Buna Cafe Philly

This place is a gem in West Philadelphia. Sedakio, the owner has such an amazing and warm personality! The veggie platter is phenomenal - great flavor and taste. Highly recommend the Ethiopian coffee as well. One of the best, if not the best, Ethiopian spots in the city!

immaculate vibes and delicious food! everything i’ve tried is great and the people working there are really nice. cozy cafe. i hope they come back soon!!

This restaurant was really nice and the food was really good! First time having Ethiopian food and it was delicious! The host was so polite and helped me make a great food decision. I'll definitely be back to try a different dish.

Listen I only don't write reviews and this is was the best food I have ever tried. I tried different places Ethiopian food across the states. DMV has the best Ethiopian food and moving to philly I was looking for the best Ethiopian food. This place doesn't even compare and PLEASE OPEN AGAIN. WE HAVE MISSED YOU AND THEY ARE THE KINDEST PEOPLE ON THE WORLD. PLEASE OPEN AND I REALLY MISS THE FOOD!

What a fantastic place to have in the neighborhood. My wife and I come here maybe a lil too often, and it's the first place we take out of town guests. Best injera on Baltimore Ave, hands down! And some of the biggest portions. Warm service and the food is always excellent. Extensive desserts and café drinks. Board games and party games available. You can't go wrong. If you're having a bad day, Buna will turn it around 😊

Ordered one time now im hooked. The food is amazing and flavorful. I keep coming back not only because of the food but the owner is very kind and personable. Not too pricey great portion size , Vegan options. Take away is packed with care every time.

Great food, nice people, sweet vibes! We visited for brunch today and enjoyed everything we tried. My favorite was the homemade hot sauce (yum) and split chickpeas. I look forward to coming back. This would also be a great place to sit and read a book with some fantastic chai or coffee. They also had Ethiopian coffee beans and tea for sale, and some nice looking cakes, which we didn't try this time. Lots of vegetarian options. Brunch menu has Ethiopian breakfast & some American options (omelettes, etc.).

Really loved this place. I hope they open up again, one of the best Habesha spots in Philly.

Outstanding food with lots of vegan options! We got the veggie combo platter; everything on it was great. We also got the turmeric latte and the chai, both of which were outstanding; the turmeric latte was spicy and gingery, while the chai was more mellow and sweet. It's a very cute ambiance; medium sized and very homey and comfortable.

What's going on Yelp family and happy New Year to all had to make sure to start off the new year with a review of one of my new favorite places Buna Cafe right in the heart of West Philly. I was meeting a friend nearby who was new to the West Philly eating scene and I love starting people at places like Buna Cafe because of its wide range of Ethiopian Delights as well as the throwback style of its decor to the early 2000s Vibe of cafes in West Philadelphia. it took us a while to order because we were just enjoying all of the art the plant life and all of the little details that I never get tired of when I come here. I wound up ordering some dessert which was quite delicious if I could just remember what the name of it was what I'm really trying to say is of all my times here I've never had anything bad. Besides the food, I just love the environment here and it's such a good place to relax and reset to a good book while enjoying some good food.

I'd give it 10 stars if I could! Knocked it out of the park in every aspect. First, the cafe is super cute with Ethiopian music playing & lovely decor. It's spacious with two floors of seating and easy take out as well. The service is excellent. Sid is so friendly and wonderful. I was the only person in the restaurant for a brief period in between other guests leaving and coming, and we chatted about Ethiopia's history & travel, as I'm dying to go there. Above all, the food was fantastic. I got the Village Scramble, spiced eggs with veggies in injera. Wow wow wow! Their injera is delicious and the heat level was great (not ridiculously spicy, but a good kick). I also got their Shai Tea, similar to a chai but spiced slightly differently. It was delicious and now I know I can just come for a takeout chai latte here too. Can't wait to come back!

