Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

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Address:
4651 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92116

Neighborhood:
University Heights

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Cuisine:
Ethiopian

Price: $30 and under

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Muzita Abyssinian Bistro Details

Dining Style: Casual Dining
Website: http://www.Muzita.com
Email: eat@muzita.com
Phone: (619) 546-7900
Hours of Operation: Sunday Brunch: 10:00am - 2:00pm; Lunch: Monday - Thursday:
Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Ethiopian, Vegetarian / Vegan, Fusion / Eclectic
Executive Chef: MOM
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar Dining, Beer, Counter Seating, Farm to Table, Gluten-free Menu, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
Catering: We bring our home to yours for any off-site catering. We do intimate parties of ten or larger gatherings up to several hundred guests.
Private Party Facilities: Our intimate craftsman bistro is available for your private parties and gatherings.
Private Party Contact: Michael Lunsford (619) 665-8370

Getting there

Cross Street: Adams
Parking: Street Parking

A word from Muzita Abyssinian Bistro

“Most Romantic SD Restaurant 2009 & 2010” Urban Spoon. “Best Vegetarian 2010” 10 News A-List. “Top Ten Restaurant 2009” Citysearch. “10 newcomers worthy of the welcome wagon” SD Tribune. Muzita Bistro is an award winning chic and cozy restaurant featuring exotic flavors and cooking… traditions of Eritrea/Ethiopia, combined with our signature Hospitality. Muzita's Head Chef, my MOM, creates the most exciting and inviting dishes using only the freshest and authentic ingredients reminiscent of the old country. Our guests return because Muzita offers an energizing experience for all five senses and our unmatched hospitality.Continued

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
Diners' Choice WinnerFit for Foodies

