Ethiopian Food

Want to try Ethiopian food?

Simple. Affordable. Accesible. Good food. Thats Habesha for you.

Habesha is an Ethiopian restaurant that is located along Argwings Kodhek road past Yaya. I have not had the pleasure of eating out at their other two restaurants but the one in Hurlingham is one of my favourites.

When you go to habesha you feel like you are at home. You can either opt to sit outside surrounded by REAL plants unlike those restaurants that opt to have plastic plants for decor. It has a homely feel to it and i always feel comfortable and relaxed when am there.During the day its not so busy but from 6pm people go there for drinks or food. Even on a Monday you will be suprised to find the place is fully packed. On weekends parking is a problem and one is forced to park oustside on the side of argwings kodhek road. Access by public transport is trouble-free as you just board a matatu number 46 and alight at the gate. From town if there is no traffic jam it will take about ten minutes to get there.

When you go through the gates you will tell what type of clientele that frequents the place. Prado’s, Toureg’s, Forester’s, Landcruisers…and of the course the corolla’s. If you are one to judge a place by the look of things you will surely turn back and leave. What a big mistake you will make!

Habesha is probably one of the few classy but very affordable restaurants in Nairobi. You look at their menu and its starts from as low as Kshs. 200. They have different types of food but only one caters for vegetarians.The food is served in a large platter, which is a wide round tray that is enough for two or three people. Ethiopian food usually consists of various spicy meat sauces, served with the traditional injera (Ethiopian flat bread) and shiro. Shiro is roasted and powdered chick peas. There are vegetables served with some dishes and probably the only ones that are not hot and spicy.

I love their coffee. Its served in a traditional way with the scent of hitting you on the face. One of the waiters informed me that to them taking coffee is sacred. Its said that coffe originated in Ethiopia.

They also have Ethiopian wine, which has honey. At first you may not like it but after a few sips you will be asking for more.If you just want to unwind after a hard day’s work or just hang out with your friends Habesha is the place to be. If you are unlucky to find Mr. Tolcha Gonfa, the owner, surrounded by his friends near the fire place, ask the waiters to bring you a jiko because outside can get pretty cold at times.

Ever seen a cat that looks like an elephant dwarf? The cat in Habesha is so BIG!! THe first tyme i saw it i was ins hock. What do they serve it? Oh and it does not understand English in case you start calling it pusss......

All I can say is if you haven’t been to Habesha, you better rush there now!