Addis Ababa Food Tour: Private Taste of Local Life

Ethiopian dishes, coffee, honey wine and the stories behind them

A private food tour of Addis Ababa with a local guide who walks you through Ethiopian cuisine, hospitality and food culture at a relaxed pace. You'll taste a variety of dishes including Beyaynetu, Shiro, Tibs and Kitfo, sample Ethiopian coffee, Tej honey wine and Tella home-brewed beer, and learn how Ethiopians traditionally share meals and the customs that shape their flavors.

The experience

How do you eat like a local in Addis Ababa without spending hours planning stops or navigating the city alone? This private tour solves that by pairing you with Teddy, a guide who knows the food culture and can steer you toward dishes that match what you actually want to eat. The five-and-a-half-hour experience moves at a pace that lets you linger. You're not rushing between restaurants, but tasting and talking through what's on the plate in front of you.

The food itself anchors the day: you'll taste Beyaynetu, a sampler of vegetarian and meat specialties; Shiro, a spiced chickpea or bean paste; Tibs, sautéed meat with vegetables; and Kitfo, minced raw or lightly cooked beef. Between dishes, you'll drink Ethiopian coffee prepared in the traditional way, Tej (a honey wine fermented with spices), and Tella, a home-brewed beer that most visitors encounter only if someone local invites them in. Each one carries a story about how Ethiopians eat together, what the spices mean, and why hospitality matters in the meal itself.

Because this is private, Teddy can adapt the stops and dishes to what you're interested in and any dietary needs you have. Hotel pickup is included, so you don't need to arrange transport or figure out where to meet. Soda, water and coffee or tea are provided throughout.

What’s included

• Private transportation and hotel pickup.
• bottled water and soda.
• Ethiopian coffee and tea.
• samples of Tej honey wine and Tella home-brewed beer.
• a variety of Ethiopian dishes including Beyaynetu, Shiro, Tibs and Kitfo.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (21 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 70 years) · Youth (12 to 20 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Teddy

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private guide who adapts the route and menu to your tastes, rather than following a set restaurant itinerary with a group.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 20 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

What dishes will I actually taste on this food tour?

You'll taste Beyaynetu (a mix of vegetarian and meat specialties), Shiro (spiced chickpea or bean paste), Tibs (sautéed meat and vegetables), and Kitfo (minced beef prepared raw or lightly cooked), plus Ethiopian coffee, Tej honey wine and Tella home-brewed beer. The guide can adjust the specific stops and dishes based on your preferences and any dietary restrictions.

How does eating with injera work, and why is it part of this tour?

Injera is the spongy flatbread that serves as both plate and utensil in Ethiopian meals. You tear off pieces and use them to scoop up the dishes around it. Learning to eat this way is central to understanding Ethiopian food culture, so the guide walks you through it as part of the experience, showing you how meals are traditionally shared and eaten communally.

Does the tour include hotel pickup, or do I need to arrange my own transport?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour price, so you don't need to arrange a car or figure out where to meet. If you prefer to use public transportation, options are available nearby, but the private pickup means you can start and end at your accommodation.

Can I request vegetarian dishes or adapt the menu for dietary preferences?

Yes. Because this is a private tour, Teddy can adapt the food choices to your interests and dietary preferences whenever possible. Let your guide know what you eat and what you want to avoid, and the stops can be adjusted to match.

What are Tej and Tella, and will I have to drink them?

Tej is Ethiopia's traditional honey wine, fermented with spices, and Tella is a home-brewed beer made locally. Both are included as samples so you can taste them, but there's no obligation to finish them or drink more than you want. They're part of the food culture the guide is introducing you to.