Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Club Waziema – San Francisco
Club Waziema - San Francisco
Photo from Club Waziema
Club Waziema at a glance
San Francisco Alamo Square
- 🥘 Ethiopian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 11 of the guests
#1918 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#4 Ethiopian Restaurant out of 4 in San Francisco
Good
6.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
148
Reviews
67.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
Frequently criticized
The restaurant Club Waziema invites you to discover the rich flavors of Ethiopia right in San Francisco’s vibrant Alamo Square neighborhood. This Ethiopian restaurant offers a truly authentic culinary journey in a cozy setting.
You’ll find yourself immersed in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for a memorable dinner experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Ethiopian cuisine or new to its delights, you’re in for a treat.
Overview: Introducting Club Waziema
Good
6.6
out of 10
148
Reviews
67.6%
Satisfaction
36
negative
12
neutral
100
positive
What people like
What people don't like
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Ethiopian Restaurant
8.6
out of 10
out of 10
326
89.9%
- $$
- West SoMa
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Ethiopian Restaurant
7.8
out of 10
out of 10
301
79.1%
- $$
- South of Market
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Ethiopian Restaurant
7.3
out of 10
out of 10
264
72.7%
- $$
- Mission District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Club Waziema
Food (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 74% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, youre looking at a pretty solid experience! With a score of 7.3 and a customer satisfaction of 73.7%, its clear many diners are happy. Out of 57 comments, 42 rave about the delicious Ethiopian food, authentic taste, and great veggie options, often paired with a good Ethiopian lager.
However, its not all perfect. 10 comments point to some concerns, particularly around food quality, with some finding the spices uninspired or questioning the consistency of dishes like beef stew. While generally positive, theres a bit of room for improvement.
Food
57
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
10
negative
5
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Ethiopian food
- Delicious food
- Great veggie options
What people don't like
- Poor food quality
- Bland spices
- Inconsistent dishes
Often praised
- foodfood, all received a perfect 5/5 rating
- Ethiopian foodIt's one of my favorite neighborhood bars in SF, offering a very unassuming and non-pretentious atmosphere. The highlight was undoubtedly the best Ethiopian food in town. They have good prices, and the veggie platter is an amazing all-you-can-eat option.
- drinksThey've decided to keep everything as-is, except for the food, which I haven't tried. The place has a great local vibe, and 'Mama' ensures everyone is kept in check while keeping the drinks flowing. However, the prices are slightly high.
- Ethiopian dishvery plentiful Ethiopian dish
- veggie platterveggie platter, which is amazing
- Chicken specialMake sure to try the Chicken special
- Ethiopian dishesThe Ethiopian dishes have a distinctly authentic taste
- Ethiopian farethe Ethiopian fare, which included both vegetarian and omnivorous options
- Ethiopian lagerreally liked the Ethiopian lager
- FoodFood:5
Frequently criticized
- Ethiopian foodThe worst Ethiopian food I've ever had
- food qualityThe food quality received a score of 1
- all you can eat veggie platterit’s now $18
- beef stewI'm 99% sure they served me ground beef
- cubed beefasked if it was supposed to be cubed
- ground beefthey served me ground beef
- spicesspices were a little uninspired
If you're craving authentic Ethiopian food and enjoy good veggie options, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that a few diners have noted inconsistencies in food quality or spice levels, so manage your expectations slightly.
Service (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot lands squarely in the average zone with a 5 score and a 52% mixed customer satisfaction. However, theres a definite bright side! Many guests, accounting for 13 positive experiences out of 25, raved about the "friendly local owners" and the "family run place.
" Youll often find staff described as friendly and helpful, providing great service that makes you feel welcome. On the flip side, 12 negative experiences highlight some serious concerns. Customers reported uninterested service and long waiting time, with some feeling completely ignored.
There are also troubling accounts involving a woman at the bar, with accusations of her being racist and treating guests poorly, which is a significant red flag.
Service
25
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
12
negative
0
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly local owners
- Great family place
- Helpful, friendly staff
What people don't like
- Racist bar staff
- Ignored by staff
- Uninterested service
Often praised
- serviceservice, all received a perfect 5/5 rating
- ServiceService:5
- family run placeGreat family run place
- friendly local ownersI loved the delicious Ethiopian food. The friendly local owners provided great service, and the atmosphere was enhanced by a great pool table and cold cold beer.
