y'all let me tell you about this Ethiopian food right here! it was amazing!! nice and spicy, Good portion sizes came out hot and ready to eat delicious and authentic
Kerry C
Feb 24, 2020
5
Amazing food and a lot of vegetarian/vegan options. Great for sharing, especially if you’re the type of person who likes to try just a little of each item.
Ted T
Nov 3, 2019
5
I have never tried Ethiopian food before and was a little bit apprehensive. I'm so glad I did, this place is exceptional in every sense of the word! They were closing when I arrived but still took the time to make me some food to go. Super friendly staff and a beautiful bar and restaurant. They have a outdoor patio with live music for entertainment.
Lena Fawson
Feb 15, 2020
5
Awesome food, reasonable prices, fantastic service. This was my first experience with Ethiopian food and it definitely won't be my last. This is the perfect venue for trying out a variety of tastes and flavors.
Doc Snake
Jan 21, 2020
3
Fairly decent, but injera was falling apart into tiny soggy bits that made it hard to eat the meal traditionally. I love Ethiopian food, but I also like it authentic, and I was suspicious of the preparation. I peeked into the kitchen and there were no Ethiopians in there (?!) only an all Latin kitchen. Very disappointing. Server was friendly and attentive.
Adam Z
Jan 6, 2020
4
Seems very authentic. My first time having Ethiopian so take that for what it is. Menu very enticing. Everything looks good. The "bread" is awkward. Would recommend offering an alternative because it is unappealing and I heard other tables comment the same. Overall definitely recommend. Edit: appending this review to state that maintaining the authenticity of the food is important so definitely don't replace the bread I just didn't enjoy myself and heard many similar comments so an alternative would be great.
Emmily Mobley
Jan 13, 2020
5
This is my favorite restaurant that I have tried in Durham. Eating here is not only about devouring phenomenal food it's also about the smells wafting from the kitchen and the fabulous coffee ceremony. Highly recommend for a date night or with the family.
Wilmer Gregg
Jan 17, 2020
5
It was out first time visiting this establishment. We picked up our order and let me tell you it was amazing. The crust, the fresh basil and homemade sauce was perfect. Anytime I go to Greensboro NC I will be visiting Sticks & Stones!! But they are on the back of the menu, we had to ask the waiter about them. We saw waitress walking out with them and they looked wonderful and tasted just as good.
Brandy Lemen
Dec 28, 2019
5
Delicious food, great service. We also love that there are great vegan options and almost everything is naturally gluten free.
Khoa Le Nguyen
Dec 30, 2019
4
The food was good but I hope it could have been warmer. The sour bread was not was good as other Ethiopian places I've been to as they got soggy and didn't hold their structure every well. I really like their collard green and stuff jalapeno, which is why I gave them 4 stars for now.
Ben Friberg
Dec 8, 2019
5
Amazing food. The flavors were amazing. Service was great. Good came out fast and hot. Can't wait to go back.
Adam Z
Nov 17, 2019
4
Seems very authentic. My first time having Ethiopian so take that for what it is. Menu very enticing. Everything looks good. The "bread" is awkward. Would recommend offering an alternative because it is unappealing and I heard other tables comment the same. Overall definitely recommend.
cherie mcgee
Nov 14, 2019
5
My first time there. I had the vegetarian platter. Love the fact that there are a variety of choices to choose from that are Vegan. Everything I had was delicious
Prasen Gope
Oct 14, 2019
3
Some foods were served cold, maybe that's the way you should eat them but I'm not fan of cold foods. Foods were not as tasty as Mark Weins told on his YouTube channel. There was a fly flying around which is not a pretty thing to be careful of. The original Ethiopian beer was very good though.
Candace Clemons
Sep 8, 2019
5
First time visiting and it was great! The staff was friendly and the food was wonderful. They stuck to the culture and traditional ways which makes it a treat for first timers
Dynasia Ballon
Sep 15, 2019
5
It was my 1st time experiencing Ethiopian food. It was really good and the waiter was very helpful. I left my debt card by accident and my waiter ran out the restaurant and tracked me down to give it back. That's what I call GREAT customer service ❤
Duane Gumbs
Sep 28, 2019
5
It was friendly . Service was good. My wife and I weren't really hungry we were meeting some friends but we did share a appetizer and it was very tasty. The non alcoholic drink my wife had she enjoyed something with strawberries. I would go back.
