Muzita Bistro

12/11/2014

The food was great. Service was excellent. My partner is vegetarian, so she was very happy. I had chicken and it was excellent. My only complaint (reason for 4 stars) was the red wine that my partner ordered. It was served warm, very warm. (She added a few ice cubes to cool it off.) I experience that a lot at restaurants. They seem to believe that room temperature means the actual temperature of the room It actually means cellar temperature. Muzita would do well to invest in a wine cooler. On a hot day (it was 90 that day, maybe 75 that evening) red wine needs to be drinkable.

12/11/2014

Plan ahead to get into this place as it stays consistently busy due to great food and an intimate setup. They pack quite a few tables into a tight space but still make it feel comfortable. Food is always excellent and a unique experience.

12/11/2014

If you are looking for delicious, authentic, high quality Ethiopian in an urban but peaceful setting with kind and knowledgeable staff. Get your ass in here. Sit down. Look the menu over. Begin drooling. However when asked what you'd like. Let them decide. You might try something new or rediscover a favorite. Either way you are in for quite a treat.

12/11/2014

I will start by sating that the server we had was amazing, she was very helpful and gave great service. The food was good also!

However, this is where my experience took a turn for the worse.

I went in with 3 other adults, 1 teenager and a baby.

We ordered 4 meals, 6 cocktails, and 1 drink. It came out to 140.25 with a mandatory 18% gratuity since we had a group; with the gratuity it was 165.50. So, I gave them my card and off they went. When they brought back the final reciept and my card back it was now 180.36?!?!? I was like wtf? Apparently when I gave them my card they decided to add sales tax to the entire bill including gratuity.

I had a few drinks and the place was packed so I didn't want to fight about it, so I left after leaving a note on the bill.

DONT GET RIPPED OFF BY THESE PEOPLE, LOOK AT YOUR BILL CLOSELY AND PAY WITH CASH!!!

12/11/2014

I love that this place is really cozy, like cozy in the sense that you'd be eating at home. It does feel...crowded on a Saturday night but once the food and drinks come in, then you'll forget how close you are to the table next to you. I'm a fan of calamari so we ordered the "Crispy Calamari." The cornmeal coating made it interesting, I wouldn't say it was bad but I wouldn't say it was good either.

I've only ordered the Tsebhi Dorho, Zigini Siga, and Prawn Kilwa and all were really tasty. My favorite side was the Caulo (green cabbage). The prawns were really big too. I like the idea of eating with your hands and that they give you wipes before the meal (*whew*). Best to come with a group so you can share and try a lot.

The first time I went there, they had honey wine and I had an abundance of it (sooooo good). The second time they ran out. :( But I will be back, I'm addicted to the Injera. I recommend that you try this place once and if it's not for you, at least you can say you've eaten with your hands and didn't get scolded for looking like a savage.

6/6/2015

Update July 2017: Much better service than back in 2015. Very good food and the honey wine is amazing.

Excellent food but extremely bad service. All servers except a couple are rude. The average time before taking an order is 20 minutes. Average wait for food to arrive is an hour. Disappointed because food is really good.

Ask for Jim. The only good server.

6/6/2015

So many good vegan choices here. The flavor profile is overwhelming. Vegan chocolate creme brulee! Try not to fill up on the delicious spongy bread.

6/6/2015

Delicious and unique food, excellent service, and a charming atmosphere

7/12/2015

Amazing food & great atmosphere! Also very vegetarian & vegan friendly.

9/5/2015

Food was amazing!! You have to get the mess for your beverage as well; so delicious.

However, the service seemed to be a tad negligent. Otherwise I would highly recommend this restaurant if you are not in a hurry.

1/24/2016

Oh holy, WOW, is all I can say about Muzita! Went here today with a friend (both new to Ethiopian cuisine) and gosh, from the wonderful service to EXQUISITE food to fun, family style presentation... and wonderful ambience, too...this place has it covered!!!

1/24/2016

Tasty Ethiopian food. Reasonable prices but long wait sometimes. Definitely worth trying

5/25/2016

A small converted house made into an intimate bar and dinner setting. The food is very interesting holsome and enjoyable. All the dishes we tried were hits. The portions were reasonably generous and served family style. The service was friendly although a bit slow, but the food was definitely worth the wait. The biggest drawback to this place was the lack of parking. On a street of many great restaurants this one is a standout.

