Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant

Ethiopian restaurant · Thomas-Dale

Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant

Ethiopian restaurant · Thomas-Dale

2

823 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104

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Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by Demera/Facebook
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null
Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant by null

Highlights

Demera Ethiopian Restaurant is a cozy gem in St. Paul’s Frogtown, serving vibrant Ethiopian dishes paired with unique cocktails in a welcoming atmosphere.  

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823 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104 Get directions

demeraethiopianmn.com

$$ · Menu

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823 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104 Get directions

+1 651 323 1424
demeraethiopianmn.com
DemeraMN

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 6, 2025

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@eater

"A neighborhood favorite for Ethiopian cuisine in St. Paul’s Frogtown, Demera Ethiopian Restaurant first opened in 2013. Owners Dawit and Senait Olana serve a broad menu of fragrant injera platters: The misir key wot (red split lentils), atkilt (fresh carrots) and gomen (simmered collard greens) are a few vegetarian favorites. Meat lovers can choose between the beef, lamb, chicken, and fish menus — the juicy lamb tibs come stewed in a rich, delectably oily red broth, an excellent pair for the spongy, lace-like injera." - Justine Jones, Ali Elabbady

14 Essential Ethiopian Restaurants in the Twin Cities
View Postcard for Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant
@eater

"With a vibrant selection of unique cocktails, Demera is the perfect place to raise a glass alongside Ethiopian favorites: freshly fried sambusas served with spicy-sweet honey awaze sauce, a variety of wots (stews), and the house specialty ambasha, a yeasted, slightly sweet skillet-baked bread." - Julie Zhou

Six Fantastic East African Eateries to Dig Into
View Postcard for Demera | Ethiopian Restaurant

Anna Schwartz

Google
My husband and I recently had the pleasure of dining here, and we were impressed by the food and overall experience. The highlight of my meal was the lamb tibs and the vegetarian platter. The lamb tibs were cooked to perfection—tender and juicy, with just the right amount of spice to give it a flavorful kick. The seasoning was rich and aromatic, making each bite a delightful experience. The vegetarian platter was a feast for veggie lovers like us. It included a variety of vegetable stews, lentils, and other delightful plant-based dishes. Each item was distinct in taste and texture. The portion size was generous, and the dish was served with injera, a soft and spongy flatbread. The restaurant itself had a warm and inviting atmosphere, with friendly staff and a cozy ambiance. The service was prompt and attentive, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. Overall, I highly recommend this Ethiopian restaurant for anyone looking to enjoy delicious, authentic cuisine.

e n

Google
It was gorgeous inside! Our server was incredibly friendly and prompt! My friend and I each ordered several things and thoroughly enjoyed all of it. The portions are lovely for the price, so I will have leftovers for a while now! I highly recommend if you are looking for quality Ethiopian food in Saint Paul!

Lady Bug

Google
My dish wasn't as hearty as the lamb tips. Too soapy. It's was good. Great atmosphere. Very clean restaurant & good music.

Orrin Dabney

Google
Overall, the food was worth the visit. The Key Wot was delicious, bit the other dishes were a little lackluster. The place felt just a little bit better than almost clean, whereas the bathroom felt like it needed some work. It was completely empty when I went to lunch on a Tuesday, which I felt was odd, but maybe Tuesday is just their slow day. I would probably go back again and try other dishes, given I have enough time.

Mike Willis

Google
My favorite place for Ethiopian cuisine - everything is excellent. Highly recommend the meat and vegetarian sample platters for a group. The restaurant is extremely warm and cozy - feels like a hidden treasure. I hope it stays that way.

Marcus Tan

Google
First time trying Ethiopian cuisine and I love it! The bread texture thingi was very interesting! However, I was a little disappointed by the portions I was given for the Doro Wot I ordered. With the "sauce" was 1 boiled egg and a very very tiny piece of drumstick... and I paid $16 for that dish alone (check pictures for reference). I didn't think it was worth what I paid for, but if you can afford it and want to try it feel free to, we really like how it tasted!

