Tsehay is serving up Ethiopian staples and a deep sense of family tradition in Adams Morgan, owner Ted Yirdaw says. The kitchen leans heavily on communal platters, slow cooked stews and full coffee ceremony rituals that regulars describe as pure comfort food. Yirdaw has said the business’s name honors his late mother in law and that the menu is designed to stay “true to tradition.”
As reported by WJLA, Yirdaw has highlighted the restaurant’s family roots and its mission to preserve recipes and rituals. The station’s segment also directs viewers to the restaurant’s booking page for reservations and more details.
From Park View Roots to an Adams Morgan Dining Room
Tsehay began as a smaller Park View operation before taking over an 18th Street space in Adams Morgan to serve larger groups, a move covered when the restaurant reopened its Adams Morgan location in 2023. The expanded dining room gave the owners space to widen the menu and host the communal gatherings that have become a hallmark of the restaurant, according to Washingtonian.
Holiday Rituals and Doro Wat
The restaurant leans into holiday traditions with special feasts. The Washington Post reported that chef Selam Gossa prepares doro wat only a couple of times a year: on Genna, Ethiopian Christmas, and Fasika, Easter, and that those celebrations can effectively turn the dining room into a free community feast. The feature detailed the long, meticulous cooking process and how those nights pull in both longtime regulars and first timers.
What to Expect on the Menu
On its website, Tsehay lists sampler plates, vegan forward stews, an Ethiopian coffee ceremony and a compact drinks list, along with hours and reservation information. The restaurant also notes recognition from the MICHELIN Guide and appears in local listings such as the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. See Tsehay’s site and RAMW for details.
Whether you are a longtime regular or brand new to Ethiopian cuisine, the owners say the goal is the same: food that tastes like home and a table that feels open to the neighborhood. For Yirdaw’s full remarks and the television feature, see WJLA.
