Stagioni

Stagioni is the Italian restaurant of the Sheraton Addis, a Luxury Collection Hotel, and one of the most polished places to eat in the city. Italian food has deep roots in Addis Ababa, a legacy of the occupation of 1936 to 1941 that left pasta, macchiato and pizza firmly on local menus, and Stagioni is the upscale end of that tradition. It is one of eleven restaurants and lounges in the hotel, which opened in February 1998.

The restaurant greets diners with an antipasto bar, which sets the tone for a rustic, intimate dining room. The menu combines familiar Italian favourites with regional specialities, and the room has views over the city. Start at the antipasto bar and share a few plates before choosing a pasta or main course; the regional dishes are the best way to see what sets the kitchen apart from the many casual Italian places in the city.

The hotel lists Stagioni as open daily for lunch from 13:00 to 15:00 and for dinner from 18:00 to 23:00, with a smart casual dress code. Reserve through the hotel, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings. As in most five-star hotel restaurants in Addis Ababa, prices are well above those of local restaurants, so it is best for special occasions, business dinners or an evening when you want a break from Ethiopian food.

Stagioni suits couples, business travellers and families looking for a reliable, comfortable meal in a quiet setting. If you are staying elsewhere, combine dinner with a drink in one of the Sheraton's bars or a walk around the hotel's gardens and pools.

Staying guests can make an evening of it: the hotel, a five-star property with 295 rooms and suites, also has outdoor pools with underwater music, the Aqva Club spa and a cocktail bar, and it is about 20 minutes by car from Bole International Airport. For non-residents, arriving a little early for a drink in the gardens before dinner is part of the appeal of eating here.

The Sheraton stands on Taitu Street. Other outlets in the hotel include Shaheen, Jade Restaurant and JW Steak House, so it is possible to return for a very different meal without changing venue.