Buna Cafe Philly, nestled in the heart of the city, is a true gem for those seeking an authentic Ethiopian dining experience. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by an ambiance filled with traditional Ethiopian artwork and decor, setting the stage for a culinary journey. The meal commences with a standout Ethiopian black espresso, a rich blend enhanced with the unique flavors of rue and cardamom syrup. This bold and flavorful start is sure to awaken your taste buds. Following the espresso are the samosas, a pair of perfectly fried pastries, one stuffed with seasoned chicken and the other with beef. The samosas strike a balance between crispy exteriors and succulently spiced fillings, making them an irresistible appetizer. The centerpiece of the meal, the Beg Tibs, is a masterful representation of Ethiopian cooking. This dish features a stir-fry of tender lamb, which is both aromatic and richly flavored with a blend of Ethiopian spices, including onions, garlic, rosemary, and kibay. It's noteworthy how the lamb retains a savory depth without any gamey aftertaste. The Tibs is served atop injera, a traditional teff-based spongy flatbread. The injera is not just a base for the stir-fry but an integral part of the meal, with its light and airy texture making it perfect for soaking up the rich flavors of the Tibs. Accompanying the main course are scrambled eggs, prepared to a level of simplicity yet perfection, embodying the essence of this breakfast staple. As for beverages, the Ethiopian coffee served is a subtle affair, with just a hint of traditional spices. It provides a gentle contrast to the robust espresso that started the meal, rounding off the dining experience beautifully. Portion sizes at Buna Cafe are generous, which is pleasantly surprising and deeply appreciated. This generosity extends not just to the quantity of the food but also to the richness of flavors and the authenticity of the experience. In conclusion, Buna Cafe Philly is more than just a restaurant; it's a cultural experience that brings the heart of Ethiopia to Philadelphia. With its rich flavors, traditional methods, and welcoming atmosphere, it's a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the depths of Ethiopian cuisine.

This place is a disgrace to Ethiopian food. Super small portions of food for the high price. Although the Doro Wot was delicous, it was smallest chicken I have ever seen and they gave only two pieces and one boiled egg. The meat combo plate (Siga Wot and Siga Alicha w/ two veggie sides) was very underwhelming. The meat portions were tiny and barely flavorful. The veggies were just ok. We did have an order of chicken and beef samosas. Those were good. Sad that the appetizers at a restaurant tastes much better than the entrees. The customer service needs lots of work as well. Although this place is BYOB, our server wouldn't bring us cups until we ordered food. I guess she did us a favor by providing us with cups of water first. Our server brought our food out and we never saw her again. No other staff member checked on us either to see if we needed anything (and a few of them passed us as they were in and out of the restaurant). I was irritated and we were ready to leave. I went inside to pay the bill since no one came back to our table outside. Like we literally could have gotten up and went to our car and left. That's how ignored we felt. We did notice how the staff were being very attentive to other patrons inside the restaurant (Ethiopian as well and possibly family and/or friends). An Ethiopian guy (seemingly the owner or manager) was behind the counter and I told him I wanted to pay the bill. He had the nerve to ask how was everything. I said it was ok. I paid in cash and didn't leave a tip. That'll be the last time I go to this place as I do not recommend it whatsoever. I'm sure there are better Ethiopian spots in the Philly area.

Just ok! there is better ethiopian food in the city. I got delivery today and added a side of gomen. The combo I got had two types of beef which were alright. Ok tenderness but the flavor was minimal. The lentils and veggies on side were all cooked well but again, not much big flavor. The injera isn't too sour, it's light and fluffy. The lamb dish I got to try was tough, greasy, gamey loin chops. Super overcooked, and the yellow soup it was in was sort of flavorless and thin. Overall, fresh and light veggies but the meat dishes were plain and similarly flavored.

This was my first visit to Buna Cafe Philly (in West Philadelphia) but it won't be my last. I've been a huge fan of Ethiopian cuisine since I was a student at Penn in the 1980s, and I've had superb all the way down to simply horrible experiences at dozens of Ethiopian restaurants all over the USA and in several European countries, as well. The food at Buna is fresh, beautifully prepared, and very tasty. Like a few other reviewers have stated, there does seem to be a slight lack of "pop" in the flavor of some dishes here, but in my opinion this is made up for by the freshness and care of preparation of the food. The server I had was extremely friendly, helpful, and attentive. And I loved the physical space of the restaurant itself, with its clean, fun, colorful decor, including nice touches of Ethiopian artwork and decoration. I can't wait to go back!

