From traditional Ethiopian dining rooms with live cultural shows to international restaurants inside five-star hotels, Addis Ababa’s food scene has something for every kind of evening.

Traditional Ethiopian Cuisine

No trip to Addis Ababa is complete without injera — a spongy sourdough flatbread — served with doro wat (spiced chicken stew), tibs (sautéed meat) or a colorful vegetarian combination plate. Many traditional restaurants pair the meal with live azmari music, the same tradition covered in our Addis Ababa nightlife guide.

International and Fine Dining

The international hotels covered in our Addis Ababa hotel guide — including the major chains around Bole and Meskel Square — generally run their own international restaurants alongside Ethiopian options, making them a reliable choice if you want a more familiar menu.

Addis Ababa’s Coffee Culture

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and Addis Ababa takes its coffee seriously. Cafés are everywhere, and the traditional coffee ceremony — often involving incense and freshly roasted beans — is worth experiencing at least once during your stay.

Pairing Dinner With a Night Out

Bole Road’s restaurants flow naturally into its bars and lounges, so it’s easy to combine dinner with a night out — see our full Addis Ababa nightlife guide for what comes after dessert, and our first-time visitor guide if this is your first visit to the city.