Cafe Massawa Introduce
Welcome to the vibrant and flavorful world of Cafe Massawa, a cherished culinary gem nestled in the heart of Harlem, New York. This inviting establishment is more than just a restaurant; it’s a destination for anyone looking to experience the rich traditions and deep, complex flavors of authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. With a warm, cozy atmosphere and a reputation for outstanding service, Cafe Massawa has carved out a special place in the city's diverse dining landscape. Whether you’re a longtime fan of East African food or new to its unique delights, this is a place where every meal feels like a celebration.
Cafe Massawa stands out for its commitment to quality and authenticity. The menu is a carefully curated journey through traditional dishes, offering a wide range of options for every palate. From savory slow-cooked stews to flavorful grilled meats and a robust selection of vegan dishes, there’s something to satisfy every craving. The restaurant's reputation for having some of the city's best coffee is well-deserved, making it a perfect spot for a quick bite or a relaxing afternoon. As a Black-owned and women-owned business, Cafe Massawa is a testament to the power of community, passion, and culinary excellence, making it a truly special find in New York City.
Cafe Massawa is conveniently located at 3153 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USA, in the lively neighborhood of Harlem. This prime spot makes it easily accessible for both locals and visitors exploring the area. The restaurant is situated in a bustling part of Broadway, surrounded by the vibrant energy of the community.
Accessibility is a key priority at Cafe Massawa, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a comfortable and stress-free dining experience. The establishment is fully committed to providing a welcoming environment with a wheelchair accessible entrance, making it easy for those with mobility challenges to enter and exit. The thoughtful design extends to the interior, where you'll find wheelchair accessible restrooms and wheelchair accessible seating, allowing all guests to dine with ease and dignity. The location's easy access via public transportation also makes it a great choice for a spontaneous meal or a planned gathering.
Cafe Massawa offers a comprehensive suite of dining services designed to meet the needs of its diverse clientele. Whether you prefer the classic dine-in experience or the convenience of enjoying your meal at home, they have an option for you.
Dine-in: Enjoy the cozy, casual, and welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant. With table service and comfortable seating, it's the perfect setting for a leisurely meal with friends, a romantic dinner, or a solo dining experience.
Delivery: Craving authentic Ethiopian or Eritrean food but don't want to leave your home? Cafe Massawa provides reliable delivery services, ensuring your favorite dishes arrive fresh and hot at your doorstep. They even offer no-contact delivery for added peace of mind.
Takeout and Curbside Pickup: For those on the go, the takeout and curbside pickup options are a perfect solution. Simply place your order ahead of time and pick it up at your convenience. The curbside pickup service adds an extra layer of ease, allowing you to get your food without even having to park and go inside.
What truly sets Cafe Massawa apart are its unique features and highlights, which combine to create an unforgettable dining experience.
Great Coffee: Cafe Massawa is renowned for its exceptional coffee. The coffee culture of Ethiopia is rich and celebrated, and this restaurant brings that tradition to life. Whether you're a coffee aficionado or just looking for a superb cup, their coffee is a must-try.
Authentic Cuisine: The menu is a celebration of authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes. Highlights include slow-cooked stews (Tsebhi Entrees), savory Tibs entrees, and a wide array of vegetarian and vegan options. A customer review praised the delicious food, mentioning, "this was my first time having this dish and it was amazing!"
Black-Owned and Women-Owned: As a Black and women-owned establishment, Cafe Massawa is a pillar of the community, representing and celebrating diversity and entrepreneurship in the New York dining scene.
Vegan and Healthy Options: The restaurant is a haven for plant-based eaters, with a robust selection of vegan entrees like Shiro, Timtimo, and a Vegan Sampler. They also offer a variety of healthy options and fresh salads, catering to health-conscious diners.
Casual and Cozy Atmosphere: The atmosphere is described as both casual and cozy, making it an ideal place to relax and enjoy a meal. It's a welcoming spot that's great for groups and perfect for intimate gatherings.
