Cafe Lalibela
$$ - average
Ethiopian/Eritrean
Tasty Ethiopian Food with terrific atmosphere.
If atmosphere is an important aspect for your dining experience, then you'll probably love Cafe Lalibela. Vegetarians and non-veggies flock to this place on a regular basis.
Snuggled within the confines of a ramshackle, half-empty strip mall, Cafe Lalibela is revered and hailed by local vegetarians (and non-veggies) as one of the most fun and enjoyable dining experiences in the entire Phoenix metropolitan area.
Typical of Ethiopian restaurants, Cafe Lalibela has numerous vegetarian dishes that are eaten in conjunction with injera bread (instead of using silverware), placed on a single platter for all at a table to join in. (You simply tear off a piece of this crepe-like bread, and with it scoop up delicious morsels of food.) This, in part, is why Cafe Lalibela is considered one of the best places to take a first date: the sharing of delicious foods, and literally breaking bread together. (Click on the pictures below to view a sample of how the food is served.)
Also, Cafe Lalibela proves that atmosphere is much more than fancy decor and glitz. Because what this tiny restaurant lacks in polish and shine, it more than makes up for with a usually crowded place of enthusiastic, happy, and (from the looks of them) satisfied diners.
For vegetarians, Lalibela offers a number of dishes:
1.Azifah (Whole brown lentils blended with onion, green pepper and spices. Served cold.)
2.Fosolia (Lightly spiced string beans cooked with carrots and onion.)
3.Gomen (Chopped collard greens cooked with garlic and onion.)
4.Misir Wat (Red split lentils cooked with onion, berbere and herbs.)
5.Shiro Wat (Ground peas cooked with berbere and onion and seasoned with garlic and ginger.)
6.Tikil Gomen (Lightly spiced cabbage, carrots and potatoes.)
7.Yekik Alicha (Yellow split peas cooked with onion, turmeric and herbs.)
Each is available individually; or as part of small sampler (4 items) or a large sampler (10 items, with some repeats).
The lunch specials run from 11am-4pm, M-F and include 3 items above (served with injera bread) for just $7. (Regular price for one item is $3.95.)
Service can be first-rate, or slow (depending on the server), but is typically done with a smile.
I mile west of Mill Avenue on University, at the southeast corner of Hardy and University Dr.
- Large Group-Friendly
- Romantic
Added by Steve Carlson on Aug 16 04 (updated Nov 7 07)
Reviews
My husband and I took his parents here for his mom's birthday. We ordered the large vegetarian platter, which provided more than enough food for the four of us--even with my husband's huge appetite.
We all quite enjoyed our meal here. It's always fun to eat with your hands, and sharing a communal meal makes you feel closer to your dining companions. And I imagine that it'd be a very cozy experience if you come here for a date.
A note for fellow vegans--I think I overheard a server mention that one of the vegetarian soups had butter in it. So you probably want to ask about the presence of dairy before ordering.
This is my favorite place to eat in the entire state. It is family owned & run & they have a personal touch. I have been eating here since 1996 & continue to go weekly. They have been consistant in quality & taste. I have tried all other Ethiopian places & none are as good. They have lunch specials for $6.99 & their Yekemem Shai is heavenly & addicting! Hakim Stout is the best beer I ever tasted, it has a smooth molasses taste. My all time favorites are: Misir Wat, Shiro Wat & Gomen. If you bring some friends order the Vegetarian Exclusive so you can try them all & don't forget the Yekemem Shai!!!!!