Addis Abeba — Restaurant in Barcelona

My son and I had just arrived in Barcelona and we had a layover at the Sants Train Station before taking an evening train. Wanting something better than McDonald's in the station, we decided to seek out food options nearby and came across Addis Abeba. We make it a priority to support African businesses in the diaspora during our international travels, so decided to forego the many Spanish options available to us near the train station and gave it a try. First, I found the young lady serving us to be immature and unprofessional. She insisted on speaking to us in Spanish. (I speak Spanish, but my young son does not), but other American customers she communicated with in English. When I called her on her actions, she responded "But you speak Spanish." She was clueless to the fact that my concern was for my little boy, who felt excluded from the experience. It was actually HIS idea to eat at this restaurant. He loves Ethiopian food. Besides this, I didn't come to the restaurant to prove my Spanish skills or to be impressed by hers, but rather, to enjoy a nice Ethiopian dinner, our FIRST meal upon arrival in Barcelona. Another older gentleman who worked at the restaurant was very kind and welcoming, I must add. He actually asked us where we were from and served us our drinks. In hindsight, he was the only positive observation I can make about our experience in their restaurant.

About the food, it was acceptable, though not impressive. The food had decent presentation, but was nothing to rave about in terms of taste and flavor. I've had much better Ethiopian food at your most basic Habesha joint in Atlanta. The food lacked that distinctive berbere fragrant punch that anyone remotely familiar with Ethiopian food expects.

The final kicker happened AFTER we had eaten and asked for our check. They informed us THEN that we couldn't pay with a card. Cash or money transfer only! Money transfer?? What kind of restaurant in one of the most important food cities of Europe asks tourists to pay via a money transfer!? And what if we didn't have cash on us?? Shaking my head... very odd...

In short, and I'm sad to say, our experience was a disappointment. I would much rather write a glowing review of an African restaurant in Barcelona, but the truth is what it is. Addis Abeba has room for growth. Learn to apply good, equitable customer service to EVERYONE who enters your establishment (no matter your assumptions about where they come from) and make it clear from the beginning (a notice on your website and a sign on your door upon entry) that you haven't caught up with 21st century technology and don't accept...

Twice I came to this place both of my experiences have been disappointing. First time I came it was just me and my friend in the restaurant but there were 3 staff on shift but it took more than 10min to take the order and finally the food can soo late…the icing on top was today we came and tried to find a sit inside but couldn’t so we sat outside and my brother went inside and took the barcode to see the menu and then she said she was going to come and take the order we waited but we decided to go walk around and come back when it’s quite and when we came the person on the counter took our order and when we were about to pay she then tells us the kitchen is closed and I asked her what time they normally close she said 11:30 and she turned the tablet and showed me the time and it was saying 11:20 and I asked we have 10min to order as per your rule and she said we don’t have the ingredient to cook…I understand it must have been a busy shift and everyone is tired but atleast follow your own policy I have worked in hospitality for almost 3years and this is shocking...

Food was good it is okay Ambience is also good Food is very expensive

When it comes to serving and treating customers, it is very bad 😡👎at least in my experience 1 my wife ordered a mango juice .It appears to be a fresh juice in the menu and photos , but we got a packet drink with a rate of 3.5 euro !!.They did not tell us in advance that this is packet juice.We did not like it as it contained added sugar .The pictures were deceiving. Moreover, when I complained to the lady , she did not had patience and tolerance to receive the feedback rather she starts giving excuses 2 When we ordered additional injera , the man who was serving just kept it near to our seat (rather I would call it as place the plate without any attention) and went away

If you want disguise ur menus(mango juice picture as if fresh juice ) , don’t want to pay much attention to customers and only want their money(or expensive) , why you run a restaurant???

I will never ever go again !!

My ratings are very genuine and I give good rating for food and atmosphere, but...