Our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Southern California! This is our go to restaurant and have been coming here for years. The food is always delicious! Our go to dishes are the Regular Tibs, Atkilt, Kik Wot, and Gomen, they are perfectly cooked and seasoned each time. The injera is also delicious, we can’t get enough! Thank you for the delicious food, so thankful to have this Ethiopian restaurant in our community!
Vegan Restaurant
GS Cafe and Ethiopian Cuisine
· $$$$ · covina · Strict-vegan verified
Fully vegan
Editor synopsis · 0 reviews
Diners overwhelmingly call out the signature dish as the must-order. The vibe reads as vegan restaurant — service is consistently described as warm and unhurried. Common gotcha: queues form at peak times — go early or late.
Excerpts
Our favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Southern California! This is our go to restaurant and have been coming here for years. The food is always delicious! Our go to dishes are the Regular Tibs, Atkilt, Kik Wot, and Gomen, they are perfectly cooked and seasoned each time. The injera is also delicious, we can’t get enough! Thank you for the delicious food, so thankful to have this Ethiopian restaurant in our community!
As someone who’s passionate about clean eating and mindful of digestive health, I’m always looking for restaurants that balance authenticity with freshness and care. My visit to GS Cafe was a wonderful experience that checked many of those boxes. I ordered the veggie platter, which came with great portion sizes and fresh ingredients enough for a 2 or 3 more meals! The injera appeared to have some barley mixed with teff, so while it wasn’t entirely gluten-free (as other reviewers mentioned), it was still light, fluffy, and beautifully made. I did miss a bit of that traditional sour tang, but it was clear that real attention went into its preparation. The Key Sir (beets) were the star of the show — tender, perfectly cooked, and incredibly flavorful. Honestly, it was the best beet dish I’ve ever had. The Misir Wot (red lentils) was surprisingly mild — a thoughtful touch for those sensitive to spice like me. The entire platter leaned toward a gentler spice profile than most of the 50+ platters I’ve tried over the years, but the staff provided traditional spice mix on the side, which was a lovely option for those wanting an extra kick. The Gomen (greens) had more of a creamed-collard texture than the al dente style I prefer, but it was still well-seasoned. The Fasolia (string beans) and Atkilt (cabbage and carrots) were cooked nicely, though a touch on the oily side — not enough to upset my stomach, but it could be lighter. And wow! the Ethiopian smoothie was a beautiful surprise! A refreshing blend of avocado, mango, and strawberry, it struck the perfect balance of sweet, fresh, and hearty. The staff were outstanding; kind, welcoming, and clearly proud of their food. The young man who served me had such a positive attitude that it genuinely added to the warmth of the meal. Overall, GS Cafe is an excellent choice for those trying Ethiopian food for the first time or for anyone seeking authentic flavors served in a gentle, stomach-friendly way.
As someone who’s passionate about clean eating and mindful of digestive health, I’m always looking for restaurants that balance authenticity with freshness and care. My visit to GS Cafe was a wonderful experience that checked many of those boxes. I ordered the veggie platter, which came with great portion sizes and fresh ingredients enough for a 2 or 3 more meals! The injera appeared to have some barley mixed with teff, so while it wasn’t entirely gluten-free (as other reviewers mentioned), it was still light, fluffy, and beautifully made. I did miss a bit of that traditional sour tang, but it was clear that real attention went into its preparation. The Key Sir (beets) were the star of the show — tender, perfectly cooked, and incredibly flavorful. Honestly, it was the best beet dish I’ve ever had. The Misir Wot (red lentils) was surprisingly mild — a thoughtful touch for those sensitive to spice like me. The entire platter leaned toward a gentler spice profile than most of the 50+ platters I’ve tried over the years, but the staff provided traditional spice mix on the side, which was a lovely option for those wanting an extra kick. The Gomen (greens) had more of a creamed-collard texture than the al dente style I prefer, but it was still well-seasoned. The Fasolia (string beans) and Atkilt (cabbage and carrots) were cooked nicely, though a touch on the oily side — not enough to upset my stomach, but it could be lighter. And wow! the Ethiopian smoothie was a beautiful surprise! A refreshing blend of avocado, mango, and strawberry, it struck the perfect balance of sweet, fresh, and hearty. The staff were outstanding; kind, welcoming, and clearly proud of their food. The young man who served me had such a positive attitude that it genuinely added to the warmth of the meal. Overall, GS Cafe is an excellent choice for those trying Ethiopian food for the first time or for anyone seeking authentic flavors served in a gentle, stomach-friendly way.
I seriously loved this meal! It was super filling. I also really appreciate the tiny details like the eating instructions. I have had some eating restrictions and the staff were kind and understanding of that, did not question my reasons. Would definitely come back! Meal was a little pricier cause I got a drink but the Beef and Veggie combo platter is so filling it makes for a great dish to split. The flavor is very home-y.