If your kid’s idea of a good meal involves eating with their hands and scooping up bold, unfamiliar flavors, Ethiopian food in New York is a surprisingly easy win — and way less fussy than you might expect for a family outing.
Family Dining Hands-On Eating Vegetarian-Friendly Budget-Friendly Cultural Experience
Look, I get the hesitation. Taking young eaters to a cuisine they’ve never tried — especially one built around spongy, tangy flatbread instead of forks — can feel like a gamble. But here’s the thing about Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants in New York: the food is designed to be shared. You tear off a piece of injera (that sourdough flatbread), grab a bite of stew or lentils, and pass the platter around. No plates, no utensils, no pressure. For a kid who’s picky about textures or just bored with the usual pasta-and-pizza circuit, it’s practically a game. The real question isn’t whether your family will like it — it’s which neighborhood you’ll hit first.
What’s the actual vibe for a family with young kids?
Ethiopian restaurants in NYC tend to be casual, loud enough that a dropped spoon or a spilled drink doesn’t draw stares, and staffed by people who’ve seen it all. The food comes on a single large platter — a combination platter — which means you order one or two for the table and everyone digs in. That’s the whole meal. No separate kids’ menus, no chicken fingers. But here’s what I’ve found: kids who are wary of new foods often relax when they see everyone eating the same thing. And the mild lentil stews (like misir wot) are so soft and savory that even the cautious ones usually go back for seconds.
The downside? Some of these spots are small. Haile in the East Village seats about 20–30 people, and noise levels can get high. Bunna Cafe in Bushwick doesn’t take reservations, and weekend waits can stretch past an hour. If you’re coming with a toddler in a stroller, you’ll want to aim for earlier dinner hours (5:30–6:30 PM) or hit a place with more breathing room, like Awash Ethiopian Restaurant on the Upper West Side, which has been around since 1994 and knows how to handle families.
Which spots work best for young, adventurous eaters?
Not every Ethiopian restaurant is equally kid-friendly. Some are tight on space, others are better for a date-night vibe. Here’s how the options break down for families.
Awash Ethiopian Restaurant — Upper West Side
This is the one I’d send a nervous parent to first. Awash has been on Amsterdam Avenue since 1994, and it’s described as “perfect for kids” in local guides. The atmosphere is intimate but not hushed, and the vegetarian combo — which includes sambusas, lentils, and collard greens — gives picky eaters a few safe bets. Street parking is available, which is rare enough in Manhattan to feel like a minor miracle. Open for dinner only.
Makina Eritrean-Ethiopian Eatery — Sunnyside, Queens
Queens’ only brick-and-mortar Eritrean-Ethiopian restaurant started as a food truck in 2017, and it still has that community-first energy. The dining room blends Italian art deco with Eritrean artwork, and there’s a full bar with creative cocktails — useful if you need a grown-up drink after a long day. The awaze tibs (spicy sautéed beef) and sambusas are the signatures. Walk-ins are tough during peak hours, so book a table via Resy. Note: gluten-free injera requires 24-hour notice.
Haile — East Village
If your kid is the type who gets bored at restaurants, Haile might hold their attention. The menu is rooted in traditional Ethiopian cooking, with bold spicing and fresh ingredients. The sisters who run the place prepare dishes like sambusa and kitfo, and they offer honey wine and Ethiopian beer for the adults. The space is small (20–30 seats) and can get loud. Reservations are recommended on weekends, and wait times can hit an hour. Closed Mondays.
Bunna Cafe — Bushwick, Brooklyn
Fully vegan, loud indoor music, no reservations — Bunna Cafe is not for every family. But if your kid is up for a live coffee ceremony and Ethiopian music, it’s a memorable night out. The Feast platter is the move here: a massive spread of lentils, vegetables, and injera that feeds a small army. Happy hour runs 5–7 PM with drink specials. The outdoor seating is quieter, and the wait times on Saturday nights around 7 PM can be long. If you’re flexible on timing, it’s worth it.
- At Awash, order the vegetarian combo — it’s mild enough for most kids and comes with sambusas they’ll actually eat.
- If you’re near Columbia University, Cafe Massawa on Broadway (open since 1988) has large folding doors for an indoor/outdoor feel and a casual, cozy atmosphere. No alcohol served, but the vegetarian dishes are reliably good.
- For a weekend brunch twist, Bersi in Greenpoint offers a free Ethiopian coffee ceremony on Saturdays at 6 PM, plus all-vegan food and weekend brunch items.
