Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SOUTHWEST
Backyard $
( 0114-673501; Meskal Flower Rd; mains Birr45-60; 11am-midnight Mon-Fri,
9am-midnight Sat & Sun)
Freshly transported from the Mediterranean, this pastel-cool
restaurant has a tasty range of light pastas and salads, but it's the drool-inducing steaks
that it's most renowned for - heaven indeed during the fasting period. Considering the low
prices the food quality is surprisingly high.
INTERNATIONAL
NORTHEAST ADDIS
Elsa Restaurant $
(Mike Leyland St; mains Birr55-75, kg of meat Birr150; noon-10pm)
This simple out-
door restaurant receives high marks from locals, expats and tourists alike for its quality
Ethiopian fare. The
yetsom beyaynetu
(variety of fasting foods) is perfect for vegetarians,
while
yedoro arosto
(roasted chicken) and
gored gored
or
tere sega
assuage carnivorous
cravings. Half the neighbourhood likes to come here for an afternoon drink.
ETHIOPIAN
Restaurante O'Portugues $$
(Face of Addis;
Click here
;
0912-610554; mains Birr80-150)
With the ingredients
brought from far-away Portugal, you really can eat salty Atlantic
bacalhau
(dry, salted
cod) or Alentejo pork washed down with Portuguese wines and an extraordinary view
over the whole of Addis. Prices are a bit steep, though.
MEDITERRANEAN
Drinking
You won't go thirsty in Addis Ababa. Sip some of the world's best (and cheapest) coffee,
down a healthy juice or simply sway home after swallowing your share of
tej
.
Cafes
Addis is currently in the grip of a mass spawning of cafes. At the centre of the scene are
the Piazza and Bole Rd areas. Many are cookie-cutter rip-offs of Western-style coffee
shops, but among the dross are some gems - some recalling bygone days in small-town
Italy, others cool and hip hangouts for the city's growing middle class. The following are