Lauren N
Sep 10, 2019
5
It was my first time trying Ethiopian food and what a great experience. I've been back several times since and it has never been a disappointment. You can order anything from the menu and you'll leave with a smile on your face. I have been a couple times when the owner was there and you can tell he loves this place and wants you to enjoy your experience.
Matt Lavin
Jul 27, 2019
5
Loved it. The flavor of the lentils was very unique to me. I have no idea if it's authentic or not, but I'm looking forward to going back
Sarah Catherine
Aug 13, 2019
5
Fantastic vegan selections! Great price point as well. Enjoy coming here perhaps more than I should....
Joyce Cahoon
Aug 5, 2019
5
So damn good. The spices are on point. Wish I lived closer so I could eat this every week. Great traditional Ethiopian food. Service is incredible as well
Lenore Hill
Aug 20, 2019
5
We always celebrate the anniversary of our first date with Ethiopian food and last night, Goorsha was perfect! The vegetarian options were fantastic and better than ever before. Ginger iced tea and apple sambosas were also delicious treats. The service was excellent, too!
Karen Crawford
Jun 22, 2019
5
Incredible food and service. Recommend the beef/chicken combo. An excellent way to sample the food. We know what yo get next time.
Beverly El-Amin
Apr 10, 2019
5
Definitely my new go-to weekly treat alone or with a friend. And there's live music sometimes too! Everything was great. The wait staff was accommodating and patiently answered our questions about unfamiliar dishes on the menu. The dining guests were friendly. One guest appropriately came to our table to inquire about my bald head and was civil enough to leave once our food arrived. It was an inviting conversation. My vegan food selections were perfectly seasoned and even my spicy dishes didn't bother my diva stomach at all. Good atmosphere, good food, good music across from Brightleaf Square downtown, Durham.
Jason Lazarus
Apr 5, 2019
4
First time with Ethiopian food, but very nice. I was a little weirded out by eating with ones hands but you can ask for a fork. Make sure to ask for napkins. Very helpful staff if you need recommendations. It is spicy if that is an issue for you. All Fullsteam beers on tap, which is nice and a full bar.
Cee Will
Apr 23, 2019
4
Service was a little slow. I arrived in between shifts. However the food was delicious. The server provided very detailed information and even offered a fork😄. The sanitation grade was a 98.5. Would definitely revisit.
Ann Vogler
Jun 7, 2019
5
Really enjoyed this Ethiopian restaurant! We ate with our hands and everything was delicious. I got a vegetarian entree and my husband got beef tibs. We got the top left starter (ha! Lentils in a pastry...) and it was so good. Loud space but a fun change of pace from other local joints.
Ted T
May 28, 2019
5
I have never tried Ethiopian food before and was a little bit apprehensive. I'm so glad I did, this place is exceptional in every sense of the world! They were closing when I arrived but still took the time to make me some food to go. Super friendly staff and a beautiful bar and restaurant. They have a outdoor patio with live music for entertainment.
Karthik Omanakuttan
Jul 20, 2020
4
Well above average Ethiopian food. Definitely a treat. The surprise was their Tiramisu - it was delish!
Kaitlin Saxton
Jul 24, 2020
3
A little disappointing
I love Ethiopian and was excited to try Goorsha. I got a vegetarian meal and while it wasn't bad, it also wasn't great. Usually with Ethiopian I can't get enough and stuff myself full, but with this meal I found myself leaving food at the table. Food could have used more seasoning/flavor.
Kenya Ellison (hbcublackgirl)
Apr 4, 2022
3
Food was delicious for the most part, the injera was a little too sour for my taste; and our waitress was lovely. However, when we requested for our checks to be split into 3 separate parties (there were only 6 meals total on the ticket), we were explicitly told “that’s too much work.” And when we explained that when we sat down, we weren’t given the option of splitting our ticket prior, we were explicitly questioned “well, did you ask?” Then the same woman went on to lecture us about how it’s our sole responsibility to mention if we want the checks split as soon as we’re seated, then she went on to explain this is how a majority of restaurants handle checks, regardless, of if that’s been our own personal experience. Her tone was very condescending and ruined my experience and perception of the restaurant. I am unsure of her role at Goorsha; however, I hope moving forward, the woman who degraded us is able to learn interpersonal skills.
