Marathon Restaurant

This was my first brush with Ethiopian cuisine and I really enjoyed it!
The restaurant itself isn’t super appealing, it’s just a few tables on a tiled floor and some gaudy decorations on the walls and windows. Definitely not pretty or cozy.
The staff was very friendly but unfortunately our server spoke incredibly quietly, so we had trouble understanding her over the loud music.
We weren’t sure what to order as neither of the four of us had ever tried Ethiopian. Our server tried to explain what/​how to order, but we didn’t really understand her, a combination of her English not being very clear and her speaking so quietly. We all just ended up ordering random dishes that sounded good and ran with it.
The Injera, a large fermented pancake that is used to both serve the food on as well as pick it up with, was delicious! I loved the sour tangy taste it had. As we weren’t aware that it was supposed to be a social sharing kind of dinner, we mostly just ate what we ordered without mixing dishes together. I did taste a bit of all dishes on the table though and everything was well spiced and very tasty.
Don’t let the size of the serving dishes fool you, combined with the injera, the servings are huge and very satisfying.
Overall I really liked the experience but wish our server had done a better job of explaining the who style of dining beforehand. Will definitely try Ethiopian again, but probably not at this location.

I love Ethiopian food! But to be honest I really ever get to eat it! I ate it more when I lived in Tanzania, with Ethiopian friends, then I have any other time.
But when in London I’m always looking for awesome ethic restaurants that I can’t get in Scotland ! We came across this gem of a place because it’s near the area my work training was in … It only had two reviews and were like «ummmm :/​» but when we got here there was no 2^nd guessing!
First half the Resturant was filled with Ethiopians… Always a good sign ;)
2^nd it’s a really nice Resturant not a hole in the wall or anything shady.
3^rd when we entered they were super friendly !
4^th the food was delicious! The injera was sooo good! I’ve had it some places were its just ok but this one was really tasty we were earring it plain ;)
5. It’s really well prices! We got two mains (that go on the injera) and one side and it was only £20 ! And we were Stuffed!
If you have never eaten Ethiopian food you should just saying! But you do eat it with on hand … Yes just one! But it’s fun I promise ;) and will make your tummy happy !!!

Ethiopian food is one if those rare cuisines where utensils are largely out of the question. Most meals start with a sharing plate covered in injera, an Ethiopian pancake. My knowledge of the difference between tibs or wot is limited. We tend to order a meat dish of lean lamb strips plus a dish of three vegetables. Many dishes are heavily spiced
The injera at marathon is a little more sour than I’m used to but it does it’s job of complementing and picking up the mains well. We have always found the dishes to be full of flavor and satisfying. Be warned, portions are large!
The restaurant itself is fairly spartan and appears to occasionally double as an social club. Staff are friendly but in all honesty the restaurant is probably a little understaffed
Overall we are big fans of Ethiopian food and marathon is a really great cheap eat for people looking to try something new and for those who enjoy Ethiopian food more regularly

I will be honest that I have never thought of trying Ethiopian food, until a friend moved to Islington a month ago. He moved near an Ethiopian restaurant, the first that I have ever seen. Not charming from outside, I think that it must have been a pub before hand.
On top of that, it is also not very well decorated inside, perhaps they just aren’t making that much money at the moment, because it is not as if Ethiopian cuisine is at the top of one list. With that in mind, we had to try it, as it was so close and just a new experience. And my analysis is, if they cook like that every time, it will only help the Ethiopian cause to get their cuisine recognised. We sampled loads of starters as they were all of a decent price. And they were all delicious.
For mains, I asked the really helpful waiter for something typically Ethiopian, and he recommended the restaurants signature dish, which lamb steak cooked in red wine with onions, which was a tad spicy, but none the less delicious.
At nights, the restaurant turns into a bar where they play African music and dance, I haven’t been, but my friend who lives next practically next door has been, and said he had a great time.