A perfect appetizer. The pastry is thin and shatteringly crisp, filled with a savory mixture of lentils, onions, and green chilies. They are served hot and are an excellent introduction to the restaurant's flavor profile. Reviewers highlight the spice balance as being particularly well-executed.
The quintessential Bunna experience. A large circle of injera is topped with generous portions of all nine house specialties, including Misir Wot (red lentils), Shiro (spicy chickpeas), and Gomen (collard greens). It's designed to be eaten with your hands, using pieces of injera to scoop up the various stews. It's a colorful, texture-rich meal that perfectly showcases the complexity of Habesha spice blends.
Tips from diners
Even if you're not vegan, you won't miss the meat. The Shiro is incredibly creamy and the Misir Wot has a slow, satisfying heat. Ask for extra injera halfway through—they're happy to provide it.
More than just a drink, this is a cultural ritual. High-quality Ethiopian beans are roasted in-house and brewed in a traditional clay pot (jebena). The coffee is served in small cups, accompanied by the aroma of burning frankincense. It is excellently smooth and rich, acting as the perfect conclusion to a spicy meal.
A smooth, almost custard-like stew made from chickpea flour. It is seasoned with Bunna's house-made berbere—a potent Ethiopian spice blend—along with garlic and ginger. It is one of the most comforting and flavor-dense items on the feast platter, with a deep, earthy umami.
Bunna Cafe started as a pop-up and has grown into one of Brooklyn's most beloved plant-based destinations. The restaurant specializes in 'Bunna'—meaning coffee in Amharic—and 'Habesha' vegan cuisine. The space is communal and lively, centered around large shared platters served on injera (fermented flatbread), often accompanied by live music and traditional coffee ceremonies.
This place is best with a group of 3-4. The 'Feast' platters are designed for sharing and the communal style of eating makes for a great social experience.
If you're there in the afternoon or early evening, try to catch the coffee ceremony. It's a beautiful, sensory experience that you won't find in many other NYC spots.
They take reservations but usually have space for walk-ins on weeknights. Weekends are much busier, so book at least a few days ahead if you're coming for dinner.
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