If you want to get to the heart of Ethiopian cuisine then there is no better place to find yourself than in the capital city of Addis Ababa. This vibrant and sprawling city is bustling full of food adventures, and we’ve brought you some of the best culinary experiences in the iconic city.
Yod Abyssinia
If you’re looking for an authentic Ethiopian eating experience, then you should enjoy Yod Abyssinia, a traditional restaurant in Addis Ababa. The restaurant will serve up a variety of dishes that all represent the mixing pot of nationalities represented in the city.
Not only do you get to taste the foods of the cultures that make up this city, but you also will get to enjoy live performances by traditional musicians. If the music wasn’t enough, there will be dancing in the main hall, that’s designed like a traditional hut, to serve you a big slice of authenticity.
Oda Cultural Restaurant and Cafe
If Anthony Bourdain is willing to show the world this amazing restaurant, then there’s a good chance you’ll get something tasty to eat in it. Oda Cultural Restaurant and Cafe was featured on Bourdain’s ‘No Reservations’ visit to Ethiopia, and this eatery can be discovered inside the Oromo Cultural Center.
The Oromo are one of Ethiopia’s largest ethnic groups, and this center shows off much of this rich culture. At the heart of most cultures is their food, and that’s certainly the case at this cultural center. You will dine in a hall furnished with traditional pinewood furniture and textile made from traditional methods passed down through generations.
The food here relies heavily on a few base ingredients, namely tikur teff, a black grain, spiced butter, and beso, which is ground and roasted barley.
Brundo Butchery
While most of the western world is used to cooking their meat, in Ethiopia raw meat is regarded as a treat saved for special occasions. Brundo Butchery specializes in bringing those meats to everyone, and you can try some of the most famous Ethiopian dishes, even if you aren’t celebrating anything.
The restaurant is much-loved in Addis Ababa, and one of their specialties is kitfo, which is made from soft ground meat and mixed with butter and spices. If raw meat is not to your taste then you can still experience the dish; just make sure to ask for it heated up.
Tikus Shiro
If you want to eat like the locals in Addis Ababa then Tikus Shiro is the place for you. In Ethiopia’s capital, Shiro bets, or Shiro houses, chefs serve delicious stews that are made of either chickpea or bean flour and served with injera, a traditional bread. Most restaurants in Ethiopia will offer some form of Shiro on their menus, but what brings people to Tikus Shiro is the variety.
Customers can order half and half meals, which means they can pair up their Shiro with another dish from the menu. It gives people more options, allowing them to get better value for their money. Some of the specialties at Tikus Shiro that have to be tried are Bozena Shiro, which is a traditional stew with meat, and timaten kurt, a spicy tomato salad.
There are many amazing places to eat in Ethiopia’s capital city, but we recommend stopping by these restaurants to explore the flavors of Addis Ababa.
