Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant

https://onthegrid.city/oakland/grand-lake-lake-merritt/enssaro-ethiopian

On the Grid : Enssaro Ethiopian

"A local Ethiopian institution, Enssaro's food and atmosphere never disappoint. Try the Messer Wot, red lentils slow-cooked with Ethiopian spices, or the vegetarian sampler platter. The sambusas are always a great choice and don't forget to grab some injera to use for sampling main dishes." - Huge

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/guides/best-places-to-eat-drink-near-lake-merritt-oakland

The 23 Best Restaurants Near Lake Merritt - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"You don’t need to see the crowds that pack Enssaro each night to know that this Adams Point spot serves some of the best Ethiopian food in town—like perfectly sautéed or simmered chicken, lamb, and lentils plated over spongy injera bread. Get the meat or vegetable platters, so you can mix and match dishes, trying all the different spices and textures that make Ethiopian food so incredible. The dishes at this casual restaurant is meant to be shared, which is why you’ll always see tables of big groups and, at dinner, a line out the door." - Julia Chen 1, Lani Conway

"Enssaro Ethiopian, Grand Lake Lake Merritt by Huge. A local Ethiopian institution, Enssaro's food and atmosphere never disappoint. Try the Messer Wot, red lentils slow-cooked with Ethiopian spices, or the vegetarian sampler platter. The sambusas are always a great choice and don't forget to grab some injera to use for sampling main dishes."

Oakland

https://sf.eater.com/2020/3/19/21185822/east-bay-restaurants-takeout-delivery-coronavirus

@eater

East Bay Restaurants Open for Takeout and Delivery During the Coronavirus Shutdown - Eater SF

"The Grand Avenue Ethiopian spot is open regular hours for takeout and delivery. Call 510-238-9050." - Luke Tsai

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/reviews/enssaro

Enssaro Review - Adams Point - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"You don’t need to see the crowds that pack Enssaro each night to know that this Adams Point spot serves some of the best Ethiopian food in town—like perfectly sautéed or simmered chicken, lamb, and lentils plated over spongy injera bread. Get the meat or vegetable platters, so you can mix and match dishes, trying all the different spices and textures that make Ethiopian food so incredible. The food at this casual restaurant is meant to be shared, which is why you’ll always see tables of big groups and, at dinner, a line out the door." - Lani Conway

Dalia Obeid

Google

Used to like this place but not anymore! Portions compared to prices is ridiculous! The vegetarian plate includes about 2 table spoons of each of misir and kik alicha (lentils) Doro wot was okay although lacked intensity and needed some more spice and sauce base! Most annoying part was waiters asked twice while I was eating if I was done. If you see me chewing why are you coming to my table and asking if I was done???? The second time the waitress asked if she can take one of the plates! And I just nodded WHILE CHEWING! There are too many good ethiopian restaurants in the area for this behaviour Won’t be back for sure!

Joshua Hamsa

Google

I had never tried Ethiopian food before, so this is not a comparison. After explaining this to the gentleman and that I would have no idea what to order, he thoughtfully considered the matter, asked a couple of questions (when I last ate; what I had) and put together a custom plate based on the meat sampler for me to try. The Highlight: Doro Wat (“if you haven’t had it, you haven’t really had Ethiopian food”): Absolutely phenomenal flavor! The sauce has a touch of kick that brings the senses to life, and the cheese adds in a dynamic texture. It was so good I went back the next day for lunch to try the Special Kitfo (steak tartare) and I was blown away. While the Doro Wot was bursting with flavor, the Kitfo was an exploration of texture. Can’t recommend this spot highly enough!

Bay Walker

Google

Third time having Ethiopian food and it was a tasty experience. Our large platter for 4 people included beef, chicken, lamb, salad, vegetables and an other items. We enjoyed glutton free injera—which was completely satisfying. Service was prompt and personable even with a full restaurant.

LeRhonda Greats

Google

Stopped here for lunch with a friend. The food is delicious and the customer service was top notch. As I sat I noticed that some of the images on the wall are the same ones that I have on my wall at home. I knew that I was in the right place.

Ying Zhang

Google

Filling and satisfying dinner for a group of four. We all enjoyed a bottle of honey wine and felt warmly buzzed by the end of the meal. One person in our group is vegetarian so she got the veggie platter for one and the rest of us split the meat and veggie combo for three. Great portions and we were even unable to finish it all. The meat dishes were some of my favorites as well as the gomen! I am not the biggest fan of injera but the injera here was soft and pillowy, and I ate many pieces with my meal. Our waitress was friendly and conversational. They had the basketball game on so it was fun to watch every once in a while. Great dinner!

