Vegan
Fast food
Delivery
Take-out
Catering
Gluten-free
African
Ethiopian
All vegan Ethiopian food with a twist. Black-owned. Est. 2018 previously in Colony food hall, and then USC on Figueroa St and moved here Sept 2021. Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-3:00pm, Mon-Thu 6:00pm-9:00pm, Sun 11:00am-4:00pm. Closed Sat.
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510 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, California, USA, 90401
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 07 Oct 2023 by JaneRichards
Update business info -
Added by condekedar on 24 May 2018
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38 Reviews
First Review by AdrienneJ
PaulinaWG
Points +278
4/5 - Edit
It's a very nice place with a promising menu. The first impression is great, but after a while, it feels like something is missing. The flavors are a bit too subtle
Read moreGuest
1AP1
Points +827
Very good - Edit
Lunch was really good, a few dishes lacked some spice but would def go again
Read moreGuest
Garry_Evans
Points +223
Interesting take on Ethiopian food - Edit
Interesting take on Ethiopian food. Had the lentil meatballs and mixed ice cream. Very tasty. Reasonable price. Recommended.
Read morePros: Tasty, Cosy, Reasonably priced
Cons: Serving size on the small side.
Guest
mrotis
Points +190
Creative Ethiopian - Edit
All the food here is delicious and some of their dishes have a nice spin on Ethiopian
Read moreGuest
GuðriðGuðjónsson
Points +104
Tasty Ethiopian food - Edit
Yum yum yum
Read moreGet the big plate of Ethiopian food and share 😍🙏🏻
Pros: They bring extra injera no charge
Guest
veganqueenofqueensnyc
Points +1299
Ethiopian with a (Latin) Twist - Edit
Having already indulged in Ethiopian cuisine back home in Brooklyn, NYC, I was eager and curious to try Berbere after reading some of the other reviews. (It also didn't hurt that it's within .25 miles of where I'm staying, and it was after dark.)
Read moreI loved it! My meal was mindfully curated by my server, Lui, who is so professional and knowledgeable about the menu, that I mistook him for the owner, or at the very least the manager...he deserves a promotion and a raise!
Anyway, the flavors/spices were well blended, and the presentation was very well done. I also appreciated the open kitchen, which allowed me to watch my food being prepared.
This was a satisfying, satiating meal, yet light; not heavy - just perfect for me, in the right place, at the right time.
RavishingRavenous
omg everything looks incredible!
Read moreveganqueenofqueensnyc
@RavishingRavenous it was! 😊
Read moreGuest
KerrieHarris
Points +263
Loved it - Edit
Great tasty food, good choice, especially loved the wish meal which was bigger than we expected too
Read moreGuest
Stephanie509
Points +103
Delicious! - Edit
Tasty, spicy Ethiopian food. Full table service.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-03-30
Guest
JaneRichards
Points +155
Overpriced cafe pretending to be a restaurant - Edit
Food is okay but very expensive for what is basically a buffet served to your table.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-03-08
Pros: Interesting dishes
Cons: Food not cooked fresh - you can see all the pots, Very cold on a March evening with no heating, No alcohol served
Guest
jzaylia
Points +191
OMG - Edit
The spices and flavors are so good! The service was also excellent. My friend and I came here for Sunday brunch; I had the pancakes, and she got the burger. I tried everything. 😂 I LOVED my pancakes, which came with potatoes and tofu scramble. Her burger was also amazing.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-01-14
Pros: Everything
Guest
StefanLoibl
Points +96
Great authentic food - Edit
We had the mixed Wish plate and it was just great.
Read moreGuest
Veganizeyourself
Points +66
Not as good as I thought - Edit
Didnt really have what I was looking for. Overpried.
Read moreGuest
YoAdrienne
Points +13
Savory and Then Some - Edit
Heard a lot about this spot and was excited to check it out. It didn't disappoint. We came in close to closing but they welcomed us with warmth. The Lentil Meatballs are incredible. Berbere really executes when it comes to lentils. I'd also recommend Eat the Rainbow so you can taste the range of flavors. The injera rolls with the lentil filling were good but the chocolate chip cookie was a little dry. Regardless, we'll definitely be coming back!
Read morePros: Exceptional service, Savory spices, Unique flavors
Guest
vagovegano
Points +5407
Not what I was expecting… - Edit
The food was not bad. I just think I should’ve ordered something else. I had the “Baked Cauliflower” which was better than my main entree, “The Flat Bread”. The dessert item I had was very good though. It was called “Sublime Confection”. I will give the restaurant props for ambience and service. The attendants were very nice.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-11-08
Pros: Good service, Nice restaurant space
Cons: Food lackluster, Parking in Santa Monica is always painful
Guest
DavidPTRZL
Points +156
Superb, Unique - Edit
Traditional Ethiopian fare but also much more from an owner/chef/artiste who is determined to innovate in style. She has turned the restaurant into a work of art and the food is phenomenal.
