Eating in Addis Ababa usually means sharing. Dishes arrive on injera, the teff flatbread that doubles as plate and cutlery, and fasting food, eaten on Orthodox fast days, is entirely plant-based, which makes the city easy for vegans. For a first night, a cultural restaurant such as Yod Abyssinia near the airport or 2000 Habesha in Bole combines a long menu with live music and dancing from across Ethiopia; book ahead at weekends and aim to arrive before the show.
Kategna, with branches across the city including Unity Park and Entoto Park, is a reliable choice for everyday Ethiopian cooking, coffee and breakfast dishes. Totot in Gerji specialises in kitfo, the Gurage dish of minced beef, with tej and a live band. For something more modern, Asabet from chef Yohanis Gebreyesus explores the fish of Ethiopia's lakes. When you want a change, Effoi Pizza serves Ethiopian-themed pizzas, and Stagioni at the Sheraton Addis is the formal choice for Italian food. Eat with your right hand, and expect generous portions designed for sharing.
7 places · Updated November 12, 2026
Our top 3 restaurants in Addis Ababa
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.
View details — Yod Abyssinia Cultural RestaurantRestaurant
Popular Ethiopian restaurant group, founded in 2008, known for coffee roasted on site, fasting platters, shiro and breakfast dishes such as chechebsa.
View details — KategnaRestaurant
Bole cultural restaurant where diners share Ethiopian platters around woven mesob tables while dancers in traditional dress perform from 20:00.
View details — 2000 Habesha Cultural RestaurantRestaurant
Gerji restaurant with a Gurage name, best known for kitfo, serving Ethiopian and European dishes with tej, a coffee ceremony and live band and dancers.
View details — Totot Traditional RestaurantRestaurant
Seafood-focused modern Ethiopian restaurant from James Beard Award-winning chef Yohanis Gebreyesus, built around the fish of Ethiopia's lakes.
View details — AsabetRestaurant
Gourmet Italian restaurant inside the Sheraton Addis, known for its antipasto bar, regional Italian dishes and city views.
View details — StagioniRestaurant
Addis Ababa pizza brand founded in 2007, with several branches and gourmet pizzas named after Ethiopian places such as Chichinya, Zeway and Mercato.
View details — Effoi Pizza