Jackie

Google

Amazing Ethiopian food! The honey wine was so much smoother than we anticipated and the sweetness was just the right amount. The bread was really well done and the spices were super well balanced. We got the veggie and meat for 2 and the beef sambusas. Highly recommend for first timers (which we were). The service was amazing and the team was so kind to introduce the cuisine and how to eat it to us. We had a really great time - we’ll definitely be introducing it to others! If you have leftovers - don’t forget the bread at the bottom! We almost did, but it’s the best and sauciest. Flavor town. Parking available at the front of the restaurant on the street.

Marcela Ma

Google

I’m giving this a 4star because I don’t know Ethiopian food that much so not much to compare. But the food was delicious. Injera was just the perfect sour, red lentils were on fire like spicy! Cabbage and potatoes so so good, the chicken was yummy and the lamb tibs was so good a little lamb-y but good 😊 The service was awesome.. so nice and kind

Rayleen Wagner

Google

Tasty and healthy Ethiopian restaurant with gluten-free options. I ordered my go to vegetarian combination and tried the Ethiopian nachos for the first time. So delicious! I definitely will order again.

Ishmael S.

Yelp

Food was great for my first time and made the date night more enjoyable. Honey wine was very tasty as well. The service was great as well. Very respectable indeed. Will recommend this place to all I know.

Angela M.

Yelp

The only thing better than the food at this family-run spot is being greeted like actual family whenever you pop in. But the food ... dang, don't sleep on it fam. Veggie Combo is my usual, but i've never had anything less than an outstanding meal here. It's 3 hours away from where I live, or I'd be here all the time.

Tiffany T.

Yelp

Friend is on a journey of trying new cuisines and I wanted to show them Ethiopian food! We came to Enssaro on a Saturday night around 6:30 PM. When we first arrived, there wasn't any indoor seating available so the host asked us if we would be okay with outdoor seating or if we wanted to wait. It was a bit chilly so we opted to put ourselves on the waitlist for indoor and spot for us was ready after about 20 minutes. They had a cozy "waiting area" towards the back where we sat until a table was ready. The chairs were near the bar and we overheard a bit someone telling the host about how we shouldn't have been offered the option of waiting for indoor seating and should have just been prompted to sit outside. I felt a bit bad for the host who gave us the choice. Also, if the only seating option was outside and we couldn't wait for an inside table, we probably would have left and found another spot. For food, we ordered the beef tibs, doro wot and a side of rice. Doro wot was a 10/10, seasoned perfectly and the sauce was great for dipping the injera. My friend didn't particularly like the beef tibs -- the meat was pretty tough and hard to chew. Rice was what rice normally tastes like. All the items took a while to come out, but I think that was more due to the fact that there was a party of around 8 people that ordered right before us. Atmosphere was cute, the place is decorated well and the vibes gave date night but also friends night out. With that said, food was a bit of a disappointment, considering I wanted to put my friend on some good Ethiopian food. Probably would try a different place if the opportunity arose.

Bridget O.

Yelp

This was my first time trying this spot, although I must have passed it a million times when walking the lake. We popped in a little after 8:30, and it was not crowded at all. The overall aesthetic was clean and I love the huge mural you see walking in. The server with patient and explained the dishes then took our order. We tried the veggie sampler for two, which was a very generous portion. We quickly realized we should have gone with a regular sampler because the amount of leftovers was insane. I loved the multiple lentils options, and the flavors of each item complimented the other well. The mushrooms were a great substitute for meat, they made the sampler feel very hardy, well balanced and satisfying.

Johnny W.

Yelp

Summary: Generous platters of tasty Ethiopian Details: I haven't had Ethiopian in some 15+ years now, with my first and only time being at a Yelp event back in my days as a Seattleite. Not that there was anything wrong with it, aside from injera not going too hand-in-hand with something that had to deal with the occasional acid reflux. I never considered eating Ethiopian again after that, until my visit to Enssaro today, largely at the suggestion of some other friends. And how thankful I am for it, because while injera still doesn't rank among my top choices for a carb pairing, I had certainly forgotten how tasty all the actual food itself was! We kept things easy and just got a meat and veggie sampler for the group. When the first platter came out, my initial thought was, "huh, this really is just a sampler." Then the second platter came out, and I realized we had more than enough food for the group, with a mix of something like five meats and five veggies. Unexpectedly, the veggies ended up being my favorite items of the meal. I can't speak for the other, small portions, but expect the larger sampler to take a while to come out, even when the place isn't too busy. Accessibility: Spacious restaurant with indoor and outdoor (covered patio) seating, with plenty of accessible options.

