Balageru Ethiopian and Eritrea Restaurant in Nottingham

This was one of the best meals I've had this year! I had the gore gore beef, which is traditionally served undercooked. The flavours were delicious and the injera with the spicy sauce and powdered paired so well. The hostess was so lovely. She treated me to a shot of Ethiopian alcohol on the house, which she told me to pour into the sauce if it is too spicy! My friend had the Y'Beg Wot, which was the slow cooked beef in incredible berber stew. I will definitely be coming back here when I am around Nottingham and I strongly recommend a visit!

Halal. Nice unique food. Authentic as you see Ethiopian speaking people eating here.

Great quality of food and very friendly staff !

Amazing food i love it even better than anything that i ever have bless u

Very good food. I love the idea of eating with fingers, but I know cutlery is available 😉. Very attentive staff and we didn't have to wait long for the food.

Top tier. Incredible food, lovely staff, 0 complaints and much praise for this place. A true gem, that you could quite easily miss. Amazing food with great value. Don't sleep.

Incredible food, lovely people one of the best places to eat in Nottingham especially if you like big sharing platters. Ordered a mixed for 3 with some big eaters and we were not left wanting. Top tier stuff do not sleep on it.

Food beutiful service great and atmosphere good.

First time visit to Balageru and it was fab! The menu is extensive and we were unsure what to order, so we were advised to try a meat/veg mix served on and with injera (squiggy tasty flatbreads). The Ethiopian beers were good too. Really enjoyed our visit, the lady who served us, and recommended the food was helpful, friendly and welcoming. Give this place a try, you will not be disappointed.

First time trying Ethiopian food and I was pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. Eating with my hands was definitely an experience and each component had its own flavour so you’re able to combine any per mouthful.

Incredible! First time trying Ethiopian/ Eritrean food and was blown away! Staff were lovely and very helpful and I will definitely be back!

FANTASTIC RESTAURANT. First experience eating Ethiopian food. Our server was the most helpful and the food was absolutely amazing ❤️❤️❤️. We tried their vegetarian platter which was full of flavours and textures. Must visit if you are looking for a unique experience or just good food.

Lovely staff, lovely environment. Food was unique and delicious. Checked off my bucket list ❤️ thank you

Tremendous. Gorgeous food fabulously presented. So tasty. Helpful staff helping us to get the full experience. Very enjoyable

Amazing restaurant, brilliant food and the owner was super helpful and kind when recommending dishes for us to try. I'd recommend no.40 (they're happy to swap out any dishes you don't want) and their herbal tea if you're in a big group: 4+.

Brilliant food and amazing staff/chef. Peaceful vibes. Highly recommended.

Amazing food. There were 5 of us, 3 vegetarians and 2 meat eaters. We had 2 of the sharing platters some beers and a pot of tea. So different and excellent flavours. We all had a good time. £109 for the 5 of us which these days is very reasonable. Very comfortable small restaurant. We went on a Saturday night at 19:00 and booked at 16:00. Best to book.

More of a shabby cafe than a restaurant. No locks on toilet doors. The waiter recommended the beef dish, therefore as this was my 1st experience of Eithopian cusine I ordered. It was awful. I can compare it to bland mincemeat, no spices or flavour served on a base of what I can only compare to cost cuttors value white bread that had been soaked in tap water. Tasteless. I won't be back.

The restaurant has to rely on its food to make the visit worthwhile. The restaurant is a shabby cafe really but the hospitality makes up for the surroundings.

Food was fantastic, a must try. Service was incredible, they were super friendly and gave us great recommendations. Will go again. We got 2 of these big plates for 7 people and it was a good amount. We got to try so many different dishes from this. All of them were incredible.

Very cozy place with amazing portions! Can get extra of anything you want if you enjoy it. Hope this place stays open for a long time! The food is super fun to eat together with people too as you can share and discover different flavors together!

Incredible food, I had the vegetarian platter and it was almost too much to eat. What a gem of a place

Delicious food and tea! So lovely staff and such relaxing atmosphere!

Went here with family, not sure what to expect, but wanting to try something new. Turns out the food was amazing, with a good selection of beers from Ethiopia and Eritrea too. Would definitely go back and was very reasonably priced too.

I really enjoyed the Kitfo(tartar like ethiopian style) very much.

