Abyssinia | Ethiopian Restaurant in Arden-Arcade - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

This was my 2nd time ever trying Ethiopian food. The stews were satisfying, but incredibly salty. We didn't finish the injera that came with the dishes, so maybe we weren't eating enough of those? The beef was quite dry, but the flavors were pleasant. The chicken was a fair bit spicier but still completely edible and not overpowering (we are east and se asian). The chicken and egg were tender. I do wish it came with more veggies and the cheese seemed wet, although I still liked it. The injera was addictive, smelled a bit like cooked fresh pasta with just a bit of tang to cut the richness of the stews. For me the food was too hot to eat with my hands so the waitress gave me some utensils. Pleasant servers, not too long of a wait, effort was put into decor, and prices were reasonable.

The food was delicious, don't miss their masala tea. They have a warm and homely ambience. Great local restaurant to eat.

The food was cold including the Injera. No taste in anything but the red lentils- which were good.

The worst Ethiopian restaurant. Their kitfo is not even close to being called kitfo; it tastes horrible, and they also didn’t follow the instructions. Their combo tastes bad as well.

I ordered the doro wat with eggs and the vegetarian sampler for one. As well as the iced spiced tea and the sambosa. This place and Queen Sheba are both a terrible in food flavor and quality I have ever tasted . I am from the Bay Area and they have some of the best Ethiopian food I have ever tasted that is not homemade. The doro wot had a horrible stench and very unpleasant. We tossed our entire order in the trash . Ethiopian food is one of my favorite foods to enjoy . I was looking forward to a great meal and was disappointed. We spent a lot of money that was wasted . Well now we know better and will end trying out Ethiopian restaurants in the area . Our food delivery providers reimbursed us our money but we wish we just had received great food .

Decent food with smaller portions.. Menu is beef heavy. We were the only people during lunch on Friday. It took a while to get the food but it was fresh. Taste wise chicken was not bad and liked red lentil. Everything else didn't have much flavor. We paid extra to get spicy chicken but it wasn't spicy.

Best Ethiopian food in Sac. Been here many times and am never disappointed. Highly recommend the vegetarian combo platter (the menu says "one serving" but if you get this plus one or two more dishes it's all easily shareable/family style between 2-3 people), kitfo and gored gored (both are high quality raw beef dishes so if you're feeling adventurous or are already a fan of tartare I'd highly recommend), and the lamb awaze tibs. They'll make everything authentically spicy if you ask! Also, delicious strong Ethiopian coffee and unique Ethiopian beers. If you're new to this cuisine, embrace it and don't ask for utensils. That's what endless baskets of injera bread are for. :)

Our favorite Ethiopian place of all time!!!!! We have traveled up and down California for work and this place has the flavors, portions, and vegetarian/ vegan options! We always get the vegetarian/ vegan combo with a beet salad and sambusa to start off!! The absolute best anytime we pass through we always stop here!

I was looking for some lunch in Sacramento after getting off a flight. I did a search for Ethiopian food and Abyssinia was the closest by my hotel. The food in the pictures looked amazing. I headed to the restaurant and it was in a shopping center with a few other businesses. When I walked in I was the only one there. Usually I like to get take out but my hotel room wasn’t ready so I decided to dine in. The young lady at the register greeted me and handed me a menu. I decided to get the Ye-Doro Tibs which is actually a chicken stir fry. The woman told me that this dish was mild which didn’t have any kick. I told her that I wanted a little spice so I got Ye-Doro Awaze Tibs which is medium spicy. I also got a Spiced Ethiopian Tea. I sat down and waited for my food. I looked around the place and looked at all the pictures and decorations on the wall. I just loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. When I got my food I noticed that my food came with extra injera. I hadn’t had Ethiopian food in a while so I didn’t know how handy that would be until I started eating. For starters, the tea was really good. The flavor was so good. Then I started on my meal. It was probably the best Ethiopian food I’ve eaten. My forehead was sweating but the flavor wasn’t overpowered by the level of spice. The seasoning was perfect. I couldn’t stopped eating if I wanted to. I would come back to this place often if I lived in Sacramento.

