Kokeb Ethiopian Cuisine

Upon making a reservation, we were told the restaurant should shut by the time we would get there... But they told us we were still most welcome to come and they would keep the restaurant open for us, as we were guests of the house..

When we arrived, the host was extremely hospitable and made us feel most welcome... Having never eaten Ethiopian food before, the host gave us her recommendation and explained to us in a polite and friendly manner, making us feel completely comfortable the entire time…

My party and I had eagerly anticipated the food and were not disappointed… We were all amazed by the traditional layout and aroma of the food… The host then explained to us what was what and how to eat it and ensured we were ok with everything and from time to time approached us to make sure we were fine...

I can ensure anyone that comes to this restaurant will not be disappointed with the flavour and true cultural experience this restaurant has to offer. In addition as someone who has been to many restaurants around the world, I can truly say I have never experienced hospitality as gracious as what I have done in the establishment.

I would recommended this restaurant to everyone, you would not be disappointed if your looking for that something different..
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Madison Lee
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, October 04, 2008

I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting to eat beautiful food in a relaxed and very friendly atmosphere at very affordable prices.

We recently went to Kokeb restaurant to celebrate my husbands birthday along with 15 of our good friends. The lovely lady who runs the restaurant was very friendly and helpful from the time i called to make the reservation right through till we left at the end of then night.

We opted for the buffet as we were a big group, every dish was very tasty and beautifully cooked, everyone commented during the night how delicious the food was and returned to the buffet several times.

The coffee ceremony and serving of the cake i had brought along for my husband made the night even more special and unique for all of us.

The flavours of the food and coffee were lovely and aromatic and it has definitely inspired us and our friends to eat ethiopian food more often.

Thanks for a lovely night Kokeb Restaurant.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 22, 2008

I went to Kokeb today with a friend and her 13 year old son; we'd passed the place many times and always remarked that we should visit it; finally one day we did and it was an amazing experience unlike anything I had ever experienced in a London restaurant (with the possible exception of the Gay Hussar).

The food was reasonably priced and delicious, it had that full bodied, marinated and tender taste that you usually get with homecooked food one prepares a day in advance purposefully, like boeuff bourgignon and coq au vin. I had the ethiopian steak tartare which was intriguingly spiced, very delicate and with a light afterburn, it was served with this crumbly cheese and collard green dish. To start I had the fule (dried fava beans cooked for a long time served with chopped tomatoes) and injera bread. My friend had the lamb and chicken soup for a starter.

The lady was very sympathetic to her son's needs as she is a mother too so knows how picky young people can be. She gave him rice (basmati) as it was the most "normal" thing on the menu. I wish I had ordered rice too as it looked ethereally perfect, every grain glistened, enevloped as it was lightly in butter, and was fluffy and separate with just a hint of bite.

We both had Ethiopian beers to drink, I had the St George (4.5%) which was mild tasting, aromatic, and subtly sweet. My friend had the Castel (5.5% I think) that had an aroma of wild honey and was terribly moreish. To finish we both had spicy tea that had a strong scent of cinnamon but also a finish of sandalwood or something similar. I recommend it to be drunk quite sweet.

I cannot really find a fault with this place, it felt as though we were guests in someone's home who hadn't seen us for a long time. We were made to feel very welcome and shall definitely be returning there.

It's a truly authentic experience and the chef makes no consolation to squeamish English palates as other restaurants do with chips and mushy peas and fried fish. We did not, alas, experience the coffee ceremony but we're all looking forward to it on our next visit.

I think everyone should eat here at least once to just experience this rare hospitality, but also it's an olfactory orgy of seductive scents and beguiling textures.
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ponderousfoodie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, July 31, 2008

Went on a miserable Saturday afternoon with my wife. We were the only two in there but never felt awkward about it. You've got to try the traditional cuisine with the bread and accept that the owner wants to treat you as house guests. The food was very tasty and a bit different from the normal. Music wasn't too loud and added a lot to the ambience of the place. The restaurant is in the most unlikely setting but don't be put off by it - you will not forget your visit here.
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K
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, June 26, 2008

Well this pace is wonderful more like a night at at your best friends than a restaurant . i had never had Etheopian food before but the lady there ( owner waitress and friend ) was great she helped me through the menu even reccomending something less expensive than the one I origainally wanted . Had vegatable souo t o star and Lamb tibba with Etheopain bread to follow . All were wonderful aand the bread was lovely and lemony . I had a grwt time ona wet horrid Thur and will most defiantly be back next time I'm in London . If you want to give this type of food atry go here as you will have a wonderful night out . I would score all of it 11 out of 10 if I could .
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quenya - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Thanks for the cuisine, never tried it before but enjoyed what i did have, and left stuffed! The friendly nature of the staff great, and for all we ate it was good value!
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, May 26, 2008

This restaurant is amazing! Went there last night with my dad and we both loved it. The owner is a fantastic lady who runs the place by herself and takes care of all the cooking. We also did the coffee ceremony, which was very interesting and the coffee was great!

Try the Ethiopian beer too.

If you have never tried Ethiopian food just ask the owner for advice and she will be happy to help. We ordered all she recommended and it was really good. I will definitely go there again!
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Valentina
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, May 02, 2008

what a fantastic find - indeed one of the best kept secrets of London ! went with a group of friends most of whom had never had ethiopian cuisine .. everyone loved the great food and service . The family that runs the place treat you like guests -very warm and nice people . The food was top notch - every single dish was mouth watering and super prices too .. the coffee roasting ceremony was a special treat . have recommended this place to many people and will definitely go back sometime soon .
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Sandy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 25, 2008

Incredible food, and the woman who runs and owns the restaurant is very kind and welcoming. Like going to your mother's house to eat if your mother cooks fantastic Ethiopian food.

The lentil soup served here rarely appears on Ethiopian menus and is tasty, definitely worth a try.

The price cannot be beat as well.

Been going here for years and its never been anything short of great.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 17, 2008

Visited Kokeb one sunny afternoon. Had lege tibbs, a spicy lamb dish which I had with rice and had a St George Ethiopian beer which complemented the meal nicely.

I dined outside in the enclosed front area surrounded by flower boxes, was served by the owner who was very helpful and friendly. Inside is just as nice and has a homely feel.

Kokeb is highly recommended and I'ts only a few minuits walk from Caledonion Rd Station. Go and visit !
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Peter
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 05, 2008