Discover the Authentic Flavors of Aberus Ethiopian Restaurant
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Portland, Oregon, Aberus Ethiopian Restaurant offers a genuine culinary journey to the Horn of Africa. Located at 438 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211, United States, Aberus has established itself as a cherished local destination for those seeking rich, aromatic, and communal dining experiences. More than just a place to eat, Aberus is an invitation to partake in the Ethiopian tradition of sharing food, where every meal is an act of hospitality and connection. The atmosphere is warm, inviting, and deeply reflective of Ethiopian culture, making it a perfect spot for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings.
Ethiopian cuisine is renowned globally for its unique preparation methods, reliance on fresh spices, and the distinctive use of injera—a sourdough flatbread that serves as both plate and utensil. At Aberus, this tradition is honored meticulously. Our chefs draw upon generations of culinary knowledge to create dishes that are layered with complex flavors, ranging from deeply savory meat preparations to vibrant, nourishing vegetarian options. We pride ourselves on sourcing quality ingredients to ensure that every bite transports you directly to the bustling markets and home kitchens of Addis Ababa.
Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast of Ethiopian food or embarking on your first tasting adventure, Aberus provides an accessible and unforgettable introduction. Our commitment is to authenticity, quality, and creating an environment where guests feel welcomed like family. We believe that food tastes best when shared, and our serving style encourages conversation and togetherness around the table.
Key Highlights of the Aberus Experience
Authentic Injera Preparation: The foundation of any great Ethiopian meal is the injera, and Aberus takes immense pride in its preparation. Our injera is made daily using traditional fermentation techniques, resulting in the perfect spongy texture and slightly tangy flavor that perfectly complements our stews and wots. It is the essential canvas upon which our flavorful dishes are presented, ensuring an unparalleled textural and taste experience.
Diverse and Flavorful Menu Offerings: Our menu is thoughtfully curated to showcase the breadth of Ethiopian culinary artistry. We feature robust meat dishes, such as slow-cooked Doro Wot (chicken stew) and savory Tibs (sautéed meat), alongside an extensive selection of vegetarian and vegan specialties. These plant-based options, rich in legumes, lentils, and greens, are prepared with equal care, making Aberus a destination for all dietary preferences.
A Truly Communal Dining Style: Dining at Aberus is inherently social. Food is typically served on large platters, encouraging guests to gather around and share directly from the same plate using pieces of injera. This method fosters interaction and connection, transforming a simple meal into a shared cultural event. It’s an experience that emphasizes togetherness over individual portions.
Warm and Welcoming Ambiance: Located conveniently on NE Killingsworth St, our restaurant provides a cozy and culturally rich setting. The decor and the genuine warmth of our staff contribute to an atmosphere that feels both exotic and familiar. We strive to ensure that every guest feels comfortable, appreciated, and eager to return to experience the hospitality that defines Aberus.
Aberus Ethiopian Restaurant is more than just a culinary stop in Portland; it is a cultural touchstone. We invite you to step away from the ordinary and immerse yourself in the vibrant tastes and traditions of Ethiopia. Our location at 438 NE Killingsworth St serves as a gateway to rich history and unforgettable flavors, waiting to be explored one delicious bite at a time. Come and share a meal with us; discover why our community holds Aberus in such high regard.
Amenities and More
Menus
Our GLUTEN FREE INJERA is included with all orders! Check ADDITIONS for more
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KITFO - Lean minced Beef seasoned with spice, red pepper and mixed with seasoned clarified Ethiopian butter (Kibeh)
Raw Beef Kitfo *US$20.00
Gomen KitfoUS$20.00
Dulet KitfoUS$20.00
* Consuming Raw or Undercooked Meat or Sea Food May Cause Food Borne Illnesses
TIBS - Cube-cut pieces of meat cooked with onion, garlic, rosemary, ginger seasoned clarified Ethiopian butter (Kibeh)
Derek TibsUS$18.00
Awaze TibsUS$18.00
Quanta FirfirUS$18.00
Other Ethiopian National Dishes
Aberus CombinationUS$25.00
Beef comboUS$20.00
Doro WotUS$20.00
Alicha WotUS$17.00
Key Wot (Siga Wot)US$17.00
Gomen BesigaUS$20.00
Key wot and Yellow Peas (Kik alicha wot) with green saladUS$17.00
Alicha beef and Miser wot (Red lentils) with green saladUS$17.00
Gomen Besiga and Miser Wot (Whole Lentils) with green saladUS$17.00
Key Wot & Yellow Pea Alicha WotUS$17.00
Alicha Wot & Misir Wot (Red Lentils) with green saladUS$17.00
Vegetable CombinationUS$17.00
Second Vegetable Combination (with spicy whole red lentils)US$17.00
Shiro WotUS$15.00
Misir WotUS$12.00
Miser and Kik alicha wot (served with salad)US$14.00
* Berbere is a traditional Ethiopian spice blend composed of chiles, garlic, fenugreek and a handful of other warm spices, such as allspice
ADDITIONS
Extra InjeraUS$2.00
Extra MitmitaUS$2.00
Extra AwazeUS$2.00
Non Alcoholic Drinks
Orange JuiceUS$3.00
Mango JuiceUS$3.00
PerrierUS$3.00
Fanta OrangeUS$3.00
Bottled CokeUS$3.00
Canned CokeUS$2.00
Bottled WaterUS$2.00
TeaUS$2.00
Ethiopian CoffeeUS$5.00
Beer
HeinekenUS$5.00
CoronaUS$5.00
Black ButteUS$5.00
Mirror PondUS$5.00
InversionUS$5.00
Wine
A glass of WineUS$6.00
A bottle of WineUS$20.00
A glass of Honey wineUS$7.00
A bottle of Honey wineUS$26.00
*The corking fee is $10
Photos
Reviews Aberus Ethiopian Restaurant
Heidi Austin
09-12-2025
The best Ethiopian restaurant in Portland in my opinion. I appreciate especially as a celiac, that their injera is truly authentic with just Teff and automatically gluten free (unlike many other ethiopian retaurants who use cheap wheat flour). Both ladies are so kind and accomodating to allergies, the portions are massive and it's just so delicious! We always order the aberus combination without dairy (it's automatically gluten free). It has a great variety of curries from beef, chicken and vegetarian to eat.
