Gonder
Now here's something special. One of the best places in northern Ethiopia for both food and atmosphere, Four Sisters has brilliant traditional food (order…
Must-see restaurants in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
Yes, it's touristy, but they sure put on a show at Yod Abyssinia. The large dining area is crammed with low wooden stools that all face a stage; at around…
Addis Ababa
This upper-crust French restaurant serving superb and authentic, traditional French dishes is still one of the best restaurants in the capital. Try an…
Addis Ababa
If you’ve travelled overland to Addis Ababa, and eaten in a succession of cheap local restaurants serving less-than-inspiring injera, then reward yourself…
Addis Ababa
It may have moved locations but Lime Tree remains one of the hippest places to have a light lunch. Lunch specials range from chicken shwarma (Monday and…
Southern Ethiopia
Run by an Italian-Ethiopian couple, this upmarket trattoria-like venue wouldn’t be out of place in Roma, and gets top marks for its flawlessly prepared…
Addis Ababa
For both the local Muslim and Christian communities, this busy place is a lunchtime institution – queues for a table can form out the door. The reason…
Addis Ababa
A pleasingly modern take on the traditional Ethiopian restaurant, Kategna feels like a classy urban cafe with its soothing colour scheme, low wooden…
Lalibela
Easily one of Ethiopia's coolest restaurants, this Ethio-Scottish-owned, Dalí-esque jumble of walkways, platforms and fire pits is perched on the edge of…
Geza Gereslase Cultural Restaurant
Northern Ethiopia
If it’s Ethiopian food you’re after, the big tukul across the street from Eve Hotel is easily Adigrat's best. Traditional decoration and well-priced…
Addis Ababa
Recently moved to an unprepossessing suburban back street, Avanti is a quiet and classy place that serves some of the best Italian food in the city. There…
Southern Ethiopia
Hands-down the best bakery/cafe in Dilla, with such a tantalising array of cakes and pastries that we almost made ourselves a nuisance here. It also has…
Castel Kuriftu Wine House & Restaurant
Southern Ethiopia
Surprise! Easily one of the most characterful restaurants in Ethiopia, the Castel Kuriftu is a huge venture built from stone, wood and thatch. On top of…
Harar
The king of restaurants in Harar, snazzy Fresh Touch is a hot favourite among well-heeled locals and visitors. That’s all thanks to four winning details:…
Mekele
This stylish outpost of an Addis lounge bar is one of Mekele's more intriguing dining options. Downstairs it serves excellent pizza, pasta and Ethiopian…
Paradise Lodge – Abaya Restaurant
Arba Minch
Inside Paradise Lodge, the lovely ridgetop dining room, together with menu choices like poached fish or beef stroganoff, make this the most atmospheric…
Addis Ababa
Best known as Addis' coolest cafe, Galani also serves up fabulous food such as raw cauliflower salad, sweet and savoury crepes, tacos and the city's best…
Bahir Dar
For high-class Ethiopian fare in a chic city-style garden cafe, come to Wude Coffee, although it's just as good for a stiff macchiato. While the indoor…
Eastern Ethiopia
It's all about tasteful African chic in this respectable hotel restaurant with an airy feel and unsurpassed lake views. Bounteous wood-fired pizzas are…
Mekele
This garden restaurant is the first choice for faranji food, with a pleasing garden setting where the wood-fired pizza is the star of the show.
Dire Dawa
Haven't had a slap-up meal for a while? Don't look past Paradiso, the most respected restaurant in town. The menu roves from flavoursome Italian dishes to…
Southern Ethiopia
Far more welcoming than some of the other traditional restaurants around Awasa, Luwa attracts a predominantly local crowd who come for the freshly…
Harar
Decorated with traditional woven baskets and specialising in authentic local cuisine, this is the most atmospheric place in Harar to sink your teeth into…
Southern Ethiopia
Many people, apparently decompressing after a long time travelling in the south, rave about this Italian kitchen, and we share their unbridled enthusiasm…
Arba Minch Tourist Hotel Restaurant
Arba Minch
Though the wait staff can be a touch clueless at times, this leafy compound with resident dik-dik roaming around looking for hand-outs is a great place to…
Dire Dawa
This perpetually busy joint has been spoiling customers and waistlines for several years with its irresistible baklava – all freshly made on the premises…
Southern Ethiopia
There's no more pleasant spot to hang out and grab some food and drinks than this surprisingly snappy cafeteria on the main drag in Goba. Expect zesty…
Mekele
This cultural restaurant within a cavernous traditional tukul is a great place to enjoy excellent Ethiopian dishes. Specialities include zilzil tibs …
Addis Ababa
Very much an Addis institution, this Italian restaurant has fed Swedish royalty, Bob Geldof, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and US presidents. The food is (of…
Lalibela
This basic but cosy little restaurant (‘bad house, good food’ is what the charming and irrepressible owner Sisaynesh tells people who hesitate outside her…
Addis Ababa
If you’ve developed a craving for a cracking curry, try this atmospheric and upmarket Indian restaurant. There's plenty to choose from but the mughali…
Addis Ababa
One of a handful of traditional theatre-restaurants in town, the excellent Habesha 2000 has low-slung wooden seating, a full portfolio of traditional…
Lalibela
The combination of excellent food (mostly Ethiopian with a few European dishes), fine views and an on-site cooking school means you can take care of all…
Simien Mountains National Park
High on a hilltop north of Debark, with some of the best views you'll find in the Simiens, the stylish and uber-contemporary Limalimo Lodge opens its…
Lalibela
With a classier dining area than most (but with no views), XO Lalibela serves up a fresh modern menu that does have some Ethiopian dishes, but it put most…
Addis Ababa
If either Nile perch, artichoke, capsicum, olives, white wine sauce, basil polenta and vegetables, or linguine served with mixed seafood, garlic, chili…
Addis Ababa
Set within the Sheraton’s confines, Shaheen is Addis Ababa’s most sophisticated Indian restaurant. The decor in the restaurant is grand and the melange of…
Addis Ababa
Feel on top of the world and enjoy the views over the city at this 5th-floor restaurant inside the Boston Day building. The menu, which takes in Ethiopian…
Bahir Dar
You don't see many tourists in here and the menu is only in Amharic, but that's precisely the point. Excellent local food bring the locals here in droves…
Simien Mountains National Park
The best place for passing travellers to eat in the park, the restaurant at Simien Lodge does lunch set menus and dinner buffets most nights, with an…