Superior food, hard to overstate how great it was. The 2-person Grand Sampler was perfect, at a very reasonable price. We'll surely be back!

Consistently delicious, always a great experience. My favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Sacramento. Definitely try the spicy fish and the egg dishes

Great food, good prices, an explosion of flavors any food lover would love to try. The coffee is an experience as well

the food was not that much. Not only that, we observed they are so racist and violating a country independence rights, Like Eritrea. we were uncomfortable to seat there. They Put Eritrea's map combined with Ethiopia map on the wall. Eritrea and Ethiopia are 2 different countries. I hate this restaurant are disrespect, racist and as Eritrean we are not comfortable to eat there. Shame on you.

My first taste of Ethiopian food. I really liked the food. Very flavorful.

Best Ethiopian food I’ve had. I always go for the spicy lamb tibs combo. It’s a family owned place and you can taste the love in the food, especially when mom’s in the kitchen.

Food is good but not the best Ethiopian food in the Sac Region

Rustic atmosphere, kind service, colorful and DELICIOUS food! Great options for vegetarians. I had a lot of fun eating the various lentil dishes and injere with my hands. The honey wine is yummy and served in interestingly shaped glassware. Clean restrooms. Best Ethiopian food I've had in Sacramento.

So happy to find a vegan & vegetarian friendly restaurant. All of my fellow vegetarian’s & vegans know the struggle of finding a good & cultured safe restaurant to eat at so come here and be amazed.

I picked up a sampler through To Good to Go. It was delicious! The meat was savory and tender and the accompaniment of the soft and springy Injera bread pairs incredibly well with it. The two ladies working were both very courteous and kind. Trust me if you like spicy food you’ll love this! They definitely go full speed with the spice!

First and foremost this is my first experience eating a Ethiopian dish, I ordered the “Grand Sampler” runs about 40 dollars Its in the name , a sampler. Came with a variety of the best in the house. Unfortunately I was only able to finish half and that was me forcing my stomach to consume I kept giving repetitive attempts to find the enriching taste but it just isn’t for me. The sour tatse made me pump the breaks. Customer services was very nice and the place was very clean. 👍🏽

Absolutely delicious food, great service, fantastic price. Some of the best Ethiopian food I've ever had. The mushroom tibs were my favorite.

Misir wot and kitfo was so delicious. Very chill atmosphere.

Excellent food, comfy place, friendly staff. Highly recommended.

The food is so delicious. Love the decorations, it is beautiful. Their sevice is efficient. I recommend this restaurant for anyone who likes to eat Ethiopian food.

Great assortment of flavorful vegetarian options.

I've been to this place a couple of times before covid-19. I loved the family who owned and ran the place. The mother was the chef and so sweet. The daughter and son used to help her at the front desk. The food was so delicious, and the service and ambiance were great. There were circular tables with bamboo chairs that felt very authentically Ethiopian and unique to this restaurant. After covid-19, I chose this place to spend Mother's Day, but the management had changed. It was a disaster. The new management could not handle the daily flow. We waited for TWO hours to get our food. They did not have enough help to cater to the customers, and they did not have enough ingredients to prepare the food. Orders were taken only when we had to call them again and again, and they messed up the orders multiple times. The food was okay but not satisfied. Overall, I'm not going back to this place again.

Great food ,cozy ,nostalgic, Try the Tej🙂 Ethiopian wine (Honey wine)

