Queen of Sheba Reviews

The place is simple, but the hostess was lovely. She lit up when we engaged her about her country and its customs. The food was a fun experience. We ordered a large mix veggie platter. You use the flat bread to eat/scoop the food. It was tasty and super flavorful. I expect that the meat dishes would also be flavorful and fun to try so I'll definitely be back.

This unassuming restaurant is one of Portland's best places to eat. Other reviews will tell you about the "hands-on" style of Ethiopian dining. I want to tell you that the flavors and seasonings here are deliciously unique, simply quite different from American and other ethnic cuisines that many of us are familiar with. Visually, the place is not much. But when I have out-of-town guests to whom I want to show the best dining that Portland has to offer, this is where I take them, and we've never been disappointed.

The food here was good and authentic. If you are not comfortable eating with your hands or don't like sharing your food, then this is not the place for you! We got the vegan sampler for our family, it came in a big plate with enjira (ethiopian soft "bread") lined along the edges of the plate, and about 10 different dishes arranged in the center. Most of the dishes were good, some were ok. Some of the dishes were very spicy, but we really enjoyed it. We had 4 kids in our party ranging from 5 to 15, and all the kids enjoyed the food too. The service was fine, the owner was friendly, but the one odd thing was that they didn't really set up the tables for our large group even though we had called ahead. We had to drag the tables ourselves once we got to the restaurant to seat our group. The place isn't really fancy, the furniture and surroundings were a little gloomy. But we really liked the food, so we will probably go back there again the next time we crave some authentic ethiopian food.

The vegan plate was awesome, an incredible mix of perfectly spiced dishes.

Haven't been here in some time and returned. Food quality and quantity very good. Service very good. Atmosphere a little dark, kinda less than spruced up. Not a place I'd take a date, great for a casual meal with friends. Plenty of food in what I ordered (chicken mushroom in berebere) and it tasted great. Good salad to intermix with the chicken to cool off the heat. Definitely be back.

It’s funny to read the reviews of this place. It seems many people haven’t had experience eating Ethiopian food. For those that don’t know, here are some basics: portions are quite large, the dishes are served with a sourdough flatbread called injera and you eat with your right hand. The inside is nothing fancy. In fact, the outside doesn’t leave much to the design eye either. Regardless, it’s a perfunctory space. We stepped inside and the friendly server sat us immediately. We ordered the vegetarian sampler plus tibs (lamb dish). The former includes ten items for only $12 and the latter was for $16. If you’re a fan of spices, lentils and the like, you’ll love this kind of food. The proteins are basic, but elevated with the different combinations of spices. If this food sounds a bit too exotic, keep an open mind. The place filled up, but the server was on her toes and serviced each table gracefully. Will definitely return.

If you're in Portland, theres probably better food to get. Maybe I just don't like Ethiopian, but I definitely wasn't inspired after this experience to return.

One of the best Ethiopian places in town. Lots of choices, and the vast majority of them are delicious. Half the menu is vegan. The two downsides are that there can be a very long wait for your food, and my favorite Ethiopian drink, honey wine, is not very sweet here. It's more like a sherry than a mead. Still interesting, and house-made!

bad experience. got the traveler's tummy and never left portland

I wanted some good and savory food and this place did not disappoint. I had the lamb berbere and shared the vegetarian sampler for two. It is possible to get gluten free Injera, but you have to call a day ahead. Not a whole lot of atmosphere, but the food is the star.

Best Ethiopian food in Portland area; I have tried it several times and have not been disappointed ever; seating is readily available even during dinner rush. Food is prepared fresh after you order and everything tastes wonderful. Price is reasonably cheap compared to most restaurant prices for dinner. Very low-key but food is tasty and commendable

We love Queen of Sheba. Not to hot unless you want it. Great prices and plenty to eat. The Queens tea it good cold or hot. Wish the opened before five but dinner it is. Nothing is fasr,the cook fresh. No utensils you use injera bread. If you haven't you need to. Great for vegetarians . They do have meat dishes. Enjoy.

Amazing food and the host was the sweetest. They serve a lot of food so bring your appetite! Try the Spicy tibs (lamb) sooooo good!

