ECCC

As others have accurately noted, the signage outside is non-​existent, so it’s a little hard to find after dark, and the neighborhood is a little scary. If the owners would put out a light and a sign it would probably help alot. Inside, the restaurant has no charm at all, which is really a missed opportunity to showcase a unique and not-​well-​known culture. If the owners just want this place to stay a local hangout for Eritreans, so be it, but it they want to appeal to a broader clientele, they need to step it up.
As for the food, I will compare it to the many many Ethiopian restaurants I have been to (not technically Eritrean, but pretty close). I’d rate the food no better than average. Again, comparing it to Ethiopian, the food was bland and uninspired.

I was here with several colleagues last night for dinner. This is an Eritrean place, though if you look at the menu, the left side is Italian, and the right side is Eritrean. I am not really sure whether there is a difference between this cuisine and Ethiopian cuisine, but since I am more familiar with Ethiopian cuisine, I see it as Ethiopian and I am guessing there is just a political difference between the two cuisines. That being said, I am no Ethiopian cuisine expert and therefore I cannot say for sure, but there might be subtle differences that are invisible to the cultural outsider like me.
That being said, I cannot say I was fascinated by this place. I know Ethiopian cuisine very well, and I am quite adventurous when it comes to eating, so I know how to eat kitfo and other delicacies. What I had last night, while very tasty, was just too vanilla for my taste. If you haven’t had Ethiopian or Eritrean cuisine before, then sure, go here and try it, and they would make a good introduction, but I think they don’t have things to try for non-​beginners like me. While I was satisfied and my hunger was negated, the foodie in me was bored.
I don’t live here in Washington DC, but if I were in town again and were searching for an Ethiopian/​Eritrean restaurant, I probably would try to venture somewhere else where there’s more interesting things on the menu.

Located on the corner, it doesn’t look like a restaurant at all. And it is a dive inside: very worn but seems perfectly clean. We had the combination with nine sides. Delicious! Two kinds of lentils, beef, chicken, collard greens, potato/​carrot/​onion, vinegar laden bread, salad and a hot mixture in the center. Too much food for two. Definitely a delicious dinner with lots of character.

The atmosphere is a little intimidating. It is a community center, not just a restaurant, so be prepared. But the food is good and the people there were nice.

As others mentioned, this is Eritrean. Similar to Ethiopian, but some difference in flavors. Had the 9 dish option. All the dishes were very good. It was enough food for 2 people. The service was nice, but a bit slow. Reasonable beer prices.
The restaurant is a bit hard to find, especially at night. Look for the Eritrean Cultural and Civic Center sign. The restaurant door is below the sign. It does not look like a restaurant. If the door does not open you have to use the one further down — it might be bingo night. Saturday and Thurs according to one of the Eritrean players I talked to. Bingo starts around 8. It was fun to watch everyone setting up their boards and everyone was very friendly. We finished eating before bingo started.

If you didn’t know this was a restaurant you would totally walk past it. It’s in the corner of the block, with a dingy sign and honestly the inside isn’t that much better but we live in the neighborhood and we really like this type of food so we decided to give it a shot. I’m really glad we did cause the food was great. We ordered the large mix platter with 9 items. Each item was flavorful and went well together.

Still can’t quite figure out if we received what we ordered. My husband and I came to ECC for lunch. We decided to share a 9 items sampler platter. The description says Chicken with 9 additional sides including beef and vegetables.
When we got our platter — we counted there were only 8 items on the plate. We waved our server down who spoke minimal English. After a few attempts in asking if we received the 6 items sampler instead — she apologized and went back to the kitchen to bring one additional side. The number was still off but we were too tired and hungry to keep on asking.
After going through the pictures and seeing the 6 item sampler platter — we were definitely given that initially and still missed an item ultimately. No matter how good the food tasted, I can’t get over the fact that we were overcharged — especially we asked and asked. and obviously the number didn’t match and we had to count out loud with our server.

Went here on the wisp of the wind looking for something different and something fun. Absolutely loved it! The atmosphere was very interesting — almost as if we had stepped into an Eritrean social/​bingo hall. But the food was outstanding. I simply asked the waitress to choose food for us since I had no idea what the menu meant, as all the foods had names I had never heard of. We were not disappointed. Incredible flavors, fun textures of the very interesting bread that acts as both a bed and a utensil for the different sauces and foods, and just an overall great experience. Highly recommended if you find yourself in the area.

A hidden culinary gem — very hidden — but well worth the search.
I would have never found this place were it not for the Unilocal reviews. It was indeed a bit set away from where you would expect a restaurant, and did not appear to be a restaurant from the outside. However, we were warmly greeted and seated immediately. The restaurant and bar were full of community residents, but we were soon joined by other tables of culinary explorers.
Don’t let the casual atmosphere fool you — the food here is seriously good. I had the vegetarian combo, which was reasonably priced and contained a delectable variation of lentil and vegetable dishes. My friend had the beef tibs and loved them. We were very hungry, so we devoured everything, but a normal person would probably have decent-​sized leftovers.

