Enat Ethiopian Restaurant

My wife and I have been going here regularly since we moved to Charlotte, and it’s become our favorite restaurant here. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is very welcoming (especially to newcomers). We also love the honey wine which is made in-house, so definitely try it!

We started with the sambusa, one of each flavor and although they were all delicious the lentil was the favorite! The meat platter was the perfect amount for our table of four, but the food was so good we kept ordering more. If you want authentic cuisine definitely come by, but be prepared to possibly wait on a weekend night as table space is limited and demand is high!

My My where do I begin, I absolutely enjoyed my experience dining at this restaurant, the food is impeccable and amongst some of my most desired! This Family inspired establishment deserves to be recognized in the Carolinas! Guys, pay a visit and dive into this deliciousness!!

As an Ethiopian, I can say the food has the real, authentic taste. The portion was generous, the price was fair, and the flavor was just right. The service was kind and attentive, and the place had a warm, welcoming feel. Highly recommend for anyone looking for true Ethiopian cuisine!

This was our first time trying Ethiopian food, and it was all amazing! The cashier was super helpful in helping us decide what sides to get with the meat platter. The green beans were delicious. We will definitely be back!

Looking for a unique date night or to just try new amazing foods and flavors, this is the place to go. Its my second time there and it was as awesome as I remembered it. Recommended the Enat special and try the Tej. This place is a must visit for foodies!

Compared to other Ethiopian Restaurants in Charlotte this one is cute, good atmosphere and music and the staff is attentive and organized. I ordered the Veggie Platter, omg so good! I can’t wait to come back and recommend this place!

Sambusa were incredible!!! Never had them before. The fish was delicious! Vegan food and bread was soo yummy! The service was excellent and smelled great!!!

My favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Charlotte! Ambiance: Tucked away in a strip mall, Enat can be hard to miss but it's worth the hunt. This small, well decorated restaurant is fantastic. There is limited seating, but they are very accommodating. It can get busy on the weekends, so prepare for a wait. The service: Great. With the space being small, the servers are very attentive. They are kind and will take time to explain the menu if you're not familiar with the food. They also give excellent recommendations. The goods: Too yummy! I have never had a bad meal here. My go to is the veggie platter and the chicken or mushroom tibs in awaze sauce. They are spicy in the best way. They also have great options if you are not a fan of injera, you can sub your carb to your liking. Please take time to try this hidden gem!

We had such a great experience at Enat Ethiopian Restaurant in Charlotte, NC! The food was amazing, and our waitress was super kind and patient with us. We ordered the meat platter, which came with lamb, chicken, and beef, along with lentils, chickpea stew, and collard greens. Everything was flavorful and cooked perfectly. The injera was soft and tasty, and it was fun using it to scoop up all the delicious dishes. The service and atmosphere made the whole experience even better. We'll definitely be back for more!

My niece and I visited Optimist Hall for the first time today. We decided to try two places and share. This place was our first choice and it was amazing. We got the lamb platter with split chick pee and collards. The lamb was seasoned perfectly and very tender. It was so flavorful!!! I have to go back again soon. My niece would say 10 put of 10. I have no clue if they have other locations but I liked that Optimist Hall had so many options on one spot. So we could opt in or out of dessert and outside to have ice cream.

Absolutely fabulous food. We got the meat tray and it was enough for six people. The taste and preparation were absolutely incredible!. The staff were very kind and helpful. This is one of the favorite places I've eaten in a while. Vegetable voices were exceptional!!!

I completely forgot having gotten takeout here during the COVID era. Returning to eat in person yields the observation that hipsters are apparently the same in any culture; apparently nothing in the Tewahedo creed forbids the phrase "I was like, oh my god". Beyond their young staff, I did not observe a whole lot new. Which is to say, their veggie combo remains quite diverse as these things go, offering a colorful variety. I particularly enjoyed the split peas, but while there were some ups and downs the totality of the veggie combo is usually well worth it, and that was a ton of food for the money. Apparently they have a new food hall location, so hopefully a different sort of person will be introduced to the cuisine.

