Elfegne

It was my first time eating Ethiopian food, and it was so good. When coming to America I really wanted to try something that I can’t find in my part of the world, and this was an amazing choice. The food tasted so familiar, despite being so different. It was very warming and tasty, the meats and the veggies were perfectly spiced and stewed, and worked so well with the teff bread. Cottage cheese from the Ethiopia tasted exactly the same as the cottage cheese from Latvia, and stewed Ethiopian vegetables tasted like something my grandma would make. All food tasted very homemade, warming, and very tasty. Also, the honey lemonade was very good.

The Vegetarian Combo offered a fantastic variety of flavors, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to authentic recipes. Don't miss out on their Ethiopian honey wine, which provides a sweet and refreshing contrast to the spicy dishes.

I had the most amazing experience savoring Ethiopian cuisine, where the rich, bold flavors of dishes like Shiro Wat and gomen paired perfectly with the tangy, spongy Injera, served in a warm and vibrant atmosphere that made the meal feel like a celebration of culture and community.

I still remember the day my husband and I visited **Elefign Ethiopian Restaurant** with our best friends, who had raved about this place. It turned into one of those special moments that I’ll cherish forever. From the moment we arrived in the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, the welcoming atmosphere set the tone for a fantastic evening. The food was simply delicious—each authentic dish was bursting with flavor, and we loved sharing different plates, savoring every bite together. What made the experience even more memorable was the outstanding service. The staff was not only professional but genuinely enthusiastic about the menu, helping us navigate our choices with great recommendations. It was clear why Elefign has received accolades like the **Washington 100 Best Restaurants Award** and recognition from Michelin. If you’re looking for a place that combines amazing food with exceptional service, Elefign is a must-visit. That day with friends will always hold a special place in my heart.

The best Ethiopian food in DC! If you're craving authentic and unforgettable Ethiopian cuisine, I highly recommend Elfegne Restaurant. From the perfectly spiced wot (stews) to the soft and tangy injera, every dish is crafted with care and bursting with flavor. The ambiance is cozy and welcoming, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with family or friends. The staff is friendly and attentive, adding to the incredible dining experience. If you're looking for a true taste of Ethiopia in the heart of DC, Elfegne Restaurant is a must-visit. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

The BEST ETHIOPIAN FOOD IN DC! 10/10! There is something for everyone here. We drive all the way here from Maryland almost every week for our feel of delicious traditionally prepared Ethiopian food. I don’t eat meat so I opt for the vegetarian platter, always AMAZING. My husband is a meat eater and he always gets the Goden Tibs. He says it’s tender and always very WELL SEASONED. The samosas are crispy and delicious as well. The customer service is spectacular, they make us feel not like customers, but like family. Look no further and do not think twice! Elfegne is THE BEST!!

Great food, friendly staff, not too crowded or loud. Overall, a very pleasant dinner experience.

The food was super authentic and absolutely amazing. However the service was quite average. Even if you get poor service though, I highly recommend going for the food

Elfenge DC - 4.4/5 Elfenge, formerly known as Zenebech, is a fantastic Ethiopian spot in Adams Morgan and our go-to for sharing Ethiopian cuisine with friends and family. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, with friendly service that adds to the warm experience. The value here is excellent--you get generous portions with vibrant flavors. We typically go for the chicken and beef tibs along with a variety of lentils and vegetables. Each dish is spiced to perfection, making for a flavorful, communal dining experience that's as fun as it is delicious. If you go, definitely try the honey wine--it's a standout that complements the meal beautifully.

I really love coming here. The portions are highly generous, the service has always been wonderful and the food is amazing at affordable prices. I am Eritrean and grew up eating Ethiopian food, even though I was born in the US. I have the most serious.....I mean seeèeeriousss cravings for Ethiopian food! This has been my main go-to place to meet that dire need. I really like that they have a wide variety of seated options, whether you want a booth, table or bar...even nice outside tables. They also have spacious and clean bathrooms, which is important. There's a lot of places to check out where they are located on 18th Street, even with a new Ethiopian restaurant in close proximity along with one that's only a little further down. I will continue to come here because I like the comfort of their consistency.

I loved pretty much everything I have had, ranging from the Azifa to mesir to ater to kitfo. There were a lot of elements that I was obsessed with, to the point that I even asked for a lot more when I was running out of one small item on the Mehaberawi. My favorites on the Mehaberawi were mesir, ater, kitfo, key wot, and alicha wot. They were all very tasty and the injera was infused with their flavor in very pleasant ways. My least favorite was shiro, which was surprising because I am a big chickpea lover. Regardless, there was definitely something for everybody. They are also very reasonably priced, as the Mehaberawi was $35 which was very affordable for the quantity that was given. The lentils sambusa was $4 for each, and as much as it contained my favorite combination, I didn't think one was worth that much, especially if one is eating with others, it would easily mean $4 times however many people are there. With that said, I would highly recommend this spot for Ethiopian food in D.C. along with all of the wonderful Ethiopian food restaurants in the city. It is also located in the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, which is another big plus.

We got a huge veggie platter to share for our group of 4, and added a couple meats to it as well. We were all stuffed by the end of it! The flavors were great. favorite parts were the red lentils and the beef tibs. Service was very friendly and answered any questions we had about the menu.

The BEST ETHIOPIAN FOOD IN DC! 10/10! There is something for everyone here. We drive all the way here from Maryland almost every week for our feel of delicious traditionally prepared Ethiopian food. I don't eat meat so I opt for the vegetarian platter, always AMAZING. My partner is a meat eater and he always gets the Goden Tibs. He says it's tender and always very WELL SEASONED. The samosas are crispy and delicious as well. The customer service is spectacular, they make us feel not like customers, but like family. Look no further and do not think twice! Elfegne is THE BEST!!

Ethiopian food is probably one of my top fave cuisines and Elfegne is a great option in DC! Portions are big and feed quite a few people. For 32 dollars we got the 4 veggie, 4 meat and it fed three of us- very great price for DC. I've had a few different things and they are always great. So many meat options and so many veggies. The shiro and the ater are my fave veggies to get and any of the ribs are always a hit for the table.

We read that Washington DC has the best Ethiopian food in the US, and Elfegne was listed as the best of the best. I am not a connoisser of Ethiopian cuisine, but I definitely thought it was delicious! We got two entrees which included a meat item and 2 veggies. I loved what I ordered (except the collard greens, which I should not have even ordered because I don't like collard greens) so you should choose the same if you are confused by the menu options: - Alicha wot (Beef stew) with tikel gomen (cabbage, carrots, potato stew), and gomen (collard greens) - Lamb tibs with Ater (split peas), shiro (chickpea puree) Both our orders were poured onto a giant injera covered platter. Don't forget to eat this injera, it soaked up all the delicious flavors of the meats and veggies poured onto it. We likely did a faux pax of asking for utensils. But we were covered in bug spray and sunblock that seemed to coat our skin despite multiple hand washings, so we weren't taking any chances with touching the food directly. There were some flies inside, despite the somewhat heavy incense (I thought smoke was supposed to keep away insects?), so I had to stay vigilant and swat them away from the delicious food. I think this was mentioned in some prior reviews. That being said, I actually have no idea how restaurants keep flies from coming inside. I would want to use the same technique on my own home.

Aw man! I was really excited to try this Michelin-recognized Ethiopian, and the experience fell short for me. The interior was dirty--there were bugs hovering over and on our food. Service was nice but not very responsive. The food was tasty! I was underwhelmed by the doro wot, but I loved the sambusas. Maybe they were just having an off day! It certainly satisfied my Ethiopian craving, I was just hoping for more. Maybe next time!

Wow! The food was good, fresh, and filling without feeling overfed. I like that they have Ineja that is gluten free but they also have an American wheat based version. Service was fine, ambiance is super casual. Good time was had.

