Ottawa's Ethiopian food scene is small but steady, with family-run spots spread from Vanier to the Glebe to downtown's Byward Market. This list was put together from public reviews on Google, Tripadvisor and Yelp, restaurant websites, and local dining coverage. We could only verify six restaurants currently operating in Ottawa that are specifically Ethiopian (a couple of similarly named spots, including one advertised as Ethiopian in older listings, turned out on closer look to be Somali kitchens, and two former Rideau Street spots have closed), so this list runs six instead of ten. Every detail below traces back to a source we actually read this month.
1. Ibex Habesha
Area: Centretown, Laurier Avenue West · Rating: 4.9 on Tripadvisor (ranked #382 of 2,039 Ottawa restaurants)
Ibex Habesha was founded by an Ethiopian woman with a background centred on food, family and community, and it shows in the hospitality. Reviewers consistently describe the food as "exquisite," call out the injera specifically, and praise staff for warm, attentive service. It suits diners who want a sit-down, made-to-order experience rather than a quick buffet.
2. Hareg Cafe & Variety
Area: The Glebe, Bank Street · Rating: 4.6 on Tripadvisor, 40 reviews (ranked #294 of 2,455)
Hareg Cafe serves Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes out of a humble cafe-style space, and its vegetarian lunch buffet gets singled out repeatedly by reviewers as excellent value with varied, well-spiced options. One Tripadvisor reviewer called it "definitely the best Ethiopian restaurant in Ottawa," though a few others note service can be casual and slow during busy periods. Good for vegetarians and anyone who wants to sample a wide spread of dishes at once.
3. D'Afrique Restaurant & Bar
Area: Byward Market, Dalhousie Street
D'Afrique pairs Ethiopian cuisine with a bar and live-music atmosphere, decorated with traditional Ethiopian baskets and artwork. Reviewers highlight generous, shareable portions, especially the Afrique platter, along with friendly and efficient service even on busy weekends. It's a solid pick for groups or anyone wanting a livelier night out alongside the food.
4. Blue Nile Ethiopian
Area: Centretown West, Gladstone Avenue · Rating: 4.3 on Google (376 reviews)
Blue Nile runs a cosy, home-style dining room and is known for homemade injera that reviewers describe as perfectly spongy and tangy, paired with well-seasoned doro wat and vegetarian platters. It's frequently cited as budget-friendly with generous portions, though several reviewers mention service can run slow. Best for a relaxed, no-frills meal rather than a quick bite.
5. Habesha Restaurant
Area: Vanier, Montreal Road · Rating: 4.5 on Tripadvisor, 67 reviews (ranked #191 of 1,500)
Habesha is a casual, family-run spot in Vanier, the neighbourhood locals point to as the heart of African dining in Ottawa. Reviewers describe fresh, hot injera made to order, a strong lineup of vegan and vegetarian stews, and affordable pricing. It suits diners looking for an unpretentious, community-feeling restaurant over a polished dining room.
6. Delina's Restaurant and Bar
Area: Centretown West, Gladstone Avenue · Rating: 4.6 on Uber Eats (270+ reviews)
Delina's serves Ethiopian and Eritrean staples including shiro, tibs and vegetarian platters, with reviewers calling out the warm, accommodating hosts by name. Some reviews mention the room runs a little dark, but the consensus on food and service is strongly positive. A good option for diners who want the fuller Ethiopian menu (shiro and Delina's 5 Ways Special specifically get mentioned) alongside a bar.
How We Built This List
This list was compiled from public web sources, including restaurant websites, Google and Tripadvisor reviews, Yelp listings and local Ottawa dining coverage. It is not a paid placement, and no business on this list is affiliated with ottown. We looked for restaurants specifically serving Ethiopian cuisine operating in Ottawa right now; a few similarly described spots turned out on verification to be Somali or Eritrean-leaning kitchens rather than Ethiopian, and two previously recommended Rideau Street spots have since closed, so we left those off rather than guess. Last reviewed August 2026.
Sources: Best African & Ethiopian Restaurants in Ottawa, OttawaEats, Tripadvisor and Yelp listings for each restaurant named above.
