Massawa is one of the very first Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurants in the U.S., and has enjoyed a large following of patrons since its opening in 1988 in New York City. Everything we serve is natural, fresh, and of the highest quality. We offer exotic dishes, serving everything from spicy to mild flavors, and vegetables to fish, to meat.
While we're known for our hearty vegan and vegetarian fare, we also serve fish, beef, lamb, chicken, and shrimp. We truly have something for everyone. And if you prefer your dishes on the mild side, we can customize any dish to the exact spice level that you wish. Our food and culture lends itself to sharing, so many of our dishes are served on large platters accompanied by our fluffy injera bread.
While we're known for our hearty vegan and vegetarian fare, we also serve fish, beef, lamb, chicken, and shrimp. We truly have something for everyone. And if you prefer your dishes on the mild side, we can customize any dish to the exact spice level that you wish. Our food and culture lends itself to sharing, so many of our dishes are served on large platters accompanied by our fluffy injera bread.
Reviews (29)
Samantha G.
Jan 31, 2022
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Brendan T.
Jan 26, 2022
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Finally got a chance to visit this uptown Ethiopian mainstay. Well worth the wait. We started with the chicken sambusa, a deliciously crispy pastry pocket.
For mains we also ordered the shrimp and beef tebsi. Both were savory, berber rich, dishes that paired well with the sides of red lentils and collard green. Massawa's injera (Ethiopian fermented bread) was balanced and light.
Finally, the service was informative and the bartender put us on to Tej (honey wine). If you're in the Harlem/ Moorningside area, pull up.
For mains we also ordered the shrimp and beef tebsi. Both were savory, berber rich, dishes that paired well with the sides of red lentils and collard green. Massawa's injera (Ethiopian fermented bread) was balanced and light.
Finally, the service was informative and the bartender put us on to Tej (honey wine). If you're in the Harlem/ Moorningside area, pull up.
Hila Arbib Lwow
Jan 18, 2022
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La I.
Jan 09, 2022
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Lauren R.
Jan 05, 2022
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Massawa is good! Really good!
I have tried the Vegan Sampler ($23) and the Salmon Tebsi ($24). I wouldn't recommend the Vegan Sampler but then again I probably just picked the wrong selections for my palette. BUT The Salmon Tebsi was by far my favorite. Very flavorful! It was a fair portion of Salmon for the price. The Salmon meal was accompanied by 2 vegetarian/vegan sides. You are typically able to chose which sides you'd like, However, because I'm not well-versed in Ethiopian cuisine, I entrusted the waiter with any and all of my selections. Which was the right choice because
I have tried the Vegan Sampler ($23) and the Salmon Tebsi ($24). I wouldn't recommend the Vegan Sampler but then again I probably just picked the wrong selections for my palette. BUT The Salmon Tebsi was by far my favorite. Very flavorful! It was a fair portion of Salmon for the price. The Salmon meal was accompanied by 2 vegetarian/vegan sides. You are typically able to chose which sides you'd like, However, because I'm not well-versed in Ethiopian cuisine, I entrusted the waiter with any and all of my selections. Which was the right choice because
Char
Dec 19, 2021
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The food was delicious! I would definitely return and recommend a visit to Massawa. My friend had the lamb, my son had the shrimp and I had the salmon. All came with with white rice and a potato dish that consisted of carrots and cabbage. My friend ordered okra with her meal which I sampled and enjoyed. I had chick peas with my dish, it was pureed and spicy by choice. I sampled my son's shrimp and decided if I return I will order that, not that the salmon isn't worth ordering again. The shrimp dish had a somewhat sweetness to it. The restaurant setting is nice and intimate. We ordered just after
Brittany
Dec 16, 2021
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Chino P.
Dec 15, 2021
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Tuesday, December 14, 2021 around 5:30ish, party of 2.
We were warmly greeted, had our covid vaxx info and id checked, then were lead to a cozy table for 2.
The menu and payment was done by scanning a TOAST icon on the table.
We ordered ordered:
Chicken Sambusas, very fresh, crispy, and tasty.
We ordered 2 entrees ( lamb and chicken) which each comes with 2 veggie( double collards, red lentils, and cabbage) options on a shared platter.
Meats were flavorful and tender.
Collards were perfect as far as taste, texture, and presentation.
Red lentils were tender with some texture to them...pack with
We were warmly greeted, had our covid vaxx info and id checked, then were lead to a cozy table for 2.
The menu and payment was done by scanning a TOAST icon on the table.
We ordered ordered:
Chicken Sambusas, very fresh, crispy, and tasty.
We ordered 2 entrees ( lamb and chicken) which each comes with 2 veggie( double collards, red lentils, and cabbage) options on a shared platter.
Meats were flavorful and tender.
Collards were perfect as far as taste, texture, and presentation.
