I am a huge fan of international restaurants in Florida. Don't get me wrong. I love many restaurants in Florida that celebrate American cuisine however, there's something so incredible about trying a new restaurant and being taken on a culinary expedition to a completely different country with one delicious meal.

Recently, I visited Awash Ethiopian Restaurant in Miami Gardens, which just so happens to be the only Ethiopian restaurant in South Florida. I've fallen more and more in love with Ethiopian cuisine over the years, so it was only right that I paid respect to one of the original Ethiopian restaurants in the state of Florida, let's dive in.

For starters, Awash Ethiopian Restaurant is tucked away in Miami Gardens in the corner of a strip mall. So likely if you weren't specifically looking for it, you probably wouldn't stumble upon it randomly.

Inside the atmosphere is incredibly cozy and it's been said that the design inside is intended to mimic a traditional Ethiopian home kitchen known as "gojo bait.”

You'll see on the floor in front of tables may colorful Eritrean baskets.

Eritrean baskets, also known as mesob, are traditional, hand-woven baskets used for storing injera, serving as communal dining tables, and separating grain from chaff. These versatile baskets are integral to various aspects of daily life and cultural practices in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

I feel like as soon as I walked in the restaurant, I could immediately recognize certain smells like freshly ground, coffee, turmeric, and other various spices scenting the air.

I started off with a popular Ethiopian beer, known as Habesha. The server offered up this option to complement the meal as it was a light and refreshing lager.

I also put in an order for the Lentil Sambusa starter, which consisted of three pastry crust filled with lentils, green pepper, and onions. Paired with a red pepper sauce, the simple starter was incredibly flavorful and brought just the right amount of heat.

I love most about Ethiopian food is that it is a communal experience, especially if you order one of the combination platters I was able to order the vegetarian combo platter, which provided various portions of Ethiopian favorites.

I do feel like every time I eat Ethiopian food I have a new favorite entrée, whether it's the split peas, the red lentils or the Shiro there's so much flavor in every bite.

What’s also fun about Ethiopian food is the injera bread. the platters are served on top of Injera as well as some rolls provided in order to be encouraged to eat, eat with with your hands.

For anyone unfamiliar with injera is a somewhat sour fermented, pancake like bread that slightly spongy and texture and traditionally made of teff flour. In Ethiopian cuisine, this is an absolute staple.

Awash is renowned for its traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a ritual that involves roasting green coffee beans in the dining room, hand-grinding them, and brewing the coffee in a jebena, a traditional black ceramic pot.

This ceremony is a social event designed to slow the pace of life and foster connections among participants.

Overall, Awash Ethiopian Restaurant offers not just a meal, but a cultural immersion into Ethiopian traditions and hospitality. Whether it’s your first time trying this cuisine, or you’re a repeat indulger, you’re guaranteed to have a rewarding experience here.

What do you think of Awash Ethiopian Restaurant In Miami, Florida? Have you dined here before? Sound off in the comments section!

Looking for more great things to do in Florida? Check out the fun adventures available through Airbnb Experiences!