Blue Nile Cafe

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2225 NE Broadway St
Portland, OR 97232

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(503) 284-4653
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Blue Nile Cafe - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 9 )
( 5 )
( 4 )
( 0 )
( 2 )

Best

My fiance and I have lived in the Irvington neighborhood for 5 years, and eat at Blue Nile at least 3 times a month. It is a low-key dining environment with a 5-star cuisine. We...

Worst

The service is the worst! A friend and I went searching for a new neighborhood eatery and stopped by the Blue Nile. The service was awful unattentive and rude. We picked at our me...

Decent food, bad service 5/20/2011

This restaurant is real tiny (probably holds 20 folks at best). Food is decent (their lamb dish is good, one chicken dish was good, other that came with a boiled egg wasn't good). The service was bad and kind of slow. Also, for a restaurant for those interiors (which are okay, or below average) - it's costly (about $12 average per dish). I would prefer Dalos which does buffet at $10 and the dishes are quite tasty. more
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Best Ethiopian food around! 8/24/2008

My fiance and I have lived in the Irvington neighborhood for 5 years, and eat at Blue Nile at least 3 times a month. It is a low-key dining environment with a 5-star cuisine. We've tried all of the Ethiopian restaurants in Portland and continue to come back to Blue Nile time and time again. The taste, texture and aroma of the dishes are amazing (we love the Yedoro Wot and lamb tibs), and the ambience of the restaurant has a cozy, dining room feel. The owners and staff are all extremely friendly and in such a tough economy, the food is definitely worth every penny. We hope this restaurant never leaves! more
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Good experience 7/24/2008

Good food and good service. I loved the new experience. I love the Dero wet, it was spicy and test good. more
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Delicious food, prepared lovingly; affordable and friendly 5/6/2008

Vegans and Omnivores alike, you've found your place. It's casual, easy to find, with a choice of indoor or outdoor dining. It's not fancy! But the food is prepared by the same family members who have run this little gem for years. The wine selection is limited, the beer selection is better; their spiced tea is wonderful. I always request my own combination of entrees, and they always accommodate me. I wish the restroom was a little more luxurious, but that's not really why I go there. The prices are moderate, so go when you're short of cash and get a filling meal for a few dollars, then go back when you're flush to sample a couple of things. Unless you're really hungry, you'll probably have enough to take home for tomorrow. The seasoning is rich, so you're wallet doesn't have to be. They had a little change of staff recently, but they've ironed out the wrinkles. Check out the red lentils and collard greens. This is an excellent place to eat your veggies and make Mama happy. Pros: Flavorful and nutritious Cons: the restroom needs a painting more
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The Worst Service & Dirty Dining 5/28/2007

The service is the worst! A friend and I went searching for a new neighborhood eatery and stopped by the Blue Nile. The service was awful unattentive and rude. We picked at our mediocre cold meal on some dirty picnic tables outside - which was our only escape from a blaring tv. As we finished one of the staff made a comment about cheap customers and that people get better service if they pay for it. We won't be going back. Pros: Near other resturants Cons: Poor service more
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Great Ethiopian 4/19/2007

Great lunch spot, usually not very busy. Surprisingly large and diverse beer selection. Definitely a great place to go if you need something different. Pros: Great food Cons: Sometimes slow service more
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Portland has better choices 4/18/2007

I'm sorry to say that I came in for lunch and only found confirmation of some of the negative comments already posted here. I ordered the spicy beef which came with spinach and cabbage. The beef was stewed with large slices of onion than I like to have - a personal preference. But the meat was tough and stringy. The sauce was a little bland. The injera is very good. It is served on the side and the food is served on a plate by itself. Pros: Very friendly Cons: Loud TV and tough meat more
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Good vegetarian combo but... 3/18/2007

...you should definetely take it to go and be careful they tend to overcharge your card for tip even on take outs! Pros: vegetarian combo Cons: ambience more
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Very poor food, poor service 12/15/2006

Two of our party of six arrived before us. They had a menu, we waited and waited for one. Finally I requested a menu and got one but the other four people who arrived with me did not. I had to explain we would each like one. Only one ""drinks"" menu for the six of us. No ice in the water, heaters scattered about on the floor, which I considered a fire hazard.. Bread served separately on a plate was cold, not room temperature, COLD. I ordered a meat dish. So tough I could hardly chew it. This was my first experience with Ethiopian food in Portland. There must be restaurant which serves better foood than this one. I would never go back. Pros: Sauce was tasty Cons: All else was below average more
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our favorite Ethiopian restaurant 10/4/2006

We regularly get cravings for Ethiopian food and this restaurant is consistently a delight to dine in. The owner is kind and friendly and the food is always prompt and delicious. We usually order the veggie and meat combinations. So cheap for all the food you get! Pros: great food, wonderful service, cozy atmosphere more
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Like eating at someone's home 9/6/2006