This place is Eritrean, the northern neighbor to Ethiopa. The food was delicious, the people were welcoming, the experience was one-​of-​a-​kind. We had the lamb plus chicken with 9 sides. It was more than enough for three of us. Plus, order the Asmara — the beer made in and named for their country’s capital. It is a typical, enjoyable lager. Please do not be deterred by the modest exterior that implies it’s simply a community center. Inside is likely full of people eating, drinking and talking for hours.

I came here a few days ago with a friend for some Eritrean food and we had an overall good experience. So, like the other Unilocalers – this place is a dive filled with mostly locals (more authentic that way). It would be very easy to think that this place is closed – expect for a few cabs parked out front. My friend who lives nearby always thought it was closed. Upon walking in, a waitress came out and showed us to our seats and brought out complimentary bottled water. I told her that I had a
certificate but she told me that the deal expired. I was confused because those certificates (as far as I know) don’t expire, so we asked for some more clarification. She brought out the manager who explained that they have contacted
since February to stop the offer but it’s still on the site for purchase. It was a little awkward but then the owner (I think) said that he’ll accept the certificate. If he didn’t accept it, I still would have stayed (the price for the meal wasn’t exactly going to break my bank account). Now for the food – since my friend is vegan, we ordered their veggie combo for $ 12.00 and Eritrean beer. The meal was delicious (our favorite was the spicy lentils) and the beer was so good that I got another one. Our waitress saw that we went through the first round of injera and gave us more. I like the fact that she gave us our space instead of asking us every five minutes if we need anything but she was quick to find once we were ready to pay the bill. This was my first time trying Eritrean food and it’s pretty similar to Ethiopian food. Our bill without the certificate was $ 27.00 ($ 17.00 with the certificate), good place to go if you are on a budget and want quality food. I definitely would go back.

Food was delicious though portions seemed slightly less overwhelmingly generous than I’m used to at Ethiopian restaurants I’ve been to. Staff was really friendly, the prices very reasonable, but the décor is certainly nothing to write home about.

Went to ECCC on Unilocal’s recommendation and was not disappointed. Also really appreciated everyone’s tips for finding the place, since they do not really announce themselves. I’m not sure the meal was ultimately mindblowing, but I liked the low-​key feel of the place. You just kind of sit and there’s not the whole fanfare of a restaurant (or the rush).
The food was good – we definitely cleared the platter – but again, not mindblowing. We got a meat combo and lamb dish. Pretty much everything was tasty. Some bites got us Mming. Most of them were just tasty.
I’d say this is a great place to go on any given night, but it’s not a special night out?

Unfortunately in S. Florida our Ethiopian options (really all African options) are severely limited, so when I planned my trip to DC I knew Ethiopian would be a must.
After some extensive Unilocal research, and narrowing down my search area to be a walk-​able distance, I stumbled upon ECCC, which after learned was Eritrean, became even more appealing!
I don’t think the other reviews really gave me a sense of the ambiance, but yes this place is a bit of a dive. It actually reminded me of several island restaurants back home (The Bahamas) so to me the atmosphere worked, but for others it may be a bit shocking. But trust me, the food is solid, the pricing REALLY good, and the service was great!
Upon walking in one of the owners? came over immediately to greet us (I imagine we stuck out quite a bit). I told him I had seen the sample platter pictures on Unilocal and wanted to go that route, especially because it was Katie M’s first time indulging in this type of food. We went with our best judgment (instead our inner fat girls talking) and chose the 6 sample platter, with water, plenty of water lol, as we were hot from all the walking!
The food took a few minutes to come out, which a) I expected (again, I’m guessing Eritrean time is a bit like island time) and b) probably meant it was fresh. And the time was taken to explain each one of the «stews» to us. Some lentils, some chick peas, one chicken, one beef etc. and Katie and I had a great time spinning the plate to sample it all and determine what our favs were. We decided whatever was in the middle was too bold in flavor for our taste buds, but everything else was delicious.
If you haven’t experienced the fun of eating in this style before, you definitely must check it out… who doesn’t love eating with their hands?
Best part? The price! We walked out stuffed for $ 18! Which included an extra helping of injera and quite a few water bottles lol. Despite some language barriers with some of staff, everyone was extremely welcoming and I would definitely return!

Very tasty and even spicy combination of dishes, colorfully presented, served on and with Injera (flat bread). Recommend combination with 6 or 8 side dishes, depending on appetite and party size, which includes chicken, beef, and vegetarian items. The ECCC stands for Eritrean Civic and Culture Center and represenst the casual meeting place for people and guests from that origin.

I love Ethiopian food because it reminds me of healthy home cooked food & less of the industrial junk food you generally eat outside.
This is an Eritrean restaurant but the menu contains Ethiopian style dishes.
So we came here on a Friday afternoon and clearly it feels like a neighborhood place where people know each other and come by to eat here for years.
The restaurant feels like an establishment that has been around for years like «Ben’s chili bowl» on U street. it’s not clean nor fancy and from the outside you would have never thought that it’s a place to eat in but people come back because the food is special and full of spices and flavor.
Seriously, remodel the place and put a clear sign outside for people to notice you.

