London’s Best Ethiopian and East African Restaurants

What is it? A sleek Somali spot in Acton that plates traditional dishes with flair.

Why we love it: These aesthetically pleasing plates all demand a moment of admiration, from the hummus oodkac (traditional dried beef jerky) and meat sambus (filo pastry parcels) with homemade spicy bisbaas sauce, to nafaqo (mashed sweet potato, sauteed spinach and mixed veg) with a meat of your choice. Not playing about? Get a platter to share, featuring Sabiib’s signature haniid (slow-cooked lamb shoulder) and your other chosen meat. Round it off with some Somali-style pasta and sabaayad (flatbread), perfect for mopping up your platter.

Time Out tip: Treat yourself to a shaah, Somali spiced chaii tea made with Sabiib’s very own blend. Fancy. Acton a bit of a mission for you? You can find a branch on Green Lanes near Manor House in north London, too. 

Address: 139 High Street, Acton, W3 6LX.

Opening hours: Daily 8.30am-11pm 

Expect to pay: £4-10 for sides and small plates, £14-19 for mains and £45-85 for sharing platters.

What is it? A family-owned and family-run Ethiopian restaurant that’s been serving up flavoursome plates in King’s Cross since 2001.

Why we love it: Addis prides itself on fresh and homemade dishes, which chimes with the homey feel of this wood-panelled joint, its walls adorned with Amharic sayings and snapshots of Ethiopian iconography. Dig into vegan dishes like misir wot, a spicy red lentil stew, or go for a traditional staple like kitfo, finely chopped lean beef marinated with special Ethiopian butter and mitmita (powdered bird’s eye chilli). Scoop it all up with injera, a soft and fermented pancake-like bread baked in-house, for the full effect.

Time Out tip: Overwhelmed by choice? Order the Addis Special for two and enjoy a mixed platter of chicken, lamb and vegetables in order to try a bit of everything. 

Address: 40-42 Caledonian Road, King’s Cross, N1 9DT.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5-11pm, Sat-Sun 12-11pm

Expect to pay: £4-7 for starters, £7-14 for mains and £29 for sharing platters.

What is it? Named after an ancient port on the Red Sea in Eritrea, Brixton’s Adulis has been bringing the legacy of this historic east African city to south London since 1996.

Why we love it: Nicknamed ‘Little Eritrea’, this cosy, low-lit restaurant will offer you a culinary education, from injera (or taita) and tsebhi (stew mainly prepared with beef, chicken, mutton or veg) to timtimo, a vegetarian dish with spiced lentil dahl and tomatoes. But it’s more than the food here; in Eritrean cultures, a meadi (meal) only begins when all members of a family are in position to break injera together. It’s a family affair at Adulis and you can consider yourself invited to dig into tsebhi crafted with heart.

Time Out tip: Don’t miss the Adulis special, which features sauteed lamb cubes with spices and herbs in a charcoal-heated clay pan.

Address: 44-46 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 6BT.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 5pm-midnight, Sat-Sun 12pm-midnight.

Expect to pay: £5 for sides and £12.50-16 for mains.

What is it? A much-loved Ethiopian culinary destination in Upper Holloway.

Why we love it: Wolkite is a family-run affair, with a bright, airy (and recently refurbished) dining space. Food served draws from generations of passed-on kitchen wisdom, with each dish embodying one family’s commitment to the craft of Ethiopian cooking. Their most popular is doro wot, a flavoursome chicken stew served with injera, which goes down extremely well with tej (sweet honey wine). Keep an eye on their menu as they’re always adding new dishes or trying out seasonal specials, like quanta fitfit, specially dried meat cooked in a spicy sauce and mixed with injera. 

Time Out tip: Wolkite’s set menus are a steal, especially if you’re dining as a pair - nab the mahberawi for a mixed platter of beef, chicken, lamb, cottage cheese and vegetables. 

Address: 82 Hornsey Road, Upper Holloway, N7 7NN.

Opening hours: Tue-Fri 5-11pm, Sat-Sun 1-11pm.

Expect to pay: £10.50-16 for mains and £30-52.50 for sharing platters.

What is it? Jikoni isn’t strictly an east African restaurant, but celebrates cooking across the borders that split south Asia, west Asia and east Africa.

Why we love it: Founder Ravinder Bhogal was born in Kenya to Indian parents and raised in London, and these influences can be felt across her wonderfully varied menu. There’s chickpea panisse with Bengali tomato chutney, crisp kale chaat and the kuku paka, an east African-Indian coconut curry dish with sukuma wiki (spiced sauteed leafy greens) and saffron rice. Wash it down with sumptuous house cocktails - the pomegranate negroni is divine. 

