Cafe Massawa

"This family-owned cafe near the 125th Street subway stop is an offshoot of a Ethiopian/Eritrean neighborhood staple Massawa, and it’s a pleasant place, with a front patio where you can hang out with coffee and some work before moving on to a glass of affordable South African wine and a cheesy tibs quesadilla. The snacky portion of the menu also has things like berbere wings and fries, and for a more substantial meal you can get a plate of soft injera covered with a steaming assortment of meat and lentil dishes. During weekday lunch, platters are available for under $20." - willa moore, sonal shah, neha talreja, will hartman

"This Ethiopian cafe on the stretch of restaurants under the 125th Street 1 train stop is a good place to get a coffee and work, then get a glass of affordable South African wine and pretend to work, and then share a tibs quesadilla with a friend and give up on work altogether. It's a pleasant indoor-outdoor spot with big front windows and a patio, plus a bar where the TV might be playing a food show. At this offshoot of neighborhood Ethiopian/Eritrean institution Massawa, you can still get a plate of very soft injera covered with a solid, steaming assortment of meat and lentil dishes—but dipping into the snacky portion of the menu for things like berbere wings or that hot gooey quesadilla is a good idea too. Though they're not open for breakfast, it's a good meal option at any other time, with lunch specials for under $20 on weekdays. photo credit: Sonal Shah photo credit: Sonal Shah photo credit: Sonal Shah photo credit: Sonal Shah" - Sonal Shah

"From the people behind Massawa, an Ethiopian staple since 1988, Cafe Massawa is an Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant in Morningside Heights. You’ll find lunch specials with injera or rice as the base, and vegan and meat options to add in. At dinner you’ll also find some fusion plates, like tibs quesadilla, berbere wings, and berberatta: burrata with spiced evoo." - will hartman

"One of the few Eritrean restaurants in town, known for its tibs quesadilla and outdoor seating with a view of Broadway." - Robert Sietsema