Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Ras Dashen – Seattle
Ras Dashen - Seattle
Photo from Ras Dashen
Ras Dashen at a glance
Seattle Madrona
- 🥘 Ethiopian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 49 of the guests
#234 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#8 Ethiopian Restaurant out of 17 in Seattle
Good
8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
364
Reviews
80.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic food
- Cozy atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Hidden fees
- Slow service
The restaurant, Ras Dashen, is an authentic Ethiopian Restaurant nestled in Seattle’s vibrant Madrona neighborhood. Here, you’ll discover a culinary journey that promises a cozy atmosphere and a truly memorable dining experience.
Whether you’re seeking healthy options or delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes, this spot offers a welcoming environment for everyone. It’s a perfect place to gather and enjoy the rich flavors of Ethiopia.
Overview: Introducting Ras Dashen
Ras Dashen offers a generally pleasant dining experience, often praised for its authentic Ethiopian taste and a truly cozy vibe. Many appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and the quality of the dishes served.
However, some diners have noted occasional inconsistencies, particularly regarding slow service and concerns about hidden fees. While the culinary experience is a highlight, these points are worth considering before your visit.
Good
8
out of 10
364
Reviews
80.2%
Satisfaction
51
negative
21
neutral
292
positive
Overall, Ras Dashen earns a solid Restaurant Score of 8, indicating a good dining experience, which aligns well with a Customer Satisfaction rate of 80.2%. This positive sentiment is drawn from 364 customer opinions, with 292 positive remarks against 51 negative ones.
The Ambience (8.8) stands out as a top performer, creating a comfortable setting, closely followed by the highly-rated Food (8.1). Service (7.7) is also considered good, though some experiences mention delays.
The main area for improvement appears to be Value (5.8), which is seen as average by many.
What people like
- Authentic Ethiopian food
- Cozy, clean atmosphere
- Friendly, attentive service
What people don't like
- Hidden fees, extra charges
- Inconsistent food quality
- Slow service sometimes
With a strong Recommendation Score of 8.3, Ras Dashen is certainly worth considering for those seeking flavorful Ethiopian cuisine in a pleasant setting. The food and atmosphere are consistently highlighted as strengths, making it a good choice for a satisfying meal.
However, be mindful of potential service delays and check for any additional charges to ensure the value meets your expectations. If you prioritize authentic flavors and a welcoming environment, this spot could be a good fit.
Similar Restaurants in Seattle
- Ethiopian Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
407
92.9%
- $$
- Madison Valley
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Ethiopian Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
140
88.6%
- $$
- NewHolly
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Ethiopian Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
238
90.8%
- $$
- Lake City
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Ethiopian Restaurant
8.6
out of 10
out of 10
502
89%
- $$
- Brighton
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Ethiopian Restaurant
8.4
out of 10
out of 10
463
86%
- $$
- Madrona
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Ethiopian Restaurant
8.3
out of 10
out of 10
377
87.8%
- $$
- Madison Valley
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Ras Dashen
Food (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, you're in for a treat! With a solid score of 8.1 and a customer satisfaction of 81.3%, the culinary experience here is generally good. Many rave about the delicious Ethiopian food and authentic Ethiopian taste, with 183 positive opinions highlighting everything from great vegan options to generous portions.
However, not every dish hits the mark, as 30 negative opinions point to some areas for improvement. Some found the food salty or dry, while others mentioned cold food being served, indicating occasional inconsistent quality.
Food
225
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
30
negative
12
neutral
183
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Ethiopian flavors
- Delicious vegan options
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Food can be salty
- Cold dishes served
Often praised
- foodtrying their food! EVERYTHING about this place is so good!!!
- Ethiopian foodWe ordered the qanta firfir and asa dulet, and both were absolutely delicious. This family-owned restaurant serves some of the freshest and lightest Ethiopian food I’ve had. The flavors are authentic and delicious, and the dishes are not heavy at all.