Jude D.

Yelp

I had their veggie lunch special with spicy red lentils, cabbage and potatoes, injera and salad. I'm a huge fan of Ethiopian food and was def satisfied. I'm usually not a huge fan of the salad that comes with veggie plates but the dressing was very lemony and delicious!

Joshua S.

Yelp

It is really good I like the chicken tibs especially. Service is good, quick and they are very nice and friendly. Place is nice. Lights are dim. Very big place. The bar and decor is nice

Alice G.

Yelp

Delicious food (my fav is the bere Alicha)! My only complaint is they seem overstaffed - there are always an extra 4 people with nothing to do, so someone comes to your table every 5 minutes to refill your already-full water to the brim or to ask how you're doing. It gets kinda annoying after a while (and they do this every time I come).

Clover S.

Yelp

VERY delicious food! I got the lunch special mild beef with greens. I ordered a side of lentils as well. The food was absolutely incredible! The injera was delicious and the iced coffee was good as well, with a very unique taste of spices. The customer service was fantastic and the generosity from the staff was highly appreciated. The mural in front and art on the wall were both very beautiful, I kept admiring them as I ate my food.

Jamie B.

Yelp

Delicious veggie combo, sambusa and shiro! This place is always good and the staff are very attentive and friendly.

Jack R.

Yelp

I think it's decent but needs improvement on the flavor and less oil. For $75 for 3 people it's pricey and we left hungry. I think they need ro increase the portions because honestly the lentils were skimpy and there was like one small piece of chicken with a huge bone in it for one of the dishes. Also, the white meat chicken with the sautéed onions had a lot of spice with the jalapeño. I wish they would allow an option for no hot spices jalapeños because that wasn't the experience I wanted for Ethiopian food. The salad needed dressing, and was very dry. The injera was super sour and kind of stale tasting. I really like Ethiopian food, but this one was a miss for me.

Christine N.

Yelp

Haven't been to this restaurant in over a decade! And it's just as good as I remember. Ordered two vegetarian combos, side order of the chicken drumstick, rice, Ethiopian lemonade, and iced coffee. Everything was on point flavor wise and portion size wise. $18 for a veggie anything seems like a lot but it was cooked well- flavors and spices, so delish. Red lentil definitely packed a little heat. Also came with a little salad and some beets. Plenty of injera along with the meal. The iced coffee had a great spiced flavor to it. And the lemonade, made in house was refreshing and not too sweet. Oh and my side of meat, chicken drumstick, fall off the bone tender, tiny bit of spice, with a lot of flavor also. Service was lagging that day, a lot of waiting to order and pay. But the server explained at the end of the meal they were short staffed. The ambiance is unique, they even had outside seating. I just wish they cud throw some fly traps up; I was having to swat flies away throughout my entire meal. But it won't stop me from coming back here.

Yitian Z.

Yelp

Ordered the Ethiopian spiced tea and veggie sampler plate. Absolutely delicious and perfectly seasoned. Very healthy as well with the lentils and leafy veggies. Crepes were a good complement. I should learn how to cook Ethiopian food.

Sonja P.

Yelp

I'm not sure of anywhere else Ethiopian food is served besides Oakland, but it's been awhile. And i think I like this place better than anywhere else I've been. I liked the ambiance of this place. Decorations and paintings depicted a rich heritage of community and family joy. What I really like is that meals can be shared. And even for two we couldn't finish it all. Some had spice but it was a nice kick. Drinks were good too. Service was friendly and was helpful with the menu.

Mitch A.

Yelp

Really great restaurant and amazing food, almost like homemade. The chicken tibs and the veggie platter is so great.

Taylor V.

Yelp

I love food, and I love trying new things. I have only had Ethiopian food one time and enjoyed it. That was about 8 years ago. Came here during a Sunday afternoon. It wasn't too busy a groups of people. We were sat immediately, perused the menu for a few minutes. We decided on the veggie and meet sampler for two. I thought everything on the plate was absolutely delicious. It has such great flavor. The portions were huge and we ended up taking some home for later. I definitely enjoyed the vegetarian dishes more, but the meat dishes were very good too.