Aryaman Manish Joshi

Google
I mean the 5 stars in every field. Food was incredible, it's Ethiopian food what do you expect. Service was awesome too, I was there last night. The waitress was very kind to our me and my friends and was transparent in letting us know that the food might take a second (they looked short staffee, probably non rush hour though) despite that food didn't take much time. The atmosphere was terrific, well yet warmly lit, good setup, nice decor, beautiful bar and overall amazing vibe. 10/10 recommend + will go again. So not to mention, prices ABSOLUTELY worth it.

Trebs Thompson

Google
Wonderful. Menu gave good descriptions. For a table of four we ordered 2 beef, one lamb, and one chicken dish and the bargain priced, $14.95 6 vegetable dish sampler. Honestly, we should have just gotten two meats and the veggie platter. The portions are HUGE. (none of us are small, or light eaters.) Everyone was friendly, but we did not get water refills or the coffee we ordered. Super clean, lovely music, definite A.

Nicole E.

Yelp
It's quiet inside before 6PM. The music is light jazz and very chilled background. Our waitress is warm and friendly and attentive too. She took good care of us tonight. We ordered two spiced black teas and then ordered our first platter: the vegetarian platter with double red lentil and double split tea, cabbage and yellow lentil, no split pea or green beans. Our second veggie platter: double red lentil, double split pea, double yellow lentils. $45.30 The service and food here is so worth a try. The food was super flavorful and reminded us of our favorite spot back at home, that's never happened before. Well done! The portions are about normal and as expected too. The red lentil and yellow lentils are my two favorite. My husband liked the two lentil and the split peas the best. The salad, split pea are also good to me. The cabbage wasn't my favorite nor my husband's either.

Maxx M.

Yelp
Demera is a cornucopia of incredible Ethiopian flavors - 5 stars! I was in the area and craving Ethiopian food. My old standby, Fasika, is permanently closed so I went with the Yelp reviews and I pointed my car towards Demera. Since I'm eating zero carb Carnivore style, the Meat Combination platter was an obvious choice. As expected, every bite of my food was wonderful. I won't pretend to remember the names of all the selections so I'll simply post the photos and promise to you - they all taste great. I haven't eaten any bread or plant products for almost 1 year so I was a bit concerned about the Injera Bread...which I love...but it's still a grain product. On the other hand, it's a fermented bread, which is waaay "less bad" than most breads. I loaded up on this stuff since we didn't use any utensils to eat. It tasted great (of course) but I didn't feel so great for 2 or 3 hours after dinner. I survived the bread overload. But next time, I'll suck up my pride, ask for a fork n' spoon, skip the bread, and go directly to the animal protein. The service was excellent. Our server was wonderful. The owner happened to be hanging out at the neighboring table with some of his buddies. He stopped by and said "hi" too. Nice guy. The ambiance is mellow, low key, not fancy, cozy, unpretentious. It's all about the food and the company. Thumbs up! -Maxx

Cat P.

Yelp
I came for a weekday lunch and happened to be the only person, so I might be biased when I say that my service was exceptional! The owners are both there, sat down, talk to me for a while and we got to chat about what brought us to the city, etc. Ambiance was spacious enough, with some nice instrumental background music, and ample seating space. It's not modern by any means, but you can certainly tell that it is a family run and local business. :-) I got the vegetarian combo, which included a slew of things included in the picture. This lasted me two whole meals and I was pretty ravenous and ate probably half to 2/3 of it. The stand outs on the plate included the green beans, the collard greens, and the dish on the far right that is red. I have no idea what the name of anything is or was, but I do know that it was all flavorful, hot, and fresh. I would recommend this restaurant for anyone in St Paul who's looking for a hearty, delicious, and authentic meal!

Shamir W.

Yelp
Cute little neighborhood Ethiopian place on University Avenue. Has a small attached parking lot which was kind of full. The restaurant has that neighborhood feel and the people there are there because they know each other. Like a family that gets together. It wasn't very busy and we were sat right away. Ordered a couple of drink. A beer and a Moscato. The drinks were fine but not very cold. Which was disappointing. They had a few Ethiopian beers on the menu but only had one available that day. We ordered the meat combination that had a bunch of different items. The food took a long time to come out. Almost 45 mins. Once we got the food, it was pretty delicious. Not the best I have had in the cities but good. The injera on the platter was a little dry so I would not recommend having that. But the injera that came with was moist and fresh. Overall it was a tasty meal and hit the spot for my Ethiopian food craving but the wait was a definite disadvantage. Also the one server was spread thin between the tables and the bar. If you are in the neighborhood, not a bad option as long as you are ready to wait.

