Wonderful service, took orders and was served the food quickly. Great food, with lots of flavor and options for everyone in your group. Calm environment where everyone can be heard and have a nice meal. Very reasonable prices as well for the amount you get.
Vegan Restaurant
Mannaweenta
· $$$$ · athens · 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
Wonderful service, took orders and was served the food quickly. Great food, with lots of flavor and options for everyone in your group. Calm environment where everyone can be heard and have a nice meal. Very reasonable prices as well for the amount you get.
I wholeheartedly disagree with the one-star reviewer's assertion that Mannaweenta lacks the flavor of "more authentic" Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurants in the Atlanta area and even go as far to say I wouldn't be surprised if she's affiliated with a restaurant there. Before Mannaweenta even opened in Athens, I'd make it a point to get Ethiopian food wherever available and have had it in Chicago, NYC, west Philly, DC, Austin, TX, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and even Dar es Salaam. Mannaweenta is definitely in the top tier in terms of flavor. In the past year I've had Ethiopian food at Lalibela in Los Angeles and Bahel in Atlanta and while I thoroughly enjoyed the food both places, they didn't seem to have the level of flavor as Mannaweenta. Unless there's some flavors for which my Caucasian palette is entirely missing the taste buds, I certainly put Mannaweenta near the top of all the Ethiopian restaurants I've eaten at over the past 20 years. Mannaweenta is absolutely worth checking out. Go ahead and try it. And go check out other Ethiopian restaurants when you're near them. They're all kinda great, but you will not find Mannaweenta is watered down compared to them. For those unfamiliar with the cuisine, I will simply say it's similar to Indian food in some ways with its own set of unifying flavors in which the dishes are thoroughly seasoned with the format of stewed dishes served with a type of bread. For my redneck/down home folks, I'll just say it's not all that different from the dishes your grandma would cook or the country home meat-and-sides places your kin have eaten at for generations. The seasonings are aromatic, savory things and not just a pool of fish sauce. Y'all don't be so scared.
I wholeheartedly disagree with the one-star reviewer's assertion that Mannaweenta lacks the flavor of "more authentic" Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurants in the Atlanta area and even go as far to say I wouldn't be surprised if she's affiliated with a restaurant there. Before Mannaweenta even opened in Athens, I'd make it a point to get Ethiopian food wherever available and have had it in Chicago, NYC, west Philly, DC, Austin, TX, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and even Dar es Salaam. Mannaweenta is definitely in the top tier in terms of flavor. In the past year I've had Ethiopian food at Lalibela in Los Angeles and Bahel in Atlanta and while I thoroughly enjoyed the food both places, they didn't seem to have the level of flavor as Mannaweenta. Unless there's some flavors for which my Caucasian palette is entirely missing the taste buds, I certainly put Mannaweenta near the top of all the Ethiopian restaurants I've eaten at over the past 20 years. Mannaweenta is absolutely worth checking out. Go ahead and try it. And go check out other Ethiopian restaurants when you're near them. They're all kinda great, but you will not find Mannaweenta is watered down compared to them. For those unfamiliar with the cuisine, I will simply say it's similar to Indian food in some ways with its own set of unifying flavors in which the dishes are thoroughly seasoned with the format of stewed dishes served with a type of bread. For my redneck/down home folks, I'll just say it's not all that different from the dishes your grandma would cook or the country home meat-and-sides places your kin have eaten at for generations. The seasonings are aromatic, savory things and not just a pool of fish sauce. Y'all don't be so scared.
It’s the type of place you walk in and you know the food is going to be good. Exceeded expectations and easily one of the best meals I’ve had in Athens. Skip down town, skip the “Classic city” staples this is what you are looking for.