Explore Ethiopian Culture in Washington, DC

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Explore one of the most vibrant Ethiopian American communities in the U.S. right in the heart of DC

Washington, DC is home to one of the largest Ethiopian American communities in the United States. Throughout the city's neighborhoods, from Little Ethiopia to Adams Morgan and beyond, opportunities to experience – and indulge in – Ethiopian culture are everywhere.

History

While many Ethiopians began immigrating to the area in the 1970s, settling in Adams Morgan and Shaw's 9th Street corridor, the community today spans generations and neighborhoods across the entire DC metro area.

In 2013, DC government created a Sister City Agreement with Addis Ababa to enhance collaboration between the two capitals. This partnership was renewed in 2019, and a year later, a ceremonial resolution to officially honor the corridor as “Little Ethiopia” was approved by DC Council.

Today, Ethiopian Americans continue to shape the city's cultural fabric through food, business, art and community.

Cuisine

Dig into the District’s Ethiopian culture at an abundance of restaurants spanning Little Ethiopia and beyond.

U Street: Ghion, Eatopia, Dukem, Abuare, Habesha Market
H Street NE: Ethiopic
Shaw & Columbia Heights: Chercher
Adams Morgan: Elfegne and Tsehay

What to expect: Ethiopian dining is a communal, hands-on experience. Almost every meal includes injera, a soft, spongy flatbread that doubles as dining utensils, perfect to scoop and soak up veggies, salads and stews.

On top of the base of injera, you’ll discover a wide variety of traditional dishes, including doro wat (a spicy chicken stew), kitfo (traditionally served raw or lightly cooked) as well as lentil-filled vegetarian and vegan options.

For a contemporary take, Marcus DC (NoMa) curates an imaginative menu honoring Black culinary traditions with elements of modern American and Swedish cuisines, a reflection of Ethiopian-born chef Marcus Samuelsson's own story. (One dish is called the "Swediopian.")

Coffee Culture

In addition to the cuisine, enjoy a cup of authentic Ethiopian coffee, known as buna in Amharic, or join a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony for the full experience.

Sidamo on H Street serves up fresh java from beans roasted daily and offers the traditional coffee ceremony upon request
Visit Harrar Coffee Roastery on the first Saturday of each month for a traditional ceremony
To sample a wide assortment of flavorful Ethiopian brews, try Rue Café
For a more laid-back cafe vibe, Petworth’s Büna Coffeehouse sources only Ethiopian beans and also serves breakfast and lunch

Explore the neighborhood

U Street is one of DC's most storied corridors in Black history and culture; it was the birthplace of Duke Ellington, home to "Black Broadway" and a hub of civil rights history (see: Ben's Chili Bowl).

Check out these local tours to get a true taste of Little Ethiopia during your visit:

Little Ethiopia Food Tour: expect traditional dishes, coffee ceremony and fresh breads
Black Broadway in Washington, DC: historian Briana Thomas shares about landmarks and neighborhood legacy
Black Broadway U Street Fork Tour: a "history-infused" food tour with samples galore (includes Ethiopian)

Black Broadway in Washington D.C. tour

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