Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant

We liked the vegetarian combo we had. The side dishes were flavourful and tasty. The restaurant was pretty clean and our staff was quite friendly

Food was good, but not too tasty. I missed many spices as they're common in other Ethiopian places. The atmosphere inside is good

This place is really wonderful! They have delicious chicken and also a vegan platter. Perfect if you’re gf and/or vegan (or not!) The owner has such soul and it’s such a fun experience for families, friends, etc! Our 3 year old loved it. Absolutely phenomenal. We will be back!!!

I don't want to ruin the rating of the restaurant so gave them 4 stars, but really this was more of a 2 for me. We had the vegetarian sampler which was less flavorful than other Ethiopian restaurants I've gone to. On that alone I would say 3.5/4 stars. (Plus the side injera was cold which I was surprised by, normally it's warm or room temp at least.) But the thing that really ruined the experience for me was that we ordered the vegetarian sambusas and when they came, we bit in and were suspicious that they might be beef. We called over a waitress to check and she said, "If you ordered vegetarian, they're vegetarian." So we ate a few more bites and then continued to be worried so we asked another waitress and she confirmed they were beef and took them away to replace them. Mistakes happen, fine, but they weren't as apologetic as I think would be appropriate, and didn't even comp any of our meal. We were all pretty upset and I wish the customer service around the mistake had been better.

Authentic, delicious food from Ethiopia. I loved it, everything is freshly made at the moment, that's why the service could take a little more that what we are used to wait elsewhere. This is because Lalibela is a real restaurant, with real amazing food. I will definitely come back for the Lalibela Special tibs, and I suggest you to go try them :)

THE BEST ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT IN NYC!!! The food is amazing, kind staff. The place is clean. I will definitely come back here!!

Nice Ethiopian. My first time having this cuisine in NYC! The decor is clean and minimal, but it works. This evening their was only one lady in the front managing all the tables. Being a Monday night not very busy. She was friendly and helpful explaining the menu and making recommendations. We ordered 2 appetisers and 3 mains between three of us. The portions are quite big and we landed up eating a lot as the food was delicious!! Would highly recommend this place… and will surely plan to visit again!

Overall Thoughts: Although the food was flavorful and delicious, I deducted one star because my friend and I both experienced some stomach pain the day after eating here for dinner. Hopefully it’s just a one-off thing!! Otherwise, the staff here were really sweet and friendly, and the interior felt cute and homey. The prices were reasonable for the quantity and were lower than most other Ethiopian restaurants in the UWS area. Food I tried: - Doro Wot with Gomen & Cabbage: It doesn’t look like a lot of food on first glance, but was very filling. The injera bread (each dish includes 2) was perfectly sour and was itself incredibly filling. The spices and flavors of the doro wot sauce were delicious and the chicken was tender; the meat fell right off the bone. The sides were small in quantity but tasted good. -- Price (relative to peers): 4.4/5 Food: 4.3/5 Ambience: 4.6/5 Service: 4.8/5 Overall Value: 4.3/5

I had a wonderful time here at Lalibela. The food is super delicious and fresh. The service was very quick and efficient. The ambiance was also super nice and chill! 5 stars.

I don't want to ruin the rating of the restaurant so gave them 4 stars, but really this was more of a 2 for me. We had the vegetarian sampler which was less flavorful than other Ethiopian restaurants I've gone to. On that alone I would say 3.5/4 stars. (Plus the side injera was cold which I was surprised by, normally it's warm or room temp at least.) But the thing that really ruined the experience for me was that we ordered the vegetarian sambusas and when they came, we bit in and were suspicious that they might be beef. We called over a waitress to check and she said, "If you ordered vegetarian, they're vegetarian." So we ate a few more bites and then continued to be worried so we asked another waitress and she confirmed they were beef and took them away to replace them. Mistakes happen, fine, but they weren't as apologetic as I think would be appropriate, and didn't even comp any of our meal. We were all pretty upset and I wish the customer service around the mistake had been better.

