Walia Ethiopian Cuisine has been serving Ethiopian fare to San Jose locals since 2011, and during that time this eatery has become a magnet for folks seeking out tasty, healthy food. As an added bonus, Ethiopian food is mostly gluten-free and veggie heavy, so Walia is a good choice for diners with dietary restrictions.

If it's your first visit, regulars suggest you might start with an order of chechebsa, which are thin, hand-held dough shells stuffed with lentils, onions, and herbs. Popular main dishes include beef kitfo (chopped prime rib slow-cooked with spices) and alicha wot (split peas seasoned with turmeric). You can certainly order a single entree-sized dish, but most diners opt for the restaurant's combination meals, which are meant to be shared among everyone at the table. You can specify your combo to include meat, veggies, or both, and you'll be treated to about half a dozen different dishes, all served atop an extra-large round of injera, which serves as a consumable plate that you eat along with the spiced foods on top of it.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr Edsel L