Enjoni Cafe

I have never had African cuisine, and I am now a big fan! Great food at moderate prices. There is something for everyone there. Lamb, beef, chicken and tons of veggie options. Wash your hands before you eat because they will be your utensils, along with a special bread that I would describe as something between a pancake and a crepe. Good African wines. Great, friendly service. I will be back! Pros: Great food, service and prices. more

Though to be honest, Ethiopian food isn't my kind of food, the atmosphere of the restaurant was clean and calm. The service was great as I came with a large group 20+. The accomodated us well. The food was incredibly fresh. It just had that feeling. If Ethiopia is considered the ""Cradle of Life"" then the food here defnately reminded me of how the 21st century kitchen can make it that much FRESH. Pros: Fresh Food, New food to try, Owner is Chef Cons: Not for those unwilling to try something new. more

I did some online research before our trip to Portland and really wanted to try Enjoni Cafe. We love Ethiopian food and I wanted to see how, if at all, Eritrean food differed. The atmosphere, though not exactly intimate or romantic, is quite pleasant. We were seated right away and the staff was incredibly welcoming and friendly. They offered to answer any questions we had about the menu. We are vegetarians and the friend who came with us is not; they were very accommodating about making sure that our food was not on the same platter as our friend's. The food itself was excellent: the vegetable sampler was very flavorful and high-quality. There were a couple of items that were new to us, but we forgot to ask whether they were Eritrean specialties or something that could also be found in Ethiopia. Our carnivorous friend enjoyed his beef dish, too. Best of all, the owner/chef emerged from the kitchen and talked to us. We thought that was a very nice touch. I am happy to spread the word to everyone about the greatness of Enjoni Cafe. I wish them much success.\r \r Tourists to Portland: don't be afraid of this neighborhood. Locals who don't venture up that way often may mislead you into thinking it's not prudent, but the neighborhood has greatly improved in recent years and we felt completely safe and comfortable. We took the MAX train from downtown (a half-hour ride but so worth it) and all was fine. Pros: delicious, unique, friendly, great value Cons: far from our hotel more

Greatest service in town! Friendly employees and very attentive to all our needs! Food was fresh and delicious! Homemade taste and style! Absolutely delicious and makes you want to eat there every day! \r More delicious than expected! Decent price! Greater selection of dishes and spices. Must eat, must not miss this experience! Pros: homemade taste, FRESH food Cons: too far away from my home more

We visited E'Njoni Cafe last night for dinner and it was a fabulous experience. The food was flavorful and delicious, the service was great and the whole night made me want to go back. Be prepared to eat with your hands, as your table's food is served on a platter with this unique bread. Two of us shared a chicken dish and a veggie sampler and it was more than enough food for both of us. Two entrees + one bottle of wine = $37. I think that's a great deal for a tasty dinner. The owners came to visit us and couldn't have been nicer. Try this place out! Pros: Great food, not too spendy, kind people Cons: none come to mind more

If first impressions were ever so important, N'Joni Cafe definitely made a lasting one. I've never sampled Eastern African or any African cuisine for that matter and I've gotta say that I'm a big fan now. At entrance, the earth-tone walls laced with authentic Eritrean artwork, offer a sense of tradition as well a warm soothing. I've had meals here at different times of day and have to say that this place is versatile enough for lunch with friends or date with special type friends as well. There something for anybody at this establishment. The menu is full of traditional eats and treats and is just the reward for having an open mind. A really cool aspect is the dining experience. Standard eating utensils in this quaint little cafe isn't knife and fork, although those are available upon request. All that's needed is a pair of clean hands. Meals here are served in traditional communal fashion, where main and side en trees are served on authentic, home-made unleavened flat bread called enjera. I find this to be the best part of the experience. It's a mom and pop kind of place and that's what makes this restaurant so appetizing. Once you walk in, you see proprietors Mike and Sonja come from out of the kitchen to greet you at the door. Service is very cordial, and puts you at ease. It's easy to pass the time there, once you walk in, you get the feeling that you should slow down and relax. N'Joni Cafe has quickly become one of my favorite establishments in Portland. I highly recommend this to anyone I know and don't know. It's great for anyone who likes a change of pace and seeks to expand their tastes. This establishment is an excellent reward for an open mind and since Portland is full of open minds, I can foresee this family owned and operated cafe being a success. You won't be disappointed, the food will feed your soul. Pros: Going to this place is the con Cons: There isn't one closer to me more

