Salam Cafe opened in 2021 as the second restaurant from the Ali family group in Philadelphia, following Alif Brew & Mini Mart in University City. Set in Germantown, it serves a menu that bridges Ethiopian and Middle Eastern cooking, with diners choosing rice or injera as the base for their platter.
The menu centers on classic proteins — Beef Tibs and Spicy Shredded Chicken — with vegan options rotating daily. Lamb chops, chicken kebab, and salmon round out the additions beyond the traditional Ethiopian base.
A Mini Mart stocked with imported goods runs along the back wall, echoing the format at the family's University City location. Salam Cafe also offers catering, and sits alongside Alif Brew & Mini Mart and Doro Bet as part of the Ali family's presence in Philadelphia.
Regulars describe the place as a hidden gem, pointing to welcoming service and consistently authentic flavors as reasons they keep coming back.
The menu centers on classic proteins — Beef Tibs and Spicy Shredded Chicken — with vegan options rotating daily. Lamb chops, chicken kebab, and salmon round out the additions beyond the traditional Ethiopian base.
A Mini Mart stocked with imported goods runs along the back wall, echoing the format at the family's University City location. Salam Cafe also offers catering, and sits alongside Alif Brew & Mini Mart and Doro Bet as part of the Ali family's presence in Philadelphia.
Regulars describe the place as a hidden gem, pointing to welcoming service and consistently authentic flavors as reasons they keep coming back.