Best Ethiopian Restaurants in Joburg

Ethiopian food is among my favorite cuisines! It’s perfect for vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters! In fact, one of our first adventures after moving to Joburg was to visit 44 Stanley and have an Ethiopian lunch at Little Addis Cafe. As a (mostly) veg human, I’m vouching for the vegetarian platters at the best Ethiopian restaurants in Joburg.

One interesting thing I’ve learned from Ethiopian restaurants in Joburg is that white injera is not only an option but a preference when serving. In DC, the brown injera is the default. However, here we must be sure to note we want the brown injera.

Why is this? I have no clue. Google says white teff tastes more like chestnuts (and is slightly sweet in taste) whereas brown teff tastes like hazelnuts (and is slightly earthy in taste). The white version may also be made from white flour or rice flour. If you have a preference, be sure to tell your waiter. We always opt for the brown injera if available.

Best Ethiopian Restaurants in Joburg

Little Addis

My favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Joburg is Little Addis Cafe. This cute restaurant moved into a new location across from 44 Stanley, a popular complex with cafes and shops. It’s a perfect place to enjoy the veg platter (and extra Shiro, if you want!) after some light shopping. I can’t quite put my finger on it but the food here is just really great.

When you order coffee, you’ll get a traditional bowl of popcorn! I love this extra touch!

Go for lunch (if you want coffee too) or dinner. The Ethiopian spiced tea is great as well.

The portion size when we visited in April 2022 was incredible!

Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant

Queen Sheba is located in Joburg’s Norwood neighborhood. The service is great and the dim lighting and candles are a mood. Check out the menu. A highlight of this spot is that it occasionally has tej. Tej is Ethiopian honey wine. I first had it in Ethiopia in 2014 and I’ve loved it ever since! Just a glass is enough and this sweet wine pairs really well with the classic berbere spices in Ethiopian cuisine.

The veg platter has a mixture of classic Ethiopian sides. You should indicate how many people the platter should serve, otherwise, you’ll just get enough for 1 person. The two times we’ve gone, we’ve had very different portion sizes for two people.

The coffee here smells great but we’ve only gone for dinner and so we haven’t been tempted to have caffeine.

Go for lunch (so you can get coffee) or dinner.

Habesha

If you’re craving Ethiopian food while you’re out and about in Maboneng, then head to Habesha. Choose to sit inside or outside along the bustling sidewalk. The restaurant also serves up popular Ethiopian breakfasts like fir-fir (shredded injera with spices). Although the veg platter isn’t on the menu, you can still ask for it. The tibs look good here and they have a larger menu of Ethiopian (and some local) dishes.

Keep your phone close to you if you sit outside as phone snatching is common just about anywhere if you’re seated on a sidewalk.  

Go for breakfast or lunch.

Bonus: Taste of Yeoville Tour

The Dlala Nje organization hosts a “Taste of Yeoville Tour,” where you’ll be given a tour of Yeoville’s s markets and community. You’ll stop at 3 restaurants as well! We went on the tour in June 2021 and had an awesome time. The first food stop on the tour is at Bersu Fekad, an Ethiopian restaurant. I was intrigued and tried the tibs here! Go on the tour and try it out for yourself.

What do you think about the Best Ethiopian Restaurants in Joburg? Do you have a suggestion I should try out? Lemme know in the comments!