Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
Ethiopian restaurant · U Street
1114-1118 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Highlights
Spicy stews, sambusa pastries, late-night music & bar
Spicy stews, sambusa pastries, late-night music & bar
"Ethiopian restaurants lend themselves to group dining with large sampler platters of vegetables, grilled meats, and stews served over injera. This U Street classic in D.C.’s Little Ethiopia corner is welcoming to large parties, is open late, and is a good option for a last-minute meal without a reservation." - Missy Frederick
"A long-standing U Street favorite that recently experienced a renaissance after social-media attention, this place serves a boldly spiced doro wat made with chicken breasts cut into chunks and enrobed in a berbere red-pepper sauce that can make your lips tingle. The stew shares the spotlight with a tangy tomato salad (marketed as the house tomato salad), and diners often eat while watching Ethiopian music videos on large screens." - ByLenore T. Adkins
"Dukem is one of DC’s most recognizable Ethiopian restaurants in the city. It’s been around since 1997 and is an important part of the culture on U St and in DC at large. On the weekends, this place is bumping with folks from all parts of the city. You’ll find youths pregaming and uncles and aunties drinking Amber beer—in other words, locals that have come to Dukem for as long as it's been open. The food is good though the portion sizes have slimmed down over the years, and their injera, which they also sell in a storefront next door, is fantastic when made and served." - omnia saed
"Dukem is one of DC’s most recognizable Ethiopian restaurants in the city. It’s been around since 1997 and is an important part of the culture on U St and in DC at large. On the weekends, this place is bumping with folks from all parts of the city. You’ll find the youth pregaming and uncles and aunties drinking Amber beer, in other words locals that have come to Dukem for as long as it's been open. The food is good though the portion sizes have slimmed down over the years, and their injera, which they also sell in a storefront next door, when made and served fresh is fantastic. photo credit: Nina Palazzolo photo credit: Nina Palazzolo" - Omnia Saed
"This one-time carryout spot has evolved into a full-service restaurant, with a second location in Baltimore. Fans know to order the vegetable-filled sambusa pastries, chile-spiked fava beans (a breakfast favorite), and zesty doro wat chicken stew. The entire menu pairs perfectly with a cold glass of mango juice. Most evenings, Dukem maintains a late-night club vibe with live Ethiopian music and a full bar." - Eater Staff, John Besche
