Addis Abeba - An Exotic Getaway in Sants
As you know, we have teamed up with Sant Aniol in a series discovering fun and unique gastronomic offers in Barcelona and surroundings. I find Sant Aniol the perfect partner for this journey; I am so fascinated by their unique mineral water!
Addis Abeba, Barcelona. Photo: Addis Abeba.
This time we visit Ethiopian restaurant Addis Abeba in Sants. It is a true gastronomic experience, where you for a moment get to travel to a country far, far away. The decoration, the music, the wonderful smells: everything comes together in this cozy restaurant.
Addis Abeba, Barcelona. Photo: Mariam Nurminen
So what is Ethiopian food like? It is very unique and colorful, and Ethiopia has a beautiful and rich culinary tradition. The food is always served on a communal platter for everyone to share. Among local Ethiopians, feeding someone else is seen as sign of respect and love. Isn’t that beautiful?
Addis Abeba, Barcelona. Photo: Mariam Nurminen
Begin your journey by sitting down at one of the traditional straw tables, the “mesob.” Open the menu, and you’ll find an array of mouthwatering options, including many vegetarian and vegan ones.
For a beginner like myself, a tasting menu is a good option, and here it’s also very affordable. Make sure to have a close look at the drinks menu, you can even find Ethiopian beer here, and of course real, Ethiopian coffee.
Addis Abeba, Barcelona. Photo: Mariam Nurminen
A few examples are the Segawot and the Dorowot: both famous national dishes, traditionally based on beef and chicken. Here you can also get them in vegetarian versions such as the Atkelt with baked potatoes, carrots, and onions with turmeric, or the Meser Kek with stewed red lentils and onions, seasoned with Berbere spices: a spice mix that is a key ingredient in Ethiopian cuisine.
The food in Addis Abeba is served on Injera, a typical Ethiopian sourdough flatbread that looks similar to a pancake, often made with teff flour. On top of this pancake, different stews are served, depending on what you have ordered.
Addis Abeba, Barcelona. Photo: Mariam Nurminen
In Ethiopia, and in the restaurant, it is customary to eat with your hands (wash them first!), which I think is a fantastic concept. Everything tastes so much better when you eat it by hand, don’t you think?
Make sure to pay Addis Abeba a visit for a truly unique experience, filled with flavor!
Addis Abeba, Carrer del Vallespir, 44, 08014 Barcelona (Sants).
