Welcome to Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant

Dining in Ethiopia is characterized by the ritual breaking of injera and eating from the same plate, signifying the bonds of loyalty and friendship. These bonds are often demonstrated in the form of gurrsha – that is the placing of food in the mouth of another diner from one's own hand.

Injera, the traditional Ethiopian bread, is part of every entree. It is pancake-like bread on which the various stew dishes are served. The traditional way of eating it is with your fingers, which in itself is a delicate art. A bite sized piece of the injera is broken off to pick up a mouth full of the chosen dish.*

Ethiopian dishes are characterized by the variety of spices from which they get their exotic taste. Watt is a stew that comes in the form of beef, lamb, chicken, fish and vegetables. These range from hot and spicy watt to very mild. The mildly seasoned watt is called Alicha.

Vegetarian dishes are also very popular in Ethiopian cuisine especially during Lent, the fifty-five days before Easter. Ethiopian Orthodox Christians are prohibited from eating meat and meat by-products during Lent and most Wednesdays and Fridays. The variety of watt and alicha made of lentil, peas and other vegetables are just as popular and tasty as those containing meat.

Here at Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant, our injera is made from self-rising wheat flour and teff flour (Teff is a grain native to Ethiopia). Our mothers and grandmothers never used baking powder, baking soda or processed yeast in making injera. At Ethiopian Diamond we strictly follow this old tradition.

At Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant all dishes are free from artificial coloring, artificial flavoring and artificial preservatives. We use vegetable oil in all vegetarian dishes, No butter, no eggs, no milk, no honey!

*Silverware available upon request

$5.00 sharing charge will be added per diner if at least 80% of party haven’t ordered entrées.

FEATURED ON CHECK PLEASE : "Comfortable atmosphere & consistent, delicious food."

ZAGAT RATED 2003-2012 : EXCELLENT

SHERMAN KAPLAN, WBBM Radio 780 AM : 17.5/20

YELP REVIEWS : Average 4 stars

CITY SEARCH REVIEWS : Average 5 stars

ACCOLADES GIVEN BY : Chicago Tribune, Sun Times & ABC 7 News

WINNER OF :
Best African Restaurant, Best Vegetarian Food, Best Ethnic Restaurant, Best Community Service