Master Critic Review
Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant & Bar
8.4
A long-running Edgewater anchor for injera platters and stew-driven comfort, built for communal ordering and steady, repeatable flavor. It’s at its best when you commit to a sampler-first table plan, then add one targeted stew for extra depth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Doro wat, Vegetarian sampler, Honey wine (tej)
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Sampler platters that make Ethiopian dining easy and shareable.
Who should go: Groups who love communal, hands-on meals.
When to visit: Early evening for calmer pacing and easier seating.
What to order: Doro wat; veggie sampler; tibs sampler.
Insider tip: One sampler per two people, then add one extra stew.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking on/near Broadway and side streets; easiest a few blocks off the main drag. Parking gets noticeably tighter during weekend dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual—jeans and sneakers are fine, but a slightly dressier look fits well for date night.
Noise level: Moderate—lively enough to feel energetic, but you can still have a real conversation at the table.
Weekend wait: 30–60 min without a reservation (faster if you arrive early).
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait to 10 min; occasional small rush on busier weekdays.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—strong vegetarian sampler options with multiple stew-and-vegetable combinations that eat like a full meal.
Vegan options: Yes—several vegan-friendly veggie stews are typically available; ask to confirm no butter/ghee on specific dishes.
Gluten-free options: Limited—injera is traditionally made with teff but is often blended; if you’re strictly gluten-free, call ahead or ask your server about their injera preparation and any cross-contact.
Best For
Better for: Sampler-first Ethiopian dining that’s genuinely built for groups—big flavor, communal rhythm, and a menu that rewards ordering one or two platters instead of scattering across too many individual plates.
Skip if: Skip if you want a quiet, ultra-private dinner or if your group doesn’t enjoy shared eating. Also choose a different spot if you need guaranteed strict gluten-free controls without confirming injera ingredients first.
Hours
Monday11am - 9:30pm
Tuesday11am - 9:30pm
Wednesday11am - 9:30pm
Thursday11am - 9:30pm
Friday11am - 10pm
Saturday11am - 10pm
Sunday11am - 9:30pm