Askale Cafe

Went here never having had Ethiopian food before. I asked the nice lady behind the counter about it and she helped me find something that I would like (awaze tibs beef is what the receipt says). Sat down and when it came it was delicious! There is also great coffee available, which my friend got. I’m not a coffee drinker. Nice people, wonderful food, good prices for the amount of food you get.

This is my very first time eating Ethiopan food & I’m completely surprised it was pretty good but I was not comfortable using my hands to eat with that bread thing so I asked the owner if I could asked a fork & she give 2. She is very nice, sweet & very friendly lady. And Yes I will definitely coming back!

I love this place, excellent customer service. The coffee is out of this world. I have never had coffee and bread as good as the one here. The décor gives the place a feel like you’re sitting in your mom’s house relaxed without a worry in life. The food tastes as good as a nice warm thanksgiving dinner. I will definitely drive an hour out here from Ashburn, VA.

I decided to check this place out during my staycation. I actually called first because I wanted to try the fuul and I know that is typically a breakfast dish and I wasn’t going to make in before noon but Askale (the owner) said that you can get it anytime. When I got there, it was empty – I think I just missed the morning crowd. As I walked in, I noticed the furniture in the café which would be best described as eclectic. Anyway, I ordered the fuul and a small cappuccino; I also ordered the Ethio mix (red lentils, yellow peas, collard greens and cabbage with carrots and potato) to go. I got 10% off when I checked in on Unilocal.I enjoyed the fuul and the bread was warm and flaky. However, at $ 10.50, it was the most that I’ve spent for fuul. The cappuccino was perfect and it seemed bigger than what I was expecting for a small. It was smooth and no need for sugar, which is good because I try to avoid adding sugar to my coffee.
Now, I have to say, I was disappointed in the Ethio mix. I’ve had Ethiopian food several times and at several different places, and I know that Ethiopian food is known for its spiciness – in heat and flavor. The Ethio mix was lacking spice in both heat and flavor. I had to add hot sauce, which I’ve never had to do. It was bland to me. I don’t know if it was just an off-​day or what. Also, the potato in the tikel gomen could have been cooked a little more. Having said that, I’m giving this place three stars because of the great service that the staff provides. The owner knows her regulars by first name which is a nice, personal touch. It would be like an Ethiopian Cheers! Also, I took a gander at the restaurant’s Facebook page and the owner is very active in the community and takes part in several fundraising events. I thought that was really impressive. I would give this place another try and hopefully, the food would have more spice ;-).

Loved it! The owner even helped me pick out a meal according to my preferences. I got the beef tibs and my friend got the lamb tibs. It was really good and packed with flavor. I definitely suggest you get the coffee, it was so smooth.

Went with a friend, and once we found the menu (on a chalkboard pillar), we ordered the veggie combo (called something like «Ethio-​mix» with cabbage, two types of lentils, and kale) and some lamb tibs. Although the cabbage could have been a little softer, all the food was good. We also enjoyed the atmosphere set by the comfy chairs and unpredictable assortment of wall art, including one with a coy looking cheetah. Pretty solid place.

Our waiter was fantastic and was a gracious and friendly host. He talked us through the menu and made some fantastic recommendations. Everything was well spiced and aromatic. Everything was delicious, can’t wait to go back!

Stumbled across this restaurant today and it has set the bar high for DC food now. They had a lot of options on the vegetarian menu, which made making a decision tough. I ordered a spicy lentil dish that came with three pieces of injera. At first glance I thought it was more snack size, but this dish was deceivingly filling. And delicious. It had the perfect amount of spice without being overkill.

