Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » New Eritrea – San Francisco
New Eritrea - San Francisco
Photo from New Eritrea
New Eritrea at a glance
San Francisco Inner Sunset
- 🥘 Eritrean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 84 of the guests
#236 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#1 Eritrean Restaurant out of 1 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
439
Reviews
89.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great food
- Good ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- Small portions
The restaurant New Eritrea invites you to discover authentic Eritrean cuisine right in the heart of San Francisco’s Inner Sunset neighborhood. You’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal.
New Eritrea Restaurant is particularly known for its great tea selection, offering a unique beverage experience to complement your dining. Whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner, you can expect a welcoming environment.
Overview: Introducting New Eritrea
New Eritrea offers a compelling introduction to Eritrean cuisine, with many guests praising the food itself as a standout. The dining experience is often enhanced by a warm and inviting atmosphere, making it a pleasant spot for both casual meals and gatherings.
However, some aspects of the service could use refinement, particularly concerning attentiveness. While the overall dining experience is largely positive, a few patrons noted concerns regarding portion size for certain dishes and occasional issues with the cleanliness of cutleries.
Despite these minor points, the restaurant generally provides a good setting for exploring African flavors, often highlighted by its flavorful offerings.
Excellent
8.5
out of 10
439
Reviews
89.1%
Satisfaction
32
negative
16
neutral
391
positive
New Eritrea earns a solid 8.5 out of 10 for its overall performance, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction stands at a strong 89.1%, indicating that most visitors leave content.
This positive sentiment is built on 391 positive comments against just 32 negative ones, out of 439 total customer remarks. The Food (8.8) is clearly a highlight, receiving the highest marks and being the most discussed aspect.
Service (8.2) also performs well, contributing significantly to the positive feedback. The Ambience (7.9) creates a pleasant backdrop, though Value (7.4) is seen as good but has some room for improvement, with a few comments noting concerns about portion sizes relative to price.
What people like
- Flavorful, authentic food
- Warm, inviting atmosphere
- Friendly, laid-back staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service speed
- Small portion sizes
- Tricky parking situation
If you’re looking to explore Eritrean cuisine, New Eritrea is a worthwhile destination, especially given its strong 8.8 recommendation score. The flavorful food and welcoming atmosphere are definite draws, making it a good choice for a new culinary experience.
While service can sometimes be a bit relaxed and some find the portion sizes a touch small for the price, these are minor points against an otherwise enjoyable experience. It’s a place that delivers on taste and atmosphere, making it generally worth a visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on New Eritrea
Food (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place truly shines! With an impressive score of 8.8 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 94.1%, diners consistently rave about the delicious and flavorful food. Based on 254 positive remarks out of 270 total, highlights include the authentic injera, generous meat combo platters, and excellent vegetarian options, all bursting with amazing flavor.
However, a small number of opinions (just 9 out of 270) noted a few minor concerns. Some found the portion size a bit small, while others mentioned the bread soaking up the sauce in to-go orders, or the injira being a touch too sour. These are minor points in an otherwise overwhelmingly positive culinary experience.
Food
270
Reviews
94%
Satisfaction
9
negative
7
neutral
254
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, flavorful food
- Excellent vegetarian options
- Authentic injera
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Sauce absorbed by bread
- Sour injira
Often praised
- foodsome of the most incredible, delicious food I have ever had
- injeraI had the #15 combination plate for dinner and an extra side of rentals. The lamb in the combo was my favorite 😍, so I definitely ordered extra injera! The restaurant has a lively atmosphere, but we were able to grab a table for 4 with no wait even arriving at 6: 30.
- Ethiopian foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the great Ethiopian food, especially the sampler which came with the spongy and sour bread for dipping. It's healthy vegetarian food with yummy spices that is traditionally eaten with your hands, though utensils are provided if needed.
- FoodI had never tried Eritrean food before, and this was a great introduction to the cuisine. The food was excellent, and the service and atmosphere were also top-notch.
