GS Cafe and Ethiopian Cuisine

Our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Southern California! This is our go to restaurant and have been coming here for years. The food is always delicious! Our go to dishes are the Regular Tibs, Atkilt, Kik Wot, and Gomen, they are perfectly cooked and seasoned each time. The injera is also delicious, we can’t get enough! Thank you for the delicious food, so thankful to have this Ethiopian restaurant in our community!

As someone who’s passionate about clean eating and mindful of digestive health, I’m always looking for restaurants that balance authenticity with freshness and care. My visit to GS Cafe was a wonderful experience that checked many of those boxes. I ordered the veggie platter, which came with great portion sizes and fresh ingredients enough for a 2 or 3 more meals! The injera appeared to have some barley mixed with teff, so while it wasn’t entirely gluten-free (as other reviewers mentioned), it was still light, fluffy, and beautifully made. I did miss a bit of that traditional sour tang, but it was clear that real attention went into its preparation. The Key Sir (beets) were the star of the show — tender, perfectly cooked, and incredibly flavorful. Honestly, it was the best beet dish I’ve ever had. The Misir Wot (red lentils) was surprisingly mild — a thoughtful touch for those sensitive to spice like me. The entire platter leaned toward a gentler spice profile than most of the 50+ platters I’ve tried over the years, but the staff provided traditional spice mix on the side, which was a lovely option for those wanting an extra kick. The Gomen (greens) had more of a creamed-collard texture than the al dente style I prefer, but it was still well-seasoned. The Fasolia (string beans) and Atkilt (cabbage and carrots) were cooked nicely, though a touch on the oily side — not enough to upset my stomach, but it could be lighter. And wow! the Ethiopian smoothie was a beautiful surprise! A refreshing blend of avocado, mango, and strawberry, it struck the perfect balance of sweet, fresh, and hearty. The staff were outstanding; kind, welcoming, and clearly proud of their food. The young man who served me had such a positive attitude that it genuinely added to the warmth of the meal. Overall, GS Cafe is an excellent choice for those trying Ethiopian food for the first time or for anyone seeking authentic flavors served in a gentle, stomach-friendly way.

I seriously loved this meal! It was super filling. I also really appreciate the tiny details like the eating instructions. I have had some eating restrictions and the staff were kind and understanding of that, did not question my reasons. Would definitely come back! Meal was a little pricier cause I got a drink but the Beef and Veggie combo platter is so filling it makes for a great dish to split. The flavor is very home-y.

First time trying Ethiopian food. It's not for me. They use a type of sourdough bread called Injera to scoop up food. It's pretty sour and I did not care for it or sourdough for that matter. It's mostly vegetarian dishes with sour/bitter flavors. The meat was good by itself. The beer they serve has a sweet back and I would definitely recommend to any beer drinker. My wife got a shake and that was absolutely amazing. No clue what was in it, but tastes sweet and is very refreshing. They are incredibly nice and service is excellent. Is recommend this to anyone who enjoys those types of flavors and wants to explore. I guess I'll try Ghanaian next. Screw Flanders

I had a wonderful experience at GS Cafe and Ethiopian Cuisine! The food was rich with flavor and beautifully spiced, especially the injera and the veggie combo — so satisfying and authentic. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff made us feel right at home. It’s a hidden gem for anyone craving delicious Ethiopian food in a relaxed setting. Highly recommend!

Absolutely fantastic food! I’ve been here countless times over the past couple of years and am constantly recommending it to friends. All of their meats and veggie dishes are great, and their tea is fantastic! Lots of people come for the honey wine, but I think the tea is even better! This place is unassuming from the outside but is POPULAR (rightly so). I recommend getting here right when they open for their lunch or dinner hours to guarantee a taste. They sell out sometimes, so no guarantees if you get there at the end of the day. It’s also a smaller team, typically just the chef and the server (who is super sweet), so bring your patience with your appetite, I promise it will be worth it!

I wish I had taken some pictures of our dishes. The food was amazing! This was a special treat for us after our lovely devotional gathering. I love the fact that it's a family owned business. Can't wait to go back! ❤️

As someone who grew up in Ethiopia, I know what authentic Ethiopian food should taste like — and let me tell you, GS Café and Ethiopian Cuisine absolutely nails it. From the very first bite, my taste buds started doing the boogie-woogie and flip-flops right in the middle of my mouth. That’s how you know it’s the real deal! Every dish bursts with rich, traditional flavor that instantly takes me back home. The injera is perfectly soft and tangy, the wot is seasoned to perfection, and the aroma alone could make you hungry all over again. Honestly, I don’t even bother going to Little Ethiopia anymore — Covina has officially taken over. The food is incredible, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the people behind this place are just as awesome as the food they serve. If you’re looking for authentic Ethiopian cuisine made with love, GS Café is the spot. Absolute perfection — a true five-star-plus experience!