Deena H
Apr 3, 2022
3
While the food here never fails to disappoint, the service is pretty abysmal. It takes a good while for the waiter to see you’re seated even if you’re sitting outside at 3pm on a Sunday when it’s hardly busy. They don’t come by much to refill waters either. It takes around 45 minutes to get your food, but the food is all really delicious and it’s the only Ethiopian restaurant that’s central to downtown so I’d still recommend checking it out - although my advice would be skip dine-in completely and just order takeout.
Trace Hardin
Jan 24, 2022
5
I picked up take-out dinner from Goorsha and was very pleased with the service, atmosphere, and fresh ingredients. There was a minor mix-up with my order, and the staff did a great job making up for it, they went way above and beyond. Seriously great Ethiopian food, I will be back!
Evan Grimes
Jan 16, 2022
5
A fabulous and unique spot to eat. The food is delicious, flavorful, and very reasonably priced. Great Beer and Wine selection, and the staff are lovely. I highly recommend the coffee course, it's phenomenal and a great way to end the meal. I've gone here several times and I will surely be back!
Jamira Watt
Dec 28, 2021
5
Flavors are amazing. I'm sure everything was cooked perfectly I just can't do the texture. The side jalapeño was great though.
michelle
Nov 14, 2021
5
Everything tasted amazing. One of the meats were a bit too salty (meat entree pictured towards the top).
We came in unsure of what to order, because other places we've been have combination plates or specials with a bit of everything. Our server gave us some recommendations so we tried them.
It was nice that we could pick some vegan options as sides instead of the 3 listed at the bottom of the menu.
Personally we didn't like the green bean carrot and collard greens sides. Definitely would come back again if we were in the area.
Whole thing came out to be $53.
Christopher Allen
Dec 11, 2021
5
Ranks up with the best Ethiopian I’ve had. Accommodating staff when a rainstorm blew through. The sides are underwhelming, but who cares when the entrees are so good. We got all the vegan choices, and none disappointed. The shrimp entree was particularly good, perfectly cooked shrimp, nice tomato based sauce. Definitely coming back.
Ari Jiang
Dec 7, 2021
5
I absolutely Love this place. The sour spongy ‘bread’ so good with any dish here!!! The only thing is that it would be nice to use more eco friendly take out packaging
Lissa Perrin
Oct 4, 2021
5
We love the delicious Ethiopian food and the vibe at Goorsha! It's a favorite place to go when we are in Durham. The Sunday evening music is excellent, too.
Kenneth Rawlings
Oct 2, 2021
4
Good, but not the best. I would have liked family style plates. One of the main things I enjoy about Ethiopian restaurants is sharing the meal with a group.
Julie Tomkovick
Sep 24, 2021
5
Had the delightful spicy shrimp with a beet salad side. Scrumptious. Light, flavorful taste, served with generous portions. Excellent service. Lovely patio. Will be back.
Yun Chun Venus Chua
Sep 20, 2021
5
Came here alone for dinner & so thankful I met the owner Fasil who came by to my table & so thankful he did! Beautiful human & so thankful to have had exchanged conversation! Amazing authentic Ethiopian food, good beer from local breweries, good service, sincere lovely thoughtful staff with live music bands every Sunday night, spacious indoor & outdoor seating with online ordering options. Highly recommend!
Mary Beth Hampe
Sep 12, 2021
5
Delicious food and creative drinks. Get the spicy marg. So many vegan options too. Also live music on Sundays
Shelley Fulton
Aug 16, 2021
5
Fantastic experience! Delicious and unique - an adventure! Terrific, kind service and a lovely little patio out front! Loved it!
BJ Slater
Aug 10, 2021
3
I wish everything was better, I really wanted to love this place. I will definitely try it again when things are more normal. Both the food and service were just okay, everything took a while from putting our order in to getting more water. Most of the things we got were reasonably good, just a bit mild in general.
Sri
Aug 1, 2021
3
Excellent staff and mediocre food. Drinks on the menu were unique. Having said that this place is definitely worth a try for Ethiopian delicacy.
Jim Henderson
Jul 30, 2021
5
We loved this place. Great food and plenty of it. It was hot in Durham so we chose to eat inside, but it was so noisy and hard to talk that we ate outside. Loved it!
