Cafe Massawa

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7.8

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$$$$Perfect For:LunchDrinks & A Light BiteCasual Dinners

This Ethiopian cafe on the stretch of restaurants under the 125th Street 1 train stop is a good place to get a coffee and work, then get a glass of affordable South African wine and pretend to work, and then share a tibs quesadilla with a friend and give up on work altogether. It's a pleasant indoor-outdoor spot with big front windows and a patio, plus a bar where the TV might be playing a food show.

At this offshoot of neighborhood Ethiopian/Eritrean institution Massawa, you can still get a plate of very soft injera covered with a solid, steaming assortment of meat and lentil dishes—but dipping into the snacky portion of the menu for things like berbere wings or that hot gooey quesadilla is a good idea too. Though they're not open for breakfast, it's a good meal option at any other time, with lunch specials for under $20 on weekdays.

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Pretty good: You’ll likely be satisfied by a meal here, especially for a specific situation. These are handy back-up restaurants and beloved local spots.