Tesfa Ethiopian Cuisine
Ethiopian restaurant · Lakewood - Balmoral
5352 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
Highlights
Shared platters of spiced meats & veggies served on injera
Shared platters of spiced meats & veggies served on injera
"Tesfa does it all. You can have a relaxed breakfast of spiced scrambled eggs, or come for dinner and work through an injera platter full of doro wot, spicy catfish, and stewed tomatoes. And this Ethiopian spot in Edgewater is particularly fun at night. That’s when it’s in peak form—tables are packed, and upbeat Ethiopian pop blasts from a TV playing music videos." - john ringor
"Tesfa started as a small Ethiopian spot in Uptown but moved to this larger location in Edgewater. Their new upgraded space has white brick, sparkly chandeliers, and a wooden bar. But they've also kept some charming signature touches, like a TV that plays an endless stream of Ethiopian music videos, a mural of the restaurant's logo, and incredible Ethiopian food. Bring a bunch of friends and get ready to dig into large injera platters full of dishes like zesty tomato sauce, spicy fish filets, and a peppery doro wot with fall-off-the-bone chicken." - John Ringor
"Tesfa does it all. You can have a relaxed breakfast of spiced scrambled eggs, or come for dinner and work through an injera platter full of doro wot, spicy catfish, and stewed tomatoes. And this Ethiopian spot in Andersonville is particularly fun at night. That’s when it’s in peak form—tables are packed, and upbeat Ethiopian pop blasts from a TV playing music videos." - john ringor
"Tesfa started as a small Ethiopian spot in Uptown but moved to this larger location in Edgewater. Their new upgraded space has white brick, sparkly chandeliers, and a wooden bar. But they've also kept some charming signature touches, like a TV that plays an endless stream of Ethiopian music videos, a mural of the restaurant's logo, and incredible Ethiopian food. Bring a bunch of friends and get ready to dig into large injera platters full of dishes like zesty tomato sauce, spicy fish filets, and a peppery doro wot with fall-off-the-bone chicken." - adrian kane, john ringor
"Tesfa’s entrance is a tiny room with a take-out window, cramped with delivery drivers and people picking up dinner. But hiding behind a curtained doorway is a room full of people chatting while tearing injera, scooping up tibs, and popping open bottles of wine. That buzz and great food make this BYOB Uptown Ethiopian spot ideal for a fun, family-style meal. The dining room is sparse, decorated with drawings and a TV streaming music videos, filling the space with Ethiopian pop. That seemingly endless playlist is rivaled by a long menu of stewed meats and vegetables. But don’t commit to a single dish: Get a sampler plate. It’s the perfect way to try a bunch of stuff and get everyone involved: friends, family, and the occasional part-time lover. These platters are like a painter’s palette, with a choice of six to eight dishes laid out on spongy injera. But one should be front and center: the doro wot. Each bite of berbere sauce-covered chicken blankets you in warmth. The asa leb leb is also fantastic—the catfish is the ideal canvas for jalapeños, garlic, onions, and ginger. And vegetarian options like ater kik alicha, with cumin and turmeric-seasoned split peas, deserve a seat at the table (or spot on the injera), too. Tesfa doesn’t force you to make compromises. Want to sample almost everything without over-ordering? Trying to have drinks with dinner without paying $16 for a glass of garbage wine? Need a spot for meat lovers, vegetarians, and someone who wants a sundae that's a cross between a funnel cake and a Dutch baby? A.k.a the B-Tesfa? All roads lead here. " - John Ringor