Buna Cafe is a nice Ethiopian spot. The atmosphere is calming with beautiful artwork on the walls and lots of plants near the windows. They weren't busy the few times I visited. I think I was the only customer dining, which added to the calming ambiance. Service is quick. I received my food about 10 minutes after I ordered. For my first visit I tried the lentil sambusa as an appetizer. I received two pastries garnished with mint and sauce on the side. It was good. The breading was crunchy and the lentil filing was tasty too. For my main dish I chose the meat combo plate with siga wot, siga alicha, a house salad and two sides, lentils and greens served with injera. The siga wot and siga alicha beef stews both were tasty but it was missing something. The Ethiopian food I've had is usually rich in flavor but the meat was lacking. The side lentils and greens were lightly seasoned, but the natural flavors of the vegetable and legume came through. The injera was delicious spongy and sour. I enjoyed it. My next visit I got the lamb tibs juicy option. It comes with a side salad flavored with a vinaigrette served on injera. The plating was different from other spots I've tried. For one, the lamb tibs are served on the side in a bowl instead of on the injera, which would give the bread time to soak up the flavors from the lamb. Secondly, a small dollop of spice is placed on the injera rather than cooked with the lamb. As you can see from the photo it wasn't a lot sauce for the amount of lamb. I only had enough sauce for two bites. Overall, this is a great place to visit. If I decide to visit again will request additional sauce.

I would give this place 10 stars if I could. We got 2 vegan combo plates and.... all I'm going to say is that we were heaven. We WILL be going back! Parking was also super easy.

It's beautiful. It's homey. It's welcoming. It has delicious Ethiopian platters, delicious coffee, neighborhood vibes and friendly service. What's not to love? Come here. Bring wine (or don't) but order good food and coffee. Sit back and relax and feel how good it is to sit outside or in a comfy place with purple velvet couches and service with smiles all around. I definitely recommend this place. The food is delicious and this spot is too. Come here.

I've been coming here since 2021 and it is my favorite place to dine. My wife knows to bring me here on my birthday, Father's Day, as well as anniversaries. When first walking in the establishment you're immediately welcomed with greetings and the aroma the most delightful smells that bring excitement. The best way i can describe the ambiance is an oasis full of love and gratitude. You can't help but to smile while enjoying anything you order complemented with good vibe music. Best Ethiopian spot in Philly hands down!

Get ready to lick your lips! This place is legit; some of the best Ethiopian I've had! I ordered the vegetarian combo, my spouse the beef tibs, and my son ordered the beef stew. One thing to note, the dishes are healthier with significantly less oil in their preparation. We will definitely be back!

The food and service were wonderful. Highly recommend! The atmosphere was lacking a bit of warmth. But everything else made up for it.

I checked Yelp this was nearby and I could place the order through the Yelp app. It worked perfectly. My order was ready in the timeframe I was given through the app. Great job! I ordered a sandwich and the gift sampler. The Nigerian coffee in the sampler is delicious and I highly recommend it. I have yet to use the suya seasoning packet, the incense added was a cute touch just not special. The first time I went I was impressed over all although the cashier seemed a little standoffish. But I can get past that until........ Visit number two. It's not easy to find parking so it took a few times around the block to find parking. I needed something close so I could take my elderly mother in the restaurant. We asked to dine in however the only available tables I was told were available upstairs. My mother is disabled and unable to walk up to long winding flights. I explained this. In the back of the restaurant there was a meeting of a small group I understand if they've already made reservations for this spot. However! At the front of the store there were two tables and seating in the window is a sofa and a little coffee table. At the dining tables, two people at two different tables who were waiting for their food to go. (The staff mentioned to them their food would be ready soon.) My mother could not sit at the sofa with a low table far removed. They could have ask the people waiting for to go food to sit in the sofa area and allow people who wanted to dine-in to sit at the table? Customer lost no recommendation but I guess they don't need the business?!

Really enjoy this spot in West Philly. I love the spaciousness and the warmth of the space. I've been there for coffee and to do computer work in the later afternoon when they open, and at night for dinner. The food was good, though the portions are a bit smaller than some other spots. My friend and I felt like the food was very fresh. It's also BYO! I'll definitely be back for computer time and dinner.

The Village scramble was delicious and flavorful. The portion was just the right size on top of injera. Relaxed chill vibe on a Saturday morning with a perfectly varied playlist. Friendly service. Really like this place.

