Kansas City's oldest Ethiopian restaurant, featuring traditional Ethiopian cuisine and culture. Located in the historic City Market. Catering is available for big and small events offering you a unique experience for your gathering. We are happy to cater for any size party. Broaden your taste buds and be ready to give your guest a special taste of Ethiopian culture.
Known for its vegan options and traditional dishes. Join us for our popular lunch buffet or enjoy our full menu and extensive drinks selection. We make our food tasty. in a healthy way! Our food consists of only the freshest, most tasty ingredients, including; traditional Ethiopian spices like berbere, mitmita, and Ethiopian butter.
Known for its vegan options and traditional dishes. Join us for our popular lunch buffet or enjoy our full menu and extensive drinks selection. We make our food tasty. in a healthy way! Our food consists of only the freshest, most tasty ingredients, including; traditional Ethiopian spices like berbere, mitmita, and Ethiopian butter.
Services
Catering is available for big and small events offering you a unique experience for your gathering. We are happy to cater for any size party. Broaden your taste buds and be ready to give your guest a special taste of Ethiopian culture. Please contact us for more information. We cater large events such as weddings, graduations, conferences, birthday parties and more!
The Blue Nile Cafe is located in the historic City Market, just north of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Head West on I-70 toward Kansas City. Just before entering downtown, follow US highway 24 West about a mile to take Exit 2F-Oak/Grand/Walnut on the right. Exit to Walnut Street, turn right (north) on Walnut Street, and you will drive right into the City Market.
Reviews (27)
Disa R.
Jan 30, 2022
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Eva Moreno Maldonado
Jan 22, 2022
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I absolutely loved this place. Authentic Ethiopian food with the nicest service. This here is a vegetarian plate I made choosing 4 of their options. The chickpeas and lentils were from another worlds. Absolutely amazing. And the vegetables were incredible too! We are sooo coming back and tasting the rest!!
It’s recommended 100%
It’s recommended 100%
Kerri Lacy
Jan 21, 2022
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I love this place. Service was great and food was great. I gave 4 stars only because it was kinda steamy in there and the smell permeated on my clothes and could smell for awhile, made me want to go home and shower again. The food is worth it though. I get the vegetarian sampler dish where you pick 4 different vegetarian dishes and they were all so good and plenty of food.
Kevin Bond
Dec 29, 2021
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Joy P.
Nov 30, 2021
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Never had Ethiopian food before and didn't know what to expect. Our waitress was super helpful in explaining the dishes, what her favorites were, and the types of "bread" we could get. We were originally going to take it to go and eat in the car traveling home and she talked us out of it, as the dishes are made to be eaten with your hands and could be pretty messy in the car! We ordered the sambusa to start with which was absolutely delicious-flaky pastry filled with lentils and veggies paired with a special sauce. The side dishes come out on top of the "bread" (I cannot
Bellamy Blake
Nov 27, 2021
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Disclaimer: We only got coffee!
That being said, it is a cafe therefore I believe a review of their coffee justifies itself, even though there is much more than just coffee to offer.
The art. It is so striking and beautiful, both aesthetically and in its scope. You can buy any piece, and they are curated by a woman who has made it her mission to create a space for black artists.
The food fills the establishments with keynote Ethiopian smells, akin to those of our favorite Ethiopian places back home.
The coffee is well balanced, not too acidic, and a medium-dark roast that should give you a
That being said, it is a cafe therefore I believe a review of their coffee justifies itself, even though there is much more than just coffee to offer.
The art. It is so striking and beautiful, both aesthetically and in its scope. You can buy any piece, and they are curated by a woman who has made it her mission to create a space for black artists.
The food fills the establishments with keynote Ethiopian smells, akin to those of our favorite Ethiopian places back home.
The coffee is well balanced, not too acidic, and a medium-dark roast that should give you a
La & Apos Trice M.
Oct 25, 2021
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Iris T.
Oct 23, 2021
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First time trying Ethiopian cuisine. It was delicious! I am excited to try more dishes. The vegetables sides were prepared perfectly and the lamb dish was plentiful. We had enough to share. I forgot to take a picture of the "bread" it was served with. It was spongy yet thin like a crepe and rolled like a jelly roll. Although not my favorite alone, it paired perfectly with our food.
