Ghion Ethiopian Restaurant. in Atlanta
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Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, US
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Site: https://www.ghionatl.com/
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:1–10PM
- Wednesday:1–10PM
- Thursday:1–10PM
- Friday:1–10PM
- Saturday:1–10PM
- Sunday:1–10PM
Just awesome! Wish I could give 100 stars.I came here for the first time last week not expecting much and man was I blown away. I even chatted with the owner who is really pleasant.I did the pick 5 option. I got the awaze beef, collard greens, cabbage with potatoes, and green beans with carrots. This Ethiopian food is just so amazing.It reminds me of the Ethiopian restaurant i used to frequent back in Uganda. Ill definitely be back every chance i get. This place is so, so worth it and the prices are very, very reasonable compared to other Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta. All of this plus to go extra njera was less than $20.
My first time Ethiopian but unfortunately on my own. Ethiopian is a food that has to be shared and enjoyed with company. At this point a great thank you to Nitsun, the waitress who showed so much patience with this silly ignorant European and even showed me how one traditionally eats a Ye-beg-Alicha (please excuse my spelling). so if it was for the service, I’d give a six, the lamb was for my taste prepared solid and I guess authentic. But maybe I would have needed more guidance with the menus. A four for the food.What pulls it down is the location itself. It starts having Ethiopian beer on the menus, but not any to serve. In addition for me the music was way too loud, especially as the sound is very strange to our ears. It distracts from the food. Nether the less the atmosphere, the ambiance. I know it costs mo ey to open even sich a place in such an area. But I am missing completely a concept, an idea - well, let’s say the heart. I hate to eat at places I don’t like to stay. That would result in one star.But Nitsun gave the place a soul and me some nice memories and I can recommend the food. If you wanna go and try something new: Go to Ghion. But do as a group and make sure Nitsun is there to help you with all the cultural land mines one faces with foreign dishes.
Come here for a unique cultural experience! We walked in the doors, down the tiny, dark hall (which may really be a portal to Ethiopia) and was floored! Its so much more than just about the food and delicious plum wine (made in house). The personal care we received from our server - who turned out to be the owner - was second to NONE!
I recently moved into the neighborhood and came to try the food at lunch. It was delicious and the owner was very friendly. I have eaten at Ethiopian restaurants in several cities, and this was quite possibly the best food I’ve had from all of them. I’m glad to have found this place and will definitely be going back.
Great authentic Ethiopian food! The atmosphere inside was very appealing despite the look of the exterior. It’s a hidden gem and don’t let the minimal parking lot and look of the building deter you. I wish this place was advertised better so more people would know about it and get to enjoy it as I did.
The food is amazing and the owner is very friendly. Its great to learn about Ethiopian culture through the artwork, table style and programs that she plays on the television. Try the coffee too, which is so good! Finally, if youre vegan there are options for you too. Ill be back often.
This restaurant is my favorite in Atlanta thus far. The space is very nicely curated and COVID friendly. The food itself is absolutely delicious and personally I am vegetarian so I love that they provide options. I also asked him to make it spicy and he did not disappoint. Staff is super friendly and makes you feel at home.
Ambiance 💯Wow! It has been nearly 7 years or more since I’ve been coming to Ghion! It had been dubbed my favorite Ethiopian spot, from the moment I found myself in its authentic ambiance! I feel like I am being welcomed home!Vegan 💯I am a life long vegan and I have always been more than satisfied by their vegan offerings! I used to see the amazing meats of this cuisine and think, “mmm that smells so nice, I see why people eat it” lol l. Then, for Ghion to come through with the alternative plant based proteins prepared in the same amazing ways the meat is prepared, Awaze sauce dripping!!!! I am so grateful! They have vegan fish, beef, chicken to go with the staple sambusa and veggie combo! Like wow!Highly recommended 💯My family and friends have come here for every occasion under the sun. We are greeted with hospitality, respect, courtesy and DELICIOUSNESS! Even on a normal day when I crave Ghion, I will order pick up! I am so thrilled to review and inspire others to visit Ghion!
I think this is the best Ethiopian food I’ve had. I ordered the cultural platter ($35) and a mass of injera to take home. The platter was excellent. I stuffed myself until I thought I’d be ill, and you couldn’t tell anything was gone from the platter. Definitely enough for a table of four. Not hot spicy, but even the injera had a very special flavor that let you know these are in house spices. The best part, the people were so nice and smiley and giggley. Better than anything in 2020.
