4 Ethiopian Restaurants in London

So, how did Ethiopian restaurants end up in London? In 1974, the first wave of Ethiopian immigration began due to civil unrest, with many being political refugees. Following this, in 1991, another wave of Ethiopian refugees relocated to the United Kingdom, which resulted in an increase in community groups and networks forming, leading to this East African community becoming a strong and extremely well-integrated group within the UK, and specifically London. As a result of this immigration and community support, restaurants began to spring up throughout London, and Ethiopian restaurants in London began as a way for refugees and immigrants to feel closer to their home and heritage, and spread their rich culture and delicious cuisine to foodies throughout London.

Ethiopian restaurants in London certainly pay homage to the traditional techniques and dishes of Ethiopian cuisine, and at any space you’re guaranteed to find the classic dish, injera. Made from teff, an ancient grain high in protein, calcium and iron, teff is a large, naturally gluten-free flatbread topped with various stews or dishes, that you tear into with your hands, and use it to scoop up individual mouthfuls, always with your right hand mind you. Dishes that generally go atop injera, that you’re sure to find in London’s Ethiopian restaurants include wats, spicy stews and curries, , chunks of beef sauteed in butter or oil with onion, rosemary, garlic and hot peppers, alongside shiro be kibbe a delicious legume stew, and dishes brimming with lentils, greens and cottage cheese. Another certainty to be found in any London Ethiopian restaurant is the spice mix berbere made from dried chillies, fenugreek, nigella seeds, false cardamom and a plethora of other herbs and spices, as well as niter kibbeh a clarified butter infused with fenugreek, cardamom and nutmeg.

Ethiopian cuisine boasts a unique culinary history steeped in tradition. As a result, it is not only one of the world’s healthiest and most flavoursome cuisines, it also is one of the best choices for those following a plant-based diet. One example of why this is the case, is that, during Lent the vast majority of people follow a strictly vegan diet, omitting all meat and dairy from their meals during this time, which has resulted to a large variety of veggie options on all menus, which has carried through to London Ethiopian restaurant menus. One dish we recommend you indulge in when visiting an Ethiopian restaurant in London, is bayenetu, a colouful smorgasbord of vegetarian dishes arranged on a round of injera brimming with flavour and health benefits making it the perfect choice for those avoiding meat-based choices.

It’s certainly no secret that Ethiopia grows some of the best coffee in the world. In fact, it’s been said that there are thought to be several varieties still undiscovered. Ethiopians are fiercely proud of this fact and one very common phrase is buna dabo naw that translates to ‘coffee is our bread’, so when visiting one of London’s Ethiopian restaurants it’s simply a must that you sample one of their rich, thick and powerful brews.