Nazret Ethiopian Restaurant

All the food was fresh and delicious! We had sambusas, fitfit, and veggie platter, with ginger spice tea. The sambusas were fragrant and warm with beautifully crispy pastry. The fitfit was new to me and it was great! A cold injera salad with tomato onion and fresh jalapeno, it was very refreshing! The veggie platter had all the classics, spicy lentils, shiro, collards, yellow peas and more. The injera was tangy and soft, and all the traditional vegetarian sides were well spiced and flavorful. And our server Sololea was kind and friendly and took good care of us. Overall it was a great meal!

I was craving Ethiopian food and our meal hit the spot. We got an order of lentil sabusas (2) and enjoyed them, the dough was chewy and soft. We shared the vegetable special and some ribs on a large plate of injera. The vegetables were amazingly spiced, each with different flavors, and the meat was also delicious. The only critique I have is that practical joke YouTube videos were playing on the TVs - I am guessing that a customer requested them, but they were distracting and detracted from the atmosphere a bit. The music was lovely and the service and food was excellent, we will be back when we are in the area

My friend and I went here randomly after going to a scent shop nearby. We ordered the veggie platter with lamb tibs. The customer service was great as well. All smiles and treated like family. Would love to come back.

This restaurant has received rave reviews from the Washington Post and we experienced why. The Deluxe Platter was enough for 4-5 people and gave us a combination of delicious dishes that left us so full. We waited a little while for it, but it was worth the wait. The servers were very attentive, playing a Happy Birthday song for our friend and bringing him dessert. There were other little surprises like sharing the aroma of their coffee with each person from the sizzling skillet to a platter of fresh popcorn at the end. It was a relaxed 2 hour meal…perfect for conversation.

Great atmosphere and amazing hospitality! From the moment we walked in, we were personally welcomed by the chef and the incredibly friendly staff, which immediately made us feel at home. The ambiance was cozy and inviting — perfect for a relaxed evening out. The food exceeded our expectations. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. The standout for me was the fish goulash — perfectly seasoned and cooked.

I have been here many times with my family and the food is incredible. The staff is so friendly and warm, and the ambiance is so inviting and nice. The owner even remembers one of my relatives from a visit over a year ago! I always have an amazing experience here, and will be back again.

Nazret Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar has the best Ethiopian food in the DMV. Tonight was our first experience here as we had a favorite on U Street that closed down during the pandemic. We ordered the fit fit, the short rib tibs (bone in) and the lamb tibs along with assorted vegetables. I also had Tej, which is a honey wine. Everything was exceptional. The customer service was impeccable and the owner is so very down to earth. Hats off to you, Sir! We live in South Carolina but needless to say, we will be coming back. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

Tender lamb 😋 Good flavor! Simple ingredients but tastes really nice I like they put sauce separately, so you can add as much or as little as you want

EASY 5! A must try gem in the area! Everything we had was amazing!! We ordered the awaze tibs regular platter and everything on that platter blew my taste buds away! We also ordered the shiro fitfit and I can honestly say I have never had anything like that. Served cold with many depths of flavors. I also tried the Sambusa as an appetizer. We had a few leftovers and even after sitting in the fridge cold the leftovers were so tasty! I will be back very soon!

I had such a blast at Nazret! My husband and I decided to have a unique date night and it was definitely worth it. We decided to be adventurous and ordered a variety of dishes without knowing the portion sizes. We ended up having leftovers for days! This place offers happy hour every day and the prices for beers are really reasonable. Since it was chilly outside, I opted for a comforting cinnamon hot tea. We tried a combo meal and another dish with lamb, and both were incredibly delicious with amazing flavors. There were a few lentils we didn't enjoy and some were spicy, but overall, it was an incredibly enjoyable experience. We're already planning a double date night here in the future!

We were in the area shopping and we were in the mood for some Ethiopian food. Nazret was one of the yelp recommended ones so we decided to grab some food for takeout. We tried the quanta firfir(dried beef bits and injera simmered in spicy stew), yebeg tibs (seasoned beef sautéed with peppers/onions/tomatoes), as well as the kitfo. 1. The quanta firfir: It was well made, the beef was soft but crunchy at the same time to make a perfect contrast with the soft/moist Injera, would definitely order again. 2. Yebeg tibs: I would order this again as well, the lamb was not over cooked, which I was really happy about because most places would have tibs with so much flavor but the lamb is over cooked. Personal preference: I would have liked more heat to it 3. Kitfo: the kitfo had a lot of spice and flavor but it was a bit oily so probably my least favorite item. 4. Sambusa: didn't get a chance to take a picture because we devoured the Sambusa on the drive home, it smelled amazing too. It was warm with the perfect amount of crunch on the outside and perfectly soft inside. The place is small but cozy, has good ambiance, it is filled with traditionally inspired modern artwork. we went on a week day so it was not too crowded. The owner was very friendly, he was actually helping serve people and he saw us waiting for our food by the bar so he made a point to chat with us and ask us about our experience. The bar is fully stocked! Would definitely would go back again when around the area!

