Visited Addis Ababa for only a couple of hours as a stopover on my way to Israel, thanks to Ethiopian Airlines. Despite I can’t describe to you the hidden gems of the Ethiopian capital, for a day exploring the food and coffee culture is the best thing to do in Addis Ababa. The city didn’t sound like me being full of museums, clubs, bars, and typical touristic spots. For me, the food, the coffee, and the tea were the special gems of my short visit to Ethiopia. Even if you have only a couple of hours, it is worth taking the time to taste the Ethiopian dishes, coffee, and tea. So how a day, or a couple of hours, in Addis Ababa could look like?
Visit local markets and shops
While spending time at the local markets and shops, you can buy excellent coffee, tea, and spices for very cheap prices. Do you love feeling the smell of spices, tea, and coffee in the middle of a rustic place? Then you know Ethiopia is a place to go, even as a stopover.
Spend time at local cafes
The dishes, the tea, and the coffee are simply excellent. You will love to visit the cafes and restaurants regardless of how simple they may be. As a coffee lover (drinking 2L wherever coffee is good), I approved and recommend Ethiopian coffee. One of the best coffees I have tried in my life! The same I say about the tea, simple and delicious. Can you imagine relaxing while drinking hot black tea? What about green tea?
Taste Ethiopian food
The main Ethiopian dishes are based on bread injera accompanied by sauce, beef, and vegetables. Injera has a soft and spongy texture, remembering a pancake, made of teff flour. It is the foundation of Ethiopian food. When you order a meal in Ethiopia, injera is normally mandatorily included. Since food in Ethiopia is communal, the portions are large and served on a large circular platter called gebeta. When eating, you go tearing off a bite of injera with your right hand and pick the desired bite of sauce or spice.
If Ethiopian Airlines was trying to do a campaign to visit the country for a short stay, they definitely succeeded. Ethiopia is one of the countries I want to visit again for coffee and food.
Originally posted 2018-04-01 18:36:24.