Whoa there U Street– don’t get left behind by the warm embrace provided by the staff at Askale to their diners. From the doorway, it might seem like a haphazard collection of tables and chairs, each grouping a different table size, height and shape paired with various chairs at different angles to the table surface. It might seem strangely decorated with artwork, a fountain, and a full size mannequin fashioned with traditional Ethiopian attire. It might seem to counter decorum by not having more than a couple menus other than the ones on the black painted post and blackboards.
Well… Once you get over all of that… You’re in for a treat… As long as you go when they are open. Several times I went when they were closed, but good things are worth their wait.
As other Unilocalers have noted, great breakfast choices for coffee at a local business. Soy milk is an option. Lots of carbs, but decent protein sources too, like barley, ful and injera dishes.
Yes, they are nice here, but not soda pop bubbly fake nice, just plain nice in the old-​fashioned sense. In fact, the place feels like it appreciates customers and community to the point where customers seem to just hang out without feeling bothered by others or the time. Kinda neat!
Really worth the journey away from U Street, Askale does the food right. Too many places have the legumes too mushy from powder bases or too firm from not cooking thoroughly. Not here. The kik alitcha and messir wot were done exceptionally well by texture. A nice kick to the red lentils and the soft rich flavor to the yellow split peas complimented the fresh kale/​gomen cooked to deliver a solid green flavor absent a blanket of oil or salt or mushiness. The tikil gomen was alright, but nothing special– though the sizing/​chopping if the potatoes and carrots were appreciated. Selata is good but nothing extraordinary– freshly prepared with nice presentation, though.
How do you eat your Ethiopian cuisine? With mounds of injera of course. They have gluten free for a charge, but it’s quite worth the cost here– maybe the best gluten free injera I have eaten… Definitely worth it. There’s also rice.
The only down sides here are the hours are not long enough if you don’t frequent this part of DC. Also, most Ethiopian dishes are cooked in advance, but hearing how it was heated here was a slight bummer (microwave singing/​ringing/​singing)… It won’t keep me from eating here again. Order and pay first, then sit back and stay for however long you need to enjoy the meal, snack, beverage and/​or company.

Loved, loved, LOVED this place. First off Ethiopian spots are quite common in the DC area but I believe that Askale is definitely a gem.
I only found out about Askale Café because of the groupon available, which by the way has an incorrect address listed.

We’re always looking for interesting neighborhood restaurants for an early Saturday dinner where there’s vegetarian options, and this one is terrific! It was our first visit and they’d just finished the outside deck with ramp and getting a beer/​wine license. Askale helped us figure out what to eat from the good selection of food and we got a beer and glass of very dry –delicious — Acacia red wine. Our injeera bread dish came with corn, cabbage, kale, lentil and a lamb dish — some very very spicy — and another pile of injeera bread served on a handwoven basket. It was plenty for the two of us and a great experience too as they told us all about the café and Ethiopia. It’s very nicely decorated and the atmosphere is cool! The café is ramped but I didn’t visit the bathrooms so can’t say.

Updating my years-​old review to say this place is still amazing. Askale has created a lasting niche in our neighborhood and I’m so glad to have it in Brookland. They just acquired their beer/​wine license, which is an added bonus!
Great vegan options, and really decent prices. To update my previous review: I haven’t once been back here when it wasn’t incredibly comfortable inside :-) Thanks guys!
A weekly staple for meals in my house, and worth the trip across town if you don’t live nearby.

The experience at Askala was amazing! My friend and I called couple weeks in advance about experiencing a coffee ceremony on a Friday. The owner said that it would be no problem and would be able to accommodate. When we arrived we were greeted by the owner and were given recommendation for the dishes to try. They both were amazing!
The coffee roasting was also well worth it too! Askala was very personable and fun. She answered questions and told us about the Ethiopian culture. It was an overall great time.
We are definitely going to return for the food and great atmosphere. I would highly recommend it

I am from Florida and this place makes me wish I lived in DC. I love the atmosphere of this place, the food is amazing and a different experience than what I am used to from my culture. The staff gives you a warm loving welcome and good service. I was curious about The coffee ceremony they offer with an experienced Ethiopian coffee brewer places raw green coffee beans on top of hot coals while slowly stirring it and releasing itspleasant aromatic smell and until coffee beans were roasted, all brown and sexy. Ready to be freshly brewed;). The smell of the freshly roasted coffee beans wafted out all into dc. amazing food, amazing staff.