The food served is always warm and fresh! I got the vegan platter and they let you modify the things you add to it. Everything is spiced so well and flavorful The service is super fast too. They give you extra injera if you ask nicely. Ambiance isn't as lively as the Optimist Hall location but they have serve more food options in this location. It's very casual and rarely more than 2 other tables occupied from the times I've been here. There's a parking lot right in front of the restaurant that's free (no time limit unlike the one at Optimist Hall) Would come here for good Ethiopian food when I'm in a mood for quick, easy, and casual vibe.

The beef tibs platter was excellent and enough for two people to share. We got the red lentils and cabbage side to share. The red lentils was definitely the better side. The only disappointing thing was there was no seating left inside or even outside in the shade, and we had to eat this hot meal in 90° heat.

Food was so flavorful and fresh. Our server was sweet and provided great recommendations. Cozy ambiance as well.

Visiting Enat Ethiopian Restaurant inside Optimist Hall was an absolute delight! My friends and I were excited to try something new, and we were not disappointed. We opted for the chicken platter, and wow, what a treat it was! The platter allowed us to sample a variety of dishes, each bursting with unique flavors and spices that were a feast for the senses. From the tender chicken to the flavorful lentils and vegetables, every item on the platter was a hit. One of the highlights of our experience was the extensive menu. Enat Ethiopian Restaurant offers a wide selection of dishes, making it a perfect place for both newcomers and seasoned Ethiopian food enthusiasts alike. Whether you're in the mood for traditional injera with savory stews or exploring new flavors, there's something on the menu to satisfy every palate. The ambiance inside Optimist Hall added to the overall enjoyment of our meal. It's a vibrant and lively space that perfectly complements the rich and inviting atmosphere of Enat Ethiopian Restaurant. The service was friendly and attentive, adding to the welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and helped guide us through our culinary journey. Overall, our experience at Enat Ethiopian Restaurant was fantastic. If you're looking to try authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a fun and lively setting, look no further than Enat Ethiopian Restaurant inside Optimist Hall. We can't wait to come back and explore more of their delicious offerings!

Excellent Ethiopian food! Whenever I go to Optimist Hall, I arrive with the intention of trying something different from the variety of food stalls, but I end up coming back to Enat because I know how good it is. A plate with one protein and two sides is a good portion to share between two people. I've had both lamb and beef tibs, and the meat is flavorful with a touch of spice from the jalapeños. The yellow lentils are a nice texture, and the red lentils are a bit spicy. String beans are a great veg option as well. All of these are perfect paired with the spongey injera. I'll always recommend Enat to those taking a trip to Optimist Hall. See you next time!

Very friendly staff. Answered my questions and gave excellent recommendations. The sauce on the ribs was savory but the meat was a bit tough to chew thru. Otherwise, this is my second time ordering and I do enjoy their food.

Our eyes were the first to feast! Once the food was ready, we picked it up. We were able to find seating close to the restaurant.

Amazing food.... I've had it all over the US and this was in the top 3. We tried the meat platter. Great sample of everything.

I moved to Charlotte from the DC area, and one of my biggest concerns was finding authentic ethnic food in the south. However, when it comes to Ethiopian food, Enat is my absolute go to! There is nothing on this menu that isn't worth trying. Whether you want the mild Derek style proteins or if you want the spicy Awaze, whether you're getting Dora Wat stew or tibs or just anything here, you are in for a treat! I tend to get the passport platter or the meat platter, which probably just makes me greedy. But what I don't eat I take home and with some Injera it always taste delicious even as a leftover. Sambusas as a starter are delightful! And should you go to the sitdown restaurant, you can get the fitfit which I love, but which is not available at the Optimus Hall location. I generally like to give pros and cons on a restaurant, but at Enat I simply can't think of a con. So I will simply say, no matter what you were doing, put your phone down right now get in the car and head to one of the Enat locations whether you go to the sit down restaurant, or to the Optimist hall stall you are in for an amazing treat!