At the entrance of the place, we saw a sign, “The Best Ethiopian restaurant in Portland”......and we would like to assure all you readers that it is a fact. We have had good Ethiopian food in many other places in Bay Area and LA but this place is definitely superior to any of them. Everything is cooked fresh and comes back steaming hot....it is aromatic and flavorful. Everything you order is awesome and I highly recommend trying the veggie options. The Alicia flavored is mild and the Berbere flavor is more hot and spicy and you can try lamb, chicken or beef. Amongst veggie options: most everything is awesome: the okra based stew, the lentils, the beans....all good.

This is a well-established restaurant. Nothing fancy, but the food is good. Service is friendly and the wait staff will be happy to advise you on menu choices. Ethiopian food is eaten with injera bread, using the fingers. We had Ye Beg Alicha Tibs, a mild lamb dish, Atakilt Alicha, a mild potato, bean and carrot dish, a spicier tilapia item and Misr Bamia Wet, stewed lentils and okra. The latter two were way too hot for me, even though I can eat fairly spicy Indian food. These were served with green salad over injeera bread on a large circular tray. One more piece of injeera came as accompaniment and we ordered an extra one later. We also had their herbal iced tea, which went well with the spicy food.

love it here

Pretty much a hole-in-the wall. Which keeps it from a 5 star experience. Also, I've never been a huge fan of Ethiopian food. Others in our family love it though. If you are gluten-free you must order the bread that you use to eat everything in advance (like the day before). Otherwise, their Injeri bread had some wheat in it. We ordered large platters to share with everyone. It was fresh and good, different flavors from the norm, not something I would make at home, and all vegetarian- which is great. In case you don't know, you eat with your hands. The atmosphere is a bit grubby and run down, and not very cozy.

We had never had Ethiopian food. I am a vegan and they have vegan food on menu. My husband and I shared the vegan sampler. Huge plate with about 8 different sides to try, all on top of Teft bread. You use your hands to eat and scoop up filling with the bread. I loved it. all the flavors were excellent. and service was good and friendly, price is Good!

great for a group of friends, not the best atmosphere, but the food is good.

Best Ethiopian food in Portland; you can try all the places you want but this place has the best tasting food and the most reasonable prices. Very homely environment and very nice people there. The Alicia seasoning with aromatic spices is sooo good and if like the spicy stuff you could order the hot Berbere flavor and your taste buds will thank you. Beyond everything make sure you order the Mint tea at the end; it not only tastes good it’s very good for digestion. Highly recommend....mamma mia!!!!

The food here is awesome. The dining area is slightly uncomfortable because it is silent. Sometimes I get it to go because I prefer music over other peoples conversations or eating sounds, just being honest. Putting on Ethiopiques or some kind of ethiopian music would be great because the chairs are quite comfortable! It isn't fancy but it is delicious and the people running it are kind. I have been eating here for ten years and have never been disappointed.

Best Ethiopian food I've found here.

We had not been impressed with the Ethiopian restaurants we had tried in Portland and Seattle but we enjoyed Queen of Sheba and returned for a second visit. On both occasions, the food was well prepared and nicely seasoned. The injera was tasty and there were generous servings of food and injera. The owner is very pleasant and provided very good service. The place is very simple and very clean.

After attending a play in downtown Portland, we did a late lunch at Queen of Sheba and it was a wonderful experience! The owners worked with us to select food that children who had never eaten Ethiopian before could try for an authentic experience. I had a total of 24 in our group and we came in late during the lunch time. They were so gracious! They talked with our students about the food, where it came from and the spices as well as how to eat it. Boy, did my students eat! Even some of my more picky eaters tried it and really enjoyed it. The restaurant was comfortable and welcoming and the family was so interactive. It was such a positive experience that I know my students will treasure for a long time! Thank you! Camas Christian Academy grades 4/5/6

You won't find touristy decor or romantic atmosphere here, but delicious reasonably priced Ethiopian food. Definitely try the combination plate--vegan was terrific. Injera nice and tart. Good service.