Lu Z.

Yelp
The food is great! The Lamb stew is amazing. The environment is a little out-of-date. Parking is easy.

Stephanie S.

Yelp
We really enjoyed our visit to Demera. The food was delicious and the prices were great for the quantity of food. The injera was fluffy and flavorful. Our favorite was the lamb tibs with awaze. There was only one server and almost every table was full, but our drinks were always full and the food came quickly. This was one of the best Ethiopian restaurants I have eaten at. I will definitely return!

Elizabeth W.

Yelp
I am working my way through the Ethiopian restaurants of Saint Paul and Demera is well with a stop. I picked up a veggie combo for lunch, which included several lentil/pulse dishes along with collard greens, carrots and beans and a side salad. I was really pleased with the spice level- just a hint of heat. The serving of Injera was generous and the whole meal was big enough for another lunch Tomorrow. The restaurant itself is well appointed inside and I hope to dine there in person when I can get a few friends out.

Ben S.

Yelp
On the hunt for some tasty East African fare in the cities? If so, this is definitely a place to try! This is an unassuming little place that offers spectacular food. I was in for dinner with a group of business associates, including one who is a little older than me and had spent something north of a quarter of his life living in Ethiopia. He spoke a couple of dialects and did a great job explaining the whole experience to everyone at the table. I've been eating Ethiopian food for for a couple of decades but have nowhere near the knowledge of their food, country, culture, etc. Certainly a learning experience that went well beyond the food. We had a couple of platters for the 5 of us: one vegetarian and the other a meat-lover's paradise. I consider Ethiopian to be a cuisine so packed with flavor that I generally eat vegetarian. That said, the lamb, chicken and beef dishes all were incredibly delicious. There are 5 vegetarian dishes that come with that platter. All were delicious but my favorite had to be the misir kay wot: red lentils with berebere and a bunch of other good stuff. There were at least as many meat dishes and all were wonderful. The standout was probably the doro wat. I'm not sure I've had this one before but the flavors absolutely filled my mouth while I was eating the dish. Super tasty!

Bennett S.

Yelp
So delicious, I went with two friends and we got the wet tibs, veggie combo and doro wat. Chowed down and finished everything but the injera. I think we ordered too much for three people but man was it good.

Laurel Z.

Yelp
The food and service here are both so good! We had the vegetarian platter and it was beautiful and so tasty. I wish them well and hope we can come back many more times!

Anita S.

Yelp
First time trying Ethiopian food so I have nothing to compare this to. Having said that the lentils were delicious and the vegetables were perfectly cooked. The injera is unique and absorbs the sauce well. The service was friendly and efficient.

Didi K.

Yelp
Had a lovely meal with my husband at Demera. We went there after a play and called ahead to see if they would still serve us 1/2 hour before closing (10:30 pm). They were super flexible and when we arrived were so gracious and kind. It was very pleasantly laid out with photos and paintings from Ethiopia. The decor was relaxing. The food was delicious. We shared a plate of Doro Wat on injera. The chicken was succulent, falling off the bone. Only criticism was they were out of a couple entrees. Ending up there for a late dinner really made our evening. I highly recommend it.

Joselyne R.

Yelp
Oh wow the food here is really good. The customer service was great too. It was a good time, and I plan on eating here again since it's so close. I had no idea this gem was here. I had to get something that wasn't so spicy and he recommended the perfect dish. I cannot remember what it is called, but here's the pic.

M G.

Yelp
What a find! We went to this restaurant based on other reviews and were so happy we did. A comofrttable place - not fancey but also not shabby. THe people were very friendlyand the food was delicious. It came very quickly (we were there on a Sunday lunchtime but had no problem getting a table or service). I highly recommend this place.

Anshul P.

Yelp
This place is a gem! Their staff was extremely helpful, i felt like i was getting recommendations from a family member. Their food is delicious....it tastes like home-cooked food, which in my opinion, is the best kind of food. They have a full bar, which was excellent! Overall, 5 star experience: excellent food, stellar service, not much more i could ask for.

