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Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
8.4
A high-confidence Uptown Ethiopian dining room where the best meals come from a focused spread—one signature meat stew, a strong veggie lane, and extra injera so the table stays cohesive. Their private party facilities make it an easy pick for groups that want a communal meal with real spice depth and steady execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Doro Wot, Vegetarian Messob, Beef Sambussa
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A communal injera-and-stew table that stays reliable at scale.
Who should go: Groups who love share-plate eating
When to visit: Early dinner to beat peak crowds
What to order: Doro wot, vegetarian messob, sambussa
Insider tip: Order an extra injera early—tables always want more.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually manageable earlier in the evening but tight after 6:30pm on weekends.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—jeans are fine; comfort matters more than dressing up.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—easy to talk within your table, but not a quiet dining room.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—strong vegetarian messob and multiple vegetable stews designed for full meals.
Vegan options: Yes—most vegetable stews are vegan; confirm butter use when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Limited—injera is traditionally gluten-free but cross-contamination is possible; best for gluten-sensitive diners rather than strict celiac.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a relaxed, food-focused date than a quiet romantic one—the communal eating style is fun but the room can get lively.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays or early evenings, but larger groups should expect a wait on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families are common, portions are shareable, and kids usually enjoy the hands-on injera experience.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, communal dining, and diners who want bold spice depth without fine-dining formality.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate room or strictly gluten-free dining with zero cross-contamination risk.
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
8.4
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
A standout Uptown option for a business lunch that’s still a real Chicago food experience: the platters eat clean and communal without feeling messy when you order with structure. Go in with one signature meat lane and a strong veggie lane and you’ll get a table that feels decisive, not chaotic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Doro wot, Vegetarian combo platter, Sambussa sampler
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Family-style Ethiopian platters that stay flavorful and dependable at scale.
Who should go: Teams who like sharing and bold spice.
When to visit: Weekdays for steady pacing and faster service.
What to order: Doro wot, veggie combo, sambussa
Insider tip: Order extra injera early so the table doesn’t stall.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Broadway and side streets; can be tight during peak dinner hours but generally manageable at lunch.
Dress code: Smart casual. Business casual fits right in; jeans are fine.
Noise level: Moderate. Lively room, but still workable for conversation at lunch.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a full vegetarian combo with multiple lentil and vegetable dishes.
Vegan options: Yes — many vegetable and lentil dishes are vegan by default.
Gluten-free options: Limited — most dishes are gluten-free, but injera is traditionally teff-based and often mixed with wheat; ask the server about availability.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a second or third date than a first. The communal eating style is fun and engaging, but it’s more interactive and hands-on than some first-date diners prefer.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially at lunch or early dinner. Peak weekend dinners are the only time reservations help.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes. Kids who are open to new flavors do well here, and shared platters make ordering easy, though there are no dedicated kids’ menus.
Best For
Better for: Structured group lunches and client meals where you want something distinctive but still reliable and efficient.
Skip if: You need a quiet, white-tablecloth business lunch or prefer strictly individual entrées over shared platters.
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
8.5
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
A high-reliability Uptown dining room for Ethiopian platters that eat clean and satisfying when you order with structure—one rich stew, one veggie lane, and enough injera to keep the table moving. It’s a strong cheap-eats play because the share format turns into a full, communal meal without feeling like you overpaid for the experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Doro wot, Veggie combo, Sambussa
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Shareable platters with bold spice and repeatable, table-friendly ordering.
Who should go: Teams and friends who like sharing
When to visit: Weekday dinner for steadier pacing
What to order: Doro wot, veggie combo, sambussa
Insider tip: Order extra injera early so the meal doesn’t stall.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Broadway and nearby side streets; can be tight during dinner hours but usually manageable with a short walk.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual—jeans and sweaters are common; no need to dress up.
Noise level: Moderate—lively room with group tables, but conversation is still easy.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—well-known veggie combos with multiple lentil and vegetable stews.