Completely forgot to post my review for Enat until now! I was recommended to try Enat by one of my clients who knew I loved to try new food. I gathered some friends to go to Optimist Hall with me to try this spot around a month ago. I had never had the opportunity to try Ethiopian food before, so I was curious to see what I'd been missing out on. I got lamb tibs which is grilled meat sautéed with peppers, similar to stir fry meat. Along with this, I chose goman (collards) and miser (red lentil stew) along with enjera (a sourdough-like spongy bread for scooping up the food). At the Optimist Hall location, they hand you a buzzer so you can walk around while your friends are ordering something else or looking for a table and be notified when your food is ready. I received my food around 10 minutes after I ordered and it was very hot when I got to it. The lamb was so tender and honestly tasted like steak. EVERYTHING was bursting with flavor, but I think my favorite thing on the plate was the miser. I also had plenty of food to take home. Ethiopian food isn't a very common thing to find in North Carolina from what I've seen, so I'm so glad I got the chance to try Enat! Anyone who ever finds themselves at Optimist Hall looking for a unique culinary experience needs to give Enat a try!

While visiting Charlotte, I was encouraged to go to Optimist Hall for dinner one evening. My friends and I went and were so excited to see all of the options!!! I LOVE Ethiopian food, and there isn't an option in the town where I live so I was thrilled! I ordered the vegan platter with injera and was sooooo satisfied. You place your order at the counter with a super nice lady, you pay and get a buzzer for your food. It took very little time for my food to come out. I'd gotten it to go in case I had anything leftover... spoiler, I did not. I also got injera with my meal which was perfect. Everything was absolutely delicious and super warm (perfect for a cold rainy night!). I was in food heaven!

First time trying Ethiopian food and Enat was a great place to start! The cashier who took my order was very informative and did a great job explaining what everything was. My favorites were the chicken and green beans. The miser had a nice kick to it so be careful if you're sensitive. It was a good serving of food and they give you a lot of inerja. It's inside Optimist Hall so it's a good vibe. Would highly recommend this spot if you're looking for some warm comfort food. I can't wait to go back!

My first time trying Ethiopian food and won't be my last! It was really good a fulfilling!

Enat was the first restaurant that I saw when I walked into Optimist Hall. I'd never tried Ethiopian food before, but the restaurant looked cute and inviting so I decided that today was the day! I ordered Lentil Sambusas and the Vegan Platter. This is definitely a restaurant that you can stop by if you're in a rush, my order was ready in under 10 minutes. The Lentil Sambusas were amazing - such a well-rounded and filling food. I honestly was not expecting to love them as much as I did, but by the time I finished my third piece, I wished that I had ordered six more. They were perfect on their own, but the sauce that accompanies them gives them that extra kick. I could eat these every day for the rest of my life and not get tired of them. Please give them a try if you haven't already! The vegan platter was pretty good. I probably wouldn't order it again but I think that's more of a personal preference. I typically don't like half of the items that the platter came with, but Enat cooked them so well that I cleaned my plate. I also added a star for the great customer service I received. I didn't get her name but the woman taking orders was very kind and had great energy. I would definitely return again (and order 10 sambusas).