5/25/2016

Ethiopian food is something I've enjoyed on the occasion when their sambusas make an appearance at UCSD's famer's market.

I've been introduced to this place twice now by two different people and each time I've been, the food has always been exceptionally delicious and hearty.

The first time I came, our waiter explained the concept of eating with only our hands to be in-line with the culture of the food. It was a fun experience. I can't recall all the foods I've eaten here but for the most part, they provide generous portions, none of their items have an overwhelming taste to scare new people away from Ethiopian cuisine, and I really enjoy their injera bread!

And for a casual dining place, romantic lighting in the evening definitely sets the tone and makes it a great place to bring a date!

5/25/2016

A revelation.

I have never tried Ethiopian cuisine before and here a heaping plate of wondrous rainbow palette of food on a shared communal plate of flat spongy bread, I can't help but to be weak at the knees for something so delicious.

Excuse my stream of consciousness, but if you are in San Diego, you need to be here at least once. Be aware of the crowd.

5/25/2016

Bottomline: Jim was our host and he is a cheat. Food absolutely amazing. Service is slow but worth the wait.

Absolutely devastated that they doubled our bill and behaved as if it was their first time. In the end they gave us cash back to equalize the bill. But a cheat is always a cheat. Restaurant Business cannot be successful by cheating it's customers. I thought once again I'll be a happy face but they messed up my entire dinner. Please double check your bill next time you go there. With their sweet talk, they lure their customers into this scam.

5/25/2016

Went here on Valentine's. The place was filled but still managed to get a table. I tried Ethiopian for the first time and fell in love with it! Equal number of options for vegetarians and non vegetarians. Very cozy ambience. Great customer service. Will definitely visit the place again.

Just a heads up, they don't provide cutlery. Just a small tradition.

12/29/2016

The food was awesome! A little spicier than I had expected, but really good.

The space is cozy and quite rightly packed, but has a great atmosphere.

12/29/2016

The food here was so awesome and delicious...Dan was our waiter and he did an excellent job ....i am looking forward to my next visit.

12/29/2016

this place is amazing! staff is super friendly helpful. don't be intimidated and tell your server what you like and they will guide you in the right direction. the owner Abel is everyone's friend here!

12/29/2016

Kinda price-y, but the food is good and the people affable. Probably the "nicest" African place around

12/29/2016

This place is great, the food is spot on and the feel of the place is great if your taking some one to eat Ethiopian for the first time.

2/18/2017

Muzita always delivers! Great atmosphere, excellent food, good beer/wine selection and the staff is amazing every single time!

2/18/2017

the best ethiopian food you will find in san diego

2/18/2017

Great place for delicious Ethiopian food. The owners are very friendly. Upside seating (in limited numbers) is also available.

3/18/2017

Good and interesting food. Nice drinks. Good waitstaff. Cozy and cool vibe. Would definitely come back.

3/18/2017

Always a great time. They serve really flavorful food that will blow your socks off. You have no silverware and you use the spongey substance as utensils. IT'S AMAZING! !!!

3/18/2017

The best Ethiopian food in San Diego. Very friendly service. Reservation is a must on the weekends. Watch out for parking hassles in the neighborhood.

3/18/2017

Amazing food, and you get to eat with your hands! I'm trying to get my kids to come with me so that I'll get the chance to eat without nagging them for once.

4/19/2017

Best best best food ever. Nothing more to say...I would only eat here if I had to choose one spot for the rest of my life.

5/22/2017

I will gush about this place until I meet my grave! Every time my husband and I go, we're overjoyed with our food and the servers who hook us up with deliciousness. Muzita is awesome because it provides options for both meat and non-meat eaters and even has gluten free injera on the weekends. We tend to go there during the week or Sunday afternoon to avoid the crowds, so if you're looking to go on Friday or Saturday, make reservations. It's a house that has been converted to a restaurant so it's quaint and lovely. There's outdoor seating with new heat lamps so you can enjoy your Ethiopian dining experience in California comfort.