- lady running the placeThe lady running this place is fantastic
- other waitressShe even dropped the F-bomb when we inquired about moving to the back room to order food. While I'm unsure of her issue, the other waitress was great.
- ownersowners are friendly and helpful
- peopleFamily-owned by nice people
- stafffriendly staff
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to the terrible service and uncomfortable atmosphere. It was very hot inside, and despite being there for 20 minutes, we were completely ignored and no one even asked us if we wanted to order.
- answering questionsI called excited to finally order some Ethiopian food in SF. However, the woman on the phone was clearly not interested in a potential customer and told me she didn’t have time to answer my questions about the menu after less than 3 minutes. I was very disappointed as I was looking for a regular Ethiopian spot : (My experience was centered around a very negative initial interaction over the phone.
- attentionCompletely ignored us
- bartendersone of the bartenders was extremely stuck up & rude
- managerShe then went to get her manager staring, "those black women are using the bathroom, should i watch them"
- racist against African Americansthe woman at the bar is racist against African Americans
- treated me and my sister like criminalsshe still treated me and my sister like criminals
- uninterested serviceI called excited to finally order some Ethiopian food in SF. However, the woman on the phone was clearly not interested in a potential customer and told me she didn’t have time to answer my questions about the menu after less than 3 minutes. I was very disappointed as I was looking for a regular Ethiopian spot : (My experience was centered around a very negative initial interaction over the phone.
- waiting timewe have been here 20 minutes and no one asked us if we wanted to order
- woman at the barthe woman at the bar is racist against African Americans
Overall, service here is a bit of a gamble. While you might encounter friendly, family-run hospitality, be prepared for the possibility of slow or even outright negative interactions. If consistent, top-notch service is a must, you might want to explore other options.
Ambience (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 82% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark, with a 6.6 score and a 70.4% customer satisfaction rating. Many guests, accounting for 38 positive remarks out of 54 total, appreciate the cozy dive bar vibe and fun bar atmosphere. Its often praised for its pool table and having room for friends to hang out, making it a friendly and unpretentious neighborhood option.
However, not everyone is charmed by the atmosphere. Some 11 comments point to it being a dark, dingy bar that can feel run down or have a seedy facade. It can also get crowded on weekends, and a few found the combination of an Ethiopian restaurant with a loud dive bar' to be a bit strange or uncomfortable, especially when trying to order dinner.
Ambience
54
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
11
negative
5
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fun, friendly vibe
- Great pool table
- Plenty of space
What people don't like
- Dark, dingy bar
- Crowded on weekends
- Loud dive bar
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere all received a perfect 5/5 rating
- full barMy experience at this restaurant was primarily as a meeting spot. It's a good place with a full bar. I have never tried the food, as I always meet up with people here before or after shows at The Independent.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- TVsit has TV's
- bar experienceprovides a reliably classic bar experience
- characterThis place has character
- chill vibemore chill vibe
- cozy dive bar vibeCozy dive bar vibe
- dancing and drinksCame for the dancing & drinks
- dark barMy experience was at a great little dark bar. It's a good spot for a quick drink on a first date.
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to the terrible service and uncomfortable atmosphere. It was very hot inside, and despite being there for 20 minutes, we were completely ignored and no one even asked us if we wanted to order.
- crowded on weekendscan get pretty crowded on weekends
- dark, dingy barfound a dark, dingy bar
- dive barit is a straight up dive bar
- loud dive barThe Ethiopian food was not good, and the service was lacking. The atmosphere was also strange, combining an Ethiopian restaurant with a loud dive bar. On a positive note, the place was nearly empty on a Saturday evening in San Francisco, making it a convenient option for last-minute large group plans.
- noticeable insideI walked in here while bar hopping a while ago, and I had zero idea this place served food at night; I thought it must have been a daytime thing because it is technically a bar. There was nothing noticeable inside that showed they serve one of the best Ethiopian food in San Francisco. The food, as I mentioned, is great, and the service is good enough for a bar.