Red lentils were tender with some texture to them...pack with
Manuel Waser
Dec 15, 2021
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Vijay Raghavan
Nov 29, 2021
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Ainur
Nov 22, 2021
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A friend recommended this place. The food was great! We had a vegan amongst us, so we ordered a vegan option to share, and it was delicious. Also cool experience scooping the ingredients with the bread. The music was great too. Very talented musicians. It was an unusual pairing of the cuisine and music but it was definitely fun and great experience. I would come back if I'm ever in NYC again.
Michael K.
Nov 14, 2021
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Jennifer C.
Oct 31, 2021
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This is my second time having vegan Ethiopian food and I will certainly be having more. I
We had the vegan platter for two, which we picked up and evenly split in two containers (amazing) the portions were MASSIVE. Everything tastes amazing. The service and restraint ambiance was also great. I highly recommend to anyone who either loves flavorful food or is just hungry and in the area. So worth it!
We had the vegan platter for two, which we picked up and evenly split in two containers (amazing) the portions were MASSIVE. Everything tastes amazing. The service and restraint ambiance was also great. I highly recommend to anyone who either loves flavorful food or is just hungry and in the area. So worth it!
Adam Teckie
Oct 14, 2021
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Diana D.
Sep 25, 2021
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Chris E.
Sep 23, 2021
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I love Massawa, been going for 4 years of undergrad, typically order the spicy lamb stew with berbere, lamb kofta(???), and then some Tej honey wine. It's one of the better Ethiopian spots in the city, definitely on the level of the places in Midtown. Unfortunately, I don't think they have the traditional seating low down on the ground -- but that's not parent friendly anyway, haha. Good, attentive service, nice vegetarian/vegan options for those who are inclined in that direction. Overall solid spot, plan to keep going for years. :)
Isabel E.
Sep 16, 2021
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Ethiopian food rocks! It was my first time to try it in this corner East African bistro at the heart of Columbia campus. The injira was soft and sponge-like and went very well with the veggie and various stewed meats we sampled. The place teemed with students and university types lending to a lively and fun atmosphere. Taking away 1 star to an otherwise 5-star visit due to the lengthy service which we owe to the lack of servers-seemed only 1 lady was serving and taking orders and cleaning up for the entire resto. We salute her agility and trying to keep up with all demands that's why we maximized
Vivian S.
Sep 11, 2021
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Had the vegan sampler for brunch, for $23 not including tax and tip. I forget what each component was, but all of the samples were amazing! My favorite was the lentil one (starts with "T"). Service was great, ambiance was wonderful. They had a rum cake and sorbet options for dessert, though we didn't end up getting them. All in all a great experience! Will definitely be returning!
Tess C.
Sep 03, 2021
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The service at massawa when we came on a Tuesday night was absolutely abysmal. We ordered almost immediately after sitting and it took over 45 minutes for our appetizer to come out with absolutely no clarification for why no food was coming out of the kitchen for the entire restaurant. Seriously strange. It sounds like this was a one off occurrence based on the other reviews but it REALLY soured the entire experience.
The vegan platter for 1 was good, but by the time it came over an hour after we got there I was so starving I feel like I ate so fast without it even touching my tongue. Good amount
The vegan platter for 1 was good, but by the time it came over an hour after we got there I was so starving I feel like I ate so fast without it even touching my tongue. Good amount
Elizabeth Gish
Aug 29, 2021
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Talea C.
Aug 27, 2021
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Breana T.
Aug 11, 2021
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Hmmm. Got the lamb that was something like Tsebi beghe but this doesn't taste or have the texture of lamb. Meat is pretty tough. Perhaps a cut I'm not used to. Definitely don't think I'd reach for this again. Came with what seems to be atakilt and maybe a play on miser wot. I'd say both are just meh. Also had mixed sambusa-- lentil one was better but by far the most flavorful thing I had was the red sauce and pink vinegar that came on the side of those. I'm not sure if it's just an off time or what but this meal was definitely very disappointing and lacking. For
Ashish Kelkar
Jul 24, 2021
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Vivien C.
Jun 24, 2021
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Kitty Katt C.
Jun 20, 2021
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Billy L.
May 02, 2021
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Hunter S.
Feb 11, 2021
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This was amazing Ethiopian food! I've been burned in the past, but this was a fantastic delivery decision!
I ordered the vegan alitcha, which is stewed potatoes, carrots, collard greens, and cabbage, along with turmeric. It comes with two sides that are not named on the menu, but at least one of them is lentil based--I think it's yemisir wot, which is often made with garlic, onions, and ginger. It also came with what I think is shiro, which is a chickpea or bean purée with tons of spices added in. Both of them, as seen in my photos, were flavor-bombs that I loved scooping up with
I ordered the vegan alitcha, which is stewed potatoes, carrots, collard greens, and cabbage, along with turmeric. It comes with two sides that are not named on the menu, but at least one of them is lentil based--I think it's yemisir wot, which is often made with garlic, onions, and ginger. It also came with what I think is shiro, which is a chickpea or bean purée with tons of spices added in. Both of them, as seen in my photos, were flavor-bombs that I loved scooping up with
Karen London
Dec 09, 2019
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Jorge Alberto
Sep 08, 2019
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