Cafe Lalibela Ethiopian Cuisine

We recently had the pleasure of dining at this fantastic restaurant with a group of friends and their families, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment we stepped in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, setting the perfect backdrop for an evening filled with laughter and delicious food. We explored the menu, which was a treasure trove of culinary delights. In fact, there wasn’t a single dish that didn’t pique our interest! We decided to try a variety of about 12 different dishes, each more incredible than the last. From savory appetizers to mouthwatering mains, every bite was a burst of flavor. It was clear that each plate was crafted with care and expertise, making it difficult to pick a favorite. The staff at the restaurant were absolutely exceptional. They were attentive without being intrusive, always ready with a smile and a recommendation. Their knowledge of the menu was impressive, and their suggestions truly elevated our dining experience. It felt like we were being guided through a delightful culinary journey, and we appreciated their enthusiasm for the food they served. Another bonus was the parking situation. The restaurant boasts a spacious parking lot, making it convenient for our group to gather without any hassle. All in all, our evening was filled with great company, delectable dishes, and outstanding service. I can’t wait to go back and explore more of the menu; it’s a place I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for a remarkable dining experience!

This gem is in Tempe, right near Mills and ASU. Far enough away that there is good parking. The food is tasty and the atmosphere is a little slice of Ethiopia. Try the vegetable sampler! The tea is fragrant, spiced, and refreshing. The bathroom is perfectly clean and beautifully updated.

You must go here ASAP! The Lalibela Deluxe and Kifto are essential - amazing texture and flavor on all the meats and veggies. Their injera was so fluffy. I loved the colorful environment and the traditional Ethiopian coffee was so cute with the wooden pot and little cups.

I been to this restaurant twice so far, always delicious and great service. The food portions are generous as well. They also offer gluten free injera and the gluten-free teff cake is delicious, definitely a must!!!!

First time. Eating lunch with my son. He recommended eating here so I’m here. Atmosphere very cool. Chill vibes are wonderful and delightful. Of courses I’m hesitant to try new food. But with my kids they want different food so albeit. It’s me trying new food. Go figure. I’m trying the platter. Let you know how it comes out. Very flavorful, hint of sweetness, texture, time in preparing and ingera u use to eat your food with. Scoop and eat. Not too bold very pleasant. Salem , āmeseginalehu. Thank you

Amazing food! Lunch special isn't too pricy for what you get and the coffee is lovely. I especially like that the menu informs you about Ethiopian food culture.

Our international food night crew of 10 recently had the pleasure of dining at Cafe Lalibela, and it was a unanimous 5-star experience! The location was clean and inviting, and the service was incredibly friendly. But the true star of the show was the food. We opted for several sampler platters, which turned out to be the perfect way to explore the vibrant flavors of Ethiopian cuisine. The menu offered a fantastic variety, and every dish we tried was absolutely outstanding. If you're looking for a delicious and unique dining experience for your next international food night, Cafe Lalibela is a must-try! You won't be disappointed. Great to note they’re great with dietary restrictions vegan and dairy specifically.

I had an amazing dining experience at this Ethiopian restaurant! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, with beautiful traditional decor and soft music that set a relaxed tone. The server was incredibly attentive and welcoming, patiently guiding me through the menu and ensuring that every detail was perfect throughout the meal. The food was phenomenal—each dish was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. The injera was perfectly soft and tangy, pairing wonderfully with the rich, savory stews and vibrant vegetable dishes. Everything tasted authentic and freshly prepared, clearly made with care and passion. The overall experience was flawless. Whether you’re new to Ethiopian cuisine or a longtime fan, this place is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be coming back in the future!

