Massawa

It's hard for me to give 5 stars. But I got to give it up to Massawa: their food, service and ambiance has always been consistent over numerous visits! You can come during the day and catch the lunch menu. Or, just do the regular menu!

During spring, summer and fall, outdoor seating is available. And at times, they have live music! I found the staff to always be welcoming and friendly!
The bathroom is spacious and most importantly super clean!
The establishment/interior design is well designed too.

The food is delicious: I'm always experimenting going between vegan, vegetarian to meat dishes. The salmon dish and sample veg platter are my favorites.

Massawa's ambiance is usually mellow during the afternoons so its a good place to read a book or telework - while indulging in anything on their menu or at their bar area. At later times, it does pick up!

Tip: Try the Ethiopian honey wine! Its sweet and will make you feel joyful down the road!

Also, don't be afraid to ask for a fork - if you're not comfortable using your hands to eat! No one judges! Everyone is very pleasant.

Ate here for dinner one day after work with my husband,
Ambiance is great, there is plenty of space and great decor! Also easy to find parking outside on the street and typically free after 7
Food wise, we got the chicken sambousa for appetizers which were divine and perfectly seasoned!
Extra points for giving us towels to clean our hands before eating, didn't have to worry about getting up and washing my hands!
For mains we got chicken and beef tebsi with the alitcha and bersim,
We got medium spice level which had good seasoning but lower spice for us (if you eat spicy I'd get the highest level)
I give a 4 overall for food only because the chicken was a little dry, but the beef was tender and it was all in all a good meal, I had to go down to 3 because the price was a little steep for what you were getting.
The injera was yummy and such a cool texture, loved being able to try that with our food!

Ordering through QR codes made the process smooth and efficient at Massawa. Upon entering, I was greeted by charming little flower decorations that added a delightful touch to the ambiance. To my surprise, they were all real flowers. I can definitely appreciate the effort put into that.

This restaurant came highly recommended by friends, and now I understand why. The dishes were very well seasoned and perfect for sharing. Also, the dishes are perfect for a vegetarian as well!

We love Ethiopian cuisine and know the best in NYC is in Harlem. We brought our skeptical friend here to try this cuisine for the first time, and he loved it and enjoyed every dish.

We ordered a vegan and meat combo for two off menu, extra injera, and two beers for 3 adults. At first, we thought the portions were too small, but by the time we finished and the injera expanded in our stomachs, we realized it was the perfect amount of food.

You can dine indoors or outdoors. As it was a gorgeous day, I wish we dined outdoors. The interior is nice with a large bar. Typical design for most of these nyc Ethiopian restaurants. Our friend commented it was more spacious than Manhattan restaurants he's been to, but we find this typical of Harlem ones. It was his first time in this neighborhood.

The food was quite good, but not the best we've had in Harlem. Priced a bit higher than expected. Great drink menu, but $48 for a bottle of honey wine seemed excessive.

Staff was very friendly and pleasant, but as with most Ethiopian restaurants, it was a bit slow to respond to requests like for a menu or napkins despite few customers for late lunch around 3ish.

Craving some of the best Ethiopian food in NYC? Look no further than Massawa. This restaurant delivers vibrant stews, soul-satisfying sides, and an atmosphere perfect for a casual lunch or an intimate date night.

Meat lovers, prepare to rejoice. Every dish I've tried is packed with rich flavors and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The spicy lamb is a favorite, cooked to juicy perfection and bursting with spices. But don't neglect the sides. The Shiro, Alitcha, and Birsin are flavor bombs in their own right, offering a vibrant counterpoint to the main event. Be realistic about your spicy level tolerance.

The cozy space adds to the charm. Dim lighting and warm décor create a welcoming atmosphere, ideal for sharing bites and good conversation. And speaking of sharing... their happy hour is a steal! $7 cocktails?! In this economy? Get into it! I love the Pineapple Margarita. It is a refreshing twist on the classic, showcasing their commitment to delicious and creative libations.

My only gripe? The service can be inconsistent. Sometimes, you'll encounter warm hospitality, while other times, it feels a tad aloof. And honestly, I'm not a fan of the forced phone ordering via QR code. It takes away the personal touch.

Despite this minor hiccup, Massawa remains a top contender for my Ethiopian food fix. The fantastic food, a relaxed vibe, and killer happy hour deals make it a must-try for anyone seeking an authentic and flavorful adventure. Just skip the QR code and ask for a friendly server - they'll gladly guide you through the spice-infused goodness. Lastly, eating with my hands makes the experience even better. Skip the forks, live a little, and lick your fingers.

Massawa is a great spot on Amsterdam! The service is friendly and attentive.

The meats are really tender and all of the vegetarian dishes are excellent as well.

Their outdoor seating is really nice if weather permits!

Would definitely recommend if you are in the mood for Ethiopian!

This restaurant is located one block north of Columbia's campus. The interior is cozy with a nice ambiance. There are multiple vegetarian and vegan options. The menu, ordering, and check payment are supposed to be done by QR code which can be a burden for those without digital wallets or who need the larger print on regular menus (accessible only if you can flag someone down and ask for a paper menu). The portions for a lunch plate were a little smaller than I was expecting, especially for being predominantly vegetables, but it was filling. I was hoping for more robust flavors and spice. The injera was the best thing on the table - it had a nice tang almost like a sourdough and was very fluffy. The service was slow despite not being too busy. We arrived at 11:30 and did not leave until almost 1pm.

I came here for lunch today and we ordered the beef tebsi and veggie combo. I really loved the beef the most. There was an option for spice level for the beef and we chose medium spicy. As someone who can handle a little spice but not too much spice, I didn't feel this was spicy. If you're into spicy food, I would recommend getting something more spicy than the medium. The server was extremely kind and often came back to ask how the food was and refill our cups of water. The ambiance of the restaurant is nice and there are lots of seating available for tables of 2. I'd imagine these tables can also be easily moved together for larger parties. I went around lunch time and it was quite busy so I'd say this is a popular place!

Used to love this place but the prices are absurd. $26 for a veggie combo for 1 person and then they charged $8 (!!!) for one piece of gluten free injera?!?! Bummed out because I used to love this place

Went to Massawa on a Saturday night around 5:30. It started to get crowded around 6:30. They have barcodes on the table so that you can scan for the menu and even order to the table. We eyed what the table next to us was having and they recommended the lamb. The Sambusaa were crispy and flaky. We had the vegan sampler and the lamb (Alitcha beghe) and the two together were SO SO GOOD! I believe I could make at the red lentils for every meal. And combining the lamb and the carrots from the Alitcha made for an amazing bite with the injera. I'm all about combining flavors for the perfect bite and no matter what I combined the lamb with every mouthful was so flavorful. I absolutely recommend massawa, the vegan sampler and the lamb!