Shewa-Ber®

Exploring Seattle with dining. One of great Ethiopian restaurants I have experienced. Mike (the owner) is very nice and welcoming. The food menu and the restaurant atmosphere are appetizing. I have great experience ordering Shewa Combo!

I ate there early May of 2023 with a group of 6 people (...very late posting, but this is how I roll). Since most of us were new to Ethiopian food, the server did a great job warning one person in my party he was ordering raw meat! I got the veggie combo to share between two people and the portions were very good! Definitely enough for both of us as vegans. Thank you for being extremely generous with the injeera! The flavors of all the dishes are also very good. The weather was great, and we ate out on the porch in front. The restaurant is located on a fairly quiet street.

I had the pleasure of dining at Shewa Ber Ethiopian Restaurant it was an experience to remember! The moment you step through the door, you’re greeted with the warmest of welcomes from the owner, which sets the tone for the entire meal. Their genuine hospitality and friendly demeanor make you feel right at home. The food is simply exquisite. Every dish is a beautiful medley of flavors, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Ethiopia. The menu is well-curated, offering a variety of options that cater to different palates, including vegetarian choices that are just as flavorful and satisfying. The ambiance is cozy and inviting, making it a perfect spot for a relaxed meal with friends or family. Whether you’re a fan of Ethiopian cuisine or trying it for the first time, Shewa Ber is a must-visit. The combination of the owner’s warm welcome, the best service, and the delicious food make it a standout dining destination. Highly recommended!

As an Ethiopian born, Seattle raised woman, I’m in disbelief of the “one star” reviews left here. Every time I’ve visited this phenomenal restaurant, not only is Mike’s service extremely welcoming, the atmosphere is comforting the food is presented very well and truly taste amazing. As I welcome people to taste a change in cultural food, if it’s not my home, I bring them here - period! 🙏🏽

Not Worth the Wait – Bad Service and Bland Food I had high hopes for this restaurant, but unfortunately, my experience was very disappointing from start to finish. First, the service was extremely slow and inattentive. We waited over 45 minutes just to get our food, and during that time, no one came to check in or offer updates. When the food finally arrived, it was lukewarm and lacked the rich, authentic flavor I expect from Ethiopian cuisine. The injera was dry and didn’t taste fresh, and the portions were smaller than expected for the price. Even worse, some of the dishes tasted bland and seemed far from traditional—almost like shortcuts were taken in preparation. Overall, between the long wait, poor service, and underwhelming food, I left feeling frustrated and unsatisfied. Definitely not a place I’d recommend if you’re looking for genuine Ethiopian food or a good dining experience.

Shewa-Ber Bar and Restaurant just recently opened in the central district area, south side of the street between 17th and Jackson. A group of us decided to venture out and want to try something new so we decided to check out Shewa-Ber. We are all WOW at how amazing the food and beer here. The food is full of flavors and deliciously cooked. The lamb and beef dishes were our most favorite. The Injera at this place is absolutely the best I ever had. On top of good food, their customer service is above and beyond outstanding. Very friendly and attentive! If food is not your thing then grab a drink at their bar. They have a nice full bar with a seating area. It funs looking at the bar, it is well organized, fun colors lights glowing and it provided a very nice vibe. I also really like how cozy and clean the restaurant was. The prices are reasonable. The only thing I can suggest for improvement is each portion can be a little more generous. Highly recommended this restaurant to anyone who is looking for good Ethiopian food!

Extremely disappointing experience. The restaurant was severely understaffed, with only one person doing everything - cooking, serving, and hosting. Our server was overwhelmed and stressed, taking ages to take our order and even longer to get the food. The kitchen was backed up because there was only one cook, resulting in unacceptable wait times. We waited 45 minutes for appetizers and over an hour for main courses. To make matters worse, the food arrived cold because they prioritized delivery orders over in-person customers. And when the food finally arrived, the portions were ridiculously small, not worth the wait or the price. Clearly, the restaurant needs to hire more staff and revamp their service and food quality.