Makes so much sense that GS Cafe has made it onto Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat and top Ethiopian restaurant lists and I've been biding my time until my first visit, which was phenomenal. We came during the holiday season about an hour or so before closing and it was PACKED. Despite this, we were welcomed in with opened arms and we never felt rushed during our entire visit. There's a seating/waiting area in the front and they play videos about Ethiopia on the TV screens. Honestly, I don't say this much, but it honestly felt like we were family or we were visiting our friend's place for a meal here. All the workers were smiles and very warm and friendly. Even when another party dropped and broke what looked like a fancy glass, no hard feelings and cleaned up super fast. There's lots of cultural decor to look at and the dishes, various cups, plates, tea pots, glasses, etc. are neat to look at as well. We got the: 1) Ethiopian Spiced tea: -It's hot black tea brewed with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. -Comes out super hot. Flavor profile is exactly the spices and warmth you associate with the Western holidays, so this was very nice on a cold day. 2) Ethiopian Coffee: -Boyfriend got a cup of this. It's the Sini Bunna served in a traditional coffee cup and refills are available. -A bit too bitter for me, but good pick me up. 3) Tej: -This is Ethiopian honey wine. -I'm allergic to alcohol, but my boyfriend got this to enjoy and said it was sweet but not unbearable. -It's made of Gesho (a traditional Ethiopian brewing shrub stem), honey, and water. -If you enjoy wine and sweet alcohol, I'd recommend it. 4) GS Special: -Gotta get it since it's got the restaurant's name in it! Also it's probably the best to get if you're new to the cuisine and are a bit unsure. -It says it's recommended to serve for 2-3+ people and it's definitely a LOT of food. My boyfriend and I came here hungry but there was enough food leftover for over a day. Super generous with the delicious portions. -The GS special includes a combo of their doro wot (chicken stew), key wot (beef stew), and 8 vegetarian side dishes served on a large platter with injera (a thin sourdough bread made out of Teff - a grain indigenous to Ehtiopia). -The 8 vegetarian side dishes are: misir wot (red lentil stew seasoned with onions and spices), misir alecha (yellow lentil stew seasoned with tumeric and spices), kik wot (yellow split peas stew seasoned with tumeric and spices), shiro (creamy chickpea powder stew spiced with onion), atkilt (seasoned vegetable stew made with carrots and cabbage), fasolia (string beans sauteed with carrots, onions, and spices), key sir (Ethiopian style red beets cooked with onions), and gomen (greens simmered in traditional spices). -Every bite is super flavorful and different diverse depths of tastes and textures. Make sure to snap pictures at the start, it's beautiful dish to eat with your eyes and your stomach. -My favorites are definitely the key sir (I LOVE BEETS), misir alecha (love lentils), kik wot (split peas, can never go wrong with them), and the key wot beef stew. Hearty chunks of moist beef that have absorbed the flavorful stew. -Very filling, warming dish and great place to dine and connect with the food and those you are with. Will definitely come back in the future.

What an amazing first experience having Ethiopian food! It is located in a fairly quiet strip mall with plentiful parking so you don't need to worry about where to park. The ambiance was nice and homey and you definitely feel like you are in an Ethiopian restaurant with Ethiopian music playing in the background. We ordered the #14 GS Special Platter which consists of the doro wot (chicken stew), key wot (beef stew) and 7 vegetarian side dishes. There were 3 of us and naturally this platter serves 2-3 people so we felt it was enough food. The savory flavors and spices blended perfectly together and you walk away feeling very satisfied. Nate was very courteous and provided amazing customer service, making sure we received our injera refills (the sourdough bread you eat with the food) and it helps when these refills are free. All in all, I was very pleased and impressed with the whole experience and I will be going back soon!

My go-to spot since 2020/2021. The Vegetarian delight is my favorite platter to order. While my partner's favorite is the GS special which includes chicken stew (doro wat) and beef stew (key wat). My favorite dishes on the veggie platter are the savory stewed green beans (fasolia), beets (key sir), and red lentils (misos wot). When pregnant, it's all I ate and now that my baby is now a toddler, they still love it. Had the opportunity to dine in with friends here and service was fantastic. The Pandemic did challenge GS to operate during different hours. Mondays they are closed entirely. I highly recommend calling ahead to make sure their hours aren't short that day in case you plan to either dine in or pickup. All in all, solid spot for a hearty yet healthy meal. When I don't know what to eat, my default is always GS Cafe.

I've always been curious about African food whenever I found myself in near LACMA, especially when it's so close to little Ethiopia. To my surprise, one of my friends was talking about getting Ethiopian food over the weekend in west covina, there's no better time right? We decided on the GS Special to get a bit of everything: The platter serves about 2-3+ people and they aren't wrong. They mean like 2-3 big eaters because the dish itself is served with injera, fermented flatbread, as your main delivery source of deliciousness and it can be pretty filling if you don't pace yourself. The injera itself is like a soft spongy flatbread but sour almost like sourdough. There's no utensils as it's traditionally eaten with your hands, like your make it yourself wraps. Out of the various side dishes it came with, I felt drawn to both the doro wot and key wot(chicken and beef stew respectively) for their depth in flavor from the berebere seasoning and the homey flavors. That's not to say the vegetarian sides should also be ignored too as the key sir, kik wot, and atkilt were all my favorites with the various flavors and textures it really brings about a more social and large gathering setting to enjoy all this. I would recommend the lentils too, but I don't normally eat lentils so they all kind of mixed together for me. A big surprise for us was that seeing us complete the special in its entirety, the chef was so moved that we got complimentary Ethiopian spiced tea. It was such a nice gesture for them and I gotta say the spiced tea makes your whole body warm from the cinnamon, cardamon and cloves. I highly recommend it! For folks who are curious, it's very similar to thai tea with the shared spices in cinnamon and cardamon. I would recommend this place for future food ventures as the restaurant vibe is very homey, no frills and good food along with an equally kind chef and staff!! Situated in a random plaza, I wouldn't have figured out there would be an ethiopian place here of all places.