Patrick Laney
Oct 17, 2021
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Heather S.
Oct 16, 2021
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Ordered food for takeout based on reviews. Everything was excellent!
I ordered a few dishes that I've never had before and everything was fabulous. I had the bread, yekik watt and gomen. I was so full that I saved the rest for the next day and was able to thoroughly enjoy all of those beautiful flavors again! So happy we made the stop here for our dinner.
I ordered a few dishes that I've never had before and everything was fabulous. I had the bread, yekik watt and gomen. I was so full that I saved the rest for the next day and was able to thoroughly enjoy all of those beautiful flavors again! So happy we made the stop here for our dinner.
Ally Mg
Sep 05, 2021
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So many amazing vegetarian options! The descriptions on the menu were super helpful. There were many varieties available. The bread that comes with the meal is very good. I forgot to get a pre eaten picture because I was too excited to try it. Would love to have this food again. I got the vegetarian combo where you get to pick 4 different dishes. I got 1, 5, 6, and 8 from the vegetarian side.
Hajir A.
Aug 29, 2021
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Pamela Z.
Aug 27, 2021
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Steven Hendricks
Aug 26, 2021
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Wasn’t sure what to expect as I’ve never had this style of food before but I was pleasantly surprised! The food was absolutely amazing. I got the sampler plate since I didn’t know what i would like and ended up liking it all!! The customer service was very good. Food came out quickly and the staff was friendly. Definitely would come here again. There is both indoor and outdoor seating here and has a nice atmosphere. Highly recommend!
Talya Belladonna A.
Jul 28, 2021
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Different and really good... The servers were friendly... There's outdoor seating too... They have a lot of vegetarian options. The only thing is I wish they indicated things that were spicy or not bc i had no clue and ended up with something too hot for me but there were samples of the other items as sides so we got to taste a bunch of things. Overall i would def recommend it. Also, easily accessible from the streetcar at the city market.
Sonya D.
Jul 27, 2021
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Melissa Arenson
Jun 18, 2021
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I just LOVE this place. I've taken 2 kids under the age of 14 and two adults (one of whom is exceptionally picky) and I am yet to find the person who doesn't love it here. The food is fabulous and affordable. Not sure what you like? They have well priced huge combo plates (listed as serving 2, but they really serve 3-4). Also many vegan and vegetarian options. The lunch buffet had limited options, but is a great way to experience variety. Wine is affordable, too.
Sarah M.
Jun 04, 2021
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Abby P.
May 14, 2021
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Delicious food and a good deal to order the vegetarian plate. You can pick three different things and you get two of the "bread rolls"...I should probably look up what they are called. Very crepe-y and great to eat the dishes with.
It's a pretty small place but a lovely location in the River Market. I'd always wanted to go, so I'm glad to have finally checked it out. I'm sure I'd order again!
I'm guessing from the menu, because it has been a while, but I think I got the Inguday Watt, Misir Watt and the Atikeltt. Each were delicious and I really can&apos
It's a pretty small place but a lovely location in the River Market. I'd always wanted to go, so I'm glad to have finally checked it out. I'm sure I'd order again!
I'm guessing from the menu, because it has been a while, but I think I got the Inguday Watt, Misir Watt and the Atikeltt. Each were delicious and I really can&apos
Mark C.
Mar 11, 2021
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Tonight's eating adventure was Ethiopian. This was a new thing for me, flavors were NEW. The flavors were spicy, sour, sweet and a combinations of all, really unique. Ordered the sampler platter, had 8 vegetarian and 3 meat (chicken, beef & lamb) dish samples. It came on Injera along with additional 5 pieces. Injera is an Ethiopian bread, thats sour fermented flatbread with a slightly spongy texture, traditionally made out of teff flour.
Spodaddyo O.
Dec 02, 2020
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Wandering KC looking for a local spot to enjoy lunch outside on a sunny Fall Saturday and stumbled across this gem. Great food, great staff. I had the veg lunch special and a hot tea. The buffet was closed due to the COVID so they're offering a "pick two" menu along with their regular full one.
Yes, a special on Saturday!
I apologize I can't remember the names of the dishes and that I'm too lazy to look them up (I'll go back and update the review later sometime). The food was delicious (spicy lentils, collards, that Ethiopian flat kinda sponge bread.