"The new look is so elegant and beautiful! Absolutely love the vibe here. The most authentic Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle, hands down. Perfect spot for great food and amazing ambiance. 🔥 #SeattleEats #EthiopianCuisine #ShewaBer #AuthenticEats #SeattleDining"

Me and my family have been going here since they opened definitely in the top 3 Ethiopian restaurants in Seattle they guaranteed customer satisfaction and are vary friendly

The best Ethiopian I've had in a while. A lot of my old favorites weren't as good as they had been in (many) years past. This place is where it's at. Great flavor. Not over-seasoned or under. Good spice. Tasty jalapeño paste for added spice. A solid three thumbs up. Does not suck. Eat it tf up.

Well Yelpers, you have led me astray. My usual Ethiopian restaurant is closed on Mondays so we decided to try this one based on their reviews. The veggie combo was small and most items were bland. Plus I kept my jacket on as it was cold and the music was still loud after I requested it to be turned down. Honestly, I would give this place a 2.5. Service was fine but at least the veggie combo should be avoided. We are vegetarian so I can't say about the meat options.

not the biggest fan of how chewy meat was. I felt like I was chewing forever -- very rough. I also wasn't the biggest fan of how much vinegar my food had.

Shewa-ber does Ethiopian better than NYC. I'm so new to the cuisine so I can't speak for authenticity to the culture but for the American palette the food is fire. You eat with your hands and the different entrees are put directly onto Injera (which is like a naan or roti for Ethiopia but very acidic), they also have professionally rolled injera to accompany the meal. We tried a combination with three different entrees and it was definitely enough to serve two people. The lamb was cut into cubes and very good, the Fish was by far the best and perfectly seasoned. The beef option was not my favorite as it remined me of a sweet pumpkin pie and was shocking. The ambiance felt more like a dark night club but the service was very polite and helpful. Overall this experience has left me craving for more.

If there's only one Ethiopian restaurant you go to in Seattle, please let it be this one. The kindest owner and staff welcomed us. The restaurant was super clean with just the right lighting. They even carry my favorite Tej wine. We tried the veggie and meat combo and were so full after our meal. Anything with Berbere sauce is the best part of their fare. Plan to be back with friends to try their appetizers and desserts.

This is a MUST try! We celebrated two birthday there and the owner Mike made it so special with music and wrote names for the desserts. The hospitality is top notch, I can't thank Mike enough! There were six of us and we had two combo plates that were put together into one giant plate. The presentation of great and the food was even better. We tried six different entrees and my favorites were the lamb, the fish, the raw beef, and the beef. The chicken and tripe were good too but I liked the other ones more. I highly highly recommend! It's a must try! I'll for sure will be back.

Outstanding customer service! The staff goes above and beyond to ensure a great experience. The bar vibe is simply unbeatable--perfect ambiance, great energy, and drinks. I highly recommend it!

This place always knocks my socks off with the most delicious veggie dish one could get from any restaurant. The service is always fast and friendly, and your taste buds have an absolute party with all the variety of flavors. I almost hesitate writing this review since I love this place so much and I am surprised it's not packed. Sorry I took a few bites before taking the photo, I couldn't resist

Great food and great service! Great music! The drinks are amazing, too! Please stop by if you like Ethiopian food! Edit Review!!!

Been craving Ethiopian since I haven't had it in several years, so this really hit the spot! My favorite were the beets and the cabbage & potatoes. The meat combo (I didn't pay attention to what each meat was) was very affordable for two people!