I love this place. I've gone twice in the past two months and just love how wonderful the food is. I've ordered the vegetarian combo both times and it was a great blend of spicy and savory. The injera is perfectly balanced, not too thin like others have written about other Ethiopian restaurants in town. I've eaten at numerous Ethiopian restaurants after living in DC for 5 years (huge African population and awesome African food) and Blue Nile matches those higher end restaurants for sure. Sure, there's no ambience (BN is like a cafe w/ outside seating) but the food is right up there with the best of them. I, too, am annoyed w/ the TV always being on but I think that gives the place character and more homey like you're at someone's home. I highly recommend Blue Nile. Pros: Excellent food, fast service, easy parking Cons: Lack of ambience... depending on your mood more
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Very Tasty Ethiopian Food in a cozy cafe setting. 9/1/2006

The vegetarian combo for two is excellent. A selection of spicy and mild food shared from a large platter covered with ingera crepes. I've eaten at several East African restaurants over the years and this is one of the best. Service is friendly and reasonably quick. Although the dining area is small I've never had to wait for a table the 8 or 10 times I've gone there in the last 3 years. An undiscovered treasure. Pros: Delicious food!!! more
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Delicious and authentic 7/8/2006

It's wonderful that there's a place in Portland where you can get REAL injera (unlike the pale imitation at Jarra's.) The dishes are varied, highly flavorful, and non-greasy. Wonderful options for vegetarians and vegans. I'd recommend getting a combo plate to share with your dining companions so you can taste all the different and wonderful flavors Blue Nile has to offer. Since the TV is always on, it's better to go on a nice day when you can sit outside. Pros: Prompt service, delicious food, very cheap Cons: ambience leaves something to be desired more
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The Best in Portland!!! 12/14/2004

Everything I've tried at Blue Nile Cafe has been great! I've been to three of the four Ethiopian restaurants in Portland and this one is by far the best. Everyone is very friendly and the atmosphere is nice and cozy. You'll get a lot of food for very little money. Try the Blue Nile combination plate or make your own combo. Pros: food was fresh, great seasoning, friendly staff more
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My favorate spot 11/29/2004

I have had Ethiopian food before, here in Portland and Seattle. I loved the dishes and the choice you will have in this little cafe. also the price is very cheap. The cook and the waiter is the same lady and it happen she is the owner too. She served the food fast. The ""Injera"" the soft pancake like is from Teff. Try the blue nile combnation or Vegiterian combination. If you realy like meat the lamb dish is excellent. I would recommend come in a group to share the ""family style"" which will be provided varity in big platter. I recommand for every one. the best Ethiopian food in town. Pros: inexpensive more
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One of my favorite places 9/16/2004

Yes the tv blares and the decor is like you're in someone's kitchen dining nook and you probably are because it's owned by a husband and wife who are there constantly, so just go with it. The food is really savory, plentiful and inexpensive and we've never had to wait long. Agree with the person who recommended the combination. The wife who probably will wait on you is also the cook. You could always sit outside and watch Broadway go by if you want to avoid the tv. Pros: Really good food, inexpensive, fast more
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turn off the TV! 5/27/2004

This would be my favorite Ethiopian place in town if they would only turn off the TV! The flavors here are much richer and more complex than at Jarra's, IMHO, and they're one of the few places in town to use teff -- the real deal -- for their injera. The doro wat is my standard order and I'd venture that they have the best berebere sauce in town, maybe rivalled by Abole. The service is a little indifferent, its true, but just because they're watching TV doesn't mean they won't help you. Bonus: they're open for breakfast, too, so you can have ethiopian style food all day long! Pros: cheap, delicious more
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Bring your mouth alive! 10/6/2002

If you already love Ethiopian/Eritrean food, you won't be disappointed. If you're skeptical, try it out! It's yummy food and a fun presentation, where you utilize injera bread to eat instead of fork and knife. Go for berbere if you like hot and spicy. Yum!!! more
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Outstanding 6/15/2002

The best Ethiopian food around. The food is spicy and the service is great. Pros: Great Food, Prompt seating, Easy Location more
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I can't stop eatting it! 6/11/2002

Ethiopian Food is growing on me. I'm finding myself down at Blue Nile atleast once a week for lunch. Great prices, friendly staff and plenty of food. Wonderful vegetarian menu also! Pros: Wonderful Food, Good Service more
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Menu for Blue Nile Cafe


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Editorial

  • In Short
    This little eatery serves its authentic dishes with injera--spongy, fermented flatbread--as well as a paper towel and a fork. Diners use injera to scoop up stew-like dishes,...

  • 10/19/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Sunday From 11:00 AM To 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods, Irvington
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