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oChef » Sunset – Seattle
Sunset - Seattle
Photo from Sunset
Sunset at a glance
Seattle Dunlap
- 🥘 Ethiopian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 19 of the guests
#257 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#11 Ethiopian Restaurant out of 17 in Seattle
Good
7.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
382
Reviews
81.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Great value
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Service issues
- Ambiance concerns
- Billing errors
The restaurant Sunset is a welcoming Ethiopian Restaurant located in Seattle’s vibrant Dunlap neighborhood. You can discover a menu rich with healthy and delicious vegan options, making it a standout choice for diverse palates.
This cozy spot offers a genuine taste of Ethiopia, ensuring a memorable dining experience for you and your companions.
Overview: Introducting Sunset
Sunset offers a culinary experience where the delicious food and generous portions often leave a lasting impression. Many appreciate the affordable prices, making it a compelling choice for flavorful dishes.
However, the overall dining environment can be a mixed bag. Some guests note concerns about the inside atmosphere and parking, while service experiences occasionally vary, with some reports of inconsistencies.
Good
7.9
out of 10
382
Reviews
81.4%
Satisfaction
55
negative
16
neutral
311
positive
Sunset earns a solid 7.9 overall, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction also stands strong at 81.4%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
This assessment is drawn from a substantial 382 customer opinions, with 311 positive remarks outweighing the 55 negative ones, providing a credible overview of the restaurant’s performance. Digging deeper, the Food (8.3) is clearly a standout, consistently receiving high praise for its quality and authenticity.
Following closely is Value (8.2), where guests feel they get a lot for their money. Service (7.2) generally performs well, though it occasionally sees mixed feedback, while Ambience (6.8) is perceived as adequate but has some room for enhancement.
What people like
- Delicious, authentic food
- Exceptional meal value
- Warm, friendly service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Exterior/interior ambiance
- Occasional billing issues
Sunset offers a compelling culinary experience, particularly for its authentic dishes and excellent value. While some aspects of the setting and service can be inconsistent, the core offering of flavorful food at a reasonable cost remains a significant draw for many diners.
With a solid 8.1 recommendation score, Sunset is worth considering if you prioritize delicious food and affordability over a polished dining environment. Be prepared for a casual visit, and you’ll likely find it a satisfying choice for Ethiopian cuisine.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Sunset
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place generally hits the mark! With a good score of 8.3 and a good customer satisfaction of 86.9%, diners frequently rave about the delicious food, generous portions, and amazing spices, especially praising the veggie combo. Out of 229 comments, a whopping 199 were positive, highlighting a truly satisfying culinary experience.
However, not every bite is perfect. There were 23 negative comments, with some guests finding the injera a bit stale or the overall taste disappointing in certain dishes. A few also mentioned an unpleasant smell or questioned the restaurant quality of specific items, suggesting some inconsistency in their offerings.
Food
229
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
23
negative
7
neutral
199
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, generous food
- Amazing spices, flavors
- Excellent veggie combo
What people don't like
- Injera can be stale
- Some dishes disappointing
- Unpleasant food smell
Often praised
- foodMy experience at the restaurant featured very good food and very good presentation, which was clearly a point of pride for the owner. However, the inside atmosphere can be a bit smelly if you're not accustomed to it.
- Ethiopian foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found the best Ethiopian food in town and it was well worth traveling from Redmond to enjoy this delicious food. The atmosphere is casual, making it easy to order a lot of great food for a large party without worrying about the bill.
- veggie comboThey serve the best Ethiopian food in Seattle. We visit often and always order the veggie combo and meat combo. The portion sizes were the perfect amount for a family of 6.
- coffeeMy experience at Sunset Ethiopian Restaurant was fantastic! The food was absolutely tasty, and I especially enjoyed the amazing coffee and the best cabbage salad. The service was amazing, and the price was reasonable, all contributing to the good vibes.
- delicious foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found the best Ethiopian food in town and it was well worth traveling from Redmond to enjoy this delicious food. The atmosphere is casual, making it easy to order a lot of great food for a large party without worrying about the bill.