Shewa-Ber is located in Central District on Jackson. The restaurant is in one of the newer looking mixed-use buildings. (I'm not sure if there's free parking for retail; we did street parking.) Inside, it's roomy, and tables are well spaced. The service was courteous. It was a good experience overall. Our Ethiopian combo plates were BIG. The meat combo was served on a super-size round platter, while the veggie combo was served on a turkey platter. One of us finished; one of us has a second meal the next day. Yum! The Food: Veggie Combo - 5 Stars I LOVE Ethiopian veggies. They are always so flavorful and naturally colorful. The options are plentiful. The injera (spongy bread) is perfectly spongy and delicious. Oh, that little cup of spicy chutney - yum! I asked for more and more. So good! I definitely recommend their veggie combo. Menu: Includes Shiro, Miser, Ater Kik, Dinich, Gomen, Beetroot Shiro: Seasoned chickpea flour cooked in a mild sauce Miser: Red lentil cooked with berbere and spices Ater Kir: Yellow split pea stew Dinich: Potato stew Gomen: Collard Greens Meat Combo - 5 Stars Hubby always orders the meat combo. We honestly can't tell what-is-what on the plate. They are always well seasoned and also naturally colorful. The options are plentiful. Same delicious injera (spongy bread). Again, recommend this combo. Menu: Includes Doro Wat, Kay Wat, Alicha Wat, Tibs, and two portion of veggies Doro Wat: Spicy chicken stew cooked in berbere (pepper), traditional spices & clarified butter served with hardboiled egg Kay Wat: Cubes of beef stew in berbere (pepper) & traditional spices Alicha Wat: Cubes of beef stew in turmeric sauce & traditional spices Tibs: Cubes of beef / Lamb marinated with house special sauce

Go see Mike. He's amazing, the food is amazing. Go get some good food (I had the meat combo and it satisfied me in every way)

I'm from out of town and have been to 3 other Ethiopian restaurants since iv been here and shewa has been my most favorite restaurant. great food, service and neat establishment

We hosted a going-away party for our staff member and Mike the owner was AMAZING to work with and make it happen for us. He was generous and helpful, and very kind. He let me decorate the tables and he was easy to contact via email and phone to plan this gathering. The day of he was an amazing host and I would recommend this place to anyone. FOOD WAS DELICIOUS! My first time having Ethiopian food and now I am a fan! One of our party attendees said out of multiple places she's been this was the best Ethiopian food she's had in Seattle.

I'm a regular here and have NEVER been disappointed. The food is delicious and the service is even better! The vibes are super chill. I love ShewaBer.

We ordered the meat combo. Very, very, small portion sizes. Mostly was served injera ( flatbread ). Meat was overcooked. Restaurant was completely empty, Yet food took 30 minutes+ Waitress was nice, but barely came to check on the table. Place has potential, but needs a lot of work.

Great food and a cool vibe, highly recommended. They also have live jazz sometimes. Nice staff, all around good.

My first time having Ethiopian food and we ordered Shewa Combo, Gored Gored, Goden Tibs, and two Veggie combo. All of them came with a layer of injera and extra rolls on the side. The veggie combo includes Shiro, Misir, Ater Kik, Dinich, Gomen, and Beetroot. We selected Special Tibs, Doro Wat, and Asa Gulash. Personally, I really enjoyed the Asa Gulash that the fish was fried with great texture and smothered with great spice flavor. The vegetables were delicious. I'm not a huge fan of the injera due to the sour taste but the spices helped to tone it down. Overall, everything was great except for the Goden Tibs that the short ribs was super dry and chewy. It was very hard to cut apart and very difficult to chew. Definitely a great place for group lunch or dinner; all the entrees served in large portion and easy to share.

Food- I got meat combo. Variety of flavors and meat proteins, including 2 veg items was good. Plenty of injera to with your meal. Large portion, One combo feeds 1-2 people. Spicy level is less than other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to, but they do have a side of green spice sauce included. One critique was some of the meat was not tender enough. I did purchase at 11:45am, so perhaps not enough time to simmer? Liquor available in house. Service- I did take out and it was ready in 15 min after I ordered on a Monday afternoon. Ambiance- spacious restaurant. Location- restaurant facing main road STREET PARKING only. Value- fair. Recommend: if you're craving Ethiopian, or in the area to support a small momma pop business :)

Small place. Liked the food. It was very tasty. It had more of a bar atmosphere as it was very dim inside. The two that worked there when we were there were very nice.

