Birmingham Blue Nile Restaurant
Quick info
About Birmingham Blue Nile Restaurant
Birmingham Blue Nile Restaurant is an Ethiopian restaurant in Birmingham on Great Hampton St, where the traditional coffee ceremony has beans roasted in front of the table and served in a pot with popcorn, incense and sugar. The menu carries Ethiopian beer and lamb and beef tibs, including Shekla Tibs brought out on a stand. Shared platters arrive on a large round bread with curries arranged around the edge and extra bread alongside. Ye Fisik Beyaynet, a mixed platter, is offered for two, with a larger option for three. Food is eaten by hand with injera, in the traditional way, and music plays in the dining room while meals are served. The owner or staff explain the menu, the history of the restaurant and how to eat the food.
Good to know
“Authentic East African dishes, Ethiopian beers and traditional coffee ceremony in a low-key venue.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coffee ceremony, shared platter with curries, tender lamb and Ethiopian beer.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coffee ceremony, shared platter with curries, tender lamb and Ethiopian beer.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the shared platter, a large round bread with around ten different curries and extra bread to eat it with, often eaten by hand. Close behind is the lamb, called tender and juicy, along with the Ye Fisik Beyaynet for two and the Shekla Tibs, described as rich in flavor with tender beef. One diner also praises a deep fried whole tilapia, eaten down to the bone. The coffee ceremony draws repeated mentions, with beans roasted at the table and served with popcorn, incense and sugar, and Ethiopian beer is also noted. Several first-time Ethiopian diners describe a friendly owner and staff who explain the history, how the food is made and how to eat it, with large portions, quick service, music and incense adding to the atmosphere. The main complaint comes from one regular who says the injera arrived spoiled, and that staff insisted the green growth was flour rather than mold instead of simply replacing the dish. Several others close their reviews saying they plan to return.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often return to the shared platter, a large round bread with around ten different curries and extra bread to eat it with, often eaten by hand. Close behind is the lamb, called tender and juicy, along with the Ye Fisik Beyaynet for two and the Shekla Tibs, described as rich in flavor with tender beef. One diner also praises a deep fried whole tilapia, eaten down to the bone. The coffee ceremony draws repeated mentions, with beans roasted at the table and served with popcorn, incense and sugar, and Ethiopian beer is also noted. Several first-time Ethiopian diners describe a friendly owner and staff who explain the history, how the food is made and how to eat it, with large portions, quick service, music and incense adding to the atmosphere. The main complaint comes from one regular who says the injera arrived spoiled, and that staff insisted the green growth was flour rather than mold instead of simply replacing the dish. Several others close their reviews saying they plan to return.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“This was our first Ethiopian restaurant experience and we loved it. The food was incredible and the staff were welcoming and kind. Highly recommend a visit here for a delicious meal.”
- Google user
“This is one of my favorite places, but I was very disappointed last time. They brought us spoiled injera, and instead of simply replacing the dish, they tried to convince us that everything was fine and it wasn't mold, but flour. 🤦🏻♀️ This is the first time in many years that this has happened. I was very upset.”
- Google user
“LOVE this place, everyone is treated like family when we go there, owner and staff are so sweet and the food is FANTASTIC. drinks are AMAZING i love the whole place, everything about it is 200/10. totally reccomend this place if u want a nice evening family meal 💖”
- Google user
“I decided to come here after having Ethiopian food in Glasgow years ago and I wasn’t disappointed. The food was delicious, the service was quick, the portions were large and the staff were friendly. Highly recommend.”
- Google user
“I came here for my 30th birthday with my parents and was blown away. We were there early but it was not empty, had a wonderful atmosphear with incence burning and nice music playing. The staff or owner was so friendly and let us pick where to sit and he showed us Ethiopian beer on the menu. We got one of each and then he showed us the best meal for 3 option. It was an amazing large round bread with 10 different curries around the edge, it came with lots of extra bread to eat it with and we ordered extra lamb which was so tender and juicy. Nothing was too spicy and the lamb was served on an amazing stand. Then we had some Ethiopian coffee, the beans were roasted in front of us and then served in a lovely pot with popcorn, burning incense and sugar. 10/10 experience of Ethiopian food. Will be going again.”
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Restaurants near Birmingham Blue Nile Restaurant
- Kopitiam4.74190.2 miGood for kidsReservations
salted egg chicken wings, nasi lemak, char kway teow
- Decorum Birmingham4.87,1060.2 mi
lamb chops, mocktails, steak
- 0.3 mi
kebab, pizza, chicken wings
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Blue Nile RestaurantWheelchair accessible | 4.7746 | — | coffee ceremony, shared platter with curries, tender lamb |
| KopitiamGood for kids · Reservations | 4.7419 | 0.2 mi | salted egg chicken wings, nasi lemak, char kway teow |
| Decorum Birmingham | 4.87,106 | 0.2 mi | lamb chops, mocktails, steak |
| City kebab and pizza house | 3.9539 | 0.3 mi | kebab, pizza, chicken wings |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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