Meskerem: Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine in Greenwich Village, NYC

Meskerem Introduce

Nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village, Meskerem offers a culinary escape to Ethiopia without ever leaving New York City. This Black-owned restaurant is a beloved local gem, known for its warm, casual, and cozy atmosphere that makes every guest feel right at home. For New Yorkers looking to experience the rich, aromatic flavors of traditional Ethiopian cuisine, Meskerem provides an authentic and memorable dining experience. The restaurant’s commitment to excellent service and a fantastic menu has made it a favorite among college students, local residents, and groups of friends looking for a unique and flavorful meal. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Ethiopian food or curious to try it for the first time, Meskerem is the perfect place to begin your journey.

### Location and Accessibility

Meskerem is conveniently located at 124 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012, USA. This prime spot puts it right in the center of Greenwich Village, a vibrant neighborhood known for its historic charm, cultural landmarks, and bustling energy. The restaurant is easily accessible by several subway lines, including the A, C, E, B, D, F, M at West 4th Street, making it a simple and quick trip from almost anywhere in Manhattan. The neighborhood is a destination in itself, and Meskerem is a perfect stop to fuel up before or after exploring the nearby Washington Square Park, unique shops, and historic sites. Its central location ensures it is a great choice for a casual lunch, a relaxed dinner, or a night out with friends in one of the city's most iconic areas.

### Services Offered

Meskerem provides a variety of services to accommodate the needs and preferences of its diverse clientele, ensuring a convenient and enjoyable dining experience for all.

Dine-in: The restaurant provides a comfortable and welcoming space with table service, perfect for a relaxed meal.
Takeout: For those who want to enjoy Meskerem's delicious food at home, a convenient takeout option is available.
Delivery: Meskerem offers delivery service, including a no-contact option for your safety and peace of mind.
Catering: The restaurant can cater to events, allowing you to bring the authentic flavors of Ethiopia to your next gathering.
Reservations: Meskerem accepts reservations, which is particularly helpful for planning group dinners or for ensuring a table during peak hours.

### Features / Highlights

Meskerem's offerings are extensive and cater to a wide range of tastes and dietary needs, making it a truly inclusive dining destination.

Extensive Vegetarian & Vegan Options: The menu is a haven for vegetarians and vegans, with a full section dedicated to plant-based entrees. The Vegetarian Combo is a popular choice, allowing you to sample several dishes at once.
Traditional Comfort Food: Meskerem specializes in authentic, home-style Ethiopian dishes. From the spiced chicken stew of Doro Wat to the rich Minchet Abish Wat, the menu is full of comforting and flavorful classics.
Fast Service: Known for its efficiency, Meskerem offers fast service, making it an excellent option for a quick lunch break or a pre-theater dinner.
Unique Appetizers: Start your meal with a dish like the beef Sambosa, which offers a delightful spicy kick, or the refreshing Timatim Salad.
Bar and Beverages: The restaurant features a bar onsite with a selection of beer and wine. They also offer coffee and a Braille menu for accessibility.
Perfect for Groups: The casual and welcoming atmosphere, combined with the communal style of eating Ethiopian food, makes Meskerem ideal for dining with groups of friends or family.

### Contact Information

Address: 124 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012, USA
Phone: (212) 777-8111

### What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Meskerem is about embracing a truly authentic and deeply satisfying culinary experience. The restaurant is consistently lauded for its excellent dishes and friendly, attentive service. Many regulars consider it one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in the city, a high praise given New York's competitive dining scene. The flavors are rich, complex, and memorable. A standout feature is the injera, the traditional sourdough flatbread that serves as both the utensil and a key part of the meal, praised for how well it complements the various stews and dishes.

For first-timers, the Meskerem Combo or the Vegetarian Combo are highly recommended. These platters allow you to sample a variety of the restaurant's best dishes, offering a perfect introduction to Ethiopian cuisine. Reviewers often highlight the beef Sambosas for their delicious mixture of beef, peppers, and onions. Another fan favorite is the Gomen Besiga, a flavorful dish of beef and collard greens that pairs beautifully with the injera. While some guests have noted that portion sizes can be modest for certain dishes, the exceptional quality and flavor of the food more than make up for it. The welcoming atmosphere and the fact that it’s a Black-owned business with a commitment to fast, friendly service only add to the appeal. Meskerem is more than just a place to eat; it's an opportunity to gather with friends and family, share a communal meal, and enjoy a taste of Ethiopia in the heart of New York City.

Meskerem Food & drink

Appetizers
Avocado $10.75
Chopped avocado mixed with tomato, green peppers, and onion
Timatim Salad $8.50
Chopped tomatoes, onions, and green peppers mixed with house dressing
Sambosa (2 Pcs) $6.50
Your choice of chopped prime beef or lentils mixed with hot green pepper, onions, and garlic stuffed in homemade thin flatbread. Served hot in a triangle shape.
Timatim Fitfit $8.75
Pieces of 'Injera' mixed with chopped tomatoes, fresh green peppers, onions, olive oil, and vinegar. Served cold.
Azefa $7.75
Chopped onions, green peppers, lentils, fresh lemon juice, and vinegar mixed with mustard. Served cold.

