Eritrea, located on the Red Sea coast of the Horn of Africa, offers a unique blend of Italian Art Deco architecture in Asmara, pristine beaches along the Dahlak Archipelago, and rich cultural heritage. This hidden gem features Africa's cleanest capital city and untouched coastal landscapes.
Eritrean cuisine is a rich fusion of East African and Middle Eastern traditions shaped by centuries of trading connections and Italian colonial influence. The foundation is injera — a large fermented teff flatbread that serves as both plate and utensil — topped with a variety of stews (wot) made from beef, lamb, lentils, chickpeas, and vegetables spiced with berbere (chilli-spice blend) and niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter). The coastal city of Massawa adds a distinct Red Sea dimension with grilled fish, lobster, and spiced seafood dishes. Italian colonial legacy persists in Asmara's genuine espresso culture, pasta dishes, and fresh wood-fired pizza that sit naturally alongside traditional Eritrean food.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Eritrea.
Injera with Zigni
Eritrea's national dish — spongy fermented teff flatbread served with a rich, spicy beef and tomato stew cooked with berbere spice blend. Eaten communally by breaking off pieces of injera to scoop the stew.
Where to try: Any traditional Eritrean restaurant — Ghibabo Restaurant and Sawa Restaurant in Asmara
Price: $5-10
Ful Medames
Slow-cooked fava beans mashed with garlic, lemon, and olive oil, served with injera or fresh bread. A breakfast staple throughout Eritrea sold at street stalls from early morning.
Where to try: Street vendors near Biassa Market, Asmara; any local breakfast eatery
Price: $1.50-3
Grilled Red Sea Fish
Whole fish — typically emperor fish, snapper, or grouper — freshly caught from the Red Sea, grilled over charcoal with lemon and local spices. Best eaten in Massawa's waterfront restaurants on the day of the catch.
Where to try: Grand Dahlak Hotel Restaurant, Massawa seafront restaurants
Price: $12-25
Shiro Wot
A thick, richly spiced stew made from ground chickpea or broad bean flour, cooked with berbere, garlic, and onion. A beloved everyday dish and the default vegetarian option — complex flavour from simple ingredients.
Where to try: All Eritrean traditional restaurants in Asmara
Price: $3-7
Tibsi (Sautéed Lamb)
Tender pieces of lamb or beef sautéed with onion, garlic, rosemary, and green chilli in a shallow clay dish. Served sizzling with injera for scooping — one of the most satisfying dishes in Eritrean cuisine.
Where to try: Ghibabo Restaurant, traditional Eritrean restaurants in Asmara
Price: $8-15
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Asmara Palace Restaurant
The premier fine dining establishment in Eritrea offering expertly prepared international cuisine, elegant ambiance, impeccable service, and extensive wine selection. Located in the luxury Asmara Palace Hotel.
179 Denden Street, Asmara Palace Hotel, Asmara
Albergo Italia Restaurant
Historic restaurant dating from colonial era serving authentic Italian classics in charming old-world setting. Famous for traditional recipes, wood-fired pizza, and nostalgic atmosphere on Harnet Avenue.
Harnet Avenue, Albergo Italia, Central Asmara
Sawa Restaurant
Popular local eatery serving authentic Eritrean home-style cooking at budget-friendly prices. Busy lunch spot with workers and families enjoying traditional dishes in no-frills setting.
Central Asmara, near market
Harnet Avenue Sambusa Vendors
Multiple vendors along Harnet Avenue selling fresh sambusas (fried pastries filled with meat or lentils). Perfect quick snack while exploring, crispy and delicious at unbeatable prices.
Various locations along Harnet Avenue, Asmara
Cicero Bar
Legendary Art Deco bar from 1930s preserving original fixtures and atmosphere. Famous for authentic Italian espresso, cappuccino, and time-capsule experience. Essential Asmara cultural stop.
Harnet Avenue, Central Asmara
Crystal Hotel Restaurant
Sophisticated dining featuring contemporary European cuisine with local ingredients, rooftop ambiance, and stunning city views. Perfect for special occasions with creative presentations and refined flavors.
Sematat Avenue, Crystal Hotel, Asmara
Ghibabo Restaurant
Considered one of the best restaurants in Eritrea for authentic traditional food. Delicious tsebhi, injera, and zigni served in welcoming atmosphere with excellent service and reasonable prices.
Eastern Asmara
Massawa Fish & Chips
Simple seafood joint near Massawa harbor serving fresh fried fish, calamari, and chips. Local favorite for quick, tasty, affordable seafood meals with harbor views.
Near fish market, Old Massawa
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Italian
Fiori Restaurant & Pizzeria
Popular restaurant offering delicious mix of Italian and Eritrean cuisine. Famous for arguably the best wood-fired pizza in Asmara, fresh pasta, and traditional Eritrean dishes in friendly atmosphere.
Northern Asmara
Casa Degli Italiani
Elegant Italian restaurant set in beautiful courtyard featuring authentic Italian cuisine, extensive pasta selection, excellent wine list, and romantic atmosphere perfect for special evenings.
