Cafe Romanat
Ethiopian restaurant · Lakeshore ·
Authentic African dishes, including mushroom tibs and vegan options.
Authentic African dishes, including mushroom tibs and vegan options.
"Named after Romanat, a village in northern Ethiopia, the family-style platters here are a traditional representation of East African dining. The mushroom tibs and mitten sharo (a vegan base of chickpea flour seasoned with berbere spices and garlic used for homemade stew) are house specialties." - Alan Chazaro
"Cafe Romanat offers a taste of homegrown beer, honey wine, and sambusas. With combination platters perfect for sharing, this spot brings the flavors of Ethiopian cuisine to the vibrant Oakland scene." - Ty Gaskins
"In a stretch of Oakland that teems with Ethiopian restaurants, Café Romanat is a standout, thanks to its deliciously spiced dishes served in generous portions. Locals (including some Ethiopian families) fill the small room that is set with traditional low stools, woven tables and features colorful fabric curtains and artwork. Order up a homegrown beer, honey wine or a nutty ground flax or sesame seed juice to pair with the sambusas, triangular pastries stuffed with piquant jalapeño-spiked lentils. All the combination platters, served on spongy, slightly sour injera, are perfect for sharing. And the veggie combo, with dishes like sautéed collard greens, lentils in smoky berbere and split peas with turmeric and ginger, will delight any crowd." - Michelin Inspector
"Order up a homegrown beer, honey wine or a nutty ground flax or sesame seed juice to pair with the sambusas, triangular pastries stuffed with piquant jalapeño-spiked lentils. All the combination platters, served on spongy, slightly sour injera, are perfect for sharing." - The MICHELIN Guide
"After missing Enssaro’s injera I tried Cafe Romanat and loved the veggie sampler: misir wat with a gentle heat, tender red lentils, silky kik alicha yellow lentils, and standout atakilt potatoes and cabbage; the tangy injera and buticha rounded out a truly excellent meal I enjoyed as a picnic by the lake." - Eater Staff