Cafe Ibex

388 reviews

3219 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98144

+12067217537

About

Cafe Ibex is a Ethiopian restaurant located at 3219 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98144. It has received 388 reviews with an average rating of 4.3 stars.

Photos

Hours

Monday11AM-11PM
Tuesday11AM-2AM
Wednesday11AM-2AM
Thursday11AM-11PM
Friday11AM-11PM
SaturdayClosed
Sunday11AM-11PM

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Cafe Ibex: 3219 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98144

  • Cafe Ibex has 4.3 stars from 388 reviews

  • Ethiopian restaurant

  • "Not sure what happened"

    "This wonderful gem of a restaurant will surprise you"

    "One of the best experiences I have had at an Ethiopian restaurant! This is the 3rd time I have booked Ibex for a work celebration"

    "A humble Ethiopian restaurant with good food, a warm service, for a great price"

    "I've eaten at this place a few times now and each time I was thoroughly impressed by the food and the kind waitresses"

Reviews

  • Sanjeev Thalikar

Not sure what happened. used to be my favorite Ethioian restaurant. overnight, it has become my least favorite. All lentils were way overcooked, like porridge. Misir wat had no spice. And worst was Doro wat. They had the best Doro wat before. not anymore. The chicken was overcooked, seems like it was cooked outside and dropped into the wat which was just cooked for few minutes, could smell the raw spices instead of the hours long cooked wat. The Doro tibs had no spices and overcooked rubbery mess. How can it go from the best to the worst is my question. Either the chef and management changed or the chef had a terrible day that he decided to take it out on the restauranteurs. I am done with this place. Will visit back again in a year or 2 IF things improve. Normally, used to be packed pretty well on a sunday evening around 7PM. Not a single soul other than our family. Goes to show the issue
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 1
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 2
Recommended dishes
Chicken TIBS, Vegetable Combo

  • Imani OB

This wonderful gem of a restaurant will surprise you. Upon entering you are greeted by rich, earthy incense and a bright, golden-colored interior. It is far roomier than you would ever expect from the outside; in addition to the main dining room there was a much larger back area with a stage. They were easily able to accommodate our party of eight. The traditional food was delicious. Six of us ate family style sharing the chicken, lamb and the beef combos on one large injera covered platter. The flavors were all rich and savory and three combos were more than enough food for six people. Our servers were friendly and attentive and when it came time to pay the bill, they easily split it multiple ways. Check out Cafe Ibex, you'll be glad you did!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Green Chicken, Lamb Combo
Dietary restrictions
Gluten-free injera available. Vegetarian and vegan dishes available.

  • Y G

One of the best experiences I have had at an Ethiopian restaurant! This is the 3rd time I have booked Ibex for a work celebration. Not a lot of people know about the massive back room that is perfect for a large gathering! The owner gracious and hospitable as always and checked in on us to make sure we had everything we needed. They also provided us with all the AV equipment we needed! The food was fresh and delicious - had a lot staff coming back for seconds. We would absolutely come back again!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

  • Gaurav Mehra

A humble Ethiopian restaurant with good food, a warm service, for a great price. The lamb combo was enough for 2 of us.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Lamb Combo
Dietary restrictions accommodated
Vegetarian, Not sure
Recommendation for vegetarians
Somewhat recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Not sure
Vegetarian options
The lentils and some other dishes are vegetarian
Kid-friendliness
Our server was very warm and friendly too our kids.

  • Diego Froiland

I've eaten at this place a few times now and each time I was thoroughly impressed by the food and the kind waitresses. The portions are large for the prices so when you do go in don't worry about the price. If you want savory and brimming with flavor this is the place to go, either with friends or even by yourself. Come in with a ferocious appetite and leave happy with a packed belly.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Lamb Platter, Beef TIBS, Chicken Platter

  • Amy [Amori] Piñon

The vegetable combo is absolutely divine. If you run out of injera they will refill it for you. Delicious ginger tea as well.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Recommended dishes
Vegetable Combo, Injera Flat Bread
Recommendation for vegetarians
Somewhat recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section, Clearly labeled vegetarian dishes
Vegetarian options
There is a vegetable section on the menu but the best option is the vegetable combo so you get a bit of everything!

  • Katie Gillum

Fabulous food, friendly folks. Fish tibs, green chicken, veggie combo are a must every time we go.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Fish TIBS Lamb TIBS Chicken TIBS with Ingera, Vegetable Combo, Fish TIBS, Vegetarian Sampler, Green Chicken
Vegetarian options
Veggie combo is delish (add house made cheese if you do dairy)
Kid-friendliness
They're just nice and friendly to kids!