The food was immaculate, the service never skipped a beat and the ambiance was simply delightful. Definitely coming back

We recently had the pleasure of dining at this fantastic restaurant with a group of friends and their families, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment we stepped in, the ambiance was warm and inviting, setting the perfect backdrop for an evening filled with laughter and delicious food. We explored the menu, which was a treasure trove of culinary delights. In fact, there wasn't a single dish that didn't pique our interest! We decided to try a variety of about 12 different dishes, each more incredible than the last. From savory appetizers to mouthwatering mains, every bite was a burst of flavor. It was clear that each plate was crafted with care and expertise, making it difficult to pick a favorite. The staff at the restaurant were absolutely exceptional. They were attentive without being intrusive, always ready with a smile and a recommendation. Their knowledge of the menu was impressive, and their suggestions truly elevated our dining experience. It felt like we were being guided through a delightful culinary journey, and we appreciated their enthusiasm for the food they served. Another bonus was the parking situation. The restaurant boasts a spacious parking lot, making it convenient for our group to gather without any hassle. All in all, our evening was filled with great company, delectable dishes, and outstanding service. I can't wait to go back and explore more of the menu; it's a place I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone looking for a remarkable dining experience!

This was my first time trying Ethiopian food, and I was not disappointed! When you walk in, you're hit with a strong smell of spices. Be sure to come with clean hands, as you are eating with your hands for your meal (although they do provide you forks just in case). My party and I got the vegan deluxe (said to serve 4), as well as the stewed beef, stewed lamb, and lamb tibs. What pleasantly surprised me was that the vegan platter was actually pretty good; the flavour was still there, and despite only eating lentils and chickpeas, it was cooked well enough and with different textures that it didn't feel that way at all. The standouts for my meal though were definitely the meat dishes. All three were very yummy, and I'd definitely order any one of them again. The bread its served with is like a crepe, but sourdough. On its own, I didn't like it too much, but with the other flavours? Delicious.

Got some pretty good food delivered from here! I had no clue what Ethiopian Cuisine even was, but I definitely wasn't disappointed. Very unique concept!

I love this place. There are other Ethiopian restaurants closer to where I live. Nope we are doing the 20 minute drive for the best. Fast and good service. Oh yes the food is comatose good. Flavors will help you get your life. I usually come with my foodie husband but I needed a me, myself, & I night. The ambiance is nice African music and very clean. They've been here for over 20 years and you cannot tell. Fluffy Grandma recommends.

Amazing and authentic Ethiopian food, great lunch specials for $12.95. Incredible value for the high quality and great flavors of this food. It is a small family run business and everyone who works there is very friendly and nice. This is a very unique find, very highly recommended!

I used to come here almost monthly but haven't been for a few years. I was concerned, given some of the recent reviews. Well, they did NOT disappoint! The atmosphere was great, service was spot on, and the food...OMG I've missed this!! Alicha sega wat and tikil gomen...so amazing!!

I hate to do this, but I need the chef/owners to be aware. Now, I'm not sure if it was just an off day, but come on. What in the flavorless heck is going on here? I ordered delivery, and the food was cold - from the inside, and the flavor was nonexistent - I mean, it tasted bland in the worst fashion. I'm shocked that they would serve this as a representation of flavorful cuisine. This was a horrible experience, and I hate that I have to write this. Absolutely abhorrent. Annnnnnd, to add insult to injury, they charged $3.50 for a small, glass half full cup of a fountain Sprite in a plastic cup. It wasn't even a can or bottle of soda. This HAS to be the most painful review I've ever had to write. Do better folks.

My ears are still ringing. The energy Saturday night at Cate Lalibela is conspicuous. The staff was extremely convivial. I choose to build my own - lamb, chicken, and chard. I crave spice and flavours like these and it absolutely hit the spot. Carnivore and vegan friendly, Cafe Lalibela has something on the menu for every foodie.

First time trying Ethiopian food, so I have no standard to compare it to. I do want to say it's a good place to start. Parking in a private lot and easy. Service was relatively quick and staff was nice too. Lalibela deluxe platter - Comes with 1 basket of injera per person. To be honest I'd have a hard time pointing out what was what - I just know it was great. All the meat options - doro wat, alicha sega wat, key sega wat, and yabeg alicha were fantastic. Salad/fresh veg on the side was seasoned well and really added to each bite. I feel like portions here as labeled on the menu can be a bit ambitious, because we shared this platter for 2 and it really could have served 3/4. Ended up taking home maybe 40% of the food. Traditional Ethiopian coffee - Though we ordered a small pot, this came in a sizable pot and small cups for stronger coffee. Gets a pleasant buzz going without any of the really strong, really fast-absorbing caffeine that makes you jittery. Pot keeps the coffee nice and hot. Sip slowly to really enjoy the slightly bitter brew. Bathrooms are quite clean and spacious, and we felt very comfortable washing our hands before and after. I'd be back here with a group to try their larger platters!