This is our 3rd time here for date night. We love it! We drive all the way from Maryland each time. The two brothers who own the place are so friendly and always greet us. The service is great as well. The food doesn't come out super quick, but this is NOT a bad thing because it's made to order, fresh and delicious. It's nothing that can be rushed. My husband doesn't eat beef so they are always able to make a substitute with lamb instead with a reasonable charge. We love this place so much and tell all of friends to check it out.

This place feels like you get transported to another country but don't be alarmed by the sketchy parking lot, the food is great! We ordered the regular platter with the awaze tibs and it could have easy fed 3 people and maybe even four if you didn't have as much appetite. They are generous with the tibs and the injeera is fluffy and plentiful. Considering that it's like $35 this is an excellent bang for your buck. The people working there and hanging out at the bar are very friendly and there is loud music videos playing in the background. Awesome place to try something new

Our group of four came here yesterday for lunch. We ordered two sambusas for appetizer, 1 Special Veggie Combo, and 1 VIP Platter. The food was awesome! Sambusas ($5 for two): these lentil filled fried dumplings were pretty good! The crunch mixed with a little bit of heat was the perfect start to our meal. Special Veggie Combo $15: there were six different veggies in the combo. Our vegetarian friends really liked the combo. The injera (teff bread) mixed with the veggies were refreshingly good. The seasoning was on point. VIP Platter $48: This was essentially the special veggie combo with added diced chicken and diced beef. The meat was well seasoned. The house salad and collard green were super disappointing. I guess I just didn't like the two out of the six veggies they brought. Injera, Teff bread: these came underneath the combos, and separately on the side. In total, we had 7 injeras. We were unable to finish because they're super filling! Lowlights Service: Our party stayed for 90 minutes and not once were our waters refilled. Veggies: our vegetarian friends like them, but I thought two out of the six veggies (in the combos) were extremely underwhelming. I'm definitely going back! I will try the raw beef next!

The Build America Plaza, in general is just a cool little slice of Ethiopia with a ton of markets, restaurants and a bakery (that we didn't make it into but will be back for) and Nazret is a hidden gem... Quite literally hidden because it is around the back... It's just a little place, but stepping in made you feel like part of a family and we really did enjoy our family-style meal with my parents. The sambusa appetizers was crunchy and delicious - something new I haven't had before -- and then we all dug into the largest platter they had! This was my 4th time eating Ethiopian, and I am still not 100% sure what I get, but I do like it all. We just request seconds of our favorite items on the platter, which has worked so far

One of the best Ethiopian I've ever had! The awaze tibs were succulent and flavorful. It was served with some hot chili sauce which was addicting. I couldn't help but sop up every last drop with my injera bread. And the injera bread! Perfect - soft, spongy, and sour. So good, I can't believe it took me this long to try this spot.

Best Ethiopian food I've ever had. Got the VIP Combo which had a bunch of veggies, Shinte Beef Tibs and chicken. Every single component was so unique and flavorful and the injera was cooked to perfection. It was soft and just the right thickness so it didn't fall apart when you filled it. There were a couple of things that were missed. We ordered the sambusa appetizer and the waitress forgot. We said we still wanted it after she brought the main course. But about ten minutes later she said they ran out. The other thing I didn't like was the noise level. It's a small place so it got really loud coz the place was packed. Oh and I couldn't find the place at first coz it was tucked away in the back of this shopping plaza. There were a lot of other Ethiopian businesses around and I almost went to another Ethiopian restaurant but luckily I finally saw this one. Oh and btw my friend stopped at the 7-11 beforehand and the guy told him this was the best one). Anyway I would definitely recommend this place because the food was simply awesome. I'm totally bringing my friends here.

One of my favorite Ethiopian spots right in Skyline area. It's in a plaza full of Ethiopian restaurants and businesses. Nazret has excellent food and combo meal choices. This is my go to place for Ethiopian food. The space is cozy inside, and it's lively.

