Your hosts, Helen and Afework, are gracious and friendly and the ambience is relaxed and comfortable. Located in the heart of downtown Kitchener, East African Cafe offers excellent, authentic East African cuisine at very reasonable prices. Central to our dishes is injera, a yeast-risen flatbread on which various minced vegetables and savory stews are served.
Patrons use the injera, rather than utensils, to pick up morsels of food, usually from a large platter shared with family or friends. For lunch and dinner, we offer many vegetarian dishes, such as misir, made from split red beans or lentils, and ater alicha, made from yellow peas. We also serve non-vegetarian dishes such as alicha tibs, made from lamb, and kitfo, made from lean beef.
Patrons use the injera, rather than utensils, to pick up morsels of food, usually from a large platter shared with family or friends. For lunch and dinner, we offer many vegetarian dishes, such as misir, made from split red beans or lentils, and ater alicha, made from yellow peas. We also serve non-vegetarian dishes such as alicha tibs, made from lamb, and kitfo, made from lean beef.
Services
Split red lentils cooked in a spicy red pepper sauce and blended with finely chopped onions and garlic. Lightly spiced vegetable stew of cabbage, carrots and potatoes with finely chopped garlic. Spring mix garden salad with chopped tomatoes, served with our delicious house vinaigrette dressing. Tender cubes of lamb or beef sauted with onions and specialty spiced butter, served with house salad.
It's very rare to find a restaurant that feels like you stopped by a friend's place for dinner, but that is exactly what the East African Cafe is. Every time we go there, we are greeted in the same warm manner. The menu isn't large, it's just good. Everything is consistently excellent. We always get the vegetarian platter and shiro.
Reviews (28)
Meron Haile
Jan 01, 2022
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Akycha Surette
Oct 13, 2021
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Anirban K.
Sep 28, 2021
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Anna F.
Sep 21, 2021
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Mike C.
Nov 15, 2020
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Ordered take out, two large portions that lasted two adults for a full dinner and lunch, for $40.
First time trying East African food and it was very good! The platters come with many flavourful options and a lot, A LOT; of the “bread” (injera).
We found the vegetarian options were the most flavourful.
They were able to make the food less spicy for us, though I would recommend the heat if you can handle it.
Highly recommend calling about 15-25 mins before hand to give them time to prepare, if ordering take out.
Sadly we had to eat the food 3 hours after ordering (our own fault), but even
First time trying East African food and it was very good! The platters come with many flavourful options and a lot, A LOT; of the “bread” (injera).
We found the vegetarian options were the most flavourful.
They were able to make the food less spicy for us, though I would recommend the heat if you can handle it.
Highly recommend calling about 15-25 mins before hand to give them time to prepare, if ordering take out.
Sadly we had to eat the food 3 hours after ordering (our own fault), but even
John Chen
Nov 10, 2020
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Yogiyesa
Jul 22, 2020
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M. C.
Jul 18, 2020
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Pickup service was excellent! Nice warm friendly greeting on pickup.
All that was ordered was correct with my order. Price and portions totally worth it.
5 stars because vegetarian/vegan options on their menu. The food was flavorful, well-spiced, delicious and satisfying. So delicious I went back a few days after to order the same thing.
It's nice to have delicious vegan options. Highly recommended by me.
No complaints : )
All that was ordered was correct with my order. Price and portions totally worth it.
5 stars because vegetarian/vegan options on their menu. The food was flavorful, well-spiced, delicious and satisfying. So delicious I went back a few days after to order the same thing.
It's nice to have delicious vegan options. Highly recommended by me.
No complaints : )
Chantelle Z.
Sep 02, 2019
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Jesse Joynt
Aug 23, 2019
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J.
Jun 17, 2019
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We wanted to try an Ethiopian restaurant and the East African Cafe came up on a Google search, so we decided to give it a try since we wanted something vegan.
City owned paid parking is available on the side of the building just a few steps from the cafe.
