The Spicy Ethiopian

What is The Spicy Ethiopian? Occupying a storefront at 175 Queen Street East just east of Jarvis, The Spicy Ethiopian brings homestyle Habesha cooking to Downtown East. Evolving from festival pop-ups and catering into a dedicated sit-down room founded by Gelila Abebe, the space is warm and unpretentious, scented with burning frankincense. Inside, compact tables and casual dining room seating provide a relaxed setting tailored for hands-on, communal dining.

The Spicy Ethiopian Menu & What to Order The kitchen centers around freshly made, airy injera, serving as the edible utensil for an array of deeply spiced wots and sizzling tibs. Order the Kitfo—tender minced beef tossed with fiery mitmita chili powder and house-clarified niter kibbeh—or the slow-braised Doro Wot drumsticks rich with garlic, ginger, and berbere. Vegans eat exceptionally well here with the combination platter, which piles creamy Shiro Wot, spiced Misir Wot lentils, and turmeric cabbage across a massive injera round. Pair the feast with an imported Ethiopian beer and finish with freshly roasted Ethiopian coffee.

Know Before You Go Walk-ins are welcomed, though calling ahead for weekend dinner groups is wise as the dining room fills up fast. The restaurant sits directly on the 501 Queen streetcar line for an easy commute, with paid street parking available along nearby side streets. The kitchen is closed on Mondays and operates Tuesday through Sunday for both lunch and dinner service.