Best place ever! My husband and I come here at least once a month. At first it was a bit confusing what to order. But peeking at other restaurant goers and their tables is where we draw our inspiration. Lol. We ask and they are more than happy to tell us what they are eating. Super friendly folks. Try everything at least once. The menu offers a good variety. Come hungry. Portions are deceptively huge. (If you need utensils, ask.)

Very cozy restaurant with lots of locals! I went at an off hour (3pm) and it was packed! I think that speaks to how good this place is The food here is incredible. Gored Gored- one of the most unique things I've ever tasted in a good way. Very flavorful and spicy! I was surprised by how chewy the raw beef was- definitely a jaw workout Veggie combo- again, everything was super flavorful and delicious Easy 5/5 stars. This is the kind of place you tell your friends about

The food is delicious. The server is delightful. The ambience is very nice. The restaurant is open seven days a week. The yelp site says it's closed Tuesdays but I'm eating there right now.

Went for Dinner Food - 5/5. The injera was soft with a slightly spongy texture that gave it a good chew. It was sour to keep your appetite up and the fluffy, chewy nature made it perfect to pair with the entrees. The veggie combo was all cooked thoroughly, aromatic and had a creamy consistency. The beef tibs were so tender and full of the wok hei flavor you get from intense heat cooking. They had a great sear on them, and the flavor reminded me of a savory brown sauce. The tire was a fantastic experience. The beef is fresh, and I enjoyed cutting the meat to the size I wanted. The dipping sauce was an excellent mix of spice and sour that really livened up the beef. An amazing, authentic dining experience. Service - 5/5. Service was friendly and great at explaining the menu to us as first timers. She gave all the proper warnings such as the tire being raw or the sauce being spicy, and I can really appreciate that kind of concern for diners having their first experience to a cuisine. Value - 5/5. They give a large amount of food and the injera in every bite will fill you up quicker than you would expect. Veggie platters price in the mid 10s and the tibs combo was in the 20s. The injera was included but you can get the imported version for $3, which was completely worth the increase. Excellent food, service and the authenticity of their food makes this restaurant a must visit for Ethiopian cuisine. Parking - Mall Lot (Free)

The deluxe platter was absolutely wonderful. The meats were perfectly cooked & seasoned. The assortment of vegetables was plenty to share & were all delicious with different spices, accompanied by a very spicy sauce on the side for those who like to add their own heat level. The servers were very nice, but the service was a bit slow to come by after we got our food. The restaurant was not too busy & not to empty for 3:00PM on a holiday. The noise level was average. It is not easy to find. Walk behind the strip mall & go through the back to find it.

Came in in a rush, and the server accommodated us perfectly. Veggie platter with one additional meat was delicious (we did lamb). Friendly, good vibe, would dine again.

It's my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in DMV the best food great costumer service.keep up the good work

Great food service was great. Had plenty to eat. Had to listen to very loud music videos the whole time so be prepared for that.

Absolutely delicious food! We had the combination plates, and they were phenomenal! It's a small, hole in the wall place, as it should be. The food is the primary attraction... as it should be.

A small hole in the wall authentic Ethiopian joint. We went for an early dinner and asked the waitress to explain to us the platter variety they have. We ordered the VIP platter (enough for two to three people) which came with chicken ribs, beef ribs, and an array of vegetarian options on a bed of their famous injera bread. Everything was cooked to perfection with the right level of spice to it. Highly recommend this place and will go again with more friends.

The absolute best Ethiopian food and service in the area. Always a great experience coming here!

My first foray into Ethiopian cuisine was such a hit! Still thinking about those lentils. Absolutely loved the regular platter with awaze tibs. Injera is truly the most wonderful bread! Service was kind and thoughtful and not rushed despite the line out the door. Cannot wait to return.

Order a Regular Platter (with chicken, however we ordered beef). This was really delicious. I've only had Ethiopian good a handful of times, but me and 1 other finished the entire platter and were really full afterwards. It's a combination of lentils, potatoes and veggies + your meat. The chicken was ok, nothing great and I wish we got the beef, but everything else was really great. Would recommend coming here and will come back!

Nazret is a lovely neighborhood diner that serves Ethiopian food. We ordered the regular platter (serves 2) which included a variety of veggies and your choice of chicken or Awaze tibs. We were so full afterwards!