I have visited this restaurant a few times. The management has changed since my first visit but the food is still good. My boyfriend and I normally get the 50/50 meat combo or the mehaberawi so we can try multiple meats and veggies in a sitting. Though I would not recommend getting the mehaberawi for two people if you're both starving. It's a good amount of food but potentially not enough to satiate two people. For drinks, I've gotten the cocktail with vodka and honey wine that's pretty good and the hot tea with cinnamon which I'd recommend for cold nights. I also think I keep coming back to this restaurant due to the warm ambiance. The dining area has great lighting and it just feels comfortable to me.

I can't remember the last time I LITERALLY STUFFED myself so much that my pants had to be unbuttoned but I sure did at Elfegne! Everything we ordered was DELICIOUS. I've had Ethiopian plenty of times before but I had always gone with vegans or vegetarians. I had never had any meat dishes before so we tried the lamb, chicken and beef along with other veggie options. I loved all the flavors and the level of spice was just right. Highly recommend and I would definitely come back. For those who may not be aware, please be prepared to eat using your fingers.

No frills, quick service, and absolutely A+ lamb, beef tibs along with veggie options as well. Also Ethiopian coffee is a additional winner. Cannot recommend this place more!

Took a group of 12 out of towners to Elfegne last night, and it knocked our socks off! Five stars doesn't seem enough to do justice to our experience, both food and service. Most in our group had never tried Ethiopian food, and all are now fans. The staff guided us in selecting a balanced and absolutely delicious introduction to the range of Ethiopian cuisine - all of it beautifully presented. They also took exceptional care of two of us who are gluten free. We can't stop talking about the experience. we'll be back! Michael M

I've been to this restaurant a couple of times in the past, but not since they changed their name to Elfegne. I came with a friend, and we both ordered the four veggie combination platter. We were there on a Monday, so it was nice and quiet. The service was spectacular. Before we ordered, the waitress brought us drinks and a sample of a bread with a special chili oil. She patiently let us pronounce all the menu items incorrectly while confirming our order (and pronouncing the items correctly). I'm not an expert in Ethiopian food, but it was delicious. As I mentioned, I've been here before, so I knew which veggie options I would like. The food was delicious and the bread was soft and flavorful. The portions are huge and a great value- my bill with tip was $20, and I definitely had enough food for two meals. We both ate slowly and were given plenty of time and space to catch up. The ambience of the restaurant is also nice. The big windows facing 18th street are great for people watching, and the interior was quiet but had nice background music and a great smell. I'm looking forward to coming back and getting a great mea for a great value!

Fun spot to try with a big group! The food was delicious, hot, and flavorful. The owner came and talked to us for a few minutes about her experience running the business, sourcing ingredients, etc. which was such a treat.

Went here for a second date. Service, food, and ambiance all 10/10. Sambusa appetizer was delicious. Stayed 3 hours - did not feel rushed at all.

The food is far too small in portion and severely under-seasoned. Their injera also has no flavor. If you actually enjoy Ethiopian, I would not go here. Nope nope nope, too much better Ethiopian in DC. We ate enough to satiate our hunger, left, and went to another Ethiopian restaurant to get our craving met. But two stars bc they were friendly.

My friends and I came here for a fantastic dinner during our visit to DC. We shared a bunch of different things - the Tegabino Shiro, the 6 Veggie Combo, and the Spiced Tea Pot. Service was really good and the food was even better! If I had to pick some favorite veggies from the combo, I would go with the red lentils, the cabbage, and the green beans. But you really can't go wrong. The Tegabino Shiro was a new dish for me. It was made of chickpeas and was very hearty. I'm glad we got the chance to try it! Come to Zenebech if you're in the mood for good Ethiopian!

DMV is blessed with so many great Ethiopian restaurants and Elfegne is definitely one of them. The menu is extensive and I ordered my usual vegetarian combo for takeout. All the dishes were delicious but my favorites are Mesir (spicy lentil stew) and Ater (split peas). The cabbage and beet salad were great refreshing options. The portion was generous for the price ($18). Although I only stopped by for a quick pickup, the host was very welcoming and got my food ready quickly. The interior of the restaurant looked cozy and there were a few families dining in. Will definitely be back to try more dishes!

