Nile

Every so often we have to drive up and eat here. The food and service is fantastic

Reviewed on Google Maps

I LOVE this place! They serve the best food and the owners are so nice!

Reviewed on Google Maps

Very accommodating of special dietary needs.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Tucked away on a side street in Church Hill is Nile, housing some of the best Ethiopian food in the Richmond area and furthering the notion that some of the food most worth experiencing is found in cozy spaces rather than elaborate showroom restaurants. If you aren't familiar with the cuisine, the menu details each of the traditional dishes offered (served on and with injera, a fermented crepelike flatbread made from teff) and the chef is also at hand in the open kitchen to answer any questions. Meatless and meat options are available on both starters and main courses with plenty of vegan choices. Can't decide? The sampler platter is a filling way to try it all! In particular here I enjoy the shiro and the inguday tibs, with the former having the best texture of any shiro I've had before. Spices are balanced, so the flavours are there but heat doesn't overwhelm the dish - you taste the main ingredients amplified by the seasoning, not buried by it. Each selection of the comforting, homestyle Ethiopian food is made with skill and an eye toward seasonal ingredients; whatever you choose, it is delicious and so good for you. The space is small, with only a few tables, so come early, and expect not to hurry - the food is freshly prepared and meant to be enjoyed and experienced, not rushed through. Street parking is plentiful; do be aware the only bathroom is downstairs and not wheelchair accessible. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Had a fantastic meal here the other day, as I do every time. We ordered the Ayib Tikel to start with and they are truly morsels of joy! We both shared a veggie combo plate and by the end it was all gone. The folks who create this fabulous food are so warm and friendly. Love this place every time I eat here. If you want food that will delight your belly and sooth your soul, this is the place. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Wonderful family restaurant. I love Ethiopian food and these guys are authentic, place is sweet and rustic and welcoming. Very well priced, delicious healthy food.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Delicious food, convenient location.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Non-descript gem of a restaurant on 29th in Church Hill that is worth the walk.One of only two restaurants in the US serving entirely homemade on site Injera, and it shows.  The consistency, texture and taste is exactly like I had when visiting Egypt and unlike any other Ethiopian Restaurant I have tried in the USA.Had a delicious selection of vegetable dishes along with salmon, steak and lamb tibs.  ALL were delicious.The owner is friendly and kind, the restaurant (while small with only 4 tiny tables) is inviting, prices are fair for the super quality and you truly feel you have visited Addis Ababa.Will return often as I travel through Richmond for work. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

First timer--seats about 10 people at best. It appears to be a one man stop, but a nice treasure it was. Food good and presentation was very nice along with ample portions. I will visit again.

Reviewed on Yelp

Best Ethiopian food I’ve had. And the staff makes you feel right at home. Come with an empty belly and plenty of friends to share your food with!

Reviewed on Google Maps

Delicious food. Friendly service.

Reviewed on Google Maps

I love this restaurant! Ever since my friend introduced it to me, I've been hooked! The food is so flavorful and the ambiance is indeed welcoming! I know that this food is made with love! The owners are pleasant  ! I truly enjoy this place thoroughly.  If you haven't tried this place out you should!! Like NOW! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I absolutely LOVE Nile. If you've never had Ethiopian food before, this is where I would send you to try it for the first time. ..and every other time after that. My partner and I always go for the pick 5 vegetarian combo. You get to pick 5/8 veggie options and it comes on it's own injera with extra injera to get you going. Every combination of veggies I've ever had is just absolutely delicious. I highly recommend the cabbage, red lentils, collards, and the mushrooms, and the string beans when available. Everything has its own flavor, but the flavor combinations are endless. You will always have a really tasty bite. And yes! You eat with your hands! The restaurant is small, locally owned, clean, and always smells like amazing food. The staff here is super friendly and helpful with the menu. It's always a great experience and I highly recommend getting a ginger beer while you're there. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Pretty good! It was my first Ethiopian experience so I wasn't ready for the "no silverware" thing but they eagerly instructed us.

