Tsehay Ethiopian Restaurant And Bar

Extremely small portions for the price. We ordered 3 vegan samplers for $90 total, and I’m pretty sure they only gave us a portion for two (see photos). The food was delicious but not at all worth the high price. We’ve been to several other Ethiopian restaurants, and they gave us nearly double the food for half the price.

Tsehay in Washington, DC is easily one of the city’s standout Ethiopian restaurants. The food is rich, comforting, and packed with deep, traditional flavors that make every bite feel intentional and satisfying. If you’re a lamb lover, their lamb dish is an absolute must—tender, well-seasoned, and cooked to perfection. It’s the kind of dish that keeps you thinking about it long after the meal is over. That said, service was a bit hit-or-miss. One of the servers came off as slightly rude, which took away from the otherwise warm vibe. Still, the quality of the food more than makes up for it. If you’re in DC and craving incredible Ethiopian food, Tsehay is absolutely worth the visit—come for the lamb, stay for the flavors.

The place has a nice atmosphere and really welcoming staff. My issue is the price they charge you for the amount of food you get. The regular veggie platter is $30 for a sample of 3 oz of every vegetable dish they have. We ordered that for two, and I'm sure we didn't get any more than for the sampler for one. Paying $60 ($75 including tax and tips) for a plate of vegetables that you can get for $20-$30 at any other decent Ethiopian spot in the city is a rip off. I'm all for supporting family businesses, but just because you dim the lights at your place doesn't mean you should charge people whatever you want.

From start to finish, Tsehay was an amazing experience that I can't wait to have again. We made a reservation for 7:30 on Friday night and got there about 15 minutes early. We were able to get a table almost immediately and were treated with so much kindness and hospitality! We ordered the vegan platter and a bottle of wine, and did not leave a single crumb left behind. The food was excellent and the service was just as perfect. We were there to celebrate my friend's birthday and were given a complimentary dessert and a glass of champagne each! Thank you Tsehay for a 10/0 experience! I'm already looking forward to my next DC trip!

True gem in DC: friendly staff and delicious food. I ordered the Lamb Tibs, which were tender, but what surprised me were the greens. I loved how the sauce on the greens added just a little more complexity to the dish. Of course, the injera was nice and soft. Combined with the gentle lighting and atmosphere, this restaurant is perfect. It was my last stop in DC, and I would recommend Tsehay to anyone from out-of-town.