I finally made my way to this hidden gem! I love Ethiopian food but never really made my way out to Covina to try this place. It now stands as one of my favorite Ethiopian spots in LA. The service was very on point even though they were busy. Highly recommend the Ethiopian spiced tea if you're into a nice warm cinnamon drink that gets strong towards the end. My fiance and I shared the veggie combo platter for 4 choices. We got some chickpea, greens, and steamed vegetable which everything was seasoned so nicely. Plus the injera had a nice sour tang to it that stands out nicer compared to the other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to. Good food and it was more than enough for the 2 of us. Shout out to the staff for holding on to our to-go box when we completely forgot to bring it with us on our way out but they held onto it when we returned. Very nice service and food, plus easy parking is a win in my book.

It was a ridiculously hot Sunday afternoon. My friend mentioned wanting to try Ethiopian food, so after a few false starts we made our way down to Covina. I arrived right about 1pm, but as luck would have it the restaurant was closed. Or so I thought. Sure the doors were locked, though the AC was on and faint sounds were being made inside. Since my friend was still on the way, I decided to check out the nearby record shop. Later on, both of us walked around the sleepy strip mall deciding whether to call it quits, when we noticed several workers going in the restaurant. It was about 1:25pm before we were allowed in and seated. We opted for #15, the Meat and Veggie Platter. The television was playing music videos of folks grooving rhythmically. Looking around, the decorations blended together well, artwork found wall to wall as well as on the ceiling. Once the platter came, we were given pointers on how to pinch the injera and grab enough filling. More patrons came in around 2pm, so everyone was having more or less a late lunch. With every bite, the injera with stewed beef key wot, lentils, and collard greens complimented each other beautifully. After a while, it became clear that we had way too much food between two people. The platter came with a basket of injera in addition to those already on the plate, which includes the one soaking up all the juices, so admittedly the fullness hit me hard. As the restaurant got busier, the single waitstaff had to juggle multiple tables with sizeable parties. All in all, absolutely delicious, and from a brief glance of the other unique entrees like kitfo and tibis, this place restaurant warrants another visit with more people.

*Note: TDLR at the end of review GS Special: 10/10 So so affordable and so so good. There's so much flavor in each different part of the dish. There is a variety of meats and vegetables cooked different ways. For this sharable, there is more veggies than meat, which to clarify, is not a bad thing at all!!! Just something to note if you are a meat lover or if you're trying to get your protein in, I recommend ordering an additional meat dish. Strawberry Mango Avocado Smoothie: 8/10 Nothing mind blowing, but it's good and refreshing! On the pricier side in my opinion, but if you don't mind, I'd say give it a try. Ambiance: 9/10 The restaurant feels very homey! It's a bit small with limited tables. The noise levels were at a very little to medium. If you're sitting near or under the TV the music can be a bit loud, but it's not too bad! Service: 10/10 The young man always in the front is wonderful! He explains everything very well if it is your first time. He is the only person in the front so please be patient. The food takes maybe 20-30 minutes to come out depending on the day, but it's worth it! TDLR: Must try! Most Ethiopian food is in Downtown LA so it's nice to have somewhere closer and more accessible. Parking is easy, food is great, and it is SUPER affordable.

Just a wonderful experience from beginning to end. The whole staff was very accommodating for our somewhat large party of 12. We sorted amongst the braised beef, chicken thighs with farmers cheese, beef tips. And plenty of vegetables in the various combo plate. We also shared a bottle of their Ethiopian honey wine, which is slightly carbonated and taste wise resembles a semi sweet white wine with honey overtones. Excellent Injera here. In the thoughtfully tuned their TVs to allow us to AirDrop the game seven of the Dodgers winning the World Series this year while we dined. It's a quiet and relaxing, café atmosphere encouraging conversation and great mixing.

My cousins and I decided to try this place because it has been on my list for a while and thank goodness we came! The food is delicious and the service is great! Nate was such a great server and showed us all the ropes! From how to order to how to eat to how to package up the leftovers, he was great! For food, we got the veggie and beef platter. It says it feeds 2-3 but there were 5 of us and we had enough for leftovers! Huge portions. And everything on the platter was sooo good!! We also got the beef tartar which was spicy and flavorful. Will definitely be coming back here!

