Edmonton has one of the largest Ethiopian and Eritrean communities in Canada, and the food scene reflects it. This isn't a city where Ethiopian restaurants are novelty dining, these are neighbourhood spots that have been feeding their communities for years.
If you've never had Ethiopian food, here's the short version: everything comes on injera, a spongy sourdough flatbread. You tear off pieces and use them to scoop up stews, grilled meats, and vegetable dishes. No utensils. It's hands-on, communal, and once you get the technique down, you won't want to eat any other way.
The restaurants
Awash Ethiopian Restaurant (4.7★, 550+ Google reviews) is our pick. Reliable, no-frills, and the injera is made fresh. Reviewers describe the food as flavourful and authentic, and the vegetarian combo is one of the best meatless meals in Edmonton.
What to order
If it's your first time, start with a combo platter for two. You'll get:
- Doro wot: chicken stew in berbere sauce. The signature dish.
- Siga tibs: cubed beef stir-fried with jalapeños and onions.
- Misir wot: red lentil stew. Creamy, spiced, and vegan.
- Gomen: collard greens cooked with garlic and ginger.
- Injera: the flatbread that doubles as your plate and utensil.
For adventurous eaters: kitfo is raw or lightly cooked minced beef with mitmita spice and niter kibbeh (spiced butter). It's the Ethiopian equivalent of steak tartare. Ask for "leb leb" if you want it lightly warmed rather than fully raw.
The coffee ceremony
Ethiopian coffee isn't just a drink. It's a ritual. Some Ethiopian restaurants do the full ceremony, so ask when you book: green beans roasted in front of you, ground by hand, brewed in a jebena (clay pot), and served in small cups. It takes 20 to 30 minutes and the coffee is strong, slightly smoky, and nothing like what comes out of a drip machine.
What to know
- Eat with your right hand. In Ethiopian dining tradition, the left hand stays off the food. Nobody will scold you in Edmonton, but it's good etiquette.
- Injera is the utensil. Tear a small piece, pinch the stew, eat. No fork needed.
- Vegetarian-friendly. Ethiopian cuisine has some of the best vegetarian food of any cuisine. Fasting days in the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition mean every restaurant has a deep vegetarian menu.
- Budget-friendly. Combo platters for two run $25 to 40. It's one of the best value cuisines in the city.
Find all Ethiopian restaurants on WhereToYEG, reviews, menus, and hours.
