Not so great.
The basket-woven tables and injera (flatbread) lined plates made eating here a bit of an adventure, but the food wasn't that great, especially for the price. Some of the dishes are just permutations of other dishes (you can get chicken with yellow sauce and bread, or you can get just bread soaked in yellow sauce), which made it hard to find new dishes to try. And at about $12 an entree, it wasn't cheap enough for this poor starving college student.    [27 Jun 2000 13:34:59]

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Recommended Dishes: sirloin tips in spiced butter with onions and green peppers

     ­sarac   

Great
Every time I visit the state, it is a must that I visit Asmara. My favorites include the kale and the ricotta with awaze, but everything is delicious. Go with a bunch of friends so that you can try a bigger cross-section of dishes. Be prepared to eat with your hands and share your meal with all.    [27 Nov 2002 06:05:36]

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     ­Anonymous   

Awful
For a dinner plate they charged us $75 for 5 people. Beer was $7. A piece of cake was $7! Unbelievable. The prices they quoted was not even on the menu as they CLAIM that the beer was imported specially from Ethiopia and the cake was imported from Italy - AS IF?! So apparently they were "market price." They even had two menus with different prices. I would definitely AVOID going there - you don't know how much they will charge you.    [03 Dec 2003 22:38:48]

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     ­grad student in cambridge   

Great: Been going for years
I've been going to Asmara for about 15 years. It is a mom and pop shop, so when they get backed up you may wait a few minutes for a check. That is kind of the charm - kind of like dining in Greece: one of the things on the menu is relaxation. The food is consistently good and I've never had any of the problems attributed by other reviewers. They have veggie combo plates and meat combo plates if you want to test a number of different dishes. Good way to start. The spiced stuffed tomatoes are a great appetizer. Get the Asmara tea with steamed milk, a nice complement to the spiciness of the food.    [09 Apr 2004 15:33:12]

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Recommended Dishes: Veggie combo, meat combo

     ­David, Cantabridgian in exile, Norwood   

It's one of a kind
Asmara is great. The place is relaxing and charming. The food is amazing and fun because you eat with your fingers. I've never eaten something with so much great flavor. Asmara is wonderful and the staff are very kind and helpful in assisting customers with the entrees. The spicy lamb in some sort of great veggie was incredible, and the potato salad appetizer was also wonderful. Try the tea as well, it's a great finish with a desert.    [21 Apr 2005 13:50:36]

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Recommended Dishes: Meat combo

     ­Mark   

Amazing!
Asmara is amazing. The food was full of flavor and spices. The place is a MUST!! The staff is kind, helpful, and willing to help and answer all question. The price was normal to the quality and quanity of the food and great wine and beer selection I think. I will definitetly return. Meat and Veggie combo was great and I recommend..great flavor.    [25 Dec 2005 19:39:21]

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Recommended Dishes: Meat and Veggie Combo

     ­Anonymous   

Delicious!
I have eaten at Asmara dozens of times, and especially love the vegetarian dishes and the Zil Zil Tibs (beef). This restaurant is a family business, the prices are moderate, and the food yummy.    [22 Nov 2006 09:26:04]

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Recommended Dishes: Zil Zil Tibs

     ­Anonymous   

Great Experience
Asmara is a very cool place to eat and fun. The food is very flavorful and many of the dishes are very spicy so be prepared. You eat the food without utensils and use the bread it is served on to help you grab it without making too much of a mess.

I'm surprised to hear some folks thought it was expensive because this place is one of the real bargains for the area. Keep in mind that rent in Boston and Cambridge is some of the highest in the country so it is not easy to run a restaurant here. Also most restaurants of quality are much, much more expensive.

Give it a try yourself and as long as you don't mind spicy food that is eaten with your hands I am sure you'll enjoy it.    [11 May 2007 10:33:45]

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     ­Anonymous