Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine

Wow! This place is UNBELIEVABLE! We ordered a vegan plate for two people that had a beautiful variety of stewed beans and veggies plated on top of a soft flat bread made with teff flour. Almost everything is gluten free and all of it tasted incredible. I can’t wait to come back here! The vanilla cheesecake was lovely too!

Got the lunch buffett, great deal; staff were knowledgeable about gluten free, provided GF injeera and pointed out which dishes on the buffet were GF. Had to get the coffee in honor of my trip to Ethiopia 2 years ago :)

I got this Groupon, as it was worth $ 50. Sadly, we didn’t get as much quantity as we hoped and some of the food tasted slightly foreign to us. A lot of the food tasted good and the food being vegan is a major plus.

Definitely lost its «touch» this place used to be completely amazing but my last experience changed my whole perspective. Food really wasn’t as great as I remembered… It lacked in flavor and the injera was a bit too sour :/.

My wife was born and brought up in Ethiopia but we are vegetarians who do not eat onion or garlic (Jain). Rahel catered to our diet restriction with a very positive yes can do and we were served amazing authentic tasteful but Jain Ethiopian food! Fantastic experience and since it’s a vegan restaurant you know you are not going to see or get anything that can walk out of your plate– if your diet is concerned about this, it helps to know this.

Rahel’s was my first experience with Ethiopian food. This place appeals to everyone, vegan or not. The staff is very friendly and attentive. Each time I’ve been here there’s always parking available really close. I recommend going during the lunch buffet. So many options, and its a great deal! If you don’t go during the lunch buffet you won’t be disappointed either. The prices are great for the portions you receive. Maybe it was a mistake that I came here because nothing compares. It’s too good.

By far the best Ethiopian food I’ve had. I’ve had it in NY and SF and no place comes close with offering every little piece of heaven. They also have spices on the side to add to it aka perfection when fresh.
I definitely would recommend trying out the buffet because it offers pretty much everything on the veggie paradise combo.
While service can be a hit or miss due to language barriers, the food is excellent.

This spot is great for vegans and anyone who enjoys African or Asian cuisine. The idea of the food is simple: you get the all you can eat buffet lunch, grab some bundles of their bread wraps, which look eerily like gauze, and you scoop up your choice of food with said bandage bread. With so many dishes to choose from, like stewed kale, lentil dishes, and garbanzo dishes, you can satisfy your taste for all things Ethiopian in just two servings.
My only complaints is the pace of service. The two people working that day were stretched thin, we hardly ever saw our server, and it took more than five minutes for to get seated. They were very nice and explained the process I explained to you earlier, but they could used some help.

It was pretty good. If you like Ethiopian food then this is it. If youre being introduced to this for the first time here is the place for you introduction. The atmosphere is calm. Not crowded. Cultural music playing in the back ground. And pretty Ethiopian girls to serve you. Hahahhahahahahah

Don’t let the «vegan» in the name dissuade you — so much of East Africa’s cuisine is veggie-​based anyway, so it’s not like you’re entering the African equivalent of Café Gratitude.
Rahel’s was one of the very first Ethiopian restaurants we tried when we moved to Los Angeles, longing for shiro wot from our days in Seattle. After getting elbow-​deep in Ethiopian stews with new friends, it quickly became an LA favorite. But even after many visits in recent years, we’d never had the chance to dine «traditionally» — until now. The server immediately offered us the round hut in the corner, and we could barely hide our excitement. If this is your first time at the restaurant (or trying Ethiopian food!) we highly recommend the Millennium Special — it offers the best of everything, from split lentil stew, potatoes with carrots and cabbage, pumpkin stew and string beans.