My boyfriend and I stopped by because our standbys were either closed or didn't have seating. We really should have gone home. I got a bad feeling when I first passed the restaurant looking for another one (and it turns out that that place is closed, and this is what opened in its spot), and I should have listened to my gut and not gone there. But we were hungry, we're vegan, and we decided to give it a try. When I first entered, I smelled something burning. It turned out to be incense, but I found it unpleasant. We asked for a booth, but they said they don't give parties of two booths. Okay, then. (Later in our visit, a party of two was seated in a booth near us.) I do appreciate that they label their vegetable dishes as vegan. Great. But the shuro wat tasted more like gravy. The dish that was kik alitcha had the wrong texture. The timatim was pretty much like any other place. The portions were also tiny, tiny, tiny. I think they used a tablespoon to measure out the fasolia, which I didn't get to try much of because there was almost none of it. And it seems a lot of people eating there don't get that Ethiopian is a communal food experience. (One party near us had two separate platters.) I've had Ethiopian before. I've enjoyed it. This was not one of those times. I'm definitely not coming back.

Incredible food! I normally order the veggie platter with pretty much all the side options. My top picks: Tikel Gomen (cabbage potato), Kaye sir (beets), Timatim fitfit (tomato injera -cold), and gomen (collard greens). For meats, I love the derek tibs lamb. Each side is great on its own but so much goodness in flavor with mixing different sides together. I've ordered take out before and its holds up. The ambiance is casual and relaxed. I've had mixed experience with service in person but it's always worth the food.

I think I'm a bit spoiled when it comes to Ethiopian food. I know Elfegne has received excellent reviews and a Bib Gourmand designation, but I just wasn't really into the food. I ordered the 50/50 so I could try a few options, but basically only had the choice of 2 styles of meat served either mild or spicy. I found the beef to be chewy and lacking in flavor. The sides were also ok; the cabbage and beet salad were my favorites. I also found the service to be slow, despite there only being 3 occupied tables when I was visiting. I could probably eat injera for days, and will likely try my go-to of lamb tibs if I return. But I feel like there are surely better options in town.

DC Ethio/Eritrean classics. Food is always fresh and flavorful. Excellent ful with eggs is a fave for late breakfast. Sweet and kind staff. Big screen videos always blazing travel/food/music videos on two giant flatscreens. Nestled smack dab in the middle of the great Adams Morgan neighborhood. They are set up for coffee-making ceremonies but I would call ahead or ask the servers to find out when.

i've never had Ethiopian food before, but I was very excited to come in and try it today. Went in not expecting much but was very delighted with the food and my experience. Our server is great and even brought over a hot sauce for me to try when I said I really like spicy food. would definitely come back!

It was pretty open the night we came in, And where is that immediately. By looking at the menu, without hesitation immediately decided To order the combo which included four veggies and four minutes. I decided to go with the collard greens, the puréed chickpeas, the tomatoes, and the red lentils. I thought I wouldn't be able to finish it, but, by the end of it I was actually hoping for more injera. Great prices, great beef and chicken. Interior is nothing special but it's those places that are always the best. Based in AdMo I'd recommend this place to anyone visiting DC and he's looking to get our 'little Ethiopia' experience!