Ok somewhat average place to get Ethiopian food in a pinch. Injera is a bit cold and dry. The attendant is friendly and helpful. Very clean bathroom and dining area. Entrees doesn't have too much flavor for some reason even though it looks ok. They have beer and liquor available.

This was a nice, low-key option for dinner. I had the vegetable combo, which came with a variety of dishes and injera. The dishes were all very tasty, with the gomen wot and misir wot being the outstanding ones. The injera is a bit drier than I'm used to, perhaps to stand up to the moisture of the dishes without shredding, but it was still tasty enough. After tax and tip, the meal came out to $30, which is reasonable for such a large quantity.

Probably the biggest platter we had so far. We've been to a few Ethiopian spots in Harlem and this one had the biggest + spiciest dishes: good portion for the price and enough injera. We went on a Friday evening and it was pretty quiet with only us seated. Highly recommend eating in!

Overall Thoughts: Although the food was flavorful and delicious, I deducted one star because my friend and I both experienced some stomach pain the day after eating here for dinner. Hopefully it's just a one-off thing!! Otherwise, the staff here were really sweet and friendly, and the interior felt cute and homey. The prices were reasonable for the quantity and were lower than most other Ethiopian restaurants in the UWS area. Food I tried: - Doro Wot with Gomen & Cabbage: It doesn't look like a lot of food on first glance, but was very filling. The injera bread (each dish includes 2) was perfectly sour and was itself incredibly filling. The spices and flavors of the doro wot sauce were delicious and the chicken was tender; the meat fell right off the bone. The sides were small in quantity but tasted good. -- Price (relative to peers): 4.4/5 Food: 4.3/5 Ambience: 4.6/5 Service: 4.8/5 Overall Value: 4.3/5

Service was quick and friendly, the restaurant was clean and inviting with low lights and soft music. Food was wonderful! I had the tibs wot (beef in a berberre sauce - spicy and savory and chewy and delicious), shiro (split peas in a savory stew) and the red lentils. If you've never had Ethiopian, you eat with your hands by tearing off pieces of injera (like a savory crepe) and scooping up the food. Everything was SO tasty. They also have a nice selection of Ethiopian beers, which are the perfect accompaniment to the spice. Great vegan options, by the way! The manager was very welcoming. Come give Lalibela a try!

Yummy, my chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender, and the spice was actually spicy so delectable, a great experience for my friend too, it was her first time having Ethiopian. She can't take spice at all and our server was very kind in helping us find a good fit for her. Also, hers was super flavorful too! Yum. My friend is allergic to eggs so I've been on a mission to help her find tasty food, and this was SUCH a win for her. Will be back!!

Food tastes great! My favorite is the miser wat: has the right spicy kick, but even when friends order things I've been displeased with at other Ethiopian places it's still excellent here.

Had the vegitertian sampler and it was phenomenal! Every aspect was divine on its own but when you mixed the flavors it was absolutely unreal!

Very hospitable service. We got a big platter for two and it was more than enough food for the two of us. We got veggie and beef samosas as well, and a salad. Everything was absolutely delicious. Beautiful restaurant and ambiance. They also made us tea. Would recommend for anyone looking for some authentic Ethiopian food.

Review based on Uber eats delivery: tiniest portion of Ethiopian food I've ever received by delivery, not even half the amount of food I received previously. Flavor was okay and comparable to other spots. I won't order from here again.

This was delicious! Each of the dishes in the vegetable combo were flavorful and paired well with the injera. The injera had a perfect sour flavor, and I got a decent amount to pair with my vegetables. A great spot for some comforting Ethiopian food!

Had an unpleasant time here, with slow unhelpful service and up charges for sharing plates that prior to sitting down we had explicitly gotten confirmation would not apply. Not worth it for just fine Ethiopian food when there are plenty of better options in the area.

Amazing!! The food here was so so delicious. Get the chicken! Incredible service as well. It was all of our first time trying Ethiopian food and we loved it!

We came because of all the positive reviews, but the food was just okay. Service was quick and portions were large, but I found it just to be a mix of different mushes. I had the chicken and was slightly concerned it would make me sick after my friend told me the kitchen didn't look very clean (but don't worry, I did not get sick). It definitely didn't taste like very high quality chicken meat but it was okay. Maybe ethiopian just isn't my thing.

Had an awesome meal here today! Split the veggie combo between 2 of us and it was the perfect size for a filling lunch. Shiro is one of my favorite foods... and this one didn't disappoint! The service was also very fast. I would definitely recommend to anyone in the neighborhood.

This is Timatim Fitfit. If u can find more than a slice of tomato in this overpriced and super STALE injera, you win our prize! I'm sorry to report this business has been getting cheaper and cheaper in time and their food is suffering from these poor decisions. I cannot believe that the salad I thought I ordered is filled with an enormous amount of stale Injera soaked in dressing. No. I do not recommend. The salad to injera ratio should not be like this. I carried it all the way home just to throw it away. Nobody wants to eat this much of carbohydrates.

I don't eat Ethiopian food that often, if ever, but I liked this place! Their spice usage is super flavorful! My favorite was the lamb (I think we got shoulders) and I quite liked the cabbage + green collars sides. Supposedly their bread is on the heavier, moister side? Would recommend / come back again

They definitely deserve more customers. This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in upper west side. The food is flavorful and special. The portion is huge so I took home half of it for leftover dinner tonight. The staff is kind and I would like to return

i am hesitant to leave a negative review because the food was DELICIOUS, the vibe and service were lovely. however, both my friend and i have had stomach problems since ordering (splitting a beef dish, stewed cabbage, lentils, and injera/tomato salad) last night. she has frequented the establishment in the past and says she's never gotten sick until now. i really hope it was a one-time thing. maybe i will return here some day but for now i must stick to awash.

Order the veggie combo, food came out like warm at best. The waitress offered to microwave it :( Freshness and quality are clearly questionable here. My friend ordered the lamb, meat was tough. Would not recommend this place :( Although I will say the waitress was nice but that's about it...

This spot opens at 12, making it possible for me to run down from my job and grab lunch! Celebrate! They just added a bunch of their vegetable dishes to the lunch specials. I got the Miser Wot main and the collard greens and cabbage as sides. A generous baggie of injera was included. This is the real Happy Meal, I mean it even looks like the platter is smiling. Everything was delicious.

I just moved from DC, which has a large Ethiopian community. I wasn't expecting the food to be as good as that, but what I got was bland awaze tibs and tasteless oily vegetables (if you look at the picture they are literally swimming in the oil). I really wanted to like this place (convenient location), but I won't be back. I gave it 2 stars because it didn't hurt my stomach and it wasn't nasty, just disappointing.

Delicious!! We were so sad to see Zoma close since it was a great neighborhood spot, but we were excited that Lalibela came in. (Apparently they are totally unaffiliated/a completely new restaurant). We ordered the combo/sampler veggie platter which actually comes with a lot more types than what was listed & the Tibs Wot (which also comes with 2 veggie sides!). Those two were more than enough for 2 for dinner. We definitely have leftovers! Flavors were amazing, spices were incredible. We loved it & are looking forward to ordering again.

I have eaten most of the vegan options and they taste great. I enjoy the food more at the restaurant than when I take it to go. Sometimes the bread would get soggy when packed to go. I think they may have changed their bread though because it stayed dry in my last take out order. The portions and price are great as well. Service is good but sometimes there's only one server. The ambience is decent.

FIrst rate food, and delightful staff. There are a lot of good Ethiopian restaurants in NYC -- I'd put this near the top.

Deeeeeelicious food!!! It's a wonderfully unpretentious find that delivers perfectly crafted Ethiopian food.