I was so bummed when Nyala’s across the street closed as that was my favorite Ethiopian restaurant.
However, I was in the mood for ethnic vegan cuisine last night and found myself driving through Little Ethiopia. No more Nyala’s, but it darned on me how much I love Rahel’s lentil wraps (only sold at Erewhon), so I decided to give Rahel’s a try.
I ordered the Vegan Feast and I’m still stuffed from last night. I really didn’t plan on eating everything at once, but it was so good I got carried away, and all that’s left is a pile of Injera.
The flavors are perfect and there is plenty of food to share. Great for family style dining.
The only thing I would point out is that Rahel’s is strictly vegan. So if you’re going with a group of diverse foodies, this is something to be mindful of. However, if you’re vegan/​vegetarian friendly then you’ll love the food here.
The ambiance could definitely use a boost… it’s a bit gloomy, but overall it’s a nice spot for Ethiopian dining.
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I came here one evening for my sis-in-law’s birthday dinner. Our reservation was for 8 p.m., and it was just us and one other group there.
It was my first time eating Ethiopian food. We got several orders of the vegan combos for our group and all of it was amazing. Truly. Since then I have since eaten at Azla’s over by UCLA as well — which is also delicious, but hands down I would make the drive to Rahel’s again for even better Ethiopian food.
The only suggestion I would make for improvement is the ambiance of the restaurant. I was anticipating something more warm and vibrant.
Will definitely be back for those vegan combos, though!

This was my first time eating Ethiopian food, and this place is really good!
I ordered an individual combo, while my friends order their salads and juices… we were all satisfied. great first experience!

After an afternoon at LACMA, my boyfriend and I walked down to little Ethiopia to come check this place out. We were the only ones there for lunch. Great to have the peace and quiet but we were a little nervous that it wasn’t busy. We were so wrong to be nervous, the food here is delicious!
We ordered the vegan feast combo and tried some sambussa. All the chick pea stews were fantastic! Great flavors, some were slightly spicy and some were just savory with great complex spices. If you haven’t had injera before, you need to try it. It’s a very soft, spongy thin pancake like Ethiopian bread that goes great with all the spices.
It was my boyfriend’s first time trying Ethiopian food and he’s a fan! Wish little Ethiopia was closer to home, I’d be here all the time.

This was an excellent first visit! Our servers were very attentive and bright us water, extra food, anything we needed. Speaking of food it was delicious and filling!!! I loved eating the different foods and the spices, oh it was so good! I will come back here next time I visit Los Angeles

So I’m not vegan or anywhere close to one, but the vegan Ethiopian buffet here is outstanding! Lentils and kale have excellent flavor. Green chile sauce adds a nice kick of spice. I really like the flax seed drink as well.

Called this place ahead to our visit and asked for their buffet pricing. «10.95 every day» was their friendly answer. Turns out it is 11.99 once we get there on a Saturday. Place is quite crowded, food looks fresh and hot. Server does not even apologize for the information given to us on the phone regarding the price…
Lentils stew was the only thing that has kind of a taste. Kale and split peas rather blend, other vegetables tasted fresh but not well seasoned or exciting in any way. If this is a guide to Ethopian cuisine I would consider it as plain boring and pretty European. Had to ask for water twice and wait several times since they were unable to provide plates at the bufffet. No joke.
Would not go back for service or food, but still worth checking out the place for the red lentil stew which makes a great lunch with a side of buckwheat and the spongy, vinegar-​y tasting Injera bread.

Came here on a rainy Saturday night for dinner and it was the perfect place to come to for a cozy spot.
Me and two other friends ordered a special course which came with sambusaks and it was delicious! The entrée was filled with beans, spices, lentils and other rich vegetables. Although there is no trace of meat or cheese, they were able to make this dish very filling and yummy.
The platter came with a side of lentil bread which was really interesting. I wasn’t the biggest fan of it, but it still paired nicely with the food.
If you like things on the spicier side, then you should definitely request their spicy sauces on the side.
We wanted to try their almond cake but sadly they were out of it. We tried their baklava instead, and it was okay.
For being the first time trying Ethiopian food, I was very satisfied. The service here was excellent, food was unique and tasty and the entire staff was very amiable and accommodating.