Time Out tip: Head to Jikoni for weekend brunch and try the bacon and gruyere bread and butter pudding.

Address: 19-21 Blandford Street, Marylebone, W1U 3DH.

Opening hours: Tue 5.30-10pm, Wed-Fri 12-3pm & 5.30-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-3pm & 5.30-10pm 

Expect to pay: £6-12 for starters and sides, £12-24.50 for small plates and £28-44 for mains.

What is it? A street food stall elevated to a fully-fledged, award-winning Ethiopian kitchen. 

Why we love it: In Tigrinya, an Ethiopian and Eritrean dialect, ‘delina’ means ‘want and desire’ and the passion of Nazareth, the owner of Delina Ethiopian Food, is felt in this restaurant’s growth and menu. While their scale has expanded, the prices remain reasonable with wot (slow-cooked curry stew) dishes starting at £11.50 and beyaynetu (sharing plates) for two at £18. All served with injera, get yourself a tibs dish for a taste of east African stir-fry, whether it’s chicken or awaze (lean beef, berbere spice, garlic, ginger and onion). 

Time Out tip: Treat yourself to smoothies, home-spiced iced teas and classic Ethiopian alcoholic beverages like Tej, a classic honey-based wine. 

Address: Arch 176, Shepherd’s Bush Market, W12 8DF. 

Opening hours: Wed-Sat 11am-6pm.

Expect to pay: £8.50-13.50 for mains and £18-40 for sharing platters.

What is it? The flavours of Somalia and Tanzania, alongside tradition, hospitality and warming, richly-spiced dishes.

Why we love it: You simply can’t go wrong at Maandeeq. Go all in with appetisers like chipsi maya, crispy traditional Tanzanian fries mixed with eggs, followed by a main like beef suqaar, tender Somali beef with peppers and potatoes. Feeling peckish or indecisive? Go all in for a mixed platter, served up with bariis (Somali rice), baasto (pasta), ugali (dense cornmeal porridge) or salad, and then wash it all down with a mango lassi. It’s more than a meal here, it’s an experience. 

Time Out tip: Try breakfast at Mandeeq. We like the sabayaad, a traditional east African flatbread which goes down a treat with honey.

Address: 13b Anglesea Road, Woowich, SE18 6EG.

Opening hours Mon-Fri 8am-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm.

Expect to pay £1-5.50 for appetisers and desserts, £6-13 for mains and £30-80 for sharing platters.

What is it? A small but mighty Somali eatery with a viral TikTok presence and regulars who describe it as serving the best Somali dishes in London.

Why we love it: With two locations in east London, take your pick between Janna Cafe’s Whitechapel and Aldgate branches and get ready to have your taste buds tantalised. The real crowdpleaser on Janna’s minimalist menu is the lamb shank or lamb shoulder haniid. We’re talking slow-cooked, tender meat that slips off the bone or shreds with ease with a fork. Served with Janna’s own bisbas, a classic green Somali hot sauce, fragrant rice and salad, Janna sticks to the basics.

Time Out tip: You might need help cooling down after the bisbas, so make sure to leave room for a slice of freshly made milk cake.

Address 48 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, E1 1ES.

Opening hours Daily 1.30-11pm.

Expect to pay £5-6 for starters and dessert, £12-18 for mains and £30-64 for sharing platters.

What is it? Hearty Ugandan cuisine on Tottenham’s West Green Road.

Why we love it: While the restaurant’s appearance is unassuming, its menu is rich and varied, offering diners a whistle-stop tour of Uganda’s most famed dishes at favourable prices. The binyebwa (groundnut soup with meat) evokes memories of home for Ugandans in London, while their tilapia fish dishes are popular, and served with ugali or cassava. Of course, there are plenty of root vegetable staples to order alongside mains such as yam, cassava, matooke and more. Dig in with your fingers, don’t be shy.

Time Out tip: If you’re overwhelmed by choice, go for the Taste of Uganda buffet and have a little bit of 8 to 10 main dishes, including meats, binyebwa, pilao rice and more.

Address: 126 West Green Road, Tottenham, N15 5AA.

Opening hours Tue 2-9pm, Wed-Sat, 2-10pm, Sun 1-10pm.

Expect to pay £1-7 for quick bites and sides, £10-25 for mains and £7-10 for stews.

What is it? A vibrant restaurant on west London’s busy Uxbridge Road, specialising in Somali cuisine.

Why we love it: Stepping into Savannah, expect to be hit by a wave of warm hospitality accompanied by an excitement to share the culinary innovations of Somali and other east African cuisines. With dishes that offer comfort to newcomers and Somali food enthusiasts alike, Savannah is a go-to. The lamb shoulder falls off the bone, the chicken suqaar comes marinated with traditional spices on a bed of mashed potatoes, while the lasagne al forno is decadently loaded, promising cheesy greatness.

