Almaz Cafe Reviews

I love Ethiopian food! I've eaten it in many places around the country and the world and have never been disappointed. This makes for difficult reviewing as it doesn't really allow for clear comparisons. Almaz has terrific food in a friendly and authentic atmosphere. It's a small, cozy place without pretension and the meal comes quickly. We ordered, of course, the vegetarian combo for two which includes all seven vegetarian selections offered. It came with plenty of fabulous injera. All of the choices were beautifully spiced and cooked perfectly. My only regret was that my apetite was finite! We cooled down with some ice cream and sherbet to finish off the meal. I am delighted that Center City now has Ethiopian cuisine in addition to the other 4 or 5 places in the western neighborhoods. But if you're in CC, don't miss Almaz!

Chicken used to be quite good for the money. No longer the case--tastes reheated and dry.

This is sort of a combination ethiopian coffeeshop/hole-in-the-wall restaurant. We thought we'd try it because it was convenient to where we were staying (whereas other places we love are further west and would have required a cab). The people who waited on us were lovely and sweet to our kids, so I feel a little bit bad not giving them a great review, but the food was a letdown. It looked beautiful when it came out, but the meat dishes just lacked something -- the beef and chicken seemed tired and didn't have the tenderness and flavorfulness I've enjoyed in other Ethiopian restaurants. Something was also just not quite right about the injerra -- even my kids noticed it -- not that it tasted bad, but it just wasn't as good as other injerra I've had. Vegetarian food was better and if I had to eat there again I'd just order the vegetarian dishes. Coffee also looked really good but I didn't get a chance to try it. If you want great Ethiopian food, Abyssinia in West Philly is hands down my favorite, and I've also had very good meals at Gojo and a couple of other places in that area. This is an ok spot to grab a bite or coffee if you're near Rittenhouse Square, but i wouldn't go out of my way to eat there again.

A friend recommended that I visit this cafe while in Philly. I absolutely loved it. It is very cozy, and they have great seating upstairs. I did a take-out order. Their customer service was excellent. I ordered a Greek salad that was fabulous. I would definitely stop here again.

One of my best friends is Ethiopian, and an amazing cook. I stopped in here hoping for a taste of something reminiscent of my friend's incredible cooking. I was not disappointed. Almaz is lovely, and the ambiance warm but humble. The food (vegetarian sampler) was just heavenly. Spicy and fragrant, very satisfying. Those beets!!! Yum!! Very nice and generous injera, too.

We had the vegetarian combo and a lamb entree. Well prepared and presented, delicious, portions quite sufficient. Finished off with Ethiopian coffee, which was exceptional. Place is tiny, squeaky clean. Holds up to any Ethiopian restaurant we've been to. Service is very attentive, family operation. Unique for Center City/Rittenhouse area. We've been returning, satisfied, for years.

Background: While looking for a restaurant near Rittenhouse Square that makes smoothies, we happened upon Almaz, an Ethiopian Restaurant (and more, they serve breakfast, etc). Being lovers of Ethiopian food, we gave it a try. Verdict: We've been to Almaz many times. Almaz which means "Diamond" in Ethiopian, is a favorite "Let's Go To" place! Ask Almaz, also the name of the friendly owner, to make her special Vegetarian Platter. Costs a little bit more, but uses different ingredients. And the "regular: Vegetarian Platter is yummy as well, though a bit spicier. The Blue Berry Smoothie is awesome. Once you eat there, you'll be back!

I have family in Philadelphia that raves about this place, and so when I visited I needed to try it out. The food was fantastic, and surprisingly filling. I say surprisingly because we each ordered an entree, but it all came out communal style on one single huge plate, so it looked like a smaller portion than it was. But we were all amazingly stuffed afterward. Great vegetarian options. My first time trying firfir (Ethiopian beef tartar), which was delicious. Their coffee is supposed to be excellent too (according to my family...I don't drink coffee). The only drawback to this place is that it is tiny. Two or three small tables downstairs, with a tiny bar, and then a slightly larger eating area upstairs. Note that the eating style is Ethiopian, so like I said everything is communal, and there are no utensils. You eat by peeling off a piece of the injera (Ethiopian sourdough flatbread) and using it as a scoop. Lots of fun! Just gotta be prepared

My wife and I dined at Almaz Cafe in June 2019. The food and service were great. The restaurant is small, well maintained and clean. We have had Ethiopian food in the past and the food here was superb. I had the chicken curry and my wife enjoyed the lamb. We had reservations but arrived early and were immediately seated. Did I mention that the food was delicious. I would definitely recommend!