Went in for lunch... this strip center is always confusing as their are places on both the front and backside and the parking area is one way only... so take your time... Nazret is on the backside While pursuing the menu I started things with a lovely latte... we decided to try things we hadn't seen on other Ethiopian places we visited so we opted for Shint Tibs plus the special veggie combo. Hubby also wanted a bit of salad. We ordered the mixed salad but ended up with a lovely salad filled with dried fruits... so in the end not sure which salad he ordered. The Shint Tibs was delightful and perfect for anyone who doesn't like spicy... As usual this was way more good than we could eat so took things home to snack on later While there we noticed multiple tables getting beef rib bones... I adore beef ribs so will try that next time. We also notice a table had injera that was a very dark brown. We were told they import that ... so another thing we should try... a couple other tables had a raw steak with dipping sauces... while chatting with one of the servers about my favs which includes kitfo (raw ground meat with spices) I commented I don't order often as hubby doesn't like... they pointed out a half tibs half kitfo option... The place was filled on a late Sunday afternoon with tables turning over steadily. Lots of things to explore with helpful staff to explain your if you ask

The only reason I hesitate to give this place a superb fabulous review is because it's already busy enough that it sometimes hard to get into. This restaurant is reliably excellent

Food was amazing and service was so friendly. We were very impressed with everything and the home feel of the restaurant. The drinks were great as well. Can't think of anything negative because everything was soooooo good. Definitely will come again!!

Good service (not in the traditional US rush through your meal sense), delicious food, and fine atmosphere. The food here is the shining star. The chef made a point to come out and great people/ask how food is. That was nice. My husband got the lamb tibs and I got the veggie mix platter. My dish hands down was best. The lamb was good on his but the flavor explosion came from the 3 different lentil dishes and the fresh green salad with vinaigrette on mine. I did make sure to let them know I needed the gluten free Treff only Injera which cost an extra $3 per person. That is fine but better to tell the whole table you're charging everyone and extra $3 pp than just letting the bill arrive. We didn't mind paying for like I said before, food was great. Will definitely come back again.

Great food. Authentic. Not spicy, was hoping for a little more heat. I'd go back now that I know what to expect from the menu.

Their food is so delicious! We came and sat for lunch on a Saturday and they were very busy, which is a great sign. We ordered one of the very large platters with all types of vegetarian and meat options. The injera is spongy and delicious, and the servers were pleasant and helpful. The parking lot is a little difficult to maneuver through but the food is so worth it. Plus, you get to try Ethiopian beer!

Fantastic food, the flavors had something that added a tanginess, which I haven't tasted at the restaurants in Silver Spring. Highly recommend and for me, worth a drive from MD!

Food: 4 stars Service: 3 stars + Absolutely delicious! I love Ethopian food. I really enjoy trying out different restaurants in the area since there are so many to choose from in Northern Virginia. - Service could use some improvement. Came here with a few friends on a Tuesday evening and we decided to get a platter to share including Ethopian vegetarian dishes like sautéed potatoes, collard greens, various styles lentils and split yellow peas dishes. For the meat we had three dishes, a beef stew, chicken stew and lamb stew. The meal was served with the injera bread. We had Tej, honey wine. The food was very flavorful. We requested that it not be too spicy. The meats were all amazing and delicately flavored. The lamb dish was very tender and melted in your mouth. Not grisly at all. The beef was tender as well, served with sautéed slices of fresh jalapeños. And the chicken was good. I usually get vegetarian dishes, so I was excited to try the various meat dishes. Next time I will try the ribs. We watched all these dishes coming out going to different tables and we were impressed!! The service, however needed room for improvement. Our server was very nice, however we only had three napkins for a group of four. Considering you eat with your hands, that was akward. We asked for more napkins and they brought them. They sort of messed up our order since one person ordered their food to be completely separate from the group platter and it was all lumped together. So one person had to wait even longer and had to watch everyone else eat their food while they fixed their separate order. I asked for another glass of wine, however they refilled everyone's glasses. We didn't really notice her filling all the glasses because we were talking and were distracted. Then we all looked up and realized all of our glasses had been refilled and we were trying to figure out how that happened? So, we got charged for more wine than what we had asked for. And last, the women's bathroom was completely out of toilet tissue. I let the lady know and she pointed to me to use the paper towels...interesting. Atmosphere is cozy and casual. I can tell this place can get super busy because they were almost filled to capacity on a Tuesday night. I would like to go back because the food was delish. However, I will adjust my expectations in terms of service.