I've been going to E'Njoni Cafe regularly since they opened about 3 or 4 months ago and have had the privilege of tasting everything on the menu to date and am proud to consider Sonya and Michael (owners/restaurateurs) friends of mine. I've enjoyed their company on every occasion that I've gone in there, and have had the privilege of even watching the menu grow and change as they've developed new items to put on it. This is by far and away, one of THE absolute finest restaurants I have ever been to in my life. The food is filling and healthy, while still being affordable. Being a college student, I know how hard it is to save money and also how important it is, but I continuously choose this place over the mediocre (at best) Chinese restaurant in the neighborhood.\r \r The entire staff here are all very knowledgeble about everything on the menu, in their pastry display case and are also very hospitable. Everytime I walk in there everyone lights up as if it were the first time I walked inside the door. That professionalism never fails. If anyone is looking for something different or new and is willing to go for a little ride on the MAX, then I would say this should be on your list of things to try.\r \r And remember college students, they have a lunch deal that you won't want to miss. Pros: Everything that could possible be on the list. Cons: Absolutely non. more

While this may not be the very best African food in Portland, this is the best African restaurant. The atmosphere is wonderful with comfortable chairs and lighting that's not too bright or dim. \r \r the menu is varied and the stick-in-the-mud in your group who doesn't want traditional Ethiopian will be sated by their steak sandwich or a vegetarian Mediterranean dish. This is a full service restaurant, and while I have not had breakfast there yet, the coffee is fantastic. The focus is on fresh ingredients with organic whenever feasible. My only complaint with food is that is not very spicy at all.\r \r Also, the owners/staff are very classy and know how to make you feel welcomed. Pros: Nice variety of dishes, pleasant ambience Cons: Out of lamb more

This was my first taste of African food (at least at a restaurant) and what a great place this was for a first-timer. Being from out-of-town, I went with friends who wanted to ""try something different."" I never expected it to be that great. The feeling you get when you walk in the door is warm and friendly, with the interior richly colorful and surrounded by interesting hangings, art & pottery. The food was fantastic and much better than any Mediterranean or Moroccan place that I had eaten at before, with everything served on top of a spongy African flat bread that soaks up all the juices and tastes incredible. The flavor was outstanding and I've never enjoyed eating with my hands more than I did that night. They even demonstrated how coffee is roasted and explained that coffee originated in Ethiopia (I never knew that either). It was truly the best coffee I ever had and put Starbucks to shame. \r \r It's not often I go on praising a restaurant, but I will definitely go there again the next time I'm in Portland. I hope they expand to Denver someday, or I may have to move to the Pacific Northwest to enjoy this memorable experience over and over and over again. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who wants great food, quiet atmosphere and a dining experience you rarely find any place. I was really lucky to discover Enjoni Cafe. Pros: Too many to list, as food, value, staff and surroundings were all better than expected and made me want to return. Cons: Not right next to my hotel, but well worth the trip for everyone. more

Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior, this cafe is a Portland neighborhood gem! Incredibly unique dishes burst with familiar and exotic flavor. Enjoni's menu has a variety of selections for the vegetarian and carnivore alike. Each dish is intricately spiced and cheerfully presented on a large African crepe (Injera). Diners may eat in the traditional fashion with their hands, though silverware is provided for those who prefer it. One of the best parts of discovering Enjoni has been introducing it to our gastronome friends, all of whom have been impressed with the experience. more

The curried beef tibs with salad on Injera (Ethiopian Eritrean bread) was delicious! The coffee was wonderful! The host and hostess, Michael and Sonya were very gracious! Thank you for the great experience! We will return to try the lamb stew! Steven and Donna Pros: Tasty cuisine! more

I've been to most of the Ethiopian restaurants in town and this is the only one where I regularly see Ethiopian people eating. It's clearly a step above the others in town. The food is incredible and the owners are extremely nice people who you will be happy to support. I have become friends with them, but that was after I fell in love with the food and made several repeated visits. \r \r They also offer a traditional coffee ceremony, which is an interesting cultural experience, but it does require a bit of waiting if they haven't already started brewing the coffee. However, I think that's the point. It's a social experience and it's interesting to watch. Don't be surprised if one of the owners (Michael & Sonya) joins the group and strikes up a conversation. I learned a lot from Michael while waiting for the coffee to brew.\r \r My only small criticism is that they are not open on Monday. I think I have been burned by this at least 3 times. Pros: THE FOOD, the owners more

If you?re in the mood for great food, fast service and a wonderful atmosphere rich with cultural ambiance then Enjoni is the place for you!! Being from DC where there are a ton of Ethiopian restaurants, I was pleasantly surprised when I went to Enjoni about a month ago. I ordered the veggie combo and tips (marinated beef with onions) and it was amazing. The waitress was warm and friendly ? I would definitely recommend anyone go if they are in the mood for something different. more

E'njoni is a WONDERFUL new restaurant! They have great food, nice atmosphere and friendly staff. They have many unique items on the menu that make you want ot come back for more to try all of the other items. E'njoni means welcome and that is what you will feel here. I plan on bringing more friends to experience the cuisine! Pros: The food is terrific Cons: Absolutely NONE! more