I also had a hot
Yes, a special on Saturday!
I apologize I can't remember the names of the dishes and that I'm too lazy to look them up (I'll go back and update the review later sometime). The food was delicious (spicy lentils, collards, that Ethiopian flat kinda sponge bread.
I also had a hot
Leah O.
Oct 03, 2020
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My mom has been wanting to try this place and I'm so glad we were able to!
We both got the veggie platters so that we could try each vegetarian dish. Shimbera Watt (#8) was our favorite out of the eight dishes they offer. Dinich Watt (#7) was our least favorite, but still very delicious. It just didn't pair as well with some of the dishes compared to the others. It was slightly tart compared to the others that were more flavorful.
This is a great place to take any vegetarian or vegan friends. We really appreciated being able to sit outside. They are also offering carry out and curb
We both got the veggie platters so that we could try each vegetarian dish. Shimbera Watt (#8) was our favorite out of the eight dishes they offer. Dinich Watt (#7) was our least favorite, but still very delicious. It just didn't pair as well with some of the dishes compared to the others. It was slightly tart compared to the others that were more flavorful.
This is a great place to take any vegetarian or vegan friends. We really appreciated being able to sit outside. They are also offering carry out and curb
Laura M.
Aug 24, 2020
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One of my favorite restaurants in Kansas City! I have tried several other Ethiopian restaurants in the area, but I keep coming back to Blue Nile. Their food is just the best. My husband and I usually split the sampler platter. He eats the meat parts, and I eat most of the veggie parts. From the lentils to the collard greens to the chickpeas, everything is fresh and flavorful. The servings aren't skimpy; we always end up with leftovers. We ordered for takeout this past weekend due to the pandemic, and the food was neatly packaged in containers with dividers, so all of the components stayed
Marisa K.
Jun 20, 2020
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Who knew that some legumes could have SO much flavor? I had been to Blue Nile years ago, but hadn't returned since going vegan until tonight... and boy, have I been missing out. Their vegan menu has SO many options, so of course I had to get the platter. Every single thing was so, so delicious, but the red lentils and chickpeas were my absolute favorite. I don't know what seasoning they're using, but it's addicted. And the injera! Spongey, sour bread that soaks up all of the delicious gravies. This food was delicious, inexpensive, and easy to pick up via curbside. I will be
Joshua B.
Feb 17, 2020
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This is a little Ethiopian cafe near the market area of Kansas City. The service was good and the space was clean. The unique thing about Blue Nile is the lunch buffet. It's more cafeteria style where you point out what you want and someone dishes it out to you. However, it's still all you can eat. The negative is that the flavors seemed muted compared to many other Ethiopian restaurants I have been to. The injera wasn't as sour, the Dora Wat didn't smack you in the face with super unique spice blend. The flavor was there, just not full. So, quantity... yes, quality, for Ethiopian
Chris L.
Nov 23, 2019
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I am all for food adventure and am very glad to find an Ethiopian restaurant in the city market. Since I have never tried Ethiopian Cuisine before, I didn't know what to expect. Once we stepped into the restaurant, someone greeted us and have us seated right the way. There were only a few customers dining at that time. Since most people ordered buffet for lunch, we have decided to give it a try. Unlike a typical buffet where you will pick and scoop the food you like, you have to tell them what you like in the buffet counter and the server will scoop the food up for you. Perhaps it's a
Erica F.
Mar 29, 2019
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Located by the Market area in the fun downtown Kansas City this is an exotic option for lunch.
The parking around the area is not difficult, although street parking can be a bit difficult, there is plenty of metered lots around and when we came for lunch over the weekend it was not difficult at all to get the car parked.
They have a very rustic looking and the eating experience is fun and very easy. they also have plenty of seating and a great service.
Our waiter was pretty attentive and fast to explain how the lunch experience worked.
Here you have a cafeteria style all you can eat.
The
The parking around the area is not difficult, although street parking can be a bit difficult, there is plenty of metered lots around and when we came for lunch over the weekend it was not difficult at all to get the car parked.
They have a very rustic looking and the eating experience is fun and very easy. they also have plenty of seating and a great service.
Our waiter was pretty attentive and fast to explain how the lunch experience worked.
Here you have a cafeteria style all you can eat.
The