- injeraOrdered extra injera. There were two types
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was excellent and better than expected. The food was authentic, well-prepared, and served in generous portions. I especially loved the good vibration of the owner's cooking.
- Sunset ComboThe sunset combo was such a great size, especially for the price, and really came with an excellent variety of flavorful toppings
- generous portionsMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the fantastic food with generous portions, all at a fair price. The traditional coffee ceremony was also delicious.
- kitfothe kitfo was tender and perfectly seasoned
Frequently criticized
- foodI tasted the Tibis, but I had to go to the bathroom immediately after. I have never experienced such trouble with food at any restaurant, cafe, or food place like Sunset Cafe. This is also my first restaurant review because I've never experienced such trouble with food and lodging.
- Ethiopian foodthe worst Ethiopian food I ever had
- GenfoGenfo made with oil
- Kayi Watthrew to the garbage both "Tibis and Kayi Wat"
- Misir WatThe Misir Wat (Ethiopian Spiced Red Lentils) were the worst I have ever eaten
- QibeWhere is the Qibe??
- Tibistasted the Tibis, but I went to the bathroom
- Yekik AlichaYekik Alicha (Turmeric Yellow Split Peas) were the worst I have ever eaten
- chechebsachechebsa and it was also made with regular oil
- dishesTried many dishes but nothing was really tasty
If you're seeking authentic Ethiopian cuisine with generous, flavorful dishes, this spot is definitely worth a try. While a few minor inconsistencies might pop up, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests a delightful meal awaits.
Service (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 67% of the guests
Service here generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction at 71.3%, indicating a good experience for most. Many guests rave about the gracious attention and friendly, attentive people, often highlighting the warm and welcoming atmosphere, especially from the owner or Sunny. Out of 80 total opinions, 57 were positive, praising the staffs hospitality.
However, not everyones experience is seamless. There were 19 negative opinions, with some customers encountering long wait for food, a confused server, and communication issues. A few even reported rude staff, suggesting that while generally good, service can occasionally be inconsistent or slow, particularly during busy times.
Service
80
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
19
negative
4
neutral
57
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Warm welcome
- Owner's hospitality
What people don't like
- Long waits
- Rude staff
- Communication issues
Often praised
- serviceThe spices and selection of the combo are divine, and so reasonably priced; I will be dreaming about the flavors for a while 😋. I highly recommend this mellow & slow-paced with friendly service establishment for delicious Ethiopian food.
- staffThey offer an extensive Ethiopian menu and a full bar. The staff were very kind and the chefs are top notch. I was impressed by the low prices and high quality of the food.
- ownerSunny, there owner of this cafe is the perfect host
- SunnySunny is the nicest woman
- customer serviceI wish I had gone across the street to the other Ethiopian restaurant. Their food is not great either, but it's not as bad, and they offer much better customer service. Definitely no harassment from drunk guests there.
- waitressthe waitress is kindly approach with people
- chattycan get pleasantly chatty if you would like
- chef/serverlone chef/server was very friendly
- chefsThey offer an extensive Ethiopian menu and a full bar. The staff were very kind and the chefs are top notch. I was impressed by the low prices and high quality of the food.
- free Wi-FiFree Wi-Fi onsite
Frequently criticized
- serviceShe lied to my face and claimed that I had ordered the vegetarian option rather than the meat. Even after I reiterated my request for the meat combo 2 or 3 times, they gave me what they wanted in a very harsh, unprofessional, unhelpful, and careless manner. Due to my dissatisfaction with them, I won't ever dine at this Ethiopian establishment again.
- changesthe changes are jarring
- OPEN signdespite the OPEN sign, they said we are closed
- communication issuessome real communication issues about getting some water
- confused serverour server was confused
- containersthey LIE to me saying they have no containers
- door was lockeddoor was locked but people were eating inside
- long wait for foodit was a long wait for the food
- not ready to serve foodboth times they were not ready to serve food
- ownerI was disappointed by this and contacted the owner to inform her of the mistake. She lied to my face and claimed that I had ordered the vegetarian option rather than the meat. Even after I reiterated my request for the meat combo 2 or 3 times, they gave me what they wanted in a very harsh, unprofessional, unhelpful, and careless manner.