We found it late on a Friday night during a quick trip to Philly. We love Ethiopian food and being from the DC area we have had excellent cuisine before. Although very tiny, the atmosphere was cheerful and the smells emanating from the small kitchen were divine, so we gave it a chance. Incredible fare! And the special house sauce was truly unique - we can't wait until Almaz finds a way to bottle and sell it!

My husband and I love Ethiopian and always visit a restaurant when we're in a new city that has one. We were disappointed to find that most people suggested heading out to West Philly for Ethiopian - since we have a 2-year-old that trek presented a problem for us. We decided to give Almaz a try since it was close to the hotel, and I'm so thrilled we did. Very nice staff and some of the best Ethiopian we've had since Ras Kassas in Boulder, Co. Not very spicy, but plenty flavorful - even the 2-year-old liked it (and ate more collard greens than he has eaten other green things, total, in his life). Now that we're home, I wish we could go back. Very small and deceptive, but the food was excellent.

I stumbled upon this restaurant while walking around downtown. I was actually looking for some African cuisine and was glad to find it. It is really a "hole-in-the-wall" type of establishment with limited space and lots of character. The food was good, but a bit spicy for my tastes (had I known I would have asked them to make it less spicy, most Ethiopian restaurants will do so if asked). The restaurant was quiet and the service was very good. I felt very welcomed and would come back again. Portions were fair for the price. Not being from the area, I cannot compare locally, but I have had larger portions at other Ethiopian restaurants. I asked for extra injera and was provided some at no extra charge. The eating area appeared clean and well taken care of. However, the bathroom was very small and not in good working order.

As one who enjoys Ethiopian cuisine, we decided to give Almaz Cafe a try. It is a tiny place with a handful of tables. the owner is friendly. Unfortunately, the food is only average. The vegetarian combination was fairly tasty, but the beef was somewhat tough. The ambience is not attractive. Overall, we won't be rushing back.

From the outside this doesn't look like an Ethiopian restaurant...more like a an American cafe. The menu includes everything from breakfast to burgers to penne pasta. But don't be put off. The Ethiopian flavors here are excellent. And if you've got someone in your party who doesn't crave adventure, order him a reuben. It's a hole-in-the-wall where most of the tables are upstairs, with a waiter who must do that flight a hundred times a day. We had the vegie combo (small portions of all the vegetarian offerings) and the yabege wat, lamb stew (delish!). Plenty of injera. It was more than enough for two. We took some home. No beer or wine: BYOB.

Found this place by chance - highly recommended by an Ethopian-born taxi driver; came without reservations and were welcomed like long-lost friend. 3/4 of our party (wife, 2 teenage children and I) having never eaten Ethiopian food, the lady who served us took all the time we needed to discuss our preferences and select something suitable. Everybody loved the food and ambiance so much, that we ate here 2 nights in a row - and loved it both times. THOROUGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Almaz Cafe can legitimately described as a "hole in the wall" restaurant which nevertheless serves excellent Ethiopian food. On the typical injera, we had a great assortment of vegetarian dishes supplemented with very tasty sauteed lamb. We've had a fair amount of Ethiopian food in the past and this compared very favorably with the best.

I love trying new cuisines, so I was excited to try Ethiopian food for the first time. However, when I ordered with my friends, the waiter told us that they ran out of sour cream, although it was part of the dish that we've ordered it with. The platter that was shared amongst 3 people, was not enough at all, and we paid over $70 for it!! Afterwards we went to Shake Shack because that platter was sort of an appetizer in a sense. I will look for other Ethiopian places in the area, definitely will avoid this one.

Fantastic food, freshly prepared and attractively presented. Warm atmosphere. Injera bread exceptionally good. Reasonably priced, on top of it all.