Ordered awaze tibs from Nazret, very very delicious. I love the ambiance of the place very nice.

Ethiopian food sometimes can be a hit or miss. This place exceeded expectations in terms of food. It's a small hole in the wall place where many Ethiopians visited during my dinner here. BUT there were little flies everywhere so I questioned the sanitation of the restaurant. The waitress was kind. It took forever to get the check but we weren't in a hurry so we were okay with that. The honey wine was one of the best I've had. We got a meat dish (not raw) and it was so good!

Very delicious Ethiopian food. We are new to the area and had a hard time finding it at first... it's behind the building for those confused like us. One meal with injera was enough for two! Huge portions. Which is great because now we have leftovers for tomorrow. We will be back!

The food is great. They have lots of vegetarian and gluten-free options. The food is amazing, in huge portions and it's always hot. The servers are also very friendly and really go out of their way to make sure you're happy. I've never eaten inside, I've only ever taken food to go, but even with the drive home, the food is super hot and delicious. One platter is usually enough to feed 3-4 people comfortably. They have a bar so you can get drinks if you're interested. The inside of the restaurant is super cozy and authentic, so if you're looking for an Ethiopian spot in the DMV, this is in my top 3.

Solid restaurant. Food is good and service is great. A little hard to find so you need to go to the back of the building to find the place.

Excellent meal and the seasoning was on point. The service staff were polite and smiled a lot. Ordered takeout but the ambiance was very chill and plan to sit down on the next visit. If you're looking to experience Ethiopian food, this is the place for you.

I've eaten ethiopian food all my life. Grew up with great Ethiopian friends and their welcoming families so very familiar with how certain dishes should taste. I've tried many places around Northern Virginia and had great food and mediocre food. This place is definitely on my top 3! It's not close to where we live but twice a year when we are in the area, no doubt we will grab us a big combo platter to go! Awaze tibs with various veggie sides! All I can say is that my family was never an ethiopian food fan until now!

The best is something to be cherished and appreciated indeed. This is the best place to enjoy a Goden (ribs) tibs and a Geba weta (prime beef) tibs.

The food here is excellent and the owner and their family are wonderful. Price is reasonable and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. Seriously not to many things you can fault. The only challenge I have had when I visit is parking but it is worth the effort. Food wise I recommend the spare ribs!

Great food and service! The owner was super friendly and stopped by to say hello while we were eating, which helped make the restaurant feel super welcoming! The waitress was great and suggested the vegetarian combo and an added meat. I left stuffed and disappointed that I left so much Ethiopian injeera behind (it was so yummy). Definitely give this place a try if you're looking for good Ethiopian food around Alexandria!

Was looking for a new Ethiopian spot since we moved out of DC. Came to Nazret based on reviews and it was fantastic. We had the combo platter and added the kitfo mixed. The perfect amount of food for 5-7 people.

Terrible presentation of food when ordered to go. Asked for Injera and was charged 3 extra pieces when the meal already came with it. Basically persuaded to get something I didn't even ordered. Food was packaged like it was peoples left overs. Would try Ethiopian food again but DEFINITELY NEVER AGAIN from this place.

Food quality is very good. Decor is modern. Service is kind but slow. Music a bit loud but fun. Strong smell of incense is pleasant but be aware if you're sensitive to odors. A good crowd of natives with a few non-natives. Will return.

amazing food, better service. so welcoming and cozy, feels like you're visiting someone's home. we'll definitely be back!

Amazing food! Great value when you consider the portion sizes! We were able to get gluten free injera. (I have a gluten allergy).

Hands down best food and service. Came here before thanksgiving they have the fried whole fish. Also the beef rib is the best in town.

I'm writing this review as I wait for my food. This place is tiny and cramped, and the tables are so close together that you can't move. That's bad enough without waiting 40 minutes for food that included room temperature vegetables. We didn't get much attention from the servers either, despite them almost walking on us. The flavor was delicious, which is why I'm giving 3 stars rather than one, I will never come here again unless I get takeout. Probably the best lamb Yegeb tibs I've ever had.

This is my second time trying Ethiopian food and this was definitely the better time. The chicken and beef were so flavorful especially the chicken was so tender and juicy. The potatoes were delicious. Loved the salad as well, everything was great and it was $61 before tip for 3 people which is insanely good in this economy. The parking and location is kinda strange it definitely takes some finding to do but it's in the back.