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ETHIOPIA / FOOD & DRINK

12 of Ethiopia's Top Restaurants

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Dining by the largest lake in Ethiopia, Lake Tana | © Kuriftu Resorts

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Serkalem Serkalem Tafesse
Tafesse
29 March 2018

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Much like its culture, Ethiopia’s cuisine is diverse and offers a unique dining
experience. Catering to the needs of meat-lovers and vegetarians,
restaurants in Ethiopia serve both authentic Ethiopian dishes as well as
international treats with a twist. Below are 12 of the top restaurants in
Ethiopia worth experiencing.

Ben Abeba Restaurant

Restaurant, Ethiopian, European, $$$

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Perched on top of a hill in the rural town of Lalibela, Ben Abeba enamors diners with
its panoramic view of magnificent landscapes and its unique architecture.
Shepherd’s pie is the restaurant’s signature dish, served as minced meat topped
with mashed potatoes. For the daring spice-lover, it comes with hot Ethiopian
seasonings. The three-course meal usually starts with a home-baked bread and red
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chili paste Ethiopians call dekuse or awaze. With most meals priced under
($4), the reward for the great service pales in comparison. The most expensive dish
on the menu is the casserole, which diners can savor at only 153 ETB ($6). For
dessert, taste the carrot cake.

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Kategna
Restaurant, Ethiopian, $$$

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The Kategna restaurant around Bole | © Kategna Restaurant

Kategna is a popular choice among many for its great ambiance and very clean
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service. Servings are quite large, with one dish sometimes enough forInstall
three people.
The famous Ethiopian chicken stew, Doro Wet, is among the culinary treats.
Appealing for both meat lovers and vegetarians, Kategna special, priced at 286 ETB
($11), provides a great immersion into Ethiopian food. Diners also get to enjoy
Ethiopian coffee, served in a coffee pot, and popcorn in the aesthetically beautiful
and considerably spacious restaurant. Kategna has four branches in Addis Ababa.
Get the best of the Kategna experience at the Lafto mall branch.

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Sishu Restaurant
Restaurant, American, $$$

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A cheese burger at Sishu's Restaurant | © Nathan Araya
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Frequented by the Ethiopian diaspora and expats, this place tops all other options
when it comes to burgers and sandwiches in Addis Ababa. It’s not exactly the
cheapest around, with some prices going up to 233 ETB ($9), but the clean service
and consistent taste make it a good value for the money spent. The cheesesteak
sandwich, made with thinly sliced beef grilled with onion and bound together with
melted cheese and served on a hoagie bun spread with mayonnaise is a must try.
The flourless chocolate and raisin carrot are perfect choices to indulge a sweet
tooth. The restaurant is located in a warehouse around Kera, in Ethiopia’s capital
city, Addis Ababa.

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The Four Sisters Restaurant

Restaurant, Ethiopian

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The Four Sisters Restaurant in Gondar | © Al and Marie / Flickr

Here, diners are offered the chance to not only enjoy the national dish of Ethiopia
but learn the craft of making it. Located 200 meters from the famous Fasiledes
castle in Gondar, the restaurant serves a variety of Ethiopian dishes including
Maheberawi (meat-centric mixed plate) and Beyayenet (vegetarian mixed plate). The
buffet is available all week long with a delicious dessert made of fried banana and
teff. Lucky diners get to see the white-cheeked turaco—a bird species native to only
East Africa. If the energizing Ethiopian traditional dance Eskesta and some Ethiopian
coffee are not enough to keep evening diners warm on the porch, colorful Peruvian
ponchos are always a request away.

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Totot Cultural Restaurant

Restaurant, Ethiopian, $$$

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An Ethiopian cultural dance group at Totot cultural restaurant | © Totot Cultural Restaurant

A local’s recommendation, Totot Cultural Restaurant is located in a residential area

and is famous for its kitfo. The restaurant is often so crowded that finding parking
near the place is difficult, but the food is well worth the wait. The restaurant is
traditionally decorated and is also packed with people drinking local beer and
chatting animatedly with their friends and families. Kitfo is traditionally served
alongside varieties of ayib, a local cheese similar to cottage cheese that comes
plated on a banana leaf and served with injera. The meat is often very spicy for
most, especially for tourists, so the ayib helps to cut the heat. The restaurant is
located in the sub-city of Bole, next to Nexus House, just off the circular road in
between the Bob Marley circle in Gerji and the Megenagna Circle.

