Top Ethiopian Restaurants in Addis Ababa

One of the best things about Ethiopian food is that no other cuisine in the world is quite like it. Traditional cooking here blends unique combinations of spices to create distinct flavors: some hot, some savory. Spices are the key ingredients for many types of Ethiopian wat (a dish somewhere between a stew and a curry) that are enjoyed with flat, spongy bread called injera.

Restaurants serving Ethiopian dishes can be found worldwide; however, none compare to the food made in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s sprawling capital. Vegetables are locally sourced, and the meat typically comes from freshly killed animals. Nothing here is mass-produced, and every dish is made fresh to order. Consequently, Addis Ababa is the best place in the country to try Ethiopian food, and these are five of the top restaurants where you can immerse yourself in the local scene.

Oda Cultural Restaurant and Cafe

Inside the Oromo Cultural Center is the Oda Restaurant and Cafe, which you might recognize from Anthony Bourdain’s Ethiopia visit on No Reservations. The Oromo are one of the largest ethnic groups in eastern Africa, and the Center’s restaurant showcases the best of Oromo culture. The hall is furnished with pinewood-carved furniture and curtains made of traditional fabric. Injera made of tikur teff (a black grain regarded as more nutritious than the more refined white teff), spiced butter, and beso (roasted and ground barley) are at the heart of Oromo cuisine. Chumbo is prepared with black teff baked thick, topped with yogurt, cheese, and spiced butter, resembling a cake. Buna qalaa (roasted coffee dipped in butter) is a traditional snack that adds depth to the coffee experience. The Oromo Cultural Center is conveniently located near the National Stadium.

Tikus Shiro

In the busy neighborhood around the Lideta condominiums, you’ll find Tikus Shiro, a local sensation focusing on shiro (a stew made of chickpea or bean flour) served with injera. You’ll find shiro on many restaurant menus across Ethiopia, but the ‘half-half’ option at Tikus allows you to pick two dishes from the menu and receive a half portion of each. Don’t miss out on bozena shiro (shiro stew with meat), misir be kuanta (lentils with dried meat), gomen (Ethiopian cabbage), and timatim kurt (spicy tomato salad). Enjoy your meal in the serene garden courtyard, perfect for cooling off from the heat on the street. After your meal, savor a strong cup of freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee or a glass of homemade tej (honey wine).

Chane’s Restaurant

Located in the Cazanches district, Chane’s Restaurant serves delicious Ethiopian fare in a centuries-old house once owned by a military hero. The ambiance reflects the 19th-century lifestyle, adorned with artworks and photographs of dignitaries. From the kitchen wafts the aroma of traditional Ethiopian dishes crafted from the famous chef Chanyalew Mekonen’s recipes. Don’t leave without trying Ethiopia’s favorite dish, doro wat (a spicy chicken stew), served with injera and mild goat cheese. On traditional fasting days, shiro wat (a mild nutty stew made from chickpea flour) is an excellent alternative.

Yod Abyssinia

Yod Abyssinia highlights the cultures and cuisines that Ethiopia has to offer, making the restaurant look as authentic as possible. The spacious main hall resembles a typical Ethiopian hut, decorated with hand-woven curtains and serving dishes made of woven grass. Guests sit at traditional tables surrounded by three-legged stools. The restaurant provides a variety of dishes from Ethiopia’s many ethnicities and features culturally dressed staff. Moreover, diners can enjoy traditional music and dance performances in the evening, making it a lively experience. Yod Abyssinia is conveniently located behind the Millennium Hall in Bole, near the airport.

Brundo Butchery

Ethiopia’s diverse ethnicities offer a rich tapestry of tastes, and one of the highly regarded dishes is raw meat, typically reserved for special occasions. At Brundo Butchery, however, you can sample this delicacy along with other popular meat dishes, including kurt (raw meat from select parts of an ox) and tibs (cooked beef tips). The restaurant is particularly famous for its kitfo, made from the softest meat parts, which is ground and mixed with spiced butter and mitmita (a chili pepper spice mix). If you prefer cooked meat, ask for kitfo leb leb, which resembles highly seasoned minced beef. Pair your meal with tej, a traditional Ethiopian alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey, available at Brundo.

Brundo is located at Dawit Kitfo, across from the European Commission for Africa in Atlas.