Tiffany S.

Yelp

Came here and sat outside with friends, we ordered the special that had the meat and veggies combo and two glasses of honey wine. All the meat was very well seasoned. So good and filling, no leftovers! Definitely want to come back and try more things on the menu.

Maya R.

Yelp

The meat and veggie platter at Enssaro Ethiopian Food is truly a culinary masterpiece and my favorite Ethiopian restaurant. The lamb curry was cooked to perfection, with tender pieces of meat in a rich and aromatic sauce that had me savoring every bite. The flavors were robust and well-balanced, taking the dish to a whole new level. The veggies were a delightful surprise, fresh, colorful, and bursting with flavor. Each vegetable dish added a unique element to the platter, creating a symphony of tastes and textures that left me thoroughly impressed. Enssaro Ethiopian Food has truly won my heart with their exceptional food.

Stefan T.

Yelp

I like the food but more so I like the friendly people working here. Very warm and welcoming. Meat sampler and veggie sampler are great options for people coming here for the first time. The food is good. The meat platter had outstanding chicken and some of the other meats were good. The beauty of trying a little of everything is that if you don't like something its no big deal. The last time I had this the chicken was fall off the bone tender perfection. All the other meats were not as outstanding. There is a little heat to all of the food here - so if your sensitive to that you might want to specifically ask your server what is least spicy. I believe the best part of this restaurant are the friendly people working here. Over the years all the servers are young, energetic and very helpful. The really want to make sure you've got everything and are comfortable. Hospitality that I don't feel in hamburger hot dog big American chain restaurants. I believe this restaurant is a valuable addition to the community and give five stars for that.

Marcela S.

Yelp

I'm giving this a 4star because I don't know Ethiopian food that much, had it long time ago so not much to compare it too. But the food was delicious. Injera was just the perfect sour and spongy, red lentils were on fire like spicy but good spicy, Cabbage and potatoes delicious, the chicken was yummy and the lamb tibs was good a little lamb-y but good I had the veggie platter $18 The service was awesome.. so nice and kind Cute in there and plenty of sitting

Shayla T.

Yelp

This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and it was the best experience! We came as a party of 4 and got the three person meat & veggie sampler platter which filled all of us up! Very cozy ambiance with plenty of seating (there was no wait either!) There are no utensils except for napkins but that's part of the experience. We got the injera bread (which was like a fluffy sourdough wrap) to pair with the sampler. Would recommend to go with a large group that can EAT because the portions are huge!

M. N.

Yelp

Had a nice meal here with a group. It took an unusually long time for our food to arrive, and likewise for other patrons, but I think this is unusual. The food was tasty. It being my first time there, I got the vegan sampler. Comparing to other Ethipian restaurants in the area, it's a mix: I like the all-teff injera and the collards better, but the messer wot (lentils w/berbere seasoning), the dish I most crave when I eat at Ethiopian restaurants and which I usually order on its own instead of the sampler, less. Parking is horrible to find in this area. Overall, I liked it well enough, but not enough to go out of my way unless meeting a group nearby for other reasons, in which case I'l be happy to again if otherewise nearby.

Mark G.

Yelp

Stumbled upon this hidden gem in Adams Point with my GF while on our run. It was my first time trying Ethiopian food. My Gf suggested we get the veggie and meat sampler for two. The portion size was perfect for two people and it was a great way to dry a little bit of each item. I am usually not a big fan of vegetables but I have to admit my favorite items on the sampler were the yellow lentils and cabbage. The staff were friendly and efficient. The restaurant was spacious with beautiful artwork to appreciate while you're waiting for your food. Although we enjoyed the food, I am giving it a 4 because we wish we could have selected the items on our sampler instead of it being a pre-fixed sampler. My GF really wanted the mushroom tibs, which weren't an option on the sampler.

Whitney H.

Yelp

Fast service, CLEAN, awesome ambiance, awesome prices for 2024 esp. and excellent flavors! One of my favorites by far. Servers have good energy!

Rachel D.

Yelp

Had a great lunch with my daughter today. Killing time we were hungry and decided to get Ethiopian. Enssaro is our normal go to. Normally we get all vegetarian, but I also ordered the meat sampler today. The meats included beef, lamb, and chicken. Everything was very seasoned and my favorite was the chicken. The beef was a bit chewy but had a nice sauce. The lamb was good as well. The chicken was very tender and stewed in a delicious rich sauce.