Wowww is better then home!
My first experience whit etopian food happen in israel … Iam not like it …
But after today its remaining me good and new taste of vegan!
Recomand the «vegan feast»

The décor isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing but the food and the service is amazing. Loved the hand washing ceremony before the meal. We had the Millennium special for two and it was a good way of sampling the different dishes in sufficient quantities.

Delicious and unique, great ambiance, polite staff. Will definitely return!
I got the Vegetarian Combo, a side of Injeera (which they make gluten-​free) and the sunflower drink.
I would get a different drink next time (probably the barely) and since I don’t have celiac (you poor souls!) I would rather have something wheatey like naan or pita bread, injeera is a little too rubbery for me. But, you can eat the whole meal with just the bread the way it is, which is awesome. Less dishes, saves water!
Anyway, the food was amazing. Beans, pickled (or something delicious) cabbage, vegetables, all expertly spiced in ways that were new to me. Amazing! Prepared very quickly too.
Excellent sauce options if you like the spicy.
I was sad I was so full from the generous portions that I did not have room for dessert, will get the cake next time for sure!

Great spot for vegans and gluten free folk. Brought my carnivore husband and he too enjoyed the food thoroughly.
Food is delicious, spicy, flavorful and filling even to those who are used to a meat centric diet.
My favorite was the zucchini stew and spicy lentil stew.
They were able to make fresh gluten free injera since buffet only has non gluten free injera.
Great spot overall and friendly staff!

Delicious food and great service. We got the sombusas, the platter (we got the one person platter and 2 of us barely managed to finish it) that came with 4 side injera breads + 1 on the plate itself. All yummy. The flaxseed smoothie was meh. But then again that is probably an acquired taste. Definitely recommend it.

Really good vegan Ethiopian cuisine! I would recommend the Millennium Special plate, a variety of cooked, stewed and raw vegetables. Superb! To this some excellent hot Ethiopian tea! Highly recommended!

I’ve only had Ethiopian food once before so I’m no expert, but I had what I’d consider a pretty solid meal. I didn’t have super high expectations coming in since I’m not much of a veggie stew person, but it was a cool experience. They give you as much injera (Ethiopian flatbread) as you can eat, but I’d recommend keeping tabs on how much you’re eating because you don’t want to get too full from it alone. It’s definitely got a unique flavor — a little sour, like many Ethiopian dishes, and spongy and «limp», as my friend described it. Because of its texture I’m assuming it’s also quite absorbent and might expand in your stomach, so this might be another reason to indulge in moderation.
We got the Yefasolia Wet (mixed vegetable stew), Yemiten Shiro Wot (chick pea stew), Veggie Banatu (tomato-​based), and a 1-​person Millennium plate. This was for 4 hungry girls, and we had a ton left over. The chick pea stew was my favorite, and the sauces they give you, particularly the bright green sauce, go really well with the injera. Ethiopian cuisine is sort of an acquired taste, so it might take people a while to warm up to it.
Service was good, particularly the 2 women working there. They were also good with refilling our water and checking up on us; however, redeeming our Groupon ended up being sort of a struggle. I’m subtracting 1 star because though it was great considering it was vegan, that’s exactly what it was — good, but vegan. I have a lot of admiration for people who can live a vegetarian/​vegan lifestyle, but alas, I am not so strong in my abilities… so for me, I was left full but somewhat unsatisfied. This meal would’ve been improved ten-​fold with the addition of some meat, but I do understand that the vegan concept is what makes this place unique and I respect that.