The Aesthetic: Vibrant and family-friendly restaurant that feels cozy and celebrates community. I like how close quarters the tables are, it feels very homey. The music is lively and upbeat. The workers are always so kind and make us feel welcome. The Price: If you go family style, the food is very affordable. It would only get pricey if you ordered a lot of individual meals for the table. The Value: The platters are massive, and they're great for sharing! I've brought two big groups and everyone was very full after sharing the platters. The Parking: The lot has plenty of parking, I've never had trouble finding a spot. I like the parking in this location much better than Optimist Hall. My Order: If I'm going family-style, all 3 of the plates are great! My favorite meat is the lamb. The best sides are the gomen, miser, ater, fosolia, and beet potato salad. If I'm going individual, the Doro Wat is amazing. Opt for the extra Injera if you're sharing. Lastly, try the Ethiopian Honey Wine, it's one of my favorites! The Conclusion: This is an amazing, family-style restaurant with arguably some of the best food in Charlotte! I'd recommend this to anyone looking for great food in a friendly environment.

Stopped by Optimist hall while we were in Charlotte for the day! This restaurant caught my eye because I've had Ethiopian food on my mind for a while now but haven't gotten a chance to try it yet Ambiance - plenty of seating throughout the Optimist hall If you want to dine in there are 2 booths in front of the restaurant - lots of natural lighting Service - food was ready in 10 minutes! Food - Classic Tibs with fish - the fish was tender and the tomatoes and onions added lot of freshness and brightness to the dish. Shiro was spicy and creamy! I love cabbage and carrots as a side dish so the Tikel Gomen was delicious and hit the spot! Injera was uniquely spongy and soft and soaked up all of the sauces well. Since I'm from Jersey I won't be able to come down to this restaurant often but I'll definitely try out some Ethiopian places and Jersey!

Would come back again and again for a casual eating experience. We ordered the meat platter which serves 2-4 people. We ate the whole damn thing. It has lamb, beef and chicken. Chicken was the least favorite of the proteins. Red lentils were flavorful and amazing but I couldn't stop eating the green beans. The flavors are just so good. Their injera was so addictive and we also admired the people we shared a table with since it's communal sitting here and just admired we went off on the food the way we did. lol I'm going to be craving this place so I hope to get back up here to indulge again.

While passing through the area, I had a craving for Ethiopian cuisine. This restaurant had excellent reviews, prompting me to give it a try. Disappointingly, the injera I received was tainted with mold, as depicted in the photo I've provided. Upon bringing it to their attention, they promptly replaced it. Nonetheless, I hadn't anticipated subpar food quality from a highly-rated establishment.

I visit OH often to work, it's the best place to work. So many food and drink options. But when the news broke about Enat opening a stall in OH I could not wait to finally check them out. This was my 1st time so thank you so much to the young lady who helped me with the menu and what to order. I ordered the derek-style lamb tibs that comes cooked with fresh diced onions, tomatoes, garlic and jalapeno peppers. My two sides were the tikel gomen (which is cabbage and carrots cooked with onions, garlic) and gomen (which is chopped collard greens sautéed with onions and garlic)...... And WOW WOW WOW!!!!! This food was so amazing. The flavor literally slapped me in the mouth. I was in heaven. I loved the derek-style lamb tibs the most. There were crispy, seasoned and cooked to perfect. The sides went deliciously with the lamb tibs. I also really loved the injera that came with my meal (which is a soft, spongy, thin bread). SOOOOOO SOOOOO good. As if it needed to be any harder to decide where to eat in Optimist Hall! LOL, I now have a sure fire go to every time! If you haven't had Enat yet, you gotta check them out ASAP. I can't wait to go back.

Visited The Plaza location. Small, quaint spot with great service. I ordered the Classic Tibs plate with lamb with sides of injera and gomen. while my friend ordered the vegan platter. Food came out in a resonance amount of time and was still hot. I loved the lamb! The spices mixed with the tomatoes, onions and jalapeños made this dish wonderful! I so enjoyed using the injera to scoop up mouthfuls of this delicious dish. I did not care for the greens though. They lacked flavor and reminded me of canned greens and not the fresh ones mentioned on the menu. My friend was ok with her vegan platter. She wasn't too impressed with it but actually liked my lamb. Would definitely go back and have the lamb Tibs again!

