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Demera Ethiopian Restaurant Reviews List
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant offers traditional Ethiopian cuisine in a cozy and casual atmosphere and offers a great selection of African and American beer and homemade Ethiopian honey wine. Our food is prepared using the freshest ingredients, gathered, whenever possible, from local producers. We offer a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes and can accommodate gluten allergies with 24 hour notice. Please, join us for a truly unique dining experience, the best coffee in Chicago and live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.
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91 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 91 reviews
5 stars
(35)
4 stars
(38)
3 stars
(15)
2 stars
(3)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- good for groups(54)
- neighborhood gem(46)
- fit for foodies(43)
- romantic(19)
- special occasion(19)
- great for lunch(13)
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant Reviews List
Review 1 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Delicious
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Amazing food, pleasant and fun service. Will definitely return to Demera!"
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great night out with wife and 2 yr
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Had a great time, great service with our 2 yr. old daughter in tow. Food was great and our daughter loved all the different flavors and eating with her hands."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great time
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I had a great time having dinner with a great friend. Service was great and they remembered when we left the carryout bag."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 4 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
My past experiences have been
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My past experiences have been better at Demera, everything was so so this time around"
Dined on 04/21/2013
2006
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Review 5 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great employees and great
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great employees and great food,"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 6 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service and food were great.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service and food were great. Our waiter, who was fantastic, pretty much ordered our meal and drinks for us. Everything was superb! Thanks so much for helping me show out of town clients a great night."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 7 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I've been to Demera twice,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I've been to Demera twice, and both times really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. The flavors are very well developed and everything was delicious. They offer a ton of vegetarian and meat options to satisfy everyone. The spiciness is very well controlled for those who don't like things too intense. The honey wine was great, and you can tell it was home made. My mom and aunt had never had Ethiopian food before, and both were very pleased with everything."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2013
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Review 8 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very clean, simple yet elegant
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Very clean, simple yet elegant decor. A very traditional menu, and a helpful staff to answer questions and walk you through it. Out looks and tastes, much more expensive than it is. We had a very good dining experience."
Dined on 04/02/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 9 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Fantastic staff! The best
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Fantastic staff! The best I have seen at any restaurant I've visited! Super friendly, warm, knowledgeable, and very professional! Food was also very good. Ambience is nice but tables are too close together making the place rather noisy. All in all, I hope you open a branch in gurnee,Il soon."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 10 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Coffee was great and the food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Coffee was great and the food was delicious! They made sure not to lay off the spice, which was fantastic. Portions were larger than I had have at other Ethiopian restaurants and served food and coffee traditionally. Overall, a great dining experience."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 11 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
I was excited to try Ethiopian
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I was excited to try Ethiopian food and had heard great reviews of Demera's. To get to the point the food was tasty but the service was abysmal. As a party of 3 we waited 30 minutes to be greeted by a server. We then waited an hour from the time of ordering for our food. This was after I asked if they had forgotten us. Tables seated after us were served before us. They comped parted of the meal, but still left feeling slighted by bad service."
Dined on 03/03/2013
2011
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Review 12 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Awesome food in Uptown
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I was pleasantly surprised at Demera. I have eaten at other Ethiopian restaurants and did not have a good time. Demera has it right. The food was so flavorful and seasoned well. I am not a big fan of the bread, but, our Waiter suggested tortilla for me and I love him for it. However, by the end of the meal, I even thought their bread was tasty. Definitely, the place to go for good Ethiopian food and you cannot beat the prices."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 13 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Best Ethiopian in Chicago
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I love this restaurant. The menu is extensive but also well-explained, making even first-time visits to an Ethiopian restaurant simple. The food is excellent, especially the injera. The prices are reasonable. The decor is very nice, and this is a very different experience from some of the hole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurants in the area. This can definitely be a special occasion restaurant, and is well-worth the trip. Reservations are rarely needed, but it doesn't hurt."
