4 best places to grab Ethiopian food in Washington

Keren Restaurant. | Photo: Annie K./Yelp

Looking to satisfy your appetite for Ethiopian fare?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Ethiopian restaurants around Washington, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture for platters of meat, vegetables, chickpeas and more.

1. Keren Restaurant

Topping the list is Keren Restaurant in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. Located at 1780 Florida Ave. NW (between North 18th and North U streets), this is the highest-rated Ethiopian restaurant in Washington, boasting 4.5 stars out of 890 reviews on Yelp.

The cozy eatery specializes in spinach and lentils, prepared with golden curry and red spicy sauce. Visitors also enjoy the Keren special, served with beef and chickpea sauce.

2. Zenebech Restaurant

Next up is Adams Morgan's Zenebech Restaurant, situated at 2420 18th St. NW (between North Columbia and North Adams Mill roads). With 4.5 stars out of 433 reviews on Yelp, the family-owned joint has proven to be a local favorite.

Look for the Tibs Ferfer: tender beef sautéed with awaze sauce cooked with pieces of injera (sourdough flatbread). Vegetarian? The vegetable platter comes with yellow split peas, red lentils, collard greens, cabbage, tomato salad and chickpea stew.

3. Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart

Shaw's Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart, located at 1334 Ninth St. NW, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Ethiopian spot 4.5 stars out of 252 reviews.

"Ethiopian food is typically served on one large platter and is meant for the group to share," the eatery's website explains. "All food is eaten with your hands." The restaurant also has a location in Bethesda.

Check out Special #2: finely chopped tender sirloin seasoned with herbed butter sauce and hot chili powder, and served with Gomen and cheese.

4. Letena Ethiopian Restaurant

**Photo: letena ethiopian restaurant/Yelp**

Over in Columbia Heights, there's Letena Ethiopian Restaurant, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 170 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Ethiopian spot at 3100 14th St. NW (between North Irving and North Kenyon streets).

According to its website, the restaurant uses the "cooking methods of chefs who used to manage the Royal Palace's kitchens in Ethiopia during Emperor Haile Selassie's reign" to make meat-heavy, vegetarian and vegan dishes. Look for the kitfo: lean, minced beef seasoned with hot chili powder and spiced butter.