Highlights
- Great coffee
oChef » Tadu Ethiopian – San Francisco
Tadu Ethiopian - San Francisco
Photo from Tadu Ethiopian
Tadu Ethiopian at a glance
San Francisco South of Market
- 🥘 Ethiopian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 7 of the guests
#864 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#2 Ethiopian Restaurant out of 4 in San Francisco
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
301
Reviews
79.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious Food
- Good Value
- Warm Service
Frequently criticized
- Small Space
- Operational Issues
- Hygiene Concerns
The restaurant Tadu Ethiopian is a beloved Ethiopian Restaurant nestled in the vibrant South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. When you step inside, you’ll find a cozy and casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
Known for its great coffee, this spot offers a truly authentic culinary journey. Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen is a must-visit for those seeking delicious and healthy options.
Overview: Introducting Tadu Ethiopian
Tadu Ethiopian offers a genuinely warm experience, with many praising the owners and the cheery little hole-in-the-wall feel. While some find the place a bit cramped and have noted concerns about the neighborhood, the inviting atmosphere often makes a strong first impression.
The culinary offerings are a significant draw, with patrons frequently highlighting the delicious food and generous portions. However, a few have raised concerns about consistency or authenticity in specific dishes, suggesting some room for improvement in certain areas.
Good
7.8
out of 10
301
Reviews
79.1%
Satisfaction
41
negative
22
neutral
238
positive
Tadu Ethiopian earns a solid overall Restaurant Score of 7.8, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer sentiment aligns well, with a Customer Satisfaction rate of 79.1%, indicating that most diners leave content.
This assessment is built upon 301 customer observations, including 238 positive and 41 negative remarks. The culinary aspect stands out as a primary strength, with Food scoring an impressive (8.3).
Value also rates highly (8.3), suggesting that the generous portions come at a reasonable cost. The Service (7.5) is consistently good, often highlighted by friendly staff, while the Ambience (6.1) is perceived as more average, with some noting its small size.
What people like
- Excellent Ethiopian Food
- Generous Portions
- Friendly Owners/Staff
What people don't like
- Cramped Ambience
- Unreliable Business Hours
- Cleanliness Concerns
If you’re seeking authentic Ethiopian cuisine served with warmth and generosity, Tadu Ethiopian is certainly worth considering. The strong focus on flavorful dishes and excellent value makes it a compelling choice for many.
Just be prepared for a cozy setting and potential inconsistencies in certain aspects. While the overall experience is largely positive, it’s wise to manage expectations regarding the physical space and occasional operational hiccups.
With a strong Recommendation Score of 8.2, it suggests that for those prioritizing food and service, the positives significantly outweigh the minor drawbacks.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tadu Ethiopian
Food (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a good 8.3 score and leaving a good 86.8% of customers satisfied. With 158 positive remarks out of 182 total, diners frequently rave about the delicious and authentic Ethiopian cuisine, highlighting the amazing food, great flavors, and healthy portion sizes. Many particularly enjoyed the injera bread, tibs, and diverse vegetarian options.
However, not every dish is a home run, with 13 negative comments raising a few flags. Some found the kitfo to lack authenticity, while others noted an excessive vinegar taste in certain dishes. There were also a couple of mentions of poor samosas and, in rare cases, concerns about small portions, which contrasts with the general praise for generous servings.
Food
182
Reviews
86%
Satisfaction
13
negative
11
neutral
158
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, authentic food
- Great flavors
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inauthentic kitfo
- Excessive vinegar
- Poor samosas
Often praised
- foodMake sure to get the platter and have a little bit of everything, you won’t regret it. I love being able to eat with my hands and even more so, being able to share the food, family style. Support local!
- Ethiopian foodMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their perfect Ethiopian food. I particularly enjoyed their combination platters, which I finished completely.
- beef tibsWhat I really like about this place is how healthy it is and how they cater to San Francisco's healthy eating group. The juicy beef tibs were cooked to perfection, and the sauce was deliciously flavorful. The cabbage & veggies on the side are a must because they go perfectly with everything.
- injeraMy experience at this restaurant was defined by the food quality, which was truly awesome. I had the best injera ever, and my lamb tibs were flavored vibrantly and had a pleasant, mild spice. The red stew served with it was exceptional, and the salad dressing was also to die for.
- lamb tibsgot the samusas, veggie combo, and lamb tibs. Excellent.
- portionsowner is very generous with the portions
- amazing foodimpressed with the amazing food
- lambtry their lamb
- portion sizesfilling portion sizes
- tibsand a tibs (a meat sautee)
Frequently criticized
- Palm Greasesubstantial Palm Grease saturate a plastic bag
- authenticity of Ethiopian foodThe food was horrible. The owner is undercutting the authenticity of Ethiopian food. The food should not be boiled to a consistency of baby food; adults have teeth for chewing.
- consistency of baby foodThe owner is undercutting the authenticity of Ethiopian food. The food should not be boiled to a consistency of baby food; adults have teeth for chewing. The amount of vinegar added to menu items was excessive, and its repelling smell permeated the plate.