- ordering dinnerfeels wrong to be ordering dinner there
- run downA little run down
- seedy facadeDon't be fooled by the seedy facade
- sign out frontFirst of all, this place needs to have a better sign out front and a way of letting patrons know they serve food. I walked in here while bar hopping a while ago, and I had zero idea this place served food at night; I thought it must have been a daytime thing because it is technically a bar.
If youre looking for a casual, lively spot with a classic dive bar feel, a pool table, and room for friends, this place could be a great fit. However, if you prefer a more refined or quiet dining experience, especially on weekends, you might find the dark, dingy and loud dive bar' atmosphere less appealing.
Value (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot offers some decent perks, scoring an average of 6.5. Many folks appreciate the cheap drinks and food , especially the all you can eat options. Based on 12 opinions, with 7 positive points, it seems like a good deal for those looking for affordable booze and solid prices .
However, the value isnt universally loved, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 58.3%. Some guests felt deceived by prices that werent as advertised online, leading to a feeling that costs were slightly high upon arrival. These 3 negative points highlight a need for clearer communication.
Value
12
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
3
negative
2
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cheap drinks
- Affordable food
- All-you-can-eat options
What people don't like
- Misleading online prices
- Prices not advertised
- Felt deceived
Often praised
- all you can eatall you can eat if you get the veggie platter
- pricesIt's a good spot for a quick drink on a first date. The place is a little run down, but the prices are solid and the drinks flow well.
- boozeCheap booze
- drinksCheap drinks
- foodcheap food
Frequently criticized
- pricesprices are not as advertised online
- deceivedHowever, upon arrival, we discovered the price had increased to $18. This felt like we were deceived.
If youre looking for an affordable spot with all you can eat options and cheap drinks, it could be a good fit. Just be sure to double-check current prices before you go, as they might differ from whats advertised online.
How are the prices at Club Waziema?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 11 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For an Ethiopian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
When we peek at what people actually spend, it’s quite interesting! While the average sits at 20, we see a good split: 5 diners were in the $11–$20 range, and another 5 opted for dishes in the $21–$30 range. This shows a nice variety, with many guests happy to spend a little more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 11 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Ethiopian Restaurant. It offers good value for a delicious experience without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Club Waziema
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Unique Dive Bar with Decent Ethiopian Food
As a dive bar combined with an Ethiopian restaurant, Waziema offers a unique and welcome experience in the city. It's a place that has been around for a while, and seeing it still thriving brings a sense of gladness. While it might not serve the absolute best Ethiopian food in San Francisco, the quality is decent.
It stands out as a good neighborhood option when you're looking for a less formal meal or simply a drink.
- Ethiopian food6
- neighborhood option7
- less formal meal8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Nice Vibe, Will Return for Food
I stumbled upon this restaurant/venue thanks to a Cinco de Mayo event flyer 😮. The atmosphere was nice, and I will definitely come back for the restaurant part next time.
- atmosphere7
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Consistently Bad Ethiopian Food
My experience at this restaurant was consistently disappointing. The Ethiopian food was the worst I've ever had. I've tried it again every 6 or 7 years, and it's reliably bad.
The food quality received a score of 1, and the service and atmosphere both received scores of 2.
- Ethiopian food1
- food quality1
- service2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Fun and Chill Bar, If You Get It
My experience at this bar was super fun and chill. The reviewer notes that if you don’t get it, you won’t like it. The reviewer rated the Service, Atmosphere, and Food as 5 out of 5.
- Service10
- Atmosphere10
- Food10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
3
Uninspired Spices and Just Okay Injera
My experience at the restaurant was a bit disappointing. The spices were a little uninspired at the medium level, and the injera was only okay. Overall, the food quality was not up to par.
- injera5
- spices3
- food quality2
What Club Waziema offers
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Vegan options
- Hard liquor
- All you can eat
- Wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
What dietary options are available at Club Waziema?
Club Waziema offers delicious vegan options and vegetarian options, ensuring everyone can enjoy their authentic Ethiopian cuisine. You can also complement your meal with a selection of hard liquor, wine, beer, or cocktails from their bar onsite.
What service and accessibility options does Club Waziema provide?
Club Waziema provides dine-in, takeout, and delivery services for your convenience. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, featuring both an accessible entrance and seating. You’ll also find free street parking available, making your visit easy and comfortable.