Celebrated Galentines with my bestie and omg how cool is this place! We went in for their Valentines 3 course meal special. The menu is vegan friendly which is primarily why she chose this spot. Although I am not vegan I enjoyed the food and it was all packed with flavor! This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and I was very impressed! I Will definitely be back again to try the rest of their regular menu.

Went with a group and we shared a large platter. Portions are big enough for even some leftovers. This is the 1st time have Ethiopian food and it was interesting. For the most part the service was great, although there was too many people and not enough waiters.

bland and expensive! nice ambiance with a fancy set up and nice decorations. Service is fine, people are nice but food is not very good and it is way overpriced! Cafe Gojo is a much better option!! food is delicious and reasonably priced!

Yumm! What a delightful spot! I popped in on a Monday night for dinner with a friend. We shared the vegan Platter for two and tea. It was more than enough for us both, and we took lots home! The food was good! It's not the most flavor-packed Ethiopian food I've had, but it's good nonetheless. The restaurant is on a inconspicuous strip mall. Plenty of seating, casual. The gal working was sweet and friendly. We didn't feel rushed and enjoyed our dinner and visit for a couple of hours... They weren't busy but did have a steady stream of people.

My family has been coming here for about 10 years and it's always been one of our all time favorite spots. The restaurant is family owned and the staff is always really nice. Our favorite dish is the Alicha Sega Wat which is a lamb stew. Extra injera bread is a MUST. The Shorba (soup) is my favorite- it's so rich and the flavor is amazing. I highly recommend trying this place if you've never had Ethiopian cuisine because it's so unique. They sell their own bags of Ethiopian coffee, along with some teas, spices, dried beans, etc. so you can try some staples at home. My dad really loves the coffee and I bought some this time to try for myself. Injera is a special type of bread that's made with fermented dough and cooked almost like a crepe. It has a slightly sour taste like sourdough. It can be weird at first but most people find that they really like it. The food is eaten with the bread instead of a utensil, similar to African cuisine. Side note- the salad is also really good!

4.5 stars and an unexpected, great find! I shared the Lalibela Deluxe and it was one of the better combo platters I've had at an Ethiopian restaurant -- a great mix of tasty veg and non-veg options! The lamb dish was a highlight that I hadn't tried before. I loved the well-balanced, not-too-spicy sauces on the chicken and beef dishes too, and the yellow and red lentils are always good in my book. The injera was fine, less flavorful than I've found in other spots and we could have used a refill, but the dishes themselves were so good that I'm not counting it against them. There were just two women working the front of the house, so there was a bit of a wait to be seated (~10 minutes), but once seated, service was pretty efficient all things considered!

This is for takeout last night 12/29/23 I'm from Honolulu, Hawaii--we no longer have an Ethiopian restaurant. The last time I had Ethiopian food was in DC at Das Ethiopian at the end of 2020, so I was excited to see several restaurants near Scottsdale. Online I ordered the Lalibela Deluxe $42.95. It was a good way to try both meat and vegetarian dishes. Spicy dishes were not very spicy and flavors seemed muted overall. Meat dishes --no stand outs, they are tasty, but not "wow." -alicha sega wat--mild beef stew -doro wat - spicy chicken stew -key sega wat - spicy beef stew -yebeg alicha sega wat - mild lamb stew--skip if you don't like gamey Vegetable dishes - the flavor profiles for the vegetables were more varied -fosolia - green bean and carrots--recommend -gomen - collard greens - recommend -misr wat - spicy red lentils --sweet, I'd prefer a little more savory element -tikil gomen - lightly spiced cabbage w/ turmeric - recommend -yekik alicha - yellow split pea The Deluxe comes with 4 injera We used 2 extra injera to eat the entire plate. We have smaller appetites and it was enough food for 2.5 meals. I love the injera--the soft spongy/fluffy sour dough crepes. (I ordered extras --they're delicious as peanut butter and jelly)

