Doro Kay Wet
Tender chicken simmered in a bold berbere sauce and served with a hard-boiled egg.
See chicken dishes →Montclair, New Jersey · Since 2003
Come together around the mesob.
Slow-simmered wots, sizzling tibs, vibrant vegan dishes and injera made for sharing—served with the warmth of Ethiopian hospitality.
20+ years in MontclairVegan-friendlyGluten-free injera by requestBYOB
Freshly blended spicesImported Ethiopian spices, prepared with care.
Made for sharingA communal meal that turns dinner into a memory.
515 Bloomfield AveMontclair, NJ 07042
Wed–SunLunch and dinner
Reserve onlineBook through TableAgent
Pickup orderingOrder through Square
A Montclair institution
Food that carries a story.
Founded in 2003 by sisters Berekti and Akberet “Aki” Mengistu, Mesob has grown through family recipes, daily preparation and a belief that a shared table brings people closer.
Our sauces are prepared to order, our spices are blended with intention, and our dining room welcomes first-timers and longtime guests with the same generous spirit.
Start here
A table full of possibilities.
Choose one favorite or order a sampler and let the whole table discover something new.
Vegetable Sampler
A colorful spread of lentils, split peas, greens, mushrooms and vegetables—entirely vegan.
See vegan dishes →
Ethiopian Coffee
Beans roasted, brewed and served from a traditional jebena for a slow, fragrant finish.
See drinks →Every guest belongs
One table. Many ways to enjoy it.
Vegan choices
Our vegetable entrées are vegan, richly seasoned and satisfying enough to anchor the table.
Gluten-free injera
Available with at least four hours’ advance notice. Confirm dietary needs with the restaurant.
Bring your bottle
Mesob is BYOB, making it an easy choice for relaxed dinners, celebrations and date nights.
Groups welcome
For parties larger than ten, call the restaurant so the team can help plan your table.
Your first visit
Eating with your hands is part of the joy.
Injera is both bread and utensil. Tear, scoop and share—there is no wrong way to begin.
Tear
Take a small piece of injera using one hand.
Scoop
Use the injera to gather a bite of your chosen dish.
Share
Move around the platter, compare favorites and enjoy the meal together.
Two decades around the table
Milestones worth celebrating.
From our 2003 opening to national recognition, every chapter of Mesob's story has been written at the table.
Est. 2003
Berekti and Akberet "Aki" Mengistu open Mesob in the heart of Montclair.
See the beginning →2011
Honored with the National Restaurant Association's Faces of Diversity – American Dream Award and recognized at the White House.
See the year →2022
Named Best of Montclair by The Montclair Girl — with much more in between and ahead.
See the year →Media features & publications
Recognized by neighbors and nationally.
From industry awards to local spotlights, our story has been told by many publications over the years.
National Restaurant Association
Faces of Diversity – American Dream Award, honoring the founders for entrepreneurship and excellence.
Read the story →Zagat
Recognized for excellence in the 2011/2012 and 2012/13 New Jersey Restaurant Survey.
See the features →Montclair Center
Profile and community spotlight from Montclair's downtown business district.
See the spotlight →Community impact
Every meal strengthens the community.
Charitable walks, wellness initiatives, soup kitchens and cultural education — Mesob gives back in the same generous spirit it cooks with.
Fundraising & walks
Supported charitable walks and fundraisers that lift local causes.
Wellness initiatives
Participated in community health and wellness programs.
Cultural education
Introduced thousands of guests to Ethiopian traditions through food, music and dance.
Simply the best. We brought friends, and they loved it just as much as we do.
Gather at Mesob
Weeknight dinner, date night or a full family celebration.
The dining room is warm, casual-elegant and designed for conversation. Outdoor seating may be available when weather permits.
Gift cards
Give the gift of a shared table.
From birthdays to thank-yous, a Mesob gift card brings friends and family together around Ethiopian hospitality.
Your table is waiting
Make tonight a Mesob night.
Reserve a table for the full experience or place a pickup order and bring the shared table home.