Ensira Ethiopian Restaurant is a welcomed addition to Calgary’s few Ethiopian eateries! My first taste of Ethiopia was a success at Ensira!
Calgary has so many hidden gem eateries, and they are hidden in places a lot of people don’t know about. Some of the best and most authentic ethnic restaurants in Calgary are along 17th Avenue SE, aka International Avenue.
I first heard of Ensira on Instagram, and I was really eager to try it. I’ve watched travel & food videos of Ethiopian cuisine but I’ve yet to taste it myself. We didn’t know what to expect, but I knew good food was abound.
Once we were seated, our server introduced to us Ethiopian cuisine. She explained the different dishes they served, and gave us her recommendations. The prices aren’t too steep, but still hefty on the wallet.
I ordered the Yetsom Beyaynetu (a dish containing different spiced vegetables), and served with injera. My friend ordered the Kikil (seasoned lamb meat), also served with injera. Injera is a spongy sourdough flatbread, and is a staple in Ethiopian cuisine.
Oh my gosh. The flavours. The aroma. This meal was delicious! The spices they use in Ethiopian cuisine are quite different from Indian or Thai blends. The injera was tangy and very filling—a perfect accompaniment to mop the flavours of the curries.
The restaurant was really a hole-in-the-wall; it’s tucked away along a street mall. It’s quite spacious inside with many tables. Ensira is really clean and modern, with a few decorations on the walls.
Ensira Ethiopian Restaurant was delicious, and I think I will be back!
Recommended? Yes, definitely!
COST: Moderate. The prices aren’t super pricey, but they are more expensive that other restaurants. The Yetsom Beyaynetu cost $18, and the Kikil cost $19. While the servings were big, I think the price could be cheaper.
TASTE: Excellent. I had a very enjoyable and tasty experience at Ensira. The flavours of each dish were unique and one which I’ve never tried before. The injera is an acquired taste for some, but I liked the tangy flavour.
ACCESSIBILITY: Difficult. Ensira Ethiopian Restaurant is located along 17th Avenue SE, which is serviced by some buses. However, driving is the best way to get here. A word of warning though: parking is extremely limited!
ATMOSPHERE: Nice. From the outside, one would think the restaurant is run-down. However, looks are deceiving. Decorations are minimal but effective, and the restaurant is quite clean and modern. Tables are plenty, so you wouldn’t wait long for a table.
SERVICE: 8/10. Our server was really friendly and explained to us Ethiopian food. I also liked that we didn’t wait too long for the food (5-10 minutes).
Ensira Ethiopian Restaurant
Address: #100, 3515 17th Ave SE, Calgary AB
Phone: (403) 475 – 9573
Hours:
- Monday: 11:30AM – 11PM
- Tuesday: 11:30AM – 11PM
- Wednesday: 11:30AM – 11PM
- Thursday: 11:30AM – 11PM
- Friday: 11:30AM – 11PM
- Saturday: 11:30AM – 11PM
- Sunday: 11:30AM – 11PM
Website: www.ensiraethiocalgaryrestaurant.ca
This is not a sponsored post.
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