Located conveniently in the same parking lot as 24 hr fitness on Fulton Ave, Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant is a hidden gem that transports you to the vibrant flavors of Ethiopia. With ample parking available, it's easy to access this culinary delight any time of day. From the moment you step inside Abyssinia, the authenticity and attention to detail are evident. The aroma of freshly prepared dishes fills the air, assuring you that everything is made from scratch daily. It's a testament to their commitment to quality and traditional Ethiopian cuisine. One of the highlights at Abyssinia is their lunch buffet, which offers incredible value for money. The assortment of dishes presented on the buffet line is truly impressive, and you'll find yourself spoilt for choice. But be warned: the addictive taste of their injera bread may leave you craving more. It's the perfect companion to the flavorful stews and dishes served at Abyssinia. Under the exceptional management of Elfie, Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant creates an inviting and welcoming atmosphere. Elfie's warm hospitality and attention to detail make every dining experience unforgettable. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular, you're sure to be greeted with a smile and excellent service. Vegetarians will find themselves in paradise at Abyssinia. Their vegetarian menu offers a variety of delectable options that are bursting with flavor. The Ye-Atkilt Wot, Ye-Miser Wot, Ye-Kik Alicha Wot, and Ye-Gomen Wot are just a few examples of the exquisite vegetarian dishes that will delight your taste buds. Each dish is prepared with care and offers a unique blend of spices and textures. To complement your meal, Abyssinia offers an exceptional Ethiopian coffee that will transport you to the birthplace of this beloved beverage. The rich aroma and distinct flavor of their coffee are a testament to the Ethiopian coffee tradition. In conclusion, Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant is a true culinary gem in Sacramento. With its authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and welcoming ambiance, it's a place that will leave a lasting impression. If I could, I would eat here every day! Whether you're seeking a lunch buffet or a delightful dinner, Abyssinia is a must-visit for all lovers of Ethiopian cuisine.

Solid Ethiopian mid-range establishment. The combination platters don't disappoint and are a good value. Beautifully presented, freshly made (aka be patient), as others have described. Vegetarian options are especially good. Can't do as frequently as I'd like, simply adding to others here that this family business is legit and deserves your support.

Amazing. New favorite Ethiopian restaurant 🔥

Got food from a third party service and let me tell I was very pleased. Upon walking in, you see the decor is welcoming and authentic! Very cool looking stuff on the walls and really friendly employees immediately was greeted and told them about my order. While I was waiting the server/employee was thoroughly going over the ENTIRE menu with this couple until they were able to get the exact food they wanted that would fit all the perimeters and it was such a nice thing to see customer at such a high level of quality and care will definitely be back. 10 out of 10 highly recommend must try again

Great service, the food is always good and I recommend trying the honey wine.

Cute little ethnic restaurant. Ample parking in a fairly busy commercial complex. The restaurant was busy but had several empty tables. Service was fairly quick. No fancy cutlery or table arrangements, rustic and simple set-up. Be prepared to eating with your hands, no cutlery was offered and we didn’t ask. Injera bread was soft and spongy. The chicken spicy stir-fry with Ethiopian chilli paste was awesome. Enjoyed both the spicy and yellow lentils. The veg samosa was mediocre but crisp and fresh. Enjoyed a leisurely laid back Friday dinner!

Fantastic experience, a must visit if you are in the area. Great VEGAN options

Overall well worth the wait! The food was amazing! Especially the collard greens and lentils. I truly enjoyed this dinner to the fullest!

Delicious authentic Ethiopian food. The best Friendly staff and wonderful atmosphere. A must try for Sacramento. Your bound to return over again.

Delicious Ethiopian food!!! Consistently awesome flavor and the nicest customer service.

I visited this restaurant and was given food that smelled and tasted like it has gone bad. When we informed the waitress, she gave us an attitude and laughed at us and argued that the food was fresh. Never going back again

Such friendly owners and staff. They have amazing vegan options. I love their veggie combo, tofu tibs, and beet-potato-carrot dish.

Dug in so fast, i forgot to take a picture! I walked in and ordered to go. Great service, quick. Got extra injera, though the plate comes with enough! Delicious vegetarian plate.

The food was so flavorful and delicious! Spice tea was sooo good. Overall very good experience.

First time trying Ethiopian and we loved every dish. The bread was such a different flavor experience but it was very tasty and went great with each bite. Very friendly service and beautiful Ethiopian music playing. We'll be going back.

