Meskerem Etdiopian Cuisine in New York City

As an Ethiopian, I have already debated with myself whether to give this review or not. Now I am convinced that I should. Here is why. I often see how progressive businesses improve themselves based on the critics given to them if they want to listen. Here is one for the owner of Meskerem as well. It does not matter whether you agree with my opinion or not but your food and service is an absolute insult for Ethiopian food culture. Forget the exotic Ethiopian spices one can expect, but not even close to the lowest NYC standard for a single $16 order meal that is.- Service: unprofessional. - Food: horrible taste and unbelievably greedy-Location: wonderful-Values to money: zeroAs of now, you hardly represent Ethiopian flavour in the restaurant you serve. Stop playing. Greed and disrespect hurts business.

I’ve never had bad Ethiopian food, but I think Meskerem is especially good. The chicken tibs is excellent; the tibs wat (beef) and all the vegetable options are really great too. For two it’s best to get the vegetable combo and one meat, and share it all.

My favorite. Amazing lunch special deals. Must try the veggie combo and avocado salad. Thank me later

We got one of the lamb entrees that came with some veggie sides. Everything was flavorful! Prices were good. I wish I had gotten more veggie sides or maybe we should have ordered the lamb entree and a vegetarian entree. But really one entree was filling enough to split between my mother and I.

Went here to celebrate my birthday with three friends. Service was bad from the start. Both the waiter and waitress were very indifferent. We decided to order two combos, one non-veg and one veg since one of my friends is a vegetarian. The waiter was not pleased. Instead of suggesting we should order more food, he rudely told us that we were making a mistake with our order and we should order individual entrees. We said we are okay with what we would like since we've been eating all day. He returned later with both combos on the same plate, insisting that's what we asked for!! He then said, "I'm doing you a favor" when we said that this is not what we asked for. It was overall very disappointing to deal with this when I was looking forward to a good meal with friends. I've never had this experience before at any other Ethiopian restaurant where eating a meal is a shared experience. There are better options out there! If I could, I would give zero stars.

I’ve been 5+ times. I always get the vegetarian sampler. It’s consistently very delicious. And the staff are genuinely very lovely. Can’t say enough good things about this place. Pic has the sampler, yummmmmmm

Meh service, good food

Meskerem will always be my favorite Ethiopian spot. The food is delicious!! The injera is nice & tart & the food is deliciously spiced.

First time trying Ethiopian and this place was awesome! Food came really quickly and was just soooo goooood. Fair warning, hands only - bring hand sanitizer 😜

Best ethiopian food that I have eaten in NY. The place is cozy not so fancy but I found that very authentic.Great prices.Great service.

Love this spot -- great food and reasonable prices

Very nice. Kitfu was tasty. Sampler was just ok. I'll get the Lamb next time.

This place is an institution, been here forever like Comedy Cellar, Cafe Reggio and Minetta Tavern across the street. Rustic atmosphere, let's be honest, this place is bare. Wooden tables and chairs, linoleum probably decades old, walls are drab - but it works. People come here for the food, especially if you're vegetarian great selection. They also have beef and lamb and chicken. There's no utensils, you rib a piece of flat bread with a sour tang called Injera, scoop up the food. It's so different, so fresh and so good. Plus so filling, the food doubles in size in your stomach, I'm always so full. Thanks for being great Meskerem! Hope you're always they're anchoring MacDougal and Minetta!!!

I have seen two people say they only accept cash, which is not the case - I paid with a card tonight. The veggie platter is excellent and a ton of food for the price. A great choice in the neighborhood.

I'm not a big fan of the sour dough bread that's used in the main dishes. The portion sizes could be better but the overrall taste does make up for the negatives. Staff is good. The place is a bit small so it can get a little cramp.

The food was nothing to say it was great and I will come back again and the service was almost non-existent.I should also add that the place is a cash only place.

Excellent food for vegans. Very reasonable price. Not sure why two $ signs are there.

We were treated so badly by the staff!! I am a VEGETARIAN so when our group ordered two separate dishes (meat & veg) they all came out served on the same plate and we couldn’t tell the dishes apart. We tried to ask the staff to clarify which dish was which and they were so rude and dismissive to our group. They were angry we had the nerve to ask and then acted like they had explained everything to us which they had not. I would never recommend anyone come to this restaurant ever. We walked out without eating anything.

The food is delicious. It's a great experience to use the bread as your utensil! Fun - and delicious.

So delicious and friendly. Will definitely go there again

First timer to Ethiopian cuisine and the result was awesome. Love the food platter to share. Small place but clean. Would definitely come back.

Veggie combo was a great way to get introduced to a number of dishes. Very enjoyable (and deceiving). It doesn’t look like a lot of food, but fills you up quickly.

Beautiful plates.Delicious food.

I used to come here when I was a student and I am glad that it still serves quality Ethiopian food at reasonable prices. The lunch specials are a good deal and I got the vegetarian platter. Highly recommended!