I had seen this spot on one of those Yelp lists - I think it was Top Places to Eat or something like that. Thought it was interesting because most Ethiopian restaurants are in the Little Ethiopia area in LA...one in SGV?!? Can I trust it? But if it's on the Yelp's list...it must mean something...so this place always stuck out in my mind but somehow, there's always something else to eat in SGV and this spot fell by the wayside until a few months ago. Finally came here to try it out with a friend. The spot's located in a plaza in Covina. We were the first to enter the restaurant as I had a mix-up about the hours (apparently, weekday hours and weekend hours are different) so we were just sitting in our cars waiting for the restaurant to open for lunch. Inside, the spot is pretty spartan but its decor is true to its Ethiopian roots. Service is prompt - we only saw someone in the back cooking and there was one server who handled everything in the front - but more about their service later. We opted for the GS Special because it has the most variety, seem to offer the best value and would give us an adequate assessment of their food. Food came out pretty good and boy was it on a big platter and they provided extra injera also...very generous portions overall. Everything on there was so delicious. A bit oily but so flavorful. Injera was delicious too...the tang, the soft fluffiness. So much food that we couldn't finish it and had leftovers to pack home. After paying the bill, we sat our table chatting for quite a bit. Our server brought over both of us a cup of hot spiced tea...ON THE HOUSE! They were hospitable and nice enough let us overstay our lunch visit with us sitting there beyond finishing our food and paying the bill...but they went the extra mile with this gesture of kindness and generosity. If I'm craving Ethiopian food again, I'll definitely be coming back to Covina vs. the LA area now that I know GS is a solid spot for service and food!

Ambiance - It's small and cozy here. A very casual atmosphere that makes hanging out and sharing food easy. The decor is fun and colorful. There's a little spice and souvenir corner that I think you can buy stuff from? But there wasn't much there. It's clean and kept cool with a strong fan. Medium noise level due to the music and the fan. Service - Friendly and personable. They kindly asked the chef if we were able to switch the beef to the chicken for the platter. Food - Super fun to eat together. The sourdough tang of the injera goes well with all the side dishes. It has a soft and airy texture. My fave dish turned out to be the fasolia on my mom's plate!! The green string beans were yummier than I thought so I even ordered extra to take home. Second fave was the atkilt and then the kik wot. They all have a soft sweetness to it that goes perfectly with the injera!!! I don't know why my mom expected dry chicken but she said the chicken meat for the doro wot was fall off the bone soft!! Not dry at all. She's usually bad with spice but she could eat it just fine! You can replace the beef with the chicken on the plate combos if you want. An amazing lunch! I had such a good time eating and I ate until I was full. There was plenty enough to take home even though I got the small veggie combo. I haven't been since my last review and I'm so happy I got a chance to finally go back. I highly recommend this place!

First time trying Ethiopian food recommended by a coworker! I came right before they closed in the afternoon and the gentleman in front was super friendly, patient, and helpful. I told him it was my first time. I was debating between the beef and veggie platter $37 and the beef and veggie combo $28. The platter came with 8 different veggie sides and the combo comes with 3. I opted for the platter since I wanted to try all the sides they had. I took it to go and ate it at home with my husband. The portion size was really big so we ended up eating it for two meals! The dish itself was packed with flavor. Our first time did not disappoint! We will definitely be back.

This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and I absolutely loved it! The bread, injera, a crepe-like sourdough bread, served as a great vessel for all the sides and meats. Everything I tried was absolutely delicious! The Ethiopian Smoothie had layers of real fruits of strawberry, mango, and avocado! This is a cute cafe restaurant with a fair amount of tables and seating, full of its culture. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.

I haven't had Ethiopian food in over 20 years since I dined at a restaurant in Little Ethiopia on the west side so I was excited to see that there is an Ethiopian restaurant near me. My son and I decided to come here and pick up some food for lunch. I called in ahead and ordered the GS Special, the Awaze Tibis, Ethiopian smoothie,and Ethiopian coffee for takeaway. Upon arrival, the staff was so friendly and promptly greeted us. It was bigger inside than I expected and can proabably fit about 30 people at a time. There's also merchandise for sale in the corner of the store. We were probably the first customers of the day so we did have to wait a bit for our food, but the man was so nice and gave us an extra smoothie for the long wait. My whole family loved the smoothie. The coffee was ok. I really enjoyed the GS Special, especially the doro wot (chicken stew) - the chicken was so tender and flavorful! However my son said the key wot (beef) was dry and didn't really have any flavor. He liked the Awaze Tibis better. The portion size of the GS special was more than enough to feed my family for 2 meals - I think eating it with the injera bread really filled us up quick. They line all the dishes with the Injera, in addition to using it as a vessel for eating your food, it was there to absorb all the oil from the dishes, as they were all pretty heavily covered in oil (Which probably was the root cause of the indigestion I experienced afterwards). If you've never had Ethiopian before, give this place a try, I think you'll enjoy it!

I drove 1.5 hours to try this restaurant after having it bookmarked for a while. They don't seem to the phone so I took a chance checking the hours of operation on various websites. They must know it's not only local people that support them. They don't even a sign saying there was an emergency or anything. Minis 10 for this place. Never again !