Hayeon Y.

Yelp

Great food, ambience, and date deal with the sampler & honey wine! Service was quick and friendly even though we came in at the last hour before closing. Only thing to note is that I love sour food & the injera's sourness here started getting to both of us. However, I still love the sourdough-y fermented buckwheat flavor and still recommend! Do proceed with caution if you are sensitive to sour flavors though. The veggie & meat samplers were all so delicious. Give it a try! The area around the restaurant is really lovely to walk around as well :)

Ilona M.

Yelp

I can't stress this enough: Enssaron is the best Ethiopian food I've ever had, and I make it a point to try every Ethiopian spot I come across. Every time I go, I order the same thing: veggie platters for two. I've taken every friend of mine from out of town to this spot, and will continue to do so. The food is just so, so good. Last time I went, my friend and I spent an entire afternoon ordering food and drinking their French 75s. This spot is a MUST try. Service is excellent as well. Minor note: I've seen some questionable things on the streets outside of this location. I'm a woman and I live within walking distance just on the other side of the lake, so I try to only go during the day just because the area can be a little unpredictable. But the food is to die for. Y'all have to try it.

Angela G.

Yelp

Service was just in the door, and it was excellent. We were able to sit where we liked, which was nice. I haven't been here in years. Wow, I think the food is even better than when I first had it. Sorry, but we had driven from Fairfied, and we're absolutely starving, and we dug right in. We ordered the veggie and meat combo for two, which had way more food than we could consume and was very affordable.

Celeste H.

Yelp

The food was delicious and the service was excellent. The food was so tasty with tons of different flavors. The meat was nice and tender falling right off the chicken bone. We were checked on multiple times by all workers and felt very taken care of. We will definitely be back for the food, service, and ambiance. Also dog friendly!

Asal B.

Yelp

So, so delicious! This place has been recommended to me by friends for years. But given that I don't live in Oakland, I rarely come this way. But today was the day we finally got to try this place. Let me tell you, the hype is real. We started off with the honey wine, got an order of veggie sambussa and then got the veg and meat platter for two. Well, the portion size was big, the food was flavorful and even my 11 month old couldn't get enough. It was delicious and we couldn't get enough. We will be back!

Stephanie A.

Yelp

Food is delicious. It came out hot & fast, probably because we came closer to their closing time. They didn't really rush us out though, which was nice. You have to try their Ethiopian ice teas! It was our first time trying them. Fella at the restaurant said they're made fresh with real ingredients. Makes sense because they were amazing. Service is attentive and friendly. Ambiance is open, restaurant has high ceilings and outdoor seats. The only thing I was confused about is ordering through a website, the tip is already included & there was a discrepancy with my credit card charge which caused an inconvenience. Otherwise I would've given 4 stars. *update I redact as the bill self-corrected

Tejal D.

Yelp

Big love to this spot! I've loved seeing their growth from a smaller operation 10+ years ago to a larger restaurant that seems to be busy at all hours! My favorites are the vegetarian sambussa and vegan platter. I'm not a vegan but their veg options are amazing. My only issues are: 1. service with pickup can be hit or miss - sometimes the order isn't ready for a while, even after the time window for pickup lapses. 2. something has changed with their seasoning lately - my favorite dish, messir wat, has been sweet the last few times I've ordered it. I can't tell whether it's cinnamon, sugar, or something else - but I loved the original dish and hope y'all switch it back.

Sarah A.

Yelp

This was my first time trying Ethiopian food, and I selected this place based on a local friend's recommendation. We came here on a Sunday night for dinner and it wasn't too busy. Service was quick and attentive, but not overbearing. The menu is viewable by QR code at your table and you can order using your phone. This tech menu feature allows you to easily split the bill in large group settings. We ordered beef sanbussa (not pictured because it was yummy and we ate it too fast...oops!), veggie platter and meat platter with extra injera. If you've never had Ethiopian food, you will quickly learn that no utensils are required. Injera is a soft crepe-like sourdough bread that can be used as a vessel to scoop each bite into your mouth. Ordering the platter is recommended if you have a group to share!

Ted N.

Yelp

The family running this restaurant are very friendly and accommodating. We had the sampler plate for four and it was excellent!

Dianna H.