A delicious group dinner was had at the newly opened Shewa-Ber bar and restaurant! They easily accommodated our party of 8. The entrees and combos were perfect for sharing! The shewa combo (not pictured) was definitely more than enough to share for 2 with an ample amount of injeera and the meat combo that I got for myself was definitely enough for 1.5 meals. All of the meats and fish and veggies were extremely flavorful and well-spiced. I really enjoyed the fried tilapia and the tibs! The portions were extremely generous. Overall, the service was very fast and friendly, with the staff coming to check in with us often. I will definitely be back to try more of the meats soon. And to taste their selection of Ethiopian beers!

We wanted to try some authentic Ethiopian food while on a trip to Seattle and Shewa-Ber did not disappoint! We got a combination plate with 3 entrees included: chickpea curry, beef and tilapia (recommended by our server). They were super flavorful and unique dishes we'd never had before. We loved the experience of sharing everything off a large platter and eating with our hands. Highly recommend giving it a try!

I've been on an Ethiopian kick and made it a mission to try all the spots on the block. A review about their coffee got me in the door and it did not disappoint! The price is about what other spots in the area cost, portions are a tiny tad smaller, but the food was really good. Great service too. (+) Amazing coffee (+) Tasty good (+) Friendly Staff (+) Really tasty lamb

People might sleep on this place bc it's got kind of a sports bar look, but it's become my favorite Ethiopian in Seattle. Prices are reasonable, portions are good, veggie combo platter has like 8 different dishes on it, and they have this super spicy house salsa thing that goes well with everything--especially the Asa Kitfo (my go-to here).

A cute place. It was our first time there and the food was fairly average. We've had better Ethiopian food else where. The service was quite slow, it was one gentleman working at the time.

Very tasty food! I had the special tibs with lamb and my girlfriend had the veggie combo. I'm gluten free but this was no problem with the injeera 100% teff. Clean place, nice modern vibe. Covered outdoor seating

This place made us SO happy!! They had 100% teff injera AND outdoor dining (though you order inside). Their food was really delicious (injera was incomparable! The beets and green beans were amazing!) We brought friends here who weren't very familiar with Ethiopian food and had had a previous bad experience at a different restaurant and they were floored with how good it was. It made me so happy to be able to share one of my favorite foods with friends and turn them into big fans! The service was also extremely kind. We were so glad that we came!

The service is impeccable, the food is to die for, I have ordered kitfo and goredgored and it was amazing, definitely recommend it

Exceptional food and perhaps the best cup of coffee I've ever had. I stumbled upon this place by accident. Is really not very easy to notice from the sidewalk, dark windows and signage is discrete. Was really surprised to find its a complete Ethiopian restaurant with a bar in the back. Its the time of covid so no other customers. Asked the server what to get and he recommended the meat sampler. Was 5 or so different dishes served on a big piece of bread. There was chicken, lamb, chickpea, lentil. Each dish was uniquely spiced and delicious. I've had Ethiopian food 3-4 times in the past but nothing like this. Amazing. It fed both of us and we had leftovers. I asked if they served coffee and he brought me a cup. I was stunned by the coffee. Seriously the best cup of coffee I've ever had (that isn't espresso.) Absolutely no acid, broad excellent body, was a fantastic fresh yergacheff. I've never had such a great cup. There was a very small amount of grounds in the bottom but I couldn't taste them at all. I got excited and started asking him all about it, this isn't a brew you get by accident. Well... they imported the beans from Ethiopia, roasted them that morning and ground with mortise right before brewing in a traditional Ethiopian clay urn. He brought out the urn to show me. He mentioned they also made 'spiced coffee' so I tried that too. For the spiced coffee they brewed with fresh ground cloves, cinnamon. It was good and a unique flavor but I felt the spices were a bit strong and hid the flavor of the excellent coffee. I think they should to put up a sandwich board or something advertising their coffee. Is stunning stuff and you'd have no idea from the street. My parents visited a few days later, my father agreed about the coffee and said the food was at least 50% better than any Ethiopian he'd had before.

