Semai Restaurant & Lounge in Noordelijke IJ-oevers West

Semai gives you authentic East African cuisine that will make you question whether or not you took a flight unknowingly to East Africa! I always start my meal with fresh ginger tea, sambusas, and the Asa Kilwa (fish) is my favorite, if not the lamb tibs. The service here is impeccable, authentic, and the owners truly make you feel like you’re a part of the family from the moment you step into the door. Do not leave town without stopping here first (but not on a Monday, they’re closed!) They are truly my favorite restaurant in all of Amsterdam!!!

HAD A TRULY DELICIOUS MEAL. A taste sensation that is second to none. The service is truly amazing. Highly recommended, and nice and cheap too.

We thoroughly enjoyed the delicious food and the lovely lady who helped us!

Delicious, authentic food with lots of flavor. Cozy atmosphere and friendly people. Definitely recommended!

We booked a large reservation here on a whim, and we were so happy we did! The food took a little while to come out, but we were a large party and it appeared that one woman was doing all the cooking! Well.. she knocked it out of the park if it was just her. The food was incredible, and both her and the man who greeted us at the front were very friendly. If I am ever in Amsterdam again, I would come back here in a heartbeat. If you're nearby and looking for authentic East-African food in Amsterdam.. this is the place!

Friendly, authentic and super tasty!

Amazing food, super warm atmosphere, and incredibly kind staff. One of the best Habesha restaurants I’ve been to. Highly recommend! Coming from a Habesha

First time in an Eritrean restaurant and I loved it! Amazing food and drinks, wholesome owners! We spent hours there and enjoyed every minute.

Excellent service and delicious food!

Such an amazing restaurant 😍 Delicious food and staff super nice!!! Will come back for sure. Totally recommended :)

Simply outstanding! Just like all the other reviews say, this is an authentic family-run restaurant. The family members serve, cook, and clean. Lovely people too - kind and warm! The restaurant is truly one of a kind, and as other reviews say, one of the best Eritrean restaurants out there (for me, the best in the NL, but I only tried 4 other ones). I recommend the qatenya starter (spicy njeera), if you can handle spicy. For the meat lovers, I took a combination of 3 dishes: the zilzil (beef with onions and pepper - quite fresh and invigorating), the dorowat (chicken stew with deep and rich flavours), and zigni (slow cooked beef with great depth of flavour, somewhat tomatoey). And of course, finished with aleqi, an eritrean liquor - a bit similar to the greek ouzo (anise flavoured). Highly recommended! Will bring my friends and my partner here!

Amazing food, great service, !!!

If you are ever in Amsterdam, go here for an amazing evening with great food & service! It’s great to share and the beers are delicious.

Had a delicious meal! My first time at Eritrean and I really enjoyed it. If you want to try something new at a good price, I would definitely recommend this place. The staff is also very friendly :)

We had a delicious meal here. Great for both meat eaters and vegans. The owners are super friendly, the restaurant is cozy and nicely decorated in an Eritrean style, and the prices are very reasonable. I would definitely recommend this restaurant!

One of the best places in town! Food, service and vibe. It’s just my fav!

THE one the only authentic Eritrean restaurant!!!! There are others but this is the one and only i would recommend, everything you've heard about Eritrean food and culture is here, I've only experienced the best parts of Eritrean restaurant here. And i hope you'll have the same experience.

We have been coming here for 5 years now, always with great pleasure and a craving! Upon entering, you smell the delicious aromas from the kitchen and are greeted warmly by the owner. The atmosphere is always cozy and warm, and sometimes there are live performances featuring traditional Eritrean and Ethiopian instruments. The food is literally finger-licking good; injerra is eaten by hand and is gluten-free (if the injerra pancake is made from teff, which you can reserve in advance). A true taste frenzy unfolds on your tongue as you take the first bite, only to sink back into your chair with the last. The price is certainly very reasonable for the quality and taste! If you want to put your taste buds into overdrive, be sure to pay Semai a visit!

Amazing place with the sweetest staff and the most delicious food ever ♥️ Highly recommended!

One of the best restaurant experiences I’ve ever had. The food, service, and warmth of the owners made it truly unforgettable.

Both the food and the owner were first rate. The starters were nicely spiced and the mains were very tasty and well presented. The owner was so helpful as we'd never eaten Eritrean food before.

Erythrean/Ethiopian food is very good, Semai has great food, nice decor, nice people. You travel while in Amsterdam. Don't miss the Shiro.

Mega delicious food and really the nicest people!

Delicious food, nice people and pleasant atmosphere

The food was fantastic really flavorful! Definitely a must try!

Delicious food, friendly service, insane value for money

Very great experience, recommend :)

Delicious food, great atmosphere, and top-notch service! Highly recommended.

Super nice people and very tasty food, and fair prices!

Some of the best injera we’ve ever had!

Delicious food with lots of flavor. Super tasty vegetarian food. Nice atmosphere and very friendly service.

Lovely place, amazing food and service - would recommend!

Great place, fantastic food. Highly recommended!