Read morePros: Excellent vegan traditional food, Beautiful and flavorful innovations
Guest
RocketGomez
Points +355
Great food and service - Edit
Dined here and loved it! I had a combo plate (forget what it was called) and every one of the dishes was delicious. My server, Conor, was knowledgeable about the food and a genial host. A top notch dining experience!
Read moreGuest
YolandaQuirozSoto
Points +18
Simply Delicious - Edit
I've been plant-based for 35+ years and have had Ethiopian food in other countries. The friend who was with me is not plant-based and had never had Ethiopian food. We both loved it. The food is great, service is amazing, and the design is cool. Please disregard the unfavorable reviews and treat yourself to Berbere.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-06-30
Guest
Banangela97
Points +2661
Good flavors - Edit
The wish meal is great to share and has a good variety of flavors. Kind service!
Read morePros: Nice inside
Cons: A little expensive
Guest
KatrinaJi
Points +300
Was expecting Ethiopian Food - Edit
I’ve been eating Ethiopian food for 20 years and have never been so underwhelmed. I ordered Taste the Rainbow as I wanted authentic Ethiopian food and this was not it. Plus they don’t even give you a full injera. You get 3 small roller injera and have to pay $1 per additional roll. The meal was $21 to start.
Read morePros: Great fundraiser event , Pure vegan , Wonderful staff
Cons: Food was underwhelming , Not very flavorful , Overpriced
Guest
vickerbasket
Points +1253
Friendly and Delicious - Edit
Came here on a Thursday night for dinner with a friend. Lovely decor.
Read moreWe ordered the wish meal, beet hummus and the tacos for the 3 of us to share. Our waiter was super smiley and seemed truly happy. The beet hummus comes with crisps and was pretty good. The wish meal has a little bit of everything and removes the decision fatigue. Every time I have Ethiopian I forget how filling it is. It always looks deceptively light but the injera expands inside you quickly so please hold off at 70% full! The tacos were decent but not the most memorable.
Overall, decently large portions, well flavored (maybe a bit salty given the water we had to drink later), and friendly atmosphere.
Guest
byoung2514
Points +252
Unique and delicious - Edit
I got the Wish Meal which was a combination of four different meals. I really liked almost everything on the plate and wish I lived closer to come again soon. The tofu tibs were a real standout.
Read morePros: All vegan, Unique food
Banangela97
Miss you💓
Read moreGuest
JoelineBischoff
Points +179
Great new food experience - Edit
I’ve never eaten Ethiopian food before and it was so delicious! It is all vegan and almost everything is gluten-free as well.
Read morePros: All vegan and organic , Gluten-free options , Friendly servers
Guest
supadupabee
Points +62
Not good... - Edit
Hate to give a low rating on a vegan place but my order was expensive and barely edible. The order took 45 minutes even though there was only 1 other person at the restaurant. The smoothie was chunky, could barely drink it through a straw, and the pancakes were really disgusting, took one bite and spit it out. Not sure if they mixed up an ingredient or something but it did not taste right at all. The Eat The Rainbow dish was edible but not that great, I've had much better vegan food at other Ethiopian restaurants. The decor of this place is beautiful, and the location is great since Santa Monica is really lacking vegan restaurants, but I would make the trek elsewhere or just eat at a place with options the next time I'm in the area.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-08-24
Pros: Good location, Nice decor
Cons: Food is bad, Expensive, Took way too long
Guest
MarcNicolaePopa
Points +58
Spectacular tastes - Edit
The ET Twist Tacos are incredibly rich in taste!
Read moreThe Breakfast Burrito is huge and easy to eat, and the fries are soo tasty!
Pros: Very tasty vegan food, Food in prepared on the spot, Good vibes
Cons: On the more expensive side
Guest
marvel_jen
Points +47
A Must Try! - Edit
I love this place. The owner/chef is so friendly and sweet. The food here is really really delicious and healthy. All the menu items I’ve tried so far are great, but my favorites are the tacos and the eat the rainbow. Please support this lovely female owned restaurant! You won’t regret it!
Read moreGuest
phytophile
Points +1184
You can eat there in their lovely restaurant. - Edit
The food was good. The injera was presented rolled up so it was interesting and fun. It was delicious.
Read moreI enjoyed this restaurant a lot
Updated from previous review on 2022-05-26
Pros: Unique food. Nice people. , Tasty, Beautiful presentation
Cons: Not cheap but not outrageous prices
Guest
ccporcu
Points +242
An enjoyable twist of Ethiopian - Edit
Our plates were quite tasty. The oyster mushroom flatbread was a tad oily. A terrific mix of flavors bursting with happiness.
Read morePros: Unique, Friendly and energetic staff
Guest
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