Diner Reviews

"Food and service is always top notch. One of my favorite restaurants in SD!"
Dined on 3/2/2014
"If you're looking for something different that's not your overly expensive run-of-the-mill American food restaurant with an ocean view, this is the place. It's a nice quaint place with good Ethiopian food. It won't have a great view but will still have ambiance and won't blow our budget. I'd recommend this place if you're looking for something different."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"Went here for me and my wife's 2 year anniversary and was awesome. Our server was super busy but made us feel extremely welcome with her great personality and attentiveness, she even gave us a chocolate mousse on the house. We even had a nice chill conversation with the Food Artist. Best dinner I've had since moving to SD!!!"
Dined on 2/16/2014
"The restaurant is small, the food is delicious, and if you go on a normal night it's not too loud. Good for a date or a special occasion."
Dined on 2/14/2014
"The food was great, once it arrived. The server was lovely, and it was not her fault, but the food did take nearly an hour to arrive. We were brought a complimentary appetizer after waiting 45 minutes. We were not upset, as the company and conversation was good, but had we anywhere else to be that evening, this would have been an uncomfortable date. It's a very small place and the tables are extremely close together. They clearly need the capacity, but I'd prefer if they had fewer tables so they were not so close to other diners. The servers barely had space to serve either table without coming into contact with those sitting. Perhaps if there were fewer tables the kitchen could keep up. As I diner I'd be much more comfy with elbow room."
Dined on 2/15/2014
"It is in essence one of the finest restaurants I have dined at in San Diego. The owner Abel holds this restaurant together like a well maintained exotic supercar. Excellent food, beautiful ambience, educational eating experience and a staff that knows the restaurant. I highly recommend to anyone who is willing to step out of their comfort zone and experience what delicious food should be."
Dined on 1/25/2014
"We had a wonderful dinner. Everyone was incredibly friendly and attentive. The food was delicious, fresh and authentic. The owner was especially concerned about one of our group who has some food allergies. He even made some special dishes ( on the house) and sent them them to our table. I can't remember any other place that has made us feel so welcome. We will definitely return."
Dined on 1/19/2014
"We had a chicken, beef, and vegetable dish, and everything was perfect. The service was also wonderful, and I CANNOT WAIT to come back here."
Dined on 1/18/2014
"We love this restaurant for its food and friendly environment. We have always had great experience and staff is very friendly normally. However our recent visit was not a great experience. Service was not that great this time and we had to wait long to even ask for injeras. Our waitress seemed not very interested to serve us and we felt we were ignored. Also the 2 people tables are too close to each other which makes it too congested and takes away privacy."
Dined on 1/10/2014
"The food was amazing. Service was just right. Great recommendations for first time Ethiopian eater. The ambiance is cozy and lighting is perfect. Nothing bright. Its a converted old house. I would highly recommend this place. Will definitely come back"
Dined on 1/8/2014
"Great veg and vegan options, perfect location, prompt service... nothing but good things. I will be back for sure!!!"
Dined on 12/30/2013
"I had never had Ethiopian food before and it was such a treat! It was very different, very good- a bit spicy but I like it that way and the service was amazing- REALLY great people who went out of their way to create a warm homy atomosphere, specially on Christmas night. Its a small place with the tables close to each other but they try and do a good job of giving you the options to sit where you feel the most comfortable. REally enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend this to everyone!"
Dined on 12/25/2013
"Great Ethiopian food, second to none in Southern California. Great service."
Dined on 12/24/2013
"A wonderful place to spend the evening with good friends andvthatvspecoal someone. A true gem."
Dined on 12/21/2013
"food and service very good but small and noisy. need more heat for outside seating"
Dined on 12/20/2013
"I couldn't believe it when learned of Muzita. I walked in and was greater very warmly by the manager who was quite engaging. While i waited for my friend to arrive, he asked if i had ever eaten at Muzita before, i had not, but i told him i had eaten at other Ethiopian style restaurants in Washington DC and NYC and i was so excited to find one here as I had just moved to San Diego from Fort Lauderdale, FL. He gave me a menu to look at and talked about his favorite dishes, and their beer and wine list which included native Ethiopian beers and honey wine, DELISH!! I can't remember everything we ate, but the Kitfu was awesome. We also had a lamb, a beef and a vegetable/potato dish, all fantastic, as was the bread used to pick up the food!!"
Dined on 2/26/2013
"This is one of the few restaurants in San Diego that actually has excellent vegan options. If you're up for an adventure (eating with your hands), this is the place for you. They must put crack in the greens because I'm addicted. I could eat there every night. The servers are all super nice and helpful. This is a one-of-a-kind restaurant. People say that you can get excellent Ethiopian food in D.C. Well, I've tried. It is good in D.C., but none compare to Muzita. I love me some Muzita."
Dined on 6/27/2013
"Highly recommended! Delightful flavors - great restaurant!"
Dined on 12/12/2013
"This was our first time here. The food was wonderful. We had the beef, the lamb, the yellowtail, and the prawns. The Ethiopian beer was interesting as well, but the South African red wine blend really matched the food well. I would highly recommend this for anyone who like Ethiopian food, or just something different."
Dined on 12/7/2013
"It is our second visit to Muzita Abyssinian Bistro. The first time, on a weekend, it was crowded and very lively; this time on a Monday, it was quiet, getting more crowded later in the evening after 7:30 p.m. Jim the server was great, knowledgable about the food and very attentive. The owner, Abel, stopped by the table a couple of times. He was incredibly gracious, funny and made us feel welcome. The food (made by Abel's mom), everything, was over-the-top. I have eaten at several Ethiopian restaurants throughout the country, and this is easily one of the best!"
Dined on 12/2/2013
