Zeni offers a unique Ethiopian dining experience where many regulars enjoy eating with their hands. Reviewers frequently praise the Vegetarian Combo, noting generous portions. Consider going with a group to share the various dishes and fully immerse yourself in the communal dining style.
Adventurous diners sit on the floor & eat with their hands at this colorful Ethiopian spot.
Ratings & Reviews
★ 4.41,517 Google reviews
Hemanth Shriyan★★★★★
This restaurant was suggested to us by one of my close relatives. Hence on one of the fridays we were craving to eat Indian Cusine , we all thought why can’t we try Ethiopian Cusine ? It has notes of Indian Cusine. We arrived here just 30 mins before closure and the staff quickly accommodated us. We opted for their renowned plate vegitarian combo with Injera breads. Also ordered some Ye Doro Tibs from their poultry section which was chicken curry. Food was simple and it resonated with home , healthy cooking. I could almost think of dishes prepared back at my coastal village in south western India. Soon we ate everything which was served. It was a nice experience overall.
a month ago
Neel Sharma★★★★★
Amazing spot, will definitely be going back!
10/10
Food was amazing. We ordered the Vegetarian Combo. Comes with a giant Injera and on top you have beets, split peas, collared greens, potatoes/cabbage salad, red/yellow lentils. Side of 4 smaller injera.
I asked for a side of hot sauce/powder. The spiced Ethiopian tea was a great add as well.
Plenty of tables inside. I’m sure if you have a large party they can accommodate. I’d suggest giving them a call if you’re a party of 5 or more. There is a restroom in the back with a separate hand washing station.
Great decoration around the establishment with nice music for a relaxing atmosphere.
The staff were super helpful and friendly. They answered my questions about how the food would be prepared, presented and if it would be enough for two people.
There are other business in the complex. Nail salon, barbershop, convenience store…etc.
5 months ago
Lononaut★★★★★
Excellent. Veggie options seem to have more portions but meat options are also enough for two people. Be prepared to eat with your hands. (April 2026)
4 months ago
Good to know
🪑Dine-in
🥡Takeout
🛵Delivery
🥪Lunch
🍽️Dinner
🍺Beer
🍷Wine
🥗Vegetarian options
👶Good for kids
👥Good for groups
🚻Restroom
🅿️Free parking
♿Wheelchair accessible
💳Credit cards
📲Contactless payments
Hours & Price
Open now
USD20–30
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12:00 – 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 8:30 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 8:30 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 8:30 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 8:30 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 8:30 PM
Menu
Sambussa$4Thin dough shells stuffed with lentils, onion, hot greens and herbs. This meatless dish is lightly baked in vegetable oil to golden perfection.
House Salad$12Crisp green salad topped with green pepper, tomato, onion in an authentic house dressing.
Ye Doro Kifto$22Boneless, skinless ground chicken, seasoned with purified herb butter sauce and hot-spiced chili powder (mitmita).
Kikil Kitfo$21Cooked and finely chopped prime beef, from selected lean round steak seasoned with purified herb butter sauce and hot-spiced chili powder (mitmita).
Keyet Kitfo$29Beef kitfo (cooked raw or rare) mixed with Gomen (collared greens).
Special Beef Kitfo$29(cooked raw or rare) served with Gomen kitfo.
Goden Tibs$27Beef chuck short ribs, sautéed in butter, seasoned with onions, green pepper and rosemary. Served Saturday and Sundays).
Meat Combo$30A combination of Alitcha Wot , Juicy Doro Tibs (Chicken), and Kitfo (Beef), and homemade cheese.
Scrambled Eggs$19Scrambled eggs with onions, jalapeños and fresh tomatoes.
Eggs & Meat$20Scrambled eggs with seasoned ground beef, onions, jalapeños, and fresh tomatoes.
Meat Combo$32A combination of Yebeg Alitcha Wot (with Lamb), Juicy Doro Tibs (Chicken), and Kitfo (Beef), and homemade cheese.
Ye Doro Wot$25Chicken cooked to tenderness in a hot and thick red pepper (berbere) onion, garlic, ginger and purified butter sauce. Served with a hard boiled egg.
Ye Doro Wot Fir Fir$26Scrambled Injera in Ye Doro Wot.
Ye Doro Tibs$22Boneless, skinless cubed chicken sautéed in a special blend of spices, braised in onions, tomato, green pepper and purified butter. Served hot or mild sizzling or juicy.
