Aunt Yvette’s Kitchen - Los Angeles (CA)

5 /5 Lauren Donahoe: My girlfriend and I took her parents for dinner on a Saturday night. Making a reservation is necessary since it’s a small restaurant so I was glad we did. We were seated right away and the service was excellent. I appreciated the elevated experience with the rose water to cleanse my hands, and the attentive bar and wait staff. We shared the vegan combo for four and ordered a beef protein. I found the food to be incredibly flavorful. Each dish was completely different than the next and it was great to have a unique bite every time. I appreciate the chef’s ability to take traditional Ethiopian dishes/cooking and add her own uniqueness. I’m excited to try other menu items next time.

4 /5 Andreas Kaiser: Time and again a stunning gourmet experience. This time with out of continent guests who equally indulged into the feast. Only criticism on that day (10-12-2025) was that the male waiter’s charm and attentiveness was rather missing. Asking 3 times for additional injera seemed was just the dot on the i. PREVIOUS REVIEW An absolutely stunning experience! From the start when we arrived for our reservation and were told to be brought in when the table was ready. Very cute and appeasing interior – almost ready to meditate. Yvette herself and her staff all charming, knowledgeable and a pleasure to chat with. Okay that in itself was wonderful, but the food including the starter tea and the dessert ice cream were simply virtuoso!!! So glad to have Auntie Y in our neighborhood, definitely asks for coming back … (Originally posted by me on yelp)

5 /5 Anthony Domio: It was our first time having an Ethiopian dinner experience we could not stop smiling it was so enjoyable the front of restaurant was so professional and accommodating, we came for the full culinary experience so we ordered quite a bit and we so enjoyed meeting Auntie Yvette a beautiful and kind woman as she explained the history of,.. and conducted the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony . Auntie cooked everything to perfection but the fried fish, Lamb stew , Tofu tip, the floral water and all the vegetarian dishes all perfect and a delight we will definitely go back my 20 year old Daughter , about to receive her Masters Degree was honored with the first cup of coffee. We will definitely go back and I fully recommend Aunt Yvetts Kitchen it is a full Dinning experience, you should not miss and a must try. We did not regret this beautiful experience.

2 /5 Northern Cruz: Wow, I wanted to love this place. The beautiful decorations and authentic-looking china made me feel like I was about to have a five-star Ethiopian meal. Ive been touring the country in search of the best Ethiopian restaurants; especially those that blend rich traditional flavors with gentle, balanced spices that are kind to the digestive system. I love Ethiopian cuisine for how vibrant yet comforting it can be, so I was eager to experience this restaurants unique take on it. Lets start with the positives: Vegan Combo: Both the gluten and gluten-free injera were beautifully made. The regular version (with a bit of barley) was still light and flavorful, while the gluten-free injera had that nostalgic sour tang I adore. The gomen was the standout dish of the night; cooked with kale, onion, and just the right touch of garlic, giving it that perfect al dente texture I love. The alicha (yellow split peas) and atkilt (cabbage and carrots) were okay but a bit heavy on turmeric and jalapeño for my taste. Ive never had atkilt quite so spicy before, so it caught me off guard. The yam/potato/carrot mix leaned a bit strong on chili powder, which overpowered the natural flavor of the vegetables. The Ethiopian salad was fresh but mild -- I found myself wishing for more beets to balance the plate. The tofu tibs, which the waiter kindly suggested, didnt quite work for me. The seasoning was very subtle; I expected the deeper flavor profile typical of berbere or awaze-style tibs. The restaurant describes itself as "upscale and trendy," and that feels accurate. This isnt a traditional take- its more of a modern or fusion interpretation of Ethiopian food. If thats what youre looking for, youll likely enjoy the creativity and presentation here.

5 /5 M K: Aunt Yvette’s Kitchen is truly one of a kind and easily the best Ethiopian restaurant I’ve ever experienced. From the moment we arrived, everything felt authentic and welcoming. The food was absolutely outstanding—rich in flavor, organic, fresh, and clearly prepared with passion and care. I’ve been to many Ethiopian restaurants over the years, but nothing comes close to the quality and depth of flavor here. Every dish told a story of tradition and craftsmanship. The coffee deserves special recognition. It was my first time trying Ethiopian coffee with black seed. I usually drink regular coffee, but this was on another level—smooth, natural, incredibly flavorful, and surprisingly healthy. It wasn’t just a drink, it was an experience. Our server, Samer, made the visit even more special. He was knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate about Ethiopian cuisine. He explained each dish in detail and helped us understand the culture behind the food, which made the meal even more meaningful. We also tried the dessert with berbere—unforgettable and easily the best Ethiopian dessert I’ve ever had. This place is more than a restaurant; it’s an experience you remember. Highly recommended to anyone who appreciates authentic food, great service, and something truly special. I will definitely be coming back.