Th is a small cafe in center city Philadelphia. Loved the vegetarian (may be vegan) combination of all their vegetarian dishes including different lentils, peas, cabbage, potatoes, collard greens, beets, veggies, etc served with enjira bread. My husband had the beef stew and enjoyed the spices. Service was friendly and attentive. And it was at bargain prices. We had good coffee and espresso at end of meal. That day they had only two desserts available - chocolate cake which was good and ice cream which we did not have.

Almaz is a small restaurant, with about 10-12 tables. However, the food is fantastic. I have had great Ethiopian food before, and this was no exception. They were extremely helpful when it came to recommending a great dish to share. They give you plenty of food, offering to bring out more towards the end of our dish, in case we were still hungry. The food has just the right amount of spice and heat to it...not too much, but still showcasing the amazing flavor and tenderness Ethiopian meat dishes contain. I highly recommend this restaurant as a quick stop for lunch or dinner.

Nice plave for lunch. Try their veggie combo! The beef is good too.

I dont think there are too many Ethopian Restaurants in the Philly area. This place is worth a visit if you want to experience this ethnic cuisine. The restaurant is very small, the owners and staff are very friendly and service oriented and attentive. The decor is nothing to write home about, but so what. The portions are quite substantial and the pricing very reasonable ( and not even considering its location, very close to Rittenhouse Square). Its a BYOB ( a plus in my book). I am not a big fan of spicy food, but there are plenty of mild and/or non spicy items on the menu. You can research the menu ahead of time here: http://almazcafe.com/menu/. I have no complaints and would definitely go back.

We went here on a snowy Saturday in April (??!) for lunch. No one in my family had ever had Ethiopian food before but I'm on a kick getting my kids (4, 7, 10, and 13) to eating authentic food from a different country every week. Well, my husband liked it but I only really cared for the Doro Tibs (chicken). Luckily, I had also ordered a "safety" dish for my kids...turkey and cheese sandwich - which some declared "the best turkey sandwich ever." So I think its a matter of tastebuds. This place got good reviews from people who like Ethiopian food and for those who don't, they have American food. They even have breakfast all day long now if your kid/boyfriend/weird cousin only eats pancakes for every meal!

We had the vegetarian plate option-AMAZING!! SO many flavors and options-too much food for 2 people, but we tried our best! We also had a delicious iced coffee. The service was great. The place is tiny, we sat a the one 2 top on the second floor mezzanine. There was also a 'bar' for seating of ~4 overlooking the first floor, a 4 top and a 6 top, a few tables on the first floor, it was COZY.

We took food to go, so maybe that added to the bland flavors. The owners were super nice. The coffee was the best we had in the city

Had the firfir, which was served with several enjera. Lovely meal, complex garlicky flavors, filling. Really lovely. Also had cappucino which was well done. Food was served quickly and efficiently. The restaurant is tiny - only a few tables downstairs, and only a few tables upstairs. Only negative is the table cloth was clean but had substantial, noticeable oil stains. Probably should have been retired.

If you know quality Ethiopian food, you simply cannot rate this place well. For us, Almaz Cafe was in fact one of the very *worst* Ethiopian meals we have had--bottom three, I'd say--and my wife and I are both intimately familiar with the cuisine. We love it and have eaten it countless times in places like DC, where we lived for several years, as well as in a dozen other major cities. When the food arrived, I could see immediately that something was wrong. The soft, flat, fermented bread (injera) arrived looking a sickly off-white; this, because it must have contained only scant traces of the delicious--and expensive--teff flour. We ordered a couple meat dishes which came with several vegetarian sides--and I should add that all these sides were very small, the portions stingy compared to what we've seen elsewhere. I would have given them a pass on quantity had the quality been decent, but everything was so disappointing. Take the Dorowat, which is supposed to feature succulent dark meat chicken that is well-seasoned, and this seasoning usually includes copious amounts of berbere spice mix. Our dish was bland and woefully under-salted. As if the poor quality food wasn't enough, our son, who ordered from the kid's menu, was served a grilled sandwich that was scorched black on much of the bottom -- and it was served to him bottom-side down, as if he, and we, wouldn't notice. In short, this place was sorely disappointing.