Love Ethiopian Food and Enat did not disappoint. The server was very knowledgeable and the Food was fantastic.

LOVE this spot. One of the best in Charlotte that I frequent often. The tibs and wat are amazing.

One word. Flavor town. We first found this beautiful business in optimist hall. Enat is an Ethiopian restaurant located in the near the back corner in the hall. I'm Reviewing it in hopes they blow up and become popular as heck because their food is authentic and incredibly flavorful!!! The first time I tried their beef I was shocked at the spices behind it but I wanted more. On our second trip I tried the lamb and my family being connoisseur of spice we devoured the entire dish. The awaze is by far my new go to and we will not skip this place. If you're looking for spicy or non stop by and try it!

Loved enjoying a traditional, family-style Ethiopian dinner at the new Enat in Optimist Hall! The staff are super kind and friendly, and the location is, of course, amazing - right in the heart of Charlotte's best food hub! The spongy injera bread was delicious (and plentiful - they brought out extra multiple times, which was hugely appreciated!), and all of the dishes were so flavorful. The chicken in particular was perfectly spiced. They had other options on their menu as well (I'd definitely like to try one of their sandwiches or individual platters soon)!

Classic Tibs Beef with Tikel Gomen Finally I got to try this restaurant I have heard so much about. I ordered a door dash and it came so quick. The classic tibs ribeye was so flavorful and tender. The Tikel gomen was flavorful too. I loved the enjera the spongy texture is sooo delicious. I'll definitely be back for more!

Couldn't decide on lunch, so my son and I went to Optimus Hall and decided to check out a few places. I'd heard of Enat Ethiopian, so decided to try out a few bites. The gentleman behind the counter asked if I'd like a big meal or a snack. I said a snack and he recommended I order the Sambusa, which are three triangular treats filled with your choice of chicken, beef, or lentils. He also recommended that I try all three and I'm so glad I did. I loved them all! They were so tasty and very filling. Next time I'm in town, I'll be checking out other items on the menu

First time trying Enat Ethiopian and I loved it! Each part of the Tibs plate had it's own unique flavor but the combo together was next level - highly recommend this plate if this is your first time trying. The Sambusa comes in orders of three, you can get one of each. We ended up liking the lentil one the most which we were not expecting. For those who are new to this as well, we were instructed to use the Injera to scoop all of the goodness up into one bite.

Best Ethiopian food I've had! The ambiance overall is nice because it's a food hall so there's seating and plenty of other food options. Service has been good every-time I've been.

It's very rare to find good African food here in Charlotte sometimes, so I was super excited to finally try Enat and discover that it was just as delicious as I'd hoped! I typically follow a plant-based diet, so I like to order the vegan platter and sambusas. The food is always fresh, the staff is always kind and professional, and the prices are very fair. Coming from a fellow African who is always missing food from home, Enat never fails to hit the spot.

The vegan plate is HUGE and so good!! The misir wat had the perfect amount of spice. The food hall atmosphere is pretty fun, too

They must have a new cook, At the plaza, the food taste really different now, not much seasoning at all, I didn't get the wow that I used to get, so sad. I got the Doro Wot $15, a side of $5 green, I asked for the $ 5 yellow lenttil beans, yet she kept saying stew, all that was $40, not much meat at all. I wanted the plater, but I couldn't have to doro wot on it. Got extra bread $2 each. I'm very, very disappointed. If the food is good, don't change it for the others or have both favorite at least. It was really, really bad, no favors. I hate I have to find a new place now. GOD, I really used to love these guys.

As a Yelper, you can take advantage of the one reserved booth for Yelp members. The takeout service was fantastic, and I took this lamb dish on the Amtrak (the station is close by). You even get a hand wipe. The Optimist Hall location is very trendy and has a variety of food options for everyone. You can walk around the food hall while you wait since you get a buzzer for when your food's ready.

I tried this place for the first time recently and it was absolutely delicious! I ordered the derek ribs with lentils and collard greens and everything was so good! Highly recommended!