My first introduction to vegan Ethiopian food was through my little sister. She took me after a dental appointment. The soft texture of the food was the easiest thing to consume after her root canal.
She brought me to Rahel. It was a totally new experience eating with my hands, tasting the amazingly flavorful and colorful vegetable wot dishes. I’ve done the right thing and paid it forward, introducing Rahel to anyone who was willing to try something new. Though the restaurant is all vegan/​vegetarian, my meat-​eating friends all enjoyed their experiences, as well. I’ve tried almost all the Ethiopian restaurants in the area and Rahel’s is better than all of them.
Injera is something of an acquired taste. My sister made the mistake of comparing Ethiopian food to Indian food to my boyfriend. Indian is his favorite cuisine and he’s a big fan of naan bread. Well, injera is nothing like naan. Injera is spongy and cold with a tangy, slightly acidic flavor.
I believe Rahel’s was also one of my first introduction to kombucha, bottled fermented tea. Also an acquired taste, but the active bacteria and yeast is said to aid in digestive health. Also available is coffee ceremony. I’ve had Ethiopian coffee, but I haven’t done the ceremony. The objective for me was food.
Lunch buffet is always a good idea, but if I’m there for dinner, I go for the platters for two. I like the millennium and the vegan feast. One comes with sambusa, a fried savory pastry filled with lentils. The other comes with the dessert of the day. I’ve had something that was like a raw cheesecake and a baklava type dessert. The wot offerings vary slightly, but I couldn’t tell you which had what. My favorite dishes are the lentils, green beans, cabbage, collard greens and split peas.
Don’t be surprised if they come around with warm water for you to wash your hands with. Water is poured from a teapot and you are to rub your hands together underneath. A metal receptacle held by the server will catch the water below.
Ethiopian food is a unique dining experience and it is something every person should try. If you want to do it right, you go to Rahel’s.

MAJOR disappointment! I will never understand these rave reviews. I tried Ethiopian food for the first time here and was excited about it. I had the buffet, which I will start out by saying, it is NOT $ 8.99 anymore, more like $ 12.99 and not even worth half that.
Upon getting seated, I asked for water with ice. I received ONE ice cube. I would have taken a picture, but it melted that fast. In fact, I kept asking for glasses of ice and kept receiving maybe half a glass. What is your deal on ICE?! Since when did it become a luxury item?
The food: Flies everywhere! Ugh… went for it anyway. The crêpe like «bread» tasted like vinegar. The kale was bitter and inedible. The brown lentils were spicy, which is fine, but had a rust-​like taste to them. I tried the buckwheat since the bread was so bad, but they tasted like plastic. The cabbage and potatoes were decent, but where were the potatoes? In fact, why was I scraping the bottom of pans to get any food? REFILL THEM! The yellow lentils were the ONLY thing I liked and that’s because I was TRYING to like SOMETHING.
Tried one of your drinks. I don’t remember the name, but it was light brown and tasted like powder, like a protein shake. I think it was $ 6.95. Are you serious?!
Major rip-​off. Would have liked to have known your prices went up before giving this place a chance, considering there are other Ethiopian restaurants on the same street. Advertise it so people know. Never going back. No wonder it’s so dead in there.
It was also my birthday, which made this experience even worse.

Delicious Vegan Cuisine! We ordered the Veggie Paradise Combo Special…(for 2 people, however, it was enough for 4) A combination of 9 items with injera bread… Absolutely wonderful! With an array of spices and distinct flavors in every bite! Vegetarians will LOVE this place!

Rahel is one of my favorite restaurants in LA, vegan or not! Try taking a meat eater here, odds are that they’ll enjoy the food too (said from experience). Here are the basics:
Food: Incredible. Full flavors. Amazing prices. VEGAN. Really can’t go wrong with anything here. My favorites are the Millennium special, and of course any of the buffet offerings! GO for the buffet. The red lentils, cabbage with carrots, and tomato salad are my favorites. Not the biggest fan of the zucchini buffet dish though. They also have gluten-​free injera for $ 1 extra.
Service: Kind people, maybe not as attentive as what other people are used to at restaurants, but after my first time here it hasn’t bothered me. Things take longer, but they get it done! And it’s worth it for the amazing food.
Ambiance: Maybe it’s just the times I’ve been here, but I’ve never seen more than 4 other tables full. That being said, the space is big, quiet, and pretty relaxing with the music they play.
Long story short, if you like veggies, spices, and aren’t afraid to eat with your hands, go to Rahel!