5/22/2017

This was the first time I tried the Ethiopian Cuisine . It was interesting to learn their style and learn about injera. We tried some of their vegan options and it was very tasty. The entree and main dishes aren't that expensive and it's very filling and vale for money. The ambience and seating options could have been better.

5/22/2017

Delicious Ethiopian cuisine. Too flavorful/spicy for typical American taste buds. Good drink options. Honey wine is highly recommended.

5/22/2017

My new favorite restaurant. Both the owner and staff make you feel at home. Food was amazing. T

6/24/2017

I took my family here for their first experience with Ethiopian/Eritrean food. Everybody really enjoyed it; the cooks were even able to accommodate my mother who generally is afraid of flavor (claiming it's "too spicy") with a prawn dish to her liking. The server was very helpful in picking the right quantity and flavours for the meal. We also had dessert there which my family claimed was the best part of the meal (after commenting how good the meal was). The desserts were common European faire, but well done nonetheless.

6/24/2017

Food was good but I hate the fact that they try to trick you with the TIP!! BE VERY CAREFUL READING YOUR BILL! they automatically add 20% tip to your bill!!??

7/26/2017

Incredible food! A unique dining experience. Be sure to make reservations as this place is busy every night. And get some honeywine if they have any in stock, it will blow your mind!

7/26/2017

Food was delicious! The sambusas (veg, green) were tasty, so as the mushroom appetizer. The okra entree was flavorful. The tiger prawns was spicy and good. Add the lentils on the side for the entrees. Also the service was great. Overall, much recommended!

8/27/2017

My first time trying Ethiopian and I had three kids with me. The owner came over to tell us about everything and even provided samples of the veggies to help introduce us to the flavors. We loved eating with our hands and absolutely everything was fantastic. The stand out was the mushroom appetizer. Will be back!

9/28/2017

A fun place to go with a small group. Food is great, but you need to be comfortable eating with your hands... They serve an odd rolled up bread that is used to pick up the food. Definitely an experience to be enjoyed.

9/28/2017

OMG! This Ethiopian food is so authenticate. it's small family owned business and the food is so tasty. It's real big quantity so think twice before ordering. Also, two main entries are enough for 4 people. It's so busy place so never forget to make appointment before heading there, even on week days. Yes! you read correctly, even on week days too.

9/28/2017

Went for vacation in San Diego and had great food here. Person who was serving us was awesome, he helped us to with menu and item that we may like. Food was incredibly delicious 😋.

10/29/2017

The food was delicious and injera was bountiful! Reservations are a must here on Saturday nights though, there were several parties all waiting on tables when we arrived. Parking is also pretty difficult in the University Heights area, so plan ahead!

11/30/2017

For one thing it does not look like authentic Ethiopian restaurant. It looked very fancy and way off the traditional aesthetics. We were there standing at the gate for several minutes, hoping some one would come and get us seats, no body cared really. We finally had ask a staff and she asked if we had a reservation or to wait longer. We had to walk away and find another restaurant.

12/30/2017

I didn't expect to be sharing one plate with my family. Breakfast was all I had that day, so "satisfying" is an understatement for describing the experience of tearing into our dish with my hands. The texture of the bread (crepe-like, spongy, aourdough), the slight spiciness (probably cooled down by request) and the combination of flavors which harmonized so well (we did all vegetarian dishes)... Overall, it felt like eating a hearty and comforting stew after a very long day. It was just so rewarding and there was absolutely no discomfort afterward. Come hungry and be patient, the food may take a while. My family had an appetizer and the waiters were very attentive. My only complaint is that our dish wasn't hot when it got to us but at least that made it easier to eat.

12/30/2017

This place is a bit upclass.

The food here is extra ordinary.

It is the by far the best Ethiopian food I have ever had. Its ecstatic. Its a bit costly but its worth every penny.

12/30/2017

We r almost regular here. we take any friends or relatives who visit us to this place. The service,food and ambiance all good. This place has a lot of vegetarian options. The only down side is the place is small which means to stroller. Order the shiro (esp if you like spicy food) and bamya in appetizer.

