A deep dive into the flavorful world of authentic Ethiopian cuisine in the Holy Land.
By Sol Gruffy
Ethiopian food is one of the most fascinating and delicious cuisines in the world thanks to its rich dishes, varied flavors and enough spices to make you jump up and down with excitement.
Ethiopian cuisine usually consists of vegetarian or meat dishes in a form of a thick stew, served with the famous injera bread. Injera is a large sourdough flatbread made of fermented teff flour and is meant to be eaten with your hands. An Ethiopian meal without injera is practically illegal!
Despite the similarities to Israeli food culture, such as communal dining and large hearty portions, Ethiopian cuisine has not yet integrated into the Israeli mainstream.
Fortunately, in recent years Ethiopian food has found its way into the hearts of local foodies thanks to a perfect mixture of healthy ingredients, intense flavors, and a wide variety of vegan options.
In Israel, most traditional Ethiopian restaurants are in Tel Aviv, but you can find a few fantastic ones in other areas of the country. These establishments are usually unpretentious and have warmhearted hosts.
Beyond their desire to serve the traditional dishes from their childhood home, your hosts will also be happy to share stories about the fascinating Ethiopian culture.
Lastly, don’t forget to order spicy Ethiopian coffee, which is considered one of the hallmarks of Ethiopian cuisine.
Check out our top picks for the most authentically delicious Ethiopian spots in Israel:
Balinjera
According to Balinjera’s owner, Fanta Pradal, in Ethiopian culture sharing a meal is an important social event and for this reason, she chose to name her restaurant Balinjera, “togetherness” in Amharic. This charming Ethiopian restaurant, located between Tel Aviv’s Yemenite Quarter and the Carmel Market, offers traditional Ethiopian dishes such as Tibs Balinjera (beef stir-fry with black pepper, onion and rosemary) as well as meals with Israeli influence like roasted eggplant with Ethiopian tahini.
Almaz Mendel
Almaz Mendel is a new Ethiopian restaurant in Tel Aviv’s hip Florentin neighborhood. They have street-food vibes and prepare authentic Ethiopian food in a variety of shapes and toppings. Here you will find injera rolls perfect to grab on the go. We recommend the injera roll tibs filled with curry-seasoned chicken and a side of white cabbage, lettuce and tomato salad. Pair the roll with an Ethiopian beer and you’re golden.
Lalibela
Tali Sisai, an entrepreneur who dreamed of establishing a Jewish-Ethiopian heritage museum, is the owner of Lalibela Restaurant (named after an ancient city in Ethiopia). In addition to serving fantastic authentic Ethiopian food, they also offer a cultural experience with performances, music and an art gallery. On the menu, you will find a dish called Kinche, a porridge made from cracked wheat and traditionally eaten as a nutritious breakfast; Gomen, a chard stew; Dinich, a potato stew; and Wat, a stew with beef or chicken and eggs.
Habash
Habash is a unique kosher Ethiopian restaurant, established by Emanuel Hedna, a former lawyer who strives to bring Ethiopian food to the Israeli public. Habash is known for large and generous dishes served to the center of the table, perfect for sharing. The restaurant’s design of a cabin in an Ethiopian village adds to the unique atmosphere and the dishes are based on ingredients commonly used in Ethiopia: peas, lentils, chickpeas, potatoes, carrots, beets, chicken, lamb, beef and fish.
Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant
Lucy is an authentic Ethiopian family-owned restaurant in South Tel Aviv. The establishment is quite small with a limited number of seats but once you step in, you discover the amazing smells, delicious food, large portions and kind service. The menu is rich and colorful and includes meat, chicken and vegetarian dishes. We recommend the vegan dish, made with five types of stews: chickpeas, green beans, carrots, potatoes and peas.