- veggie comboveggie combo and lamb tips, both of which were delicious
- FoodFood:5
- beef tibsalways get the beef tibs and vegetable combo and we are obsessed
- delicious foodMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful because they are clean with delicious food and respectful service. It truly feels like home to me.
- honey wineThe honey wine actually tastes like honey
- lamb tibsTheir lamb tibs were really good though
- Dashen Comboshared the Dashen Combo, and it was so good
- authentic Ethiopian tastefull of authentic Ethiopian taste
Frequently criticized
- food qualitytheir food is horrible
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was that the food was very good. However, the service and food took a little while. This might have been due to a wedding party in progress, so it's hard to say if this is typical for a normal night.
- food temperatureThe food is overall decent, but my only gripe is that they are not consistent with quantity and quality. They serve food cold sometimes.
- AnjeeraThe Anjeera was too sour
- dishesA lot of the dishes just tasted off
- dryAs someone from Ethiopia who knows how to cook, I found the new owner of Ras Dashen to be absolutely horrible. The food was way too salty and dry. It's not the same as it was with the old owner, whose food and business I personally knew to be great.
- firfir and saladPrices are fair, menu has everything, and the restaurant is large enough so you still get a cozy vibe but you’re not touching the shoulder of your neighbor. I will say I wasn’t a big fan of the injera, something about the texture seemed a little off; and the firfir and salad (salata) was over-salted. Overall though, I would definitely recommend this spot for some good Ethiopian/Eritrean food!
- flavorMissing flavor
- food changeThe food change it is not under the same owners!
- food freshnessfood is from couple days ago
If youre craving authentic Ethiopian flavors and generous portions, this spot is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some experiences mention inconsistent quality or overly salty dishes, so manage your expectations. Overall, its a good bet for a tasty meal.
Service (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
The service here generally hits a good note, with a score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction at a solid 72.9%. Out of 70 pieces of feedback, 51 were positive, often praising the friendly staff, welcoming waitresses, and attentive owner interaction. Many guests felt truly cared for, highlighting the excellent hospitality and respectful service that made their visits wonderful.
However, not all experiences were perfect, with 13 negative opinions pointing to some areas for improvement. Some guests encountered slow service, long wait times, or even a rude lady at the reception. There were also instances where staff seemed to lack the necessary skill, leading to concerns about order accuracy and overall efficiency.
Service
70
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
13
negative
6
neutral
51
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Attentive owner interaction
- Excellent hospitality
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Long wait times
- Rude reception
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by very nice service, which I appreciated, especially given the new owners and their growing pains. While the service was commendable, the food was just okay.
- staffWe always come here to celebrate the small wins in life. It's such a cozy place and the staff are so friendly. And THE FOOD!
- ServiceService:5
- hospitalityThe hospitality and the space is A+
- customer servicehad a great customer service
- serverOur server was very attentive
- COVID systemThey have a great system for COVID
- accommodationI received a wonderful reception and enjoyed delicious foods. Thank you for the excellent service and accommodation!
- chefStaff and the chef are very friendly
- delivery timeDelivery time was not bad it took 41 minutes
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was marked by great food, which I rated a perfect 5 out of 5. The service, however, was a bit slow, with only one server, leading to a wait time that was a little longer than ideal. Despite this, the wait was ultimately worth it for the quality of the meal.
- waitasked me to wait another 15-20 mins
- lady at the receptionThe lady at the reception was rude
- online menutheir online menu didn't have any food descriptions
- orderthey couldn’t even find my order
- reason for the order being lateUpon asking the reason for the order being late, she just replied rudely
- serve the orderThe spicy level was medium, which I loved. My only concern was that it took time to serve the order, but taste-wise, there were no concerns.
- skillIf you’re not a frequent visitor, the quality is noticeably worse than what people show online or talk about. We were even told the owner and main chef weren’t there, so the waiter ended up cooking our food, and she admitted she didn’t really have the skill for it. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone.
