Massawa - NY

4.8

168 Reviews

$30 and under

African

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2 people

11 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 12 times today

Vegetarian-friendly
Neighbourhood gem
Good for special occasions

Massawa in NY has been proudly serving the community since 1988. It has provided a full and fantastic menu, which has helped to strengthen the continued popularity of the eatery. The restaurant offers up a wealth of quality Ethiopian and Eritrean food, which is served traditionally and eaten by hand. Options on the menu at Massawa include appetizers such as vegetable sambuusa, beef sambuusa and ful. Some of the other popular menu items include tebsi, kitfo and zegini. The restaurant has beef, lamb, poultry and seafood. In addition, Massawa provides options for vegans. A range of wines and quality beers are available at the restaurant as well.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
African
Hours of Operation
Daily 11:30 am–9:00 pm
Phone number
(212) 663-0505
Website
http://www.massawanyc.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
1239 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
Area
Harlem
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Vegan

ShiroUS$20.70
Split peas, pureed to perfection. Slow cooked in ginger, herbs, and spices
TimtimoUS$20.30
Savory red lentils stewed w/ berbere and hints of ginger
AlitchaUS$20.30
Ensemble of potatoes, carrots, collard greens, and cabbage baked in turmeric
BirsinUS$19.90
Spicy brown lentils stewed in berbere
CabloUS$19.50
Cabbage and carrots sauteed in garlic and turmeric
Tsebhi HamliUS$19.80
Tenderly cooked collard greens stewed in tomatoes and berbere
Vegan SamplerUS$24.00
Sampler of Shiro, Timtimo, Alitcha, Tsebhi Hamli
- For TwoUS$44.00

Beef Entrees

TebsiUS$24.00
Tender sirloin cubes sauteed in onions, tomatoes, berbere and herbs
ZeginiUS$24.00
Beef cubes simmered in a thick stew of onions and berbere

Lamb Entrees

Tsebhi BegheUS$25.50
Spicy chunks slow cooked in onions and berbere
Alitcha BegheUS$25.50
Turmeric flavored mild stew in an onion puree

Poultry

Tebsi DerhoUS$24.00
Cubes of chicken breasts sautéed in onions, tomatoes, berbere
Derho HiwasUS$24.50
Chicken breast cubes sautéed and finished with collard greens
Silsi DerhoUS$24.50
Drumsticks, slow braised in an onion puree stew of berbere and herbs

Seafood Entrees

Salmon TebsiUS$26.00
Wine glazed cubes sautéed in onions, tomatoes and herbs
Shrimp TebsiUS$25.60
Citrus marinated, sautéed in onions and tomatoes

What 168 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.5Service
4.6Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

New York City
Healthy
Manhattan
Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Massawa in NY offers "excellent vegetarian choices" and "amazing food, service, ambiance, and value." Guests appreciate the "attentive and knowledgeable" staff and the "wonderful and authentic Ethiopian food." It's "great for vegans" with "delicious, well-seasoned dishes" and a "lovely cozy vibe." Highly recommended for an "excellent experience."

168 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
Chicago1 review
3.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
Horrible service. Food came out cold. Flavors are good, but there’s probably better Ethiopian places to go to.
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S
Sofia
Greater Boston3 reviews
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
If you're looking for good Ethiopian food in Manhattan, I highly recommend this spot. The ambiance is great, the service is spectacular, and it's just the right size for great vibes but also coziness. I go here often with my family, and with friends, and the chicken sambusas are to die for.
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A
Anonymous
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on 11 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The nicest staff and delicious food with lovely atmosphere!
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H
Holly
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on 9 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
You won't find better Ethiopian than in this place. Have been coming here for 16yrs and return again and again because the flavors are just right. Loved by the community but never crowded, and you will never be rushed from your table. The menu and prices have changed slightly over the years, but I appreciate the more lunch option they've continued to provide. Best African comfort food & atmosphere in Harlem there is.
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J
Joshua
New York City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 30 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent restaurant food ambience and service! Highly recommended!
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R
Ranjit
Dallas12 reviews
4.0
Dined on 2 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
This was our 2nd time eating at Massawa and it did not fail us. Very tasty Ethiopian food. Friendly staff and a nice simple ambiance.
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S
Shourin
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on 8 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really cool place. Had a mixed platter with tibs, shiro, gomen which was really satisfying. The wait staff is very friendly. All in all a great experience.
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H
Holly
London2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 7 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Massawa is absolutely terrific. We were a group of five and shared the vegan and meat platters. Everything was delicious, especially the lamb stew and red lentil dish. They were very accommodating of my daughter who has celiac disease. Thoroughly enjoyable meal!
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A
Adam
London1 review
5.0
Dined on 28 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Lovely experience, great vibe, delicious food, and we were never rushed
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M
Marlene B
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on 17 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, service, and ambiance! We plan on returning.
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FAQs

Massawa - NY offers delivery in partnership with Postmates. Massawa - NY also offers takeaway which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 663-0505.

Massawa - NY is rated 4.8 stars by 168 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

11 Mar 2025

19:00

Booked 12 times today

Order delivery or takeout

1239 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027

Additional information

Area
Harlem
Hours of Operation
Daily 11:30 am–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
African
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Website
http://www.massawanyc.com/
Phone number
(212) 663-0505

Massawa - NY

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Menu

Appetizers

SambusasUS$7.70

FulUS$12.10

Vegan Entrees

ShiroUS$20.70

TimtimoUS$20.30

AlitchaUS$20.30

BirsinUS$19.90

CabloUS$19.50

Tsebhi HamliUS$19.80

Vegan SamplerUS$24.00

Beef Entrees

TebsiUS$24.00

ZeginiUS$24.00

Lamb Entrees

Tsebhi BegheUS$25.50

Alitcha BegheUS$25.50

Poultry

Tebsi DerhoUS$24.00

Derho HiwasUS$24.50

Silsi DerhoUS$24.50

Seafood Entrees

Salmon TebsiUS$26.00

Shrimp TebsiUS$25.60

What 168 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

Does Massawa - NY offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Massawa - NY restaurant rated?

Is Massawa - NY currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information