Food is always delicious if Ethiopian is your thing. Quality is good and prices are fair. Service could be more attentive and the restaurant itself is in need of an update or renovation. The picture shows the Vegetarian Combo which is what we usually get. It is too much for one person but you are not allowed to share. Anyway, it's one of my favorite vegetarian meals to have . You don't miss meat because it has so much variety.

Delicious food and awesome presentation..! Been there twice last week and truly loved it. It’s a small place and sometimes can take a while to get your food. If you are vegetarian, try the number 9 - all veggies on the lunch menu, the meat in lamb curry was a bit dry, chicken and egg was great (not many will like the bone in the meat )

I absolutely love the food and the service at this location very warm and homey atmosphere, and I just love trying Ethiopian food for the first time it was an awesome experience

It is a small space like any other restaurant in Manhattan. The sitting is a little congested but the service is lovely. People are very friendly and the food is good as well. I have been to 1 Ethiopian restaurant before called cher cher restaurant in Washington DC. If you plan to visit DC surely try it. Comparatively this place is good as well but just the space is the issue. Everything else is good.

Really enjoy Meskerem more and more each visit. Easy to miss as MacDougal Street is usually pouring over with folks getting ready for a night out in the West Village. The entrance is below street level, adding to the charm as it's tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the masses gathering across the way from Comedy Central, Mamoun's, or Minetta Tavern across the street. Usually order the vegetarian combo platter (includes 7 or so items) plus the oh so flakey samosas for the apps. It comes in either ground beef or lentil. Pair off your meal with their honey wine or some Ethiopian beer. All in all, makes for a nice low key date night or catch up with a small group of friends. The space is very cozy and inviting. The outside sink by the bar/cash register area in the back makes it easy to wash up before getting your hands dirty and digging in.

Good food and service and offers gluten free injera. Could use a nicer bathroom.

Do not order the Sambosas, pity what a small portion they are for the price, 2 for $5.50, gotta be kidding me. The sampler meat plate (~16.50) was good and filling, and wine was great for $6.50/glass. Service was not the best and watch out for the waitress up selling you to think 1 meal is not enough food for two, it was plenty. So disappointed about the sambosas.

Small cozy place reflecting the cuisine of the land.Food was good but the service is not up to the mark.We had ordered for a beef sambosa however when we had a bite realized it was a lentil one.When we brought it to the managers attention she said that she will get it changed.After about 15 mins she came back saying they have run out of beef and hence they served us the lentil one.If she knew that beef had run out she should have informed at the time of serving.She then kept on insisting that we dont have to pay for it which was evident.Dont know why she kept repeating that.A better attitute could do wonders for this place.

Excellent spot for a great bite! Don't miss it! Staff are very friendly and appreciative. Would recommend any of their entrees and the combo platters are fantastic.

St Louis has a vibrant immigrant Ethiopian population and the exact same named Ethiopian restaurant. Despite the name similarities they do not share much else with this new York city spot. They have all the classic Ethiopian dishes including miser wot, dor wot, and various tibs dishes. While the main entree item came out hot, the injera was cold and didn't seem fresh. The service was also slow despite only three other people being there. The flavors were good but again not the best I've had. The miser wot could have used more berbere spices to increase the flavor. The price was very. Their lunch special entrees will not cost more than 12 dollars. The portion sizes were big and you definitely get full with the lunch special.

My experience was average here. The food is good. It's absolutely spot on . However, the service needs improvement . Value for money , absolutely. Do you get dessests - nope.

I wanted to expand my friend's food culture so I treated her to this restaurant before an Broadway show. Always a fun experience to eat without utensils! Food was fresh, tasty and delicious! I wanted spicy and server said it was but for my palate it was not. Staff was gracious and kind.

Is good, but I think the hells kitchen location is better

What an amazing Food, perfect combination of tasty and healthy. I have tried few other places too but this is the best Ethiopian flavor in NYC.

Very interesting place where to eat a fast dinner. You will literally eat with your hands and it is for sure an experience. The food is pretty tasty and you will not be disappointed! The only down is that they don’t take reservation, before I could it there it took me a while because the first 2 times I tried there was a long wait.But for sure it is a restaurant to try!

Can't compare this place to other Ethiopian places as this is the only place I've eaten at but food was delicious and the environment was cozy. Service was good but a bit slow. Would recommend getting honey wine here as that was unexpectedly amazing.

Probably the best Ethiopian food in all of New York, and one of our absolute favorites. We've been here many times and keep returning. The food is delightful and the service friendly. It's situated right in the heart of the Village and the area is always active and bustling. Great place to bring first-timers and visitors to the city to.

Good food, slow service, small fruit flies near our table were a little annoying to our group. Wine felt pricey but food was reasonably priced.Chicken special tibs was a very tasty item!

We ordered takeout, and it was wonderful! Injera was still intact and the entrees were really yummy. Extra injera portions are really generous and the delivery was super fast. The Meskerem platter is our favourite.

The food is very tasty but the presentation is lacking as you can see.