TLDR
Authentic Ethiopian & Eritrean staples in a chic brick-and-mortar setting. Perfect for spice-forward small plates and creative cocktails in Queens.
Resy highlights Makina Cafe, the former food truck staple that has transitioned into a cozy permanent home for delicious Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine.
Resy reviews Makina Cafe, the long-running food truck turned permanent Sunnyside restaurant serving excellent Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine.
Makina brings the first Eritrean and Ethiopian dining experience to Queens, evolving from a popular food truck into a brick-and-mortar restaurant that spotlights authentic, unsung recipes from Egziabher's culture.
Makina Cafe, the city's first Ethiopian and Eritrean food truck, has established a elegant permanent home in Sunnyside.
The city's first Ethiopian/Eritrean food truck finds a cozy, permanent home in Sunnyside.
Makina Cafe, now with a permanent home in Sunnyside, offers traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes like injera and tibs, alongside creative cocktails and a standout doro wot.
Will Hartman reviews Makina, an Ethiopian restaurant in Sunnyside, Queens, highlighting its flavorful dishes like shiro and prawns, making it a great spot for weeknight meals and casual dates.
Resy features Makina Cafe, the long-standing food truck success story that has established a permanent home for its excellent Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine.
Details
Following nearly a decade as a beloved mobile food truck, this Sunnyside destination has transitioned into a permanent brick-and-mortar space [1], [2]. The eatery serves a refined take on traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine, moving away from communal platters toward individual dishes [3]. With an elegant, artsy atmosphere and an expanded cocktail program, it has quickly become a standout neighborhood gem [4], [5].
Food Overview
The menu focuses on high-quality Habesha staples, featuring standout dishes like a 12-hour slow-braised doro wat and smoky, berbere-spiced prawns [3], [8]. Customers highly recommend the creamy shiro and crispy sambusas, while the deeply fermented, bouncy injera is considered essential for pairing with nearly every order [3], [9]. The kitchen also incorporates unique items like a mushroom-based dulet and Italian-influenced cotoletta Asmara for variety [3].
The berbere-spiced prawns are frequently highlighted as the best item on the menu, along with the slow-braised doro wat and creamy shiro [3]. For appetizers, guests favor the crispy lentil or beef sambusas [3].
Overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with diners frequently recommending the establishment as a fantastic destination [6]. While the experience is widely praised, some guests have noted that portion sizes can feel small relative to the price [7].
Most Mentioned Dishes
- 01doro wot5 mentions
- 02shiro3 mentions
- 03injera3 mentions
- 04berbere spiced prawns3 mentions
- 05lamb alicha2 mentions
- 06tibs2 mentions
Caveats
The restaurant's footprint is quite small, making it better suited for intimate gatherings rather than large groups [3]. Some diners have also mentioned that portions are relatively small given the price point [7].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About MAKINA CAFE
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Are There Any Decent Ethiopian Spots In Manhattan
"Thinks it is good but portions are small for the price."
NeutralFrom post: Are There Any Decent Ethiopian Spots In Manhattan
"Recommended for being accessible to Manhattan via the 7 train."
PositiveFrom post: Are There Any Decent Ethiopian Spots In Manhattan
"Suggests it as a place to venture to."
PositiveFrom post: Seeking Ethiopian Recommendations All Boroughs
"Praises the owner and recommends the restaurant."
PositiveFrom post: Seeking Ethiopian Recommendations All Boroughs
"A brief recommendation for the spot."
Positive