Jon S.

Yelp
Last week while my car was in the shop, I walked down to Demera and bellied up to the bar for lunch. The food was fantastic as always and more than I could finish portion-wise. While the dont have ice tea on the menu the waiter/ bar tender was kind enough to make me some tea and then chill it before serving it to me on ice (you can't get fresher than that!). He also was giving me tips on eating the food more traditionally and recommendations on what to have so I didn't get something to spicy. I'm looking forward to swinging back in and getting the sampler platter again with the family.

Stephanie G.

Yelp
I've been here twice now and the food is outstanding. There is never a big crowd which I don't understand-- this place is delicious. I always get the veggie combo which comes in standard presentation to every Ethiopian veggie combo. They are generous with the Injera pieces and the yellow and red lentils are my absolute favorite. This last time we ordered the Beef Key Wot and it had a really nice flavor. Not overpowering at all, just perfectly complimented everything else on the table. We got served by the same man both times and he is permanently in a great mood it seems! Excellent service, funny, and friendly. Neighborhood gem! Great hours (open later than you might think!) and I WILL be back.

Ashley H.

Yelp
I desperately wanted Ethiopian food after moving here and decided it was worth a three hour round trip -- I was not wrong. Because this place flavors the food so well and has great service, I am hesitant to try any other places in the area. Pro tip: get the veggie platter and the tea!!

Krista K.

Yelp
Very tasty food and very friendly service! We got the meat platter, and that seemed like enough food for three people to eat well (maybe four). Everything on the platter was very tasty!

Meky W.

Yelp
Been to Fasika too, tastes about the same to me. Just much spicier. My thoughts in bullets: -Order the meat combination and vegetable combination platters -Usually slow but friendlier service compare to Fasika -They have a parking lot, small but they have one -Not as crazy busy compare to Fasika which is nice, usually seat yourself and get in right away -I just love Ethiopian food

Kevin B.

Yelp
Visit Demera for tasty and authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a friendly and casual environment. We shared the meat combination platter, which was an awesome way to sample many of the different dishes they offer. It comes with about 6 different meat dishes, all served with injera (spongey Ethiopian bread). The traditional way to eat is to tear off a piece of injera with your hands, then use it to pick up your various meats and veggies - no utensils required! Though this may be more or less messy, depending on your injera-dipping skills. The meat dishes were all scrumptious, and the quantity was more than enough for the two of us. The restaurant interior has some nice Ethiopian decor. There are also TVs showing live soccer, if you want to enjoy the game while you eat. And the server was friendly and kind. On the whole, Demera was a great way to experience Ethiopian cuisine. Check it out if you want to try something new!

Jackie L.

Yelp
I've been to all of the Ethiopian restaurants in St. Paul now, at least in this area, and I have to say: Bole' is better than Fasika, which is better than Demera. The food was excellent. The restaurant was pretty dirty, and the bathroom was fairly atrocious. The door leading to the bathrooms was so skeezy that I didn't want to touch it. No toilet paper in the women's restroom either. Service was fine, although I was the only person in the place. The veggie sampler was enough for two meals. Quite good. However, I like the spice level at Bolé better than here (I.e., spicier). I would come back, but I wouldn't use the restroom.

Richard N.

Yelp
The menu is much smaller than expected, only 3 combo options, and 2 fish choices. Coming to Minneapolis, I think I may have expected more by way of Ethiopian options, especially Sambusa and Simosa, neither of which were an option on or off the menu. I'll give it an open minded try...

Amy K.

Yelp
Though I'm not an expert when it comes to Ethiopian food but dang, this place packs some dang good flavor in their food. We came in as a party of 5 and order the meat combination plate with 6 dishes and veggie combo (With 6 dishes and a salad) and was overly stuffed. I can't tell you which dish was which in the combination plates but each one was excellent in flavor. The two favorite ones were the yellow split peas (kik alicha) and the beef dish with spicy red sauce (ye-siga-wot, I believe). Overall, I'd come to this place in a heartbeat. I didn't care for the parking, it maybe fit about 7 cars and last time we went, I was blocked in my spot when someone parked directly behind my car. The restaurant interior also needed some work. It seemed dark and a bit uncleaned and disorganized. The staff didn't come around much to refill our waters which were clearly empty for a while and also didn't offer us plates or utensils, which could be due to the way they eat the dish in general (which is understandable).