1/30/2018

I have wanted to try this place for a while now. It totally lived up to expectations. We ordered a vegetarian and a prawn dish, as well as the seasonal vegetables and lentils for sides. Everything was unbelievably good. The crepe like bread used to scoop up all the yummy bites had almost a sour dough flavor. It also came with a salad in the middle. The dressing on the salad was simple but delicious, and cut through the richness of the actual dishes. We finished with the vegan chocolate creme brulee. I am not vegetarian, much less vegan, but this dessert was rich, creamy, chocolatey, and a great balance of sweetness. I can't wait to come back and try new dishes. This place would be a great date spot too.

1/30/2018

Abel and his staff (shutout to Dan) are serving up smiles and genuine affection alongside mamas original spice blends! This is a magical place without a doubt. Wondering if you should try Muzita? DO IT

1/30/2018

Great date spot. It's a cute little bungalow converted to a restaurant. Ethiopian food is unique and waaaay flavorful. And Muzita the best I've had in San Diego! Ask the servers for help if you can't decide - they've always steered me right!

1/30/2018

Wonderful good, especially great if you are vegetarian. Tasty, pleasant, one of the best places to eat in San Diego.

Lots of choices and the drink menu id's also excellent and varied.

5/7/2018

First time trying Ethiopian food and I was very surprised at how good it was. We had vegan food, vegetarian food, and normal food:) All 3 options were excellent. Nice selection of beer and wine and the French press coffee was very nice. It's a little on the pricey side if you go with a crowd, but the taste was definitely worth it. And a nice bonus was that they allowed dogs on the patio.

5/7/2018

My first visit and I enjoyed the cusine. But I really don't know how to describe it other that spirited and interesting. We controlled the spices/hotness. The service was genuine and timely. We laughed a lot supported by the tasty eats. Good choice of liquids.

5/7/2018

Fantastic, authentic tasting Ethiopian food in San Diego. This was my first time visiting the restaurant and wee loved it. We ahd vegetarian meal and it was fantastic. Would highly recommend this place.

6/10/2018

Lovely. Shared a vegetarian dinner with my husband. Quality ingredients and care of preparation made for a most delicious dinner. One star off because it seemed a bit expensive for vegetarian meal compared to other East African dining experiences I have had. Otherwise really nice. Friendly service.

6/10/2018

Quaint little place. Amazing food!! Parking is difficult to come by

7/10/2018

Very good! Try it out if you want to try something new. Favors are savory and spices. Definitely recommend the lamb. Good vegetarian and vegan options as well. If you get more than 2 entrees it will be in 1 big plate, eat with your hands, bring friends, and enjoy. Cozy atmosphere and nice out door seating, in a cool neighborhood. It'll make a good date night too, cool bars in the area.

7/10/2018

I love it. I do think it is a bit on the pricey side of things considering there are other Ethiopian restaurants around town that are not as costly. The one disappointment that I'd note is that the cuts of beef and lamb that they cook with don't seem to come out as tender as it does in other Ethiopian restaurants. For the price I do expect a much higher quality of meat. Other that... the food is good, the ambiance is good, and I look forward to another visit.

7/10/2018

This is my family’s favorite Ethiopian / Eritrean restaurant. All of the food is prepped and spices just right. The servers are very knowledgeable as well. Every now and again the owner stops by your table to check on you. Great place.

8/10/2018

I never had Ethiopian food before but this blown me away!!!!! The stewed beef is so delicious!!! It's tasty and juicy and the amount of seasoning was just right to bring out the flavor of the food!

Very nice atmosphere and great service! We were 10-20 minutes late because we had a hard time to find parking on a packed Thursday night but they kept our seat.

It's truly an unique experience and tasting! I'll definitely look for it when I move back to Midwest!!!!

9/11/2018

This place is awesome. Pricey but the food was delicious and so interesting! No more boring Mexican or Italian. Go here for something new and exciting!

9/11/2018

First time ever being here. People were friendly. The food was delicious. The atmosphere was uplifting. I would recommend this place to anyone.

10/13/2018

Awesome little Ethiopian place in University Heights. The service was great but the food was even better. Its served family style so everyone got to try everything they wanted. You scoop the food into small pieces of a large sort of crepe. The flavors were rich and comforting. I suggest going with a few friends as each plate comes with a side. There are three sides to choose from. At the servers suggestion we each ordered a different one so we could try all three. Definitely going back to try more!

