Keren Cafe & Restaurant
Ethiopian restaurant · Striver's Section ·
All-day breakfast, East African dishes, house tea, and beers
All-day breakfast, East African dishes, house tea, and beers
"Keren lets the food speak for itself—no disco lights or crystal chandeliers, just linoleum floors, groovy gold crinkle cut wallpaper, and well-worn bar stools. On weeknights, the Eritrean restaurant hums as endless groups of friends and first dates crowd around shaky wooden tables full of trays of tibs. We’re especially fond of their massive selection of East African beers and wines that are on display behind the restaurant’s monochromatic gold bar." - omnia saed, tristiana hinton
"Eritrean gem Keren celebrates breakfast all day long with staple dishes like ful, showcasing favas, jalapeño, tomato, and onion. The "five Eritrean" items offer a veg-focused combo that defies picking favorites. Keren's commitment to morning delights ensures an unforgettable dining experience." - Ty Gaskins
"Go ahead and order breakfast all day long, since Keren keeps the morning meal front and center. However, before you show up expecting bacon and eggs, take a second look, as this is a showpiece of Eritrean cuisine. The East African nation was once occupied by Italy, and this history continues to be an influential force on its cuisine—with many pasta-centric dishes popping up on the menu. A loyal crowd alternates between watching soccer, debating Eritrean politics and filling up on the sizable portions.Ful, a staple breakfast dish of favas, jalapeño, tomato and onion, is a good place to start (there are six variations). Then go for the “five Eritrean” items for a well-rounded, veg-focused combo that's so good you'll be unable to pick a favorite." - Michelin Inspector
"In a city with amazing Ethiopian food, Eritrean food often gets wrongly conflated as one and the same. Keren reminds us of the sometimes subtle differences with dishes that reference traditional Eritrean flavors, like tibsi, the Eritrean version of tibs. The food here is amazing, and breakfast is an underrated hit. Keren's ful and eggs, a stewed fava bean and egg sandwich on a hoagie roll, is a comforting morning ritual if you’re looking for sustenance and flavor. Don’t sleep on dinner, though, as the restaurant is busy every weeknight and has a bar with a bunch of East African beers and wines. It’s a great spot for dates or catching up with friends. " - Tristiana Hinton, Omnia Saed
"In a city with amazing Ethiopian food, Eritrean food often gets wrongly conflated as one and the same. Keren Eritrean Restaurant in Dupont Circle reminds us of the subtle yet notable differences in dishes like tibsi, the Eritrean version of tibs. The food here is amazing, and breakfast is an underrated hit. Keren's ful and eggs, a stewed fava bean and egg sandwich on a hoagie roll, is a comforting morning ritual if you’re looking for sustenance and flavor. Don’t sleep on dinner, though. The restaurant is busy every weeknight and has a bar with a bunch of East African beers and wines. It’s a great spot for dates or catching up with friends." - Omnia Saed