- waiter cookingIf you’re not a frequent visitor, the quality is noticeably worse than what people show online or talk about. We were even told the owner and main chef weren’t there, so the waiter ended up cooking our food, and she admitted she didn’t really have the skill for it. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone.
- waiting timetook more than 40 minutes for us to get our food
Overall, the service here is quite good, making it a pleasant experience for most. While there are occasional hiccups with wait times or specific staff interactions, the positive feedback on friendliness and attentiveness suggests it's usually worth a visit.
Ambience (8.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 49% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8.8 and an excellent customer satisfaction rate of 91.1%, its clear guests love the vibe. Out of 56 total comments, a whopping 51 rave about the cozy atmosphere, cleanliness, natural lighting, and warm Ethiopian hospitality.
Many feel its a beautiful, spacious, and family-friendly place with great design and even jazzy tunes. However, no place is perfect, and a couple of comments (2 out of 56) did bring up minor points. Some found the table size a bit limiting, and parking can be a slight challenge.
But these seem to be small bumps in an otherwise overwhelmingly positive experience, with the overall feeling being one of comfort and enjoyment.
Ambience
56
Reviews
91%
Satisfaction
2
negative
3
neutral
51
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy atmosphere
- Excellent cleanliness
- Warm hospitality
What people don't like
- Limited parking
- Small tables
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere and design of the place is very cozy and personal
- restaurantI love quanta and have had rly bad experiences with quanta in Seattle restaurants but the quanta here is legit! Prices are fair, menu has everything, and the restaurant is large enough so you still get a cozy vibe but you’re not touching the shoulder of your neighbor. I will say I wasn’t a big fan of the injera, something about the texture seemed a little off; and the firfir and salad (salata) was over-salted.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- cleanlinessMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It’s incredibly cute inside and super clean, creating a welcoming atmosphere. They offer gluten-free injera, which is a great option.
- dining roomFor a single person's order, there was a $4 difference. The dining room was empty when I picked up my food, but it seemed like a nice place to dine.
- family friendlymost family friendly
- spaceThe hospitality and the space is A+
- vibeThe food was absolutely delicious, and the restaurant itself was spacious and well-lit. I particularly enjoyed the kind vibe and atmosphere.
- Ethiopian hospitalityThe traditional Ethiopian coffee was a highlight, perfectly complementing a menu filled with the best authentic Ethiopian flavors in town. It was more than just a meal; it was an experience that radiated the warmth of Ethiopian hospitality.
- Ethiopian musicthe Ethiopian music was melodic and beautiful
Frequently criticized
- parkingLimited parking in front.
- table sizethe table size limits my ability to shovel such delicious food into my mouth
If you're looking for a restaurant with a truly inviting and comfortable atmosphere, this place is definitely worth a visit. Its excellent ambience, from the cozy design to the warm hospitality, makes it a standout choice, despite minor parking or table size concerns.
Value (5.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 14% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners find this spot offers a pretty good deal! Guests frequently praise the prices as affordable and offering great value for money, with portions often feeling just right. Out of 13 total opinions, 7 positive remarks highlight the overall positive sentiment, contributing to an average score of 5.8 for value.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. Some customers have voiced concerns about hidden fees, a service fee, and discrepancies where website prices didnt match what they were charged. These 6 negative comments lead to a customer satisfaction of 53.8%, indicating a mixed bag when considering the overall value proposition.
Value
13
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value for money
- Affordable prices
- Right portion size
What people don't like
- Hidden fees
- Service fee charged
- Website price mismatch
Often praised
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- PricesI love quanta and have had rly bad experiences with quanta in Seattle restaurants but the quanta here is legit! Prices are fair, menu has everything, and the restaurant is large enough so you still get a cozy vibe but you’re not touching the shoulder of your neighbor. I will say I wasn’t a big fan of the injera, something about the texture seemed a little off; and the firfir and salad (salata) was over-salted.
