From house-made injera to traditional coffee ceremonies, this family-run spot in Cleveland Heights delivers authentic flavors in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — If you’re looking for bold Ethiopian food in The Land, you’d be hard-pressed to top Tucked into the Cedar-Lee neighborhood at 2240 Lee Road, this warm, inviting 36-seat spot has earned its place as a go-to for both seasoned fans of the cuisine and the curious who’ve never wrapped their hands aroundBest places to eat and drink in Cleveland Heights and University Heights: Vote now Zoma beef tibs - Cubed tender beef marinated with our special sauce and fried with onion, rosemary, jalapeño pepper, and a touch of fresh garlic served in a sizzling pan.
Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 2240 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.comZoma is one of those rare places where the flavors are as consistent as they are deeply satisfying. The heart of the experience is the injera — soft, tangy and made-fresh-in-house with a fermented teff batter. This spongy, pan-crêpe-like bread is your plate, your utensils and your constant companion with the meal. A homemade cottage cheese—a creamy, cooling family recipe that hits like a secret weapon—is a good friend at mealtime, too. It helps tamp down the slow-building heat of a goodHomemade cottage cheese Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 2240 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.comOwner Zeleke Belete, his wife Betty Kassa and their family have operated the hotspot for almost a decade, after immigrating from Ethiopia in 2004. They’re inspired by all the traditions from back home and return regularly to visit extended family and secure spices and more to fortify a streamlined menu’s dishes.“After COVID, people’s eating habits changed — more people converted to vegan lifestyles,” Belete said. Zoma special combo - Combination of Beef tibs, spicy beef or chicken stew, homemade cottage cheese and all six veggie dishes. Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 2240 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.comMeat dishes, he said, are usually more time-consuming to prepare as well, so the kitchen got even more efficient by proxy. After researching restaurants in other markets, they decided on Cleveland Heights as their landing spot because of the city’s “adventurous” diners.The place is a frequent landing spot for students, too — namely those from John Carroll University. It goes without saying that vegetarians and vegans have the spot bookmarked as one of their favorites.Build your own platter from an array of lentils, greens, cabbage and richly spiced stews, or let a veggie combo take you on a guided tour of the menu. Meat and veggie combo - Spicy beef stew and your choice of two veggie items. Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 2240 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.comVegetarians and vegans aren’t afterthoughts — mushrooms, tofu and vegetables get the same love and layered seasoning as the meaty plates. Not all are traditional to Ethiopian cuisine, but they do well: “Mushroom and tofu are not authentic to the rest of the menu, but they are satisfying for our diners,” Belete noted. “Giving people options is important and why people keep coming back.”Tima tim FitFit - Pieces of injera bread mixed with chopped fresh tomato, onion, and jalapeño and Ethiopian Herbs. Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 2240 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.comFor those who eat meat, tibs are showstoppers—sizzling cubes of lamb, beef or chicken tossed with onion, garlic, jalapeño and rosemary. They arrive fragrant to make you second-guess your order.Even the starters stand out, from crisp lentil sambusas to timatim fitfit, a refreshing injera-and-tomato salad that resets your palate before the main. Sambosa with veggie - Veggie pastry filled with sauteed whole lentils, onions, and jalapeño pepper served with sweet chili. Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 2240 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.comBelete and family do the lion’s share of the cooking. Prior to opening Zoma, he was a driver and worked as a pharmacy technician. He was considering additional pharmacy studies after Uber and Lyft started whittling away at his ridership. Instead, he leaned into his cultural background and decided to open Zoma with impressive results.There was no prior restaurant ownership experience; just home-cooking. To wit, they do a great job of keeping traditions alive by doing what they would do back home. On the beverage side of things, they offer Tej—the Ethiopian honey wine—which leans tart, a little bitter and earthy, thanks toIt’s not cloyingly sweet like most mead; instead, it’s balanced and complex, with enough depth to stand up to spice-heavy dishes. Bethel wine brings a softer, fruitier note, while Habesha beer—a crisp and easy drinker—does cuts through rich stews. There’s pride in every plate and glass, from the injera batter to the final pour of tej or ceremonial coffee —roasted traditionally in front of your very eyes, then ground and brewed. The coffee experience begins with roasting of the beans. Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 2240 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.comIt is robust, potent stuff that will have you side-eying your pourover, Moka or auto-drip java station at home.Belete said Zoma is a home away from home for him — literally and figuratively — with dining room’s art and flourishes from Ethiopia, but also because he’s physically at the hotspot a lot: “I’m here all the time to make sure the food is excellent. Quality control,” he smiled. “That brings people back.” The coffee experience begins with roasting of the beans. Zoma Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 2240 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights - Photo by Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.comMeals here don’t rush—you tear, scoop, talk and take your time. Lots of lingering is done, usually with that amazing coffee. By the end, the flavors have settled in, the spice has mellowed and you’re already on thinking about what you’ll order next time. Zoma isn’t just a “good-for-the-neighborhood” kind of spot. It’s the real deal—rooted in tradition, made with skill, and served with genuine care. One of few places in all of Northeast Ohio that tries Ethiopian food, it’s the kind of place you remember, the kind you bring people to when you want to show them something great. Never been? Don’t fret about the spice levels; they can adjust to your palate. Bringing a group? Come hungry and plan on at least one of the combination plates, which can easily feed three people. You’ll have a memorable meal at this gem in Cleveland Heights, where simple food and drink for complex palates is a winner — plate for plate, glass for glass. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our
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