Great Ethiopian cuisine in the Charlotte area. This drew me out to the Optimist facility for the first time which helped expose other restaurants to add to my "to eat at" list.

I was thoroughly pleased with my food. I wasn't sure what to order but the staff helped me choose and it did not disappoint!!

The food here is very very good. I love how you can get so many different options on one plate. The bread they give you to eat with has a very unusual taste if you aren't used to it. It's sour and has a spongey texture. The spices are spicy. Lots of different beans used and pickled items. I've never had a bad meal here and love that I get to eat with my hands. (Although the fuddy sissy's behind us asked for silverware as this was beneath them. Worth mentioning the husband was wearing a Notre Dame sweatshirt)

Amazing authentic Ethiopian food!!! A lot of vegan options!! And again overall it hits authenticity at its finest! Chefs kiss to the food!!

Did you know that some of the best Ethiopian food in this country is right here in Charlotte? Well, now you do. I've only had Ethiopian food in other big cities like NYC, Austin, Philly, and the DC area, which in and of itself is a bastion of ethnic food. Charlotte is getting there but in a sea of burgers, pizzas, and tacos, Enat is a shining beacon. The Good: y'all, the food is incredible. The best Ethiopian I've personally had. We weren't sure what to order but the very nice guy at the register suggested the Meat Platter, served family-style for 3-4 people. There were 3 of us and it was a bit too much so it's probably perfect for 4. My parents are so hard to please but we all couldn't stop raving about everything. We got the Sambusa app, and on the platter: Awaze chicken, Lamb tibs, Derek-style beef tibs, Gomen, Miser, and Shiro and I highly recommend all of it. We met the owner, who was incredibly sweet, and told us how her mom makes the injera and the pictures of her mom making it displayed around their stall. I also love that there are two reserved booths for their customers (because we know hunting for a spot at OH can be challenging). The Meh: nothing! The Bad: nothing! If you're looking for an authentic, unique experience, I can't recommend Enat enough. Service with a smile and amazing food...you can tell they're passionate about what they're doing because it REALLY comes out in their food and how they interact with customers. It's only been a week but I already can't wait to go back!

Loved the Vegan Platter. I always love cultures where eating with your hands is preferred.

We found this little gem. We had the vegetarian dish, it was wonderful and rich with flavors. It was an amazing dish that we loved. If you like Ethiopian cuisine, or are adventurous, we highly recommend this place when you're in the Charlotte,NC area. You will not be disappointed.

Listen here, if u have never tried it TRY IT If you have had it, SHARE IT with friends Best Ethiopian I've ever had!!!! Great location, friendly staff, quick service, literally would give 10 stars if I could. The owner is so sweet and you can tell she has a passion for her business. Can't go wrong with the TIBS, any kind, and make it spicy! Family style is great for groups. Honestly just can't go wrong with anything here

Ordered takeout from here. I had the chicken tibs with tikel gomen (cabbage and carrots). Everything was delicious.

I've been wanting to try Ethiopian food for awhile now and I'm so happy I finally did. Everything was delicious and I can't wait to go back for more. I wasn't sure what to order but the lady at the counter was nice to explain to me about what the different dishes were. The stall at the Optimist Hall is sure to catch your eye. It's inviting and clean so that's a major plus. Try it today... I promise you won't be disappointed.

Absolutely delicious! We got the passport platter and it was so much food for two people. You probably could share it with a third person and maybe get some extra protein on the side since it has a lot more of the veggie sides than the meat. The passport platter comes with an extra side as well and our server said he could wait for us to try all of the current sides on the platter and see which one was our favorite and he could bring us another serving of that, which was thoughtful of him! It comes with a basket of injera, which is the soft spongy flatbread, that you use to pick up the veggies and meat with your hands to eat! It was more than enough food for us and we were so full. Would definitely return again!