A good addition to the Adams Morgan and Ethiopian food scene - with high quality food at a very reasonable price. -- I visited here with 2 friends on a Saturday night for dinner. I used to live in the area and always wanted to visit Zenebach, so I was excited when I had the chance to visit here. The plethora of great East African food is one of the many reasons the DMV food scene is so special. I'm always excited try one I haven't visited before, even if I must admit my knowledge on the cuisine is relatively minimal. We came at 6:30, but the restaurant was almost completely dead at the time. However after about 30 minutes the restaurant both indoors and outdoors was filled with groups of patrons, ranging from 2-8 person groups. The restaurant is decorated with Ethiopian pictures, and I liked the traditional coffee set by the fire place. This restaurant is right in the midst of the bustle of 18th street, which on a Saturday night can potentially detract from the ambiance if you are trying to avoid the rambunctiousness of bar scene. The drink menu was a bit limited (no cocktails listed, although they did have a bar and a plethora of Ethiopian beers), so I just ordered a glass of Tempranillo to be paired with my heavier food selections. The wine was just OK and a bit above room temperature - might have just stuck with water or the spiced tea next time. For food - we ordered some Tibs Fefer to go with the Mehaberawi (combination of 4 meets and 4 veggies) for all of us to share, and I started with a Lentils Sambusa. My sambusa was a great pre-dinner treat with lots of packed flavors and spice. I was curious how much the jalapeno listed in the menu would come through, but to me it was very subtle and secondary to the well-seasoned lentils, black pepper and onions. The entree, which is meant to be shared by scooping pieces with injera, was phenomenal and what I expected. I especially really enjoyed the Tibs (stir-fry), and mixing and matching the veggies with the other meats. Because of how it was presented I actually don't fully remember which portion I liked the most, but I can attest that both the veggies and meat were perfectly seasoned and prepared. I wish I had taken a picture of the dish - it was enormous and way more than enough food for all of us. A lot of reviewers did mention the decent amount of flies that would hover around our food, and I noticed them as well. It was not a deterrent to my meal. Overall this was a very positive experience. As I mentioned earlier, there are so many great Ethiopian restaurants in DC and this is another great addition. For the price (about 30 per person for food and drinks with tip), Ethiopian food is one of the best values you'll have for the quality. I was torn between rating this a 4 or 5 star experience. The reason I decided to go with 4 is because although this was great, the quality an experience was on-par with many of the other good East African restaurants. While I would certainly be happy to come again, I do want to continue to try so many of the other great restaurants in the DMV.

I got the Mesir (spicy lentils) with Injera to go. It was sooooo tasty. Staff was nice, too!

Delicious beef tibs ferfer in a spicy sauce with red lentils and collard greens. Clean restaurant with fast and friendly service. I also had a nice cup of Ethiopian coffee. I'd visit again!

I guess it was my first time for Ethiopian food. I went in thinking that I had it before, but when the Injera came out I knew that I hadn't, but I was aware of how to eat it. For those who don't know, what you order comes on a plate of Injera (Ethiopian flatbread) and you pick up the food with the injera, no silverware involved. For an appetizer my wife and I had the stuffed jalapeno's. What I didn't expect was that the jalapeno's were raw. This was an assumption based on my naivety and jalapeno poppers. However, despite them being raw, I really enjoyed them. The stuffing was good and the jalapeno's were prepared nicely so they wouldn't be too hot. For our main course, my wife got the 50/50 meat combination and I got the 4 vegetable course with a side of the tilapia. For my 4 veggies I got the Timatim Salata (tomatoes), Ater (split peas), Mesir (red lentils), and Tikel Gomen (Cabbage). I thought all of them were good but nothing extraordinary. The tilapia was lightly coated and fried and was nice and moist and flavorful. My wife's experience wasn't as good. She did enjoy the veggies she got (collard greens and chickpea puree), but she barely touched her meat because she thought most of it was tough. The service was fine and the place itself is nice and clean.

Such a cool and interesting restaurant! The hostess and waitress were extremely hospitable and put together this combination platter for a table of 5. There was beef, chicken, lamb, short rib, and chickpeas. All of the meat was absolutely delicious, especially paired with the bread. Great service and meal, my only complaint was the price point for the quantity of food. This place is certainly rather expensive but I would definitely recommend anyone to try it!

This was some of the best Ethiopian food I've had. Very sizable portions and each meat dish came with 2 vegetable sides. Very great value for your money. My total came out to ~$70 which was split between 5 people.

Food was great, especially the tibs. But the place seems to be falling apart. 1. Heater was broken. We ate with our jackets on 2. No paper towels in the bathroom. Wipe hands on your jeans. 3. When we asked for hand wipes after the meal, the waitress brought us Clorox wipes. Sigh.