We arrived at 3:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon and noticed there were only two other patrons inside. The inside of the cafe is well worn. It's an older building with a lot of African decor. We noticed it's not the cleanest restaurant as we saw a lot of dirt on the window frame and floor. The men's restroom seemed like it hadn't been cleaned in
City owned paid parking is available on the side of the building just a few steps from the cafe.
We arrived at 3:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon and noticed there were only two other patrons inside. The inside of the cafe is well worn. It's an older building with a lot of African decor. We noticed it's not the cleanest restaurant as we saw a lot of dirt on the window frame and floor. The men's restroom seemed like it hadn't been cleaned in
Alison F.
Sep 01, 2018
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I love Ethiopian food and I sometimes stop in here on my own when I'm craving injera. The vegetarian plate for one makes a perfect lunch and it's a chill place to eat by myself. I also enjoy going with friends and sharing food, as that's how it's meant to be eaten. The staff are friendly and I always feel right at home.
Ellen Papenburg
Jul 30, 2018
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Franki Kung
Jul 14, 2017
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Chenlei S.
Apr 09, 2017
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A little bit pricey but the food is filling and the owner was very friendly. Also quite unique for Waterloo/Kitchener food variety, which are mainly middle eastern, south Asian and East Asian food. Not many people there when I went. It's a quiet place to enjoy your meal. Also totally vegetarian friendly!
Cat D.
Jan 20, 2017
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One of my favorite restaurants in the city, there is no substitute for the genuine Ethiopian food East African cafe serves. Perfectly flavored and spiced dishes, and no shortage of injera to help you eat your fill. Excellent value for price. I like them so much that I was genuinely sad when they disappeared from Just Eat, as I don't live close and would love to eat their food more often.
Carrie Q.
Oct 19, 2015
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Geralt A.
Aug 02, 2015
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Food is OK. Ordered Lamb TiBS-Alicha. It came with two Enjira breads and a salad on the side. It was tasty, but not mind-blowingly amazing. I have had better in other restaurants. One major complaint is that they take waaaaaaaaaaay too much time to make the food. After ordering (8 of us) they took almost two hours to serve the food. If you are in hurry or you get angry when you get hungry like me, this is not for you.
Jeff M.
Jun 12, 2015
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There are so many positive things I can say about this restaurant, I don't know where to start.
I guess I'll start at the front door. While some other reviews have complained about the spicy smell, I just get a warm, relaxed feeling as soon as I open the door and smell that heady mix of east Africa. It's a very positive experience.
There is no pretension at this restaurant. The facilities are modest and the decor similarly modest. If you're out to impress a date it will be because of the awesomeness of the food and not the establishment..
I originally came to this restaurant
I guess I'll start at the front door. While some other reviews have complained about the spicy smell, I just get a warm, relaxed feeling as soon as I open the door and smell that heady mix of east Africa. It's a very positive experience.
There is no pretension at this restaurant. The facilities are modest and the decor similarly modest. If you're out to impress a date it will be because of the awesomeness of the food and not the establishment..
I originally came to this restaurant
Andrea N.
Apr 01, 2015
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This is one of my favourite restaurants in the KW region. I'd say that the only downfall is the heavy amount of spices that hits you in the face when you walk in. Other than that - this place was like finding gold in a hidden cave.
If decor matters to you, then this isn't the place. However, you should stay for the food. I've had the vegetarian sample platter which is pretty damn good, but there are some things you'll like more than others. My go-to plate though are the Lamb Kay Tibs. Perfectly seasoned on soft inerja bread guaranteed to leave you full by the end of the meal
If decor matters to you, then this isn't the place. However, you should stay for the food. I've had the vegetarian sample platter which is pretty damn good, but there are some things you'll like more than others. My go-to plate though are the Lamb Kay Tibs. Perfectly seasoned on soft inerja bread guaranteed to leave you full by the end of the meal
Pradip S.