Jaidenn C.

Yelp
We had a veggie/meat combination, the injera was so soft and prepared beautifully, it's the best injera I've had so far! The food was so beyond incredible. You can choose 3 veggie dishes and 3 meat dishes to share with someone. The music and decor made the place feel so authentic. The woman who took our order was extremely helpful and friendly. I recommend this place to anyone who loves Ethiopian food, or to someone who has yet to try it!

Janis H.

Yelp
The service was lovely. The space was clean and the food was delicious. The presentation of the food was different than I was used to so it was difficult to compare portions. It was fun to try new and different dishes than I was used to.

Shaheer B.

Yelp
Do not let the unassuming setup fool you. Or the fact that it is located in a not-so-great neighborhood. Demera is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants I've been to. And I have tried various Ethiopian restaurants through out the country. Food is by far the biggest pull of Demera. It is authentic and has just the right amount of spice and flavor. Lentils and vegetable dishes are amazing but the lamb stew is out of this world. It is a must try! This is one of those places where you feel full but keep on eating because your taste buds crave more. The space is cozy, warm, and understated. The host is extremely friendly and a treat to chat with. Ambience is comfortable. They do need better bathrooms, though. It puts a damper on the entire experience.

Joey M.

Yelp
I've been eyeing this place for a while. We went here on a Monday evening around 5:30 and it was mostly empty. The restaurant is clean. The staff was friendly and helpful with our questions. They didn't even judge us when we asked for silverware! The vegetarian combination platter was was probably enough food for two lighter eaters or one big eater. The choices were really flavorful and fresh. I will definitely be back! What I got: Vegetarian Combo Platter ($13.99) [My Rating: 8/10] Keywords: Vegan, Vegetarian

Bethany H.

Yelp
I love Demera! The staff are always so friendly and the food is delicious. Get the sampler platters, you won't regret it!

Jenny K.

Yelp
My friend and I went to Demera for a Sunday dinner. I drive past the building all the time and have wanted to try it. We shared the veggie combo and beef tibs. It was all so good! We had plenty plus leftovers for lunch. I'll be back to have a whole dish of shiro. The man working was very hospitable and joked around ("house rules: you have to finish ALL of that").

Ellen C.

Yelp
Have to say this is my new favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the Twin Cities. I've been to a couple, and this one may be slightly further but it's worth the extra 5 minute drive if you're already headed this way to other Ethiopian options. I usually order combination plates just because I want different options on one plate, but obviously the combo plates usually are WAY too much food for me and one other person. Although I was slightly put off by the waitress telling me not to get the combo plate here, I was VERY happily surprised when I got my dinner. PLUS if you want to just add a side of a veggie (which is what I did, it only costs an extra $2!!). We ordered the lamb alicha which came with injera and a side of Ethiopian salad (salad tossed in tangy vinaigrette). Also ordered a side of the gomen and altogether it was a very full meal, it's definitely enough for another 1-2 meals. The gomen was okay, not that different from anywhere else. But the lamb alicha was AMAZING. It was savory but sweet, the flavors were very complex, the meat was tender but yet still had some bite to it. It wasn't really spicy, so if you're looking for spice maybe consider the tibs. With tax and tip, it was about $20, which isn't bad for the amount and quality of food they gave. The inside of this restaurant was much cleaner and more organized than the other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to in the Twin Cities. It may not look great from the outside but the inside is clean and tidy. They also have wifi!! Huge plus since none of the other restaurants will allow you work/study there. Since Ethiopian usually takes a while to get the food, it's nice to be able to get some stuff done. This place doesn't take as long as the other restaurants though, which is always a bonus. For sure a must visit if you're into Ethiopian food!

Sherry S.