Don't be deceived when you walk in and it appears to be a divey coffee shop. They serve authentic Ethiopian food at reasonable prices and we always come out fully stuffed and satisfied. Owner and staff are friendly too. I wish they were open more hours. We've only tried the vegetarian dishes and are addicted to all their lentil wots. Their injera is always yummy and fresh too. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty when you eat ;-)

Trusted the tripadvisor reviews on this one, and it's a real winner! Don't be put off by the fact that it looks like a dive - the proprietors are warm and friendly, and the Ethiopian cuisine is great. Try the hot chocolate if you like that kind of thing - it'll knock your socks off.

Some of us had eaten in an Ethiopian restaurant in Washington DC and thought that this was much less spicy, but that suited us fine. It is a tiny place with very limited seating. The Ethiopian food appeared to be authentic. We were offered as much injera as we wanted. All the pulse and vegetable preparations were artistically placed on the injera. The collard greens and yellow split pea preparations were especially tasty.

We had a pleasant late lunch after an afternoon at the Franklin Institute. Almaz looks small when you walk in, but there are additional tables and seating on the second level. They usually serve their dishes to an ‘american’ level of hot, but they are happy to adjust to your preferences. Having travelled in Ethiopia many years ago, we opted for a medium level. My wife and I had the Doro Wat and Zilzil Tibs. The chicken was very tender and just fell off the bone. The beef is the Zilzil was a mixed bag, some pieces very tender while others were a little chewy. Overall, we both enjoyed our meal. Since it was just the two of us, they brought our meals out on one large serving dish, lined with ingira, and extra ingira on the side. Our meal also came with a helping of pickled vegetables, a lentil mix, and additional hot, spicy sauce. Ethiopian dining — giving new meaning to the term ‘finger’ food! If you’ve never enjoyed eating Ethiopian food, YouTube has several videos “How to Eat With Injera”. Try it! This is a BYOB establishment, so if you are hoping to drink some tej with your meal, you’ll need to bring your own!

We biked the Forbidden Trail and Kelly Drive from Manayunk to south of the Art Museum, and the path now connects to the Rittenhouse section. We bought sandwiches and wraps at Almaz Cafe to take with us to eat outside overlooking the river. The owners were very friendly. The sandwiches were made to order and all three were outstanding with great flavor. I would like to visit again and try some of the Ethiopian food. Give this place a try!

We(2) ordered the chicken and the lamb special. It was served one one large plate with a large thin sourdough pancake (injera) as a juice-catcher. They gave us another 3 injera to pull apart and use as wraps for the meal. Everything was tasty, the service was attentive and the restaurant was pleasant. Nothing fancy or pretencious - just a great opportunity to try the food of a different culture. total bill and tip without liquor was $40 for 2.

Their omelets are fantastic!!! And they are served all day long:) I heard they make the best french toast in town,too

Stopped hy here to get my Ethiopian food fix and was satisfied. Although, I have tasted better, this place was good. Injera was generously provided but was not as soft or tasteful as I have had elsewhere. Ordered the zilzil tibs and vegetarian combo. Those items were delicious. Service was friendly. When you come across this restaurant, you may not realize it is Ethiopian food since it also serves smoothies, ice cream and coffee (a cafe). Nice ambience.

This place is wonderful as always. The drink was fine and the food was fine. Great service too! Always a good bet!

I have to say that we were disappointed. We got a chicken and beef dish. Chicken was good but the beef was a bit chewy. Dishes were not spicy. I was surprised they didn't have lamb. Even the bread was as 'sour' as the ones we have tasted. Service was great - very friendly folks. Almost felt like the dishes were toned down to suit the neighborhood. We have had better

Good coffee and nice selection of cakes and cookies. It is very useful for an afternoon coffee.Fast service also.

If you like Ethiopian food, this place is a great option near the Philadelphia tourist district. I've been here twice in two days. Their shiro is exceptional and different. And they are super nice. I love supporting businesses that have clearly succeeded by doing a good job. I recommend this highly.