12th and U St, NW
Ed. Note: There was a time DUKEM came up as number one or near number one (along with the OG Zenebech in Shaw and Meskerem in Adams Morgan) on every best Ethiopian restaurant in DC list. Oh there was a time. Sadly the writing was on the wall if you remember this post from 2024.
Thanks to all who messaged us the sad news last night: “Dukem and the upstairs lounge will permanently close on Nov 7th.”
See Dukem’s closing note:
Stay tuned.
“Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
Ethiopian Food Landmark in DC for 29 years.
Family Owned & Operated.
Tefera Zewdie and Hiwot Gebru opened Dukem Ethiopian Carryout & Market on U street in 1997. At the time Dukem was one of the first Ethiopian restaurants on the U street corridor. The business grew in popularity over the years and evolved into the full service restaurant we know today as Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant.
Honoring the Life of Tefera Zewdie
Owner & Founder Tefera Zewdie passed away November 2022. He was a pioneer in the local Ethiopian community and paved the way for others to start their own business. His life’s work is continued on by his wife Hiwot Gebru and his two daughters Yodit Tefera & Lydia Tefera. We are grateful for his leadership and hard work in the DC and Ethiopian Community. “