Myself and my friend have been speaking about trying this restaurant out for a while. It was definitely worth the wait!! we had a vegetarian platter which consisted of 2 servings of 4 dishes with injera. I’ve never tried ethopian food before but this platter was super flavourful and such a big portion: It came out to £38 for the 2 of us and that included a drink each. The restaurant was empty throughout the time we was there with people coming in to collect orders. I believe this was due to a lot of people not wanting to venture out and try new cuisines. If i still lived in Nottingham, I’d definitely be visiting every month. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

I have never experienced anything like it Their service is so horrible,

My first time trying Ethiopian/Eritrean food was so great! This restaurant is almost more like a cafe in size and layout, but with nice simple music and decor giving it some ambience. As neither my dinner mate nor I had tried this cuisine before we got the mixed platters - mine vegan, his mixed veggie and meat. We both thorough enjoyed it! We spoke to the woman working there and she showed us how to eat authentically without cutlery, which hand to use etc. We felt welcomed and well treated throughout, and the food was excellent. I'd certainly go back and try more of the menu! The woman was very knowledgeable about which items were vegan suitable which was greatly reassuring for me.

Fabulous food and very good value. Portions are generous and extremely tasty. I don’t know enough about Ethiopian food to say how authentic it is but we all thought it was excellent.

Food was very tasty and the owner (I believe) was very friendly and helpful. Only bad point is that it's difficult to order as a vegetarian, as the menu isn't very clear, without icons and with unclear descriptions. We ordered a dish that was described as a vegetarian platter but was actually a vegetarian platter plus lamb. If the menu was clearer then I would give 5 stars. Will be coming back!

Amazing place , the food is 10/10 very good selection of vegan & meat options .The owner Maitie is lovely !

Very disappointing. There were two quite nice, flavoursome dishes but the others were bland and the ‘pancake/bread’ was like soggy crumpet. Service was friendly but sadly food pretty tasteless.

We enjoyed the sharing platter for two. Lovely friendly service and delicious food. My spicy mint tea was refreshing and my partner's Ethiopian beer tasted great. Our friends loved their vegan version of the sharing platter. Would recommend.

Excellent and varied selection of food, some tangy, others spicy, some soothing. The place has a cafe feel and a friendly atmosphere. Service is fine, with good suggestions from the waitress.

I always leave my order to the friendly staff and get a very good mixture of different dishes. Very tasty food I will be returning.

This restaurant is a true gem that delivers an exceptional dining experience. The moment I entered, I was captivated by the stylish and elegant ambiance. The menu offered a delightful range of dishes, each one a culinary masterpiece. The flavors were outstanding, and the presentation was flawless. The staff was attentive, friendly, and made me feel like a valued guest. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends, this restaurant is a perfect choice. Prepare to be impressed.

Really great portions for the price. Friendly staff and tasty food. The Ethiopian beers they sell is great, too. Highly recommend!

Absolutely delicious authentic food and lovely staff Have tried Ethiopian food in multiple places in the UK and Europe including some highly rated restaurants and stalls. This is the best I have tried! Wasn't expecting much but the flavours were great and everything well cooked. Who knew I would find such good Ethiopian food in Nottingham of all places. Highly recommend especially for a vegan or veggie date place, and the meat options are lovely too Also has Ethiopian lager which is very good Well worth a try thank you Balageru

I cannot recommend this place enough! We got the vegetarian sharing platter which was more than enough food for two and everything was delicious and fresh. The owner is so lovely, she really makes you feel at home and you can tell she is passionate about sharing her food with others. A hidden gem in Nottingham city centre. I can't wait to go again!

Decided to try this place out and wasnt let down. Walking into this restaurant, it really makes you feel like you've made a bad decision as it really needs an uplift. But give it a chance, the food is really worth it. Unfortunately I didnt try the beef but the chicken was really good. This is my first Ethiopian experience so dont have a clue if the food is to good standards but it was tasty. Found it really strange as one gentleman here just sat around drinking multiple bottles by himself and moving from one table to another. And the price is so cheap.

Really nice food, big portions. Great for vegetarians. Definitely worth a visit.

This place is a quiet, clean, spacious and calming place. It is very near the and close to all the lovely restaurants and bars of the area. But you can’t hear the noise of the streets in the apartment. The whole place made us feel at ease. Host was very nice, easy to talk to and very friendly when welcomed us. I would definitely come again!”