Time Out tip: The Savannah mocktails are a great shout; all the fun of a pina colada or sangria without the hangover.

Address: 105 Uxbridge Road,  Shepherd’s Bush, W12 8NL.

Opening hours: Daily 7am-11pm 

Expect to pay: £3-4.50 for starters and desserts, and £10.50-14 for mains.

What is it? An Ethiopian restaurant in Tufnell Park with top-notch food and charming decor.

Why we love it: With various enchanting dining spaces, homage is paid to Lalibela’s homeland at every turn. Enjoy doro wot (slowly cooked chicken stew served with a boiled egg) in the Village room, designed to make you feel like a family member in a traditionally furnished home. Sample some shiro fitfit (rolled injera soaked in sauce with veg and spices) in the Paradise Garden, a nod to Ethiopia’s lush landscapes, or indulge in a minchetabesh (minced beef in spicy tomato and berbere stew) in the serene Church room, an homage to the country’s Christian Orthodox identity. 

Time Out tip: Finish with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, tasting a brew from the birthplace of Arabica coffee. 

Address 137 Fortess Road, Tufnell Park, NW5 2HR. 

Opening hours Mon-Fri 5-11pm, Sat-Sun 12-11pm. 

Expect to pay £4.50-7.50 for starters and desserts, £11-17 for mains and £26-50 for sharing platters.

What is it? A basement Somali restaurant in Hammersmith with worthy TikTok hype. 

Why we love it: The Village, with its green foliage and burnt orange furnishings, delivers a modern luxe aesthetic, and the hype makes sense, especially when the plates start arriving. There’s sauce-drenched spaghetti (thanks to the one-time Italian occupation of East Africa) and seared salmon fillet steak sit alongside traditional dishes like juicy lamb haniid (or haneed), as well as serious stews and soft Somali breads. Outside of social media, you’ll be hard-pressed to find more info on The Village, so we’d advise you to throw caution to the wind and try it for yourself. 

Time Out tip: It’s alcohol-free, so enjoy their fruit smoothies and spiced coffee and tea instead.

Address 95 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, W6 8JA.

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 3-11pm, Sun 3-10pm.

Expect to pay: £3.50-7 for sides and desserts and £14-19 for mains.

What is it? One of north London’s favourite Mauritian spots.

Why we love it: Head chef Fazeel Damree was taught to cook traditional Mauritian cuisine by his mother, who passed down prized family recipes. Determined to bring Mauritian dining to London, he opened the doors of Le Chamarel in 2009. The menu boasts the popular street food mine bouille (boiled noodle soup), the Mauritian and Chinese fusion of riz frites (fried rice) and the national dish of biryani. Push the boat out for a curry like the king prawn rougaille or fish vindaille, the latter a Mauritian-style fish pickle. 

Time Out tip: Leave room for dessert. You can’t go wrong ordering flan with Mauritian creme caramel.

Address: 27 Turnpike Lane, Haringey, N8 0EP. 

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 11.30am-7pm, Fri-Sun 11.30am-8pm.

Expect to pay: £1.50-9.50 for sides and starters and £7.50-17.50 for mains.

What is it? A family-run Eritrean and Ethiopian eatery delivering a full cultural experience.

Why we love it: One thing you should know about Walworth’s Paradise Bar & Restaurant is that using any form of cutlery here is frowned upon. So get ready to rip apart your injera, dig into your derho (spicy chicken stew) and lovingly cradle (then devour) your tibsi which are grilled meats or seafood. Complement your meal with a cup of Eritrea’s finest brews or honey wine as traditional music tinkles throughout the venue.

Time Out tip: With Ethiopians and Eritreans practising veganism long before the word existed, you’ll find plenty to choose from here if you’re of the plant-free persuasion.

Address: 10 Arnside Street, Walworth, SE17 2AP.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-12.30am.

Expect to pay: £3-4.50 for sides and starters, £8.50-14 for mains and £37 for a sharing platter.

What is it? Zanzibar street food at its finest.

Why we love it: Zanzibari cuisine, as a result of the island’s location and long history of trade and colonisation, is influenced and formed by Arab, Indian and African influences. It’s reflected in Mwendo Kasi’s lamb mishakaki, spiced grilled lamb skewers, Swahili briyani and kachori, deep-fried spicy mash potato balls. There are sweet treats on offer too, like donasi, cardamom-spiced doughnuts, and fresh cold-pressed sugarcane juice. Well worth a trip to the Docklands.