Yelp
Beautiful, plentiful food and very reasonable prices. Demera for the flavor win again. I developed a taste for Ethiopian food in the 1980s when I lived on the North side of Chicago and Demera hits the spot when I get that hankering for tangy, squishy injera and spicy dishes. Tonight I ordered the vegetable combo. It came with 3 gigantic pieces of injera plus delicately spiced green beans, a beautifully sweet and spicy dish of cabbage and carrots, amazingly seasoned collards, yellow lentils, and one other warm spicy dish, plus a side green salad. At only $14.00 this is a bargain of a meal. I'll definitely have at least 3 meals from this one scrumptious plate of food.

Felix W.

Yelp
Love this place. I have had just about every on the menu and have never been disappointed. It's not glitzy, but that's not why you go to eat. Expect to eat with your hands. Know that the correct thing to do is only touch food with your right hand. Even you lefty's. People saying it's a bad neighborhood aren't wrong, but not exactly right either. Frogtown is a neighborhood going through change. Demera recently had their street facing facade restored through an effort with Historic St. Paul. Parking in the lot is easy, parking on the street is not possible. What you SHOULD do is take the light rail which stops immediately in front. The neighborhood lobbied for the station to support local business like this. Use it. The food at Demera is phenomenal. Go with a group and order a bunch of different stuff. They have a bar, consider it for decoration only. It's the only reason I'm not giving the fifth star here.

Rob S.

Yelp
First time here. Was looking for some Ethiopian food and let Yelp do the choosing. Ordered the Vegetarian combo, extra shuro and chicken doro. What a feast. Will definitely be back. For people who have not tried this style of food before it was a very approachable restaurant with good parking.

Caitlin M.

Yelp
Great food and friendly service! Just had one of the best meals I've had in a long time. We had the meat and veggie combos and were pleased with the variety. Will be going back!

Susan W.

Yelp
Birthday dinner on a Thursday night was perfect . It wasn't busy and allowed a quiet friendly atmosphere. I had the vegetable variety (14.95) - excellent choice. All items were tasty and provided perfect complements. Staff were friendly and attentive.

Khat P.

Yelp
My second time here I was not disappointed. I had ordered the veggie sampler and the one below that number(which will feed four).i had gotten my kifto raw and man was it tasty. The waiter there made sure I had everything I need and was nice when I had asked about the items in the entree I was ordering. I was the only one there, but that's the way I like it anyway lol. I enjoyed my food and basically tasted majority of all dishes from what I had ordered since I been here before. Everything was presented out nice. It looks like a small run down place, but the food comes out as mommas cooking. Tasty, fulfilling and nice and quiet just the way I like it, since I like to enjoy my food and wonder what spices was out in my dish without distraction lol... just give it a try... or two.

Jennifer H.

Yelp
I've been on an Ethiopian food kick lately. Well looking for various Ethiopian restaurants. I'm still on the search. I had great food at another Ethiopian restaurant but the service was so poor that I have been trying to go to others to see if I could find good food and good service. I'm still on the lookout. My husband and I got veggie platters to go from here. We went to the restaurant there was no one there. The food was decent but not nearly as good as another restaurant I've had. It hit the spot though so I'm not complaining too much. Don't let the outside fool you. There is a restaurant inside though the building looks a bit run down.

Cree Z.

Yelp
Ethiopian beer, holy smokes yummy. Fried tilapia pretty bland, needed seasoning, but perfectly cooked. The "special beef" was the big hit with everyone at the table , though strangely it included some bits of lamb. Vegetarian platter definitely a good way to sample; everyone liked something on it. Comfortable but needs some refurbishing and deep cleaning. Spotty service but very kind and friendly. The beer was the big standout for me...going to have to see where we can buy some.

Brittany G.

Yelp
My boyfriend and I decided to try this place out for date night. We've already hit up Fasika a few times, as well as Dilla's in Minneapolis, and a few places out of state. This has been my favorite so far for Minnesota! The menu was laid out a bit more helpfully than the other places, with the descriptions that were more informative than "beef with spices". We ordered combos 25 (vegetarian) and 26(something that included meat). Our waitress took the time to warn us that combo 26 had some comparatively rare styles of meat (at elast that seemed to be what she was describing) so we asked for it to be a little more cooked. It came out with some well done pieces of beef that tasted like the best kabob I've had in ages. The veggie platter also had a wide variety of dishes that was beautifully displayed. The injera was nice and thick so our hands didn't get too saucy. All in all I I thought the food was a bit better than the other Ethiopian places in town that I've tried, but to top it off, it has also cost the least. Our total rolled in under $40 for the 2 of us. A veggie and a meat combo set us back a good $8 more at Fasika than at Demera's. Definitely our new go to for Ethiopian food in the Twin Cities!