Every time I come I wonder why I hadn’t returned back earlier- delicious food to be shared with friends and family, traditionally eaten with your fingers, which increases the pleasure of eating even more.

Delicious food, friendly service and reasonably priced. Perfect. Caters for meat, vegetarian and vegan.

Excellent food and a very warm welcome.

Best Habeshan foods with great service.

We had the sharing platter for 2 and it was amazing! Perfect for people who want to try something different/new. Staff also very friendly.

Possibly the best restaurant in Nottingham! Such a hidden gem. The food is outstanding and the staff are the loveliest people i've ever met. We had the sharing platter and every single part of it was amazing. The portions are huge so be prepared to have your leftovers for lunch the next day. Thank you so much for having us

I love this restaurant amazing food and lovely staff, look forward to going again :)

Delicious and filling food. Amazing customer service definitely recommend

My boyfriend and I came here for a meal and shared the vegetarian/ vegan platter. The food was absolutely amazing, unlike anything we'd had before - my boyfriend will not stop talking about it! Don't let the simple interior deter you from trying this place! Not to mention the staff here are so lovely. We hope to go back one day!

Great food and lovely staff. Would deffo recommend!

We were lucky enough to book the whole restaurant for our Scran Club and it was amazing! The staff were incredibly friendly and couldn’t do enough for us, and the food was just amazing!! As soon as I finished I wanted it all over again...

Loved eating here with my friends. The food was beautiful and the service was lovely and so welcoming. We had the vegetarian/meaty platter between the two of us and it was more than enough food and just so yummy. Would 100% recommend coming here!!! My friends also said the vegan food was fab too.

Excellent food and real interesting experience. Great service and very reasonably priced x

Beautiful food, Amazing service! #ScranClub

The food was absolutely incredible. I got the vegan sharing platter and it was amazing. This was my first time trying Ethiopian food but it absolutely will not be the last!

We booked the whole place last night for our food club (Scran Club) and it was by far the best place we’ve ever eaten. The hosts were such beautiful people and the chefs were geniuses. Ethiopian is now my favourite cuisine. I will be telling...

Lovely flavor and very healthy. Feast for 2 can easily feed 3 as far as portions go. The lady running the place was very nice. Couldn’t have the ceremonial coffee for health reasons but definitely will, next time!

Absolutely delicious food for a great price. And wonderfully friendly staff. Will definitely be back!

We got the veggie and meat platter for 2 and honestly it was amazing, everyone has to try this food, especially reccomend the Ethiopian beer.

I checked what restaurants were in the area & noticed this African one not too far. As I’ve never been to an African restaurant, I thought I’d give it a try. The menu is very short which usually means that what they do is done...

Amazing food, a great little find. The two ladies who work there couldn't have been kinder and friendlier, and I'll certainly go again. Everything was fantastic.

Incredible. Never tried anything like it. Really tasty food, very laid back atmosphere. Will definitely be going again.

First time trying Ethiopian/Eritrean food and it was super delicious! The meat platter is quite huge and it is very affordable for the size of it. All healthy and clean food. We'll definitely come back :)

One of the best food experiences I've ever had. Prices are more than fair and the food was brilliant. I look forward to visiting again soon. Thankyou for a wonderful experience

Wonderful hospitality to complement a flavourful meal. I recommend it. 👍🏻👍🏻

What can I say, me and my mate loved it. The food was lovely, the Ethiopian beer is great and the waitress was brilliant. Try this place, it'll surprise you.

Heard about this restaurant and tried for lunch on a Saturday. First time eating Ethiopian/Eritrean food and it was absolutely delicious. Lovely, welcoming staff and will certainly be back. Highly recommend.

Such lovely food, charming atmosphere and friendly service. We shared a vegan platter which was a good amount of food and we ate everything because you just can't get enough - and it was very satisfying. For foodies and vegans this a place I would recommend.

Wanted to try a new foodie experience so pre booked here on a mini break in Nottingham. So glad I did as is was a little way out of town, about a 9 min walk from our hotel (The Mecure). The food was fabulous. Don’t...