Elfegne is easily the best Ethiopian food in the District of Columbia. And that says a lot. I have lived here for decades and my neighborhood is known for Ethiopian food. This is truly the best. Big portions, great tasting food and an excellent service staff a great deal and a great dinner.

My first time having Ethiopian. The honey wine is a must. Doro Tibs is chicken sautéed with potatoes and jalapeños - very delicious and beginner friendly. Asked the waitress to help me pick out my vegetable options. Injera (the bread) was really light and delicious. AND bonus the leftovers kept really well and weren't soggy, as expected. I would highly recommend.

I felt like I was invited to my friend's home to experience his grandmas home cooking.

One of my favorite restaurants in DC. Delicious food and solid service at a decent price -- I'd highly recommend it to anyone, especially vegetarians.

This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and Elfegne was amazing. We ordered the meat combination and shared it easily between 3 people. The injera was soft and fluffy, and paired well with the rich flavors of the vegetables and meat. I appreciated how the food was not overly oily or salty-- it left me full and satisfied. It was a great meal overall.

Food is good, portions could be better for the price. The potatoes and lentils were a little undercooked but Overall, I would recommend this place. The service is somewhat slow, I waited a long time for a server to seat me, take my order, give me water, and the check. Other than that, this place is pretty decent.

Visited DC for the first time and everyone said to try Ethiopian food so I came here was blown away. I was not sure what to order or where even to start but my server Hermela guided me through the menu and gave me suggestions. We decided on trying the Elfegne Special Goden Tibs and they were so good! Hermela was kind enough to get me some special homemade hot sauce that I also loved! I tried a Ethiopian white wine as well as a beer. The white wine was on the sweeter side. Overall I definitely recommend trying this place you won't be disappointed!

Loved everything about this restaurant. Some of the best Ethiopian food I've had and everyone was efficient and friendly. Great value as well.

Had a beautiful time here with my friends who never tried Ethiopian before. Everything was just perfect. We like our server too. Also Their tea and coffee are so fragrant and rich!

Highly Recommend! Of the Ethiopian spots in DC that are still open, this place is tied for number one with Habesha. This spot is when you want Habesha quality food but with more of a restaurant-y ambiance or an outdoor option. It does not have the grocery store in front like Habesha, which can be both a plus or a minus, depending on if you cook yourself or not. They do make their own injera here though, and they used to have a brick and mortar injera bakery around 9th and U back in the 90s, so this place is Real Deal. Great Kitfo, but also more vegetarian options than a lot of places (only spot I've been to so far where they serve beets).

Ordered veggie combination, it was okish Not a big fan of Ethiopian food for sure after this experience. It is close to Indian food but somewhat far away from it at the same time, not sure how else to put it up Could have given 2.5 but not worth 3 star so staying put at 2

This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in DC. I usually order the 6 piece veggie sampler all to myself! Pictured here is ater, tikel gomen, Kaye sir, mesir, gomen, and fosolia. I've also had their shiro also and it is very yummy b Everything is relatively mild but it is still very flavorful and the veggies taste very fresh. The injeera is also delicious! I definitely recommend stopping by. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in ADMO, and I have never been disappointed with the food!

Delicious! Came all the way from nyc in part to try this place and it did not disappoint. Dol wat and mesier is must have. Big portions, good value, shared the 4x4 combo with 4 people

Food was great. Restaurant was a little busy on a Saturday night so my group of three sat at the bar. Get the honey wine!

This was my first time having Ethiopian food, and it was incredible. Amazing service, lovely restaurant, atmosphere, and the food was sensational. Our server, we loved her, she was so sweet. Took the leftovers home, and can't wait to eat more tomorrow! I will definitely be back!

Great food and helpful, attentive and friendly wait staff. The two of us split a platter of four vegetable and four meat servings over injera. We also got the lentil sambusa and a pot of spiced tea. It was the perfect amount of food with enough leftovers for a third person. This is located where Zenebech's was -- it's the same family just new leadership and a new name.

We love Ethiopian food and Elfegne did not disappoint. Good price point, really tasty food. The short rib tibs were memorable. Our waitress was super friendly and recommended a perfect combination for our table of four.