Kaffa Crossing

Ethiopian cuisine is easily among the top ten in the world when it comes to variety and flavor, and if marketed like other international cuisines, it could have a huge impact on the culinary scene. Unfortunately, this place doesn’t do it justice. The food lacks authenticity, with weak seasoning and poor cooking techniques. Most dishes don’t come close to the rich, flavorful, and finger-licking goodness of real Ethiopian food. The magic of Ethiopian cuisine lies in its seasoning and slow cooking, both of which are missing here.

Nice resturant. Its very low key which I like. The food was good and well priced. Ordered a vegetarian platter with kaffa tibs. Everything was delicious. Huge portion. Could definitely feed 2-3 people. There was 2 of us and we still had leftovers to take home

We got 2 veggie platters split between 3 people. It was the right amount of food and so delicious! The smoothies are amazing as well!

Man I came it here to use the bathroom and was Blinded by the smell of seasoning and spices that smelled great so I ordered the lamb with cabbage and rice and this appetizer that was really good the guy behind the counter was patient with me will all the questions I was asking being though it was my first time eating Ethiopian food he was a good guy remind me of my grandfather this place was really clean and the food was fresh and good I will be back !

This is hands down my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Philly. The food is so tasty, portions are generous and the prices are reasonable. This spot is definitely a must try if you like Ethiopian food!

My first time trying Ethiopian food and I’m glad I tried here! The lady behind the counter was super nice and recommended the best smoothie (fantasy island) I have had in a long while. Everything we got came quick, fresh, and delicious. In addition, this place is very vegan/vegetarian friendly, and also have great meat options. If you had a group of friends with all different tastes and preferences, this is a great place for you all.

Excellent experience! Located in a less than desirable part of town but the food did not let us down at all! Everything was high quality and tasty. While some food may seem bland at times, you can simply salt to taste. Many spicy options are available. Great smoothies also! Menu is online, just scan QR code.

Visited Philly for the day and tried this spot - deliciousness! The food was authentic and yummy. I had a drink that I've thought about everyday since I ate here. And, the service was excellent and the restaurant vibe is relaxed and welcoming. If I lived closer, I'd eat here all the time.

Simply amazing food served family style. Flavors authentic, great service. Only wish the wine selection was better.

I am very much on the hunt for good Ethiopian food in Philadelphia and this area in particular seemed like it would have it so I was very hopeful. Ultimately, the restaurant was just okay. For one, we came in at a time when they were very not busy and the reception was not so welcoming--which can be fine. But then your entire experience in deciding upon food is through an app, which I wish weren't the case and wish there were more interaction with someone who could provide recommendations. It took a full 28 minutes to receive our first food, which was the sambusa and very much not worth the wait or the money. Be aware that the prices currently are very different than those listed on Yelp/online. So the $7.25/2 sambusa platter finally came and was a much too hot to eat and really just full of lentils with nothing else-a fairly dry concoction. After another long wait, we received the 2 mains on a plate of injera. The doro wot was what we were super pumped about as it is advertised as their expertise. This consisted of essentially two chicken legs (minimal meat) and a sauce that was fairly mid in terms of flavoring-especially not worth it for the price. We had also gotten yebeg tibs, thankfully, because this was infinitely better in terms of flavoring and portion. This ultimately filled us up. The most positive aspect of the meal was the injera itself, which was nicely done and plentiful. We had initially considered getting some meals to go but once we had the actual meal and experienced the 1) service and 2) price, we ultimately decided against it. Which is a shame. I appreciate that they maybe were a bit busy with lunch takeout but in terms of who was presently in the restaurant it felt like things took an exorbitant amount of time. Will probably try one of the many other places nearby next time.

Yebig Tibs (lambs) 4.5/5 would get again. Tofu Wat - 3/5 , Tomotaey but good. Would try something else next time though. - First time having Ethiopian. Almost asked for a spoon and made these into burritos lol. But we ate it right instead. - Would come again, hoping to try some soups next. ............................................

This is a wonderful place. The quality of the food and service is very good. We have been coming here for years and often recommend it to friends.

