Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant

We came here for lunch and it blew us away. Every item tastes fresh and high quality. Our server was so kind and the chefs know what they’re doing. I would give them 10 stars if I could :) we will most definitely be back! veggie platter 10/10 (especially the collard greens, perfectly cooked and a lil spicy 😻) beef tibs 10/10 sambusa with lentils 10/10 ethiopian coffee 10/10

This is our new favorite spot to eat out in Portland!! They have a wonderful variety of both meat and vegetarian dishes, which makes it great for feeding folks visiting from out of town. The service is friendly and helpful at describing things. We love the tea here, and when my husband asked about what kind of tea it was, they gave him a small sample of the different kinds of herbs and black tea they custom blend it from! If you love vegetarian food like I do, I would highly recommend trying the Mushroom Tibs. It seems like they are less busy for late meals than with early dining, so maybe go later or call ahead if you are a larger group. I am excited to eat here again and again.

We came in for lunch. We had Lalibela Platter. It was a huge platter that two of us could not finish. Every item was flavorful! I wished I had more room in my stomach. The service was quick and super friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We are definitely coming back for more.

Some of the sweetest people you will ever meet, we truly felt well taken care of! The chicken tibs were tender and juicy. The vegetables were fresh and perfectly cooked! It was an over all a lovely experience! So fun!

I wanted to try this place as it had a better rating than Gebeta. I was so saddened to find that the food wasn't nearly as good. It wasn't bad - it was fine, but most of the meat dishes were dry and tough. The lentils didn't have legs to stand on in terms of a stand out dish for vegetarians and the greens were weirdly dry. There was one server for a packed house, so service was spotty but pleasant. The atmosphere was cozy and clean. This is only one opinion out of a heck of a lot of 5 star reviews, so if you love this place no shade on you. It just was t for me.

Incredible food. Amazing service with kind and welcoming staff. They had some of the best beer I’ve ever had, and it can only be found here and at one other restaurant. Can’t wait to go back!

I love this Ethiopian restaurant in downtown Portland! If you are looking for the best tasting Ethiopian food and atmosphere this is the place! Family friendly with vegetarian and gluten free options! I will be back!!

I ordered the veggie combo at Lalibela and each dish was very flavorful! The veggie combo easily feeds two adults. While I was eating in the restaurant, I saw a lot of people getting to-go orders, so apparently this restaurant is popular for to-go. Also, their bathrooms were very clean

I hadn't had Ethiopian food in waaayyyy too long. We do a supper club with 5 friends and this quickly shot to the top of the list after reading the reviews. It's pretty small, but they do take reservations. It was packed on a Monday, so definitely plan ahead. You can order individual dishes or platters. We went with the Family Combo Platter and added lamb tibs, which was a very good idea! The lamb was so tender and ended up being a favorite for the table. I loved their veggies too, so don't skip those. The green salad looked simple but added a lightness to the meal. The beets and cabbage were both favorites of mine. They will also bring you lots of injera to soak everything up. We also added an order of Sambusa's, which are like samosas, with the lentil filling and loved those too. They were fried to perfection and pretty large. We had a great experience here and will definitely be back.

Right off MLK, my first venture for Ethiopian food in Portland. It is small with a few tables, nothing fancy. One person serving all the tables, but it was not that busy. She did not seem to speak a lot of English for questions, but we made it work. We ordered the family platter. It was more than enough for two, could even feed four - we had leftovers for lunch. Decent looking platter - but we didn't get salad - my partner didn't want me to ask about it, lol. Instead, the center was the hot greens. Everything was so delicious!! I would get again for sure, but would want the salad. We both had a lot of gas later, fyi - no idea which item. Would still eat!

My wife and I are visiting from NorCal and we haven't tried an Ethiopian injera platter in years and by far was this the best food we've eaten since then! They have a good vibe for a small restaurant and it was clean and well maintained. We got the Family combo platter and shared it, we got plenty of leftovers. Yum! The injera was soft and airy. The lamb was delicious and the l greens made me change my mind about disliking them ;) the wait was well-worth it with how good our platter was. Next time we'll try the Ethiopian beer or tea so no drink review this time. We would make the 7-hour drive again, just for this place. The closest Ethiopian restaurant to where we live is 5.5 hours' drive away and Lalibela exceeded all of our expectations. Ethiopian is my favorite food so this is very high praise indeed. Our server was kind and gracious which made the service warm & inviting.

Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant is truly one of the best places to enjoy authentic Ethiopian food in Portland. The food quality is outstanding--every dish tastes fresh, flavorful, and made with genuine care. You can immediately tell the ingredients are fresh and well-prepared, and the spices are perfectly balanced without being overwhelming. The taste is exceptional. From the stews to the vegetables to the injera, everything has that rich, traditional Ethiopian flavor that's hard to find anywhere else. The portions are generous, and every plate arrives neatly arranged and beautifully presented. I also appreciate how clean and well-kept the restaurant is. The atmosphere feels warm, tidy, and welcoming, which makes the dining experience even better. Most of all, the hospitality is amazing. The staff are kind, attentive, and genuinely friendly. They make you feel like a valued guest from the moment you walk in. Their service reflects the true spirit of Ethiopian culture--warmth, generosity, and respect. I highly recommend Lalibela to anyone looking for delicious, authentic Ethiopian cuisine in Portland. A wonderful experience every time!

Fantastic. Amazing. Sooo good. Little hole in the wall spot on MLK. The food was so good. The presentation just.... I'm speechless. Oh and the honey wine. OMG. The server was so sweet. We were so happy. We will be back again and again. Side note. It didn't really matter for our experience but the restroom was so nice and clean.

Good food. I liked the veggie more than the meat dishes. They did not have chicken. Had the lamb (okay) and beef (not good). The service was extraordinary. Its a small place. Street parking.

Welcoming, attentive service. Traditional menu with our favorites. Everything flavorful and beautifully presented. Perfectly satisfied our craving for great Ethiopian cuisine.

Something very homey and inviting about the atmosphere -- as soon as you walk in, you want to stay awhile. The room is relaxing. The server is gracious and attentive. And then you get the food! This place's injera is nice and sour, and they include plenty of it! A few rolled-up pieces besides the ones underneath the food. I had the veggie platter, which included a beautiful, yummy (and no doubt healthy) cooked beet dish that I hadn't seen at other Ethiopian (or any) restaurants before. There also were a couple pea or bean dishes, one nicely spicy. Oh, and some nicely seasoned collard greens! I also ordered a cup of tea, which was a nice surprise -- it was spiced with cinnamon and maybe a bit of clove. Ethiopians are famous for their coffee, and this place also does a fine job with tea! The veggie plate would have been plenty for two. I took half home. Overall a relaxing, friendly, delicious and healthy meal. They have plenty of meat dishes too, but I haven't tried any.

Incredible food! Truly so delicious, affordable and filling! We split the family plate between 4 of us and all left so full and happy! The ambiance is great and the service is oh so friendly!! A new fav in Portland!!

I had never had Ethiopian food, and decided to try Lalibela. Delicious and filling! Great variety and value- we enjoyed our dining experience immensely.

My favorite Ethiopian place in Portland. I always bring friends here to eat the combo platter and we always end up with leftovers. The last two times I was here, I got the veggie combo platter which was amazing and had so many little sides to try. This time I got the family combo and added a lamb tibs, which was amazing and had a hint of rosemary flavor. My table always orders the lentil sambusa appetizer and it's pretty cool that they look like Indian samosas but use different ingredients and flavors and are super tasty. Every time I've gone a little after 12:00 and can get a table right away. I heard most people typically come in 2:00 p.m. and after for late lunch. Will definitely be back again!

Delicious authentic Ethiopian food with exceptionally gracious service and reasonable prices. I had the vegan sampler platter. Already looking forward to my next visit!

The food was delicious and service was great! We will definitely be back. It's on our go to list for sure

Once again, service, food and coffee are all amazing and we will be back again and again!! 7 stars out of 5

Everything about Lalibela is the best!! My family and I have been long time patrons since its opening, if you're looking to have authentic ethiopian cuisine in a family friendly ambience where the hospitality really makes you feel at home than Lalibela is the place to eat!

There are a healthy amount of Ethiopian restaurants in Portland, so when I say Lalibela is THE most authentic and delicious Ethiopian option in town, that just goes to show how much I recommend Lalibela. We have tried the combination/family platter, and I thoroughly enjoy everything - mostly the tibs (seasoned cubed beef), lentils, and kale. My absolute favorite dish, however, are Sambusas! Perfectly deep fried, and stuffed with flavorful and spiced lentils, I could eat these babies like candy. I LOVE Ethiopian coffee - it just might be my favorite coffee, ever - and in a coffee-obsessed town like Portland, that's no small feat. It's a whole ritual, from roasting the beans fresh over a fire, and serving it in beautiful ceremonial cups. Needless to say, I highly recommend trying the coffee. The owner Banchi is also so warm and welcoming, as are all the staff at Lalibela. Please give Lalibela a try whenever you're in NE Portland (it's off MLK) - or better yet, make a special trip to try this unique food - it's seriously such a rad experience. Ps. Plenty of street parking and lot parking at Cafe Olli next door. Also conveniently right next to the 6 bus stop.

