Massawa

Eritrean, 53 Byres Rd, Glasgow G11 5RG

£57.50 for two sides, a large sharing platter and two soft drinks

We had a great time at Massawa, an Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant on Byres Road, and it was one of those meals that reminded us how satisfying it is when everything comes together properly.

We started with the berbere French fries, which were crisp, spicy, and full of flavour. They were simple but very well done. We also tried the ayib, a traditional Ethiopian cheese made in house. It had a lovely tang and a crumbly texture, similar to cottage cheese but far more flavourful, and worked really nicely alongside the other dishes.

For the main course, we chose a mixed sharing platter, which allows you to pick two vegetarian or vegan dishes and two meat dishes. From the vegetarian options, we ordered the alicha, made with potatoes, cabbage, and carrots in mild spices, and the red lentil stew with turmeric, ginger, and garlic. Both were good, but the lentil stew stood out for its depth of flavour and richness.

The lamb chops were the highlight of the meal. They were tender, perfectly cooked, and lightly spiced, letting the meat shine. My husband had the spicy chicken stew, which was rich and well seasoned without being overly hot. Everything was served with injera, which was soft, slightly tangy, and ideal for soaking up the sauces.

The service was friendly, and the overall experience was excellent. It has been a while since we have had a meal where everything just worked. The food felt fresh, portions were generous, and it all represented very good value for money.

Overall, we really enjoyed our visit to Massawa and would happily return.