I recently ordered from Kaffa Crossing and enjoyed my meal. I used to frequent this establishment many years ago, and I've never taken the time to write a review until now.The Yebbeg Tips had the perfect amount of spice and tenderness. It was also incredibly affordable for the amount I received. However, it was the okra dish that was my favorite this time. The okra was cooked to perfection, with a unique blend of spices. What I appreciate most about Kaffa Crossing is the consistency in the quality of their food and hospitality. If you're looking for a place with both great food and a welcoming ambiance, Kaffa Crossing is the perfect choice. It's a place that I'm grateful to have rediscovered.

Pretty good Ethiopian food! Asked for recommendations from the waitress and got the sambusas and the Lamb Tibs. Overall, thought it was solid. Sambusas we're crispy and slightly spicy, good lentil filling. The Tibs paired with injera was good but the proportions were a bit off, loved the lentils. The lamb itself I wish had more flavor, but the additional jalapeños weren't too spicy and were a good addition. Biggest complaint was the service. Walked in and nobody helped me, and when I ordered, there wasn't a friendly demeanor when I was asking for recommendations. Also took over 30 minutes for the check and no water refills during my entire time there. Food was okay but not inviting enough to return.

This place absolutely rules. The food is excellent - the best in the neighborhood by my measure. Adding to the delicious food, the service is fantastic. If you're looking for Ethiopian, look no further.

Came to this place because a waiter at an Ethiopian restaurant in NYC told us he used to go to Kaffa Crossing for the kitfo, which we did not try this time. Overall, pretty good flavor, especially for the price! Quality was overall good. Sambusas were great, nicely spiced. The beef in the special tibs was a bit chewy, but the seasoning and spice level were great. I liked the shiro wot, but it wasn't my favorite, and my husband said the shiro was a bit bland. The veggie combo was also a tad on the "healthy-tasting" side--the greens especially were a bit undercooked/bitter. But compared to the last Ethiopian place we went to in Philly, this experience was great! Service was slow because there was only one waitress, but it wasn't egregiously bad. Casual ambience, though the lights were turned down for some mood lighting after we walked in haha.

My neighbor brought me here for lunch. And I'm so happy he did. I was mildly familiar with Ethiopian food before this. I've been learning through our neighbors. After this meal I want to learn so much more. I went with the special beef tibs on the mild side. The flavor and tenderness were extraordinary. Paired perfectly with the injera And I love the iced coffee. Ethiopian coffee is special. Highly, highly recommend this place!

This is by far my favorite Ethiopian food in West Philadelphia, with many many restaurants to choose from, Kaffa Crossing is the tastiest of all in my opinion. They have Vegan, Gluten free and meat options which makes it so easy to meet the needs of all in a party. Yes yes yes, tasty vitals.

Great food and sweet service. I had the Sambusa for my appetizer, and Special Tibs (beef) and Yebeg Tibs (lamb) for my entree. The Sambusa were a bit small, but still delicious. The entrees were both really tasty, and complimented injera served with it perfectly. I rarely have Ethiopian food, so take this with a grain of salt, but I had a good time, and would come back.

Cute, quiet little nook. Prices are reasonable and food is tasty. They are also open on holidays when other places aren't open.

The food was Very bland. No flavor. My friends and i all got something different and it was the same theme across the board. The Spicy beef had a bit more flavor but still wouldn't have it again. The bread is sour. Asmera beer wasn't too bad.

Ive been trying out different Ethiopian restaurants in the area and this was horrible. Disgusting. Not sure how its highly rated. The doro wat was dry tough and seems old or something. It was theeee worst doro wat I have ever tasted in nj or Philadelphia. The tofu tibs were just tofu in seasoning not really marinated or textured. The only thing edible was the vegetable combo but even that was mediocre. I would never go here again. O! The egg was yummy.

I have been to a good amount of Ethiopian restaurants because of my love for the food, especially the injera (fermented bread) that it is served upon. I decided to come here for my birthday awhile back and was absolutely amazed by the deliciousness of the food here. It was all so flavorful and captivated my palate. I will surely be returning any chance that I get.