One of my husband's and my favorite spots in the city - definitely check it out!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Ilantha Ingerson
01-12-2025
Really delicious food! They were friendly and patient and accommodated our wide ranging spice preferences. Their injera is gluten free!!! Can't wait to go back!
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Wait time
No wait
Susan M
08-11-2025
The food was awesome. I had the Vegetable Combo #2 & the Doro Wot. I love Ethiopian food & this is some of the best I’ve had. The Injera was perfection. The lentils were wonderful. The collards (gomen) was almost creamy with a great flavor. Beets were mild & good texture. The Doro Wot “sauce” was perfectly spiced. The owner was really nice.
My husband & I ate about 65% of the food, so we had plenty of leftovers. Our two friends had the Vegetable Combo #3 which seemed like less food than the #2, and they ate about 80% of the food but still had leftovers. Looking forward to eating my leftovers tomorrow.
It was a 40-minute drive for me & I’m still really glad I went. I originally planned on visiting for my birthday in February but things got in the way, and I’ve been looking forward to this meal ever since. If I lived next to this place, I would get takeout once a week.
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
Group size
3-4 people
Wait time
No wait
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Large vegetarian selection, Vegetarian menu or section
Parking options
Free of charge parking lot, Free of charge street parking
Parking
Small lot (maybe 6 spots?) but also plenty of street parking one street over.
Robo Mag
05-11-2025
I've ordered their Aberus Combination many times and the food is delicious and consistent! Their beef alicha wot is my fav, but everything is fantastic and they give the perfect amount of injera. They are very kind and welcoming! :)
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Aberus Combination
Reservation
Reservations not required
Noise level
Quiet, easy to talk
David Deierling
16-10-2025
My wife and I love the veggie combo 1&2. Delicious plant based (vegan friendly) meals. The twin sisters are very friendly and welcoming. Don't miss out on this gem. Oh yeah, the Ethiopian coffee is to die for!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Seth Horrigan
11-09-2025
My wife and I think this is the best Ethiopian restaurant in NE Portland, which is saying a lot because there are so many delicious Ethiopian restaurants here.
Ethiopian food is probably our favorite cuisine overall, and over the years, this has become our go-to option for consistently delicious food.
The sisters who run it are delightful and welcoming. While everything on the menu is good, we particularly enjoy the veggie combo #2 and the lamb tibs.
Meal type
Dinner
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Doro Wot, Aberus Combination, Awaze TIBS, Misir Wot, Key Wot & Yellow Peas, Vegetable Combination, Second Vegetable Combination with Spicy Whole Red Lentils, Miser and Kik Alicha Wot Served with Salad
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section, Clearly labeled vegetarian dishes
Abbie Lu
29-08-2025
If you are looking for or interested in trying good traditional Ethiopian food I highly recommend this restaurant. The food was delicious and they were very helpful with talking through what was best to order based on preferences. She explained spice levels and vegetarian versus meat options. The coffee was very good as well and served in a traditional manner. Yum.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Second Vegetable Combination with Spicy Whole Red Lentils
Vegetarian options
Yes plenty
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot
Parking
Street parking and small parking lot
Wheelchair accessibility
Yes
Gabriela Jimenez
13-08-2025
First time eating Ethiopian food, definitely won’t be the last. Tried the Awaze Tibs with beef and cannot stress enough how delicious it was.
Service was great, I didn’t know what to order and the recommendation was just on point. Food was fresh with a homemade feeling to it !
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Awaze TIBS
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Seating type
Indoor dining area
J B
12-05-2025
Portland is blessed to have a large Ethiopian and Eritrean community. There are so many incredible places to eat, and so many people with big hearts and incredible recipes sharing their foods and culture with us. I honestly haven't eaten at an Ethiopian restaurant in Portland that wasn't good. I will say that Aberus is our new favorite. Particularly, there are some combo plates that they have that include meat dishes and vegetable dishes that is enough for three reasonably hungry people to get full on, that are under $30. Often at Ethiopian places, you order veggie combos, and then meat dishes, but we really like being able to just order one combo and get all of those things.
Everything we've tried here has been amazing, excellent flavors, well balanced between mild and spicy, not overly salty, very fresh and an incredible value. The people running the place are very sweet and kind, and we really enjoy supporting them.
Service
Dine in
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Wait time
No wait
Seating type
Indoor dining area
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Large vegetarian selection
Cecilia Villalon
11-01-2025
We LOVE Aberus Ethiopian restaurant. It's the best Ethiopian restaurant in town. We always get the Aberus Combination and that is the perfect amount of food for us. The food is so nourishing, flavorful and delicious.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reviews Aberus Ethiopian Restaurant