06/24/2026
On June 24, 2016, we opened the doors of Lemat.
From the very beginning, Lemat was never just a restaurant. It was our dream, our story, and our way of sharing Ethiopia with the community we love.
As a family, we set out to create a place where people could gather around healthy, authentic food, experience Ethiopian hospitality, and feel connected , not only to a meal, but to a culture.
This vision was deeply personal for me. As someone who has spent my professional life in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, health has always been deeply meaningful. My work has focused on quality, safety, and improving lives through medicine. Yet over time, I came to believe that health also begins at the table, with the food we eat, the traditions we preserve, and the community we build.
That belief naturally became part of Lemat.
With that shared purpose, Gigi and I built Lemat with love, sacrifice, and intention. We wanted to share 100% teff injera, plant-based dishes, traditional spices, coffee ceremony, music, art, and the warmth of Ethiopian culture.
As the years have passed, every guest, every celebration, every shared platter, every kind review, and every return visit has become part of our journey.
Through it all, Lemat has grown into something even more meaningful. It is more than a business to us. It is a piece of Ethiopia in Berkeley. It is our family’s contribution to culture, wellness, and community.
With deep gratitude, we thank everyone who has supported us since we opened our doors.
We are grateful. We are proud. And we are honored to continue helping people get to know Ethiopia, one meal at a time. 🇪🇹❤️
