Update: January 2021
We last visited Lula’s a year ago, in January 2020. And, while it seems fair to say a lot has changed in the world since then, it’s a big comfort to know Lula’s is still serving delicious Ethiopian and Eritrean food that’s incredibly tasty – and a total bargain too. They now offer a delivery service so that you can enjoy their food from home (let’s face it, we’re not going anywhere else), and it’s the perfect boost to get you through these dark January days. This month all their offerings are veggie and vegan – perfect for Veganuary. It’s also ideal for anyone who is gluten-free.
The Lula’s delivery I had was the bright spot in a less-than-joyful week. All of the dishes were freshly made and you could absolutely tell. The hearty, comforting food was as good at the meal I had at Common Ground a year ago. It’s superlative home-style cooking: basically, a home-cooked meal that I didn’t have to make, prepared by someone who is a much better cook than me. The dream! I’m pretty much obsessed with shiro (a spiced chickpea dish) scooped up by the gallon with injera (fermented flatbread made from teff flour) now.
Lula’s delivery days are as follows:
Wednesday delivery – Kidlington, Woodstock and Yarnton (order by 5pm Tuesday).
Thursday delivery – Kidlington, Summertown, Jericho, Oxford city centre, Botley Road, Marston, Headington and Cowley (including The Slade/Hollow Way area), Iffley Road and Rose Hill (order by 5pm Wednesday).
You can now order from their new online shop!
January 2020
I had never really eaten Ethiopian food before visiting Lula’s pop up at Common Ground. That’s partly why I was so excited to go. I’m always up for trying something new, and sometimes it feels like there isn’t much left. Lula’s food is available at the Gloucester Green market too, but on a cold January day, the idea of sitting on a cosy sofa in cheery Common Ground to stuff your face with comfort food is far more appealing than the idea of perching on an outdoor bench at a market.
Common Ground is in no way a restaurant. It’s a big, casual co-working space and coffee shop, full of students and locals alike. This is not the place to go for a formal meal. However, it is the place to go on Monday and Friday lunchtimes if you fancy a huge bowl of warming Ethiopian food.
We were greeted by Lula herself – who, not that it’s relevant to the food, was totally charming and delightful – and she talked us through the menu.
This is hearty, simple stuff: think slow-cooked meat, lentils, rice, warming spices and sharp injera flatbread. My dining companion and I got a bit of everything with one mixed meat plate and one mixed vegetarian plate. It’s worth noting that Lula’s caters very well for gluten free diners as well as vegetarians and vegans, and that on Mondays they serve no meat.
These aren’t refined plates of pretty food, but by god, it is all delicious. When we visited Common Ground, the place was absolutely packed with regulars who clearly come for Lula’s food all the time. We frequently heard people commenting about a new dish on the menu, or what lentils there were that week – these customers are loyal and it’s easy to see why.
So, what are you going to get?
The meat dishes were rich and subtly-spiced, chunks falling apart as you ate them. The lentils (always one of my favourite comfort foods) were perfectly cooked; soft, but retaining enough texture not to descend into mush, deeply flavoursome. Particular standouts were the Tibs – rich marinated beef cooked with garlic, ginger, barbere (Ethiopian curry paste) and green chilli – and the yellow split peas with turmeric and ginger, but really it was all good. The injera – a sourdough type flatbread – is the perfect complement to the meal. It has a light, slightly spongy texture and a sharp taste which is beautiful when eaten with the main event.
The food is also an absolute bargain. Two vegetarian dishes cost £6, other meat and vegetarian combination dishes are £7 or £8. Everything is served with rice or injera and, believe me, you will not go away hungry.
It’s a real treat to find something new and unusual on the Oxford food scene and we loved everything we ate at Lula’s. I’m already planning my next visit…
Lula’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Cuisine
Gloucester Green Market
78 The Heyes
Oxford OX1 2BU
Wednesdays and Saturdays
Common Ground
37-38 Little Clarendon Street
Oxford OX1 2HF
Mondays and Fridays, 12.00-17.00
We dined as guests of Lula’s Ethiopian and Eritrean Cuisine. All views remain our own.
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