Love this place! Service was warm and efficient. The food was outstanding. Huge portions, packed with flavor. Can't rave enough!

Clean, and great friendly service! Got the veggie combo without beets for take out. Everything in the veggie combo is vegan. All of it was good, but the green beans and greens were the best I've had! I don't eat out often, but I'll probably be eating out more just for those green beans and greens! So good!

Amazing portions and well balanced flavors. The sharing platter was great for a large party and allowed for a lot of variety. The server was super friendly and great for giving suggestions. The fish was a personal favorite.

Accidentally ended up in front of here after running some errands and such. Checked the other reviews and decided to give it a try. It's all true - good portions, made to order, great flavors, served traditionally. Had the meat platter all to myself. Full and happy, will be coming back every time I'm in the area.

We went there reading all the reviews but were a bit disappointed as some of The meat was under cooked. Overall the meat combo we ordered tasted good. Three stars for the raw meat

Friendly staff and very helpful on recommendations. We went with the Shewa combo with beef, lamb and fish. All were good but the fish really stood out. The bread was excellent. Definitely enough food to satisfy us after a day of travel up to Seattle.

Consistently delicious. The service is friendly and there is warm lighting, good spacing between tables, and nice table seating outdoors too. After trying many different Ethiopian restaurants in the area and other places I've lived, this place is my favorite! Standouts to me are the Asa goulash with the veggie combo, and the lamb tibs. We keep coming back, and always bring friends and family who visit us here.

Nice place with delicious Eritrean/Ethiopian food. The service was great, decent guy; my family and I had a great dinner. The site is clean. The music was ok, not loud, but I wish it were something habesha classical. Overall this is a good restaurant; I will go back again.

They have a veggie platter too!!! This is my new spot. Had injera with tomatoes and tibbs

Foood & service was absolutely magnificent, highly recommend . MIKE was a wonderful person who deserves so much , he is caring and nice .. best Ethiopian restaurant to ever exist

Food was amazing! We ordered the shewa combo and ordered three entrees our waiter recommended which all were SUPERB and then the veggie combo which was a fun spread of different lentils, greens, and other veggies with fantastic spices. One of my favorite meals I've had in seattle!

This place is the real deal, and what a lovely way to enjoy a meal with someone you love. Regardless of background, I highly recommend giving this place and these flavors a try, you will not be disappointed. Bonus tip, the fried tilapia (Assa Goulash) entree was absolutely delicious. Can't wait to return!

Why only a tsp of Shiro with the two-person dinner? Terrible!!!!! Is this the right service you give to all your customers???? I need a manager! I came with my friends i was so imbarressed!!

Particularly good Ethiopian food. The best I can recall having. Everything was really flavorful. Can't go wrong with the veggie plate.

Great Ethiopian restaurant! The staff was very friendly, and the food was fast and delicious. My husband and I split the meat combo, and it was a great sampler of lots of different items for a very reasonable price. We will definitely be returning!

This new Ethiopian restaurant serves the best coffee in the city, and the food is delicious as well! The highland Ethiopian coffee is meticulously prepared to bring out those incredible flavors. And their dishes will totally knock your socks off! Each serving is paired with a reduced sauce of soft, nuanced spices. We ordered the 'Meat Combo' and loved each small serving, some meat, others veggie. Served in traditional Ethiopian manner, common platter and use of pancake-scoopers. Restaurant is spotless. Prices for this quality very reasonable.

Fairly new Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle but definitely it doesn't disappoint and I've witnessed how it progresses from the start it is pleasant environment with friendly service.

We had delicious Ethiopian cultural food, Please try Shewa special, Kitfo, Tibse and other options as you like.

Amazing authentic coffee, friendly owner, in my opinion this is the best Ethiopian in the area and one of the best in the country.