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly and welcoming service, this spot is a good bet, especially when the owner is around. Just be prepared for the possibility of longer waits or occasional communication hiccups, particularly if theyre short-staffed.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
Many guests rave about the cozy and intimate atmosphere, often describing it as having comfortable vibes and a casual feel. People appreciate the cleanliness, homey touches, and even the fun music videos and Ethiopian music that contribute to a great dining experience. With a solid score of 6.8, it seems the interior certainly hits the mark for many, contributing to a generally positive experience.
However, the ambience isnt without its quirks, leading to a mixed customer satisfaction of 65.2%. Some find the decor could use an update, and the look of the buildings exterior can be off-putting. Issues like tricky parking, a sometimes stiflingly warm dining area, or even a loud dinger on the door are noted among the 11 negative remarks out of 46 total, suggesting there's room for improvement in certain areas.
Ambience
46
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
11
negative
5
neutral
30
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy atmosphere
- Clean environment
- Good vibes
What people don't like
- Exterior appearance
- Tricky parking
- Warm dining area
Often praised
- atmosphereThe spices and selection of the combo are divine, and so reasonably priced; I will be dreaming about the flavors for a while 😋. I highly recommend this mellow & slow-paced with friendly service establishment for delicious Ethiopian food.
- cleanThe food was amazing, with generous portions. The staff were very friendly and all masked, contributing to a very clean environment. The beautiful Ethiopian music in the background created a wonderful atmosphere.
- placeThe place is so clean and refreshing
- vibesComfortable vibes
- Ethiopian musicThe staff were very friendly and all masked, contributing to a very clean environment. The beautiful Ethiopian music in the background created a wonderful atmosphere. We shared the 8-dish veggie combo, which was more than enough for two people, and the variety of flavors was incredible.
- ambienceGood ambience
- aroma of spicesI love the aroma of spices when I walk in.
- casual atmosphereCasual atmosphere
- dining experiencewonderful dining experience too
- dining hereits a great experience dining here
Frequently criticized
- parkingparking can be tricky is it’s busy
- ambience from outsideFurthermore, the food was very affordably priced. I would advise future diners to ignore the ambience from outside.
- decordecorate the place so it looks more warm and “home-ier”
- dinger on the doordinger on the door. Man that thing is scary loud
- dining areastiflingly warm dining area
- guest seating outsideguest seating outside made unwanted lewd comments towards me
- harassmentTheir food is not great either, but it's not as bad, and they offer much better customer service. Definitely no harassment from drunk guests there. 😕
- inside atmospherea bit smelly in the inside
- look of the buildingapprehensive because of the look of the building
- outside of this placeThe owner should consider changing locations, though. Don't let the outside of this place fool you; the food is really good and the service was good as well.
If youre looking for a cozy, clean spot with good vibes and dont mind some minor exterior or parking quirks, this place is worth a visit. However, be prepared for a potentially mixed experience regarding comfort elements like temperature or noise, especially if you're sensitive to those.
Value (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines! With a fantastic score of 8.2 and an excellent customer satisfaction of 92.6%, its clear guests are thrilled. Out of 27 comments, a whopping 25 rave about the price, fair price, and value for money, often mentioning affordable options and generous portions that wont break the bank.
However, its not entirely perfect. A couple of guests, 2 out of 27, did express frustration over being charged $25 extra or $5 without consent'. While these instances are rare, they highlight the importance of checking your bill to ensure everything aligns with what was agreed upon.
Value
27
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Prices are fair
- Portions are generous
- Excellent value
What people don't like
- Unexpected bill charges
- Charges without consent
Often praised
- pricesThis cafes prices are extremely affordable
- priceWe shared the Veggie Combo and had a glass of honey wine each, and both left full and satisfied. The spices and selection of the combo are divine, and so reasonably priced; I will be dreaming about the flavors for a while 😋. I highly recommend this mellow & slow-paced with friendly service establishment for delicious Ethiopian food.