Dined on 02/17/2013
2010
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 14 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Visited during restaurant
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Visited during restaurant week. Only 2 servers appeared to be on duty and customers were left to sit and wait for service. I felt hot and thirsty, but did not get a water refill until I asked for one even though the server looked directly at my empty glass. Food was tasty but not that appealing to our taste. Really enjoyed the different stuffed fried dough appetizers. This was our favotrite part of the meal because they were freshly made, easy to eat and very tasty"
Dined on 02/09/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 15 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Outstanding food!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My husband brought me here on a date and at first I was a little taken back. My husband is a chef and I am a nutrition coach, we have high standards. Ridiculously high. This exceeded all of the expensive, trendy, hot spots around Chicago. The food. The FOOD! Holy taste bud explosion of food. It was outstanding. We decided to go with vegetarian and had a little of everything and we both loved every single choice. I'm drooling just writing this and dreaming about how soon I can get back. The atmosphere is just kind and casual. Everyone was dressed very casual and seemed to be really smiling and enjoying their evening. It's bright, clean and pretty quiet. It is also an inexpensive evening. They have a small but very nice wine list too."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 16 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Delicious!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent spicy and hearty Ethiopian food. The food is consistent here and always well-prepared. The price is AMAZING! Great value!!! The service is a bit lax and disorganized but not too bad. Also, the temperature control is very bad. I've been here twice in three weeks and both times the temperature would randomly go from comfortable 68ish to hot and stuffy air blowing around. Very disorienting. Their heating system is obviously not good. This isn't a restaurant to go to for a superb dining experience, but it's a must for interesting, tasty and fairly-priced food."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 17 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We went for Valentine's day
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We went for Valentine's day and got the $32 special that included a bottle of wine, appetizer and an assortment of meat and veggie dishes and dessert. It was all to die for! You must get the honey wine! The sambussas were fried to crisp perfection. We had the chicken and the beef. We were so full we had to take our dessert to go (chocolate strawberry cake....awesome!) The service was exceptional too. The young lady who took care of us was very helpful with recommendations and very attentive. We will definitely go back even though we live in the south suburbs. Well worth the trip!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2009
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Review 18 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Would Return Again and again!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food is always great here, the servers are all friendly knowledgable and attentive even on a busy saturday night with a table of 8 which included a cranky 5 year old. Love this place."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, great for lunch
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Review 19 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service was pretty poor—frequent
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service was pretty poor—frequent stalling, waitress didn't seem inclined to help/not very friendly, etc.—but food was excellent. Great spices and messob."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 20 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food was pretty good but the
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was pretty good but the service was slow. The prices were great for the amount of food."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2012
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Review 21 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Demera is a great value.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Demera is a great value. We went for lunch during restaurant week -- the menu was 2 people for $22 & we couldn't finish everything. The starter (fried filled pastries) was great. We had a choice of meat, veg or a combination of meat/veg for the main. We went with the combo which included letils, cabbage/carrots, greens, chicken, beef and lamb. I loved the lentils, the chicken and the beef dishes. We chose the basil lime sorbet for dessert -- delicious and very different."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2005
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Review 22 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great food, but a bit slow
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"My wife and I have eaten at Demera a few times, and we always leave happy. Everything we've ever ordered has been great! Try the lentil sambussa, or the beets and carrots (I'm definitely a carnivore, but those veggie dishes are awesome). The house wines are cheap and decent, and they have some other reasonably priced bottles as well. Our server let us sample the traditional Ethiopian honey wine, but as expected it was way too sweet for us. The service is generally very friendly, but also a bit slow. Also, Ethiopian makes surprisingly good leftovers! Great place for a casual night out, especially if you want to try something a bit different (and you're not in a big hurry)."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2005
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 23 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good Ethiopian Food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Good food, service & surroundings."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
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Review 24 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We had an excellent meal and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We had an excellent meal and a great outing with friends! Terrific!"
Dined on 02/05/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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Review 25 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Enjoyed it but wouldn't necessarily
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Enjoyed it but wouldn't necessarily go back"
Dined on 02/04/2013
2008
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 26 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I loved the food (I do wish
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I loved the food (I do wish they provided you with a little more meat for the messob since they leave the meat on the bone) and the restaurant is beautiful. This place feels very inviting and a great place to catch up with friends."
Dined on 02/03/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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Review 27 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The service was slow, but
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The service was slow, but we were not in a hurry. The food was fantastic. We drove 40 minutes to get there, but the visit was very nice."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 28 for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
First time ethiopian
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Good food! My first time trying ethiopian for restaurant week. Like it, I would go back and keep trying different things. Service staff was awesome! Everyone was friendly, explained the food to us (since we were newbies), and our water was always refilled, vegetarian food options were great."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Based on the average of (63) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
1 out of 2 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate