Beer/Wine
African
Ethiopian
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Ethiopian food includes many spiced vegetable and potato dishes; has rotating vegan specials. Kitchen rests from 2:30-4:30pm. Open Tue-Sat 11:00am-9:00pm.
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1312 Michigan Ave, East Lansing, Michigan, USA, 48823
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Last update on 24 Oct 2020 by Queensnake88
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Added by condekedar on 28 Dec 2014
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24 Reviews
First Review by AngelaSnyder
sassy.mango
Points +177
Delicious Ethiopian Food - Edit
Shared a lunch veggie feast for 3 and it was delicious! My favorites were the mild split yellow peas and the salad. The spicy lentils were definitely spicy for me 😋 The meal was healthy and light yet filling too. Definitely recommend it!
Read moreGuest
carmelocapuchin
Points +919
Been eating here for the past 25 years!!! - Edit
Customer for life. Amazing food, I went through phases of eating it every day. Absolutely delicious! Healthy, yummy, what more could you ask for.
Read morePros: Delicious , Food is consistently delicious , Only Ethiopian place in town!
Cons: None
Guest
paigestearn
Points +249
Very tasty but pretty expensive - Edit
I liked the amount of vegan options, however it is quite expensive here. Very tasty food though!
Read moreGuest
Abbatosaurus
Points +350
So good! - Edit
One of the best Ethiopian food I’ve had in a minute! So good!
Read moreGuest
dannyfritz
Points +79
Delicious Ethiopian Food - Edit
Got a vegan platter to share with the table. Everything was delicious.
Read morePros: Vegan options, Very tasty, Fast and friendly service
Guest
illusionary
Points +32
Amazing food - Edit
They have very tasty food and most of their vegetarian options are also dairy-free.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-06-27
Pros: Tasty vegan options
Cons: Poor labeling, Bread gets soggy real fast for takeout, Closed on Sundays/Mondays
Guest
TimesTen
Points +127
Delicious and Filling - Edit
Altu’s has many vegetarian options (that are also vegan). Everything I’ve had here has been delicious! And very filling.
Read morePros: Many vegan options , Great tasting , Helpful Employees
Cons: Expensive
Guest
CourtneyMason
Points +732
Authentic Ethiopian Food - Edit
The vegetarian platter is all vegan and we all loved everything included, even our toddler loved it. The portions are huge; my husband, daughter (2 y/o) and I all shared the platter and we couldn’t even finish it. We also tried a vegan samosa and it was delicious! The menu has extensive vegan options and we will definitely be going back to try out other dishes, I posted photos of the menu. Everything that is listed as vegetarian is vegan. My husband also had two cups of their house tea and loved it.
Read morePros: Authentic, Large portions for good prices, Friendly
Guest
CayleeOCon
Points +92
Affordable, great for sharing - Edit
I got the vegetarian feast for two with a friend. We also got spiced tea. Everything we had was vegan. It was a nice variety of flavors. It was very interesting. You use the bread to dip into the different foods. Very healthy and clean. Felt good eating it and staff was very friendly. Would highly recommend.
Read morePros: Good vegan options , Affordable and fast , Big portions
Guest
melanierogers
Points +20
Fantastic food and friendly staff. - Edit
Great selection of vegetables for the vegetarian combo, and daily specials.
Read morePros: Love the cabage and their sabosas.
Guest
Cassandraopper
Points +28
Delicious Food - Edit
Lots of options for vegans and those who are gluten free. Really yummy food.
Read morePros: Gluten free options, Good vegan options
Guest
KaylenaBecker
Points +335
THIS PLACE IS AMAZING - Edit
East Lansing has a whole lot of chain restaurants so it is nice to have a tasty place to eat. I had never had Ethiopian food before, but I was blown away. a friend and I shared the vegetarian feast, which is all vegan! It said it serve 2-3, but I would argue it was better fit for 3-4 people because we were so stuffed after. the feast for 2 was $30 total, but worth every single penny! I ask everyone I know to go there with me now. They also have this amazing tea which was a perfect mix of spices, I wish I could buy that tea and take it home with me! Overall an amazing experience here and would recommend to anyone living in or visiting the Michigan State area! I would give it 5 stars, but I cant since its not fully vegan, but you get the message, IT'S AMAZING!
Read moreGuest
bootybunches
Points +265
Some of the best vegan food in EL/L - Edit
This place is the BOMB. I’ve been here a ton of times. I always get their veggie combo with spicy pinto beans, chickpeas, collard greens, and spicy lentils. Their smoothies are also great (just ask for no honey). LOVE the cabbage. If you haven’t been here and you’re a vegan in EL, go!! It’s legit some of the best Ethiopian food I’ve had so far. Main con is it’s kind of pricey.
Read morePros: Delxiious, Worth it, Super filling
Cons: Pricey
Guest
JulieFrancine
Points +102
Best Lima beans! - Edit
I really like to have lunch here. My fav vegan option is the Lima beans with the Ethiopian bread. Delicious!