What a good restaurant experience. Delicious food and excellent customer service. A fine selection of menu choices for vegetarians & carnivore’s. I hope the restaurant owner reads my review. Yes your food was delicious. But it is the customer service that Henok provided that has made me want to keep coming back to your place of business. In the last year or so, restaurants I have been going to have had staff members who never check up on how I am doing. Most places don’t even refill your water. Thank you to the chef at Abyssinia for the delicious meal I had, and thank you Henok for your kindness & 5 star customer service.

No fuss, hole in the wall with a delicious and unique set of subtle flavors; I will enjoy Abyssina again in a future trip to Sacramento.

Delicious Ethiopian food, reasonable prices, and pretty fast service too!

I havent been yet but i dont expect to be dissapointed. Actual review to come vwry soon.

Very good food. I recommend the spice tea and the combination meal for two. I took a friend who hadn't tried Ethiopian. She loved it. We ate to our fill and had him huge leftovers. Great family owned business.

Always excellent! Such good home cooking..wonderful flavors..and I buy my Ethopian coffee here..nice people..will always return..thank you!

Amazing food. Everything was so full of flavor. There was tons of bread, which we needed with how much food came with the meal. A great blend of complex and simple flavors.

One of our most favorite restaurants ever! 😋❤️ SOOOOOO dang good! And wonderfully nice staff. 🤗 Going again tomorrow! 🎉😄👍

The food was amazing! My only disappointment was that I didn't see the sign saying they had Sambusas until we were paying. Beautiful place, the Tibs was delicious, the iced tea was SO good... And some of the best injera I've ever had!!!

Delicious food with well labeled vegan options!

Favorite Ethiopian place! Order the grand sampler, it’s delicious!

My favorite go to Ethiopian restaurant

This place simply warms the heart. Clearly family owned, with mom doing most of the cooking in the back, everyone is extremely friendly and welcoming. And the food....Oh, my golly....there is something very special about this food. Clearly cooked with love, you can taste it in every bite. One of the most underappreciated restaurants in all of Sacramento, my wife and I always leave with a smile on our faces, and a delightfully content belly.

Good and beer was great. Service was awesome. Parking is plenty! The vibe is laid back and everyone comes here for a nice evening

The rating on Yelp were really high but sadly it didn't satisfy

Killer food. If you don't know Ethiopian food, well this is the place to learn. The Shiro is always great. Really diverse and great menu. Super good.

Delicious Misir Wot, Tofu and Injera.

Delicious and super friendly service!

The food was great never had food served on one big platter and their vegetable platter stir fry chicken greens were amazing I will be back

I got the meat combo for one. They justify the 20 dollar price by stuffing ur box with 2 large and unusually thick injera. The meat dishes are very little and you will be left with a lot of leftover injera. If they made the injera way smaller and lowering the price, I would come again.

Love love love this place. My friends took me here after a recommendation from their boss. The decor was beautiful and they had wonderful artwork throughout. The food was just as amazing. We ordered two combos and two main dishes, although they were able to bring it out as two trays (veggie and meat). The range and spectrum of flavor, spices and heat (spiciness) was fantastic. We finished with their tea which hit the spot and allowed us to let all the delicious food settle. Very affordable per person and the staff provided wonderful service. Highly recommend!

I have enjoyed this family's cooking for years. They used to own Addis Ababa on Fulton had to sell and it wasn't the same. I am so glad they opened this. Simple presentation (traditional) excellent quality food, different for sure, yet many of the dishes have familiar flavors of many European foods and staples of the south US. My favorite is Kitfo, not for everybody, the injera (spongy bread, sort-of thick tortilla meets foam, filling) is delicious and used to grab up the bites (eat with your hands, yes they have silverware). Limited staff so be patient, it's worth it.

This place had great food and friendly service

Our other Ethiopian restaurant was closed so we happened upon this and were so happy we found it. The food was superb, the owners were so pleasant and friendly. We had a combination platter and were not disappointed. I would highly recommend this to everyone.

We go here as often and they never disappoint. Consistently so delicious and amazing friendly staff! Love them!

Delicious sampler plates, spacious, and kind people.

I love this place! The food is always amazing, and the sampler combo is an amazing deal for two! Try the beet salad, and if they have it, go for the pumpkin stew. Both are great!

