Tools

Map

Green star Assimba Ethiopian Restaurant (Central District)

2722 E Cherry St
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 322-1019

Some say Assimba's the best place in town for Ethiopian food. Try the meat combo; along with stewed lamb and beef, it also includes curried cabbage and potatoes and tender collard greens. Roasted yellow peas with garlic, a thick purée to dunk your injera into, is soft but not simple. The oppressively well-lit dining room might be decorated with old travel posters and paintings of a cross-eyed Haile Selassie, but the dishes are spiced aggressively, with a richness, smokiness, and complexity to them. Don't forget to try the house-made tea.
Categories: Restaurant

Restaurant Details

The Stranger's Reviews of Assimba Ethiopian Restaurant

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 4.62000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (8) RSS

Newest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a review of Assimba Ethiopian Restaurant
Kitts 8

Best Ethiopian restaurant on that corner

I've tried all four of the Ethiopian restaurants on the corner of MLK and Cherry, and Assimba is the best. The owner and staff are all very friendly and solicitous. But the real reason to go is the food. Go with a friend and split an Assimba combo and a half order of doro tibis (spicy chicken with peppers and onion). If you're a vegetarian, try their delicious veggie combo instead: the collard greens, cabbage, and split peas are all excellent, and the salad has a wonderfully tart lemon dressing. The Ethiopian sweet red wine is a little odd, but the sweetness goes well with the spicy and savory flavors of the meal. The CD has lots of good Ethiopian food, but Assimba is definitely the best.
Posted by Kitts on June 28, 2010 at 1:54 PM · Report
Kitts 7

Best Ethiopian restaurant on that corner

Assimba is the best of the four Ethiopian restaurants on the corner of MLK and Cherry. The service is friendly, with the owner coming by to check on you. But the real standout is the food, which is just amazing. Go with a friend and split an Assimba combo and a half order of doro tibis (spicy chicken with onions and peppers). Or if you're vegetarian, take advantage of their excellent vegetarian combo. Also, try a glass of their sweet red wine, which takes some getting used to but goes well with the heavy and spicy flavors of the meal.
Posted by Kitts on June 28, 2010 at 1:46 PM · Report
6

Just tried it for the 1st time

Very happy. I went there with a friend; neither of us had been there before. We shared a veggie combo platter which was the perfect amount of food for both of us. The service was very fast and very friendly. The food was delicious. Couldn't have asked for more.
Posted by antidisestablish on April 7, 2010 at 10:19 AM · Report
5

My favorite

I've been to a lot of Ethiopian restaurants and I've never found one as wonderful as this one. I love everything I've had there, but my constant favorite is a veggie combo platter with an order of chicken tips. It's just excellent. Also, the owner and his family are extremely nice, so it's great to support their business.
Posted by fan of assimba on December 3, 2008 at 11:35 AM · Report
4

Our standby

We'll experiment with other places, but Assimba is the Ethiopian place we always come back to. Convenient, fast, friendly, and delicious. One combo plate is more than enough for two hungry people, with leftovers.
Posted by Melissa on May 16, 2008 at 4:28 PM · Report
3

Assimba Rocks!

I love the food; it's truly a window into the richness of what Ethiopia has to offer...I should know because I'm Ethiopian :) The food at Assimba takes me back to my childhood, its spicey and souldful...a bite into the exotic that is Ethiopia.
Posted by Sam Lena on February 19, 2008 at 3:50 PM · Report
2

Unimpressed, but i was hungover

Went with my friend from Eritria, and neither one of us was that impressed.
Posted by Mus on January 1, 2008 at 6:52 PM · Report
1

My favorite

I have enjoyed their food for many years. The spices are perfect & the service can't be beat. You will instantly feel at home! Go eat & experience their food, but please leave some for me!
Posted by Sharia on July 24, 2007 at 2:51 PM · Report

Add a review


Click the stars.

Optional

Assimba Ethiopian Restaurant
Nearby and Recommended

Meskel (Restaurant)
Central District 2605 E Cherry St    phone (206) 860-1724
  • 4.33000/5 Stars.
 (based on 6 reader reviews)
Moonlight Cafe (Restaurant)
Central District 1919 S Jackson St    phone (206) 322-3378
  • 4.67000/5 Stars.
 (based on 3 reader reviews)
R & L Home of Good Barbeque (Restaurant)
Central District 1816 E Yesler Way    phone (206) 322-0271
  • 4.50000/5 Stars.
 (based on 2 reader reviews)
El Gallito (Restaurant)
Central District 1700 20th Ave    phone (206) 329-8088
  • 3.20000/5 Stars.
 (based on 10 reader reviews)
Saigon Deli (Restaurant)
Central District 1237 S Jackson St    phone (206) 322-3700
  • 3.43000/5 Stars.
 (based on 7 reader reviews)
Central Cinema (Bar, Movie Theater, Restaurant)
Central District 1411 21st Ave    phone (206) 686-6684
  • 4.00000/5 Stars.
 (based on 5 reader reviews)

Are we missing something?

Need to correct our info about Assimba Ethiopian Restaurant?

!Add or Edit
Location

The Stranger Suggests

Critics' Best Bets
Music Arts & Food