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Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant
Ethiopian Restaurant$$$$
West Valley, San Jose
"Kitfo tere, Doro Wot, and the spicy lentils are all to die for here"(5 Tips)
"Must try the Ethiopian honey wine - "enat tej""(6 Tips)
"... wot (red lentils) and yebeg tibs (sizzling lamb) are great."(3 Tips)
"kik alicha (yellow peas tinged with garlic and ginger)"(2 Tips)
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62 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- kitfo
- vegetarian food
- honey wine
- spicy food
- kik alicha
- (15 more)
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May be the best Ethiopian in South Bay and it shows in that it's always crowded and end up having to wait an hour for a table.Upvote8Downvote
Brian YamanakaMay 29, 2014Great for groups as long as your companions are ok eating with their hands. We had the meat combo which has a little of everything. The coffee ceremony is a nice end but order it in advance.
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Renganathan RamamoorthyApril 13, 2013Vegetarian combo to share between two people. Affordable and tasty. Make sure you get some water as their salads can be sour. Also, the tastiest part is the injera containing the dishes. Don't miss.Upvote1Downvote
Gisele M.May 17, 2013As with all Ethiopian meal adventures, bring a patient stomach. Its cooked to order and a social experience - you take your time, food and service takes time. Do that and all is gonna be alright.Upvote1Downvote- JKAugust 14, 2021Try yemisir wot (red lentils with spicy berbere); kik alicha (yellow peas tinged with garlic and ginger); or beef kitfo (available raw or cooked)
UpvoteDownvote - Get the Kitfo tere (raw). The Doro, Shuro, and Yemsir Wot are excellent here. Make sure to order the Goden Tibs on the weekend. This place is almost perfect except occasionally tough lamb.UpvoteDownvote
DejonNovember 8, 2015Tasty, spicy, flavorful ethiopian food. We had thr Beef kikil kitfo and lamb fir yebeg tibs fir. Come hungry leave satisfied.
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Food is great and the place is very nice. Just make sure you plan for anywhere between 30 mins to an hour wait before getting seated, and then another 30 minutes to actually start eating.UpvoteDownvote
Anna BurnsSeptember 14, 2012The yedoro kitfo special here is amazing. Not only is it spicy and delicious, it is served with the house made cheese which you can make a meal out of on it's own.UpvoteDownvote
This place is ALWAYS packed. Be there by 6.15pm on Friday to get in and seated quickly.Upvote1Downvote
Get the veggie and the meat combo - delicious and plenty of food for 4 people!
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Karen WongApril 13, 2013Just came by for some coffee. Their coffee comes in a small cute cup and saucer, it's quite strong with a slight surprising after taste. Different but not bad. I think it's best without sugar.UpvoteDownvote
Christine WuAugust 17, 2015My favorite Ethiopian in the South Bay. Both of their samplers (meat and veggie) are perfect for four to share!UpvoteDownvote
WittyboiJanuary 23, 2021Everything on the menu is dope... my suggestion is the Doro wot firfir
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Excellent restaurant, very popular not big enough for the demand. Friendly family atmosphere. Don't be in a hurry. I enjoyed a lamb dish, spicey but tasty.Upvote1Downvote
Steven KayeMarch 17, 2017There is no wrong thing to order here, and it's surprisingly inexpensive. The combos are big enough for 2 people.UpvoteDownvote- Veggie combo + side order of Shiro Wot = heaven for vegetarians.Upvote1Downvote
Dj PhatsuJune 17, 2013I guess It's one of good Ethiopian Resturant around the Bay Area the food is nice But they let you stay is crazy they don't have a host or a proper place so that we can seat & wait. .UpvoteDownvote
It's cheap and it's good. We had the veg platter and tried the chicken.
Upvote1Downvote
Spicy beef & lamb wrapped with porous wet bread. Never been to Ethiopia but heard this place is very authentic.UpvoteDownvote
Closed Mondays. Order the doro tibs (juicy and mild) and the vegetarian platter. The kik alicha is to die for!!UpvoteDownvote
Service will be slow here. You must accept this in order to enjoy your dining experience.Upvote1Downvote
With the food I have never got disappointed. Veggie combo is so tasty and filling.Service is little slow & there is a long wait on weekdays too. They Don't take reservations either.UpvoteDownvote
Tom McGhanSeptember 26, 2010If you are wussy with spicy food, beware. The food is delicious (best Ethiopian I've had in the Bay Area), but it can absolutely be spicy!Upvote2Downvote
Closed on Mondays. The vegetarian combo is probably the best deal here. The spiced tea and Hakim Stout are the best drinks. Try the yebeg tibs fried, not juicy.UpvoteDownvote- Kitfo tere, Doro Wot, and the spicy lentils are all to die for hereUpvoteDownvote
Prabhakar KasiOctober 19, 2015Foule is a good for veggies. Chicken doro tibs is good chicken lovers.UpvoteDownvote
Roberto LublinermanSeptember 24, 2018Can't go wrong. Everything we tried here is fantastic.UpvoteDownvote
Jatin ShahNovember 3, 2012Try awaze sauce next time you are here (or any other Ethiopian place) .. It is spicy but sooo goodUpvoteDownvote
Food is excellent, service is slow and long waiting time. Besides the combo, sambussa is a nice appetizer. Avoid on weekends. Closed on Monday.UpvoteDownvote
Ganesh VirudhagiriMay 3, 2012Wow, what an experience! And don't miss the Baklava fit dessert.UpvoteDownvote
Sujatha Krishnan-BarmanApril 12, 2012The veg combo is brilliant value for money. Also try the honey wineUpvote2Downvote
Very similar to indian cuisine... spicy n lots of it in the comboUpvoteDownvote
Shriyansh JainAugust 22, 2013If possible get the table in the inner room, they play Africa music inside.UpvoteDownvote
Vaidehi KMarch 12, 2014Very slow service. Food is amazing though. Really good for vegetarians.UpvoteDownvote
If you like spicy ask for "Awazee" -- spicy sauce and it really is.. be prepared to take on the extra heatUpvoteDownvote
order sambussa for appetizer, entree ye-bere tibs (cubed beef, onion, green peppers), and a side of iyeb (cheese). comes with salad and injera.Upvote1Downvote
- Deenash ArivazhaganNovember 18, 2017Beware of car parking when you Goto this restaurant... My car was broken into the last time I came here. And it turned out that I'm not the only victim hereUpvoteDownvote
- place gets crowded very fast. groups of more than 6 should really come earlier or be prepared to wait for ~30 minutesUpvoteDownvote
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Zeni Ethiopian Restaurant
1320 Saratoga Ave (at Payne Ave.)
San Jose, CA 95129
United States
San Jose, CA 95129
United States
Open until 9:30 PM (Show more)
- Tue–Thu
- 11:30 AM–9:30 PM
- Fri
- 11:30 AM–10:30 PM
- Sat
- Noon–10:30 PM
- Sun
- Noon–9:30 PM
(408) 615-8282
View menu on http://zeniethiopianrestaurant.com/menu
Features
Reservations
No
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & MasterCard)
Outdoor Seating
No
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Music
Yes
Dining Options
Take-out, Delivery
Parking
Public Lot
Restroom
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar
See More
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