Read moreGuest
AbigailKuplicki
Points +93
Favorite restaurant in East Lansing - Edit
Altus has been a favorite of mine living in East Lansing for the last two years. I go there about every other month at least, and it’s always a top choice when I’m looking for a bite to eat. The whole vegetarian section of their menu is vegan, and you can get rice instead of injera (the bread) for a gluten-free option. Their tea is also really good. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for something fun, tasty, and not too expensive!
Read moreGuest
TrinaRowell
Points +104
love it - Edit
Great Vegetarian platter to share with my parents. One bayonet injeri (sp?) Made all of our tummies sing. We go back every year when I visit Lansing. They brought extra injera (dipping bread)for free which really helps make the meal last and enjoyable.
Read morePros: healthy vegan food, friendly & reasonable, cultural
Guest
MacKenzieDubay
Points +25
My favorite non-vegan East Lansing restaurant - Edit
Whenever my friends and family want to get a solid meal in East Lansing I bring up this place. It's on the pricier side if you don't share, but the amount of food they give you is incredibly filling.
Read moreGuest
mike312
Points +24
favorite vegan option in east lansing - Edit
Great Ethiopia restaurant with very nice service and tons of vegan options. I always want to eat here when visiting EL but don't always get to as some relatives don't like Ethiopian food.
Read morePros: food, service, vegan options
Guest
taylormarcelle
Points +50
veggie options, try mitmita - Edit
amazing combo platters, try with mitmita or house hot sauce quo quo cha if you like a kick
Read morePros: tons of vegan options, variety of flavor, great bread
Guest
SureJohn
Points +114
Maybe my favorite restaurant in the Lansing area - Edit
Several delicious vegan options to choose from. I always get the vegetarian combo, where you can choose any four of the vegetarian items. I usually get two helpings of the mild Lima beans (my favorite), the spicy ground peas and greens, and the mild garlic lentils. You can get it with "bread" or rice. The bread used to be somewhat bitter, but now it's very yummy so that's what I get (google "injera bread"). It also comes with a small but tasty side salad and collard greens on the side, so you end up getting a scrumptious variety. It has a bar with beer on tap and wine (and maybe liquor/mixed drinks?). Nice cozy atmosphere.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2016-08-15
Pros: Delcious Ethiopian food
Guest
NicoleKeverne
Points +26
Great place with lots of vegan options! - Edit
I LOVE Altu's! Even before I was vegan, this was a place that I loved to go eat at. The food is flavorful and warms the soul. They have TONS of options for vegans and vegetarians. As another reviewer said: All of the options in the vegetarian section of the menu are vegan except for the sambusas.
Read moreWhen I come for lunch, I like to get the lima bean lunch special and a smoothie. The smoothies are made without dairy, but they do have honey in them, so if you're vegan you'll have to ask them to omit it. For dinner I like to get the sample dinner platter, which is a combination of any four dishes. I think the spiciness of the hot dishes are perfect, but they have been a little too hot for my friends and family. While you cannot get an already spicy dish made more mild, you can order a mild dish and ask for them to add a little heat. I love the cooked greens, lentils, chickpeas, and lima beans. For lunch or dinner, I always prefer the injera bread to rice. It's fun to tear and scoop up your food! I think the portion sizes are good; you definitely get a lot of food!
They also serve alcohol, which is nice if you want to grab a drink with company. They also have great iced and hot spiced tea if you want a little pick-me-up. The atmosphere of the restaurant is nice, semi-quiet, and cozy. I've only had exceptional service here. The restaurant is small and can fill up quickly and there isn't a ton of parking out front. Overall, I would have given this place 5/5 but because they are a non-vegetarian restaurant, I can only give them 4/5 happy cows!
Pros: Great variety of vegan/vegetarian option, Awesome service , Serve alcohol
Cons: Small and can fill up quickly, Little parking
Guest
emmawin
Points +237
Wonderful food - Edit
I went here with family - we all enjoyed our meals. I got the vegetarian combo with rice. The side of cabbage is fantastic, but I didn't like the salad. The spicy dishes were spicy, but not as spicy as some Ethiopian food I have had. I ended up getting two spicy dishes and two mild - that was a good level of spice for me.
Read moreThe server said that all of the options in the vegetarian section of the menu were vegan EXCEPT their sambusas, which is something like an Ethiopian version of samosa.
Pros: Many vegan options, Knowledgeable staff
Guest
KellyDancer09
Points +16
Amazing Ethiopian - Edit
I'm from DC, where we have a ton of Ethiopian restaurants. It's one of my favorite cuisines, and this is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants I've ever been to. Great food, wonderful flavor, good service, and nice local beer selection on draft.
Read moreGuest
AngelaSnyder
Points +32
love from the first whiff - Edit
I made it two feet inside the door when the aroma of spices and herbs hit me, and it made me smile . . .
Read moreAnd it just kept getting better. This was my first experience with Ethiopian food and it will NOT be my last at Altu's. . . was pleased with my food options and choices. The food came out quickly and was DELICIOUS!! To say it was a party in my mouth doesn't even do it justice. So many flavors to enjoy and savor!! Delightful atmosphere, very knowledgeable wait staff. . . just a very pleasant experience. If you're in East Lansing, this is a MUST
Pros: ample serving sizes, tremendous pricing, delicious food
Cons: not much parking
Guest
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