Enat at Optimist Hall

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Order Now

Ready for a taste of Ethiopia? Skip the wait and bring the bold, authentic flavors of Enat straight to your table.

Our Menu

Appetizers

Sambusa $10

Three crispy triangular treats filled
with your choice of Beef, Chicken,
or Lentils.
(Vegan option available)

Family-Style

Served on one big plate for 2 -4 guests

MEAT PLATTER $45

Beef, Chicken, and Lamb tibs with your choice of three vegetable sides and starch.

PASSPORT PLATE $35

Our vegan platter with your choice of one protein (Lamb, Beef, Chicken, Mushroom, Fish, Goden or Dorowot).

Vegan Options

VEGAN PLATTER $17

Including Miser, Ater, Shiro, Gomen, Tikel Gomen, Fosolia, Tomato fitfit, Beets and Potatoes. Served with Injera.

Large-sized Vegan items served with Injera:

Ater $13

Gomen $14

Tikel Gomen $15

Miser $16

Shiro $17

Fosolia $16

House Salad $11

Entrees

TIBS

Your choice of protein, diced into cubed shape and cooked with fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeno peppers, garlic and butter. Served with 2 sides and a starch of your choice.

CLASSIC TIBS (Soft and Tender)

Lamb $19 / Beef (Ribeye) $18 / Chicken $17 / Fish (Grouper) $19

DEREK TIBS (Crispy and Charred )

Lamb $19.50 / Beef (Ribeye) $18.50 / Goden (Beef Short Ribs) $21

🔥AWAZE TIBS (Spicy and Juicy)

Lamb $20 / Beef (Ribeye) $19 / Chicken $18 / Fish (Grouper) $19.50 / Mushroom Awaze (Vegan) $15

Pick 1 Starch

Injera

Teff Injera $3

Gluten-free

Brown Rice

Pita Bread

Pick 2 Sides

Miser

Red Lentil Stew

Ater

Yellow Split Pea Stew

Gomen

Collard Greens

Tikel Gomen

Cabbage and Carrots

Fosolia

String Beans and Carrots

Spring Mix Salad

Extra Starch $2 | Extra Side $5

Extra Sides

$5 Each

Miser

Ater

Tikel Gomen

Shiro

Fosolia

Gomen

🔥Add Awaze Sauce to any item for 50¢

Drinks

Hot Beverages

Ethiopian Spiced Tea $3

Kimem Shai

Ethiopian Cup of Coffee $4

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Soda Glass Bottle $3

Coke, Sprite, Fanta

Soda Can $2

Sprite, Coke, Diet Coke, Pepsi, Fanta, Ginger Ale

Juice $2.50

Apple, Mango or Guava

Sparkling Water $3

Perrier

Bottled Water

Aquafina – $2

Fiji – $3

Other Beverages $3.50

Sweet Tea, Strawberry Lemonade, Half & Half

Helpful Glossary

Learn the Lingo: A quick guide to the essential Amharic terms and ingredients you’ll encounter on our menu.

Ater

Mild yellow split peas prepared with onions, garlic and a touch of special spices



Awaze

Spicy chili paste



Enat

Mother

Injera

Soft, spongy, thin bread with a slightly sour taste and tiny holes throughout, used as a utensil to grab up your grub

Goden

Beef short ribs

Fosolia

String beans and carrots sautéed in vegetable oil with garlic, caramelized onions, and Enat's spices

Gomen

Chopped collard greens sautéed with onions and garlic

Miser

Red split lentil stew cooked in a spicy berbere sauce, onions and garlic



Mitmita

Chili powder made with traditional spices

Shiro

Ground chickpeas slow-cooked into a creamy stew.

Sinafitch

Ethiopian spicy mustard sauce



Tikel Gomen

Cabbage and carrots cooked with onions and garlic

Our Story

Enat, meaning 'Mother' in Amharic, is the heart of our mission. We are dedicated to elevating the status and awareness of Ethiopian cuisine by fusing modern creativity with authentic delicious taste. The only thing better than our food is our impeccable service, through which we demonstrate warmth, professionalism, and integrity. Our main goal is to have you excited about coming back.

learn more



WOW WOW WOW!!!!! This food was so amazing. The flavor literally slapped me in the mouth. I was in heaven. I loved the derek-style lamb tibs the most. There were crispy, seasoned and cooked to perfect.

- Ashley F.
Charlotte, NC

Did you know that some of the best Ethiopian food in this country is right here in Charlotte? Well, now you do. If you're looking for an authentic, unique experience, I can't recommend Enat enough.

- Karla L.
Augusta, GA

I found out about this place from the Yelp Charlotte top 100 list. This was my second time having Ethiopian food. I love Ethiopian food and this place was no exception.

- Jacqueline T.
Denver, CO

I love optimist hall, they have such a variety of restaurants. Enat was such great place to try! I love trying new and different foods. I thought their veggie plate was very good and filling. Overall I had a great experience and I'd be excited to try another plate of something ethiopian.

- John A.
Charlotte, NC

Small and cozy run by family - you feel welcomed right from the start. The waitstaff is patient with newbies and explain the menu so you feel comfy with how or what to order. They even have a glossary right on their menu. 🙂

- Latonya P.
Charlotte, NC

I love this place their food is flavorful and what I would expect of an ethiopian restaurant. Their service is quick and we were able to get our food within 20 minutes. We also got refills of our water regularly. It's a small hole in the wall that gets pretty busy.

- Annie H.
Martinez, GA

I was immensely impressed and satisfied with the food and services at this restaurant. Their fish tibs is one of my favorite. It's cooked perfectly and goes well with their rice as well as enjera. Definitely a must try.

- H B.
Charlotte, NC

I have been to a number of Ethiopian restaurants in Charlotte and prior to coming to Enat, I was ready to give up on the cuisine. This place is, by far, the best Ethiopian food that I have tried.

-David T.
Charlotte, NC

It was cold and I was lazy so I got food from Enat delivered via Postmates. It came fast and everything was at the right temp and delicious.

-Cynthia G.
Charlotte, NC

Order Now

Ready for a taste of Ethiopia? Skip the wait and bring the bold, authentic flavors of Enat straight to your table.

enat on the plaza

enat at Optimist hall