Vegetarian Entrees
Vegetarian Combo $19.00
Combination of miser alech, miser wat, kik wat, gommen, buticha, shro wat, and more
Miser Alech $13.75
Split lentils dipped with ginger, garlic, onions, olive oil, and curry then cooked to perfection
Miser Wat $13.75
Split lentils with garlic, onions, olive oil, and finished with berbere sauce
Kik Wat $14.95
Split peas cooked with onions and garlic finished with curry
Gommen $15.95
Minced collard greens cooked with onions and garlic
Buticha $15.95
Ground chickpeas cooked with onions and minced jalapeno chili pepper
Shiro Wat $14.95
Ground and highly seasoned chickpeas in berbere sauce
Vegetable #1 $15.95
Sauteed fresh string beans, carrots, and onion with tomato sauce
Vegetable #2 $15.95
Fresh cabbage, potatoes, and carrots sauteed with garlic, ginger, and curry
White Beans $16.25
Sauteed with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and finished with oil and vinegar
Mushroom $16.25
Sauteed with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and finished with awaze
Sing Karya $3.95
Tomato and onions stuffed in jalapeno pepper

Poultry Entrees
Doro Wat $19.95
Chicken leg seasoned with onions, garlic, and fresh ginger, then sauteed with butter finished with berbere. Served with a hard-boiled egg.
Doro Alicha $19.95
Chicken leg seasoned with onions, garlic, fresh ginger, and a touch of curry in a hearty butter sauce. Served with hard-boiled eff.
Special Chicken Tibs $16.45
Cubes of boneless chicken seasoned with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and finished with awaze sauce

Mains
Lega Tibs $19.95
Tender, boneless leg of lamb sauteed with rosemary, onions, and green peppers
Meskerem Combo $19.95
Combination of tibs wat, minchet abish wat, gomen besaega, miser alech, and miser wat
Tibs Wat $17.00
Prime beef cooked in a pan, then sauteed with berbere
Special Tibs $19.95
Boneless leg of lamb sauteed with onions, fresh tomatoes, green peppers, and finished awaze
Gomen Besiga $16.45
A special cut of prime beef seasoned with garlic, onions, and ginger, then finished with boiled collard greens
Yebeg Alicha $19.95
Pieces of lamb marinated with butter then sauteed with ginger, garlic, and curry
Meskerem Tibs $19.95
Boneless leg of lamb sauteed with rosemary, onions, and green peppers
Kifto $19.45
Chopped prime beef mixed with butter, mitmita served with your choice of meat temperature. (Like steak tartar)
Gored Gored $19.95
Cubes of beef dipped in butter
Minchet Abish Wat $18.45
Ground beef cooked with butter, garlic, and finished with curry
Yebeg Wat $19.95
Tender pieces of lamb marinated first with butter then sauteed with berbere sauce
Kwanta Firfir $18.95
Seasoned and dried beef, then sauteed and finished with berbere sauce and pieces of 'Injera' dipped into it

Meskerem Details

From the business
Identifies as Black-owned

Service options
No-contact delivery
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Braille menu
Coffee
Comfort food
Healthy options
Late-night food
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Catering
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy

Crowd
College students
Family-friendly
Groups
Locals

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Meskerem Photos

Meskerem Location

Meskerem

New York New York County New York MacDougal Street

124 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012, USA

Meskerem Reviews

An average rating of ★4.2 from 555 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Pretty good Ethiopian food, better service! Our server recommended some great Ethiopian barley beer because they were out of honey wine, and also helped us package our leftovers to go (because rolling up injera bread is not too easy). We ordered the Meskerem and the Vegetarian combo platter as well as a chicken dish, but were somewhat disappointed with the portion size. Next time we might try to order specifics to get larger portions.
July 12 · India Ratha
Meskerem has got to be one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in the City. I’ve been there a few times and the dishes I’ve had have been excellent. Every time I’ve come here it’s been a great culinary treat. This time around I had beef sambosas as my appetizer. The beef was mixed with peppers, onions, and garlic inside flat bread. Kind of like a samosa. So good, with a slight bit of a spicy kick. Along with the sambossas I had gomen bessega which was beef with collard greens. They went really well with the injera. Overall this a great place to sample some Ethiopian dishes at very reasonable prices. I already look forward to my next visit. If you’re in the neighborhood then this is definitely an interesting and tasty option. Give it a try!
August 02 · Michael Panton
The food was delicious, and the service was amazing. We loved the avocado appetizer and the lamb tips. The combination plate of meat and vegetables is a must-try!
April 19 · Anna Porter
I had the tibs lamb leg for lunch and it was really good. Some of the best Ethiopian food I have ever had. Its was around $19 and took 15 minutes to be ready. The service is good. The seating area is a bit dingy and the place has character. I like it that way. Its in a basement so don’t expect anything fancy. I really like this place and will be back.
July 04 · Elan
A very tasty Ethiopian restaurant in a uncomfortable basement space. The vegetarian dishes here are amazing. I thought the chicken was dry. The ingera has that amazing sour taste that it should have. The space is crowded. The back is unsightly. But over all a great meal.
October 30 · O V H