Excellent Ethiopian cooking with welcoming service and generous platters in a tucked-away SLU spot; come for bold flavors, expect moderate prices and occasional service variability.
Zema Bar & Restaurant delivers solid A-grade performance through exceptional food quality with well-executed tibs, shiro, and generous platters, paired with warm, attentive service that makes first-timers feel welcomed. The hidden gem location and strong value proposition compete well with Seattle's neighborhood dining scene, though occasional food handling concerns and service variability prevent grade A territory. Regulars' loyalty and consistent execution across visits confirm reliable quality worth seeking out.
One caveat: Parking and visibility are challenging; entrance is off an alley and can be confusing