This was possibly the best food I've ever eaten. The Laibela special feeds 4 people easily (3 if I'm there with you). Every bite was a new flavor and I'm so full and happy!

I cannot believe that I waited for a recommendation to try Lalibela! Though unassuming and quaint from the outside, your senses will turn on as soon as you enter the welcoming space. High ceilings, curated art, and minimal seating keep this space centered, with a lovely use of curtains that keep the kitchen connected to the guests. The staff are wonderful, and they will explain anything that you need to know. Since this was my first jaunt into Ethiopian, I surely had several questions. Thankfully, Lalibela has a few large shareable plates that express most of the items on the menu. If you are similar to me - get excited - since their menu is perfectly sized with curation that keeps the menu small and perfect. 10/10, guys! The flavors and aromas of our plates and from the kitchen make this a truly magical culinary experience. Your senses are going to be aware of everything, starting with the sour aromas of their house-made breads, all the way to the tingles from the spicy meats on your plate. You'll definitely want to order more of the bread since you'll find that you consume it very fast with all the complementary main dishes. I will surely be back, and I cannot wait to see what has changed or what new menu items there may be. Parking is quite ample nearby, with many free street parking spots available off the main street. It would be cute to sometime see a few patio tables on the tree-covered sidewalks, too.

As a lover of Ethiopian food, I seek out this cuisine wherever I can find it. Reviewing Yelp, my friends and I chose this one because it seemed most authentic in terms of menu. Also, namesakes in LA's Little Ethiopia and Frankfurt, Germany are my favorite ones there. The ambiance is little to talk about. Other than the delicious smell, it is divy with thick plastic table coverings and a few pictures on the wall. But then I don't come for atmosphere. The food was more of a "could've been better" (2 stars), but the waitress offered to make me a dish off-menu which would take 20 minutes. I agreed. Unfortunately, it never came, and we were there way longer than 20 min from ordering. The veggie dishes were rather dry in consistency and not as flavorful as I like. The beef tibs were dry and overcooked. The best dish was the tire kitfo which tasted lovely though lacking the usual accompaniment of ayib. I have not tried other Ethiopian places in Portland, so I cannot compare. If this were the only Ethiopian restaurant where I live, I would certainly return.

Food was amazing, so good my husband and I finished the entire family combo platter. Highly recommend. The waitress was very sweet and attentive as well.

This place has my favorite Injera out of all the places I e tried in Portland so far. The warm ambiance makes for a great date night. We'll be back for sure.

Amazing Ethiopian food! The flavors and spices were so rich and delicious, and the injera bread was perfect. Great service, too. Definitely coming back for more!

The food is so good, the portions are generous and the woman who helped us was very nice. A new favorite for me.

Flavors, service, selection! Gursha! Took Two coworkers here who never had Ethiopian food and the food met their excitement and curiosity go great food. Good conversation followed. Treat yourself, your family, or friends.

The service was good, food was yummy, and nice ambiance. Very wonderful experience.

Best ethiopian food in Portland! Very nice people and an amazing atmosphere! The lamb and beef tibs are especially good.

My love loves Ethiopian food. Since the demise of her fave E'Njoni, we've been on the lookout for a new place. Other local spots have been on the proverbial Goldilocks scale: too fancy, too little flavor, too snug. Lalibela may be the best fit possible. You know what you're getting: it's a big plate of injera and a round of lentils, cabbage, stewed meats, beets, and salad. The lentils are always my favorite part, and these were tasty. The restaurant reminded me of the restaurants in Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles. Service was a little spotty. The waiter popped up 3 times in about 3 minutes to ask if we wanted more injera, then disappeared completely and we had to disturb the chef for our bill.

Pure deliciousness! The Mushroom Tibs (stew) is a full-on experience for your taste buds. Perfect use of Berbere - not so hot that it' too much of a challenge, but you definitely get the flavor, and they add rosemary, which definitely takes the dish in a wonderful direction. It's vegan, as is the vegetarian sampler, and the Sambusa Appetizer. Try the delicious house tea, too!

First time having Ethiopian food and it was fantastic. 10/10 absolutely recommend and we will most definitely be back again.

Great service and great food I recommend this place to others thank you lalibela restaurant

Not much for ambience and the service was slow but otherwise it was solid, tasty Ethiopian food.

The flavors are soooooo good here. We got the veggie combo with the mushroom tibs. Hot damn it was delicious!