Harnet Avenue, Central Asmara
El Sycomoro
Refined Italian restaurant in art-filled dining room offering classic Italian dishes with modern touches, carefully curated wine selection, and sophisticated atmosphere attracting discerning diners.
Northern Asmara residential area
Ambassador Hotel Restaurant
Hotel restaurant serving quality Italian and local cuisine in garden setting. Good pasta dishes, grilled meats, and traditional Eritrean options at fair prices with pleasant ambiance.
Zoba Maekel Street, Ambassador Hotel, Asmara
Hamasien Restaurant
Reliable restaurant in quiet area offering both Eritrean traditional dishes and Italian favorites. Good portions, friendly service, and comfortable atmosphere at reasonable prices.
Hamasien Street, Asmara
Seafood
Grand Dahlak Restaurant
Massawa's premier seafood restaurant overlooking the Red Sea. Fresh daily catches expertly prepared, romantic waterfront setting, and spectacular sunset views make it the top dining choice on the coast.
Massawa Seafront, Grand Dahlak Hotel, Massawa
Massawa Beach Grills
Beach vendors grilling fresh fish right on the sand. Choose your fish, watch it grilled, enjoy with bread and salad. Ultimate fresh seafood experience at bargain prices.
Gurgusum Beach and other beaches near Massawa
Red Sea Restaurant Massawa
Popular Massawa seafood spot serving fresh daily catches, grilled fish, prawns, and calamari with beautiful sea views. Casual atmosphere with excellent value for fresh Red Sea seafood.
Waterfront, Taulud Island, Massawa
Grilled Meats
Medebar Market Grills
Small grills in Medebar Market area serving fresh grilled meats, liver, and offal. Popular with workers for quick protein-packed lunch at rock-bottom prices.
Medebar District, Northeast Asmara
Dahlak Grill
Casual grill restaurant in Massawa specializing in grilled fish, chicken, and meats. Simple preparation highlighting fresh ingredients, outdoor seating, and budget-friendly prices.
Taulud Island, Massawa
Street Food
Central Market Food Stalls
Food stalls in and around Asmara Central Market serving fresh injera, ful, shiro, and other traditional dishes. Authentic local experience at incredibly cheap prices.
Asmara Central Market (Biassa), Asmara
Stadium Area Falafel Stands
Falafel vendors near the stadium serving fresh falafel wraps with salad and tahini. Quick, filling, vegetarian option perfect for budget travelers and locals alike.
Near Asmara Stadium, Southern Asmara
Traditional Eritrean
Ghirmay Restaurant
Authentic Eritrean restaurant set in traditional Eritrean house offering cultural dining experience. Excellent tsebhi varieties, hilbet, and traditional coffee ceremony in genuine local setting.
Residential area, Southern Asmara
Keren Traditional House
Authentic eatery in Keren serving traditional highland dishes in rustic setting. Try local specialties and fresh camel milk after exploring the famous Monday market.
Central Keren, near market
Breakfast Street Food
Railway Station Breakfast Carts
Morning vendors near railway station selling fresh bread, ful, scrambled eggs, and strong coffee. Perfect breakfast before catching the historic train or exploring the city.
Near Asmara Railway Station
Burgers & Fast Food
Asmara Burger House
Modern casual burger joint serving good burgers, sandwiches, and fries. Clean, air-conditioned space popular with young locals and tourists wanting familiar Western-style fast food.
Harnet Avenue area, Asmara
Cafe & Patisserie
Cafe Royal
Elegant cafe and pastry shop serving excellent coffee, fresh pastries, cakes, and light snacks. Beautiful Art Deco interior, perfect for breakfast or afternoon coffee break.
Harnet Avenue, Central Asmara
Casual Eritrean
Blue Nile Restaurant
Friendly neighborhood restaurant serving traditional Eritrean food at great prices. Popular lunch spot with locals, offering generous portions and authentic flavors in relaxed atmosphere.
Eastern Asmara
Casual International
Sunshine Cafe & Eatery
Bright casual eatery serving sandwiches, salads, pasta, and light meals. Good for quick lunch or casual dinner with mix of Western and local options at affordable prices.
162-1 Street, near Sunshine Hotel, Asmara
Chinese
Roof Garden
Asmara's best and most expensive Indian and Chinese restaurant offering expertly prepared curries, tandoori specialties, and authentic Chinese dishes in upscale setting with attentive service.
Central Asmara, rooftop location
Coffee Specialist
Asmara Coffee House
Modern cafe focusing on quality Eritrean and Ethiopian coffee. Traditional coffee ceremony available, knowledgeable baristas, and selection of light meals and pastries.
Eastern Asmara residential area
Dessert Cafe
Sweet Asmara
Popular dessert cafe serving ice cream, milkshakes, cakes, and cookies. Modern atmosphere, air-conditioned, and favorite with young Asmarinos and tourists seeking sweets.