Reviewed on Google Maps

We ordered the 2 meats combo platter with 3 veggies and also had the lamb (all pictured here). Everything was delicious! Service was great. Food was fresh.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Fast and friendly services with even better food! Would absolutely recommend it.

Reviewed on Google Maps

First time here. The food was fabulous.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Only my second time eating this type of cuisine. This place was exceptional.

Reviewed on Google Maps

The best restaurant in richmond ...so authentic and delicious . try the vegan duo appetizer , it is the best

Reviewed on Google Maps

Our favorite Ethiopian in Richmond, the best I've had in the Mid-Atlantic. An underrated gem. Go with a good conversation partner(s) and without time pressure.

Reviewed on Google Maps

the best!

Reviewed on Google Maps

Nice quiet area in historic Churchill. Staff nice and polite. Food was cooked fresh. The beef is spicy!  We were new to eating this type of food which was surely interesting. The bread was soft but was flavorless. Vegetables soft and mildly acidic.  Relaxing atmosphere. Clean restaurant. They offer classes as well for $75 about healthy eating and food cravings. I may visit again but nothing about the food stood out to me. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

It started with the mint-infused water. Thank you for an authentic experience. The food was delicious. The appetizers were flavorful. I learned about teff flour from eating dinners for the first time. Everything was fresh, the service was great, and all questions were answered. Do not ask for utensils, enjoy the experience,l -wash your hands first! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Family oriented restaurant service classic Ethiopian food. It was delicious and the price was right. The chef even asked for my feedback

Reviewed on Google Maps

Real food!!! Assistance given if your not familiar with the process. Family atmosphere.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Amazing and authentic food.  The owner Yousef was warm and welcoming - like we were sitting in his living room.  The kitchen is open and you can see the magic happen right in front of your eyes.  The homemade ehtiopian "bread" is made fresh right on-site.  A very short drive from I-95, this is the perfect rest stop for healthy, delicious, fresh and authentic food - just like Yousef's mom makes it! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I loveeeee Nile! This is easily the best Ethiopian spot in RVA. I've tried Addis, Elsa Cafe, and Gojo. The flavors are on point and the food is always hot compared to the other places. I've been getting takeout from Nile pretty consistently for about a year now and never had a bad experience. It's worth every penny and the owners are great. One of these days I hope to have time to actually eat in and enjoy it right out of the kitchen but the food travels well. Coming from the SF Bay Area, I was hopeful to find a great spot for Ethiopian food and this is it. I've tried all of the veggie options and my top favorites are the inguday tibs (mushroom dish), fasolia (string beans & carrots), & atkilt (cabbage). If I'm in the mood for meat, I always go for the Doro Wat. The sauce it's stewed in is divine. The portions are great and they always give the right amount of injera. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

If you are looking for comfort food in a friendly environment, you will find it at the Nile. Eating by hand over a common plate is perfect with friends or as a romantic date spot, and the Flavour at the Nile is spot on. I love Ethiopian food, and I especially love it at the Nile. (I loved going to their old location and getting their food at the Elwood Thompson hot bar on Mondays, and I was so glad to hear they opened again in a new location.)The injera bread is so light and fluffy and perfectly tangy. Everything is beautifully presented and seasoned and cooked perfectly. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Still water is served with just a hint of infused mint and cool but without ice. It is the perfect complement to the warm spiciness of the food. Plates are served traditionally between guests to be eaten communally by hand. Dishes are plated on a layer of injera, which is the best part of the meal because it soaks up all the flavors. Ethiopian food is great for many dietary needs because there are many vegan options and the injera, when it is made authentically, does not contain wheat. The Nile's injera is made with teff flour. There are also plenty of options for omnivores. The Nile has great food and lovely owners and staff. I can not recommend it highly enough. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The best kitfo I ever had!!!