Tried this place on a whim as we were passing through Atlanta. Had good reviews and we wanted to try something new. At first not sure if we were at the right place but we went inside and all I can say is damn! If this place was next to my house in Orlando, I would eat there all the time. Had the lamb and rice, it was perfect.
I am a huge fan of Ethiopian food and was extremely happy with this restaurant. The food was amazing and very authentic just like you would get in Ethiopia! And the service was wonderful. The woman who served us (assuming owner/cook) was so friendly and helpful, very sweet woman.They had everything that a good Ethiopian restaurant should have and did it very well. I took 2 friends for their first experience and they loved it.I would highly recommend this restaurant.
Very warm and welcoming. We had never tried Ethiopian food and the lady (owner) asked what we liked (lamb ok? Beef? Spicy?) then cooked us a wonderful dinner. Lots of vegetarian options also, which we will try next time. Very well flavored and well cooked, collards especially were the bomb! The owner gave us a tour of the place after dinner, very proud of her place and with good reason. We were the only non Africans in the place (we are white) but felt really welcome, everyone was really friendly, some of the nicest people weve met in Atlanta. Very authentic food.
I absolutely love Ethiopian food, however there are none in my area. I took a 45 minute drive to this place, and the food was worth every second of my drive. I will admit I wish the location was better. It was hard to find, the parking is extremely limited, and tightly packed. I ordered my food to go. Unlike the reviews I saw, the place didn’t appear to be dirty at all. The gentleman that rang up my order thanked me for driving so far to visit his establishment. I ordered the veggie plate and the vegan drek tibs. I’m not sure what seasonings were put in the beet salad, but honey let me tell you...... it was banging. Actually everything was absolutely delicious. I have had Ethiopian food from a few places in Atlanta, but this is by far the best. I will be back again.
The meat, vegetables, tej, injera & ayib were of excellent quality & so authentic. The meat was way too highly spiced. They dont know any difference between collards & cabbage. The service is superb. The decor is real Ethiopian. Its a little hot there. Would be more comfortable to eat in their outdoor seating. Theres also a definite musty smell inside the restaurant.
Really good food, taste freshly cooked.Yum, Im excited! Fast, hot n fresh. Staff was very helpful, patient n nice. I didnt know what the food was called. She took the time to show me n their menu is set up with clear vocabulary to. What a great idea. Repeat Performance. I will return for more.
I have no idea why this place only has four stars. I was raised on Ethiopian food and never in my life have I had such delicious, authentic Ethiopian food. I love the owner with all my heart as she cooks fully with hers. She is attentive, and dedicated. The coffee is out of this world, the restaurant smells of Frankensence (which I love). It’s extremely affordable and I literally stuff my face until I can’t breath. Everything on the menu is delectable. Not to mention she has vegan options available (vegan tibs). Please make a trip to this little piece of Ethiopia.
Beautiful surroundings but still small(intimate). Service was AMAZING!! Food wasnt as flavorful as Ive come to expect from Ethiopian spices. However, I suspect it was because our server also cooked the food and she knew we had younger children. I will definitely return. The tej is homemade.
Weve ordered from here on Uber eats so many times and tonight for date night we came and the hospitality and experience was incredible. Food as always was amazing. Vegan Awaze Beef tibs and a veggie platter. The coffee was equally as awesome and the presentation with frankincense and myrrh was delightful.