- affordablevery affordable
- priceRight portion for the price
- pricesGood prices
- valuefantastic value
- value for moneyit’s great value for money
Frequently criticized
- hidden feesThe food was delicious, leaving my stomach satisfied. However, I'm marking down one star due to hidden fees. They charge a 3.
- pricesprices are high
- service feecharge a 3.5% service fee
- time and moneyI used to go there with friends or when I was pregnant and craving injera, but never again. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time and money on this place. 👎
- to-go boxcharge $1 per to-go box
- website pricestheir website prices are less than what I was charged
If you're looking for generally fair prices and good portions, this place could be a solid choice. Just be mindful of potential extra charges like service fees or differences from online pricing, which might affect your final bill.
How are the prices at Ras Dashen?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 49 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an Ethiopian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners tend to stick to the 11 – 30 $ sweet spot, showing a good mix of value options and slightly more indulgent choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 49 reviews.
How this Ethiopian restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Ethiopian spot in Seattle. It offers good value, especially with many guests finding options in the lower mid-range, making it accessible for a delicious meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Ras Dashen
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Amazing Food and Warm Welcome!
My friends and I had dinner here, and the owner welcomed us warmly. The food was amazing, and the restaurant was very clean, especially the restrooms. I will definitely recommend this restaurant.
- food10
- restaurant cleanliness9
- restrooms9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Absolutely Everything is So Good!
My experience at this restaurant was exceptional. I've stopped going to other places after trying their food! EVERYTHING about this place is so good!
- food10
- place10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Outstanding Ethiopian Cuisine!
My experience at Ra Dash was outstanding! We ordered the qanta firfir and asa dulet, and both were absolutely delicious. This family-owned restaurant serves some of the freshest and lightest Ethiopian food I’ve had.
The flavors are authentic and delicious, and the dishes are not heavy at all. I highly recommend Ra Dash to anyone in Seattle looking for amazing Ethiopian cuisine!
- qanta firfir10
- asa dulet10
- Ethiopian food9
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Average Food, High Prices, Inconsistent Quality
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The food was just average, yet the prices were high. It felt like they only cook their best dishes for regular customers.
If you’re not a frequent visitor, the quality is noticeably worse than what people show online or talk about. We were even told the owner and main chef weren’t there, so the waiter ended up cooking our food, and she admitted she didn’t really have the skill for it. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone.
- food quality3
- prices2
- quality2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Delicious and Affordable Gem!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found the food to be absolutely delicious and incredibly affordable. The aesthetic indoor setting created a welcoming atmosphere, and the waitresses were very welcoming.
🌷
- delicious food10
- affordable9
- aesthetic indoor8
What Ras Dashen offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- 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
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Is Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar accessible and easy to park at?
Yes, Ras Dashen in Seattle offers excellent accessibility with a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. You’ll also find convenient free street parking and a free parking lot, usually with plenty of space available for your visit.
What kind of dining options and dietary choices can you expect at Ras Dashen?
At Ras Dashen, you can enjoy lunch, dinner, and dessert with comfortable seating and table service. They cater to various preferences, offering healthy options, delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes, complemented by coffee, wine, beer, and hard liquor. It’s a great spot for diverse tastes.
What is the overall dining experience like at Ras Dashen?
Ras Dashen generally offers a good dining experience, reflected in its Restaurant Score of 8 and Customer Satisfaction of 80.2%. Customers often praise the authentic food and cozy atmosphere, though some service and value aspects can be inconsistent.
How is the food quality at Ras Dashen?
The food at Ras Dashen is highly regarded, scoring 8.1. Diners frequently mention its authentic Ethiopian taste, with dishes like the veggie combo and lamb tibs receiving positive feedback. However, some opinions note occasional inconsistencies in quality or temperature.
Are there any common concerns for diners at Ras Dashen?
While the food and ambiance are strong, some customers have expressed concerns regarding value (5.8) due to hidden fees or discrepancies with online prices. Service (7.7) is generally good but has been described as slow at times.