Outstanding Food!!! Yummmm....Konjo. 5 STARS NOT ENOUGH

*** My first time eating Ethiopian food. Discovered I don't like Ethiopian food, ordered the Grand Sampler. I tried real hard to like atleast one of the 9 dishes served but nope! Had heard some of their dishes had a sour flavor, non of the one I tried. Probably because I didn't grow up eating Ethiopian food. Won't be back

I just moved to Sacramento and I was craving Ethiopian food. So I opened my map app and this was the closest to my house, so I figured this was a good place to start. So I headed down into a shady part of town and into a nondiscript strip mall to see what they had. I usually start with a vegetarian combo when I'm testing the waters of a new Ethiopian place. So that's what I ordered, along with spiced tea. A suitable amount of time later, a large platter with various wats on top of injera arrived along with injera on the side. According to their online menu this was Spicy Red Lentils, Split Yellow Peas, Green Lentils, Collard Greens, Cabbage Stew, House Salad. Verdict: The red lentils were a mouthgasm. The collard greens were interestingly spiced, almost like my grandmother fixed them though with a couple of spices she wouldn't have possessed, and were quickly devoured. The split yellow peas also were interestingly spiced. The only thing that was slightly disappointing was the green lentils, which were a bit... boring. Adequate, but boring. And the "house salad" of course was just salad. Still, this meal had me several times just closing my eyes and savoring the flavors in my mouth. This is good stuff, people! And yes, the food is well spiced (well, other than the green lentils), but not overbearingly so. Just enough to mix with the natural flavors of the food to give you a whole mouth experience. Oh yes, the spiced tea was on point too, though they get it out of a box so it's not exactly difficult to get right. They also have supplies for sale for making your own Ethiopian food, including boxes of that spiced tea. TL/DR: This is about as good as you'll get, folks.

Larger vegetarian menu than others. Excellent mix of spices for a western palette. Reasonable prices for generous portions! Thoughtful service that encourages a fun relaxing meal. Being your appetite and enjoy a slow meal with friends.

We love going to the family-owned and operated Abyssinia Ethiopian restaurant for their delicious vegetarian combo and seasoned beets, pictured here. Their menu has a generous variety of meat (beef, chicken, lamb, fish) and vegetarian/vegan dishes, each meal comes with tasty injera bread they make themselves, and there are Ethiopian beverages (including beer and honey wine) available as well. It’s a consistently clean, homey and lowkey local spot we have enjoyed for several years now and hope to visit regularly for many more to come!

All of the food is delicious. The spiced iced tea is also great. The woman working was very kind and also helped us get a good selection of the dishes we wanted.

Delicious food and great service. Heavy on the earthy spices like clove and cardamom, but very well done in a way that compliments the other ingredients. Worth trying, whether you have tried Ethiopian food or not.

This is a family-run restaurant where you can tell the owners poured their hearts into bringing authentic and delicious Ethiopian standards to the table. We got the vegetarian combo and the red lentils were the best I’ve had anywhere. For the meat eaters, if you haven’t had Gored Gored yet, you don’t know what you are missing (ask for it cooked rare if raw is too adventurous for you). It’s the National dish of Ethiopia and a meal like no other. Top-notch Gored Gored all comes down to the awaze sauce and these guys make an amazing awaze! They make the normal kind of white injera like everywhere else, but if you can give them two days notice, they can make the real injera, using only the teff grain, no wheat flour. Pure teff injera is blacker in appearance and nuttier in taste but it has to ferment longer and that’s why you have to ask ahead. Even the Ethiopian red wine they serve is good and of course you can’t go wrong with a fresh and crisp Ethiopian lager to wash down what I know will be one of the best Ethiopian feasts you have ever had. Highly recommended!

This restaurant is a 💎. You must try!

I love this place!!!! Good food, good people. I was welcomed when I was asking about culture and origins of food. These guys are the nicest "employees" around. I believe they own the shop... I was told to try to veggie platter to get my feet wet in Ethiopian cuisine. Sure enough, I always get the veggie platter! It's big enough to feed two people. And the flat bread is like no other flat bread. You just have to eat more of it! Weather you know your way around Ethiopian food or just branching out your tastes, come down and join in the cozy atmosphere.