Ye Doro Tibs FirFir$23Scrambled Injera in Ye Doro Tibs.
Kitfo$25Finely chopped prime beef from lean round steak seasoned with purified herbed butter sauce and hot-spiced chili powder (mitmita). Served raw, medium or well done.
Qeiy Wat$22Hot and spicy beef stew. Very lean chopped beef simmered in a hot and thick berbere sauce and purified herb butter, with exotic spices added.
Alicha Wat$21Mild beef stew. Extra lean chopped beef simmered in mild sauce with butter, onion, garlic, ginger and turmeric.
Gored Gored$24Lean cubed beef simmered in a blend of red pepper and herb butter. Gored Gored is served raw or rare.
Zilzil Tibs$25Strips of tender beef sautéed and seasoned with onions and green pepper.
Ye-Bere Tibs$24Chunks of lean beef sautéed with onions, tomato, green pepper and purified butter. Served mild or spicy, sizzling or juicy.
Ye-Bere Tibs FirFir$25Scrambled Injera in Ye-bere tibs.
Fir Fir$25Scrambled Injera with deliciously tender cubed beef, simmered to perfection in berbere sauce, flavored with garlic and Ethiopian spices.
Bozena Shiro$23Zeni's highly seasoned mild chick peas simmered in berbere sauce with selected cubes of lean beef. Served in traditional pot.
Quanta FirFir$25Pieces of Injera mixed with savory dried beef cubes, onion, tomato, pepper with a hint of garlic and cooked in red sauce.
Ye Beg Tibs$29Succulent pieces of fresh lamb sautéed in butter, seasoned with onions, green pepper, and tomato. Served juicy or sizzling.
Ye Beg Tibs Fir Fir$30Scrambled Injera in a sauce with succulent pieces of fresh lamb sautéed in butter, seasoned with onions, green pepper, tomato, and our exotic spices.
Ye Beg Alitcha Wot$25Mild lamb stew, extra lean chopped lamb simmered in a mild sauce with butter, onion, garlic, ginger, and turmeric.
Dulet$29Chopped red beet, lamb tripe, and lamb liver seasoned with herbed purified butter, spiced chili powder (mitmita). Served raw, medium or well done.
Ye Miser Wot$20Pureed split red lentils are simmered in Zeni's own spicy hot berbere sauce.
Kik Alitcha$20Split yellow peas made with onion, garlic, ginger and turmeric. Mild.
Atakilt Wot$20Delicious vegetables: chopped cabbage, sliced carrots, and chunk of potatoes cooked and simmered with onions, garlic, ginger and vegetable oil.
Gomen Wot$21Chopped collard greens simmered in a mild sauce of oil, onion an herbs.
Ye-TimaTim Fit Fit$17Scramble Injera in a blend of fresh tomato, jalapeños, onions, lime juice, mixed with Zeni's exotic spices.
Shiro Wot$23Roasted and powder chick peas (shiro) are simmered in our unique, hot and spicy berbere sauce with vegetable oil.
Foule$19Cooked Fava beans mixed with fresh tomato, green pepper, spice and cheese (Ayeb) prepared with a choice of oil or butter.
Gomen Kitfo$27Finely grounded collard greens made to perfection with herb butter. Served with spicy cheese.
Miser Kitfo$20Pureed lentil mixed with mitimita, purified seasoned butter and herbs.
Ye Tsome Fir Fir$20Scrambled Injera with a delicious berbere sauce, flavored with garlic and Ethiopian herbs.
Sautéed Mushrooms$20Sizzling or with gravy.
Shiro Wot$11
Gomen Wot$10.50
Miser Wot$10
Kik Alitcha$10
Atkilt Wot$10
2 Stuffed Jalapeños$2
Tima Tim Fit Fit$8.50
Ayib$4House made cottage cheese
Ayib with Gomen$5
Injera$24 rolls
Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony$45For a perfect conclusion of your meal, Zeni restaurant prepares and serves Ethiopian coffee with its full ceremony. To be served in this unique way, please allow for preparation and order in advance.
Baklava$3.50A traditional Greek pastry made with layers of bleached wheat flour filo dough, filled with chopped walnuts, pistachios in a cinnamon- honey syrup.
Location
Zeni 1320 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA 95129, USA San Jose, CA 95129
