Looking to satisfy your appetite for Ethiopian fare? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Ethiopian spots around St. Paul, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture when cravings strike.
1. Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant
Topping the list is Fasika Ethiopian Restaurant. Located at 510 N. Snelling Ave. in Midway, it is the highest-rated Ethiopian restaurant in St. Paul, boasting four stars out of 244 reviews on Yelp. Fasika means "feast" in Ethiopian, and this restaurant aims to give diners a taste of authentic and healthy fare inspired from the region.
On the menu, notable options include the Zilzil Tibs, ribeye beef marinated and served with onion and green peppers, and Lamb Dulet, tripe and liver chopped and cooked in butter with garlic and served with Ethiopian selata (salad). Vegetarian and vegan options are also available. Combination platters and desserts round out this spot's menu.
2. Demera
Next up is Demera, situated at 823 W. University Ave. in the Midway area. With 4.5 stars out of 49 reviews on Yelp, the Ethiopian spot has proven to be a local favorite. Demera specializes in classic dishes and roasts its own Ethiopian coffee beans.
Favorite dishes include the Siga Wot, cubed beef cooked in traditional berbere sauce; Derek Tibs, lamb sautéed with onions, peppers and jalapeños; and Asa Wot, Alaskan pollock fillets simmered in a spicy sauce. Here's the menu.
3. Bolé Ethiopian Cuisine
Midway's Bolé Ethiopian Cuisine, located at 490 N. Synidicate St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the restaurant 4.5 stars out of 39 reviews. Named after a neighborhood in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Bolé comes courtesy of Salmon Haile and Rekik Abaineh, who are natives of Ethiopia.
Splurge on the Tibs Combo, which can feed four to six people and comes with lamb, chicken and beef tibs and four veggie sides; or opt for fish kifto cooked with oil, ground chili powder, onion and jalapeño; or Yebeg Alicha, lamb slow cooked with onion and garlic and flavored with spiced butter. Here's the full menu.