Loveee this spot! I frequent this location as the food is delicious and the customer service is always on point!! I met my bf here to grab some dinner after we both got off on a Wednesday evening. It was a nice crowd not too crowded though! I started off with a Ethiopian spice tea that was sooo delicious, I love tea!! Then I chose the vegetable platter, which consisted of lentils, I only chose the yellow because the spice lentils are delicious they are just a bit too spicy for me, so I opted for an two sides of greens,salad and cabbage/potato &carrot blend. Mine came with extra injera which I never eat all of it lol . My bf opted for doro tibs n salad, it was spicy but had some good flavors! The prices have slightly gone up but hey that's the economy we are in currently. The menu has smoothies, teas, coffees just lots of great items to make a choice from. I'm pretty sure whichever you choose will all be delicious!!

Hands down the BEST Ethiopian food in West Philly!!! Truly a hidden gem. We usually get the timatim fitfit, veggie platter and yebeg tibs--and they never disappoint. Hanna (who I think is an owner) is the sweetest. Tell all your friends to try Kaffa Crossing!

It's been a while since I had Ethiopian food, but for what it's worth, get the vegetarian platter and include sides, that's the most price efficient way to go! Must get: vegetarian platter, layered tofu wot, injera wraps Meh: n/a Missed: meat dishes I gotta say, $40 for 4 people and stuffed to the brim is my kind of dinner spot. We came here on a weekday for dinner and were suprised to see only a few patrons dining at a prime dining period. However, that does not reflect the quality of the food. My favorite was the layered tofu wot, which surprised all of us with its potent spice and appealing presentation. While all of us ordered the vegetarian platters, I decided to get the okra as a side, and instead of a tiny dollop, they served it on a huge basin, as if I ordered a whole dish of okra. My wife got the eggplant, which was also quite delicious. The only downside is the service can be a bit brisk and slow, but id doesn't matter when the food is so amazing! Food: 5 stars Service: 3 stars Price: 5 stars Ambiance: 3 stars

The West Philly neighborhood I lived is culturally diverse. With an Ethiopian immigrant community nearby, I was very lucky to enjoy some authentic Ethiopian cuisine. Kaffa Crossing is my favorite, in that it offers both delicious Ethiopian food and high-quality ethically-traded African coffee. I can't remember the names, but most platters I have ordered were tasty. Most dishes come with injera, a special type of spongy flatbread made from some type of grain. If you like adventuring exotic food, I highly recommend you to try some Ethiopian deliciousness at Kaffa Crossing. [This review is part of my West Philly memories]

Continuing on my journey to try all the Ethiopian spots in Philly, Kaffa Crossing was a decent attempt. I originally gave this a 4 but after consideration of the food portion and quality of service, I have to give it a 3. My boyfriend and I shared the vegetarian combo as well as Doro Wot, and while the food was relatively good, the injera was cold and we didn't get that much food when compared to other places in the city. It was also kind of hard to get the staff's attention when we needed water or something. I mean, for the price, it's worth it, and I guess you can easily get another serving if your party is feeling particularly peckish, but I can't say this would be my go-to Ethiopian spot if I had other options.

Was craving Ethiopian food so ordered food from here, the vegetarian platter was pretty disappointing , I have had much better veggie platters , this one was full of generic stuff and not seasoned well. The lamb tibia were good , I thought the portion was comically small for the price so I was a bit disappointed but tasted authentic overall. This was delivery and doesn't reflect in person experience

Wow, this is my first update where I felt the need to tell the world how much I love a place. In the neighborhood, I like comparing similar restaurants and dishes to see what I end up liking the best. The past year, Ethiopian food has made me excited every time I get the chance to grab a platter. Overall, Kaffa Crossing has given me several dishes over the past few months that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. Unlike nearby ethio places, their meat is seasoned and oiled to perfection, without any extra grease or unneeded heaviness. The lamb is boneless, which was new to me, and the spice level on it when I said "make it spicy" did not disappoint. The derek tibs are filled with so much meat, so many peppers, and the pieces are so chewy like I always want for dried beef tibs. The injera here is super sour, which is also a plus over a few others. They also have lentil rolls, both the spicy and the yellow lentils, for 3.50 that can fill you up if you aren't feeling meat or other veg. The vibe here is relaxing and focused on the dishes. Will be back to try more of the veggie dishes (like okra, tofu wat, and others), but in the mean time, don't hesitate to choose this place for your first go around!

