Authentic Ethiopian flavors, extensive vegetarian options, honey wine























"Most San Joseans will tell you that Zeni has the best Ethiopian food in town. Yes, Zeni is fantastic, but Walia—a restaurant in a nondescript shopping center in West San Jose—has a wider-ranging menu of both classic and less-common dishes that are uniformly delicious. Dig into food loaded with flavor and spice in the dining room with floor-to-ceiling drapes and portraits of legendary Ethiopians. Try the ingudai tibs, a mushroomy take on a meaty standard, or the kitfo tartare served over ayib, a zippy Ethiopian cottage cheese that we’ve rarely found elsewhere." - shoshi parks
"Most San Joseans will tell you that Zeni has the best Ethiopian food in town. Yes, Zeni is fantastic, but Walia—a restaurant in a nondescript shopping center in West San Jose—has a wider-ranging menu of both classic and less-common dishes that are uniformly delicious. Dig into food loaded with flavor and spice in the dining room with floor-to-ceiling drapes and portraits of legendary Ethiopians. Try the ingudai tibs, a mushroomy take on a meaty standard, or the kitfo tartare served over ayib, a zippy Ethiopian cottage cheese that we’ve rarely found elsewhere." - shoshi parks

"At Walia, chef Aster Teklemichael has managed to blend internationally recognized Ethiopian cuisine and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere. Vegetarian fare takes up a ton of menu space here, with different wots, or stews, made up of lentils, mushrooms, and split peas all served on a layer of injera. For the full experience, grab a glass of honey wine or the Tej cocktail, made with honey wine, vodka, and lime." - Vox Creative

"Most San Joseans will tell you that Zeni has the best Ethiopian food in town. We beg to differ. Yes, Zeni is fantastic, but Walia, a restaurant in a nondescript shopping center in West San Jose, has a wider-ranging menu of both classic and less-common dishes that are uniformly delicious. Dig into food loaded with flavor and spice in the dining room hung with floor-to-ceiling drapes and lined with portraits of legendary Ethiopians. Try the ingudai tibs, a mushroomy take on a meaty standard, or ayib, a zippy Ethiopian cottage cheese that we’ve rarely found elsewhere." - Shoshi Parks

"Authentic Ethiopian flavors are delivered without pretense at this easygoing, affordable restaurant housed in a strip mall just off Bascom Avenue." - The MICHELIN Guide