Delicious food and great service .

Ate here for the second time in a month. Delicious food and super hospitable. Highly recommended!

Delicious food for a great price! We always come back here and are continually amazed at how delicious and affordable everything at Semai has been over the years :)

What an exceptional place! You can really feel how much energy and love they have put in!! The food was outstanding and the hospitality and company of Faban while enjoying a tea waiting for my to go food was very welcome, pleasant and uplifting. I wish this family business many, many more years of abundance and prosperity!

We visited the restaurant and I immediately felt transported to another world, an immaculate family owned type of service accompanied us throughout the whole evening without missing out one thing! Feben and Kahsay followed us and shared their full knowledge about their culture, food and their enthusiasm was very contagious! Will definitely be back soon, top experience and atmosphere

The starter was frozen. The meat was chewy and servings smaller than expected, exept from the bread where the portions were generous. It was definitely not worth the price. They served the traditional gluten free injira bread baked from teff flower, but had only one portion. Their regular bread is wheat based. Very friendly staff but service wasnt good either.

A fantastic place, you feel like you're in another world. The food is excellent, and the hostess is super friendly. See you next time!

A few times a year, our family goes to Semai restaurant for dinner. Delicious, uncomplicated Eritrean food, served on a large platter. The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed, and the service is warm and welcoming. Some dishes are quite spicy (the level of spice is indicated), and all dishes are exceptionally flavorful and well-prepared. A local beer or wine goes perfectly with it. It's a very enjoyable experience and definitely worth going back!

Delicious food, nice staff and large portions

Excellent food in an environment where you feel treated like at home!

Great food and very friendly staff, great service, thank you

Injera was 10/10 :fresh,soft,acid as it should be. Zighini:10/10 : it tasted sooooo goood. Sambusa :10/10 : perfectly made. Next time i want to try dorho,gored gored and Alicha. This restaurant is amazing. Thank you for having us and for the delicious food.

We had a great time there! Such a cozy dinner sitting around one big plate! Absolutely loved it!

Lovely place, amazing atmosphere, food and service

I came here for a good meal and was very very happy! The atmosphere is just wonderful, and the staff were completely friendly and took amazing care of me. Come here!

Amazing food and atmosphere! The owners are wonderful, you won’t regret eating here

Gorgeous atmosphere, magnificent decoration, the server (owner?) was very nice and gave us delicious recommendations. The prices are also pretty good, we ate very copiously for 25 euros pp.

This is incredible I have found very few restaurants I will eat at again here but yet I keep returning. The food is in reliable and incredible and the family is superb. This woild be great to bring to the US but thank you because I had never had this cuisine until you and now I'm hooked!

Yes, one of the nicest, if not the nicest, Eritrean restaurants in Adam. The food is delicious. The atmosphere is cozy! Last time I picked up my order and arrived at the agreed-upon time... it turned out I still had to wait 40 minutes. That's not acceptable. An apology would have been appropriate.

If you're looking for a unique experience, you should definitely stop by! The food was delicious, the service was friendly, and above all, there's something different on the menu that you won't find everywhere.

My husband and I are Ethiopian food enthusiasts. It’s one of our favorite cuisines and we’ve tested many across Amsterdam and Almere and Semai is by far our favorite. The food is authentic and delicious every single time, the ambiance of the restaurant is lovely and the owner and staff are very kind and welcoming. We now live in Almere but still make the 30 minute drive just for our favorite Ethiopian restaurant, Semai, because it’s totally worth it <3

Delicious food and good service..

A unique place with owners who passionately enjoy running this place where I always eat or take away delicious, both vegetarian and meat. As soon as I enter I imagine myself in other atmospheres and I am welcomed in the most friendly way. For me one of the nicest places to eat in Amsterdam.

The best in Amsterdam, taste food, good price.. super super

Best enjera I have ever eaten, light and soft. The vegetarian samosa as a starter was also really delicious, tastier than the Indian version that I eat regularly. We did not find the spicy dishes spicy, just good. Super hospitable service, it also happened to be Eritrean independence day when we were there and we got a small treat at the end in honor of that, really nice. All in all a very good experience especially if you are open to something different. Very vega(n) friendly.

Super sweet, hospitable people. Nice experience. Food was good, but not quite our thing. Drank an Eritrean beer from the Asmara brand. Tasted good.

Lovely owner and service, however, disappointed after reading pevious 5 🌟 reviews. The vegetarian dish was OK, the beef was very tough. Expected better.

I ended up here via Mooncake review. Brought my parents and sister and fell in love with this kitchen. After years, I recently had something to eat with some friends and it felt like a warm bath and the lady behind the bar/coffee ritual executor was super friendly and sweet. 5 stars! Hidden gem

Delicious food! Nice atmosphere and fantastic hospitality! Recommended if you are interested in African food!

Perfect place for gluten free food!! We really had a great time, food was delicious and we loved the experience & atmosphere. Also the owners spread a friendly and chill vibe. Looking from the outside you might have some doubts due to the dark „garage entry“, but you miss out big if you skip!