Went here last night and had a great experience. It was my first time having Ethiopian food and I absolutely loved it. We ordered the vegetarian platter and then added a couple of extra veggie dishes (shiro wat and tofu wat). It was a great atmosphere, the service was quick, and the employees were really warm and friendly.

Yummmmmm. Delicious food, on the spicy side. I highly recommend. Outside tables, wonderful service from a very kind woman. I dined with my friend, we're both vegan, and we're leaving happy and full :) This place is open, page needs updating!

Never had Ethiopian for breakfast before so this was a first time experience. Early Sunday morning and barely anyone inside. No one was at the counter so we waited until someone came out of the kitchen. Was asked to sit down, then proceeded to wait around 8-9 minutes before the only waitress finally showed. On the bright side, the waitress is really nice. Got the menu and ordered scrambled eggs with beef ($7) and a regular coffee ($2.50) The eggs are cooked well with ground beef mixed in, good with some hot sauce and the tangy injera bread provided. Coffee is your standard fare - wish I had ordered their more specialty versions. Solid spot for breakfast, especially in the area. Probably better for lunch or dinner.

Came to this place after wanting to try Ethiopian cuisine for a long time. It was pretty empty when we came in but you can see they have quite some fan base. The person taking the order took time to explain the dishes. We ordered the veg platter, side of shiro wot, chicken doro tibs and injera. Injera is like Indian dosa. Vegetarian dishes here were a little bland for my taste but I think it's normal with Ethiopian food. Doro tibs were really really good and a highlight of the meal. Order spicy, you won't be disappointed. Portion sizes were huge. 4 of us could not finish 2 full dishes. It did take server almost 15-20 mins to bring our check when we were done. We finally had to go to the counter and pay. I will definitely come back to try beef and lamb tibs.

I like Kaffa. It's been around for years in a couple different iterations. When it first opened, it was exciting...Ethiopian food, sweet atmosphere and they held discussions, poetry readings and performances. That ended and it was strictly a cafe. Since then, they instated a full bar and offer good food. Service can be slow and at times, "figure it out yourself" but this isn't a place that is competing for a recognized spot in the Philadelphia food scene. It's a comforting place to eat good Ethiopian food. Try the spicy ful medames and order a beer. Make it a sweet lunch with a good friend and you have yourself an afternoon.

It has been a while since I came here. When it first opened many years ago I tried their coffee and meet up with friends. I have tried their food with few friends in the past and I thought if matched other Ethiopian restaurants in West Philly. This time I came here my daughter and her friend. The waitress was really friendly, the place looked more open and lighter than other Ethiopian places. The service was surprisingly fast considering there was this one waitress who took orders, served tables, and manned the bar. I think we all enjoyed the food; the food tasted fresh, and they give you lots of injera (we actually couldn't finish them all so had lots of left over injera). The flavour some how didn't taste as flavourful as I remembered from years ago. I guess nothing to complain, but it felt like it was missing something. I did enjoy the veggies that came with the platter, that was perfectly cooked I think I could have just eaten that. Definitely a nice place to eat.

I travel to Philadelphia on occasion for work, and was looking for something different than the usual Philly cheesesteak or Italian. Needed some fresh veggies. Ordered Kaffa via Uber Eats, and was so pleasantly surprised! Unusual but delicious dishes! I had the veggie tuna salad and vegetarian combo. The salad tasted nothing like tuna, which was a very good thing. It was so very yummy!! It had me wishing I could figure out how to make it at home. The veggie combo was certainly odd looking. It came wrapped in a type of bread that resembled a pancake. Inside were several different vegetables, all yummy. But the best were the greens. Absolutely delicious. Give this place a try!

