Enat Ethiopian Restaurant Is a Hidden Gem in East Charlotte. Family-owned and loved by locals, we’ve been serving authentic Ethiopian cuisine in Charlotte since 2017.
Enat Ethiopian Restaurant Reviews
UberEats
4.7
900+ Reviews
Yelp
4.8
250+ Reviews
4.8
800+ Reviews
The reviews of Enat Ethiopian Restaurant at Optimist Hall (OH) highlight a consistently positive experience centered around authentic, flavorful Ethiopian cuisine and welcoming service. Customers praise the menu’s diverse options, especially the lamb tibs (both derek-style and other varieties), vegetarian sampler platters featuring traditional sides like gomen, tikel gomen, and misir, as well as popular appetizers such as sambusas. The injera bread, described as soft, spongy, and fresh, complements the meals well. The food is noted for being richly seasoned, perfectly cooked, and delivering bold flavors with just the right amount of heat.
Reviewers appreciate the friendly and patient staff, especially their guidance to newcomers unfamiliar with Ethiopian dining customs. The restaurant’s cozy, family-run atmosphere and traditional Ethiopian decor enhance the dining experience. Service is generally quick and attentive, with accommodating touches like hand sanitizer on tables and reserved seating for Enat customers. Customers find the portions generous, reasonably priced given the quality, and suitable for sharing. Even delivery orders are reported to maintain good temperature and flavor.
- Ashley F. (Charlotte, NC): Ashley appreciated the young lady who helped with the menu and highly enjoyed the derek-style lamb tibs with flavorful sides like tikel gomen and gomen. The food’s bold taste impressed her, especially the lamb tibs and soft injera bread, making Enat her go-to spot at Optimist Hall.
- Karla F. (Augusta, GA): Karla considers Enat the best Ethiopian food she’s had compared to major cities. She enjoyed the family-style meat platter with awaze chicken, lamb and beef tibs, gomen, miser, and shiro. She praised the owner’s warmth, the reserved booths for customers, and the passionate service.
- Jacqueline T. (Denver, CO): Jacqueline loved the sambusas and vegan combo plate but especially the derek tibs with lamb, which she hadn’t tried before. She noted the authentic Ethiopian custom of eating with injera bread and enjoyed the overall taste.
- Jackie L. (Charlotte, NC): Jackie valued the variety at Optimist Hall and found Enat’s veggie plate good and filling. The food reminded her of Indian cuisine. She had a pleasant experience and looked forward to trying more dishes.
- Latonya P. (Charlotte, NC): Latonya praised the family-run cozy atmosphere, friendly staff who explain the menu well, and the vegetarian sampler with 12 different dishes. She enjoyed the lamb tibs added by her husband. The spongy bread used instead of utensils can make you a bit messy, but hand sanitizer is provided.
- Annie H. (Martinez, GA): Annie found the food flavorful and authentic with efficient service. She loved the lentil samosas, misir wat, and shiro, and strongly recommended Enat despite it being a small, busy spot.
- H B. (Charlotte, NC): H B. was impressed with the perfectly cooked fish tibs, which paired well with rice and injera, marking it a must-try dish.
- David T. (Haverford, PA): David called Enat the best Ethiopian food he’s tried after visiting many places. He liked the clean, small space, the lamb nibs, vegetarian platter with various combos, and reasonable prices for quantity and quality. Service was knowledgeable and quick.
- Cynthia G. (Charlotte, NC): Cynthia ordered delivery and praised the fast service, food temperature, and flavors. She especially liked the awaze lamb tibs and the unique beet and potato side, which became her new favorite. Injera was fresh and springy. Minor packaging mix-up was noted but food still delicious.
Enat Ethiopian Restaurant Charlotte locations:
Enat at The Plaza
4450 The Plaza, Ste D, Charlotte, NC 28215
Hours:
- Monday:11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday:11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday:11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday:11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday:11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday:11:30 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday:Closed
Enat at Optimist Hall
1115 N. Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28206
Hours:
- Monday:11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday:11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday:11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday:11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday:11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday:11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday:11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Enat Ethiopian Restaurant authentic Ethiopian dishes
Ater
Mild yellow split peas prepared with onions, garlic and a touch of special spices
Awaze
Spicy chili paste
Enat
Mother
Injera
Soft, spongy, thin bread with a slightly sour taste and tiny holes throughout, used as a utensil to grab up your grub
Goden
Beef short ribs
Fosolia
String beans and carrots sautéed in vegetable oil with garlic, caramelized onions, and Enat’s spices
Gomen
Chopped collard greens sautéed with onions and garlic
Miser
Red split lentil stew cooked in a spicy berbere sauce, onions and garlic
Mitmita
Chili powder made with traditional spices
Shiro
Ground chickpeas slow cooked into a creamy stew
Sinafitch
Ethiopian spicy mustard sauce
Tikel Gomen
Cabbage and carrots cooked with onions and garlic
Overall, Enat stands out as a top Ethiopian food destination in Charlotte OH, winning over both Ethiopian food novices and aficionados. The combination of authentic cuisine, great service, and warm ambiance makes it a recommended go-to spot for locals and visitors alike who want a genuine Ethiopian dining experience with flavorful dishes and welcoming hospitality.
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