- dishesAs someone fortunate to have experienced the vibrant Ethiopian food scene in DC, home to one of the largest Ethiopian populations outside of Ethiopia, I can confidently say that New Eritrea is spot on with every dish. I can’t wait to go back.
- honey wineIt wasn't overly sweet and was definitely needed
- sambusasThe sambusas are great too!
- Eritrean foodloved the food. This was my first time trying Eritrean food
- kitfoincluding an order of kitfo. The beef dish was very flavorful
- meat comboWe got the meat combo and the new Eritrea special (#16). They were both so tasty taste.
Frequently criticized
- Ethiopian foodmy first time eating Ethiopian food, and I wasn't impressed
- breadThey put tons of bread in the to-go containers
- extra foodthrew the extra food away
- four person mealsthe four person meals were way too small.
- injirathe injira was a bit too sour
- popular dishGot what seemed to be the most popular dish, which is basically some bread with dips
- portion sizethe portion size was a bit small
- sauceThe restaurant put tons of bread in the to-go containers, both on top and underneath the food for all six items. Unfortunately, by the time I picked it up, the bread had soaked up most of the sauce, and by the next day, there was almost no sauce left. I suggest putting the bread in a separate container to preserve the meal's flavor.
- vegetarian platterthe portion size was a bit small
If you're seeking an authentic and delicious culinary adventure with plenty of flavorful options, especially for vegetarians, this restaurant is a must-try. While a few minor points like portion size or bread packaging were noted, the overall food experience is overwhelmingly positive and highly recommended.
Service (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 74% of the guests
Alright, lets dive into the service here! Overall, its looking pretty good, with a solid score of 8.2 and customer satisfaction hitting 80.2%. Out of 86 total comments, a whopping 69 were positive, frequently praising the friendly staff, attentive nature, and quick service.
Many found the hospitality top-notch, making them feel right at home with excellent and warm interactions. However, its not entirely without its hiccups. There were 12 negative remarks, with some guests mentioning slow service and feeling the place was understaffed.
A few folks also experienced wait to be seated issues or problems with cutlery, noting service was almost inexistent or a little slow' at times.
Service
86
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
12
negative
5
neutral
69
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick service
- Great hospitality
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Understaffed at times
- Long waits
Often praised
- serviceWe all can't wait to go back because it was so exciting, delicious, and most tasty! The clean, beautiful environment and good service made it even better. Thank you!
- staffThe staff is definitely laid back, and in a really good way
- ServiceI had never tried Eritrean food before, and this was a great introduction to the cuisine. The food was excellent, and the service and atmosphere were also top-notch.
- ownerThe owner (?) spent some time talking to me
- peopleThe people were very friendly
- friendly serviceI'm not sure why more people don't know about this place, but with great food and friendly service, it's excellent for families. I miss the table placings that helped me learn the Amharic alphabet.
- quick serviceThe service was quick and friendly too!
- Friendly staffFriendly staff
- MannaWe had Manna as our server.
- SalaamSalaam was a great hostess!
Frequently criticized
- serviceOpting for the platter is a good idea, as it offers a variety of dishes and good value for money. However, service could be improved, particularly with regard to cleanliness of cutleries and serving dishes.
- bread in a separate containerPlease put your bread in a separate container!!
- cutlerynot given any cutlery and even after asking for them we had to wait
- silverwareas well as silverware. When the waitress finally brought some, at the end of my meal, after I had requested twice before
- understaffedthey seemed a little understaffed at the time
- wait to be seatedwait to be seated for a long time
- waiterasked the waiter for a box for our leftovers and she said she'd get one, but then just threw the extra food away
- waitressfelt more like a sarcastic joke than compliance to a customer request
If youre looking for a place with genuinely warm and welcoming staff, youll likely be pleased. While there might be occasional slowdowns, the overwhelmingly positive service experience makes it a spot worth trying.
