By Elizabeth SanFilippo

Ethiopian cuisine may not be widely available in Chicago, but a few key spots have defined what the Ethiopian dining experience is all about: loyalty and family. Break bread, or injera, with loved ones and friends and scoop up shared dishes full of flavor and spices. To put it more clearly, forget the utensils here because you’ll be eating with your fingers.

Photo Credit: Ethiopian Diamond

Ethiopian Diamond
6120 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 338-6100
www.ethiopiandiamondcuisine.com

Hours: Mon to Thurs, Sun – 11 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Fri to Sat – 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Widely considered the best Ethiopian restaurant in the city, Ethiopian Diamond offers injera – or traditional Ethiopian bread – with every entree. That’s because the bread replaces utensils, so you can scoop up every extraordinarily tasty and spicy bite. The enormous plates of fresh, traditional food is passed around the table and shared by all. Don’t worry if you lack scooping confidence though, because utensils can be requested. The Assa Special is the menu’s best option and comes with an entire, skin-on tilapia fish. Ethiopian Diamond also offers an all-you-can-eat buffet on Sundays for just $13.95.

Photo Credit: Abyssinia

Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant
5842 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 271-7133
www.abyssiniachicago.com

Hours: Mon to Thurs, Sun – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri – 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Sat – 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Ethiopia was once known as Abyssinia, and as such, this Edgewater family-run restaurant respects tradition with its beef, lamb and vegetarian options. All entrees are very affordable, with everything under $15. To end your meal, the cozy restaurant offers a tasty Ethiopian coffee, similar to espresso, that comes in an ornate jug. While the food makes the trip worthwhile, the staff is small and meals often take longer than a typical American meal. This place is also BYOB, so bring drinks of your choosing. Pack ingredients for mimosas, for instance, for Abyssinia’s breakfast options on the menu. Order the Foul dish – don’t worry, the name is misleading – which is a combination of crushed fava beans flavored with onions, jalapeños, cheese and tomatoes, great for piling atop the accompanying french bread.

Related: Best Finger Food in Chicago

Photo Credit: Awash

Awash
6322 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 274-0784
www.awashethiopianrestaurant.com

Hours: Daily – 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Awash, named after a market town in Ethiopia, is traditional in both cuisine and furnishings. With its lime green facade and straw-woven tables, this restaurant has many reasons for attracting ex-pats. Its spicy dishes, including the best-selling chicken and hard-boiled egg stew Doro Wat, complement other more unique dishes visitors won’t find in the neighboring Edgewater Ethiopian establishments. For those who enjoy lamb, order the Zilbo Plate, which comes with a unique combination of lamb, collard greens and potatoes in a mild yet flavorful sauce. All of Awash’s dishes offer very generous portions, and the restaurant has a full bar. Order coffee after your meal; Awash has it imported directly from Ethiopia.

Photo Credit: Demera Ethiopian Restaurant

Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
4801 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 334-8787
www.demeraethiopianrestaurant.com

Hours: Sun to Thurs – 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri to Sat – 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

This Uptown hotspot creates traditional Ethiopian food using fresh, authentic ingredients. What’s more, Demera has traditional music played during the weekends, complete with dance lessons. Like other Ethiopian restaurants, be prepared to eat with your fingers. If you insist on a fork, however, just ask. The honey wine is absolutely stellar here and a perfect complement to the spicy food. One of the restaurant’s best spicy plates is the Ye-Shrip Wot. This dish comes with a whole, pan-fried fish seasoned with onion, garlic, jalapeño, awaze and a special Ethiopian spice.  End your meal with one of the traditional coffees, roasted in house.

Photo Credit: Lalibela

Lalibela
5633 N Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 944-0585
www.chicagoethiopianrestaurant.com

Hours: Tues to Sun – 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In Ethiopia, Lalibela is known as a town of beautiful, centuries-old churches. In Chicago, Lalibela is known as a newcomer to the Ethiopian restaurant scene, having opened in 2008. This new addition to Chicago offers delicious menu items including vegan, vegetarian and meat options. The Andersonville restaurant was voted as one of the 100 Best Eats in Chicago in 2008 by Time Out Chicago. All entrees are nicely priced, with nothing over $15. Try the Vegetarian Combo, the perfect way to get to know Ethiopian cuisine. These combinations come with your choice of any four vegetarian entrees, so cater to your specific tastes and choose accordingly. Lalibela is BYOB for beer and wine, and they do not charge a corkage fee.

Photo Credit: Ras Dashen

Ras Dashen
5844 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 506-9601
www.rasdashenchicago.com

Hours: Sun to Thurs – 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Fri to Sat – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Ras Dashen has received rave reviews over the years, including a 2011 Michelin Guide recommendation, and for good reason. The hearty comfort food from the mountains of Ethiopia brings the right amount of spice that can be washed down with some international beers, of which there are 25 here including a few direct from Africa. The Qelulu Plate is among the tastiest on the menu, served with slices of slow-cooked steak flavored by shallots, garlic, ginger, berbere sauce and spices. For those going gluten free, call 24 hours in advance to enjoy the injera specially made. Adding to the ambiance, Ras Dashen often offers live traditional music on weekends.

Related: Best South American Food in Chicago

Elizabeth SanFilippo is a freelance writer, who enjoys trying new foods from all over the world. But her favorite city for culinary treats will always be Chicago. When not writing about food, she’s scribbling novels, and TV show reviews and recaps. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.