Know Before You Go
The Hakim stout beer is a standard, and the restaurant is busiest after 8pm.
Save Money
One vegetable combo platter and meat dish will easily satisfy three people.
Customer Reviews
It is a must you've got to try it!!!!! Reviewed by foodiest on
2009-10-23T16:48:36Z
Hands down the best Ethiopian restaurant in Berkeley. Since the first time I went I've been hooked! The atmosphere of this family owned restaurant is very clean, traditional and beautiful. They have friendly and courteous staff. The meat, fish and vegetable platters are out of this world, every bite is delightful; especially with the special Ethiopian honey wine. And on top of everything, it's very inexpensive! I cannot recommend it highly enough!
Ethiopean food at it's absolute finest. Reviewed by hezmodo on
2006-09-05T00:00:00Z
Of the many Ethiopean restaurants I've tried over the years, this one rates tops in all areas; service is low-key and friendly (the host is very warm and helpful) the atmosphere is quiet and clean, and the food... oh Lordy, the food. It is sublime. There are no words to describe the depth of flavours and exquisite spicing. This is, by far, the best Ethiopean food I have ever eaten. As is traditional, two of us ate family style, ordering two meat and one veggie entree, happily anticipating left-overs. The lamb dish, recommended by the host, was almost a miracle it was so good. The spices were rich and intensely satisfying without being very spicy. In my book, the lamb stole the show. But, the beef (also recommended) was excellent as well, and much spicier. The garbanzo dish was also outstanding. Another guest with us had a fish dish (not the salmon) that was quite good, but not as remarkable as the other meats we tried. Our 10 year old friend ordered a mild chicken dish, and loved it. The honey wine is a wonderful sweet and dusky mead. Asmara used to be my favorite, but I'm afraid Fin Fine has stolen my heart. The tab was around $85.00 for 4 people, and enough left over on the family-plate for another hearty meal for our sick housemate. This place is one of the the best restaurant finds I've had in the last couple of years!
Pros: Located in a secluded restaurant mall, not on the street, so it's nice and quiet.
Cons: Telegraph Ave. can be a tough place for parking.
Ethiopian Dining At It's Best Reviewed by bzbalk on
2006-03-09T19:40:38Z
I found this restaurant to be affordable and charming. The food was exquisite and the servers were attentive without being intrusive. We dined 'family style' and tried the vegetarian assortment as well as a beef and a lamb dish. My dinner-mate, who claimed to dislike lamb, raved about the lamb dish we ordered. I thought it was very good as well, but I was more partial to the beef dish that had a little more 'bite' to it. The Ethiopian tea was fragrant and quite good. The vegetarian offerings were equally satisfying, and we were planning our next visit before we finished our meal. The cost, including a generous tip, was under $50.00 and we had more than enough leftovers for another meal, which we took home with us. In my humble opinion, Fin Fine is one of the Bay Areas best kept secrets!