Food good. Service slow but right vibe. Ambiance - small, clean, minimalist, lots of people but low volume.

Absolutely wonderful food!!! Sweet, quiet little spot. Will definitely be back on the regular.

The food here is incredible! It was so delicious and filling, our whole party of 7 was so happy. The workers were extremely gracious about our big party and very kind.

Now my go-to Ethiopian restaurant in Portland. Had the veggie platter, our standard dish. It included all the veggie greatest hits: split peas, spicy lentils, beets, and collards. Also enjoyed the best, most flavorful potato-cabbage (alicha wot) I've ever eaten. The platter also included a new-to-me buticha (chickpea dish with jalapeños), yum! The injera was fresh, tangy and soft. I typically ignore the lettuce salad in the veggie platters, but Lalibela's was crisp and flavorful - couldn't get enough! Enjoyed a nice Ethiopian beer that paired super-well with the food. The space is small but attractive and nicely decorated with artwork and baskets. We felt very welcome and were not rushed, even though they were quite busy. It feels like a small family-run business, which extends that welcoming feeling. Can't wait to go back!

The veggie combo and the Derek tibs were both well seasoned, flavorful, and delicious, and the sambusas were the best we've ever had. The ambiance of the restaurant was lovely and cosy, and it was quite busy the whole time which we loved to see. The service was quick and pleasant and all around it was a great evening. Can't wait to come back!

Loved everything about Lalibela. The space is beautifully decorated, the food was delicious and service was great. It was so good that we placed an extra order to go of tibs so my husband didn't miss out.

My first time trying Ethiopian food and it was great. The service was very friendly and warming like going to a friends home. The food was wonderful.

Delicious Ethiopian food that was not too expensive and the waiting was not too long either unlike some posts mentioned before. The ambience is of a small dive like restaurant but that does not show the quality of the food.

This is by far the best Ethiopian restaurant in Portland. Food was great and real Ethiopian food. As Ethiopian when most of my none Ethiopian friends ask me about good Ethiopian restaurants in Portland, I always say none in Portland,but we can try this and that restaurant and we always leave with big disappointment by the food quality and nowhere to be found customer service. Lalibela does have great food and great customer service. I definitely found a restaurant that I will recommend with conference.

Wonderful!!! Service is slow but the amazing food and warm, welcoming attitudes of the staff more than make up for that.

I will be honest, i wanted to rate my experience lower based on the food only but i won't do my people like that. Our server was great. He was very attentive and accommodating. I ordered the dry tibs and quanta firfir. First of all the tibs was very overcooked and under seasoned. Not much flavor at all. To my surprise, the same tibs meat was put in the firfir and it was served as quanta firfir....like come on! The firfir also tasted under seasoned. Honestly i was disappointed. Non-habeshas may not be able to tell the difference between quanta firfir and regular sega firfir but us habeshas can. I will go back one more time and order the same thing to see if this was a once time issue. If so then great. If not, i will not be returning.

Sweet small cozy restaurant with family feel! Delicious food! We will be back!! Soooo good! Ordered the family combination for 2 adults and it was awesome! Leftovers are good too! Thank you for a great dinner!

This was my first experience having Ethiopian food and there was no disappointment here. Flavors like nothing else I've tasted. The service was amazing and attentive. Our server brought out coffee beans he was roasting to let us smell and the coffee was strong and delicious. Definitely will come back when in the area. Worth a try for sure!!

This is the second Ethiopian restaurant that we've taken our kids to and we all loved it. Food was very flavorful, service was friendly and kind.

The derek tibs and kitfo is amazing here. Staff is super friendly as well. Me and group of friends were craving Ethiopian food and unfortunately all restaurants were closed or so we thought, we asked what time they close, they said 9pm, mind you we got there at 9. They still lets us order and dine in, meal was great too.

Amazing delicious food. The portions are big and the customer service is truly fantastic it is our favorite place to go to its truly authentic and beautiful prices are also reasonable

The food was impeccable. This restaurant is so clean and the service is wonderful. It's like being invited to an Ethiopian family's home cooked meals. The presentation, quality, and flavors of the food were on par with a gourmet chef. We ordered Sambucca, meat pastries fried to perfection. We also ordered a dish of lamb tips and another entree with beef and carrots and spices. Both came with injera. The injera was perfect temperature when served and light, moist, and flavorful. She offered me a taste of Ethiopian coffee just to try. If you are a coffee aficionado - don't miss this opportunity to dine at a true jewel of Ethiopian cuisine in Portland. Great for a special date!!!!