Are you looking for a cozy place to sip Ethiopian coffee? How about an affordable bite to eat? If you’re in Brookland, come to Askale. The ladies are always accommodating and pleasant. And genuinely so. I feel welcomed every time.
They warm the cream for your coffee! And the Americano always has a nice layer of flavorful crema (that creamy foam on top that contains the strongest flavor of the bean).
I appreciate that there’s no judgement about what your order or how long you stay. You won’t get the very best cup of coffee in DC, but you’ll get a comfortable experience.

Well this was the experience that I was looking for in order to write this blog. The coffee ceremony was not only charming but it was a cultural experience that was both revelatory and unique. The cup of java was not exactly what one would expect due to his or her conditioning, but the flavor was aromatic and amazingly, there was no hint of bitterness on my tongue on the drive home. Still lingering on my taste buds were also the vegetable and beef dishes that my companion and I enjoyed for lunch, with the wonderful flavors and well-​prepared dishes having a lasting impression on my mind.
Yes, the service is a tad slow since it is a family run place, but the culinary experience was well-​compensated by the quality of cooking and the personable treatment by the husband-​and-​wife team. I can’t wait for their liquor license to be approved soon and for this café to turn into a proper restaurant. Once the ball gets rolling in that area, I’m sure it will be a hit in the neighborhood.
To read rest of review and view photos, check out my blog at Wongeats.

Is it possible to have a place with great coffee, authentic home cooking, good vegetarian and meat options, good prices, free wi-​fi, and that’s also quiet and run by a friendly local family? Yes. That place is Askale Café.
Askale Café is the first place I’ve come to be a «regular» at after 10 years living in DC. Askale and her husband are wonderful people and great to chat with if the café is not too busy. You can never go wrong with her fava bean breakfast (comes with egg, jalapeños, and fresh bread), which I get at all times of the day. The Ethio Mix is another good vegan/​vegetarian option.
I feel like a lot of Ethiopian restaurants in DC have the same dishes and only really do dinner. I like that Askale has all of the expected dishes (messer wot, beef tibs, etc.) but also makes breakfast and lunch dishes that absolutely hit the spot. The cozy atmosphere is great and I appreciate that it’s quiet enough for working on my laptop, chatting with friends, or having a date!
Hidden gem. Highly recommended.

I’m just gonna go ahead and drop the «I’m Ethiopian» bomb on all of your heads so that you know immediately this review is super legit.
I typically frequent the Ethio restaurants down on 9^th Street (informally dubbed «Little Ethiopia») and I’m hardly inclined to stray away from that zone. A couple of really good friends of mine recently moved to Brookland and we got carryout from Askale the other night.
Simply put, it was fantastic. The tibbs was very juicy and had an impressive array of flavors, yet wasn’t overcomplicated. We also got kay kik, misir kik, gomen, and cabbage. Usually when one gets a variety of items from an Ethio restaurant, one or two items on the plate are inevitably mediocre. With Askale, that wasn’t the case — EVERYTHING on our plate was so delicious.
I have been thinking about it for a few days now. I’m already craving their food and can’t wait to go back. If Brookland is a hike for you, get over your fears and just make your way over there. Askale is worth the trip. There are also some really nice pubs right down the street, so you can indulge in a few drinks after your amazing meal.

One of the best restaurants in the neighborhood, up there with Menomale, though of course of entirely different cuisine.
The foule — stewed fava beans with eggs and a loaf of bread — is my single favorite dish in Brookland. Their various Ethiopian dishes with injera hit the spot, and their coffee is tops. When it’s not too busy this place serves as a café where you can sit down and work for a while.
Prices are excellent, staff is excellent, and a comfortable place to sit and work. High recommendation.

Great coffee served by super friendly people in a chill spot for a great price! You can also get some grub here, but I would recommend this spot solely for the java. I ordered a bagel and cream cheese, and while the bagel was nice and toasty, the cream cheese came in a single serving container. I wanted more! Blah.
Will definitely be back for a chill morning. The chairs look super squishy and comfy.