Ambience (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to the atmosphere, this spot really shines, boasting a good score of 7.9 and a fantastic customer satisfaction of 83.6%. Patrons frequently rave about the vibes, lively atmosphere, and how welcoming the cozy restaurant feels, often highlighting the decor and lighting. With 56 positive remarks out of 67 total, it's clear the ambience leaves a great impression.
However, a few guests (8 mentions) did point out a recurring issue: parking. While the interior is often praised for its spacious place and design, finding a spot outside can be a bit of a challenge, so plan accordingly.
Ambience
67
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
8
negative
3
neutral
56
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Cozy vibes
- Thoughtful decor
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- atmosphereThe price was reasonable. It turned out to be Super Bowl Sunday, and the game was on, but it did not overwhelm the atmosphere. Highly recommend.
- AtmosphereI had never tried Eritrean food before, and this was a great introduction to the cuisine. The food was excellent, and the service and atmosphere were also top-notch.
- ambianceAll dishes are served with injera, the essential spongy flatbread. The restaurant's ambiance is warm and inviting, with a lively bar and comfortable seating. The friendly service and consistently delicious food make New Eritrea a reliable choice for both casual meals and group gatherings.
- decorThey haven't changed the decor, and I like that.
- amazing smellMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful! It's a cozy restaurant with an amazing smell of fragrant spices from the kitchen. The staff are so welcoming and make you feel at home.
- ambienceMy experience at this restaurant was average. It's a decent spot with good ambience to explore some aspects of African cuisine. Opting for the platter is a good idea, as it offers a variety of dishes and good value for money.
- authentic restaurantI enjoyed this authentic restaurant
- bathroomThe bathroom has both a urinal and a toilet stall
- best peopleall the best people from the neighborhood
- big barBig bar there too
Frequently criticized
- parkingMake a reservation as the restaurant was very busy on the Friday evening we went. FYI, parking is tricky so get there a little early to find parking.
- ParkingParking can be difficult at times.
- Parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- cleanliness of cutleriesOpting for the platter is a good idea, as it offers a variety of dishes and good value for money. However, service could be improved, particularly with regard to cleanliness of cutleries and serving dishes.
- serving dishesOpting for the platter is a good idea, as it offers a variety of dishes and good value for money. However, service could be improved, particularly with regard to cleanliness of cutleries and serving dishes.
If you're looking for a place with a genuinely inviting and enjoyable atmosphere, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that finding parking might require a little extra effort, but the experience inside seems to make it worthwhile.
Value (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.4 and customer satisfaction at 75%, its clear most diners feel theyre getting a good deal. Many praise the good value for money, affordability, and reasonable prices, especially noting that platters are often a great deal.
Based on 12 positive comments, you can expect delicious and affordable food. However, it's not without a few minor hiccups, as 3 negative comments suggest. Some found certain items overpriced or felt portions were small for the price.
There was even a specific mention about an extra injera charge, which some found a bit much. So, while generally good, keep an eye out for those smaller details.
Value
16
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value for money
- Affordable dining
- Platters are great deals
What people don't like
- Portions feel small
- Some items overpriced
- Extra injera charge
Often praised
- priceThe price was reasonable
- pricesprices are reasonable
- Price per personVegetarian options are available. The price per person is between $10–20. The atmosphere was rated a 4 out of 5.
- affordabilityfood was very delicious and affordable
- good value for moneysuch good value for money
- great dealsampler platters are always such a great deal
- price per personPrice per person:$20–30
- price pointGreat price point
- value for moneyIt's a decent spot with good ambience to explore some aspects of African cuisine. Opting for the platter is a good idea, as it offers a variety of dishes and good value for money. However, service could be improved, particularly with regard to cleanliness of cutleries and serving dishes.
- very good priceall for a very good price
Frequently criticized
- extra injeraOnly complaint was extra injera was a $1 extra.
- overpricedDefinitely overpriced for what you are getting
- pricesmall for the price
If you're looking for a place where your money generally goes far, especially with their platters, this spot is worth checking out. Just be mindful that a few guests felt some items were a bit pricey for what you get, so choose wisely.