Take the time to view their impressive murals in the outdoor seating area. A dish here that I do not often see elsewhere is their potato, carrot, and beet mixture. It is well worth ordering. Their behind the counter market is more affordable and quality than that of a less intimate market. I strongly recommend you pick up a bag of their Bere Bere spice while there. You'll find yourself well fed, satisfied, and nurtured. You must try it.

Been to this restaurant twice to try ethiopian dish. Unfortunately my taste buds do not enjoy ethiopian food, so I dont see myself coming here again. Their food tastes different. But dont get me wrong, im not saying the restaurant is bad. The service was good and the food seemed of decent quality. My wife and I ordered the grand sampler and it was a huge portion and was very filling. I was given a sample of their honey wine which tasted good. For anyone willing to try something different, this place would be worth it.

Good spot for ethiopian fare. Injera, chicken and cooked peas was as expected. Family owned restaurant for simple and good food. Don't expect fancy decor and service like a chain restaurant.

WOW!! Let me tell you how great this place is to eat at. This is a family owned restaurant and you can tell! They’ve got mom in the back, pouring love into the food she’s serving up. I can’t even begin to put into words how great the food is here. Never have I had Ethiopian food, but I will come back, time and time again, just to eat some of mom’s food! Thank you again for the wonderful meal! Try the combo platter!!!

Amazing Ethiopian find in Sacramento! Not the best food presentation but the taste is brilliant

Friendly place. Clean. Ethiopian food is an acquired taste. Be prepared for a different cuisine. Recommend the vegetarian dishes

I was in such a bad mood today until we came here for dinner! Such a wonderful place! Took my 90 year old Grandma here for Mother's day. We had never had Ethiopian cuisine before so we were a little unsure what to expect. It was amazing! Family friendly, excellent service and delicious food! Loved the honey wine and I bought a bottle to go. Super excited to add this place on our family dinner rotation.

Was craving Ethiopian food and luckily we found this place nearby by searching. We were able to dine indoors and they were so friendly. We ordered the grand sampler which said it serves 2, but we hardly could finish half of it between the 2 of us! The food was great, it was a nice mix of stewed meats with lentils and other vegetables, served on top and with a side on injera. Highly recommend this place!

Yummy food. Is a great selection of mostly spicy food some mild stuff for silly weaklings like me. Tasty home brew honey wine. I'm going back in as soon as I can.

Glad they’re back open for indoor dining. This place is a gem. Food is absolutely amazing and consistent every time. Service is always great. Love that it’s family owned. They are still operating with precautions to Covid, requiring masks upon entrance, being served & checkout. — Highly recommend!

Absolutely spectacular! We live 30 min away and it was worth twice that for food this good! Super tasty and portions are quite large. A single entree could easily make 2 meals. We (I) will def be driving here again.

I have been coming here for years. The food is delicious. The family thay runs it is very sweet and always friendly.

Fantastic eutopian food! Super vegetarian/vegan friendly, and the owners are lovely. Can't recommend enough.

I love this place, in my opinion. Is the best one in town, The people are lovely the portions are generous and the food is delicious. They are open for take out!

100% the BEST food in Sacramento! My first visit there was during an event. They went out of their way to include my friends and me and make sure we had a good time!

Delish!! Had the lamb and warm beet salad and a spiced iced tea.

Best Ethiopian food in Sacramento!

A great place and unique exotic dining experience. One of a kind food! Love it & will keep coming back when I am able to!

Absolutely delicious food. First time trying Ethiopian food so I didn't know what to expect, but I was delighted. Great service as well.

Great food. Very nice service. This is the real deal!

I am a big fan of Ethiopian food and this place is the best in Sac and better than many places I have been to in the Bay Area. This is a family run restaurant and the owners are awesome. I visit this place once every couple of months and the food quality is consistent and service is great as well. Must visit!