Dahlak Restaurant
(215) 726-6464
4708 Baltimore Ave
Philadelphia,
PA
19143
39.9484
-75.2175
Neighborhoods: West Philadelphia, Cedar Park
What People Are Saying About Dahlak Restaurant
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
To the sound of Ethiopian music, guests are directed to tables and chairs or short, vinyl stools surrounding a circular, sunken table. The latter is the traditional African setting made to accommodate multiple diners sharing communal food. In place of utensils, customers use Injera, a spongy pancake, to pick up pieces of shredded lamb, chicken or beef cooked with ground chick peas, green beans, peppers and eggplant.
User Reviews
Anonymous
November 19, 2008
This place is the best for Ethiopian food and the seating is traditional. They have two large dinning rooms to eat and the lighting is mellow. When you have dinner in this restaurant, you eat the tablecloth! The tablecloth is a pancake where the food is placed and you eat with your fingers. I like the SEGA WAT (Ethiopian Lamb, chopped onions sauteed on all sides until quite dry and well done) and they make it spicy for me. BUT, eating dinner at Dahlak restaurant isn't the only experience go to the back of the building where the Bar is that's where Neighborhood people hang. The Bar is like going to the Islands. -Al B. For
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Habeshagirl
September 11, 2008
Everytime I eat at Dahlak it remind me of the time I spent in Africa. The art work of the beautifull african men and women, remind me of my next door neighbors back home. The smell of the "tibs" cooking in the kitchen reminds me of when my mother prepared it for me. The setting and the atmosphere, inside the restaurant and out in the patio, reminds me of the small town I lived in back home. So, for me when I come to Dahlak, im not only coming for the authentic Ethiopian/Eritrean cuisine, Im coming to get a little taste of how I lived both in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Im coming for the friendly service that I usually dont get anywhere else in the city. And I also come for the Doro tibs, with salad, and greens on the side, and to top it off you must have the Ethiopian tea after your meel. Best nights to go for me are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I usually get there early to snag me up a table outside and enjoy my meal back home style.
read full reviewAnonymous
August 16, 2008
Dahlak, known for its Ethiopian/Eritrean cuisine, is located not far the The University of Pennsylvania and gets a huge play from the academic community. In fact, the bartender told my husband that he was a grad student there, working on his doctorate. Although they have a liquor license, Monday-Friday from 5-7 P.M. there's a BYO policy, a nice touch for those who wish to bring their own wine. Ambiance is a word that doesn't apply, but it matters not a whit. The food is different, abundant to put it mildly, delicious & shockingly cheap. The menu is quite large and everything is served on one large, round platter & accompanied by crepe-like bread with which you scoop up your meal. Considering the communal aspect of dinner, it's best to go with a group, Our serving dish consisted of a spicy beef stew that must've had plenty of garlic & chile powder in it, a pureed chickpea concoction, a similar lentil entree but with different spices, a mixture of eggplant, carrots, potatoes, & goodness knows what else, & a Greek salad. Each & every selection was excellent & we were more than satisfied, too satisfied & too stuffed to sample the baklava or carrot cake they serve for dessert. And then came the bill. With three beers, without the tip: $45. I wish I could claim credit for finding Dahlak, but this time we just went along for the ride.
read full reviewThe Details on Dahlak Restaurant
Know Before You Go:
Vegetarian options may upset die-hard herbivores since everything--including meat--is served on the same plate.
Where To Sit:
When the season's right, the owners open up the back patio for regulars and friends.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Lunch Spot, Family Style Dining, Group Dining
General Info:
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
