Addis Eats
Venture beyond the guidebooks into the lively Haya Hulet neighbourhood for 12+ tastings.
Hosted by one of our Addis Ababa tastemakers
Experience hosted by Fitsum, Dessu & other local tastemaker guides
What you can expect
Addis Ababa food tour - Addis Ababa is one of Africa's great food cities, yet surprisingly few visitors ever get beyond the hotel restaurants and tourist districts. Our evening food tour takes you deep into the lively Haya Hulet neighbourhood, where families gather over shared platters, local bars pour traditional drinks, and some of the city's most exciting food is hiding in plain sight.
The essentials
Destination
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration
3.5-4 hours
Tastings
12+ tastings
Language
English
Days of the week
Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun
Group size
Small group up to 8 guests
* Interested in ?
Transport
Walking tour
Included
- More tastings than any other Addis Ababa food tour
- Smallest group size in Addis Ababa
- Led by Addis Ababa tastemaker guides
- Bottled water and other drinks included
Excluded
- Alcoholic drinks
- Pick up and drop off from hotel excluded
Field archive
Route notes
Tours are subject to change depending on vendor opening hours, time of year and other factors.
Begin at Selo Tella Bet, a neighbourhood eatery in Huya Hulet, with a spread of lesser-known Ethiopian dishes. Scoop up slow-cooked duba quanta squash stew and warmly spiced bekolt fava beans, washed down with tellah, Ethiopia's cloudy, locally brewed beer. Learn early about the importance of injera.
You’ll try
Air-dried squash stewSpiced fava beansLocally brewed 'beer'
Tastemaker’s notes
“Tellah is traditionally brewed at home from grains and local herbs.”
Continue to another traditional Ethiopian eatery for kitfo, finely minced beef seasoned with fiery mitmita. It's served with cooling cottage cheese and gomen greens, alongside tangy kocho, a fermented flatbread made from false banana, before a warming shot of areke, Ethiopia's potent distilled spirit.
You’ll try
Mitmita-spiced beefCottage cheese and gomen kaleDistilled areke
Tastemaker’s notes
“Kitfo is traditionally eaten raw or lightly warmed, though it can also be fully cooked.”
Duck into a local spot you won't find in the guidebooks for tihilo, a speciality of northern Ethiopia: roasted barley dumplings plunged into a richly spiced dried-lamb stew and cooled with tangy ergo yoghurt. Learn the ritual of spearing and dipping each dumpling with a traditional shint'ar.
You’ll try
Dried lamb stew and roasted barley dumplings
Tastemaker’s notes
“Tihilo has its roots in the highlands of Ethiopia's northern Tigray region.”
Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, and few traditions carry more cultural weight than the buna ceremony. Watch the beans roast and fill the room with smoke before they're ground and brewed in a traditional jebena, then sip the dark coffee as locals do, accompanied by handfuls of popcorn.
You’ll try
Buna ceremony
Tastemaker’s notes
“Coffee ceremonies are a ritual of hospitality, often stretching across three rounds of brewing.”
Field notes
Included
More tastings than any other Addis Ababa food tour, Smallest group size in Addis Ababa, Led by Addis Ababa tastemaker guides, and Bottled water and other drinks included.
Not included
Alcoholic drinks and Pick up and drop off from hotel excluded.
Meeting point
Yaowarat. Your guide will meet you at the exit ten minutes before departure; a WhatsApp thread lands in your inbox within an hour of booking.
Good to know
Rain or shine, this tour still runs. Vegetarians are catered for with substitutions; the route isn't suitable for wheelchairs.
Dietary honesty
Vegetarian works with some substitutions. Gluten-free means several tastings are omitted. Vegan isn't recommended for this particular tour.
Cancellation
Reserve now, pay later. Cancel any time up to 24 hours before departure at no charge; after that, the booking is non-refundable.
Meet your tastemakers
Fitsum
Fitsum K
Fitsum has spent a decade guiding travellers through Addis Ababa, revealing its culture through its flavours, neighbourhoods, and everyday life. Proudly born in the capital, he’s dedicated to helping guests experience Ethiopia at its most authentic and welcoming.
Meeting point
Where the tour starts — and where it ends up.
Dashen Terara Traditional Restaurant | ዳሽን ተራራ ባህላዊ ምግብ ቤት
Togo St, Addis Ababa 1000, Ethiopia
Reviews
Reviews
Coming soon. Guest reviews from the first departures land here.
Ready?
Eat Addis Ababa with us.
An evening of charcoal smoke, family recipes and the stories behind them. From US$49 per guest.