Image: Legume-y
Last Updated: February 2026
Overview:
There is a slowly-growing subgenre of Ethiopian restaurants in D.C. Along with places like Ethiopic on H Street and long-time Georgetown spot Das, at Eatopia you tear off pieces of Injera in a polished setting. Many diners have favorites they lean into, but when you are looking to mix up the familiar with the fancy, Eatopia is worth trying out.
Priya Konings did a very good overview of the place, including how it seeks to push beyond the standard fare. Co-owners Eden Yime and Surafel Gizachew came to the restaurant world from scratch and approached it with a blank slate. It incorporates dishes like, anebabero, a snack of fried and spiced injera cut up into triangles. They have traditional meat dishes like beef and lamb tibs and doro wat, but also added a portobello mushroom version of tibs. Tofu is even also worked into menu.
That said, on our initial visit it was standards where we focused: lentil sambussa, vegetables, lamb tibs, and a fried tilapia in a mildly-spicy sauce. The fish was the somewhat surprising crowd-pleaser of battered and fried strips served in a mild sauce. The vegetables were nicely cooked and fresh especially the caramelized carrots and sting beans, chickpeas, and cold lentils. One quibble is they could have used a little more seasoning. Gluten-free injera is available
The wine list is pretty basic, but some care was done to develop a cocktail list. Ethiopian honey wine, tej, and spiced teas are also available. It looks like only one Ethiopian beer is on the list. Despite the fancy surroundings, the lemonade appeared to be from a powder mix.
Eatopia brings something extra to U Street, and it is a welcome addition and worth checking out.
Other Guidance: Located at street level. It is fancy enough to justify dressing up a little for date night. GF and vegetarians can do well.
Summary:
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Neighborhood: U Street
Address: 1301 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Website: https://www.eatopiaeatery.com/
Reservations: Resy
Other Critics/Voices:
Washington Post: Made Tom’s list of best Ethiopian in the region 2025.
Washingtonian: No coverage yet.