We stopped in here without a reservation for food during a family trip to Portland for a wedding on a Saturday night. After a short wait for a table to become available, we were quickly seated and given menus. As a number of our party never tried Ethiopian food before, we ordered based on the owner's recommendations and were not disappointed. The spicy beef tips were very tasty and had a good depth of flavor beyond the heat of the dish. The 10 dish vegetarian sampling platter is an absolute must try and was a very welcome menu choice for my wife. The pricing was very reasonable given the volume of food supplied and the quality and taste of the ingredients used. Although the place may not be much to look at from the outside, it is exceptionally good value for money and the food is fantastic. I'm surprised to see how low ranked this restaurant is on TripAdvisor as I would not hesitate to recommend or return here again next time I'm in Portland.

I review a lot of restaurants. Few get me truly excited about what they have to offer. Queen of Sheba is one of them. I went into this un-excited as I had just missed out on a different restaurant I had been looking forward to enjoying. The waitress was polite but not overly friendly, which often does not bode well. The menu was unfamiliar so I selected a sampler plate and their tea option. When the food came I was shocked. The portion was massive (really, the two of us should have split this meal) and colorful. The food was very good. The bread takes a bit of getting used to as it as a strong (vinegar?) tinge to it. The tea was the absolute best part of the meal. Overall, I would certainly go back and bring friends, too. I'll give them a heads up that you need to eat the food with your hands, too.

The resturant was clean . In an old building so not much for looks. Staff were friendly. Service was prompt. Did not have to wait long for food. Food was average. The injara was good. Lamb i had was a little tough. Spice blend was good. I ordered lamb but if go back will ask for sampler plate. . Price was average.

Great value, great service, yummy food. Atmosphere is just ok or I would give it 5 stars. Absolutely delicious.

Great food. Takes a while. Worth the wait.

Looking for something different? Queen of Sheba is for you. Dishes take a bit of time to prepare but it is worth it. Everything tastes so good, full of spices which are not found in typical "American" places (how wonderful that we can think of diverse cuisines as part of America). And it is great fun to scoop up the dishes by hand on bits of injura. This is a very casual place and great for a sit down meal with a group. Owner is super friendly and takes great pride in his restaurant. This is one of our reliable favorites in Portland.

My husband and I met there with another couple to try something new. The waitress who was friendly and helpful. She recommended the sampler, and that was a great choice. My husband who isn't big on spicy foods found it really delicious, and I who usually likes spicy found it just right. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the eating with your fingers and spongy bread. I probably should have just asked for a spoon, because the food was delicious, and I don't think the "bread" added at all to the flavor. Next time. Which, I'm sure there will be, it was worth going back to. Plus, I forgot to order their chai, which I drive out of my way to get at the couple of coffee shops here in town that sell it. It's my absolute favorite apart from homemade. No pre-packaged over sweet box chai for this girl!

The interior looks even more run down than I remember it from a couple of years ago. The space is separated by walls that don’t really make sense and the whole restaurant was staffed by just one woman who seems to be one of the owners. It looks like a family run business. There were random people sitting at tables not eating who were probably other family or friends. None of that matters- the food is delicious. We had the veggie sampler for two at $23 which was a steal! We were so stuffed, we practically waddled out of there and even had leftovers to bring home. Don’t judge by the decor, the food is delicious!

Queen of Sheba is a neighborhood gem. If you want to try home spun Ethiopian cuisine, this is the place to be. The taste is fresh, vibrant and unpretentious. It is a real family operated restaurant -- you can feel their pride and heritage in the food. Everyone at the table shares food off a large tray placed in the middle of the tables. The large flat breads that the varieties of foods are served on, are what you break off to grab your bite sized portions to eat or serve your other table guests with. Yes, you eat with your hands! Enjoy the tender bite sized meats, vegetables and spices. To top the meal, you must order the coffee. They pan roast and prepare the coffee as you order it. The coffee is served in wonderful special handmade ceramic pots that you pour into decorated cups -- add sugar to smooth the taste of this wonderful coffee. I loved the coffee. I normally drink my coffee black but not adding sugar misses the point of this coffee style. The place is worn, the room too warm -- but the hospitality makes up for it all.

