Ethiopia’s best coffee shops in Addis Ababa narrate the full story of how this beverage was discovered. Its capital is a coffee lovers’ paradise dating back to the ninth century when a local farmer discovered coffee. Most restaurants and shops selling this beverage also sell quality coffee beans for home use or for gifting fellow caffeine aficionados.
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Which are the Best Coffee Shops in Addis Ababa?
See Africa Today has compiled a list of the best places to enjoy a cup of this beverage.
1. Tomoca Coffee
Tomoca Coffee is a must-visit for any coffee lover who finds these lives in Ethiopia. Apart from the fact it is one of the best coffee shops in Addis Ababa, it is also among the oldest coffee shops in Ethiopia. Tomoca has been serving quality coffee since 1953, which explains why it is written up in virtually every guidebook and piece of Addis Ababa writing. Its signature blend is made with Arabica beans sourced from the Sidamo region. At Tomoca there’s no sitting. It is a very small place where you order a cup of coffee and either stand somewhere or place your cup on one of the few stand-up coffee tables available.
Tomoca Coffee Shop. Photo/ Trip.com.
2. Mokarar Coffee
Located in the heart of Addis Ababa, Mokarar Coffee offers a range of coffee drinks to its customers. The friendly coffee shop and bean roster also offer a selection of light bites and pastries, which make it a great spot to enjoy a quick breakfast or snack. It’s good to note that in English the sign reads Mokarar, but in Amharic, it’s known as Harar Coffee Shop. So, if you decide to take a taxi, remember to tell your driver you’re going to Harar Coffee Shop. That’s the name most locals are familiar with.
3. Bespoken Coffee Roasters
Bespoken Coffee Roasters is, without a doubt, among the best coffee shops in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They are known for their high-quality coffee sourced from local farmers and roasted in-house. Here, you’ll get a string of light bites and pastries to enjoy your coffee with, hence making it a perfect spot for breakfast. It is situated in the trendy Bole neighbourhood.
4. Garden of Coffee
This notable outlet specializes in a wide range of single-origin coffee nationwide. It is quite different from other top coffee shops in Addis Ababa because it uses several brewing methods such as Chemex, French Press and V60. It also sells coffee bags that you can take home to your family.
Inside Garden of Coffee. Photo/ Garden of Coffee.
Garden of Coffee is owned by Ethiopian Coffee expert Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, who has dedicated her life to promoting Ethiopian coffee.
5. Kaldi’s Coffee
Kaldi’s Coffee is another coffee shop that many people will recommend to you in Addis Ababa. The shop, which has several branches throughout the city, offers a wide variety of coffee drinks, from classic espresso to speciality drinks such as macchiato and cappuccino. It has a cosy ambience, which makes it a good place to catch up with your friends.
Kaldi’s Coffee Shop. Photo/ ReviewEthio.
6. Cascara Coffee & Cocktails
Situated inside the Hyatt Regency, Cascara Coffee & Cocktails is one of the best coffee shops in Addis Ababa. This amazing shop offers a range of options which you can relish while sitting on the outdoor terrace. At Cascara Coffee & Cocktails, you can enjoy cappuccino, cafe late, macchiato or even get a coffee-infused cocktail.
What is the Most Popular Coffee in Ethiopia?
If you’ve heard of any specific Ethiopian coffee, it’s probably the one from the district of Yirgacheffe. Yirgacheffe coffee beans are considered to be some of the best in the world by coffee connoisseurs.
Which Area of Ethiopia Has The Best Coffee?
Coffee plants grow mainly in the south-western part of the country, and the most famous regions are:
- Yirgacheffe
- Sidamo
- Kaffa
- Harrar
- Djimmah
- Limu
Which Coffee Shop is the Most Popular?
Starbucks is by far the most popular coffee chain in the world, with over 30,000 stores around the globe.
Is Ethiopian Coffee Good Quality?
So superior are Ethiopian coffee beans that they have earned the title of greatest single-origin speciality coffee beans in the world. It’s among the top five global coffee exporters. What’s special about its Arabic brand with a unique floral and fruity taste
