Enssaro Ethiopian Restaurant

Enssaro is a solid Ethiopian lunch option in Oakland, not far from Lake Merritt. The dining room feels cheerful albeit a bit dark and slightly worn, with hardwood floors that make the space pretty loud even when only a handful of people are inside. I ordered the meat sampler for one, which comes with several Ethiopian stews served on injera. Everything was tasty with rich spices and good variety across the different dishes. That said, the dishes here don’t really stand out compared to better Ethiopian food in the Bay Area. The meal is eaten traditionally with injera instead of utensils, which is fun but can be a little challenging to manage gracefully. Lunch cost about $30. Overall, seems like a dependable if not standout spot for Ethiopian food. Also, they’re moving to Rockridge soon.

Came here for a date night with my girlfriend. Phenomenal. Didnt have to wait and every staff member was very respectful and kind. We did the dinner for two special which cost $60 but comes with 2 cocktails and a meat/veggie platter to share. Everything was so good and there are so many options so even if you dont necessarily like one thing, there's something else you will. We almost finished the entire platter but still had some leftovers. The honey cider and honey wine were also delicious and had a unique flavor. Highly reccomend checking out this spot :)

Authentic, Family-Owned Gem near Lake Merritt! If you are looking for some of the best Ethiopian food in the Bay Area, look no further. We came here for Sunday lunch and were able to find a table easily. Parking was also relatively stress-free with metered street spots right out front and more near the park and lake. The Atmosphere: I love that this is a true family-owned business and the place has some cool ethnic decor. The mother is the head chef, the son manages the bar, and the daughter is the hostess. We chatted with the son and daughter, and they couldn't have been friendlier or more accommodating. It gives the place such a warm, welcoming vibe. The Food: We ordered the Meat and Veggie Sampler for 4, and it was an absolute feast. Every single dish had a distinct, unique flavor pro

Photos don’t show how massive these portions are! We were a party of 3 and ordered a veggie/meat combo for 2 and the kitfo, which we thought would be the perfect amount of food, but we ended up eating at most 2/3 of the meal. Everything was delicious with a range of heat levels. They refilled our injera throughout our meal. Very attentive and kind service. My favs included the chicken and the cabbage. Would 100% come back again!

First time trying Ethiopian food and wow, it did not disappoint! 🌟 If you’re stuck in a routine, this is your sign to step out of your comfort zone and dive into new flavors. Honestly, this was a 10/10 experience from the moment I walked in and placed my order over the phone 📞. The staff here are so caring and welcoming—they truly made my first Ethiopian food experience special. Even though I never grew up with an Ethiopian friend, I’m so happy I finally took the leap to try something new and support a local business here in the Bay Area. If you’re looking to spice up your food game, I highly recommend giving this a shot! 🌍✨