Do yourself a favor and try their food. As an Ethiopian I was reluctant to try this place because I didn't enjoy its predecessor (sorry, Zoma). DO NOT BE MISTAKEN... even though this is another habesha restaurant in the same location... their food is extremely authentic. Tastes like an auntie made it. Tbh you can order whatever you want and it will be delicious but some highlights are : beef Sambusa, tibs wot, shiro. COME GET YOUR ETHIOPIAN / ERITREAN FOOD HERE IT IS THE REAL DEAL. BEST IN NYC

Ordered for lunch because all my regular Ethiopian spots were closed. The food was pretty meh... Lentils were still a bit hard, like they had not been cooked long enough. The fish didn't come with any sauce. The vegetables were kind of watery (see pic). Maybe it tastes better at the restaurant, but based on the takeout I wasn't impressed. You can get better quality and flavor elsewhere.

This is a great place! The food is the best Ethiopian I've had in Manhattan. The only better I've had was in Lalibela and Addis Ababa, both cities actually in Ethiopia. Large portions, friendly service. Utterly scrumptious.

What a great dinner with my friend from Ethiopia, she recommended this restaurant and, even not knowing much about Ethiopian food I could taste like home made food and how much they care about it. The owner all smiling and friendly!!

I visited with a friend who had never had Ethiopian food before. We ordered the sampler platter and glasses of tej, honey wine. It was all quite good. I would visit again.

Very fresh and delicious dishes. I ordered kitfo, doro wot, lamb, and four vegetarian dishes to take out. There was A LOT OF food (we only plated a tiny portion on this pic) and everything was perfectly seasoned and tasty. Nice packaging too. Owner/chef is very friendly. Highly recommend.

I have been a loyal customer at this restaurant and the Ethiopian restaurant (Zoma) that preceded it in the same location for more than 13 years. I have always loved the food and service. My most recent experience last week however, was abhorrent to say the least. Friday eve, we walked into an empty dining room that smelled overwhelmingly of incense, which in my opinion, never adds to a dining experience. We then ordered cocktails, two appetizers and two entrees to spilt among three adults. We were then informed that there would be a $7 SHARING FEE since we didn't order three entrees. Really? A SHARING FEE for an Ethiopian restaurant?!?! Isn't Ethiopian cuisine meant to be shared? In fact, if you want a separate plate, you have to request one. Absurd! The owner did finally agree to waive this charge for us after we explained that we were spending more than 3 entrees worth already. We placed our order and THEN we saw a small cockroach crawling on the banquette. We let it slide as we understood that can sometimes happen. Then we saw another and another and stopped counting at six bugs. We brought it to the waitresses attention and she said, "I'll keep an eye out for more." When the last cockroach crawled down the seat behind my shoulder I had had enough and jumped up. Both waitresses must have found it amusing as they both let out a chuckle when they saw my reaction. Our waitress then became argumentative and asked if we wanted to change tables. At this point the food was on our table and we had all lost our appetites. I said I couldn't stay there and eat. The server then asked if I was ready to pay for the check. The bartender then accusingly asked if I just didn't want to pay for my meal, which we had taken only a few bites at this point. The owner then comes in and proceeds to tell me they just sprayed for bugs that's why they are all coming out?!?! He was visibly irritated and then told me I didn't have to pay (only after the woman seated at the bar said "are you really going to make her pay for this?") and he nudged me several times toward the door. As much as I love the food - which has also gone downhill recently - I will never go back to this restaurant again. I was so loyal to this place, always tipped at least 20% and brought local guests and friends from out of town on a regular basis, but after the way I was treated, I cannot possibly justify giving another one of my dollars to this establishment. A simple, "I appreciate your repeated business and I'm sorry about the experience you had this evening" Would have gone a very long way. Instead they chose to laugh at me, argue with me and push me out the door. I will miss this place dearly. I wish Henock, the previous owner of Zoma, would buy it back and bring my favorite neighborhood restaurant back to its former glory!