The ambience is very nice, as is the service. The food was great.

Jambo.Perfect super food. Traditional very good cuisine. 10 out of 10 stars. Unique experience. Very good. Hakuna matata.

What a lovely find! The food and atmosphere of Semai Restaurant are amazing! We are definitely coming back, thank you for this great dinner!!

Everything was 10/10! So delicious

This is an outstanding Eritrean-Ethiopian restaurant -- the best in Amsterdam, hands-down. Possibly the best in the Netherlands. We've eaten at Eritrean-Ethiopian restaurants around the world, including Washington DC and Oakland, California, where there are large Eritrean and Ethiopian populations and great restaurants. Semai is up there with the best of these. We had the doro wat (spicy chicken) and the vegetarian sampler. A must for anyone who loves this cuisine or wants to try it out. (Also-- a very lovely and charming owner!)

Great place to have habesha food with great and professinal service i would 100% recomended

I have been coming here since Feben opened this wonderful restraunt. I frequently stay at a nearby hotel and highly recommend this delightfully welcoming place! I am often amazed that people do not venture up the stairs to take in the amazing artwork. Semai is a delightful trip to East Africa with the cuisine and visually stimulating surrounding artwork and decor! Having traveled to East Africa, Semai's authentic feel is endearing.

Best place ever! Super nice people, delicious food and not expensive at all. Nice relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant. Definitely recommended!!!

The service, food, whole experience was 10/10 🫰🏻 The lady working there introduced us to the traditions, made traditional coffee in front of our eyes, thought us how to use the fingers when eating and overall was very friendly and generous. Will definitely come back. Fair prices too - we drank tea, had two main dishes, a dessert and traditional coffee and it was only around 55 euros

Great place! Delicious food, incredibly friendly service. Quite affordable for the quality

Super nice people and very tasty spicy food! The restaurant is also very attractively decorated with beautiful painted walls and decorations. Highly recommended!!

Enjoy an Ethiopian-Eritrean gem in Amsterdam Step into this authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant and experience a culinary journey that will surprise your taste buds. If you are looking for a place that serves delicious food, this is the place for you. The menu is full of tasty and colorful dishes, prepared with fresh and pure ingredients. Also a large choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Gluten-free injeras also no problem, but please reserve at least 1 working day in advance. The owners radiate warmth and hospitality. They welcome you with open arms and make you feel immediately at home. The restaurant offers excellent value for money, which makes it even more attractive to dine here. Although there is often a single table available during the week, this will not last long once the rest of Amsterdam and the surrounding area discovers this hidden gem. So don't wait any longer and book a table quickly to experience for yourself why this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone who loves delicious authentic food.

Visually, it's a very unique restaurant that takes you to Eastern Africa. For lovers of spicy food :)

10/10 would recommend First of the place is quite popular so I would recommend booking a table before hand. The service and the atmosphere was spectacular and the place really gives of a home like atmosphere. We ordered the mixed vegetarian dishes for 2 people and it was a lot of food we couldn’t even finish. Wine was great as well Conclusion go here !!!!

Food was mind blowing and the most beautiful staff EVER!! I will definitely come back!m and recommend it to everyone

Very tasty food served by friendly nice people. Good meat and vegetarian offering. It's fun with just the two of you, but it's even more fun to go with a group.

Delicious food and a very nice and warm atmosphere. Thank you!

It feels youare some where outside abroad

Delicious food, very friendly service and cozy atmosphere.

Delicious food. I found the non-spicy dishes quite hot. Still, worth a try. Portions are abundant, we ordered 2 3-courses portions and we could've easily fed 4 people. I loved the baklava dessert and the traditional tea. Looking forward to coming back!

Delicious food with fair price and a friendly and professional staff. I definitely recommend this place. (Always look for areas of improvement 👍)

We came for dinner on a Sunday evening Warm welcome and accommodating and very kind waiter It’s spicy!! Be careful if you are sensitive to it It was excellent! We recommend

Really good restaurant: food was really good, and they were really welcoming! Unfortunately it was empty that specific day.

Really friendly, helpful service and great traditional Eritrean food.

SEMAI is highly recommended if you want to eat different, East African food in Amsterdam. Nice atmosphere, friendly welcome and delicious dishes.

Super tasty food and very nice service ♡ it took a bit long but it was okay and completely worth it. Definitely worth repeating!

Wonderful find on visit to Amsterdam. Really flavoursome food and good value. Very friendly people.

Delicious Eritrean dishes + Top service! Definitely recommended!

Delicious and amazing taste of African food

Authentic place ! Nice food and very nice atmosphere.

Delicious food, exceptional service, very friendly people!

Great place and great Friendly waiters

My favorite place in Amsterdam. I go there often with friends or family and is always great. Very tasty food and big portions, very gezellig vibes and nice people working there. I fully recommend it.

Delicious food, friendly staff, would definitely come again

My favorite place to eat, very friendly staff and great food!

It was delicious 😍💞 new fave in amsterdam.

Great food and service. They were so friendly and accommodating!