Bete Lukas

This is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. The host, Peter, is hilarious and helpful--you can tell that he's careful to remember details about the regulars, he has good recommendations, I cannot say enough! The food and drinks are wonderful too, the veggie combo is a great introduction to Ethiopian food, the Enjera is always fresh, moist, and delicious. We love the Tikel Gomen and Doro Alicha Wot as well, but save room for dessert. The chocolate cake is rich and memorable. Everything is quick to arrive, but reservations make everything easier on weekends.

We recently made our first post pandemic visit to Bete-Lukas, and everything was refreshingly similar to the way it always has been. The gentleman who attends to the tables is still a delight to chat with, and the food remains a neighborhood highlight. Spice levels continue to be just right - hot enough to be flavorful, mild enough to avoid being painful. The restaurant continues to be very low key from outside - if you aren't specifically heading there, it would be easy to miss. Go up the stairs on the south side of the building and you'll find the door - it's not visible from the sidewalk. Inside, they appear to have made some updates to the lighting - it remains subdued and contributes to a calm, relaxing environment for enjoying your meal.

This place is such a hidden gem in Portland! The service you receive is incredibly personal and refreshingly entertaining and the food does not disappoint! I wish service could be this good everywhere! We've had Ethiopian cuisine several times in the past and this place is right at the top! Our server was absolutely the best we've ever had and completely turned the evening into a core memory outing! We loved every minute of our time here and can't wait to come back and bring friends!