Delicious Ethiopian food! Affordable!

I'm not a guru of Ethiopian cusine by any means, but I have had my share of Ethiopian food throughout the years, and Queen of Sheba is by far the best restaurant of its kind in the country!** The injera is perfectly spongy, the collard greens and lemon-washed chicken, and chickpea "crackers" in unidentifiable yellow sauce are all so amazingly delish, I dream about my next trip to Portland to eat at this fine establishment. The ambiance isn't chic by any means, but its authenticity definitely adds to the experience. If you're in Portland, Oregon, you MUST make Queen of Sheba a stop on your itinerary. Oh yeah, and regarding the "cheapest" comment...you can eat until you're so stuffed you pass out for only $10 per person. It's so great! **Note: I've really only eaten at three Ethiopian restaurants. This one, one in San Fran, and one in Denver. San Francisco is supposedly the food capital of the universe, and we ate at the most highly rated Ethiopian restaurant in San Fran, and then a week later ate at Queen of Sheba. The Queen was a million times better. So using that logic, it must be the best in the world.

The food was really not that bad but the place felt dirty and the atmosphere was not great. The carpet looked liked it needed to be thrown out.

If you are going to complain about ambience or table quality don’t come here. If you want some of the best Ethiopian food on the planet, and I’ve been everywhere, this is the place to come. We arrived and we’re a little surprised by the environment but there were people from different countries all enjoying the food. We asked the manager and waitress what we should eat and she recommended a few different dishes. We mixed the vegetarian and meat options and boy we were not let down. We had enough food to feed an army but went ahead and finished it all off. It was a real delight and I wouldn’t be surprised if this has the best Ethiopian in the Pacific Northwest. Again don’t come and complain of the ambiance. Enjoy the food!

We along with our 4 friends wanted to go to Ethiopian Restaurant yesterday. So, we went to Bete-Lukas and it was closed as they are open from Tue-Sun. So, my husband called Queen of Sheba and asked them till what time they were open and the person said they are open till 9 pm. So, we went to Queen of Sheba at 8.30 pm. There were few customers who were paying the bill at the front desk and the lady paid no attention to us at all and was very rude. She looked at the time which was 8.30 pm and told us their kitchen got closed early. She never apologized. How can the kitchen be closed so early when they say they are open till 9 pm?? We found Habesha restaurant which is also a Ethiopian restaurant closer to us. We called them and he said there are open till 9 pm. We reached there around 8.50 pm and were served with food. we would never go to " Queen of Sheba " again. They just lost a customer.

We came, we saw, we left hungry and disappointed. If you have to walk a couple miles to get here (like we did) just note that there is no assurance they will be open during the hours they claim. Building looks extremely shabby and the inside does not look clean. Wish I could say something about the food but I'm walking away hungry from this one.

While visiting Portland, friends took us to the Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant. If you have clean hands and no problem with sharing a community platter you will love this. You get a choice of three meats and three levels of spiciness served on a big platter that anyone in the party can eat off of. Utensils are not normally used-instead the food is scoop up with pieces of a spongy flat bread. Because we were with a regular, the proprietor came and chatted with us for a long, enjoyable time: sharing about his experiences in Ethiopia.

This place looks very small and not many ppl on weekdays. But food was really good. Chicken was cooked very well. Anjira was more fermented/ salty though on the day we ate. But overall food was good.

We love going here because the food is so good. If you call in advance, the injera can be made with teff so its gluten-free.

Its good I order the vegan plate for two and I love it

Place doesnt look like much but the food was really good

I absolutely love this place…. I have eaten here periodically for the last 22 years and I am so glad they made it thru the tough times of this pandemic. This is the best Ethiopian food in Portland by far…. Everything is super fresh and super yummy and the lamb, chicken and veggie entrees are so tenderly cooked full of exotic flavor… highly recommend

This is a place where you can tell the waitress a few things you like and they will prepare a feast for the table! It's off the beaten path near the convention center. Very good value and a fun place to bring the kids.