Yelp

My first time trying Ethiopian food! I've been meaning to try since there are so many spots in east bay, and a friend had recommended Enssaro to me. It felt like a lighter and more shareable version of Indian food. My party of 5 came for dinner on Saturday evening around 6:30, and it wasn't too packed. They have outdoor seating as well as indoor. We opted for outdoor as it was super loud outside; even standing at the door, I was shouting to be heard. They use QR menus here, and you can either order via the QR code or with the server. The menu is very vegetarian and vegan friendly. To make things easier, we decided to share the meat sampler for two ($38), veggie and mushroom sampler for two ($35), and chicken tibs ($19). All of the food came out on shareable platters, with plenty of injera bread on the side to eat them with. Everything was pretty tasty overall. From the meat platter, I enjoyed the chicken and lamb curry the most, and from the veggie platter I absolutely loved the mushroom and the cabbage. Because we were sitting outside, service was a little slow and it did take us a little bit to get everything we needed. After the food came out, we realized we didn't have individual plates, cutlery, or napkins, and I'm not sure why these things weren't already provided to us earlier. The meal wasn't too expensive either. Came out to ~$25 pp!

Antriana W.

Yelp

10 out of 10 out of 10!!!! Love love love this place. My friend brought me a year ago. We got the big platter and I fell in love. I was craving something that'll warm my soul and wound up here. Wasn't sure what I should order so the owner came and gave the an amazing suggestion and I ran with it. Everything is so flavorful and good . Coffee is 10/10 literally the best coffee (I was on 10 the rest of the day so watch what time you drink it) The staff is amazing. They keep it clean. They even charged my phone for me I'll for sure be back! Go now if you've never been.

Jenny N.

Yelp

My friends and I were waiting to try Ethiopian food in the bay and I'm glad we got to experience it at this location. There's only meter parking in front of the restaurant. When you get there, you would need to order the food on your phone and then wash your hands because you will be using them to eat. The food was definitely worth the hype. We got the veggies and fish sampler for two people and a separate chicken tibs order. That was enough for 3 people. We even got to take some leftovers home. The fish was my favorite. It was tender and well seasoned. The chicken was also very rich and flavorful. There was some green chili pepper added so if you like spicy food, this dish is a must try. The red lentils and yellow peas were a little undercooked otherwise the taste was incredible.

xuan p.

Yelp

Everything is amazing here!! We always get the veggies platter . Amazing !! There's hummus dish that's really good . Great customer service.

Mai-Sie C.

Yelp

I hadn't eaten at an Ethiopian restaurant in over 15 years before trying Enssaro. I'd always liked Ethiopian food in the past, but this much better even than I remembered. We went with our family of four, and ordered the meat and veggie sampler for four. It was a great balance of different flavors and textures. Flavorful and aromatic, balanced spices, without being overly salty or heavy.

Lukas S.

Yelp

This is not a very flashy place by any means, and the interior is a bit bare so it does get loud when it fills up with patrons. But the servers are very nice and attentive and the food is sooo good. Just went here for an anniversary dinner and it was a huge success. We'll be back.

Sharon H.

Yelp

The food was really good! It was my first time trying Ethiopian food and my favorite was the veggies/fish combo. The fish was my favorite and was seasoned very nicely. The service was average. They were pretty busy but the waiter was friendly and told us his favorite way to eat the combination of flavors. The ambiance is casual vibes. Both date,friend, and family friendly!

Salam A.

Yelp

First Ethiopian restaurant I've tried in Oakland and I was throughly impressed. We had an early dinner so we were seated right away and greeted very warmly by the folks working there. We ordered the lentil sambusa and mesir tibs. Food came out fast and was delicious!! The lentil sambusa came with a deletable hot sauce on the side and the mesir tibs along with the included veggie sides were seasoned perfectly. I'm usually not a fan of teff injera but I actually liked there's because it wasn't too sour. We didn't order any drinks but certainly will next time because the drinks were so creative and sounded yum. Highly recommend and can't wait to go back!

Katia G.

Yelp

I've been going to Enssaro for about 2 years now and the food is always delicious! Solomon and his staff are very attentive and make you feel welcome and appreciated during your dining experience. The music is upbeat, but not so loud that you can't have a conversation. I always get the meat sampler or meat & veggie sampler depending on how many people I'm with and we always have leftovers. The Ethiopian tea latte is also very tasty, warm and sweet, but not too sweet. I bring all my friends here because I know it'll always be a great dining experience!