Come here for a unique cultural experience! We walked in the doors, down the tiny, dark hall (which may really be a portal to Ethiopia) and was floored! Its so much more than just about the food and delicious plum wine (made in house). The personal care we received from our server - who turned out to be the owner - was second to NONE!I was in my I wanna be a vegan stage, so I had lots of questions about the dishes. Didnt get a chance to ask because she was so attentive and recommended the perfect dish right off the top!The injera is great, the food is perfectly seasoned (and proportioned), the wine was AMAZE - but really - the experience itself makes this place worth a/several visits!ENJOY
Do not be afraid to try this restaurant if you are not Ethiopian! They serve wonderful and authentic Ethiopian food with lots of vegan options. Its the only place I know of in the country that has vegan tibs, and they are REALLY satisfying. (The other good Ethiopian place in Atlanta is Piassa, which has slower service but is cheaper.)Once you have gone here, you will think Desta is the watered-down, gentrified, white-people-version of Ethiopian food.It is somewhat pricey, but portions are large, and you can sometimes find a coupon online. If youve never had Ethiopian food, do a quick Google search so you dont have culture shock. Its delicious and traditionally served spread out on one large plate with injera (spongy bread) to share.If you are confused about the menu or have never had Ethiopian food, ask questions and be patient. It will make sense once you start eating.The owners and staff are very friendly. Just be sure to order clearly, since I have had issues once or twice with them misunderstanding my order. You may want to call in advance to make sure they have the vegan tibs in stock if you plan to order them.They also offer delivery through UberEats, which is pretty expensive, but can do a treat job of satisfying a craving if you really want it. Its a great place if you know what to expect and are comfortable venturing into the world of Ethiopian food.
Excellent authentic Ethiopian food. Great laid back atmosphere, the injera bread is on point and they give you lots of it. The lamb tibs is excellent and so are the gomen, kik alicha and misr wat. Coffee ceremony adds a great vibe to the meal but the tea is also delicious and aromatic. Courteous staff, quick service authentic seating with the small table perfect for sharing as Ethiopian food is meant to be enjoyed. The pricing is EXTRA REASONABLE !!!! I dont remember any single dish on the menu being more than twelve bucks, the vegetable special is enough to feed three and is only $35 bucks. Parking is like most places off Cheshire Bridge rd so if you can back into a space once your in the lot, do it so you can just pull out. If not the lot is big enough to maneuver even if just. Will be going again after introduced to this little Atlanta gem for a buisness meeting of all things.
Have never dined in but have ordered delivery at least 5 times through Uber Eats. Consistently fresh, hot, and delicious. Our favorite delivery choice in ATL.Update: Dont know what happened to this place. Quality has noticably gone down. Were sad that this has happened to our delivery go-to. From 5 stars to 3.5Update June 2021: Theyre back on. 5 start quality once again.
I loved all of the vegetarian meat options but the food was bland to me, compared to Desta. Maybe it was an off day...? When we arrived we were the only customers for about 30 mins. The traditional tables, aroma, and music and the overall cultural experience was more appealing to me than the actual food. Side note: they also opened up a restaurant in my hometown of Birmingham, AL.
This is the best Ethiopian food I’ve had. I don’t know how consistent the quality is because I’ve only had their food once, but everything from way the place is kept, to the food, and customer service is amazing. I went to the other Ethiopian place right by there for injera to eat for the week, and I was disappointed when the person at the counter told me they couldn’t sell injera individually even though I called beforehand. I’m glad I decided to walk over to this place. I was greeted well and I got my injera and some food. It smelled so nice in there and with all of the decor, they even have a photo of Haile Selassie I. I had the best sambusas ever haha the veggie platter is well balanced and one is enough for two and some leftovers. The woman who served was so caring. I will be returning. 💚💛❤️
My boyfriend and I drive here from Augusta, GA. Its out favourite spot. The veggies and meat are great and the cook/server/owner(?) is very generous with the injera and jalepenos. The service and food are amazing and the decor is fun. The smell isnt as bad as everyone says, its mainly insence being burned. I didnt think it was bad at all? And Im very sensitive to smells. I like how they have a sink outside of the bathroom, too. The parking is tiny, but weve never had an issue. I always recommend this place and I have trouble eating anywhere but here in Atlanta now.
The veggie plate & the vegan awaze tibs are amazing! Ive never had a bad experience here! The place seems a little sketchy from the outside (& the parking lot is often full with taxis), but inside in the back dining room is nice & cozy. Be warned, the food is incredibly addictive! :)
Never again. Based on the positive reviews on google I tried this place but experience was bad.A big zero for the hygiene, a stinky smell in the restaurant mostly due to the dirty carpet. Poor sitting arrangement. When it comes to the food, as per suggestion from the lady who took out order, we tried one chicken and one goat meat recipe with injara. Curry was ok but definitely it was not fresh, the injara was cold from the refrigerator and too sour in test. Overall a big zero for the food too.Will not recommend this place to anyone.
