Spices and Herbs Ethiopian Restaurant and lodge — Restaurant in Arusha

We had a lovely experience at this Ethiopian restaurant with a few highs and some areas for improvement.

The hot chocolate was super chocolatey and delicious — definitely a comfort drink! We enjoyed the pita bread, which was fresh, and the hummus was creamy and full of flavor. Portion sizes were generous.

The dawa drink, served in a thermos, was perfect for the chilly weather and a soothing choice if you have a sore throat — thoughtful touch!

We tried the shiro, which had a great texture, though the spice blend was a bit overpowering for our taste. The injera and sides seemed to have been prepared earlier in the day and had dried out slightly.

The staff was friendly, and we appreciated the bonfire, which made it more comfortable to sit outside despite the cold.

A few things could be improved — the interior feels a bit outdated, and we noticed the hummus bowl was chipped. However, the new menu looked clean and well-designed.

All in all, a nice spot with potential — would return for the drinks and...

This place was kind of cool, but overpriced (even though I negotiated the 'African' price). I was excited about the restaurant, but it was terribly over-priced for very small portions. I paid less for Ethiopian food in the U.S.!! And got huge portions. The ingredients are easily available in Arusha-- why such jacked up prices for rice and spinach? Only the injera is not found locally and it was also in tiny portions. In U.S. it covered a huge plate and extra was served on the side. This place seemed stingy in comparison and the flavors were milder (less spices). Also, the location of the hotel is isolated. There are no other eating places nearby and it's dark at night-- as a single woman, i felt trapped there. No eating options except their restaurant which is also a popular bar with well-off locals. Another reason I left there...

Spices and Herbs is a great Ethiopian restaurant. The food was delicious - we ordered a chicken dish and a lentils dish with injera. The quantity was more than enough for two. The waitress, Veronica, was lovely and provided great service.

The environment is pretty chilled and relaxed. While it does have some Ethiopian decor lying around, such as the traditional serving baskets (Herob), but it isn't actually used in the serving (like done in the Ethiopian restaurants in Dar). I was also a little disappointed that they didn't have the Ethiopian honey wine either (Tej). They take card but have an added 3% charge.

But that doesn't take away the great food and environment there. Will...