Came here for their Sunday lunch buffet and felt like their vegan selections were limited. The only great tasting things were the red and yellow lentils. I kind of wish they had some more options that had seitan or tofu in it, but I guess that’s not really part of Ethiopian cuisine. The did have delicious sweet potato and a fresh salad mix but I felt like for 13 bucks (not including tip) I could of tried better Ethiopian food elsewhere.
The service was adequate but I felt like the interior was a little too dark and uninviting, although the b and w photos hanging on the walls were nice.

If I had to apply my own independent award system for Unilocaling stars, it might go like this:
1 star= never again
2 stars= only if I’m dragged
3 stars= if I’m running low on options and need a little variety
4 stars= in my regular rotation
5 stars= I have cravings
By this standard, Rahel is definitely, without a doubt, a five-​star restaurant for me. I crave Rahel. Craaaaaave. I wish I could eat this every day. I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t tire of it.
I’ve only ever dined there for the lunch buffet– but this has given me an opportunity to try all the hits. There isn’t a single item I don’t love from the buffet. And I mean love. I cover every centimeter of space on my plate with a heaping ladle or spoonful of stew or chickpea mash or lentils or sweet potatoes and then crouch over my food like I’m in a protective huddle. My shoulders cradle forward to ward off others who might try to swipe a bite of buckwheat or kale.
I’m usually good for about 3 plate-​fulls of food. Maybe 4. And every time I’ve been here I can eat and eat and eat and walk out feeling healthy and clean. And I love that.
We tried the coffee ceremony last time we were in because we were just so gosh-​darn curious. It was beautiful and lovely and simple. I highly recommend it if you have a little extra time in your day for something unique and special.
Every person who works here is kind and gracious and they only add to the amazing flavor of the experience of dining here. I love the «Vegan Power» t-​shirts (they’re for sale, too). I love the beautiful black and white photography on the walls. I love the printout of the quote hanging over the bathroom area sink reminding us that those who eat meat to become strong like the ox often forget that it is the ox who eats grass to become so strong himself.
So what’s the to-​do here? Go. Go for the lunch buffet and try everything. Start over at the right side of the buffet with the salad and the sweet potatoes and the amazing tomato/​onion/​jalapeño salad. Don’t forget the yummy squishy flavored injera flatbread. It’s one of the highlights. Eat that whole plate of food. Then go back (with a fresh plate) and pile it with all the different stews. Try everything. Mix some bites with buckwheat and brown rice. Enjoy. And be strong. Like the ox.

All you can eat buffet of all types of interesting Vegan dishes from Ethiopia.
A good place to give your taste buds a break and savor food with out butters, and any animal byproducts.

Absolutely delicious!
I am relatively new to Ethiopian food, but I am definitely a fan! I absolutely love how this is a 100% vegan establishment, where as a vegan I can safely order anything off the menu. I came here on a weekday evening for supper and the entire restaurant was empty (not sure why!). We weren’t even sure if they were open but the sign was up and the door unlocked so we went on in.
We were greeted kindly by the woman working there and seated at the window. After glancing at the menu for a minute we quickly decided to share the veggie paradise combo special for 2. The meal arrived promptly and was a huge quantity! I’d say it was enough food for 3 people! It came with plenty of injera bread, and when we finished it off they replenished it free of charge!
Suffice to say, we were not able to finish all the food because there was just so much! Everything was delicious and each item had its own unique flavor which I just loved.
I really wanted to try the vegan mango cake that they were advertising on every table but I was just too stuffed. I’ll try it next time, for I’ll definitely return!

I’ve been eating Ethiopian food for few years now and I absolutely love the cuisine. After moving to LA, this is my second time at this place and I should say they are very consistent in maintaining their quality of food.
This place is strictly VEGAN and has added a whole new dimension to vegetarian food. They also offer an unlimited buffet for lunch but dinner entrees tend to be little expensive but also come in large portions.
Ambience is very casual with a mix of traditional Ethiopian seating and modern table-​chair model. Simply one of the best Ethiopian food in Los Angeles area.