delightful. A bit spicy and very well flavored. Each was distinctive and delicious. The string bean and carrot dish was our favorite with just a bit of sweetness. (And I am not really a fan of sweet tastes.) We also had the raw kitfo. It stole the show! I know raw meat isn't everyone's thing, but we loved it. The taste was superb and the texture was silky. Won't be our last visit.

We LOVED our veg meal from Bole. My 17-year old daughter devoured the leftovers for breakfast the next morning, a huge compliment to the chef! Everything we had were particularly delicious versions of each dish. Thank you so much; we will surely be back soon!

my family's first time trying Ethiopian food and we loved it. The reviews drew us in and they were right on. The food is just as described, full of flavor and really satisfying. but the best part was the atmosphere, which flowed directly from our hosts and owner, who made us feel very welcome.

TL;DR: Service was non-existent, food was cold, prices were on the higher end. We tried this place out at the recommendation of an Ethiopian-American acquaintance. We arrived at around 6:30pm on a Thursday. It was pretty windy outside so when I opened the door, not realizing it was broken, the door flew open and the lady behind the counter gave me a disgusted look. First impression: not welcoming. We sat down and got waters, standard. I had to get up to get someone from the back so that we could place our order. Food got to the table in about 20-25 minutes, which we guessed was because we got something that had to be cooked. That's fine. There were only 3 other couples in the restaurant and they had all already ordered and were eating. The food was ok, definitely have had much better somewhere else. The vegetarian stuff were room temp and the injera bread was cold. So then when you eat your room temp food with your cold bread, everything was just cold. I had to look up if they were supposed to be served that way, nope. We finished eating. The entire time, no one checked in on us--no one was even on the floor of the restaurant. They stayed in the kitchen the entire time. When we got impatient, we got up and walked to the kitchen door and asked them if they could cash us out. DIdn't ask how everything was. The younger lady ran my card and had me sign without any thanks or anything. She seemed like she hated being there. I'd say that was such a waste of time and money. There's another one on 122nd that I really, really enjoyed so that'll be our default Ethiopian joint from now on.

The veggie combination platter was very good! The best part was the green bean dish (tons of flavor). My boyfriend and I each got a veggie combo and it was too much food. One of these definitely feeds two people comfortably for $14. Ive been to a few Ethiopian restaurants and this is one of the best. We loved how the combo came with extra injera bread so you don't have to pay extra. The only thing we didn't like were the undercooked potatoes. They were a bit hard. The collard greens(bottom right) were okay. Next time we'd switch out the collard greens for more green beans (bottom left hand corner in picture). Will come back again!