Karen Duld
Jul 14, 2021
5
Tried this place for the first time. Had the Doro Wot. It was delicious. Service was excellent. Will definitely be back!
Emily Nelson
Jul 22, 2021
5
This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and it was great! They have very good vegetarian options and the staff were really great! Would definitely come again♥️
Matt Dockery
Jun 14, 2021
5
Goorsha boasts some of the best flavors I've ever had. They have a great location in the heart of Durham and will sometimes have live music on the patio on the weekends. If you're looking for something fun and unique, you can't go wrong here.
Carlton Watson
May 24, 2021
5
Got a fully vegan dish looked like a sampler everything including the bread was scrumptious! Service was great! Food was so good had to get a sampler to go! Will be returning soon and often
Bryan D
May 22, 2021
5
From MA. Trying a new dining experience. Food was excellent. If first timer Highly recommend asking for the "family" selection (not on menu) which combines entrees. Enough for four. Outstanding service, great night.
The Great Lady
Apr 12, 2021
5
The food the service the atmosphere was beyond delightful! This a wonder restaurant to check if ever in Durham! All my fellow Vegans This a must! You won’t be disappointed great clean food for a great price
Scott Waltz
Mar 31, 2021
4
My first time having Ethiopian and definitely enjoyed it! Very friendly staff and comfortable casual atmosphere. The food was good and I'll be back to try more!
TR Roberts
Mar 27, 2021
5
Simply phenomenal meal, it wasn’t too busy on this rainy late Saturday evening. We enjoyed their many excellent vegetarian options with a ginger tea and Ethiopian take on a spicy margarita that was delicious. Can’t wait to come back again!!!
Pavel Christiny
Mar 13, 2021
5
Excellent service and the food was outstanding! The spicy stuff wasn't that hot and the St.George beer really hit the spot:)
Bipin Nair
Feb 10, 2021
5
We tried this place for a week day lunch. The server was warm and friendly. Portion sizes were good and the food was really good. We would surely come back.
Katie Logan
Feb 27, 2021
5
One of our favorite restaurants in Durham, if not our top favorite. Complex spices and flavors that complement each other perfectly. Perfectly cooked every time. Large portions and super kind and friendly staff. Excellent atmosphere, especially on the outdoor patio (dogs allowed). In a great location downtown where you can enjoy dinner and then go across the street to Brightleaf square for a beer or an ice cream. We are more than satisfied every time we dine with Goorsha!
Gracie ES
Jan 19, 2021
5
Delicious. Seriously amazing flavor. They were very aware of food allergies. They also have plenty of vegan options. I opted to indulge in doro wot, a chicken and egg dish. I'm not really a meat eater so the small but flavorful serving was ideal for me. We had multiple sauces, veggies and injera, a sour flatbread made of teff. I've never had this bread before and it's my new favorite. We will be back!
DL 3562
Dec 14, 2020
5
Excellent. I had the combo plate which isn't on their menu right now. Several beef tibs along with Dor Wat. Everything was really good, just coulda been a tad spicier. Very friendly service. Was worth the trip from Wake Forest.
Eli
Dec 15, 2020
5
This place is really good. I’m from out of town and always hunt for new ethnic food when I’m in the area. I found this gem hidden in downtown Durham. They serve big portions and the food makes your mouth water. I also really appreciated the safety of the staff. They all were wearing masks and did a great job of social distancing. Restaurants in my city aren’t as safety oriented as this place is. Highly recommended and I will be back for sure.
Clark Wayne (Assassinsorder186)
Dec 1, 2020
3
Not the best of Ethiopian food. I asked for Gomen Besega. The waitress had no clue what I was talking about. She wasn't Ethiopian which is to why she may have not known. But good atmosphere though. I cant give two and a half but thats what I would give it.
Timothy Cunningham
Oct 28, 2020
5
First experience with Ethiopian food, I had heard Ethiopian food was spicy, but as a bit of a pepper-head, I didn't get much burn even from the items I requested as hot, but this happens a lot with food items people tell me are spicy, nonetheless the flavors were complex and delicious! I Will be going again soon. *Important note* the only parking I could find was a paid lot 500-600 ft down the street
Saeed Alrahma
Oct 18, 2020
5
Delicious ethiopian food. Everything I tried was flavorful. I liked Zilzil Key Wok the most.