Time Out tip: The best way to keep up with Mwendo Kasi is by keeping an eye on their Instagram.

Address: Royal Victoria Dock, E16 1AL.

Opening hours: Sat-Wed, 11am-7pm.

Expect to pay: £1.50-3.50 for fried snacks, £6-10 for mains and £3.50-7.50 for fresh juice.

What is it? One of east London’s premier Somali restaurants with reasonable prices and generous portions.

Why we love it: Al Kahf isn’t the flashiest spot, with its unassuming decor, but its food does the talking, especially when you spot a loaded metal platter making a beeline for your table. What sits on that platter is up to you. Opt for a biryani with beef, chicken and salmon, indulge in a traditional masala recipe with the marinated quarter chicken or go for broke with the meat feast platter which comes with lamb shank, salmon, beef and chicken, with rice and salad thrown in too. 

Time Out tip: It’s not for everyone, but give the banana and rice combo a go.

Address: 112-116 Vine Court, Whitechapel, E1 1JE.

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 1.30-11.20pm, Fri-Sun 2-11.20pm.

Expect to pay: £1-6 for sides and desserts, £6-16 for mains and £19-66 for sharing plates.

What is it? Exceline is all about east African fine dining in a spot that feels like home.

Why we love it: Exceline doesn’t just promise, it delivers. In a space with Ugandan art decorating the walls, carved sculptures adorning ledges and an otherwise minimalist decor, they borrow from Ugandan street food that uses simple cuts of cubed meats roasted over an open fire, with the goat muchomo is a must-try. You’ll also find matooke, a green banana indigenous to Uganda, across the menu, including with the creamy tilapia stew. Go big with a warming, well-spiced oxtail stew, which is particularly welcome when UK weather takes a turn for the chilly. 

Time Out tip: Instead of ordering a la carte dishes, you can go for the buffet, which is £24 for adults and £12 for children.

Address: 529 High Road, Leytonstone, E11 4PB.

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 5-10pm, Fri-Sat 4-11pm, Sun 2-10pm.

Expect to pay: £2.50-8 for starters and sides, £7-28 for mains and £40 for sharing platters.

What is it? A small but airy space that brings Ethiopian culinary traditions to Camberwell.

Why we love it: There’s something intimate about Zeret Kitchen. Inconspicuous from the outside, it’s buzzy and communal inside, with families, friends and couples sharing enormous platters. Their combination dishes are perfect for trying a bit of everything, whether you go for the meat selection with lamb tibs and beef wot, or change it up with one meat dish and two vegan picks. Dinner for two? Get the Zeret surprise for a massive sharing selection of all the meat and vegan staples for a very favourable £30.

Time Out tip: Kick your meal off with a side of kategna, grilled, scored and spicy injera with homemade chilli sauce.

Address: 216-218 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, SE5 0ED.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 4-10pm, Fri 4-11pm, Sat 1-11pm.

Expect to pay: £5-7 for sides, £10-17 for mains and £30 for a sharing platter.

What is it? A family-run Eritrean joint that offers traditional dishes with a British twist. 

Why we love it: Low-lit and inviting, diners are drawn to the smells of rich spice mixes, grilled meats and steaming stews. We’re talking assa qulwa, chopped cod fillet cooked in fresh garlic and peppers, and zigni begie, a spicy lamb stew with tomatoes and berbere spice mix. Make sure you add on the Laza Special Foul, a vegan dish of fava beans cooked with onions, fresh tomatoes and cumin with pitta bread. Leave room for a slice of basbousa (syrup-soaked semolina) with ice cream.

Time Out tip: Laza makes a gluten-free injera made with the world’s oldest grain, taff.

Address: 41 Newington Green Road, Newington Green,, N1 4QT.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue 5-10pm, Wed-Thu 4-10pm, Fri 11am-11.30pm, Sat 12.30-11pm, Sun 1-10pm.

Expect to pay: £2-7.50 for sides and desserts and £14-20 for mains

What is it? Traditional vegan Ethiopian cuisine in Elephant Park. 

Why we love it: It’s not the fact that it’s all vegan – many east African societies have culinary traditions that have historically centred root vegetables. What is most exciting about Beza is the way their small menu of savoury stews are made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, like the difin misir wot made with brown lentils or carrot stew made with red onions, garlic and berbere spice. Got a sweet tooth? Leave room for cake or a cold coffee espresso, both served with soya ice cream.

Time Out tip: After a tipple? Cast your eye over Beza’s Ethiopian and Eritrean beer list, including Habesha Beer.

Address: 8A Sayer Street, Elephant & Castle, SE17 1FH.

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 12-10pm.

Expect to pay: £19 for a preset menu or £6 for individual plates.