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Paradise Lodge
Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Ethiopian, European, $$$

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The restaurant overlooks the forest separating Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo | © Paradise Lodge

This restaurant is environmentally friendly and has got awards to show for it. An hour
flight away from Addis Ababa, diners can enjoy a good amount of Ethiopian and
European options. For those out to discover the Southern part of Ethiopia, this
restaurant in Arba Minch has the best view, which overlooks the forest separating
Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo. Paradise Lodge uses ingredients from its own farm.
The grilled tilapia fish is a delicious option to consider.

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Yilma Restaurant
Butcher, Restaurant, Ethiopian, $$$

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Cutting the raw meat to be served | © Jenn

Clearly not a place for vegetarians, this eatery is exclusively limited to meat-centric
dishes. The place is barely deserted, as Ethiopians relish raw meat, especially during
the non-fasting season. Diners order portions of raw meat in kilograms, which are
served next to a small knife to cut the meat with, hot sauces, and injera, or bread.
For guests who prefer cooked meals, the gas light tibs (finely chopped and cooked
meat) is the safest bet. Raw meat can be an acquired taste for foreigners, so be
cautious, as it can make diners vulnerable to tapeworms.

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The Diplomat Restaurant

Restaurant, Ethiopian, European, $$$

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Diplomat restaurant has a 5th floor view of the area | © Diplomat Restaurant

An oasis in the city, the Diplomat Restaurant is a quiet and relaxing place to enjoy a
meal. Its location on the 5th floor of the Boston building at Bole provides a good
view of the city. The salad bar, complimentary to every dish, comes with the best
homemade dressings. Sautéed beef fillet and Tegabino, special homemade stew
from peas, are among their Ethiopian specialties. For European dishes, the grilled
Nile perch, spicy fish made in Denmark style, or Holand Nile perch served with
cheese are preferred choices. Diners can enjoy a live piano performance of Amharic
and English music from Wednesday to Saturday.

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Itegue Taitu Hotel

Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Ethiopian, $$$

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Itegue Taitu, the first hotel in Ethiopia | © Itegue Taitu Hotel

Located at Piassa, the center of Addis Ababa, Itegue Taitu hotel serves Ethiopian
traditional dishes and international treats with a difference. The place represents
and embodies the history of Ethiopia as the oldest hotel in the country, with 120
years in the business. Using vegetables from their own permaculture garden, the
hotel offers a vegan buffet lunch every day of the week—the perfect choice for a
diner who doesn’t have much to spend. With staff that speak English and Italian,
ordering meals shouldn’t be a challenge for tourists.

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Yod Abyssinia
Restaurant, Ethiopian, $$$

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An Ethiopian folk group performing at Yod Abyssinia Restaurant | © Ninara / Flickr

At a close distance from Addis Ababa Bole International airport, Yod Abyssinia is a
glimpse of Ethiopia, with historical paintings on the wall and traditional dance
performances all week long. Kitfo, minced raw beef marinated in pepper and butter,
is the restaurant’s most popular dish. For a price of 460 ETB ($17), guests can pick a
meal of their liking from a buffet with over 28 different kinds of dishes. The
restaurant, which is open from 10:00 a.m. to midnight, has two other branches at
Hayahulet and Sarbet.

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Gheralta Lodge
Hotel Restaurant, Ethiopian, European, Italian, $$$

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The restaurant in Gheralta Lodge | © Gheralta Lodge

When traveling to the Tigray region in the Northern part of Ethiopia, visiting the
Gheralta Lodge in Hawzen town for a culinary experience is essential. Ethiopian
cuisines are served every Wednesday and Sunday with a complimentary homemade
tej (honey wine). Italian-inspired dishes are served the rest of the week, with most
guests opting for lasagna. The clean service offers tourists a chance to eat salad
servings with impunity. Prices are fixed at 240 ETB ($9) for lunch and 320 ETB ($12)
for dinner. The place is extremely serene and has a breathtaking view of the
Gheralta Mountains.

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Kuriftu Resort
Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Ethiopian, European, $$$

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Dining by the largest lake in Ethiopia, Lake Tana | © Kuriftu Resorts

A culinary experience cannot be complete without visiting the Kuriftu resort in the
city of Bahir dar, an hour flight from Addis Ababa. Although far, the restaurant is a
coveted exception, with an amazing view of Lake Tana, impeccable service and
presentation, and stunning dishes. The carrot ginger soup is an exotic entrée,
followed by Nile perch or Chicken breast, a popular choice of many. For vegetarians,
the Beyayenet and Shiro wet on the à la carte menu is an ideal choice. The
cheesecake and brownie are the best desserts in the city—all this for 300 ETB ($12)
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