Had an exquisite experience at Ghion Cultural Hall yesterday after intending to try Enat, which was closed at the time. The entrance was misleading, and I ended up walking through their front room, which is like a sports bar a bit on the shabby side, but I was led to the dining area which was absolutely magical. The wall paintings and decor were so charming and delightful, including a large wall mural of traditional musical instruments, classic basket tables, and numerous cultural art pieces on all of the walls. I dont much care for the modern, hip, or fancy atmospheres of some of the other Atlanta Ethiopian restaurants, so I loved Ghions more creative, colorful, and joyful approach. I have had my share of Ethiopian food, since it is my favorite food, and I used to work at a very good restaurant in North Carolina, and from my experience, Ghion Cultural Hall does an exceptional job with bringing flavors together masterfully and soulfully. I ordered the sambussa, kitfo with collard greens and cheese, and an order of dulet to take home, both prepared raw or lightly cooked. All were excellent and prices were reasonable. I felt so nourished by the experience, including enjoying the Ethiopian music videos playing on the large flatscreen television opposite the bar area. My waitress was pleasant and served the spiced coffee in the clay carafe with frankincense incense. An older gentleman who seated me, who I believe may have been the owner, was also very hospitable, telling me that it was my home. I wish I had met the chef because I could sense the careful attention that went into the preparation of the food. Highly recommended. Ill definitely be back. 10% off on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The portion too small and cooked by Spanish lady I didn’t mind that I was surprised actually. I eat half and half menu kitfo and tibse it was terable and over priced. And the tibse not fresh cooked. The kitfo is god for boreto with tortilla it doesn’t have any taste of Ethiopian. I waist my money on uber to come all the way. I looked 5 star stop giving 5 stars for this place. That why no one there when I get there I was the only one there
So the name of the restaurant on the outside of the building is Ghion Cultural Hall not California Mart. When we sat down, the waitress asked us was it our first time. We told her it was my first time here. I ordered the beef tibs (which was diced beef with vegetables) and my cousin ordered the beef tibs thats more like strips of beef. I was given old meat or overcooked meat. We were shocked that they would do this and it was my first time there.... The waitress did cook me a fresh batch of food but the first impression is the one Im left with. That was my first and last time going.
My sisters wedding was on August 3rd with a traditional wedding on the 4th of this year and the service was horrible. I paid these people in full for 210 people and I am very disappointed. How do you serve food without warmers?! Some of the dishes were of poor quality. The food was a hr and half late, warm not hot.The staff was NOT professional or dressed appropriate, the display of the food was no where close to wedding quality. After expressing how I felt about the entire experience all I got was an apology. I would NEVER recommend this place for any occasion.
Youve got two reviewers here - - ones that have been Ghion Cultural Center expecting something as they imagined it, and those that go to Ghion Cultural Center prepared for the unexpected. The latter group, with an open mind, will enjoy the faint herby incense baked into the hanging tapestries, the slow un-rushed pace and kind, non-pushy service, and the absolutely delicious food. The other group will call this place dirty, slow, and bland. Thing is, Ive traveled a little and I know the best foods come from the most obscure, hole-in-the-wall places. This is definitely a mom & pop operation.If you dont want real food, dont look in the back of the kitchen, lest you break your immersion.Ghion makes the other Ethiopian restaurants in the area looks like a pale-face repackaged version made for the unraveled, Mc-American palette. If you want to impress you friends on Instagram, go somewhere else. If you want a genuine experience, amazingly authentic food, and good value for your portions... Well, theres a reason I wont leave Atlanta without a Ghion feast.
Ive been coming here for over 10 years, when it was called California Mart. The food is still great, and I am good friends with the owner but lately the service has been non exsistent. One Spanish hostess who doesnt speak amharic or English, then the front dining area smells moldy.. even saw leaks from the ceiling. Instantly killed my appetite, Not a good look! Hope the owner tightens things up, so many good Ethio restaurants in Atlanta means more competition, and more dining options.
Dont let the sketchy facade mislead you...This a jewel for Ethiopian deliciousness! Traditional basket-woven tables, friendly staff and of course your share of ethiopian MTV make the food take you to the far-away lands of East Africa. I have to try yet the meat platters, but the veggie platter feeds well two people with extra portions of injera at a very affordable price in comparison to other popular Ethiopian food places.
