Family-owned and operated for nearly two decades, Cafe Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant has introduced many a newcomer to an authentic, aromatic and artful Ethiopian dining experience. Situated in the heart of Tempe, we pride ourselves on offering fresh, satisfying flavors (including many vegetarian and gluten-free varieties) in both a restaurant and retail setting.
We're known for our Ethiopian coffee as much as our cuisine, so come by for a traditional, fresh-roasted cup to accompany your meal or get you going on a slow day. If you're seeking a romantic evening out, a healthy and flavorful alternative to typical to-go options or just a warm, inviting atmosphere in which to enjoy a cup of Joe, try Cafe Lalibela for a taste of authentic Ethiopia.
We're known for our Ethiopian coffee as much as our cuisine, so come by for a traditional, fresh-roasted cup to accompany your meal or get you going on a slow day. If you're seeking a romantic evening out, a healthy and flavorful alternative to typical to-go options or just a warm, inviting atmosphere in which to enjoy a cup of Joe, try Cafe Lalibela for a taste of authentic Ethiopia.
Services
It's a match made in healthy-eating heaven. Cafe Lalibela has partnered with Whole Foods in an effort to offer our premium plates and products to a broader audience. From red lentils and yellow split peas to collard greens, cabbage, potatoes and carrots, there's an abundance of ethnic, vegetarian and gluten-free flavors you can now take straight off the shelves of your local Whole Foods grocer.
Reviews (22)
Jonah Yi
Feb 02, 2022
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Suguna M.
Feb 01, 2022
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Fabaal K.
Jan 19, 2022
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We've been coming here for over a year, we fell in love with the place after the first amazing try. The injera was fresh, the meat was always cooked and seasoned perfectly, all the vegetarian dishes were wonderful, and the serving sizes were more than enough to fill you with leftovers. The last three or four times that we've visited, they have given us old, dried out injera and the serving sizes were less than half of what they were originally. When we complained, they acted very shady towards us. We asked for fresh injera, they said it's too hard to make, as if the old, dry stuff
Paul D.
Jan 13, 2022
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Thomas T.
Jan 05, 2022
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Finn The Human
Jan 04, 2022
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I’m not impress yet on their food but I love the artwork and ambiance inside. I would like to try their other dish.
Updated: Definitely recommended their coffee, it's refreshing and taste god coffee, best with any kind of dish they have. If it's busy, couple of times they made the put little bit salty or less salt, or if you requested spicy, sometimes they made it unintentionally or intentionally (busy time) extra spicy.
Updated: Definitely recommended their coffee, it's refreshing and taste god coffee, best with any kind of dish they have. If it's busy, couple of times they made the put little bit salty or less salt, or if you requested spicy, sometimes they made it unintentionally or intentionally (busy time) extra spicy.
Aspen O.
Jan 04, 2022
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Really delicious! I get the gluten free injera which is perfect. I love teff as it's healthy, tasty & colorful. With having leftovers each time it's nice to use with other food at home. Have yet to learn to make it myself but this place makes it tasty. I get the cheese, beef & collard greens mix usually & generally mix them together in each scoop. The staff are friendly & take special precautions to ensure a safe gluten free eating experience so I've always felt fine after eating here. I generally eat a bit too much so am full after haha; too good to resist when you
Jimin Park
Jan 02, 2022
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Beautiful food and unique experience. So glad we found this place. Perfect for those who are tired of similar dine out options and looking for something different. I am not familiar with Ethiopian cuisine or how authentic their food is, but it is darn good food regardless. We had the combination platter for two people, and it was more than enough to feed two very starving adults. So many different kinds of meat and vegetable 🤤 Be aware however, some of the dishes pack some heat ♨️ We also tried the side of fresh made cheese. It was mild and soft- a fun addition to an already amazing food
Jared Hallenbeck
Dec 19, 2021
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Y’all ever wonder how beautiful the creation of the universe might have looked? Have you ever wondered how it could taste?!
Well, wonder no more. The food that’s made here must be crafted from stardust because it’s literally out of this world. The flavors of each dish is so unique and mouth watering. Each bite was like taking nibbles out of galaxies. So incredibly delicious. I wanted to try something new and eating plant based can be boring when eating out. The food here is some of the best I’ve ever had. 10/10 recommend to everyone.
Well, wonder no more. The food that’s made here must be crafted from stardust because it’s literally out of this world. The flavors of each dish is so unique and mouth watering. Each bite was like taking nibbles out of galaxies. So incredibly delicious. I wanted to try something new and eating plant based can be boring when eating out. The food here is some of the best I’ve ever had. 10/10 recommend to everyone.
Jacqueline D'Estries
Nov 22, 2021
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Went to this place looking for something new and we were not disappointed. Right when you walk in you are hit with the smell of delicious food and spices. We ordered the vegan platter and an appetizer and the flavors were incredible. My favorite were the red lentils, green bean dish, collard greens, and the cabbage and potatoes. Oh and the appetizer which was like gazpacho over spongy sourdough (best I can describe the flavor). The wait staff was very friendly, food was quick, can't wait to drag the kids back here!
Ivan Racic
Nov 16, 2021
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Jacob Schaffert
Nov 16, 2021
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Rong R.
Oct 19, 2021
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This is my first time trying Ethiopian food, and it was super delicious! Since my friends and I never had it before, we decided to get a platter that included all sorts of meat dishes on the menu. Everything was perfect. I particularly liked the sticky beef stew, which tasted like the regular beef stew but with stronger spices! The coffee was really tasty. It didn't taste that strong but had great flavor!
