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Demera Ethiopian Restaurant

Ethiopian Restaurant$$$$

Uptown, Chicago

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8.5^/10

245

ratings

The folks at Time Out Chicago and Eater like this place. Would you agree?
"Kitfo, mesir wot, kik alicha, and yebeg tibs are fantastic."(5 Tips)
"Tuna sambussa is the best."(3 Tips)
"Get a bottle of the honey wine to cut the spice."(4 Tips)
"Ye-Beg Alicha - Braised Lamb w/ Alicha Sauce"(3 Tips)

50 Tips and reviews

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kitfo
sambussa
alicha
good for groups
great value
spicy food
restaurants
collard greens
good for dates
casual
beef
coffee
dinner
injera
chicken
good for special occasions
split peas
lunch
family style
basil
(15 more)

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Pachita GhlNovember 1, 2014
Basil Lemon Sorbet dessert is delicious!! To better get a taste of everything get the messob samplers, you can pick different things to taste. Def worth a try!! You won't be dissapointed.
EaterMay 6, 2016
When we want to eat with our hands and sop up spicy Ethiopian sauces and tender doro wat and vegetables we head north to Uptown. Tip: they roast their own coffee, too. Read more
Jon B.March 2, 2021
Start with the chicken sambussas. We did the demera messob for two: a sampler of three meat and three vegetable selections for $39. Our favorites were the misir wot, awaze tibs, and shrimp tibs
JKAugust 14, 2021
Try spicy yesiga wot combines tender chunks of beef with onions and ginger in a rich berbere sauce & turmeric-infused split peas and spicy jalapeño-laced collard greens
Redeye ChicagoFebruary 20, 2015
If you're looking to lose your Ethopian food virginity—or an experienced foodie looking to reacquaint yourself—you can't do better than Demera in Uptown. If you're a beef lover check out the kitfo. Read more
Dane BurnsApril 9, 2014
This place has an amazing atmosphere. The menu has a wide range of options to choose from. If you plan on trying a drink start with an Ethiopian beer.
KateAugust 16, 2013
Messob for one is definitely enough for two, especially if you start with an appetizer! Great food and nice atmosphere
Azahara PalomaresNovember 16, 2012
It's a nice option if you're heading to the Green Mill and want to have dinner. This restaurant is just in front of the famous bar. We had quick service and the experience is at least interesting.
Linnéa LDecember 12, 2014
Don't be put off by the raw beef items (kitfo). They are exquisitely spiced and so good with the injera. Be adventurous!
RyanAugust 10, 2014
The vegetarian platter with all 9 items is enough for 3 people, and my non-shared meal was also a really good value. Delicious.
Tony LongJune 8, 2013
Ideal for mixed vegetarian and non-vegetarian groups who are looking for something different. Have a Castle Ethiopian lager while you're at it.
David HeiserAugust 2, 2015
Been here 5+ times
Get the Demera messob. Kitfo, mesir wot, kik alicha, and yebeg tibs are fantastic.
Time Out ChicagoAugust 2, 2014
The long wait for food at this Ethiopian spot in Uptown can be frustrating. But keep your cool: Once you get your hands on the food, you’ll understand why everybody in the restaurant is so patient. Read more
Princess MelissaMarch 14, 2012
The kitfo - ethiopian style steak tartar seasoned with herbed butter sauce and hot-spiced chili powder (mitmita). served tere (raw) is definitely a MUST TRY!
Serious EatsOctober 6, 2013
Although Demera has only been open since 2007, it's already an Uptown neighborhood mainstay in its own right.
ᴡ HindsSeptember 5, 2015
Get a bottle of the honey wine to cut the spice. And call ahead for all Teff engira (gluten free).
Chicago Cab FareOctober 5, 2011
Verified authentic by Ethiopian cab drivers. Best kitfo in the city & awesome ye-beg wot. Visit ChicagoCabFare.com for a full list of 50+ authentic ethnic restaurants in Chicago.
Kyle WilsonDecember 30, 2015
Mixed platters - definitely get the shiro as one vegetable item
Bobby KennedyFebruary 20, 2017
Gets real busy on weekend evenings. Make a reservation or hope for a seat at the bar.
Allison KaminskiDecember 6, 2018
Love all the different flavors. Get one chicken, one beef or lamb and one veggie dish
Christopher Dunn-RankinMarch 25, 2013
Great Ethiopian food. Lunch special is a good starter if you're new to the cuisine, and it's a good price, too.
Elizabeth TowleJune 2, 2010
If you have at least four people in your group, order the "Family Style" dinner and some sambussas to start. You'll get to try a great range of dishes and it's a very cost-effective way to go!
Erika DavisJuly 31, 2015
Vegetarian options are great and food was so flavorful. I also recommend their honey wine sangria.
Stan TranDecember 29, 2019
Huge portions - the dinners for 2 are probably enough for 3 or 4!
Mimi ChanelFebruary 19, 2013
menu is pricey. I wasn't happy w/menu options. I had the veggie platter which came with 3 items, only. honey wine is a homemade wine. Don't waste your time. Food is spicy :-) the injera :-( rate it 5
Melvin McenteeSeptember 29, 2018
Get the samplers, great way to try lots of food.
Albert EllenichAugust 27, 2011
Great service and food. Easy to underestimate the amount if food you actually get-more than you think. Left full with some food left over.
L KNovember 4, 2015
Dishes can be very spicy! Try the dumpling-thing appetizer. Tasty!
Edward ForteJune 14, 2023
Appetizers sampler was good, but service a little disjointed
Aishwarya SharmaSeptember 16, 2016
Been here 5+ times
Vegetarian options. Food is authentic & delicious.
E ENovember 17, 2012
Been here 5+ times
Love this place for its vegetarian options and friendly service.
Megan TuckerDecember 21, 2010
Call ahead and ask them to make their gluten-free bread for you. It's darker, healthier, and adds more flavor to your dish. Yum!
Denise NathanApril 27
Been here 10+ times
The vegetarian mossab
Pradyumna ShirahattiMarch 5, 2016
Family style dining . excellent food.
KatrinaJune 19, 2012
There are several Ethiopian Restaurants within minutes from this location...I'll have to try a different one
MartinJanuary 8, 2019
Ye-Beg Alicha - Braised Lamb w/ Alicha Sauce
Kevin KlineMarch 6, 2015
The platters are amazing
Denise NathanApril 27
Been here 10+ times
One of our favorites
AdrienneAugust 4, 2010
Tuna sambussa is the best. And don't forget to end the meal with a clay pot of coffee!
Jeff AlstadtOctober 9, 2011
Good Ethiopian Food. The house wine is really good.
ISC ChicagoOctober 28, 2016
Really good reviews but just ok
Erin SAugust 1, 2011
The house honey wine is ridiculously amazing.
Erdem GokturkSeptember 7, 2022
certainly interesting food. too slow service.
Autumn ChoiJune 4, 2020
Truly anything
Adam BarrattMarch 16, 2013
Baklava is yum
Vishnu VardhanMarch 30, 2012
Injera is awesome !!
Bryan KnightAugust 22, 2011
Great vegetarian options! Read more
Clifford AbrahamNovember 23, 2010
The people are very nice and helpful
Bianca HartFebruary 20, 2015
Nice atmosphere but the food was subpar
Gustavo PachecoAugust 1, 2011
Service is slow. Its not because they are bad its because there is not enough staff.

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