10/13/2018

Great food, friendly service. Found this place while visiting from Los Angeles and LOVE it! Is a two and a half hour drive just for a meal ridiculous? I may consider moving to San Diego.

11/13/2018

A cozy restaurant serving extremely delicious food. Have plenty of vegetarian options, Inchiras are worth a try!

The various options can be overwhelming if you're new to the cuisine, but the waiter went over all the details.Service is great, owner is very friendly and loves explaining their culture. Have both indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is not the easiest but you can find one a few blocks away.

11/13/2018

If you’ve actually had traditional Ethiopian food this place will NOT satisfy AT ALL. Now service was great food came out in a timely manner however I did not see ANY Ethiopian people there. It’s hard in fact IMPOSSIBLE to have a cultural restaurant and not have anyone from that couture present. Maybe open up a Italian restaurant because my food taste like pasta sauce.

11/13/2018

This is one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego. I took my grilfriend to our first date here and we have gone back 4 years in a row on our anniversary. The owner is there almost every night and he is one of the most genuine owners of any restaurant I've ever seen. All staff is so respectful and nice to their customers. The food is incredibly delicious and home made.

12/14/2018

Great Eithiopian food! We were looking for something different and good and this fit the bill perfectly. Authentic Abyssinian food in a great atmosphere

1/15/2019

Best Ethiopian food I've had in the US. We've had Ethiopian food in a couple of other places but haven't had something close to this one at Muzita.

Flavours in curries are fantastic and I haven't seen the quality deteriorate in my stay in San Diego for half a decade !

Would recommend this place for every one who are looking for good Injera and a plate full of sharing and flavors !

2/16/2019

Busy and small but the food was well worth the wait! Best Injera I've had save for from my Eritrean friends mom. Little pricey but again worth it!

2/16/2019

We had our dinner few months back. It was a walk in and we didn't knew it was almost full. Staff was really nice they arrange table for us in few mins. Food and service was awesome. Great place for vegetarians.

2/16/2019

Love Love Love this Place!! There are about 3 other Ethiopian Restaurants In San Diego but this is the ONLY one my whole family goes to! The owner is amazing you can tell that whoever is cooking the food is cooking with Love!! Taste just like my mothers cooking!

3/16/2019

I positively love this place. The food is really good. The people who work at the restaurant are happy and helpful. We’ve been going there for over 10 years and it’s always been consistent. My son and wife enjoy the food and atmosphere.

The restaurant is always full - it’s tight like going to a French restaurant. They’re squeezing every bit of space out of the place that they can. Time for a bigger location! Parking can be problematic - I generally have to park 2-3 blocks away so take that into account.

If I had anything to recommend it would be that they get some beer on tap instead of bottles.

4/16/2019

Delicious and super friendly staff! Slow but most Ethiopian places are and it's very busy. They also only have one restroom which is odd for a place where you eat with your hands. However, this place definitely still deserves 5 stars

4/16/2019

Love this place! Great vegan options and they offer gluten free injera on the weekends (or during the week if you call ahead), friendly staff, great food and GREAT atmosphere. Perfect for dates, birthday dinners or impressing out-of-town visitors.

5/17/2019

My girl friend and I frequently visit Ethiopian / Eritrean Restaurants in different cities through out U.S. It was our first time at Muzita. We had a wonderful experience. Great atmosphere. Family owned. The staff is warm, kind and welcoming despite the fact they were quite busy. The food is colorful and delicious. They have excellent vegetarian options. The spicy tea and the St. Georg beer were great. I recommend to make a reservation.

5/17/2019

I found out about this restaurant while eating across the street and was drawn to it's vibe immediately. I ate there on a Tuesday (we had a reservation but it didn't look like there was a wait). The food is great! They gave samples since I'd never been before and gave good recommendations (one veg and one meat for 2 of us). It is a lot of food!! The service and ambience is really good.

7/19/2019

This is one of my favorite spots to eat at in San Diego. The food here is absolutely delicious. If you love great food then you will love this place.

7/19/2019

Amazing food and atmosphere. A bit pricey but it was one of my favorite meals this summer. Have you some!