Elise Stempz
Sep 24, 2021
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Justin P.
Sep 13, 2021
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It was my first time here and it wouldn't be my last. The food was A-mazing. I went for a lunch special. I chose 3 out 9 choices which where spicy beef stew, spicy chicken stew, and green beans with carrots. They came with half rice half injera. The meat was so tender. The portion was good for the price of $9.99. This place is such a gem
Vivian H.
Aug 12, 2021
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Really amazing Ethiopian! Place is packed on a week night, that's a good sign!
Came with a hot hunk and it was his first time ever having Ethiopian! Like how is that possible?
He ordered the meat combo and I had 2 veggie sides. Ethiopian can be so filling so we opted to not share the combo platter.
The food here is out of this world! So tasty and fresh. I've eaten plenty of Ethiopian and this place was really awesome.
We had some great Ethiopian beers too (see photos).
I'll def be back and hopefully bringing more people to try it out!
Came with a hot hunk and it was his first time ever having Ethiopian! Like how is that possible?
He ordered the meat combo and I had 2 veggie sides. Ethiopian can be so filling so we opted to not share the combo platter.
The food here is out of this world! So tasty and fresh. I've eaten plenty of Ethiopian and this place was really awesome.
We had some great Ethiopian beers too (see photos).
I'll def be back and hopefully bringing more people to try it out!
Rtmk R.
Jul 02, 2021
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Located in a strip mall, this simple, unassuming, yet quite cozy and welcoming place serves up some of the best Ethiopian food you can find in Arizona. We tried their Vegetable Combination (fosolia, gomen, misr wat, and tikil gomen, served with injera and garnished with salad). We also ordered a separate plate of their
Yebeg Alicha Sega Wat (lamb stew). All these dishes were freshly made and tasted divine. We felt we were eating very healthy and tasty food. All these went down very well with their spicy, Ethiopian tea. There was just one waiter, probably because it was a Sunday but she was very
Yebeg Alicha Sega Wat (lamb stew). All these dishes were freshly made and tasted divine. We felt we were eating very healthy and tasty food. All these went down very well with their spicy, Ethiopian tea. There was just one waiter, probably because it was a Sunday but she was very
Liz J.
Jun 30, 2021
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Bananakin S.
Jun 25, 2021
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Wow, what a delicious meal. I got the lunch combination with the Spicy Chicken, Spicy beef, and mild beef. As you can see, they were very well prepared and rather tasty. However the mild beef was "mildly" disappointing (haha, just a little bit of a joke there for you) in comparison to the other two, which were phenomenal in every sense of the word. Anyway, this place was definitely really good. A solid 4/5. I will certainly be coming back.
Sophie K.
May 29, 2021
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Finally!! I've been wanting to try this place out and today was the day. And I'm so glad I did.
The restaurant itself is super cozy and cute, and there's a small "market" that they sell teas and other stuff.
I ordered sampler lunch special, it comes with three sides of your choice and either injera or rice, and first of all, I was satisfied with their portion, and most importantly it was so yum.
I chose all veggies for my sides and they were all flavorful and filling as well.
My friend got chicken as one of his sides and oh that was really good as well. I'mma
The restaurant itself is super cozy and cute, and there's a small "market" that they sell teas and other stuff.
I ordered sampler lunch special, it comes with three sides of your choice and either injera or rice, and first of all, I was satisfied with their portion, and most importantly it was so yum.
I chose all veggies for my sides and they were all flavorful and filling as well.
My friend got chicken as one of his sides and oh that was really good as well. I'mma
Beth L.
Jan 22, 2021
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Yum! Yum! Yum! So happy with my order and the service. Delivery was super quick and everything was in my bag. Prices are reasonable.
I really love the shorba a soup. It has lentils, carrots, potatoes, orzo, onion and vegetable stock.
I also ordered the Vegetable Combination Platter
so I could try a lil of everything. It came with injera and a small salad. The dressing had a little kick to it.
In order of my favorite:
fasolia (green beans)
misr wat (red lentils)
tikil gomen (cabbage)
gomen (collard greens)
I was pretty hungry when I ordered but quickly felt stuffed. It must be the injera
I really love the shorba a soup. It has lentils, carrots, potatoes, orzo, onion and vegetable stock.
I also ordered the Vegetable Combination Platter
so I could try a lil of everything. It came with injera and a small salad. The dressing had a little kick to it.
In order of my favorite:
fasolia (green beans)
misr wat (red lentils)
tikil gomen (cabbage)
gomen (collard greens)
I was pretty hungry when I ordered but quickly felt stuffed. It must be the injera
Gabi M.
Jun 20, 2020
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It has been over a decade since my original review for Cafe Lalibela... and while a lot has changed in 10 years, there are some things that have remained consistent. One of those things is the delicious, quality Ethiopian food that Cafe Lalibela is known for.
Tonight I ordered a salad and vegetable combination platter and I had it delivered... The salad was delicious and the perfect start to my meal, and since it had been awhile since my last Ethiopian meal, I forgot how much I enjoy the injera. It's all probably better when you dine in but thanks to Covid-19, I'm only cooking
Tonight I ordered a salad and vegetable combination platter and I had it delivered... The salad was delicious and the perfect start to my meal, and since it had been awhile since my last Ethiopian meal, I forgot how much I enjoy the injera. It's all probably better when you dine in but thanks to Covid-19, I'm only cooking