Soooo, I really wanted this place to be great... and perhaps one day it will be. As of now, Im disappointed. Unless you go with a group of 3 or more and intend to share... youre probably either not going to get your moneys worth and/or will leave and still be hungry.The prices here (as other reviews point out) are a bit steep in my personal opinion. Meat options (beef or lamb) prepared in a variety of ways for $15. Veggie options, with various options on this side of things, will also run you $15. Please help me understand why there is not a half and half option to get a taste of meat AND veggies for $15 as well? I can get half and half of two different types of meat, but if I would like to have meat AND veggies (as most meals do) I have to spend at the bare minimum, $30??? So very disappointing. The meat tib portions arent massive either.The reason Ghion gets 3 stars is because the Awaze beef tibs were ok, the decor and atmosphere are cool and cultural (with a good view of the Pizitz courtyard) and the personalized service for anyone who may be new to Ethiopian food is excellent!After having a couple of amazing Ethiopian experiences elsewhere, I was really let down by Ghion.
Total reviews rating 4.6
199 Reviews for Ghion Ethiopian Restaurant. 2023:
Review №1
2022-01-26Id order delivery from this restaurant and fell in love with the food. I decided to try dine in and was not disappointed. This is a little cute and quaint place with a lovely cook. She and her lovely smile made the dining experience wonderful. I cant wait to go back.
Review №2
2022-02-10Must try if youre looking for the Authentic Ethiopian experience!Food was amazing and they serve all the traditional dishes. Youre eating from the traditional Mesob table setup, none of the streamlined plates/cutlery/etc. The owners and workers there cannot be any nicer. Great to see them enjoying cooking their cuisine and sharing it with others. Glad our big group went and will be coming back again soon.
Review №3
2022-03-06I love love love this place! I ordered the veggie plate last time but this time I got the vegan plate with one vegan protein which I chose the awaze and loved it! never had it before and I’m new to Ethiopian food in general so everything is something I’ve never had but yet I’ve loved everything here!! I have not been in person yet but I look forward to going on day!
Review №4
2021-11-21It was my first time trying Ethiopian food. It was extremely delicious. Below is our veggie plate and chicken tibs. The prices were fantastic for the amount of food you received. The staff members there were also very kind! The self-service style was appreciated as well. Id definitely recommend this restaurant! :)
Review №5
2021-09-16The food was delicious! There was a ton to eat, and it all tasted incredible! Their injera is soft and perfect, and the honey wine is so refreshing. The atmosphere is 10/10 love this place ❤️
Review №6
2021-10-01The pictures dont do justice because I had eaten like half of it already lol. Had veggies and fish. I ü usually get the awaze or tibs. Its always Flavorful and fresh! There are a couple people in back making your food from scratch. It looks like ya grandmas kitchen back there.The atmosphere is quaint and colorful, rich in culture. That are always playing music videos on the TV. I love it here. I definitely recommend.
Review №7
2022-04-24I had a taste for ethiopian food and my lady found this jewel on yelp. We enjoyed everything as the food was delicious and staff very nice and welcoming. Had no idea this place had been here for 23 years. Will definitely be back.
Review №8
2022-02-09Ive been to this restaurant many times and the this last time we went the service was very low class. I can only assume that there was a restaurant full of white people and our black family walked in for my fathers birthday. It was about 8:30pm and the website says they closed at 10:00pm. My mother called and ahead of time and asked if we needed a reservation and they say no so we assumed theyed be serving until closing. I was very disgusted with the treatment and will never be going there again. I dont care how good the food is. I should have told them off then and there, but I was in such shock. It put such a bad taste in my mouth for these people and their culture. I hope no one ever experiences such disrespectful service, especially other black people.
Review №9
2022-03-20This place is absolutely AMAZING!!!! The food is beyond delicious! We had the kitfo, brown lentils and sambusas. I definitely recommend going to this restaurant! The lady cooking/running the restaurant is an absolute gem! I will definitely be back soon!!
Review №10
2020-12-27I have been coming to this restaurant for close to 2 years. Having tried many other Ethiopian Restaurants, this is the most authentic. The ambiance, music, hospitality, staff, and most of all the food makes an incredible experience. It feels like youre invited to their home rather than a restaurant. The food is all made with love and made to order each time. I visit at least once per week and they are Vegan friendly. Looking forward to another delicious meal!