Reviewed on Google Maps

First experience with Ethopian cuisine and it was delicious. The service was great

Reviewed on Google Maps

The food and service are amazing. My wife and I  came here for date night on the recommendation of a friend. As soon as we walked in, the smell hit me and I know we were in for a treat. We got a mix of veggie and meat and it was perfect. Not too Spicy, amazing flavors, beautiful presentation. It is also a generous amount of food. We left perfectly full and not gross because it was fresh and light ingredients. The music and overall vibe were also great. All in all, it is a gem in Richmond and I can't wait to come back. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The food was delicious and the service was great with a warm and friendly environment.My partner and I enjoyed every bit of the food.

Reviewed on Google Maps

The food was delicious and filling. My husband and I had a sampler of 5 different dishes. It was enough for both of us. The menu is vegan and gluten-free friendly. The staff was helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. The atmosphere was unique and interesting. We will be going here again! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Great space and delicious food

Reviewed on Google Maps

The food was delicious and filling. My husband and I had a sampler of 5 different dishes. It was enough for both of us. The menu is vegan and gluten-free friendly. The staff was helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. The atmosphere was unique and interesting. We will be going here again! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

This restaurant serves authentic Ethiopian food. This is a really cool place. It's got a tiny dining room, but it's a cosy little space. We went during lunch time. Our server was the one who also prepared our meal. He was very polite and helpful. He explained what we were eating without making me feel dumb. We ordered some of the combination plates and even though I didnt know how to pronounce most of what I ate, it was extremely delicious. Definitely a place to stop if you like to try food from other parts of the world. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

The Nile is some of the best, handmade, fresh authentic food in all of Richmond. We are grateful to be walking distance from these incredible humans and their peaceful, perfect place. Craving this now but they are closed on Mondays! : ) love you guys so much. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Wow, my favorite Ethiopian restaurant on the east coast!I came by this little place when visiting Richmond for a day and having super intense Ethiopian food cravings after a bad experience in DC. It was my friend's first time trying it and since I consider myself a semi-expert having eaten Ethiopian food about once a week for ten years, I wanted to give this place a go.My friend had the meat combo dish and a few veggie sides and loved it all. I don't eat meat and opted for the veggie options - the potato, shiro, lentils and cabbage. All sides were fantastic! It's hard to find good shiro for whatever reason, and here it was amazing. I also really loved the potato and only had a mix of it before with the cabbage. The other sides were excellent too! I also requested sineg on the side and they accommodated my request.Highly recommended! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Beautifully presented food! Wonderful flavors. Will visit on my next trip to see my kid at VCU.

Reviewed on Google Maps

The food was delicious and the service was great with a warm and friendly environment.
My partner and I enjoyed every bit of the food.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Nice little place with unique and flavorful food. It's more of a take out place but you can dine in. The owners/operators are friendly and will answer your questions. If you have a few people, order different things as it all comes out on the same plate and you'll want to share. Not too spicy. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

THE NICEST PEOPLE WORK HERE!!! It's a quaint little spot in Church Hill. There are only 3 small tables and some bar-type space along the windows. so it doesn't get too busy in there. About half the time I just get my food to go. No matter where you eat it though, it is delicious. I recommend the vegetarian plate and pick whatever looks good to you along with the mushroom dish - that thing is my favorite. Definitely my favorite Ethiopian spot in town! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Served by enthusiastic cooks and owner. Wonderful meal.

Reviewed on Google Maps

I've tried many Ethiopian restaurants but this is by far my new favorite. As soon as I walked in, the customer service was great! I ordered the Awaze Beef Tibs and it was so delicious, the spices were great and the lentils were great also. Buttery and seasoned to perfection. I would be back again! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is my second time to come here. The service was wonderful the brothers provide great service to their customers and the food is exceptional. Something different in a very casual relaxed atmosphere More...

Reviewed on Yelp