Arrive early because good food from a mom & pop shop takes a while to cook! When we arrived 10 min after they opened for dinner on a weeknight, there appeared to be only 1 person in the kitchen. There were 3 other parties of 2-4 people already seated before us. Our order took about 45 min. During that time, someone walked in for a to-go order but the server stated that it would be about an hour wait. Beef & Veggie Platter (5.0) I've never had such a wide variety of veggies that taste this good in my life. Nor have I ever liked the veggies in the dish more than the protein! But that's not to say that the beef wasn't good, it was so well-spiced. The beets were my favorite of the platter--sweet and a little juicy! It doesn't look like a lot of food but my husband and I were stuffed! The injera really fills you up. And it has such a nice, sour flavor that I found myself eating it by itself. Awaze Tibis (4.5) I loved the spicy flavors on this, but felt that the beef was a bit dry. Other than that, it was really tasty. I wish I could pinpoint the spices they use because the flavors linger on your palate! Since it was our first time, the server explained the menu very thoroughly and patiently. When the food came out, he explained how to eat it with injera. The conversations he had with regulars, the small & intimate dining space, and the decor are some of the many endearing qualities of this restaurant. I love places with simple charm because that's really all you need when the food is so good. This place deserves its high spot on any Yelp list.

This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant I've been to - not only is the food the best, but it's also the best value by far. Even though it's far for me, it's well worth the 1 hour drive every time. My two to-go dishes are the #3 veggie combo (select 4) and #18 awaze tibis. For the veggie combo, the dishes I selected are: #8 Atkilt - carrots and cabbage - well seasoned, the veggies have a nice crunchy texture and not over cooked like at some other places #9 Fasolia - string beans - excellently cooked with good spice blend #10 Key Sir - beets, perfect balance between natural sweetness of the beets and the savory seasoning #11 Gomen - greens, out of the 4 this one doesn't stand out as much but it's still good #18 Awaze Tibis - I love how the flavor of the onions and butter integrates excellently with the beef. The beef can be on the lean side and tough occasionally, but still overall good It can take upwards of 20-30 min for the food to arrive after ordering, and it can get crowded during weekend peak hours, so I usually go weeknights or off hours. The atmosphere is rustic with a TV in the corner playing what I assume are Ethiopian music videos. The music can get too loud sometimes, but this wasn't an issue for my most recent visit. None of this factors into my rating, the rating is just for the food.

Dinner was a wonderful experience! I had brought some of our kids as we are studying Africa with our Exploring Countries & Cultures curriculum. They had music videos playing - one screen was more traditional and the other modern. We ordered the GS special to try a bit of everything. The kids all ate with their hands and the teff bread and enjoyed the spiced tea. The waiter helped teach them how to put the leftovers in the box. I would highly recommend it!

The veggie platter is always a 10/10! Love coming to this place. The customer service is great and the food is good.

Our third visit to GS and it was excellent as usual. Two of our three kids hadn't been yet so we decided to take the family. We ordered the GS Combo and an additional meat dish, the Awaze Tibis, which was fantastic. My wife, Gwen, and I enjoyed the Tej (mead) as well. The menu says the GS Combo is for 2 to 3 but we probably could have been fine splitting it among our family of 5. If you're big eaters then order an extra dish or two. You can also just start with the Combo and order more as you go if you're uncertain. It being a holiday weekend we were lucky to only have about a 10 minute wait for a table. If you haven't been before, it's in a strip mall and you can easily pass it and you might even miss it when you're looking right at it. Also, inside, it's a small room and not a ton of tables, but the service is friendly and you feel quite welcomed. It's not a fancy restaurant. Instead, it feels comfortable and non-hurried. If you're new to Ethiopian, give it a try, as I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. The dishes and wonderfully made and perfectly spiced. There's a reason so many others rate GS Cafe so highly and why it's so distinguished in terms of its Yelp awards. It's not due to being a perfectly buttoned up high end restaurant. Instead, it's a small restaurant with a ton of charm. It's a place that feels warm and welcoming. And the Ethiopian cuisine they serve is just plain delicious.

Apparently they don't like to answer their phone. I tried calling several times to place a take out order before they close but no one answered

We love the GS Cafe and Ethiopian Cuisine! We like the food and the people! Great atmosphere for enjoying our meals. We will meet friends for dinner there very soon!

Exceptional food, service, and ambiance! ordered the veggie and beef platter and it was delicious. service was quick and very polite (got free yummy smoothies). the smoothies are delicious make sure to order one. the vibe is very home like and comforting.

This spot had been on my bookmarks forever, and we finally made it out on a recent Saturday night with a group of four. None of us had tried Ethiopian food before, so we weren't quite sure what to expect in terms of portion size, but the staff was spot on when they said the #13 platter would be plenty to share. It came with a variety of veggie dishes, a couple of meat options, and a generous amount of injera flatbread made from sourdough. My husband, always worried there won't be enough food, added an extra chicken dish and more veggies. Traditionally, Ethiopian food is eaten without utensils, using your hands and injera to scoop up the dishes. It's even customary to feed one another as a sign of love and friendship. The worker did brought out a couple of sets of utensils for us after seeing how awkward we were trying to eat our dinner. We were all pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed the flatbread and actually found the veggie dishes more flavorful than the meats. If you've never tried Ethiopian cuisine before, this is a great place to start. And don't miss the delicious tri-colored rainbow smoothie. It is both refreshing and a photogenic drink.