The server is very nice, and the food is great! Portions are not the biggest but everything was delicious! They even have a little shop up front where you can buy Ethiopian spices, dried goods, coffee, etc. Definitely give this place a visit!

Grabbed take out for Sunday lunch and it was pretty busy inside but our order came out quickly. It was our first time trying Ethiopian food and I thought it was OK. Husband is a bit pickier and didn't really like it, but I encourage you to try it and make the decision for yourself as there are so many positive reviews here. We ordered the meat combo and vegetarian combo. Reviews said to order extra injera but found that we didn't need to after getting extra! The injera reminded me of a giant crepe. It was nice and spongey and had a slight sour taste. Out of the meat combo I liked the doro wat (spicy chicken stew). For the vegetarian combo, the fosolia (green beans & carrots) and tikil gomen (carrots, potatoes & cabbage) were best. Unfortunately the misr wat, which got rave reviews here was our least favorite. I think we are just not used to the spices used as it was very strong in nutmeg, cardamom and cloves I think. I don't think we'll return but it was cool to try something new!

First time trying Ethiopian food and I am definitely coming back. I love the beautiful traditional and cultural art within the restaurant. The servers are so sweet and it was so convenient to get a large platter to share between my friends. Highly recommend coming here for a date or friend group outing.

Wow. Went to the vegan buffet today - they do this the last Sunday of every month. It's an all-you-can-eat buffet for about $25, all vegan dishes, many of which are regularly on the menu, but they typically do a couple that are off-menu and/or seasonal. This has become a favorite thing that our whole family looks forward to every month. The food is flavorful, interesting, and delicious. The people are super friendly, especially the lady who comes around with the traditional Ethiopian coffee service which is included in the buffet. If you go, you'll want to order a Yekemem Shai, which is an Ethiopian tea with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. What a delight this place is. BTW - they're open the rest of the month, too, with a menu that includes meat-based as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes, so don't wait until the last Sunday of the month to go. It's one of our favorite places to have a meal.

let me preface this by saying that I've never had Ethiopian food in my life. I'm sure there are restaurants close to me since I'm based in the great LA area, but I guess my adventurous tastebuds venture out whenever I travel out of town. So swing this pop up when looking for foods to eat in phoenix, I thought I would give it a try. I ordered the spicy combination, which included the Doro Wat, Alicha sega wat, and misir wat. Where to begin? For sure I have to say that the flavors were on point! It may look plain, but it was flavorful. I could only describe Ethiopian bread (for those who have not tried it) as a spongey quesadilla. It does soak up the foods well since the foods are saucy. Because I got the spicy combination, it definitely had a kick to it. The chicken and beef was perfectly cooked and the lentils were also pretty tasty. The restaurant had a nice Ethiopian cultural vibe that suited the theme of the restaurant. If you want something unique and full of flavor, look no further.

Been eating there 1-2 times a month for 20-years. Delicious, healthy, and I love them!

Great price for a big plate of food! Great price for a big plate of food! We ordered the Lalibela Deluxe, which was very good! We got to try different dishes, meat and veggies, all kinds of food! I really liked the bread, very interesting and delicious. The meat were very tasty with the rice. For dessert, TIRAMISU is soft and creamy, the right amount of sweet for a flavorful tiramisu. I really liked CHOCOLATE TEFF, good texture and not too sweet, I don't like too much sweet for my dessert, so the chocolate teff really worked for me! Interesting environment, good service, and great price!

Lovely dinner on New Year's Eve with friends. Delicious Ethiopian meal with lots of flavor and not too hot for the less spice adventurous at the table. Eating like this is just a great way to eat with friends.

