Restaurant
Yod Abyssinia Cultural Restaurant
Large Ethiopian cultural restaurant near Bole airport serving over 40 traditional dishes, with a coffee ceremony and live music and dance from across the country.
Effoi Pizza
Addis Ababa pizza brand founded in 2007, with several branches and gourmet pizzas named after Ethiopian places such as Chichinya, Zeway and Mercato.
At a glance
- Type
- Gourmet pizza
- Area
- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- effoipizza.com
Good to know
- Several branches
- Ethiopian-themed pizzas
Why we recommend it
Effoi Pizza is one of the success stories of the Addis Ababa restaurant scene. The brand was established in 2007 by Tesga Woubishet, known as Gigi, a former geologist who opened the first pizzeria in the Chichinya area with four employees and 21 seats. The name is an Amharic exclamation of relief and contentment, the sigh you make when you finally sit down, and the company has built its reputation on gourmet pizzas served with a sense of fun and a distinctive presentation.
The menu is the main attraction. Pizzas carry names tied to Ethiopian places and culture, such as Chichinya, after the first branch, Zeway, after the Rift Valley lake, Mercato, after the great market, and Aku-Koo-Lu. Toppings mix Italian classics with local touches, which makes Effoi a good place to see how Ethiopian diners have adopted pizza, a food introduced during the Italian period. Some branches widen the offer: the Sarbet branch has served soups, sandwiches and salads alongside pizza. In 2019 the group also opened Choma Grill near the African Union, a separate restaurant serving steaks, barbecue ribs, kebabs and tela, the traditional home-brewed Ethiopian beer, for those who want a meat-focused meal from the same team.
The busiest branch has been Effoi-Red on Cape Verde Street, near the European Union delegation, which also has a 25-room boutique hotel above it. Other branches have included Effoi-Green in Sarbet, opposite the International Evangelical Church, Effoi-Orange in Kazanchis and Effoi-Indigo in Ayat. The company employed around 220 people when the business press profiled it in 2020, and it was among the food vendors selected for Entoto Park when the park opened. At that time the founder was planning up to 20 locations across the capital and other major cities. Check which branches are currently trading before you set out, as the line-up has changed over the years.
Effoi suits families, groups of friends and anyone in need of a break from injera. It is relaxed and moderately priced, and pizzas are easy to share.
Effoi makes an easy dinner after a day of sightseeing, and it is a reliable choice for children who are less adventurous with Ethiopian spices.
Effoi Pizza FAQs
Who founded Effoi Pizza?
Tesga Woubishet, known as Gigi, a former geologist, who opened the first branch in 2007.
What does Effoi mean?
It is an Amharic exclamation of relief and contentment.
What pizzas should I try?
The Ethiopian-named pizzas such as Chichinya, Zeway, Mercato and Aku-Koo-Lu.
Where is the main branch?
Effoi-Red on Cape Verde Street, near the European Union delegation, which also has a boutique hotel.
Are there other branches?
Yes. Branches have included Sarbet, Kazanchis and Ayat; check which are currently open.
Is it good for children?
Yes. It is relaxed, and pizza is an easy option for less adventurous eaters.
Is it expensive?
It is moderately priced compared with hotel restaurants.