Finally got to this spot and it's great! The veggie platter for two is a good size portion and packed with flavor. The lentils are well seasoned, and if you prefer a more mild flavor you'll definitely love it. The food was not spicy, but you can ask for a spice mix on the side and dip your food in that for some spicy kick. They do not make their own injera but that's fine. As far as what comes on the plate it's red lentils, yellow lentils, green beans and carrots, white cabbage, spinach, and I actually forget the last veggie option on the plate, but it was all pretty tasty. We also tried the beef tibs and those were good. The meat was tender and juicy. Also, not spicy but well spiced. The service is good and comes with a friendly vibe. The ambiance is basic no frills, yet it offers a welcoming vibe. The coffee is unique and worth trying. I will definitely visit again in the future. They have a parking lot, but make sure not to park in the subway parking spots. Check hours before visiting as they close after lunch and reopen later for dinner service.

Simply hands down best Ethiopian food we ever had! Even my daughter loves it and we have to come here at least once a week! We get the veggie platter. This dish has an assortment of perfectly spiced, fresh, and satisfying vegetarian dishes. Each component of the platter--be it the savory lentils, rich chickpeas, or the tangy collard greens--is meticulously crafted, offering a delicious balance of flavors and textures. The herbs and the aroma makes it so tasty! The injera, a traditional Ethiopian flatbread, is soft, slightly tangy, and the perfect for scooping up the rich stews and sides. Beyond the food, the ambiance at GS Cafe is warm and welcoming, making it a great spot for both casual dinners and special gatherings. The friendly staff and excellent service further elevate the dining experience.

If you have not tried Ethiopian food and want to have a delicious and flavorful cultural experience, I highly recommend trying GS Cafe and Ethiopian Cuisine. This is my fourth attempt at eating Ethiopian food in various cities and this was definitely one of my best experiences. I completely understand why this family-run restaurant has such a high Yelp rating. I would recommend the Veggie Platter because you have an opportunity to try a variety of 8 veggies. We ordered the Beef and Veggie Combo which includes 3 veggies and all the items were flavorful and delicious. You eat with your hands with the spongy Ethiopian sourdough bread and it is part of the enjoyable dining experience. The tri-colored smoothie resembling the colors of the Ethiopian flag is also refreshing. The server was friendly and went above and beyond, so kudos to his excellent customer service. The interior of the restaurant is also decorated with traditional Ethiopian artwork that compliments the delicious food. Do understand that they occasionally can run out of food once it sells out because the items are made with care (which can take hours to make.) Definitely a little hidden gem in Covina!

A coworker and I both happened to be working remotely and Yelp roulette managed to land us into one of the highest rated Ethiopian restaurants with a Michelin. The food is always colorful and tasty. Also, how have I lived this long and not known of honey wine. The traditional bottle looks like a health potion too! It's recommended you get there early if you have a party of 2 or more, otherwise the wait can be a bit long due to its popularity. They definitely try to make the inside look like a restaurant from Ethiopian, complete with various music videos from the region playing on TV.

First time coming here and it will not be the last. Orders the gs special and everything about it was amazing! I really enjoyed the vegetarian options on there as well. I would come back to get just the veggie platter, meat was not needed . Place had plenty of seating . Will be back!

GS Cafe is somewhere that I would want to eat at every single day if I could. I've been coming here for the past 4 years, and the food never disappoints. Every curry/stew/side that you are served alongside rolls of injera is hearty, healing, and rich in flavor. The interior has a homey vibe with loads of cultural decor and music playing. Not to mention, Nate & his parents are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. You are missing out if you haven't yet experienced this incredible Ethiopian spot. Their highly rated spot (#4!) on Yelp's Top 100 restaurants list is extremely well deserved.

Everything was delicious and the service was spectacular. I like being able to try the variety of sides. Our favorite was the string beans!

Family-owned! Been twice already! The ambiance is homey, not flashy, and doesn't need to prove anything more. Parking is ample, in a plaza. I have to admit the service is a bit slow because only the But it's worth the wait. Every table is full both times I've been there. We got the Awaze Tibis, which is a good addition. They provide plenty of injera! The balance of flavors is on point, the leafy and pickled veggies. The dish is saucy and colorful.

Absolutely fantastic food! I've been here countless times over the past couple of years and am constantly recommending it to friends. All of their meats and veggie dishes are great, and their tea is fantastic! Lots of people come for the honey wine, but I think the tea is even better! This place is unassuming from the outside but is POPULAR (rightly so). I recommend getting here right when they open for their lunch or dinner hours to guarantee a taste. They sell out sometimes, so no guarantees if you get there at the end of the day. It's also a smaller team, typically just the chef and the server (who is super sweet), so bring your patience with your appetite, I promise it will be worth it!

This was first time at this restaurant and it was absolutely delicious! The place is clean and nicely decorated. The prices are good and the employee is kind and attentive. I left full and happy. I definitely recommend it here!

Sometimes a great Yelp isn't always warranted but this place is worth every single 5-star reviews that other patrons have left before. We got to the restaurant right at opening for early dinner and it's a good thing because within half an hour, every table was filled. We had the GS special since there was 4 of us and it was a great combo of vegetarian and protein dishes. The menu had stated that it would feed 2-3, for the four of us we were filled to the brim and took the leftovers home for another serving next day. Who knew the best Ethiopian food was in Covina, CA? Come early and stake out your spot or prepare to wait.