Delicious and authentic Ethiopian food. The kifto was exceptional (get it rare -- really kifto is supposed to be near-raw, but they do cook it here - but keep it rare). The doro wot was fine but basically everything else was a true crowd pleaser.

Got the vegetable platter for $22. It was well seasoned and very filling. Customer service was great. I will definitely come back here.

Amazing amazing amazing! Ethiopian food is in general so flavorful but the food from Lalibela was exceptional and on another level. The place is family run and with a very chill ambiance but don't let that fool you into thinking the food is simple. The spices and flavors are anything but simple - they are complex and fill your entire mouth. The lamb in particular was so tender and herby, I've never had such great raafting food. Support this business they are amazing!

Ordered the sampler and the beats. Everything tasted really yunmy - we ate everything. We usually order from other ethiopian restaurants in the area, but this one really impressed us.

Delicious food and very friendly service!! Relaxed vibe. Would go back again and again.

The best Ethiopian restaurant in the city! Generous portions, rich in flavors. We inhaled the food.

Amazing food, friendly service. Highly recommend! The veggie combo brings together several great options onto one fantastic plate.

The food and service here were so good! I started off with a coffee which was perfectly strong and a good size for the price. We then shared a veggie platter and tibs wot. Everything was very flavorful and prepared quickly. I love that the tibs orders come with two veggie sides. I haven't seen this as a common practice at Ethiopian restaurants and is definitely a great option if you want to order a plate for one Togo. Only reason for not giving 5 stars is that I've had other restaurants that I personally liked better. I will definitely return here regardless and maybe try one of the other types of tibs!

My family and I love Lalibela! They opened right around the time the pandemic arrived (unfortunately), replacing another Ethiopian restaurant that had been there: Zoma. Zoma was good, but Lalibela is fantastic. My daughter is a maniac for a dish called Bozena Shiro and she says Lalibela's is as good as the Ethiopian food we've eaten in Africa. The people who run the place are warm and charming. Their injera is perfectly sour and soft. The Derek Tibs (lamb or beef) is divine; I eat every last bite and then soak up everything that's left with the injera and stuff that into myself, too. Hubby loves the raw kitfo, a spicy Ethiopian take on beef tartare. All of the veggie sides are tasty and fresh, too. It's really great, especially considering that we've only taken the food out because of Covid. We can hardly wait to eat-in!

This place is fabulous. Deep, nuances layered flavors. Four of us shared a sampler plate and extra Injera. The server make cinnamon tea for me. I love to cook and read about food, herbs and spices, so pretty knowledgeable. But I wasn't able to identify many of the spices. One of my favorite things to do is find restaurant food that I can't make at home. The woman who served us clearly wanted us to have a great experience. And we sure did.

This shit slaps harder than my dad after a night a drinking. i loved the food got the sampler so I tried a bit of everything and everything was super flavorful, the meat so tender and well spiced. The sourdough wrap thing (injet?) was warm and tasty. Very nice staff and a clean and stylish inside makes this an easy 5 star and I will be returning.

3.5 This is my second favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Harlem. The lamb is so dang delicious. I don't really like the gomen but the rest of the veggie sides are decent. When we are in the mood for Ethiopian I order the lamb combo from here in and a veggie combo from Benyam. I like the injera at Benyam's a little bit better. The injera from here has a denser texture and isn't as spongy.

There were 7 of us and we all ordered a dish and sides. The tibbs, the sampler, the chicken legs. Sooooooo much food!! The dishes were excellent as was the injura. We went on a Monday with a reservation though I do not think we needed the reservation. Only one person waiting on all tables but she was great and attentive. As far as cocktails go, you would need to explain how to make your cocktail. But a full bar. Best Ethiopian restaurant in the area.

Absolutely delicious Ethiopian food - we ordered the two combo platters and it was more than enough for 3 extremely hungry people. The owner is so kind and hospitable, and they give you so much injera! Cannot recommend enough - I recommend calling them directly to do pick-up orders.