I LOVE Ethiopian food. I normally go to another restaurant in Philly and am more used to their style so I wasn't floored by Kafta, but the bread was delicious as usual, especially once it's soaked through. I wasn't as crazy about the style of the chicken, but the flavor was good. The service was great - very sweet staff

My Queen suggested this place and I got it say. I'm VERY glad she did. I find it to be very genuine. It had a very subtle style of scenery. The lady at the front was kind and very nice to me and my queen. All in all if you want authentic food from Ethiopia... come here.

Always reliable. I love eating here when I want a warm and comforting meal. I always get the vegetarian platter. Can't go wrong here.

Food was great, cook to the perfection. Will be back for more. The server is friendly just wish they have enough hands to make it faster.

Ordered $60 worth of food. Got $20 delivered. Driver told me not his problem. I called the restaurant - told to bring receipt. Brought order and the receipt for the online order - told not 'their' receipt. They wouldn't show me their receipt either. Something sketchy is going on with this place and they don't care about losing customers. Don't waste your time.

Currently my favorite Ethiopian place in Philly! The food nice and spicy and warm, loved the Shiro and the tofu dish was innovative and it worked. Not crazy about the ambiance of the bug zappers inside the restaurant, but the service was lovely and will definitely return.

You know that old adage about never going grocery shopping while you're hungry? The same reasoning applies to putting me in charge of ordering for a group at a restaurant when I'm famished. Bad things happen. And by "bad things" I mean "obscenely excessive quantities of delightful edibles." That pretty much sums up our experience at Kaffa Crossing. We went from hungry to stuffing-our-faces to explosively-full. At least it was on good food. For future reference, do -not- order two meat dishes and two veggie combos for four people. You will not finish it all. Three dishes between four people (who eat a lot) is way more reasonable. Don't miss out on the Yebeg tibs - tender, savory, and kicked up with some jalapeños, you can't go wrong. As others have mentioned, the injera here is stellar; it's just the right consistency of sponginess, and no portion of the huge rounds were dry or tough. Don't be deterred when you first walk into the space. Chances are, folks will be sipping java and working on their Macbooks, but you're in the right place. Apparently, Ethiopian café/restaurant hybrids are a thing in Philly. Who knew? Kinda dangerous - it'd be easy enough to drop in to grab a coffee, working through the morning from the cute, homey ambiance and end up never leaving because the dinner's just that compelling. NB: Plastic's accepted, but AmEx is not.

This was DISGUSTING. I have a history of going to various Ethiopian restaurants and tried many Ethiopian dishes and this is NOT it! I got the vegetarian combo w/ a side of shiro last night and the food had NO FLAVOR! The shiro tasted bland, collard greens tasted bland, the cabbage and potatoes tasted bland, the lentil stew tasted bland, and the corn tasted bland! The salad was ok but majority of the plate was BLAND! No flavor!!!! Where is the seasoning??? This is absolutely the worst Ethiopian restaurant i ever been to. If you can't flavor something as simple as a vegetarian combo, which is a KNOWN Ethiopian traditional meal, then the meat dishes will most likely lack flavor as well. I would rather go to Abyssinia -- their food had flavor.

I've only had Ethiopian food a handful of times before, but I didn't find Kaffa Crossing to be particularly good. I wasn't feeling hungry enough for lamb or beef, so I ended up ordering the tofu wot. The injera was good, but I wasn't impressed with the tofu. The sauce had a hint of spice but was otherwise bland and kind of tomato-y. The service was mediocre and nothing special as well. I don't know if I'd return for the food, but their coffee and drinks menu looked amazing (Peppermint patty hot chocolate? Raspberry swirl latte? Totally my kinda stuff) - I'd go back to try those!

Can't believe I haven't written a review of this place till now. It's hands down the best Ethiopian in Philadelphia and I have been coming back for so many years I've lost count. Our usual dish is vegetarian platter with raw kitfo and we devour it all and love every bite. The spiced tea is the perfect beverage to go with it. The spice level and the flavors are robust and authentic and even I write this I'm craving it. Also bought a big container of mitmita and put it on everything I make at home. Can't wait to go back again just wish it was a shorter drive but maybe it's a good thing that I have to make an effort to get there or I'd be that every day.