  • Pat Beurskens

My favorite food in Seattle! We get take out a couple tubes a month and have been for about 6 years (after Tagla closed, miss her so much!) and it just keeps getting better. They have gluten free injera which is great since going gf 2 years ago. The owner is great and gives our daughter sweet popcorn as a treat. Try Cafe Ibex, the flavors are amazing!
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Dietary restrictions
Gluten free injera

  • Yonnie P

I have a favorite restaurant that I visit for Ethiopian food that ended up closing early. My daughter had recommended this restaurant, and I am grateful she did! The food was delicious and packed with so much flavor!! We got the chicken combo and the veggie combo. So much food!!! You won't be disappointed!!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Meat Combination, Vegetable Combo

  • Betty Adamu

Is there a -be rating??? Very disappointed with their portions and taste of the foods. We ordered Tsom be Ye aynetu and Tibs. Both orders came in very small portion. The way they chopped the meat wes very small. Ye Tsome food wasn’t good as well. Will not go there in the future.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 1
Recommended dishes
Beef TIBS, Nasty Veggie Combo

  • Jaz

My favorite place! Recommend beef tips spicy and the veggie combo. So good!!!
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Meat Combination, Vegetable Combo, Beef TIBS
Parking options
Free parking lot
Parking
There are about 12 spots in the area. You can park on the street

  • Tony Da-Tiger

LOVED THIS PLACE!! First time at a Ethiopian restaurant and I can’t believe I’ve been missing this my entire life you get to eat with your fingers great bread amazing tasting food the spices were amazing the atmosphere was so warm and welcoming I got to witness my first Ethiopian wedding it was just an incredible experience I will be back I love it and I hope more people come and eat here.

  • Adonis El-Mohtar, MFA

Another Gem. Nice cozy restaurant, with a special occasions room in the back, with a stage..a sports bar, that is open yet private. Warm home like and very good food. We had the Lamb Platter..Yummmmmmmy. at the moment the menu is a bit limited though it has the essentials for those who are Vegiterian, Beef, chicken, or lamb eaters. Thank you for a wonderful meal. See you again, Soon.

  • Lisa Camper

The food was better the 1st time that I went than the 2nd time. It seems as if they change Chef's. However, I do love african food, but I didn't get any goat, and it wasn't the same, but it was okay.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4

  • Thang Phu

Absolutely delicious. Not only is the food fantastic, it is also super affordable. The meat combination is plenty to feed 2 people. The chicken, lamb, and beef are very well seasoned and taste delicious. The waitress is very nice and welcoming.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20

  • Kmanara Brown

This hit the spot. I needed this. I is spicy, hearty, tangy too and perfect. I needed this. MmmmmMmmmMmmm I cannot download a video I guess but I rarely say this about take out. I mean this saved the day and I needed it. Please always put your heart in your food. I can eat and sleep after a very hard few days. …

  • Mac Hh

Delicious Ethiopian food, right up there with LA and New Orleans. Very attentive and kind late night service. Throughly enjoyed!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Lamb Combo

  • Sebastian Tien

I came in with a big party (11 people) and they seated us without any issues at 1pm. The service was a little slow but the waiter was very nice and easy to work with. The food came out quick and it was overall a pleasant experience for how much everything cost!

  • Z Loyal Customer

The food is great but It's so expensive almost two times costy than any other local restaurants in this area. They also don't show us the list of each ordered items corespondibg to its price on the receipt.
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3

  • Todd Ellis

Second order in two days! Whom ever works there really loves to cook. The food is beyond incredible... wow.. I re-ordered the beef with veggies and we tried the chicken combo this time. Thank you for loving what you do, you do it very well! We love it also

  • Philicia Saephan

Great food, great service every time. I always get either the vegetable Combo or the meat Combo. You eat with your hands here, come enjoy the food! They're super knowledgeable and will guide you through! Don't be afraid to try something new!

  • C. James Potts

Absolutely delicious. My first introduction to Ethiopian food. Definitely going back. Only problem was that they use takeout containers that do not seal well and it leaked into the bag.
Service
Delivery
Meal type
Dinner

  • Lucinda Burtt

Great little family-friendly place. The owners were so welcoming and brought out a high chair for our little one. We ordered the Lamb Platter to share. Everything was fresh and absolutely delicious - we'll be back!

  • Teddy A.

Poor service, unlike other Ethiopian restaurants, this place is way expensive and very small portion! Cleanliness is an issue as well!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$20–30

  • Christina Callicott

Undeterred by the run-down exterior, we ordered 2 veggie combos, only to find out that they didn’t have gluten free injeera, even though it is on the menu.
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 1

  • Jacob S

Absolutely wonderful restaurant! The stew is rich and has a great depth to its flavor. The waiter was super nice. Restaurants like this make me love Seattle all the more.

  • Suhaib Borgeia

Great Ethiopian food! I like this mixed platter! Good for 2-3 people and the price is very cheap!! Don’t forget to try the Ethiopian coffee there as well!!! Delicious

  • Kale Abera

I order” goden tebs “and they send me poison food its not fresh cook ! I’m from Ethiopia and this is not Ethiopian food looks like ! I never recommend this place .

  • Chuks C-M.

Delicious Ethiopian food for a great price. The taste was very pleasant and there was clean atmosphere. Definitely recommend if you're in the South Seattle area.

  • John Laramie

Amazing authentic Ethiopian cuisine. Large portions for a good price. Lamb combo was excellent.

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