G. Joseph Youngblood
Oct 14, 2020
5
OMG! First time ever trying Ethiopian. Everything on my plate was fresh and tasted amazing! I will definitely be back!
Kelly Curtin
Aug 29, 2020
5
Yummy food and lots of it
Ciro Mcalpine
Sep 4, 2020
5
Goorsha in Durham, North Carolina offers a delicious and traditional Ethiopian selection. The meats were tender and cooked to perfection. The vegetable sides provided a good companion to the meat dishes. The feeling of friendly, intimacy permeates the small restaurant.
Kala S
Aug 16, 2020
5
1.5 hour drive to get here and soooo worth it! The food is amazing each visit. Ordering online was easy and the food was ready when we arrived.
Andrew Strachan
Apr 22, 2022
4
Great Ethiopian food but have had better. We ordered the sampler for 2 for 46$ which was well portioned. My only critique is that it could be spicier and the lamb was quite dry. Otherwise this is a great place as an introduction into east African food.
Kate Campbell
Apr 15, 2022
5
Absolutely fantastic place for authentic Ethiopian restaurant. The service was delightful and quick even though it was so busy! Sit outside if you can for a great view. The food is flavorful and portions are generous – perfect for sharing!!
Katrina Garrison
Jun 6, 2022
5
Delicious! Everything we tried was amazing - from the appetizer to the main dishes (lamb, chicken & beef) to the Ethiopian cocktail to the desserts (the fried cheesecake was the big hit!). The server was attentive and kind and sang happy birthday to our twins. The owner was wonderful - he came and talked to us after the meal. We will recommend to everyone!
Sara Wagger
Jun 20, 2022
5
I've eaten at Goorsha several times, both dine-in and to-go. It's been delicious every time!!
The food is always fresh, healthy, and comforting. The staff is super friendly and accommodating, despite being shorthanded at times when I've gone (like many places nowadays). Make sure to get extra Ingera to soak up any leftover sauce!
If you've ever thought about trying Ethiopian food or just want to try something different and tasty, Goorsha is a great place to go!
John Griffith
Jul 7, 2022
4
Spent this past July 4th dinner hour here. Many restaurants were closed and Goorsha had great reviews. We were not disappointed. Great family run business, very friendly and the food was outstanding. Perfect seasoning, prepared awesome. Not much ambiance, but that was beautiful in its own right. Would definitely eat there again.
Tierra Kim
Jul 15, 2022
3
Giving 3 stars because I’m Ethiopian but the food is doesn’t take like Ethiopian food. It’s missing the authentic taste… no berbere no salt, just bland. You can tell it wasn’t made by Ethiopian chief. Please fix this!
Erin Barnes
Jul 16, 2022
5
Authentic Ethiopian food. My first ever experience was in college. The food is truly delicious. The flavors are phenomenal. I definitely recommend. Don’t be hesitant. The owner is so sweet and lets you know what to order. You will not be disappointed!
Luz Schvindt
Jul 22, 2022
5
The food was delicious and my friends and I met the owner and chatted for a bit, learning more about the food and the benefits it has on our body. The staff was nice and the location was an intimate size, which was perfect! I really enjoyed the Ethiopian music that was lightly playing in the background too. I would definitely recommend this place to others.
John Louie
Jul 23, 2022
5
Carefully made, rich and boldly spiced but with delicate flavors I have missed at other Ethiopian restaurants. The injera is really nicely sour, too. They have a whole menu of local hard ciders! With the dishes individually served like this, you can share or not depending on how close you feel to the other diners at your table.
Ashenafi Assefa
Jul 24, 2022
5
This is amazing! Quality food, authentic test and excellent service. Goorsha can accommodate those who want to test something different or those who missed habesha test. I liked it.
Mike Sudol
Apr 24, 2022
5
Great Ethiopian food! The menu explained the dishes well and the server was very helpful. Would recommend to anyone who would like to try (and enjoy) authentic Ethiopian cooking.
Angie M
Jun 5, 2022
5
This is our favorite Ethiopian restaurant. We drive 40 minutes to get here because it is worth it!!!
My son is allergic to wheat and it's relatives the injeera here is made of 100% teff unlike other places where some other grains are added causing allergic reactions.
The portions are just right, taste is authentic. Clean restaurant with excellent service.The food doesn't take too long to get ready which is nice when you are really hungry.
I would recommend this restaurant.