Nicole M.

Yelp

I get cravings for Ethiopian food, and I have a soft spot for Enssaro. The food is consistently delicious. On this visit we went veggie. Lentils of any kind are delicious to me, and it's the slightly sour, spongy goodness of the wat that I crave most. Where Enssaro excels is with the little things. Their Ethiopian Salada is addictive. I think it must be the dressing. The salad is simple - hand-chopped lettuce, diced onions, and diced tomatoes, dressed with olive oil, garlic, chilies, and fresh lime juice. Definitely, the lime juice. The sautéed cabbage/potatoes/carrot are also delicious. They get the mix of textures just right. I actually ate all the carrots, and I usually hate cooked carrots. The Ethiopian tea is also delighted, with just the right hit of spice. I just wish they had better service. The waitress was fast and efficient when we could get her attention, but getting it was difficult. One server was serving the entire restaurant, to Clyde a large party of ten or so. This has been an issue before. They definitely need two. This is not a place to go for a quick bite, but if you are patient, you will be rewarded. They have a decent amount of outdoor seating. Inside can feel a little cavernous, but not went the restaurant is fairly full. Definitely recommended.

Samantha P.

Yelp

It was my very first time trying Ethiopian food and it was delicious!! We started with Ethiopian nachos and it was incredibly highly recommended! We got the veggie and meat for 2 and the amount of food you receive is amazing, in my opinion, it's more than enough food for 2 people, and we had leftovers for each of us the next day. Everyone was nice and very helpful, we already decided we're coming back!!

Susan P.

Yelp

It was fun having lunch here. We ordered the meat and veggie sampler for 3 people. Generous portions- we had tons of leftovers for dinner. Amazing taste- it hit all of my spots that I was super satisfied after 2 bites!! Would definitely come back.

Marco C.

Yelp

This place has got some excellent kitfo - best I've had in Oakland so far. I just housed a pound of it, this fluffy, red, well-spiced stuff. +1 star also for a good supply of beers on tap.

Tweet H.

Yelp

The food is amazing but my unruly threenager decided to start a full blown meltdown but a man who works with Enssaro, invited him in holding his hand. My toddler who doesn't trust anyone took his hand and went inside and stopped crying. Quite beautiful moment to a very tired mom and dad.

Tiffany A.

Yelp

Wanted Ethiopian food. Did not want to drive across town to my usual spot. Enssaro was nearby so I ordered online for pickup. I wasn't too hungry so i opted for on of the $10 specials. It included 2 sides and injrea bread. I got the lamb with sautéed cabbage, carrots and potatoes. $10 for a home cooked is a very good deal! This restaurant is nice! It's on the larger side. There is bar area and outside dining. The art on the walls are beautiful. The bathroom is even nice. I wasn't expecting anything too special. I've never had 'bad' Ethiopian food. Yes, some places exceeded others, but never a nasty experience. LISTEN, the lamb tasted so good I called out to the Lord! OMG. It was something special. That was the best lamb I've ever had. Flavorful and tender. Divine. The cabbage was good too. This is my new go-to for Ethiopian.

https://onthegrid.city/oakland/grand-lake-lake-merritt/enssaro-ethiopian

On the Grid : Enssaro Ethiopian

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/guides/best-places-to-eat-drink-near-lake-merritt-oakland

The 23 Best Restaurants Near Lake Merritt - San Francisco - The Infatuation

Oakland

https://sf.eater.com/2020/3/19/21185822/east-bay-restaurants-takeout-delivery-coronavirus

@eater

East Bay Restaurants Open for Takeout and Delivery During the Coronavirus Shutdown - Eater SF

"The Grand Avenue Ethiopian spot is open regular hours for takeout and delivery. Call 510-238-9050." - Luke Tsai

https://www.theinfatuation.com/san-francisco/reviews/enssaro

Enssaro Review - Adams Point - San Francisco - The Infatuation

"You don’t need to see the crowds that pack Enssaro each night to know that this Adams Point spot serves some of the best Ethiopian food in town—like perfectly sautéed or simmered chicken, lamb, and lentils plated over spongy injera bread. Get the meat or vegetable platters, so you can mix and match dishes, trying all the different spices and textures that make Ethiopian food so incredible. The food at this casual restaurant is meant to be shared, which is why you’ll always see tables of big groups and, at dinner, a line out the door." - Lani Conway