Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant

I want to give this a full 5*, but I can't just because it was soooo blazing hot! I am a wuss, but did my best! I could tell the flavor was there and it was fantastic, but there were some things I couldn't eat more than a bite off because it set my mouth on fire! My friend loved it, so that's great. I wish they would have made suggestions or mentioned certain things are spicier than others. It was my first time having Ethiopian food. Tasty, but so hot! 🔥 The meat Sambusas were amazing, though, and not too spicy!

I’ve been to countless Ethiopian restaurants. The DMV area is unrivaled and this restaurant is one of my favorites. The menu options have some options other than the usuals. Also, the space itself feels like you’ve been invited into someone’s home for a meal. It’s pleasant, clean, comfortable with beautiful murals and plants. There’s ample space between tables and the owners are so kind. The food was plentiful and freshly made. I usually pick up my food with the njera. This time I also used the silverware because I wanted to enjoy all of the spices without feeling up on the njera. Such a joy dining here. Thank you.

This was my first time trying Ethiopian food, and it was great. The plate was delicious and way more food than I could finish. The owner was incredibly attentive, offering great suggestions—she helped me pick my plate and nailed the spice level when I mentioned it was my first time. The place had an authentic, family-run vibe.

my favorite restaurant and a go-to. consistently delicious and i always get the vegan sampler which comes with so many veggie dishes, i haven’t found another restaurant that serves the same variety and quality for such a reasonable price. no frills, just good eats. lovely service and you’ll be taken care of. i like that they bring out the injera right before the meal so it doesn’t get cold.

I think this is a family owned restaurant. I visited in March with a large group, and the decor and ambiance felt very homey. The owner was incredibly sweet, and recommended dishes for us (It’s one of the only Halal Ethiopian restaurants in the DC area btw). It was Ramadan and they knew I was fasting, so they graciously gave all of us free bottled water and dates. The service was efficient and outstanding, and the food was incredibly delicious. It was my first time trying Ethiopian cuisine, and I loved it! Their Chai was my favorite of all time! I'm no longer in the States but if I ever return, I will definitely visit this restaurant again. Amazing food and wonderful owners!

I enjoyed dining at Hawwi. I was seated quickly despite not having a reservation. The dining room cozy and comfortable. However, it was quite loud and echoey, which was a bit overwhelming. After being seated, it took about ten minutes to be acknowledged and place an order, but they were very busy. The staff was exceptionally friendly and apologetic for the wait, and the food came out quickly. Overall, the food was delicious!

This is the first time I've ever tried Ethiopian food and I was not disappointed! The service was great, this is a family owned and operated restaurant. The food was delicious! We ordered the Queen combo with veggie samosas, iced coffee, and yellow lentils, chickpea puree, collard greens, and cabbage & potato. The injera was soft and spongy. The flavors were so unique and satisfying! Definitely recommend.

We drove down to explore Alexandria, VA today from Herndon, VA and chose this place for lunch. The owners were very nice and let us know that the food was safe for my peanut and tree allergy. This our first experience trying Ethiopian food, but we heard good things from a friend about the cuisine. This place was wonderful. We were sorry we had to take some back as leftovers since eyes were a bit bigger than our stomachs so to speak. However, it was equally as good the next day.