C C.

Yelp
We ordered the meat and veg assortment because we wanted to try as much as possible between the two of us. Had enough leftovers for two more meals. I think this will be our go to Ethiopian because of the friendly, genuine service and the great food. Everything was in a distinctly different sauce and well seasoned. Best injera I've had. It's not very spicy at all unless you suffer from a MN spicy palate. We were happy to surprise our waitress by defying stereotypes because we enjoyed the raw beef and 'spicy' dishes. Try everything and hopefully surprise yourself!

Brandy L.

Yelp
We frequently find hole in the wall places to eat while on vacation. We have never experienced Ethiopian food until now. You might drive right by this place if you're not looking for it. Certainly it's not a place you'd be enticed to go in to by looking from the outside, in. We walked in and it was filled with an aroma of incense. The place was quiet and clean. The two staff members were more than accommodating. We ordered the combination platter. And it was fantastic! We ended lunch with a slice of baklava and a cup of macchiato. We will defiantly be back! Dont pass this place up. You will not be disappointed.

Lucy T.

Yelp
Wow oh wow- this is Ethiopian cuisine at its most incredibly delicious, fresh and flavorful-- finger-licking awesome-!. Do not be deceived by the humble appearance of the setting-- the dingy interior with rips in the lineoleum floor and greasy tabletop and lack of other customers. The food is truly beyond the best of any Ethiopian food I've had at some of the best Ethiopian restaurants in the east coast and around the country. My husband had the meat combo and I ordered the vegetarian combo so we got a true assortment of a wide variety of tastes and textures, and every single one was superb. I am a picky eater not prone to hyperbole and I rarely write reviews, but this place was really exceptional in my book. And the portions were so generous that we are excited to have leftovers for lunch and maybe even dinner tomoro.

Brooke B.

Yelp
This place is so sweet. The owner and staff are so warm and gracious; I always feel welcomed into their establishment. This is my only experience/exposure to Ethiopian cuisine, but I love it. The food is so flavorful and interesting...it's delicious! Further, the prices are so reasonable...the platters are great for a group to share and won't break the bank. Highly recommend!

De L.

Yelp
In doubt/on the fence/waffling? Eat here! Best Lamb Key Wot I ever had!!! I am so happy they were open today. The restaurant was very quiet due to it being a holiday. But the food and services were fantastic! The waitress was very nice and attentive, even tried to help me pronounce Misir Key Wot, mietimeta and took the time to write the words out in English and Ethiopian. My new fave Ethiopian restaurant. (Sigh, if only I lived closer...)

Chinyere E.

Yelp
Soooo good! Service was cheerful, wine was cheap, and the cuisine was delicious with generous servings. There are so many tasty items I recommend getting a combo so you don't have to choose! But if pressed the minsir wot was fabulous! Even though I'm in town for just the week I'm already planning on being a frequent customer.

Courtney B.

Yelp
We walked in and felt immediately welcomed. It is a nice, quiet, comfy restaurant and really appreciated all the art. Two of us shared the veggie platter and it was just the right amount and soo tasty. You definitely have to try the Baklava - it is warm and so crispy and I enjoyed every single bite. The waiter was so nice and funny too and the prices are not bad. The parking isnt the best but it is at least free right next to the restaurant!

Juanita H.

Yelp
One of the best tasting lamb dinners I've had in a very long time! This Ethiopian restaurant gives you every taste from Ethiopia that you would want to experience at a restaurant. Dinner is worth every penny every cent every dollar. By far the best Ethiopian restaurant in St Paul

Fish S.

Yelp
I really loved the vegetarian combo! It was all so good and the collards and lentils were especially delicious. I could almost have eaten two combos but I'm also glad I didn't because that would have been excessive. Also didn't break my piggybank. Recommend!

Luke L.

Yelp
The food here is great and at a super reasonable price. The staff was all really friendly. Definitely recommend if you're looking to try something new or just want some good Ethiopian food.