I don't know how I have not written a review for this place. The praise on yelp for this place is not without reason. It's a go to spot for great food and a welcoming atmosphere. Be ready to take some time here and just relax, chat, and eat as the intention here is for one to have a good time, not rush to finish food and go on tot the next thing in life. The injera and the combo platters can look intimidating at first but once you dig in you will not regret it. I'm not a veggie person but the veggie platters here are amazing and bursting with flavor. It's probably best to come in a group of 2 or more. Or, come through on your own and take some to go for your meal the next day. Amazing service, high quality food, great price point. It's not just good Ethiopian food, it's good food period.

Incredible food, vegetarian platters always hit and this one was filled with delicious flavorful sides and lots of fluffy injera. Wonderful service (friendly and they are happy to explain anything about the food or how to eat it) and the vibes are cozy and comfortable inside with decor and music. Definitely worth driving from LA to try this spot! Hope to be back soon.

It has been quite some time since I've had Ethiopian food and I wanted to venture out and eat something that's not in the usual rotation for me. This spot in particular has high ratings and for a good reason. I got here around 5:45pm on a Saturday and there were a good amount of diners. I only saw two staff members working when I was there, and they were very friendly and welcoming. My friend and I shared the GS Special which is a combination of the Doro Wat chicken stew, key wot beef stew, 8 vegetarian side dishes, served with injera (the thin sourdough bread). Also, I could not pass up on the Ethiopian smoothie (strawberry, mango, and avocado). It's made with literally just freshly ripened fruits and this is what the epitome of a fresh all natural smoothie is. When our platter came out I was in awe of all the colors and textures that lay before me. Everything was delicious. The stewed meats were so tender and juicy, the lentils were bursting with spices, and the veggies were incredible. I got full really quick because I was eating way too much injera in proportion to the stews. Just a side note, you are supposed to eat with your hands so make sure they're extra clean before you start digging in. Overall, I was very impressed with the quality and generous portions of food you get for the price. It is one of the most unique dining experiences you can have and I recommend any foodies or adventurous eaters to check this spot out, you won't be disappointed.

Been coming here with friends and family several times, I wanted to update a review since it's been a while. Very wholesome staff! They make you feel welcomed and attentive even though they get really busy (we hear the phone calls and people coming in for takeout!). Although when it does get very busy, please be patient!! They will definitely take care of you and will make sure you eat well. Please understand and do not rush them, make sure if it's busy then you have time to wait for a table, it is worth it! You can also order take out as well. You can sit in the dining tables or the Gursha Corner. They don't have as many tables but every time I've come we were able to be seated. We usually order beef and veggie platter, enough for 3 of us. Given we had 5 people, we ordered the GS special as well which came with an additional dish of chicken (boiled egg and chicken drumstick). Each platter comes with extra injera on the side plate. Very delicious, we were almost able to finish both platters amongst the four of us, but we only had some injera left. Bathrooms are clean and single gendered, located in the back. I do want to order their smoothie next time when I come back again.

This was my very first time having Ethiopian food. I'll admit, this cuisine never really stood out to me and after seeing it on Yelp's top 100 restaurants this year I knew it was time to give it a try. We came on a weeknight evening and had to wait briefly for a table. Between the three of us we shared the GS Special which has a combination of chicken stew, beef stew, and 8 vegetarian side dishes. This was the PERFECT introduction to Ethiopian food and I was completely blown away. The bread is a bit difficult to describe, but is very light and spongey and absorbs the sauce and flavors of the dishes so well. We also ordered the Ethiopian smoothie (for aesthetic purposes of course) and the fruit flavors were extremely fresh. It might be tough coming here with a larger party especially since the seating area is limited. It took a little bit of time for the food to come out, but it's a small family-owned place so please be patient- it is 100% worth the wait! I was surprised to stumble upon this hidden gem. If you've been hesitant about trying Ethiopian food, this is your sign to come and try!

The food was very flavorful and the service provided was satisfactory. A minor area for improvement lies in the initial guest experience. To enhance clarity upon entry, it is recommended that a clear visible sign be implemented, indicating whether guests should wait to be seated or seat themselves. We just stood there for a while, and finally just took it upon ourselves to grab some menus and just seat ourselves lol. Furthermore, the post-meal process should be clarified as far as obtaining the bill and settling the payment at the table, or get up and pay for it at the counter. The tibs sampler platter, which my spouse and I ordered, was delightful, although some of the meat exhibited a slightly tougher texture. We anticipate returning for future dining experiences

If you have not been here, YOU HAVE TO COME HERE! I've tried quite a few other Ethiopian spots in Little Ethiopia but they all lacked something compared to the spots I've been to on the east coast and in London. But GS Cafe nailed it all. I ordered the combo and added tibs. And let me just say, everything was packed with flavor. Not a single dish was disappointing. From the beets, to the lentils, doro wat and tibs - every item had their own distinct flavor but it all worked so well with each other. And then the service - omgoodness. They were so friendly and helpful from the time I ordered to even helping me pack up my leftovers. If you're looking to try Ethiopian or have Ethiopian, do yourself a favor and come here!