Customer-Focused Service: The service is consistently praised by customers. One reviewer noted, "The owner is a very welcoming, polite, and hard working guy. He made sure our experience there was nothing short of exceptional." This dedication to hospitality makes every visit special.
Address: 3153 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USA
Phone: (212) 663-1800
Cafe Massawa is truly worth choosing for a multitude of reasons, blending exceptional food, a welcoming atmosphere, and meaningful community values. The restaurant's menu offers a delightful adventure for your taste buds. The "Tsebhi Entrees," such as the slow-cooked Tsebhi Beghe and Zigni, are rich, savory, and perfect for a comforting meal. The "Tibs Entrees," including the Beef Tibs and Salmon Tibs, are highly flavorful and well-spiced, offering a delicious alternative.
For those exploring plant-based options, the "Vegan Entrees" are a major highlight. The Shiro and Timtimo dishes are praised for their depth of flavor, and the "Vegan Sampler" is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to try a little bit of everything. A customer review specifically called out the Injera as "amazing" and highlighted the great vegan options, mentioning the Shiro and Alitcha.
Beyond the food, the overall experience is what makes Cafe Massawa special. The polite and attentive service, as noted by customers, ensures you feel valued from the moment you walk in. The cozy and casual setting is perfect for groups or solo dining, offering a comfortable backdrop for a memorable meal. A review highlighted the owner's warm and welcoming nature, which is a testament to the restaurant's dedication to customer satisfaction. The honey wine also comes highly recommended by a customer who called it "the best wine I have had!!"
In addition to the food and service, choosing Cafe Massawa means supporting a local, Black and women-owned business that is an integral part of the Harlem community. The commitment to a great product and a great experience is clear in every aspect of the restaurant, from the fresh, flavorful meals to the thoughtful accessibility features. It’s a place where you can enjoy fantastic food, sip on some of the best coffee in the city, and feel good about where you're spending your money. While some may find it a "bit pricey," as one review noted, the general consensus is that the fresh, flavorful, and high-quality meal is absolutely worth the price.
Cafe Massawa Food & drink
CAKE
- Carrot Cake $8.00
Lloyds Carrot Cake
- Rum Raisin Cake $7.00
Jamaican style Rum Raisin with crushed pecans, walnuts
Apps & Small Plates
- Sambusa
Pastry shells fried with your choice of minced spiced chicken or lentils in cardamom and herbs (2 pieces to an order)
- Quesadilla
Berbere marinated steak cubes, jack cheese, flour tortilla
- Wings $13.00
Berbere flavored hot wings (10 pieces to an order)
- Lamb Quesadilla $17.00
Spicy pulled lamb, jack cheese, flour tortilla
- Berberata Salad $15.50
Burrata, berbere infused olive oil, arugula, sourdough toast
- Mixed Green Salad $11.50
Tomatoes, cucumbers, homemade vinaigrette
- Mitmita Fries $7.00
Hint of mitmita spice
- Shrimp Quesadilla $17.00
Berbere seasoned shrimp, jack cheese, flour tortilla
- Mushroom Quesadilla $14.00
Tsebhi Entrees (Slow Cooked Stews)
- Tsebhi Beghe $27.00
Boneless lamb chunks slow cooked in onions, homemade butter, spices
- Tsebhi Derho $26.00
Braised chicken drumsticks tenderly cooked in butter, tomatoes, berbere served with hard boiled egg
- Zigni $25.00
Small cubes of beef slow cooked in a thick sauce of onions, tomatoes, berbere spice
Tibs Entrees
- Beef Tibs $24.50
Beef cubes sautéed in onions, tomatoes, peppers, berbere
- Tebsi Derho $24.50
Boneless chicken breasts sautéed in onions, tomatoes, peppers, berbere
- Salmon Tibs $25.50
Salmon cubes sautéed in onions, tomatoes, berbere
- Shrimp Tibs $24.50
Suatéed shrimp in. onions, tomatoes, berbere
- Mushroom Tibs $22.50