First time having Ethiopian food! Disclaimer: I am not a fan of injera - the spongy flatbread that's actually sourdough-risen and made out of teff flour (thanks Wikipedia). The texture is a little too soft and spongy for me; that and the sourness is not really my thang...HOWEVER, anything tastes good when you have super delicious lamb (doro wot). Far and beyond the best part of my meal. For a table of 4 girls, we ordered the hummus platter (feta cheese, olives, hummus, olive oil, $7), yebeg tib (chicken, $12.25), doro wot (lamb, $15), shiro wat (chickpeas, $9). Final came out to ~$12ish per person after tax and tip. Service was great but you had to ask for them to come over (but when they did, they took care of everything). Wash your hands before you start, ask for lots of napkins, refill your water, and don't forget to go up to the cashier to pay - they won't bring out the check. Kaffa Crossing is past 44th and Chestnut which is a little farther than I usually like to wander but I came here for a 6 PM dinner and finished by 7:30 when it was still light out and walked back as a group. It was fine, but definitely not in Kansas anymore.

I was so looking forward to eat Ethiopian for about a year. It was a pleasure to have my first Ethiopian food experience at Kaffa. I got Misir Wot which was very very good! The spices were just enough, nothing too crazy and the texture was just as perfect as i imagined. i can't wait to try more of the menu.

I have only gotten Ethiopian food from three different restaurants, including Kaffa Crossing, so I am not going to claim that I am an expert on Ethiopian cuisine. What separates Kaffa Crossing from other Ethiopian places I've gone to is the selection of beverages. I ordered the Ecstasy, which is a chocolate, banana, raisin, and soy smoothie. Needless to say, it made me ecstatic. Good thing I haven't had a withdrawal, but I definitely will go again to try other beverages. As for the food, I tried the vegetarian platter, which was served with injera. I added a side of eggplant because I love eggplants, but honestly the platter was more than enough to fill up one hungry person's stomach. I love it! I took one star off because service is on the slow side and the neighborhood is a little sketchy, but otherwise the food and beverage were good enough to make me want to come back.

The sevice was terrible. The server(lady) was very rude she keep talking to us in her native language even though she knew we spoke English not her language I guess Amhara? How rude to assume ever one should know your native tongue. No greeting no smile sad !!!!She never came back to our table. Awful. 2 star because food wasn't too bad as service was. I hope the owners of this place read this post and take corrective action for their business interests.

My first time eating Ethiopian!! I was a little nervous because I've heard the food can be a little on the sour side. I went with a couple of friends and we ate family style. We got their veggie platter and the chicken, lamb, and beef tibs. It was very flavorful and delicious! I loved all the little side vegetables that came with the meat. You eat with your hands, so make sure you wash your hands before your eat! The sour dough is soft and not too sour tasting. It also serves as a delicious edible delivery device. :) :) The people were friendly and the restaurant was relatively clean. It wasn't too noisy either. I saw a few people casually studying here too. I will definitely be coming back again!!

This is THE place for Ethiopian food in Philadelphia. Their food is good and consistent, service is much better than most other places in that part of town and they are friendly. We used to go there a lot but now get food delivered from them on UberEats.

My first time at an Ethiopian restaurant and I enjoyed it very much! Friends of ours who have had many meals here were excited to bring us since we're usually up for any type of food. We love food! We had a really good time with great food and great customer service. My favorite was the spiced lentils and collard greens. Truly, everything was tasty. I could eat their injira at every meal. The coconut chai smoothie was DEElicious. The place was clean and our server left us wanting for nothing. We had a very positive experience and the food was super yummy! I will definitely be going back!

Beautiful restaurant and amazing food. Great place to meet friends, share a plate, and have long deep discussions. Support the restaurant and buy lots of food. It's worth it!

Kaffa Crossing has the best and most reasonably priced Ethiopian food in West Philly. I like Dahlak or Abysinnia for the bar scene, but I don't usually order food there.

This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Philly. I've literally tried them all, and hands down love this one the best. I always get the Spicy Lambs Tibs, Tikel Goemen and extra injera. I'm not sure how to fix this--but it says that Yelpers have said this place closed... I just called today and placed an order, so they're definitely OPEN!