For some reason, there's a duplicate Buna Cafe for this place in West Philly, on Yelp. Copying my original review here. This place just opened, but my friends and I have already visited multiple times. What a fantastic gem. From the interesting drinks to the incredible, flavorful food and friendly service - it's a welcome, fresh addition to the usual Ethiopian places in West Philly. My favorites are the shai (chai with a delightful addition of thyme) and Gold is the Cure (tumeric milk), which might be the only drink with garlic that I can say I have loved. I would get these everyday if I could. The food is also amazing. They regularly make batches of homemade injera, and it's among the best Ethiopian I've had in West Philly so far (definitely beats Dahlak, Meskerem, Gojjo, Queen of Sheba). Favorites: village scramble, ful, doro wot. Outdoor dining + interesting food/drink options = especially good for a unique brunch. Hoping this place does well given our current situation. Definitely one of my favorite places in Philly now.

Food and environment is great. The drink menu is the best. I recommend the Ethiopian black iced tea.

Casual spot to come with friends, not the most fancy. We had the "vedge" combo with the misir as the central piece, khit, both gomens, and of course the salad. It felt like enough food for me to split two ways, but my partner was hungry later so maybe order two if you need more food to last through the day. I loved the food in general, although wished it was slightly more hot on its arrival. Not cold but definitely wanted it slightly warmer. We had the coffee with the cardamom syrup after, and that was an absolute treat! I loved it. Also enjoyed a vegan cupcake, which felt a little bit dry (but perhaps just needed to sit out so that the icing could be a little less hard). I'd definitely recommend this cute spot! Enjoy.

Tasty doro wat features a chicken leg, hard boiled egg a small salad garnish, the lamb stew and tge interesting flavor combo's in the lemonade and tea we ordered. The food was so pleasing I ordered take out for me teens. The staff seemed extremely busy and there was a service delay when a thunderstorm popped up and the waiter had to move everyone inside and stack up chairs before the wind carried them away. Hard working people, savory sustenance, great variety of music including Ethiopian, classic sixties jazz, lounge, attractive decor. A pleasant surprise amid the Covid era. For those seeking parking rather than a nice cafe, take my advice: Go to a suburban mall and eat at Cheesecake Factory. Buna Cafe is a restaurant, not a parking lot. Welcome to University City this location is walkable, bike friendly, 34 trolley and 52 bus at the corner.

Simple delicious! We were thrown in there by the beautiful bright colors. Once inside the atmosphere was great, mellow music and wonderful service. We ordered Behg kikil, Doro Wot, beet salad, beef samosas and mint, mango, lemon tea and pomegranate, mint tea. Everything was delicious. Definitely, we will be back.

Solid coffee, great Ethiopian food, and a friendly, responsible owner. Looking forward to going back again!

Haven't even tried the actual dishes but I already know this place is gonna be one of my new favorite spots in the area - amazing freshly made chai "shai" latte and delicious pastries like homemade goey monkey bread! Very friendly people and nicely decorated interior. Love the creativity in the menu as well, classic dishes and some of their own creations which I can't wait to try. When I complimented them on their blend of chai they even offered to make some to take home and give as a gift to a loved one - truly amazing customer service!

This is a new spot just literally opened during the pandemic. Inside is fully renovated and you can tell a lot of work went into the construction. I ordered takeout a couple of times, a lot of times when I came in I was told there was no kitfo. The kik alicha yellow spilt peas were good. I am guessing maybe meat dishes may not be a popular seller. I have been to hundreds of Ethiopian restaurants in Ethiopia, the USA and Europe. The meat dishes come down to the cut of meat and the meat I was giving was very hard and stringy. The food the first time I ordered was amazing, however other times the food was not that great and subpar. The beef Tibs the meat was a bit hard and chewy. The injera on this visit was hard and old I could see by the texture it was not a fresh batch. I was disappointed in the experience and the food. I understand it is a new spot yet that is no excuse for the poor quality of meat and injera. Parking is a tough on that side of Baltimore ave, best to walk, Uber, bike, or catch the 34 trolley.

Buna Cafe has delicious food! I haven't eaten at the cafe yet, but we've gotten takeout a few times and the food held up great and was nice and hot when we got home. We got the shiro (ground chickpeas and spices) and the misir (red lentil stew in spices) - both were awesome but I particularly liked the misir. The injera (bread) is delightfully pillowy and the side salad had a nice vinaigrette, watch out for the jalapeños! We also got a huge slice of baklava that was delectable. The owners are super friendly, I enjoyed chatting with them while waiting for my food to be ready. The cafe is cute inside and has nice outdoor seating, I'm looking forward to dining in some day.