Getting there and what it’ll cost
Most of these restaurants are clustered in Upper Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens — none are in the direct tourist core of Midtown. That’s actually a feature, not a bug. You’ll get a more local experience and prices that don’t make you wince.
| Restaurant | Neighborhood | Price Range | Kid-Friendly Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awash | Upper West Side | $$ | Street parking; vegetarian combo |
| Makina | Sunnyside, Queens | $$ | Reservations recommended; full bar |
| Haile | East Village | $$ | Small space; loud; closed Mondays |
| Bunna Cafe | Bushwick | $$ | No reservations; vegan; live music |
| Cafe Massawa | Morningside Heights | $$ | No alcohol; indoor/outdoor feel |
| Benyam | Harlem | $$ | Limited seating; arrive early |
| RAS Plant Based | Crown Heights | $$ | Vegan; 24-hour notice for GF injera |
Prices are generally in the $$ range (entrees around $15–$25), and combination platters feed two to three people for roughly $30–$40. Most places don’t require a reservation, but the popular ones — Makina, Haile, RAS Plant Based — fill up fast on weekends. If you’re debating whether a day trip from outside the city is worth it, I’d say yes if you’re already in Manhattan or Brooklyn. But if you’re coming from farther out, pair it with another activity — like a visit to the Met Cloisters in Upper Manhattan, which is near Cafe Massawa and Addey Ababa.
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What to know before you go
Ethiopian food is eaten with your right hand — no utensils. That’s the whole point. If your kid is still in a “no sticky fingers” phase, bring wipes. The injera acts as both the plate and the scoop, so the table stays relatively clean. Most dishes are naturally gluten-free (lentils, vegetables, meat stews), but the injera itself is traditionally made from teff flour, which is gluten-free. Some places use a mix of teff and wheat flour, so if Celiac is a concern, confirm ahead.
A few places worth noting for specific dietary needs: Addey Ababa in Hudson Heights serves gluten-free injera and plays Ethiopian jazz in the dining room. RAS Plant Based in Crown Heights is fully vegan, with colorful murals and a live DJ on weekends — but you need to call 24 hours in advance for gluten-free injera. Bersi in Greenpoint is family-run, all-vegan, and offers a free coffee ceremony on Saturdays at 6 PM.
Most Ethiopian restaurants in NYC have been open for decades — Cafe Massawa since 1988, Awash since 1994 — and they’ve built menus that work for everyone from solo diners to big groups.
— Sophie
NYC’s Ethiopian restaurants — your questions answered
Will my kid actually eat the food?
Probably. The mild lentil stews (misir wot) and the tangy, pancake-like injera are naturally appealing to most kids. The communal platter format lowers the stakes — they can try a little of everything without committing to a full plate of something unfamiliar. If they’re extra cautious, order the vegetarian combo at Awash or the sambusas at Makina.
Is it safe for kids with food allergies?
Yes, with some caveats. Many restaurants accommodate gluten-free and vegan diets, but you need to call ahead. Haile accommodates Celiac disease. Bunna Cafe and RAS Plant Based are fully vegan. Addey Ababa offers gluten-free injera. The one thing to watch: some places use a teff-wheat blend for injera, so confirm if it’s a strict dietary need.
What if my kid is a really picky eater?
This is where the format works in your favor. The injera is mild and slightly sour — like a sourdough pancake. The lentils are soft and savory. Even the meat stews (like doro wat, a chicken stew) are more about depth of flavor than heat. If your kid genuinely won’t try anything, bring a backup snack. But I’ve seen kids who “don’t like” Ethiopian food end up eating half the platter.
Is it worth going out of the way for a specific restaurant?
Depends on your tolerance for transit. Makina in Sunnyside is a 15-minute ride from Midtown on the 7 train, and it’s one of the most polished options. Bunna Cafe in Bushwick is a longer haul but offers a full cultural experience. If you’re on a tight schedule, Awash on the Upper West Side is the most convenient family-friendly option near Central Park.
One last thought
I’ll be honest: I wasn’t sure Ethiopian food would click with my own kids. But the first time we sat down to a shared platter at Awash, my youngest — who usually eats like a bird — went through three rounds of injera and lentils. Something about the hands-on, share-everything format just works. It’s not a fussy meal. It’s not a performance. It’s just good food that happens to be fun. If you’re looking for a way to stretch your family’s palate without stretching your patience, this is a solid bet. For more ideas on where to eat and explore with kids in the city, check out the full NYC guide.
Sources
The Best Ethiopian Restaurants In NYC. The Infatuation, 2025.
The Hidden Ethiopian Restaurants in New York That Locals Keep Coming Back To in 2026. Taking the Kids, 2025.
Best Ethiopian Restaurants in NYC. Top 10 NYC, 2025.
Best Cozy Ethiopian Food in New York. Atly, 2025.
Best Ethiopian Restaurants in New York. Habesha Studio, 2025.