- valueThe service was great, and the food was delicious. We were able to feed 3 hungry people for under $30, and we still had tons of leftovers, which speaks to the unbeatable value. It was a truly satisfying meal.
- billnot cringe at the bill
- cost for the combo platescost for the combo plates is absurdly low
- fair pricegenerous portions for a fair price
- price pointPrice point is excellent
- pricedVery affordably priced
- pricingThe pricing is quite attractive
- value for moneyI found the food to be good and the prices to be great. Specifically, the sunset combo was a lot of food for twelve dollars, offering excellent value for money.
Frequently criticized
- $25 extracharged me 25 $ extra than was agreed upon
- $5 without consentcharged an additional 5 $ without my consent
If youre seeking fantastic bang for your buck, this restaurant is a solid choice. Just keep an eye on your bill to avoid any unexpected charges, and youre likely to leave feeling full and happy with the cost.
How are the prices at Sunset?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 19 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.
Most diners spend in the 11 – 30 $ range, showing a good cluster around these mid-tier prices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 19 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Considering the type of cuisine and the city, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair. Its a good spot if youre looking for quality without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Sunset
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Amazing Tibs, Friendly Service, Minor Decor Suggestion
I will definitely be returning! I’ve found a new spot for tibs. I ordered lamb tibs to go, and the staff were very friendly.
The lamb was the most tender and flavorful I’ve ever had at any restaurant in the Seattle area. The portion size was also the most I’ve ever had at ANY Ethiopian restaurant, especially for takeout. Hands down!
For once, I feel like I got what I paid for. The only thing I’d suggest is decorating the place to make it look more warm and "home-ier, " like most Ethiopian restaurants I’ve visited. Other than that small thing, I have no complaints.
The tender & flavorful food, large portions, and warm & friendly service WAY OUTWEIGH that small detail! 100% RETURNING.
- lamb tibs10
- staff9
- portion size10
- decor4
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Hidden Gem with Amazing Ethiopian Food!
Sunset Ethiopian Cafe & Deli is a true hidden gem! My experience was fantastic, with incredibly flavorful and authentic food. The service was warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere was cozy and intimate, making it a perfect place to hang out with friends for lunch or dinner.
I highly recommend trying the "Shekla tibs, Kitifo, Kurt" and their special for the day! I'd give it 10 stars if I could!
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Absolutely Amazing Experience!
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely AMAZING. From the food to the service and the atmosphere, everything was a perfect 10/10! I had the best food I've ever tasted, especially the "kitfo.
" I am definitely coming back!
- food10
- kitfo10
- service10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Delicious Food and Great People!
My experience at this restaurant was absolutely wonderful! The food was absolutely delicious, and the people were great. The place itself was so clean and refreshing.
I highly recommend it for a fantastic dining experience.
- food10
- people9
- place9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Fantastic Lunch Experience!
My recent lunch experience was fantastic. The food was not only delicious but beautifully presented. The service and atmosphere were also rated a perfect 5, making for an overall excellent dining experience.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere10
What Sunset offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Hard liquor
- Vegan options
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Table service
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What kind of dining options and dietary accommodations does Sunset Cafe provide?
Sunset Cafe specializes in Ethiopian cuisine, offering a variety of healthy, vegan, vegetarian, and halal food choices. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner with convenient table service.
What is the atmosphere like at Sunset Cafe, and what are the parking and accessibility options?
You’ll find a cozy, casual, and quiet atmosphere at Sunset Cafe. Parking is easy with free street parking and a free lot, usually with plenty of space. Wheelchair accessible seating is also available.
How does Sunset rate overall?
Sunset achieves a 7.9 overall score. Its Food (8.3) and Value (8.2) are highly regarded, while Service (7.2) and Ambience (6.8) are generally good but have some room for improvement.
What can I expect from the food at Sunset?
Customers frequently praise the delicious food, noting its authenticity and generous portions. Dishes like the veggie combo and kitfo are often highlighted for their flavor and variety.
Are there any common concerns about the dining experience at Sunset?
Some guests have noted that the inside atmosphere can be a bit strong, and the exterior might not be inviting. Service can occasionally be inconsistent, with reports of communication issues or longer waits.