Glo Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant occupies a corner spot at 1608 7th St NW, in Shaw, a few blocks from the Shaw-Howard University Metro station. It’s a family-owned kitchen built around slow-cooked, spice-driven Ethiopian cooking, and it’s earned a 4.4 rating from hundreds of diners who come back for the injera as much as the stews.
The menu splits evenly between meat and plant-based dishes, so a table can order doro wat alongside misir and gomen without anyone compromising. Injera arrives soft and fresh, made in-house, and portions run generous enough for sharing family-style, which is how the restaurant intends the food to be eaten. The dining room is small and unpretentious, with patio seating out front for warmer months, and a bar pouring Ethiopian honey wine (tej) alongside standard cocktails. Staff and the owner are frequently singled out by regulars for warmth and attentiveness rather than rushed service (source: Yelp, Wanderlog).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Weeknight dinners stay calmer than weekend evenings, when the patio fills quickly. The location sits within walking distance of the Shaw and U Street corridors, making it an easy stop before or after exploring either neighborhood’s bars and music venues. Vegan and vegetarian diners should ask about the combination platters, which let a table sample multiple stews at once without ordering separately.
