Addis Restaurant, Kings Cross, London

I live in King`s Cross and noticed this restaurant years ago but never went in...I decide to go last night with my partner, what a mistake!
The service was really poor, we ordered 4 dishes, only 3 came, food was...well nothing to write home about and small portions. It`s not that expensive but too much for what it is. The first time in my life that I come out of a restaurant with hunger!

Mid Christmas drink, someone suggested we go and eat something. Does anyone know anywhere around Kings Cross?

Happily, someone did - Addis which satisfied pretty much everyone. For those who'd fancied a curry, the spicing in Ethiopian cuisine tends to be a little more, ahem, robust than your average Indian restaurant. For those on a budget, the prices here aren't going to terrify: eight of us overordered terribly and quaffed some Ethiopian beer for around £15 a head. And for those of us who like new experiences, well, how often do you get Ethiopian food eh?

The actual dishes are pretty damn good, particularly the "wot" - a feisty curry and not the subject of assorted stupid jokes by a group of merry blokes, oh no - and the kitfo, a bowl of raw, beautifully spiced, minced beef and herbs. The problem, for this western palate, was the injera, the big flat, bland bread that you eat with. Six mouthfuls in, you're pretty full, and have barely made a dent in the fantastically meaty things that have been upended over this giant communal pancake. There comes a point when, actually, you just want a fork. Sorry to get so philistine-y over a fascinating and fabulous cuisine, but that's the way it is.

Would I go back? Absolutely. Just I'll have cutlery and a little screen to protect me from fillthy looks...

I’d never had Ethiopian food before and as a bit of foody I’m always excited to try something new. The other draw was all the reviews on Time Out etc that said 'cheap’ 'inexpensive’ 'value for money’ etc - yes, it was that time of the month again, pay day seemed like a distant dream…
So this is really two reviews, one for the food and one for everything else. First the food: satisfying, interesting, full of favour and new textures. I was a bit surprised that the pancake thing that serves as a plate and as cutlery was stone cold, but that’s the joy of new cuisines. We massivley overordered so the portions are pretty generous. If it was just for the food I’d go back, but here’s the other side of Addis:
Staff speak very little English, the welcome is perfunctory, the table - wiped in front of us - was dirtier after this operation than before it. They are majorly understaffed, one (sweet) waitress to a whole full restaurant. Then the killer blow: they do not include VAT in the prices on their menu. So an extra 15.5% was added to our bill - I complained and was shown on the menu the words 'prices do not include VAT’ so payed up, but after leaving checked on the menu in the window - no mention here. So I won’t be returning, will definitly try Ethiopian food elsewhere though.

Lovely food, I love the way everyobody eats off one big plate. The golden lamb tibbs was delicious. This is a brilliant place to take people visiting London as it’s very unique.

This place has (quite rightly) been mentioned in a few guide books so I would imagine it’ll get a lot buisier.

Nicely-decorated and reasonably-priced restaurant. Food is quite good but not the best Ethiopian food I’ve had in London. Try the Ethiopian beer but steer clear of the wine.

I’m a big fan of Ethiopian and have never been disappointed at Addis.