Harnet Avenue area, Asmara
Fusion
Silver Star Restaurant
Innovative restaurant featuring modern cuisine in art-filled dining room. Creative fusion dishes combining Eritrean, Italian, and international influences with artistic presentation and contemporary ambiance.
Harnet Avenue area, Asmara
Garden Cafe
Garden Cafe
Peaceful cafe with outdoor garden seating serving coffee, tea, fresh juices, and light meals. Quiet escape from city bustle, perfect for relaxing afternoon or working on laptop.
Northern Asmara residential area
Historic Bar & Cafe
Bar Imperio
Historic bar near Cinema Impero serving coffee, drinks, and light snacks in vintage setting. Great spot for people-watching on Harnet Avenue with outdoor seating.
Next to Cinema Impero, Harnet Avenue, Asmara
Market Food
Keren Monday Market Food
Food vendors at famous Keren Monday Market selling traditional foods, fresh bread, honey, and local specialties. Experience authentic highland cuisine and fresh camel milk.
Keren Market, Keren
Mixed Eritrean & International
Admas Restaurant & Bar
Welcoming restaurant offering good variety of Eritrean and international dishes, full bar, comfortable seating, and reliable quality. Popular with locals and tourists for relaxed dining.
Near Harnet Avenue, Asmara
Patisserie & Cafe
Pasticceria Moderna
Modern pastry shop serving fresh cakes, cookies, pastries, and excellent coffee. Popular for breakfast and afternoon treats with wide selection of sweet and savory baked goods.
Near Cinema Impero, Asmara
Pizza & Pasta
Eritrea Pizza Express
Quick-service pizza and pasta spot with takeaway and delivery. Good for casual meals, offering decent pizza at budget prices in convenient central location.
Near stadium, Southern Asmara
Street Snacks
Bahti Meskerem Square Snacks
Various vendors around the square selling roasted peanuts, popcorn, roasted corn, and local snacks. Great for quick bites while sightseeing in central Asmara.
Bahti Meskerem Square, Asmara
Traditional Cafe
Bar Zilli
Another iconic Art Deco cafe serving exceptional Italian coffee in vintage 1930s setting. Popular gathering spot for locals enjoying espresso and conversation in authentic atmosphere.
Harnet Avenue, Central Asmara
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Ful with Injera
Spiced fava bean paste served on torn injera pieces — the classic Eritrean street breakfast sold from small carts near the Central Market from 6 AM onwards. Nutritious and filling for under $2.
Find it at: Street vendors near Biassa Central Market, Bahti Meskerem Square area
Roasted Corn (Kibri)
Fresh cobs of corn roasted over charcoal and rubbed with lime, salt, and chilli by street vendors throughout Asmara. Sold in the evenings particularly during the passeggiata on Harnet Avenue.
Find it at: Street vendors along Harnet Avenue and near Bahti Meskerem Square, evenings
Sambusa
Crispy deep-fried pastry triangles filled with spiced lentils or minced meat, the Eritrean version of samosa with strong Arab influence from the coast. Sold fresh from oil-drum fryers at market stalls.
Find it at: Biassa Market food stalls, near Al Khulafa Mosque area in eastern Asmara
Fitfit
Torn pieces of leftover injera mixed with spiced butter (niter kibbeh), berbere, and sometimes legumes or vegetables — a popular budget meal served in small teahouses.
Find it at: Small teahouses and budget eateries around Asmara Central Market
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Biassa Central Market
Asmara's main food market where local farmers and traders sell fresh vegetables, grains, teff flour, spices, and coffee. The spice section with stacks of berbere and cardamom is especially vivid and fragrant.
Hours: Mon-Sat 6:30 AM - 7:00 PM
Massawa Fish Market
The Red Sea coast's premier fish market on Massawa waterfront where fishermen bring the morning's catch. Buy directly from fishermen or watch nearby restaurants cook your selected fish to order.
Hours: Daily 5:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Keren Monday Market
The country's largest weekly market drawing highland tribes to trade livestock, local produce, traditional craft food items, and agricultural goods. A phenomenal cultural experience beyond just food.
Hours: Mondays only, 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (12-2 PM) is the main meal of the day in Eritrea — restaurants are busiest then and the food is freshest
Always wash hands before communal injera eating — restaurants provide a jug and basin as standard practice
Vegetarians are well-served by Eritrean cuisine during fasting periods (Orthodox Christians fast on Wednesdays and Fridays) when restaurants serve entirely plant-based menus
Italian food in Asmara (pizza, pasta) is genuinely good — a colonial legacy maintained through the generations — don't skip it out of obligation to eat only local food
Cash only at all restaurants in Eritrea — no credit cards accepted anywhere
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $3-8/meal | Street food and local teahouses — ful, sambusa, injera with shiro |
| Mid-range | $10-20/meal | Traditional Eritrean restaurants and Italian cafés — full injera feast or pasta |
| Upscale | $25-45/meal | Hotel restaurants and fine dining — Asmara Palace Restaurant or Grand Dahlak seafood |