Really nice laid back place, food great. Prices good. Vegan or meat options. Recommended :)

First time trying Ethiopian food, it was very good we all really enjoyed every month full. We had the meat share plate for 2. Would fully recommend trying this restaurant

absolutely BANGING vegan / vegetarian Ethiopian food !!! Really nice vibe, can’t wait to eat here again! So delicious…

Amazing food, so tasty. The two ladies working at Balageru are very welcoming, and happy to share how some of the dishes were made. We wish we could go there on a regular basis but we live 150 miles away. Easy in my top 5 restaurants of my life so far.

Amazing food, so tasty. The two ladies working at Balageru are very welcoming, and happy to share how some of the dishes were made. We wish we could go there on a regular basis but we live 150 miles away. Easy in my top 5...

Absolutely delish food, fantastic, warm and what a beautiful smile from the owner/chef/server. The Injera and the savoury dishes that came with were so tasty and filling. But the food got digested so quickly. We loved it. We loved the experience of the freshly roasted...

Great atmosphere and delicious food

Excellent service, great food, homey environment. Every single dish was delicious! We had the feast for 2 and ended up ordering a further dish because everything was simply AMAZING! We keep going once every few weeks and never disappointed. What a blessing it is to...

Superb food and service. Great value, and delicious. A hidden gem in the city.

The food is gorgeous and the staff are sooo lovely! I love Ethiopian food now. Would definitely recommend for great tasting food and an eating experience. Great for vegan & gluten free too.

Amazing food! Waiter was really kind and accomodating too.

Such delicious food! All home cooked and healthy - loved that it was also all vegan and gluten free ❤

Fantastic Ethiopian Food! The food is homemade, and very high quality. Very good value for money. The place is small so come early. The host is very happy to tell you about the food, so ask. It is mostly vegan/vegetarian, a mst try if you have those diets.

Great service and vegetarian I love it beer habesha and ዋልያ ደስ ይላሌ።

Delicious food with lovely service

Amazing meal. Delicious food, great atmosphere and brilliant service. Excellent evening.

Atmosphere, owners and food all amazing. They made us feel so welcome and comfortable and we’re very accommodating for a party of 25. Good selection and portions of food and the coffee ceremony is a great experience and tastes wonderful. Would definitely recommend and go...

Small, but very friendly service and lovely food. Be prepared to eat with your hands.

We had the vegetable and meat feast for 2 people tonight and we loved it. The flavours were lovely and it was very filling. The injera wasn't too sour at all which we thought it might be, it was perfect for us. The staff were friendly and we had a ethiopian beer to wash it down too. Will definitely go back. Be prepared to get messy fingers!

Good service and delicious food 😋

I had a great meal shared with my friend. Every dish served was a delight to the taste buds. Make sure you visit!

We had a fantastic meal for my birthday. They put up some birthday banners for me and gave me a cake with a candle which was a lovely gesture. The food was so unusual and so delicious. We had the mixed sharing platter finished off...

What a Wonderful experience, Wonderful food wonderful hospitality. Simple restaurant, simple menu but fantastic food and coffee. Will definatly be back soon.

Had amazing food and amazing service. This place has authentic Ethiopian/Eritrean food with affordable prices!It’s a must visit in Nottingham for sure

We were nearby, we read the reviews, we went, we loved it! A quiet Sunday evening family dinner, just here for a few nights from Ireland and moving around Nottingham and the Peak District. So delighted we dropped in and gave this wee place a...

Great experience, food is amazing. Great family will go again and again, all good options are great the veg and vegan are exceptionally good.

It was our first visit to this restaurant and what a lovely surprise! The cosy interior had 5-6 tables with simple ethnic decor with the clientele to match (always a good sign!). Service was warm, friendly and helpful. We had the vegetarian/meat feast for two and were treated to a variety of tasty dishes to have with the soft bread, which was like a sourdough pancake. The lamb and beef side dishes were well cooked and deep in flavour. Served with cold Ethiopian beer, it was a perfect meal and we can't wait to return!

Had been looking for an Ethiopian restaurant near to me in Derby as had only been able to visit them when in London. I grew up on Ethiopian food so was really happy when tasting the food here as was the same! This time I...

In short, brilliant! We found this place by total accident. Very warm, friendly, smiley atmosphere and our host was so helpful in explaining what was on the menu. We went for the vegan feast for 2, not because we're vegans, but it looked and sounded...