Ethio Cafe

I was roaming around the area when my nose caught smell of the most delicious fragrance I’ve ever had the pleasure of smelling. The staff was super nice and helpful. The food was the most exquisite Ethiopian food I’ve ever had and to this day I’m still dreaming about it months later. Can’t wait to go back there.

My partner and I have been here a few times and we absolutely love the veggie combo. Oh and not to mention their amazing cappuccino. We wish they were open later.

I have been trying to check out local businesses on the pike to support the neighborhood, and this one is one of my favorites. It seems very authentic, and although I only had a cappuccino so far, I plan to try out lunch very soon. The cappuccino was the best I’ve had in DC, hands down. I definitely recommend this little gem without hesitation.

I had beef tips and my bf had the vegetarian dish and was in love with it. They don’t serve Ethiopian coffee until the afternoon and the incense was nice but a little thick. The music was a lot of fun and added to the ambiance. Overall a great experience!

Food was amazing. They fly in the bread daily from the motherland. They brought out a chicken dish for me to sample since I’m not a huge beef eater. It was delish. Soon to be on the menu they said. The vegetarian dish was also very flavorful and yummy. My latte was decent, I was hoping for the Ethiopian brew but they do a ceremony first at lunch time and we were there for breakfast more or less. It was a little hard to find, look for the vertical Ethio sign just below the large Subway sign. Great place.

I enjoy their Harrar coffee daily, and often, for lunch, I have steamed fish and the veggie combo or Yestome Beyaynetu. Sometimes, I opt for chechebsa, kinche, tomato fitfit or foul. I like the Ethiopian spices and always add Mitmita (rarely Awaze). It is a small, quiet (tasteful music) coffee shop with a simple menu, but very good food, personal service and a very relaxing environment.
Reasonable hours, 7 days a week, approx. 10am to
about 8pm.

This is a review of the cappuccino. Definitely strong (but not burnt tasting) and satisfyingly piping hot. They only have 2% milk so I took a point off for lack of customization. There’s only one (huge) cup size available for takeout coffee but it’s still relatively cheap so I can overlook that.
They don’t have a to-​go menu so I am not sure what the food options are. Definitely an informal atmosphere with no frills customer service. The coffee, although not my favorite, is solid if you need something strong and extremely hot. Compared to other coffee shops, you get a lot more bang for your buck. Just don’t expect flavored syrups and fancy toppings!

Coffee was okay but not super impressive. Very small place makes it almost impossible to spend too much time in it, especially when you want to work a bit. It could be a nice place to meet friends though.

What a great find! It’s a nondescript joint in a nondescript building close to Arlington Drafthouse in Columbia Pike. Came here for a Saturday breakfast taking a break from my regular Brooklyn Bagel run.
Previous reviews mention the good coffee, I can attest to that. But the breakfast was really good too. We had the foul special– eggs and fava beans and scrambled eggs– with Jalapeños and onions.
It’s a family run business, the owner was really nice. We’ll be back.

This little gem is hidden in a strip mall. Ethio Café is worth a stop for some flavorful Espresso drinks poured with care. No drip coffee.

Love this place. The coffee reminds me of home. Definitely five stars.

If you’ve ever had a cup of coffee or macchiato in Ethiopia, Ethio-​Café is the only place in the DMV that can live up to it. The ownership is friendly, the prices are ridiculously low, and the coffee is the best in the world (the beans come from Tomoca coffee in Addis Ababa). The atmosphere is far from fancy, but they’ll never rush you out. Closed on Sundays, but definitely deserving of a weekly trip. I envy the folks that work around Ethio-​Café for easy workday visits.

I am going to cut out caffeine. This time I really mean it. But until I do, I’m coming to this place. Here are the two things that I like about it. First, the coffee. It’s as good as Northside Social (though admittedly without the selection) and less expensive. Coffee is strong and darn hot. Second, this is no hangout for yuppy elites like me. I am easily annoyed by my own kind, and we just own Northside Social and the like, cluttering the place with sleek tablets, yammering on about our grad program, summary judgment motion, or whatever. Don’t get me wrong, I love Northside. But enough already. Ethio couldn’t hold that many people if it wanted to. It’s tiny. Plus, it’s jammed in the middle of this decidedly unimpressive building, with a Subway as it’s most upscale neighbor. The folks working there are Ethiopian, I’m guessing. Last time I went there, the woman that served me spoke little English, and served me with something other than what I ordered. I didn’t complain, though, because is was darn good and jacked me up for the rest of the day. Staff have always been very friendly to me. I wouldn’t come here if you are rushing to the office and are basically looking for a caffeine mainline (been there). But if you want really, really good strong coffee and an experience, this is the place. Buy some of their beans, too. Good stuff.

My fanaticism for Ethiopian coffee led me about ten miles, on foot, to find the Ethio Café. The goal of my pilgrimage was to find, sample, and stock up on some fine Harrar beans for a New Years celebration out in the middle of nowhere, where I’d be hard up to find fresh coffee of any kind. So you see, I couldn’t fail.
When I ended my panting, sweaty trudge across lower Arlington, I was welcomed heartily at the door of the Ethio Café. It was a quite afternoon, and the owners kindly offered me a seat and made room for my hefty Osprey backpack carrying all my worldly possessions.
I had a cappuccino and an apple pastry. Fine. Very caffeinated, and very hot, as «dc» said. Before I left, I scored two pounds of Harrar beans. They were fantastic, as Harrar always is. The magical power of Ethiopian beans made many a convert at our holiday party, and I saved a pound for myself to take home.
I’m posting because I hope more people hear about and enjoy the glory that is Ethiopian coffee. It’s the best. Living in Eugene, Oregon, where we love our coffee, I’m surprised that it’s so difficult to find Harrar.
Support Ethio Café, and Ethiopian coffee farmers!

Great independently owned café, friendly owner, great coffee. Bought some whole bean Ethiopian coffee to go. Would love to see some of the supporters of corporate coffee across the street switch over and support local business. We are now due back for food, but can tell you the place smelled delicious!

Got a latte — very tasty, highly caffeinated, and extremely hot. Hottest Latte I have ever seen… errr…tasted. Owner was friendly, talked me into a couple Sambusas — kinda like Samosas, but made with lentils. The owner also offered samples of some breakfast dish — looked tasty, but I declined. They sell
coffee from Ethiopia by the bag. Oldest coffee place in Addis Abiba and they make some very good coffee.

I got a shot of espresso here. It smelled and tasted divine! Definitely stop by if you are in the neighborhood.