I love this place! I've been coming here for many years and I was in the neighborhood at lunchtime so I dropped in and was pleasantly surprised by their s12.95 weekday lunch special. Very delicious and you really can't beat the price. Highly recommended!

I absolutely loved eating here! I had the awaze tibs entre with the side of salad that comes with it. The awaze tibs tasted buttery, savory, and full of rich detail with a combination of noteworthy spice and sweetness that comes from beef tips being cooked in awaze hot sauce. The service was great while the dining atmosphere was also extremely authentic with great Ethiopian posters of artistry and other wall decor. I am so glad I came here to eat!

A favorite! Wow. Sweet people. Great service. Amazing food. Simple and worth experiencing.

This is where we go every time we visit Phoenix. I called all the local Ethiopian restaurants this time just in case, and Cafe Lalibela is still the only one who carries Gluten Free Injera. So back we went for a lovely dinner, and were pleased with everything once again. Great place!

A lunchtime favorite! Delicious food and great service every time I go. Never disappoints!

Oh my!!! What a GEM!! Go for lunch, try the tea, and any of the lentils are amazing. This as such a find and the staff was so pleasant. They even have wraps to go if you need to come by for a fast lunch on the run. Also easy access to the airport when you want a quick meal and then hop on the 202. It made for a great lunch before dropping off visiting family to catch their flight. Food is amazing, and the flavors and spice were perfect!

Found this place online and was excited to try it out since it looked just as good as the other Ethiopian food that I've enjoyed elsewhere, but was blown away by just how delicious their food is. The spices and flavor of each separate item was strong and delicious, making me swap up dishes between each bite to get the most affect from the meal. Continued eating until every last bite was gone, enjoying using the injera breading to scoop it all up one bite at a time. I've only eaten here once so far, but will definitely be back every time I visit the Phoenix area. Already raved about it to several friends and won't stop.

I was craving Ethiopian food. I blame it on when I discovered this cuisine from the food carts outside Yale. My husband and finally had some time to venture out for a lunch date without kids so we chose this place. It's a small restaurant in a strip mall in Tempe, but there is a home feel when you step inside. I'm quite sure this is a family-owned business which I love to support. They greeted us promptly when we walked in and showed us to a table. I love that the menu reads with the authentic names of dishes but also helps describe the dish in "American" terms for anyone who is new to this cuisine. Everything was delicious and we ate every bite on the plate. Next time, I may try to venture to order one of the spicier dishes. I ordered the lunch sampler and chose the mild beef stew, yellow split peas and one of the veggie options. My husband ordered the lamb tips. Both come with a side of injera (flat sourdough bread)

The food is so delicious & the service is spectacular!! Cafe Lalibela has great Vegan & Gluten Free options!!

I'm a lover of Ethiopian food and have been searching for a place since I've been in AZ. I'm in several Facebook groups Cafe Lalibela was recommended and they got good reviews on Yelp. While hanging in Tempe last night I was trying to figure out what to eat and realized Cafe Lalibela was only 15 minutes away so I decided to give them a try. Vegetable combination platter fasolia (green beans), gomen (collard greens), misr wat (red lentils) and tikil gomen (cabbage). Served with injera and garnished with salad. Vegan. The meal lacked flavor and spices. I was very disappointed, my quest for authentic, delicious, Ethiopian food continues .

This is by far the best Ethiopian food I've had--even compared to the restaurants in Little Ethiopia in LA. The key difference here is that every dish looks and tastes freshly made. I've been to too many Ethiopian restaurants where the various lentil and vegetable dishes seem like they are overcooked and were made days in advance and simply scooped out from leftovers. That is 100% NOT the case at Cafe Lalibela! The lamb stew especially deserves a shoutout--it is TO DIE FOR. We had it last October, and I've been craving it ever since. Super tender and flavorful. When we just got it again this past weekend, it was just as tasty and satisfying as I remembered it. Love how consistent they are in producing great food! We dined in last time and did takeout this time. The food is top-notch either way. Don't miss this gem in Tempe!