Absolutely a great Ethiopian food experience. Coffee is also wonderful! Service outstanding! Cute little place.

I love this place and go here all the time. I get their veggie combo and fish tibs since I don't eat non-seafood meat -- deliciously spiced, satisfyingly filling, and even the little side salad is tasty rather than just a green garnish. I'm sure their meat dishes are excellent. Plus the folks who work here are lovely, and it's right next to Greensgrow :)

Cute little cafe with excellent food and a friendly staff. The injera was really good.

Great food. Very homey and comfortable. The owner made sure we had everything we needed. We were able to eat outside and it was lovely.

Absolutely amazing; one of the best Ethiopian spots on Baltimore ave and that's saying something. Shout out to their veggie lunch special as a definite highlight.

We love Buna! The food, juices, coffee were all amazing we will be back soon. I'd recommend either meat or veggie dishes including veggie sampler. And the juice concoctions wow!

Over the past decade+ we have tried quite a few Ethiopian places in West Philly, this is one of the best! The restaurant is next to GreensGrow. The white sign and the awning make it easy to spot. There are 4 sitting areas, outside, just inside in the cafe area, a back room and a small upstairs. We sat upstairs and had a nice view of the small park across the street and enjoyed the World Music playing. The food was terrific. The Chef, Bella, makes everything fresh. We started with a lentil sambusa. Light, crispy and delish! My SO likes hot sauce and I don't but the sauce that came with it was a great balance. I had a Gold is the Cure Tea. I loved it. I only wish I had ordered it for dessert. I would go back just to drink this. Now for the rest of the meal. We mentioned to the waiter that we were vegetarian. He said he would do a mushroom Ingudai and give us a little of each of the vegan options. Glad we took him up on his offer. The Shiro and Misir were great. We "fought" over the Khik (chickpea puree with cinnamon and other spices) and the Gomen, but ate until we could not eat anymore. Needless to say we will be back. Two words of caution - do not go if you are in a hurry. Service was slow but we were not going anywhere and our patience was rewarded with terrific food. Second - there are HOT peppers in some of the dishes. You can avoid them as you eat but know that they are there. Go check this place out!!

Inspired to write my first(?) Yelp review by the involuntary "wow" that emerged while eating this meal. Yum, thankful, will be revisiting Buna!

What a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. The food is delicious, there are wonderful sweet treats and coffee drinks, the people are kind and patient, and appear to be taking good care with covid precautions. It takes some guts to open in the middle of a pandemic. I'm so glad they're here and I hope they stay very a long time.

The food was delicious and many vegan options! Some of the best Ethiopian food I've had in a long time and the portions are very generous. My favorite was the Misir. I will definitely be ordering from them again.

This is one of the best spots to hang out in the area. Not only are the food and drink very tasty, but they also offer fun seasonal/specialty items that are not offered anywhere else. The service and general ambiance make Buna Cafe a standout: you are always greeted warmly and the inviting atmosphere make it a perfect spot to relax with a warm drink. I highly recommend the breakfast options (ful, village scramble) and the homemade chai is delicious! The veggie combo is also very tasty.

Ordered 2 items for takeout - Yebeg Tibs (spicy) & Doro Wat. Pros: Store is upscale vs. usual Eth restaurants. New just opened last Oct in the middle of the pandemic - impressive! Both containers were nicely wrapped in saran wrap so car did not smell - good touch! Both tasted great but generally about the same as the best from Dahlak, Abyssinia etc. Definitely very good but not the best I have ever had. Cons: Portion sizes are average not generous. The Doro Wat had more eggs (2) than chicken though the chicken was nicely cooked. The Yebeg Tibs tasted slightly different from (what I always think of genuine Eth) - almost as if the cook is from a different part of Eth? Some may like this version better so not really a con (the difference is subtle). My biggest issue is with pricing of the Tibs. The Yelp menu has $12.50, the store menu has no Tibs price at all and I was charged $17.00 with the receipt showing "Tibs + $7.00: Beg". Is the base price $10.00 with $7.00 extra for lamb/Yebeg? What's extra? How much is it? Overall: Nice place tasty food and now that I know how much Tibs cost will give it another try in the near future.