QOS has always been my go-to in PDX for Ethiopian food, but the restaurant seems to just keep getting dirtier and dirtier with every visit I make. Hygienically it is simply not up to decent standards, and I always wonder if QOS has problems with the health department. Maybe it's impossible to clean at this point, and the building/space just needs to be gutted, or maybe they just don't put the effort into cleaning it. Not sure. If it were me calling the shots I'd close for a few days and do some serious cleaning, painting, and floor work. But this doesn't seem likely to happen anytime soon. Meanwhile, either the environment is too shoddy to enjoy the food, OR the food quality had deteriorated over the past couple of years; in either case this visit was my last until I hear that they've updated the inside of the restaurant.

We had the vegetarian platter with 10 different dishes. It was all wonderful! I would also recommend the house-made ginger juice. Great service too. We would definitely recommend and go back the next time we’re in Portland.

I used to live in Portland, and ate here once a month back then (over a decade ago). It's still just as good. Fresh, flavorful, friendly, family-oriented and fun. If you've never had Ethiopian food, they will ease you in. And if you had, you won't be disappointed. A gem of a restaurant in general, and a great example of Ethiopian in addition.

Get the vegetarian combos (2-3 item combos would be good for 3 people) in order to ensure variety. It's going to be spicey as all get out with the meat dishes, in a good way. Order a Mac and jacks African amber and/or take a chill pill cause it actually is going to take like 45 minutes but it's all good because they are preparing, on average, one delectable spice per minute during that time for you. On this note (spice), there's no going back. No dairy option for the weak at heart, to quell the fire so go big or go home.

We were hungry, tired and rain drenched when we walked by. The food smelled amazing and they were reasonably busy for the late hour. Was with two teenage girls. We all agreed the food was good, but it probably we wouldn't go out of our way to eat it again. Though if I did eat here or another Ethiopian restaurant I would choose vegetarian based on other reviewers.

I have been a regular patron of Queen of Sheba since the late 1990s, then as a resident and now as a visitor. What a treat to return to this restaurant and experience outstanding consistency over the years. My most recent experience included a platter of six specialities: alicha and Berbere spices combined with beef, lamb, vegetables and lentils. The injera is especially good, deliciously spongey and filling. Few dining experiences are so satisfying! Enjoy.

Glad we got to Queen of Sheba early because it was PACKED by the time we left. We were just tourists who thought it sounded like a cool destination but we had blundered into a real local treasure by dumb luck. The food was sooo good and the steady flow from the kitchen indicated the skill of the small but efficient staff. Two higher level staff members stopped by our table to make sure we were happy; they were obviously on skates so we didn't engage them in conversation but if we had any questions we would have had them answered.

I've lived near Queen of Sheba for years, but never made it. Instead, I suffered through an Ethiopian restaurant that was closer to my house. Now, I take the extra walk to Queen of Sheba. The atmosphere is literally nothing more than attempts to give the place an Ethiopian flavor by putting up posters. The service is uneven in that it can be normal, then there's nobody around for a long time. The food is what makes it. It's tasty, well-priced, and adequately portioned.

Found this place by accident on our recent visit to Portland, and boy am I happy that we did! The food is spectacular! Full of flavour, and so different to anything anywhere else. You can modify the meal to suit your spice (heat) tolerance. Everything is consumed with your hands (no cutlery), so if you're a bit OCD about food hygiene and cleanliness then this eating style and venue is not for you! The service was a little slow, but the waitress was lovely. The decor is ordinary, but who cares when the food is excellent - just have another beer and you wont notice the surroundings!

Very reasonably-priced Ethiopian food served by charming staff on a small no-frills restaurant. The family special had an excellent selection of flavorful spicy dishes with the lamb being particularly good though the beef was a bit tough. There was more than enough for the three of us. The samosa starter was particularly piquant and not to be missed. The wine list is red, white and pink and we went for Ethiopian beer that cut the heat nicely. A good experience especially for the price ($50 for three of us, including beers.)

I have been going to this place for MANY years and absolutely love the food. The staff is so friendly and I cannot get enough of their delicious vegetarian food!