9/19/2019

My wife came here for dinner Saturday night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We really like Ethiopian food but our favorite closed down, so we are always looking for a replacement. The restaurant was busy at 7pm, but luckily we were seated pretty quickly. Based on recommendations from our waitress, we ordered a chicken dish, a lamb dish, lentils and cabbage as sides. The lamb was seasoned well but tough, after a few pieces I gave up; the chicken was delicious and was my favorite, the lentil and cabbage were good. The restaurant was very small and it felt crowded; our table was next to a window which was nice given the cool breeze as it was rather hot, but the view was of an alley and there were flies buzzing around on the window screen. Service was good and prompt. Overall a nice experience, and we may come back again to try other dishes.

10/21/2019

One of the best restaurants in town. Not only is the food authentic and come from the owner’s grandmother’s recipes, the entire experience from start to finish is wonderfully fun. If you have not tried this place, I highly recommend and would ask the owner to put together a platter of his recommendations (he is usually always there). Definitely order the mushroom appetizer to start, and try the chocolate pudding for desert, some of the best I’ve ever had.

10/21/2019

Delicious food, and our server was wonderful. Very friendly and helpful during our lunch out with our 9 month old. Only small flaw: we thought the red lentils side dish was quite salty, and we overheard similar impressions from other diners. Will definitely be back!

10/21/2019

Honestly, the food is always good, never a miss. Wonderful robust flavors and staff has always been nice.

11/23/2019

Really good Ethiopian cuisine. Very much enjoyed the dish I ordered, which had cubed chicken breast, salad, vegetables, and more. Very nice flavors that contrasted well. Everything tasted high quality as well. I recommend coming and trying this place out. Good service, chill atmosphere, and a nice location right in the heart of University Heights.

11/23/2019

This place is really good has very tasty food and you can experience eating with yours fingers

1/25/2020

By far the best Ethiopian food I've ever had. Interiors are simple and cozy and the staff is warm and friendly. It gets pretty crowded on weekends so service suffers sometimes but it has never affected the quality of the food. Couldn't recommend this place enough! Specially great for groups if you can get/reserve the inside corner group table.

1/25/2020

The food was amazing and good, friendly service (Eric) also. Would come back to try more. Had the mushroom appetizer (yum) and then shared a family platter of different lentils and chicken. Just spicy enough, not too much.

1/25/2020

One of the best vegetarian friendly places I've been to. They have family style fare where you enjoy food together and eat with your hands. Silverware is a big no-no in the Ethiopian culture from what we understood in our visit. Very similar to traditional Indian custom.

1/25/2020

Outstanding food and service!! We ate so fast I didn't get a chance to take many pictures of the delicious food! It was fantastic though all the way around.

2/26/2020

Love it! A petite place with various choices of food that span the whole spectrum! People, servers and diners, were all so nice and friendly. Oh still cannot get my thoughts away from their flatbread! I can have that for food two weeks straight.

6/4/2020

Fantastic food that's meant to be shared and eaten with your hands. Beautiful quaint space. This is a wonderful restaurant that understands the experience component of going out.

Owner is a great guy too!

They have a very delicious tea I highly recommend for those non alcoholic drinkers 🤙🏻

Call ahead for reservations 🙂

6/4/2020

Went here with my friend, two dear friends we were staying with in San Diego, and one of my cousins newly relocated to the area. The food tasted decent - it wasn't overpowering for a first-time eater of Ethiopian cuisine. Unfortunately, our shared plate looked nothing like any of the photos shared in these reviews - ours was an amalgamation of whatever we ordered, one item nearly indistinguishable from the next. My cousin didn't know my sister or my friends, so I can't blame her for not being interested in eating with her hands among us. The waitress responded aggressively to a polite request for a fork. Otherwise, service was generally friendly, and since the place was empty, things were pretty prompt.

8/5/2020

Best food I've had since coming to San Diego 5 years ago! Amazing service as well, you feel like family!

9/7/2020

Loved the food , great crew and customer service, fair prices.

Menu is great

6/21/2018

This place is great. I've come here multiple times and it doesn't dissappoint.

This is a great place for groups. Hopefully, you like to eat with your...read this and 1579 more