Ethopian cuisine is widely known for its veggie-heavy preparations, its slow-braising techniques, and its use of herbs and spices, and that's exactly what you'll get when you visit Abyssinia Restaurant. This popular Santa Rosa restaurant is focused on serving Ethiopian classics, like shiro we't (hummus-style chickpeas with red peppers and spices), miser alecha (thick lentil stew with garlic and ginger), and beef kifto (chopped steak, sauteed in netir kibe).

Whatever you order, it will be served in the traditional style, atop a large round piece of injera bread. Simply use your fingers to tear off a piece of injera, use it to scoop up some of the food, and pop the entire bite in your mouth. The dining room itself is cozy, with bright, golden-hued walls, salmon-colored table clothes, and dozens of green plants spaced throughout the room. Regulars say it's a good place for a quick, hearty lunch during the work week, as well as a nice spot for a casual weekend date.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Edsel L