"The staff at Muzita are OUTSTANDING. The manager at the North Park location is hospitable and made our dining experience fun! Definitely try their honey mead, an unusual, sweet drink on their wine/bar menu. The mango martini is also notably delicious. We love their lamb entrees, and the lentils as a side dish! The portions are generous, but worth ordering a few to have some different flavors to share. I highly recommend making a reservation, or the wait can be long."
Dined on 11/23/2013
"Had a first date here and we honestly couldn't have asked for a better experience! This place has elegance without stuffiness. The atmosphere was very cozy. It felt like a hug from family you haven't seen in a long time. We ate outside. The enclosure, lighting, foliage, & heat lamps made for an intimate and comfortable night out. Our waitress was phenomenal: funny, knowledgeable, and immediately likeable. She alone would make us want to come back. That, and the lamb. And the honey wine, which they make on site. Superb!!!"
Dined on 11/22/2013
"I love eating here. They have several vegetarian options to choose from, all of them delicious, and the servers are genuinely friendly. Don't miss the berbere sauce or the timtimo."
Dined on 11/16/2013
"This is without a doubt the perfect place with the perfect food and an absolute must for everyone!"
Dined on 11/15/2013
"If you had Ethiopian before you know this involves eating with your hands from a big plate shared by your whole table. The placed was crowded, and noisy, giving it somewhat of a festive atmosphere. The staff was extremely friendly and efficient. The food was as good as any Ethiopian I had before. They brought out a dessert sporting a candle to celebrate a birthday in our table. Cocktails were also good and creative. I only wish they had a few local beers (never been a fan of Ethiopian beer). Altogether, a fun night out. We did make a reservation on a Friday for 8:30 pm and would have not gotten in without it."
Dined on 11/15/2013
"We made a reservation for 8pm, but still had to wait 15 minutes for a table to be ready. We had no choice but to sit outside on a cool evening, and the heat lamps were not powerful enough to keep us warm. Wish we'd known in advance so we could have dressed more appropriately. Our waitress was friendly and helpful, but the restaurant was understaffed that night (not sure if this is typical?), so it was at least 10 min before we got water and menus. It was another 15 minutes before she could take our order. By the time we got our drinks it was 9, and our food came about 15 minutes after that. The food itself was delicious, so at least we left with full, happy stomachs. The overall experience wasn't good enough to bring us back though."
Dined on 11/9/2013
"This is a lovely place, the food is tasty with distinct flavor notes, depending on the dish it can be heavy too. So, I recommend choosing carefully the appetizer and the main entree or having a main entree only. You will eat with your fingers using an injera (very good too); it is an Ethiopian sourdough crepe. The server was very welcoming and swift. The neighborhood is stimulating and will give you multiple choice for an after dinner drink and enjoyment."
Dined on 11/5/2013
"I love coming here. We're not local, and usually make the 90 mile journey just to eat here. From our first visit, we felt like family. The staff is absolutely amazing. The food is just as wonderful. There are a wealth of vegan options with meat dishes as well. The Hamli is our favorite dish."
Dined on 11/3/2013
"Wonderful selection for vegans. Delicious food and friendly staff."
Dined on 6/3/2013
"Service is wonderful as always. The food and honey wine are phenomenal."
Dined on 9/6/2013
"I have been to this restaurant many times in the past. I recommended if you're up for a change of pace. The staff has always been very professional and knowledgeable. The go to spot for African cuisine in San Diego."
Dined on 9/18/2013
"The beautiful things about Muzita is that the staff makes you feel like you're family. They don' forget you name and will greet you with a warm hello and a genuine hug. The food is outstanding and the atmosphere is wonderful. I'dl like to single out our server, Roberto, who knew exactly what I wanted; and Begum who made it a point to stop by the table several times to make sure everything was fine. I love this place and recommend that if you want fine food, great service and a grand time, visit Muzita. We are so fortunate to have a restaurant as wonderful as this place."
Dined on 9/29/2013
"We had a group of 8 people; the staff was incredibly wonderful- our waiter talked to us for a few minutes, and then made suggestions of menu items we might like. In the end we just told him to bring us an assortment of the various menu items, and he did a wonderful job, including accomodating various spice level tolerances and one vegan eater in our group. Service was good, food was wonderful. If you have gluten or bread issues they will bring lettuce leaves for you to pick up the food and eat with. I will definately be back!"
Dined on 9/27/2013
"I have been coming here since they opened almost 5 years ago. The food is always amazing and the owner and staff are awesome!!"
Dined on 9/29/2013
"Decided to try this place for a small birthday dinner on a Thursday night. It's a small place, but cozy. The waiter was very helpful recommending dishes for us newbies, and the manager checked on us regularly too. When they found out it was my birthday they were even friendlier, and brought out some Ethiopian honey wine for me to try (delicious) and also after the meal brought a chocolate pudding type dessert with a candle in it, unasked. Some of the dishes were pre-fixed spice level but several could be made milder with no problems. We particularly liked the lamb and the shrimp entrees. The only down side is that the parking is absolutely terrible in the area, not the fault of this restaurant but a problem in the whole area."
Dined on 9/27/2013
"There's nothing quite like the experience of eating authentic ethnic food with your hands. The food had great flavor, ambiance and service was superb as usual"
Dined on 9/22/2013
"Muzita is consistently excellent. Wonderful serving staff, great food selection and unique food. Our favorite is the front porch on a sunny afternoon, but th entire restaurant is warm and welcoming."
Dined on 8/22/2013
"Top to bottom, this is one of the better food experiences I have ever had. Service, location, food: everything was wonderful!"
Dined on 9/8/2013
"I have been coming here for almost 5 years and the quality and service continue to be excellant. Great for a romantic dinner or adventure with friends. The oka appetizer is awesome. The meta lager is a great beer. Love grabbing some Najera bread and dinning with my favorite people here."
Dined on 8/30/2013
"Muzita Bistro is a real gem. The food is delicious, healthy and fun. The owners are absolutely wonderful people who treat you like guests in their home. If you haven't eaten there, go at your first opportunity!"
Dined on 8/11/2013

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