5 stars for taste, price, and portion. Our party of 3 came on Sunday at 11:30 am, and we did not have to wait. We tried to pick a table father inside because the sunlight bounced off the cars out front and straight into our eyeballs (facing the door). Service was a little slow, but friendly and helpful. We reviewed the menu and chatted for awhile. I later walked to the front since I saw a payment kiosk, but the employee said he would come to us. He explained that the bread should be used to pick up various dishes and eaten with the hand. Since I had a cold, I requested a fork and was given an additional spoon for communal use. DRINKS ORDERED - Ethiopian Spiced Tea ($3). I enjoyed my hot black tea brewed with cinnamon, cardamon, and cloves. It was made plain without sugar. - Ethiopian Smoothies ($5.90). The drink was gorgeous! I watched jealously as everyone else took a sip and exclaimed in excitement. I heard it was delicious blend of strawberry, mango, and avocado. FOOD ORDERED We shared the newly added GS Special ($35). The menu said it serves 2-3+ which was accurate. We actually had two more servings left over! Here's what came out on the platter: - Doro wot stew (chicken leg & hard boiled egg) - Key wot (beef stew with berbere spice) 8 vegetarian dishes corresponding with menu items 4-11: - Misir wot (red lentil stew) - Misir alecha (yellow lentil stew) - Kik wot (yellow split pea stew) - Shiro (chickpea stew). I don't think we got to try it on that day. I heard our server tell another table they were out of shiro, and there were only 7 dollops of veg on our platter. - Atkilt (cabbage and carrot) - Fasolia (string bean, onion, and carrot) - Key sir (red beets) - Gomen (simmered collard green) Every dish tasted great! My top 3 were the doro wot, misir alecha, and fasolia. The spongy and sour injera soaked up the sauces. I could be wrong, but I think the niter kibbeh (seasoned clarified butter) provided an intense umami flavor. If I had to nitpick, I would have preferred the injera warm. The injera was cold, even the piece covering the plate. The curry stews were also quite oily.

First time trying Ethiopian food and it was such a great experience. The combo is definitely enough to share with 2, maybe even 3 people. It's a great little family owned place and you see the whole family helping out. Everyone is very friendly and will give you tips if it is your first time. The food is so fun to eat as you use your hands to grab the bread and sides to combine flavors. All of the sides are full of flavor and it was great to try everything in one platter. Would definitely come back.

We will be back for more. Host was very nice. Food definitely tasted great. Place is cozy.

Came out to check out GS Cafe & Ethiopian Cuisine which was also featured on Yelp's top 100 of 2024 and is ranked number 4!! Located in the city of Covina this place was packed for dinner time. We came in early to beat the rush but while sitting here tables of friends and family were coming in to also enjoy a tasty meal. Ethiopian food is nice because it is a large platter of food that you share with the people who are at the table. You also eat with your hands and use this interesting bread called injera which is sourdough made, to put either meat or vegetables in it. Fun times and a must just to try some traditional Ethiopian food! Bring a few friends or family members with you because the platter is large and very sharable.

I was running errands in the area when I drove by this place and looked it up on Yelp. I was excited to see so many great reviews, so I popped by here with my husband and a couple friends the next evening. To be fair, this was my first time trying Ethiopian food, so I don't know much about the cuisine, but it was delicious. We tried the GS Special and Awaze Tibis which was plenty of food. It would have been nice if they told us what each item was on the platter, but we just dug in with the injera and tried everything. For the most part, we all liked with the exception of one or two sides. I was surprised that I was so full. I was bummed that they didn't have any of the Ethiopian beer, which I think would have been fun to try with dinner. I did try the honey liquor, which was very similar to mead. I wasn't a huge fan, but I don't like mead very much either. It wasn't too busy when we came on a weeknight, but the service was friendly and the food came out pretty quickly. It's a pretty casual spot and good for a fun group of friends looking to try something different. I'd definitely go back.

It is located in a non-descript strip mall in Covina. My suggestion is to go right at opening. We were there by 10:45am and we were second in line. By the time they opened at 11:03am, there was a long line behind us. Minutes after we were seated, four more parties came in and it was a full house! The restaurant has little touches of Ethiopia here and there. I'm unfortunately unfamiliar with their culture and I intend to remedy that soon. They sell fabrics and little knickknacks from the country in a small corner of the restaurant (see photos). I'll check it out more throughly the next time I go. We weren't that hungry but as it was close to noon, we ordered the GS special. They offer no utensils as you're supposed to eat with your hands (although I'm sure you can request them) - you use the injera (soft sourdough) to pinch the food with. The injera serves as the delivery system. It was a sizeable plate that was perfect for us 3. We even had leftovers to take home. It had chicken, beef, beets, vegetables, and just the most delicious things I don't even know the names of. I just kept eating, man. Every bite was different from the one that came before it. It was a flavor explosion! For $35, all that yummy goodness? And you eat with your hands? It was such a great experience. So much bang for your buck. The server was kind and attentive enough despite the crush of people at lunchtime. He kept our water glasses full and checked on us every now and then. It's a great place to grab authentic Ethiopian food and parking is not a problem. If you're adventurous and want to try something outside your comfort zone, dine at this place and thank me later!

The food here is excellent--high quality compared to other Ethiopian restaurants. Prices have gone up, but that's understandable given the quality. Customer service, especially from the young gentlemen working there, is outstanding: polite, professional, and patient.