- foodhorrible food
- heartburn refluxheartburn reflux that comes with this meal
- kitfothe kitfo is not a kitfo
- portionsthe portions are small
- sambuusasambuusa was avoidable.
- samosasThis was not my first visit, and usually, the food is delicious and very good. However, this time my samosas were mostly dough and smaller than my thumbs. The spices were poured on, not cooked in.
- smell of vinegarrepelling smell of vinegar permeates the plate
If youre craving authentic and flavorful Ethiopian food with generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful of a few specific dishes like the kitfo or samosas, and youre likely in for a delicious experience.
Service (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 59% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.5 score, indicating a good experience for many. Customer satisfaction also looks good at 73.7%, showing that most diners leave happy. Based on 42 positive remarks out of 57 total, guests frequently praise the friendly staff and fast service.
Many also highlight the owner and even a generous cook for making their visit pleasant and welcoming. However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. With 10 negative comments, some experiences have been less than ideal.
There are mentions of rude service and frustrating wait times, particularly concerning inconsistent business hours. A few even raised serious concerns about staff hygiene, ' which is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Service
57
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
10
negative
5
neutral
42
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Welcoming owners
What people don't like
- Rude service
- Inconsistent hours
- Staff hygiene concerns
Often praised
- serviceThe Beef Berbere Banatu, Derek Tibs, Special Kitfo, and all the sides were absolutely incredible. The service was excellent, and the owner, Elias, was the best host. We’ll definitely be coming back again!
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was marked by awesome food and lovely staff. The injera bread was particularly great, and every dish we tried was good.
- ownersThe owners at Tadu are some of the sweetest and most welcoming folks you can meet. It’s a tiny little hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but they know how to serve up a DAMN feast.
- waitressmy waitress was kind enough to explain the elements of the dish
- Friendly serviceFriendly service also happy to teach
- ServerServer was really good, and fast
- cateringwe had them cater our wedding
- chefthe chef is really nice
- customer servicecustmer service is good
- fastFood is fast
Frequently criticized
- business hoursI'm pretty sure this location is closed. I've tried to go during "business hours" twice already and it was completely closed (gate pulled up and everything).
- food handlingtouch the money and cook your food just like nothing happend
- online statusupdate on line
- openedthey are literally never opened
- ownerHe (the owner) has no respect for Ethiopians
- refund or replacementrequesting a refund or replacement treated with rudeness and disdain
- restaurant statusrestaurant is says Open but no one is there
- rude serviceI wish I could review the food, but I was rudely sent away when trying to get in 5 minutes after it was supposed to be open. My experience was one of frustration due to the rude service, as I was unable to even enter the restaurant.
- staff hygieneThe guys working there they are really disgusting
- waittakes a while
Overall, you can expect a generally positive experience with friendly and fast service, often enhanced by welcoming owners. However, be aware that some guests have encountered rude service, long waits, or issues with inconsistent opening hours, so it might be a bit of a gamble.
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 49% of the guests
Alright, let's talk about the vibe! The ambience here gets an average score of 6.1, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 51%. Out of 49 comments, 25 were positive, highlighting a generally clean and pleasant atmosphere.
Many loved the small and cozy feel, appreciating the beautiful photographs on the walls and the delicious smells that greet you, making for a unique cultural experience. However, 18 negative comments point to some areas for improvement. Concerns popped up about cleanliness, specifically fruit flies, and the overall location or neighborhood being a bit sketchy.
Some found the restaurant itself tiny and cramped, leading to limited seating and a feeling of a lack of ambiance for those seeking more space.
Ambience
49
Reviews
51%
Satisfaction
18
negative
6
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy cultural experience
- Clean, pleasant atmosphere
- Beautiful wall art
What people don't like
- Small, cramped seating
- Sketchy neighborhood location
- Occasional fruit flies
Often praised
- placeThe owners at Tadu are some of the sweetest and most welcoming folks you can meet. It’s a tiny little hole-in-the-wall kind of place, but they know how to serve up a DAMN feast. Make sure to get the platter and have a little bit of everything, you won’t regret it.
- cultural experiencelooking up a place for a cultural experience
- atmosphereFabulous food and atmosphere
- authenticityadding a tinge of authenticity to the place
- beautiful photographsbeautiful photographs on the walls
- cheery little hole-in-the-wallserved in a cheery little hole-in-the-wall
- cleanclean, and delicious
- cleanlinessimpressed with how clean and pleasant
- delicious smellshit with delicious smells when you come in
- environmentMy experience at this restaurant was in a super casual environment with great food. The staff, who I'm assuming was the owner, was very helpful and friendly.
Frequently criticized
- neighborhoodI particularly enjoyed the veggie Melody, which is unique to this place and a must-try. Despite being in a completely shady neighborhood, the meal was absolutely worth it. The service was quick, and the waitress was friendly.
- placeA very small place. Like, it will seem full and cramped up
- cleanlinessdrop something and still use it with out washing it
- locationI'm pretty sure this location is closed. I've tried to go during "business hours" twice already and it was completely closed (gate pulled up and everything).