What a great cafe! I am a fan of Ethiopian food. The Server helped me order a lunch meal with my favorite items. I am glad she did. The Spicy Beef and Spicy Chicken were SPICY! Be prepared. The Lamb was mild and tender. I enjoyed the Teff (grain), it has a nice and sour taste, almost like lemon.

This place is so delicious!! Every time we come we are blown away by how good the food is! The service is also top notch!

Good veggie food. Plenty of it. Nice staff. I got my order to go, but when I went in to pick it up, there was good music playing, several groups eating & the vibe was nice. If I lived here, I'd return.

It's authentic Ethiopian cuisine. If it isn't spicy, it's packed with bursting flavor. They have a simple menu, well explained as far as what's in the dishes. The tables were both clean and sanitary. The wait-staff was polite and didn't seem to mind my murdering the pronunciation of their languages. They are doing both Ethiopian food (I've traveled there) and restauranteering right. The prices are lower than your average fast food restaurant these days, as well. Love it.

I had no idea I could have such good food so close to work and in a relaxed atmosphere. I went alone on my lunch hour then scheduled to meet a friend the next week. I had fish (don't remember the name) and tried both the Goken sides. Excellent food, wonderful friendly service, clean and bright setting!

Really amazing Ethiopian! Place is packed on a week night, that's a good sign! Came with a hot hunk and it was his first time ever having Ethiopian! Like how is that possible? He ordered the meat combo and I had 2 veggie sides. Ethiopian can be so filling so we opted to not share the combo platter. The food here is out of this world! So tasty and fresh. I've eaten plenty of Ethiopian and this place was really awesome. We had some great Ethiopian beers too (see photos). I'll def be back and hopefully bringing more people to try it out!

can't stop raving about this cake. Cafe Lalibela chocolate cake made with Teff. Sooooo delish. We have dined here several times over the years.one of faves. Fabulous Ethiopian food. Love the chocolate cake made with teff! Flavors were excellent. We also had the Lalibela deluxe. Everything so flavorful.

Good option to try for the first time. Good portions and tasty. Instructions followed.

First time here and it was great- I gave it a 5 because I didn't get the boiled egg that should have been in my chicken dish. Service was great

Love the food!! They have been a favorite of mine for over a decade.. their decorations are as authentic as their food. They have an inexpensive filling lunch special that came out almost as fast as it was ordered.. The service is good and on top of what they do... Ethiopian is a unique food I have been familiar with for over 3 decades, and love sharing it with old friends and new acquaintances.

DELICIOUS ETHIOPIAN FOOD!!! We ordered the vegan sampler and it did not disappoint. Everything was perfect so its hard to recommend one specific thing when everything deserves a 5-star. Service was fast and friendly. It wasn't overly busy, but there was a good amount of customers in for lunch. Not super fancy, but very comfy and cozy which made me like it even more. They sell other things inside too.

I was a little apprehensive about trying my favorite cuisine in a "suburb" of PHX. But I was pleasantly surprised. The food was fantastic. We had the Kitfo (raw of course), the Lamb Awaze tibs, as well as a few veggie dishes (Gomen, Tikal Gomen, Azifa, and Misir Wat). Everything was superb. Spicing and execution was fantastic. I would say this one is in my top 5 in the world of Ethiopian food. There was one bizarre thing about this restaurant though. None of the other patrons seemed to know how to eat this food. At the 4 other tables every person not only had his/her own plate, they were all eating with forks! I have been to many such venues all over the world, but I have never observed this. This certainly does not speak to the quality of the the restaurant itself, but perhaps only to its location. The next time we are back in town, we will come here again.

Restaurant refused to give me my order despite many conversations on the phone about who would be picking it up for me. When I called they told me nobody had been there to pick up the food. And then I spoke with the driver and he told me that he had been there and had been refused to order. So now the food is been sitting there for over an hour paid for and I have no way of actually recouping my money or my food. This feels like fraud this feels deceptive and I will not be spending any time or money with a restaurant that is not telling me the truth and just taking my money