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Welcome to The Red Sea Bar and Restaurant, a delightful gem nestled in the vibrant heart of Minneapolis. With a mission to share the rich flavors of Ethiopian cuisine, this black-owned and women-owned establishment prides itself on offering an authentic culinary experience that caters to all palates. Located at 320 Cedar Ave S, this casual dining spot is perfect for a leisurely lunch, relaxing dinner, or even a late-night bite after a show at the Guthrie Theater.
The Red Sea Bar and Restaurant takes pride in its diverse menu that features an array of meat and veggie-based dishes, prepared with unique spices that are a hallmark of Ethiopian cuisine. Guests rave about the flavorful lamb and chicken dishes, while also appreciating the generous vegan options available. As one customer noted, the seasoning is delightful, although there are hints that a tad more heat could elevate the experience.
The ambiance is casual, with a moderate noise level that makes it suitable for both intimate gatherings and group dinners. The covered outdoor seating is an added bonus for those looking to enjoy a meal while soaking in the Minneapolis atmosphere. Families will find it a welcoming space, with friendly staff and a selection that appeals to kids and adults alike.
Customer experiences have highlighted both the attentive service and the cozy, homey feel of the restaurant. It’s not only a great spot for those experienced in Ethiopian cuisine but also an ideal place for newcomers to try something different. As one first-timer said, it’s a fantastic introduction to Ethiopian food, not overwhelming yet packed with flavor. For those who want to savor a unique blend of spices without the heaviness, The Red Sea offers dishes that leave you satisfied but not bogged down.
In conclusion, if you're seeking an unpretentious, family-friendly spot with a warm atmosphere and exciting food options, make your way to The Red Sea Bar and Restaurant. Whether you're in the mood for delectable dishes or just a drink to unwind, your experience promises to be anything but ordinary.
“ First time eating Ethiopian food and I love it! Nice restaurant, great service and delicious food! ”
“ We ordered a variety of dishes that were veggie & meat based. We wanted sambusas but unfortunately they didn't have at the time. Overall, the food was good, very flavorful. I enjoyed the seasoning but I wish it was a bit spicer. The best item we tried here was the lamb dish. The service was so great, the server was very attentive and recommended some good items. The ambiance was fine, very casual. ”
“ The Red Sea bar has some really interesting Ethiopian food. Mostly meat based , with a variety of spices but really well made. Very different compared to what I have had. I would have given 5 stars but the lamb dish I ordered was a bit more chewy than I would have expected . The chicken was great. Fair vegetarian choices as well The servers were great , they were quick and brought the food to us in a timely manner. It is open late which is great because when you are downtown Minneapolis after a show at the Guthrie or theater district and want something to watch, this is a great place with additional bar close by . The ambiance is ok , casual dining , parking is available behind ”
“ This is our first time having Ethiopian food. I'm not a huge fan of spicy food so I requested less spice. The flavors were nice but they must not use any salt so without all the spice we thought the flavor was flat. Hard to explain I guess. We ended up salting some of the dishes. Overall we enjoyed our taste of Ethiopia. The server we had was nice and helpful. We had the place to ourselves and were quite comfortable in a booth looking out onto the street. Parking on the street or behind the restaurant. The location is a little iffy and run down but safe enough. ”
“ My first take at Ethiopian food and I wasn't disappointed at all! I had friends that knew just what to order! Awesome place to try it or to get if it's your thing! It wasn't busy and the food was well priced. And I absolutely ate well and it wasn't heavy ”
“ I was in town for work and, knowing there is a substantial Ethiopian community in minneapolis, and having not eaten Ethiopian food in a few years, I had my heart set. The Red Sea was recommended by two different people as well as by Yelp. The location is very convenient, in a cool neighborhood, and with easy parking. I actually walked from my hotel a few blocks away. Right next door is a bar with music where I understand some of the customers go. Inside, the decor is classic Ethiopian restaurant vibe, and that was perfect. It was very clean, great Ethiopian music, and plenty of customers eating and drinking and enjoying company. The two servers who traded off helping me were so very friendly and knowledgeable. I orded a kitfo and sega wot combo, an Ethiopian beer abd baklava, and dinner was more than enough for one person and the price was very reasonable. The kitfo, I ordered rare, was average. It was missing some flavor. The wot was a little bit spicy but not much, and it was hot, flavorful and with tender enough beef cubes. Traditional salad cane with it, and that fresh. Unfortunately, the injera was not very good -- it lacked flavor and body. For dessert, the slice of baklava was big, fresh and full of flavor. I would return to the Red Sea and just hope that the next time around the food is a little more flavorful and injera a little better. ”
“ This is a small joint, but it feels homey. Large menu of choices but my friend and I decided to get the meat combo. We chose correctly! Server helpful with choosing our veggie sides. It was a delicious platter of so much food--the doro eat was my favorite. Left stuffed and I love that there was a full bar to order drinks with dinner. ”
“ Stopped by the Red Sea with a group of 4 friends a few months back and had one of the most incredible eating experiences I've had since moving to the Twin Cities. We decided to go for a feast and order the Tour of Ethiopia which came with a huge platter of vegetarian and meat dishes atop a big piece of injera, and preceded by a roll sampler (which is included in the tour of Ethiopia). The roll sampler started off strong with their being the perfect number for one piece for each of them for each of us. The rolls were savory, and flavorful and a great way to get the meal started. Then the huge platter came out and WOW - everything hit! The meal was absolutely perfect. Everyone was so full and happy afterward. If you have not had much Ethiopian food before (which was my boat), this is the perfect way to be introduced to the cuisine and try a whole lot of everything! Even if I was more familiar, I think this may still be the best thing to order! The place is not super large inside, but it is definitely comfortable. I think that it would definitely be a great place to stop to hang out and eat with friends, or even go for a date! They have great music playing the whole time and the vibes are really enjoyable. The staff were super friendly and when they saw that we had gone through all of the side injera, they kindly brought us out more which was super appreciated! Will 100% be retuning here! ”
“ A small but a cozy and clean place. Made the reservation for 11 the day before and they were ready for us. You probably couldn't get more than 14 people at their largest table. Food was out within 30mins of us sitting and ordering. Service was very good and fast. We were very sad to find out they did not have any sambusas that evening. Never the less we ordered the following for 11 people and it was just the right amount of food. 2 tour of Ethiopia's 1 misir wat entree 1 awaze tibs (doesn't come with tour of Ethiopia but could have done without - replaced with a doro wat) 6 extra injera Everything was amazing. I loved the doro wat and others loved the Alisha wat (lamb). The siga wat was not as spicy as i would like it to be. Everything was hot when it came out and had great flavor and spice. These plates were clean at the end. ”