- seatingtotal seating of 10 people or so
- ambiancethe lack of ambiance
- fliesa few flies roaming about
- fruit fliesplace is ridden with fruit flies
- localityThe locality is not the best
- restaurantthe restaurant is tiny and cramped, being uncomfortable
If youre looking for a cozy, cultural experience and dont mind a smaller space or a less-than-ideal neighborhood, this spot could be a hidden gem. However, if spaciousness, pristine surroundings, and a prime location are top priorities, you might find it a bit disappointing.
Value (8.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to value, this place truly hits the mark! Customers consistently rave about the reasonable and good prices, with many noting that you can get a fantastic meal for less than 30 bucks. With a strong score of 8.3, indicating a good performance, and an excellent 100% customer satisfaction, its clear that guests feel theyre getting their moneys worth.
This positive sentiment is echoed across all 13 customer remarks. Whats even more impressive is the complete absence of any negative feedback regarding pricing. Out of all 13 customer comments, not a single one raised concerns about the cost, suggesting that guests found the value to be consistently fair and without issue.
Value
13
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great value
- Good portions
What people don't like
Often praised
- priceThe food was truly delicious and authentic, and I appreciated the plenty of vegetarian options. It was also reasonably priced. However, the cleanliness of the place was a major issue.
- pricesGreat prices
- PricesPrices were reasonable considering the high quality and large portions
- costsuch a reasonable cost
- less than 30 bucksI recommend getting the vegetarian combo platter and a tibs (a meat sautee) served family style for two. They serve it all on one giant crepe, and it's the perfect amount of food for less than 30 bucks.
- pricedVery reasonable priced
- pricingRight pricing
- reasonable pricesprices were also very reasonable
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If you're looking for a spot where your wallet will be as happy as your taste buds, this is definitely it. You can expect to enjoy high-quality food with generous portions without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for an affordable and satisfying meal.
How are the prices at Tadu Ethiopian?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 7 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For an Ethiopian Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
All the reported prices fall squarely within this range, showing a very consistent pricing experience. Just a heads-up, this is based on a smaller number of reviews, but it gives us a good feel for the pricing.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 7 reviews. While the data is limited, it gives a clear picture of typical spending.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for an Ethiopian spot, especially in San Francisco. It offers good value for a delicious meal!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tadu Ethiopian
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Flavorful Ethiopian with Generous Portions
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was full of flavor, and the owner was very generous with the portions. It's one of the best Ethiopian places I've found in SF!
- food10
- portions9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Incredible Food and Service - Two Days in a Row!
We loved the food so much that we came two days in a row! The Beef Berbere Banatu, Derek Tibs, Special Kitfo, and all the sides were absolutely incredible. The service was excellent, and the owner, Elias, was the best host.
We’ll definitely be coming back again!
- Beef Berbere Banatu10
- Derek Tibs10
- Special Kitfo10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Excellent Ethiopian Food - Glad They Reopened!
My experience at this restaurant was excellent! I have dined here several times over the years, and the food is always very tasty. I'm glad they reopened at this location and I hope to come back again soon.
I had the beef tibs, which were delicious.
- beef tibs10
- food10
- reopened9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
First Taste of Ethiopian Food Delightful
Stumbled upon Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen while exploring San Francisco and decided to give Ethiopian food a try for the first time — and I’m glad I did! I went with the Meat Combination plate, featuring minchet abish, gomen besiga, and lamb alicha wot. Each dish had its own unique flavor, and the injera brought everything together beautifully.
The spices were well-balanced — flavorful without being too spicy — and the textures were satisfying. It was a totally new experience for me.
- Meat Combination plate9
- minchet abish8
- gomen besiga8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Impressed by Cleanliness, Fresh Food, and Value
I was impressed with how clean and pleasant the small restaurant is, especially considering its location. My first impression was good. The food is fresh and delicious.
The cook was generous, and I enjoyed looking at the beautiful photographs on the walls while waiting for my meal to be prepared. The prices are pretty good; I probably would have spent just as much money on pizza.
- cleanliness9
- pleasant atmosphere9
- fresh food10
What Tadu Ethiopian offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Crowd
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of dining options and dietary choices does Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen offer?
Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen provides a diverse menu with healthy, vegan, and vegetarian options, perfect for lunch or dinner. You can enjoy small plates, coffee, wine, and beer, ensuring there’s something for every taste and preference.
What is the atmosphere like at Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen and what service options are available?
You’ll find a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere at Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen, making it great for kids and relaxed dining. They offer convenient service options including no-contact delivery, takeout, delivery, and dine-in table service.
How does Tadu Ethiopian rate overall?
Tadu Ethiopian has an overall Restaurant Score of 7.8 and a Customer Satisfaction of 79.1%. Its Food (8.3) and Value (8.3) are highly rated, with Service (7.5) also performing well. The Ambience (6.1) is considered average.
What do customers appreciate most about Tadu Ethiopian?
Customers frequently praise the delicious and authentic Ethiopian food, often highlighting the generous portions and reasonable prices. The friendly and welcoming staff, particularly the owners, also receive consistent positive feedback.
Are there any common concerns about Tadu Ethiopian?
Some patrons find the restaurant’s space to be small and cramped. There have also been mentions of unreliable business hours and occasional concerns regarding cleanliness or specific food consistency issues.