Oct 19, 2014
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We went to this restaurant, when we went to see Oktoberfest in Kitchener, Ontario. We found the food too good. It was the first time eating Eritrean-Ethiopian food. Its billboard emphasising as 'special for vegetarian dishes' attracted us as we are vegetarians and everything exceeded our expectations. It looked as if it is run by a family, who have come from that region and started this restaurant more than 10 years ago. The manager Afework Girmayie (as stated on his business card) seemed to be the owner as well, who was kind enough explaining to us the mystery of east African food and
Bert J.
Aug 10, 2014
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Nikkita F.
May 26, 2014
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I love Ethiopian Food and I was a loyal eater at M & B Yummy in Toronto until it closed down. We since relocated to South Western Ontario, and I have been longing for Ethiopian food ever since.
Taite has been trying to convince me on trying East Africa Cafe in Kitchener for some time so this weekend I took the plunge! I regret nothing, well... Except not trying the food sooner!
The Vegetarian Combo was delicious! The Tusker Beers (Kenyan Import) were flowing, and were ice cold.
The injera was fresh, plentiful and delicious!
The man who served us was courteous, smiling, and he brought
Taite has been trying to convince me on trying East Africa Cafe in Kitchener for some time so this weekend I took the plunge! I regret nothing, well... Except not trying the food sooner!
The Vegetarian Combo was delicious! The Tusker Beers (Kenyan Import) were flowing, and were ice cold.
The injera was fresh, plentiful and delicious!
The man who served us was courteous, smiling, and he brought
Kareem S.
Feb 07, 2014
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Don't judge the place by the dingy look, it's actually pretty good Ethiopian food. The vegetarian platter is more than enough for two and quite tasty, and includes lots of injara (the bread like stuff you use to scoop up the lentils and salads). Not quite as spicy as I've had in Toronto. The service is nice, but slow so don't be in a rush!
Roxanne G.
Jun 16, 2013
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Nadia Y.
Feb 28, 2012
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4.5 stars!
Both the food and prices were great at East African Cafe. The owner was very friendly and courteous, and my friends and I agreed that we would definitely return. In fact, it was so good that I am writing a review now after being there 2.5 hrs ago and having spent 1.5 hrs driving back to Toronto.
We went on a Monday evening for dinner so it wasn't very busy, although there were people trickling in and out during the three hours we were there. The atmosphere is very casual and it's a fairly small restaurant with approximately 6-7 tables at most.
The food menu is not extensive
Both the food and prices were great at East African Cafe. The owner was very friendly and courteous, and my friends and I agreed that we would definitely return. In fact, it was so good that I am writing a review now after being there 2.5 hrs ago and having spent 1.5 hrs driving back to Toronto.
We went on a Monday evening for dinner so it wasn't very busy, although there were people trickling in and out during the three hours we were there. The atmosphere is very casual and it's a fairly small restaurant with approximately 6-7 tables at most.
The food menu is not extensive
J. B.
Jul 18, 2011
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I sampled all of the vegetarian dishes and liked them all. Nothing is extremely hot, though the "shiro" is worth getting if you want a little more heat.
I love the ability to sample all of the dishes for extremely cheap. The vegetarian platter + shiro fed 3 of us for dinner. The injera is good, but not the best I've had.
The atmosphere is okay - clean, bright colours, and thematic paintings on the walls. The proprietor is extremely nice.
I love the ability to sample all of the dishes for extremely cheap. The vegetarian platter + shiro fed 3 of us for dinner. The injera is good, but not the best I've had.
The atmosphere is okay - clean, bright colours, and thematic paintings on the walls. The proprietor is extremely nice.
Tereza M.
Apr 20, 2011
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The food that they do make here is really good and there are interesting vegetarian choices. The menu however is pretty limited and doesn't include any Ethiopian curries so don't expect anything extravagant. The owner is super nice and friendly, but the atmosphere is a bit dingey. I usually get takeout and eat the food at home - and it lasts two meals!