The most fun can come unexpectedly and I found great food and entertainment here on a Saturday night.
Whenever I’m in DC I make it a priority to eat Ethiopian food. While the ECCC is Eritrean, the Ethiopian search brought me to its doorsteps. The food was very good and very similar to Ethiopian. It was plentiful with the main dishes such as the red lentils, cabbage, and green salad. There was a couple new sides, both very spicy. One was more smokey spicy in flavor with potatoes and the other seemed like a mix between potato salad/​coleslaw but with maybe chickpeas and a ton of spice. I wish I knew the actual names, but you’ll have to take my loose descriptions for now.
The pacing of the service was very casual, so just be prepared to relax and enjoy a slower way of being. The employees are super friendly and welcoming. The moment I arrived, I was warmly greeted and escorted to a booth.
During the meal, I noticed a giant BINGO board at the front. I also realized that this was one of the busiest Eritrean/​Ethiopian restaurants I have ever been to… well, starting at 8pm I learned why. The BINGO board came fully alive, cards started spreading out over every table, and it was game time. Forget March Madness, come here for game time. I’m not sure how often they play or who they let play, but I soon found myself wrapped up in 3 hours of BINGO playing (I have never played this for money in my life and I don’t think playing Hello Kitty Bingo with my nieces counts). Pay a small fee to get a card and you could win… like my colleague did. We were the only females playing, but they didn’t seem to mind outsiders joining in the fun. The guys were incredibly nice, taught us how to play, and it was a night of laughs and smiles!
If you’re intrigued, give this place a try. Have a terrific time like I did!

Wonderful lunch here, a bit tucked away, and a fantastic owner of the store!
Note that it’s Eritrean — not Ethiopian.

What a discovery (once you find it)!!! I’ve passed by this place multiple times over the years going to Fringe Fest shows, but have always thought it was some old cultural center that had since been closed down. But YES, IT’S OPEN. OPEN THE DOOR AND WALK IN.
Super local, super generous, super tasty, super authentic.
My friend (who is a total foodie), her mom (who is also a foodie), and her brother (who can be kind of a picky eater) came to visit DC and we decided to try out this place together. EVERYONE gave it rave reviews. My friend loved the local, hole-​in-​the-​wall charm of it (i.e. a bunch of locals just relaxing and catching up with each other on the weekend). Her mom loved the service (i.e. our waitress was the only one on the floor and at the bar but you would have never guessed it since she was so calm and collected and made sure you had enough injera and water like your own mother would). Her brother loved the food so much that he and I finished off every last bit of the combo (and let me tell you, it was hard, given the sheer volume of it all).
Our favorites in the combo were the smoky daals and lamb stews. And trust me, that one big combo is enough for 4 people. Actually maybe 8 people, haha. It was plenty.
Did I mention that this was my friend’s favorite meal of the year? If you knew my friend you would know how big a statement that is.
So bottom line: don’t be afraid to walk in and eat your heart out. The walk there made my friend’s mom a little anxious (it was getting dark, the neighborhood is a far cry from the Theater District) and we weren’t sure the place was even open (the windows look dark from the outside). It gives off a late night bar kind of vibe but it really is just a laid-​back kind of community atmosphere once you sit down and settle in. The woman there was also very patient and informative when we weren’t sure what to order.
Thanks for the great meal, Eritrean Cultural & Civic Center!

First, I feel that it’s important to note that this place isn’t Ethiopian, but Eritrean. That said, although it’s a different country, the food is very similar to Ethiopian in my opinion. Must be because the two are practically neighbors. Anywho, we ordered the «Checken» with 9 sides and Vegetarian with 6 sides. The 9-​sides option is enough for two people. Before I go on, I have to disclose that I know almost nothing about African cuisine. I shall prove this with the rest of my review:
The dish is served in a way you’d think it’s just a appetizer sampler with 6 to 9 sides arranged in a circle around the main dish. The whole dish is served on moist, slightly sour bread. They will also give you additional «rolls» of bread, presented to you like little towels from a hotel. Just unwrap the bread, tear off a piece, and pick up some of the food with the bread. I think it’s somewhat like an upside down mini soft taco. Now onto the sides…
Checken was good.
The thick yellow pasty stuff is really bland. I’m told these were once lentils.
The thing that looks like it’d be beef is actually lamb. This is also good.
The collared greens are okay.
The collared greens with the beef is a bit more than okay.
The smooth orange paste is pretty good.
The chunky orange stuff was interesting.
The salad is a salad. Nothing exciting here.
The thing with what I believe to be carrots and potatoes was decent.
I don’t remember the banana pepper side. It must have been meh.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, look at Juli C’s picture. I’ve had a dish similar to this at Ethiopian restaurants. The bread was always put me a bit off because of the texture and sourness of it. This restaurant’s version was more subtle and a far more pleasant introduction to the cuisine in my opinion. For that reason, I would say I like this place the most out of all the African restaurants I’ve been to. I have to say service here was a bit slow. Keep that in mind if you’re short on time.
DC has a lot of choices when it comes to where to eat. ECCC would be, in my opinion, the more adventurous one simply because African cuisine isn’t yet considered mainstream.