Lalibela Restaurant on Bloor Street West is an Ethiopian dining room and caterer at 869 Bloor St W, between the Christie and Ossington stretches of Toronto’s west end. It draws vegetarians, curious eaters, and Ethiopian families for communal platters, house-roasted coffee, and a 4.1-star reputation built on generous portions.
Meals arrive the traditional way: stews and vegetable dishes spooned onto a round of injera, the spongy, slightly sour teff flatbread that doubles as plate and utensil. Diners tear off pieces by hand and scoop up the food. Vegetarian combination platters are the main attraction, typically featuring lentils (misir), split peas (kik alicha), collard greens (gomen), and cabbage. Meat eaters can look for tibs (sautéed beef or lamb) and doro wat, a slow-simmered spiced chicken stew. Finish with coffee roasted in-house, which carries the deep, smoky character of Ethiopian coffee culture. The restaurant also offers takeout, catering, and a function room for group events.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Weekday lunches are the calmest time to visit. Weekend evenings fill up with groups, so call ahead for larger parties or to book the function room. Order a combination platter to sample several dishes, and request extra injera if your table is sharing. Ossington and Christie stations on TTC Line 2 are both a short walk away. Christie Pits Park sits a few blocks east if you want a post-meal stroll. Confirm current hours before you go, since schedules can change.
