Kategna

Kategna has been serving Ethiopian food in Addis Ababa since 2008, and it has grown into one of the city's most recognisable restaurant names, with around eight locations including branches in Bole, at the airport, in Bisrate Gebriel and in Gerji Imperial, plus outlets in Unity Park and Entoto Park. It is popular with both residents and visitors because it serves home-style Ethiopian cooking in a comfortable, approachable setting, with menus that make ordering easy.

The menu covers dishes for every part of the day, and the Bole branch opens early enough for breakfast. Fasting and vegan options are a strength: shiro, the smooth chickpea or broad bean stew, comes with gomen greens; shiro fitfit mixes it with pieces of injera; and the fasting variety platter combines lentil stew, collard greens and tomato salad. Meat options include doro wat, the slow-cooked chicken stew, and kitfo, Ethiopian minced beef that can be ordered raw, lightly warmed or cooked. Breakfast dishes such as chechebsa and firfir make it a good morning stop, and the menu also lists tibs, the sauteed meat dish, and dirkosh. For something lighter, the house kategna salad combines tuna, egg, tomato and leaves.

Coffee is central to the experience. At the Bole branch the smell of roasting beans greets you at the door, and fresh coffee is roasted at the front of the restaurant and brought to the table. The Unity Park branch is highlighted for its coffee ceremony, and visitors there can even try making injera themselves. Tomoca, the city's best-known coffee company, has its roastery beside the Bole Kategna, so coffee lovers can continue next door.

Kategna suits a relaxed lunch or dinner, solo travellers who want to sample several dishes, and families, as the atmosphere is casual and service quick. Lunchtimes are busy with office workers, so arrive a little before the peak. Portions are generous; a combination platter and a salad will feed two. The restaurant group also offers delivery, catering and event bookings through its website.

Choose the branch that suits your sightseeing: Bole for hotels along the airport road, the Unity Park outlet to combine with the palace grounds, or Entoto Park for lunch with mountain views over the city.