Habesha Restaurant — Restaurant in Manchester

I did not expect to find a shop that captures a drop of Ethiopia's vast culture, food, and hospitality so well in the city centre. You have to take a staircase above a takeaway to reach this spot.

As soon as you enter, you can hear Ethiopian expats talk in their native tongues enjoying their local food. The menu is very small, unfotunately I do not have a photo. They serve 9 stews, 2 are vegetarian, all served with a flatbread called Injira. This is similar to a Dosa/Thosai. They make it by fermenting soaked rice and wheat flour for 10 days and frying it on a large pan.

The portions are huge! I was stuffed by the end. Each stew and Injira ranges are between 10 and 11 pounds, which I believe is a great price. We ordered Yebeg Wot (Lamb stew) and Shiro (chickpea stew). You use the spoon to scoop a little onto the bread, then tear the bread around it to scoop and eat.

We also had tea, which was infused with cinammon bark giving a deep and complex spice and sweetness. This is much better than mixing cinnamon powder in teas. I was surprised to learn they buy green coffee to roast in house! Ethiopian coffee is some of the best in the world. They pull a shot with Ethiopian cardamon, giving the already rich coffee a complex spicy note.

I can't recommend enough. I understand if people do not enjoy, I myself am not used to this type of cuisine and flavor. However, I encourage you to try at...

One of my favourite places in Manchester to eat, top quality cooking from the small menu with at least two vegetarian options. Service is a bit more leisurely, but also there are only one or two staff serving an often bustling place, and it's never been a problem. The staff are really helpful, charming and have lovely accents. Just a bit worried that it will get too many trendy people coming in soon spoiling the atmosphere and driving the prices up... the mains have recently gone up by 14%. Suggestion for the restaurant: keep the prices low but serve a little less injera with the meals - there is always so much we have to either leave some or can barely breathe afterwards, it's such a shame to waste it. Interior is homely and relaxed and appears quite Ethiopian in style (I wouldn't know), with art and traditional looking decor. Only possible gripe is what someone else mentioned; that the injeras are not made from teff flour, which apparently is more authentic, but also healthier and gluten-free. They are made from a sour dough made with 70% rice flour and 30% wheat instead, still taste very nice! NB. Before and after pics show the only time we managed to not leave any...

Visited 3 nights back with my son and thought long and hard about whether this should be a 4 or 5. Service is fantastic, the people are so friendly. If you haven't eaten Ethiopian cuisine or there before then they're more than happy to give menu advice and practical advice on how to eat the dishes. Super polite, as my (15yr old) son said, the man couldn't stop saying thank you!

The menu isn't massive and limited drinks but it's a family set up and so different from many routine, even independent routine restaurants. No desserts, although both of us were so full we didn't ask and great value. Easy to miss but there is a sign.

If it's you're thing it's an easy 5/5 (me) and great value to boot. If eating with your fingers and spicy food isn't your thing then probably you shouldn't have chosen the place in the first instance so don't blame the restaurant which is why I've leant towards a 5 over a 4. My son felt a 4 because its different but doesn't quite have the wow factor which is fair, but he's a harsh critic so I've overruled as it's my account! We both had a good time and...