Portobello mushrooms sautéed in onions, tomatoes, berbere
- Dereq Tibs $24.50
Crispy stir fried steak, caramelized onions, peppers
Vegan Entrees
- Shiro $23.00
Creamy puréed split peas, slow cooked in tomatoes, onions, herbs, spices
- Timtimo $22.00
Red lentil stew cooked tenderly in tomatoes, ginger, berbere
- Alitcha $23.00
Ensemble of potatoes, carrots, cabbage baked in turmeric
- Birsin $22.00
Spicy brown lentils simmered in garlic, tomatoes
- Vegan Sampler For 1 $25.00
Sampler for 1 of all vegan entrees
Extras
- Extra Injera $1.75
- Side Of Rice $3.00
Dessert
- Carrot Cake $8.50
Lloyds Carrot Cake
- Rum Raisin Cake $8.50
Jamaican style Rum Raisin with crushed pecans, walnuts
Meat Entrées
- Tsebhi Beghe $18.50
Boneless lamb chunks slow cooked in onions, homemade butter, spices
- Tsebhi Derho $17.50
Braised chicken drumsticks tenderly cooked in butter, tomatoes, berbere served with hard boiled egg
- Zigni $16.50
small cubes of beef slow cooked in a sauce of onions, tomatoes, berbere
- Beef Tibs $17.00
Beef cubes sautéed in onions, tomatoes, peppers, berbere
- Chicken Tibs $16.50
Boneless chicken breasts sautéed in onions, tomatoes, peppers, berbere
- Shrimp Tibs $17.00
Suatéed shrimp in onions, tomatoes, berbere
- Salmon Tibs $18.00
Salmon cubes sautéed in onions, tomatoes, berbere
Vegan Entrées
- Shiro $16.50
Creamy puréed split peas, slow cooked in tomatoes, onions, herbs, spices
- Timtimo $16.50
Red lentil stew cooked tenderly in tomatoes, ginger, berbere
- Alitcha $17.00
Ensemble of potatoes, carrots, cabbage baked in turmeric
- Birsin $16.00
Spicy brown lentils simmered in garlic, tomatoes
- Vegan Sampler $18.00
- Mushroom Tibs $17.50
Small Bites
- Chicken Sambusa $8.00
- Lentil Sambusa $7.00
- Fries $7.00
Cafe Massawa Details
From the business
- Identifies as Black-owned
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Great coffee
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Cafe Massawa Photos










Cafe Massawa Location
Cafe Massawa Reviews
injeraatmosphereethiopian foodlunchavocado toastsambusaswotrum raisin caketibsshiro
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Polite service, delicious food this was my first time having this dish and it was amazing! I would definitely come again. Just a bit pricey but worth it for a fresh meal that has flavor. Also the honey wine is the best wine I have had!!
July 25 · Pastel RainThe owner is a very welcoming, polite, and hard working guy. He made sure our experience there was nothing short of exceptional. The injera was amazing! They have vegan options, as well. In photo: Beef Tibs, Shiro, and Alitcha
June 22 · J TCame for lunch and got the zigni with timtimo and green salad. Outstanding. Service was faster than I am accustomed to in an Eritrean restaurant and I really appreciated that! Reasonably priced for how much food you get. I will definitely come back when in NYC. My only complaint is that they had a vegan sampler, but not an omnivore sampler. I like to get one for myself and eat on it for days 🙂 No liquor license yet.
July 25 · Molly DarraghGot the quesadilla and a meat + 2 vegan entree combination. You can’t go wrong with any of the dishes, honestly. Hearty, savory stews served with light, tangy injera!! And we got a rum raisin cake with coconut ice cream for dessert, naturally.
July 16 · Anwen PaulAmazing spot in Harlem!The food here is absolutely incredible—so fresh, flavorful, and made with care. Every dish tastes authentic, and you can really tell the ingredients are high quality. The prices are also very reasonable for the amount of food you get, which makes it one of the best deals in the city.The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and it truly feels like a hidden gem in Harlem. If you’re looking for authentic Ethiopian/Eritrean cuisine, this is hands down the best spot. Highly recommend to anyone who loves great food and an amazing dining experience!
August 18 · J Impact
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