How are the prices at New Eritrea?
You’re looking at roughly 29 per person – reported by 84 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an Eritrean Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests spend right around this average, with a big cluster in the $21–$30 range. However, there’s also a good spread, showing some diners opt for a more premium experience, with prices reaching up to $41–$50 and even higher.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 84 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Eritrean restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range option with enough flexibility to cater to different dining experiences.
Customer Reviews: what people think about New Eritrea
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Long-time Fans Love New Eritrea's Vegan Options
As long-time patrons of New Eritrea, we are big fans. We love how scrumptious everything is, and there are tons of vegan options. Lately, we’ve been ordering the platter for two, but it’s time to go big and upgrade to the platter for three.
We love the injera and gobbling up the saucy remains.
- scrumptious food9
- vegan options10
- platter for two8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Best Ethiopian/Eritrean Food in SF!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I absolutely love this place and consider it the best Ethiopian/Eritrean food in SF. We are frequent visitors and usually order the veggie combo with a meat dish.
The sambusas are also great!
- Ethiopian/Eritrean food10
- veggie combo9
- meat dish9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Excellent Food, Service, and Ambiance
I've been a regular here for nearly two years and plan to continue as long as the quality of food remains high. The gored gored is exceptional, with the service coming in a close second. The restroom facilities are well-designed, featuring both a urinal and a private toilet stall, ensuring convenience even when occupied.
The ambiance, enhanced by thoughtful lighting and a back atrium that provides natural light during the day and a sophisticated, homey feel in the evenings, is truly top-notch. It's rare to find such good value for money in this region.
- gored gored10
- service9
- ambiance10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
7
Good Vegetarian Combo, Sour Injira
I got takeout and ordered the vegetarian combo. The food was good and plentiful. My only complaint was that the injira was a bit too sour.
Additionally, parking was difficult to find.
- vegetarian combo8
- food8
- injira3
- parking3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious Eritrean Food with Modern Ambiance
My experience at this restaurant was a delightful introduction to Eritrean cuisine. While it shares similarities with Ethiopian food, I noticed distinct nuances in the flavor profile, though I couldn't precisely articulate them. The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was praiseworthy.
I was expecting a more spartan atmosphere, but the design inside the restaurant was modern. The price is reasonable, especially considering its prime location steps away from Golden Gate Park.
- food10
- Eritrean food9
- flavor profile7
What New Eritrea offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Vegan options
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Does New Eritrea Restaurant cater to specific dietary preferences?
Yes, at New Eritrea, you’ll find a variety of options to suit your needs. They offer healthy options, along with dedicated vegan and vegetarian choices. You can enjoy small plates or full meals, ensuring there’s something delicious for everyone.
What kind of atmosphere and amenities can you expect at New Eritrea?
You’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere at New Eritrea, perfect for a relaxed meal. The restaurant offers table service for lunch and dinner, with a bar onsite serving hard liquor, wine, beer, and cocktails. Restrooms are available, and the venue is wheelchair accessible for your convenience.
How does New Eritrea score overall?
New Eritrea holds a strong overall score of **8.5** out of 10, with customer satisfaction at **89.1%**. The **Food** (8.8) is highly praised, followed by **Service** (8.2) and **Ambience** (7.9). **Value** (7.4) is considered good, though some find portions small.
What are the standout dishes at New Eritrea?
Customers frequently praise the **meat combo** and the New Eritrea special. The **kitfo** is noted for being very flavorful, and the **sambusas** are also a popular choice. Many also enjoy the **honey wine** and the essential **injera**.
Are there any common issues to be aware of when visiting New Eritrea?
Some customers have noted that **parking** can be tricky, so arriving early is advisable. There have also been occasional comments about **portion size** being a bit small for certain dishes, and some experiences with slow or inattentive **service**, including delays in receiving cutlery.