Vegan options: Yes—many of the vegetable dishes are vegan by default.
Gluten-free options: Limited—injera is traditionally teff-based but may include wheat; confirm with the staff if strict gluten-free is required.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual, low-pressure first date if you’re comfortable sharing food; the communal style can be fun but isn’t intimate-quiet.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays; weekends are doable but expect a wait during dinner rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes for school-age kids who are open to new flavors; no dedicated kids menu, but the shareable platters work well.
Best For
Better for: Structured group ordering, consistent spice balance, and strong value compared to smaller or more chaotic Ethiopian spots.
Skip if: You want a quick solo meal or a quiet, intimate dining room—this shines most with groups and shared plates.
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
8.7
A high-energy Uptown Ethiopian dining room built for shared platters and hands-on injera eating, with deep spiced stews that reward ordering as a group. The move is a messob-style spread anchored by a vegetarian combo, then add one signature meat dish if your table isn’t fully plant-based.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegetarian combo (messob-style platter), Misir wot (spiced lentils), Shiro (chickpea stew)
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Big, share-first Ethiopian platters with fresh injera and deep stews.
Who should go: Groups who want a vegan-friendly feast
When to visit: Weeknights for easier seating
What to order: Vegetarian combo, misir wot, shiro
Insider tip: Order one big platter first, then add one extra stew only if needed.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited availability on Broadway and surrounding side streets, especially after 6pm. Allow extra time or plan for rideshare.
Dress code: Smart casual. Jeans are fine; the room runs lively and stylish, so avoid overly casual attire.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours; conversation is possible, but it’s not a quiet dining room.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — a full vegetarian combo and multiple vegetable-based stews designed for sharing.
Vegan options: Yes — many stews are naturally vegan; confirm butter-free preparations when ordering.
Gluten-free options: Limited — gluten-free injera may be available by request, but availability can vary; ask before ordering.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a second or third date than a first. The communal platters and hands-on eating are fun, but the noise and shared format work best once you’re comfortable.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes on weeknights if you arrive early; weekends are difficult without a reservation, especially for groups.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who are open to bold flavors and shared eating. There’s no kids menu, so it works best for adventurous eaters.
Best For
Better for: Large-group dining, vegan-friendly feasts, and deeply spiced Ethiopian stews served in a lively, social setting.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate meal or strict gluten-free dining with guaranteed availability.
Demera Ethiopian Restaurant
8.7
A high-energy Uptown Ethiopian dining room where the vegetarian combo is a real centerpiece, not a consolation prize—deep lentils, greens, and legumes built for scooping with fresh injera. Come with a group, order family-style, and let one big platter carry the table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegetarian combo, Misir wot, Shiro
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Big, share-first Ethiopian platters with reliably strong vegetarian stews.
Who should go: Groups who want a vegetarian feast
When to visit: Weeknights for easier seating
What to order: Vegetarian combo, misir wot, shiro
Insider tip: Start with one large platter, add only if the table still wants more.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited availability on Broadway and nearby side streets, especially after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; jeans are fine, no need to dress up.
Noise level: Lively and loud during peak hours; conversation is possible but not hushed.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes without a reservation is common.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — the vegetarian combo is a core menu offering with multiple substantial dishes.
Vegan options: Yes — many vegetarian stews are naturally vegan; confirm injera and preparations with staff.
Gluten-free options: Limited — injera typically contains gluten; some stews are gluten-free but not a full substitute experience.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual or adventurous first date than a quiet, intimate one — the shared platters are fun but the room is loud and high-energy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a wait during weekend dinners; weeknights are much easier if you arrive early.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy shared eating and bold flavors; less ideal for toddlers due to noise and spice.
Best For
Better for: Large-format vegetarian feasts, group dining, and bold, deeply spiced Ethiopian cooking.
Skip if: You want a quiet, quick meal or need a fully gluten-free dining experience.