The best restaurants Eritrea

Ghidey is not strictly a restaurant, it is in fact a special house in which the owner prepares on order a typical meal for groups of 6 and more (it is naturally necessary to reserve beforehand). We eat in its living room where the decoration alone is worth a detour: The walls are covered with trinkets kitschissimes and sit on the leather seats of woven goat. On the side of the buffet, all the necessities of traditional Eritrean cuisine are there: injera, shiro, zigini… all widely accompanied by my (traditional alcoholic beverage made from honey). An experience not to be missed.

Located in the old town, restaurant Cassiopeia is an institution in Massawa. You eat a fresh fish that you choose yourself in the refrigerator. He is then grilled in Yemen: cut in two and placed on a grid immersed in the fire with a long sleeve. You can enjoy everything accompanied by rachouch (a wide cake of baked dough made of pasta). The terrace on which you are located is undoubtedly one of the best places to immerse itself from the magical atmosphere of which the city is equipped at night.

It's hard to miss the New Fork with its glittering brand visible from Harnet Avenue! Once inside the decoration is really nothing remarkable, but the choice of main dishes is quite varied and well prepared food. Capretto and historical fish are worth it, especially if you start bored with pasta and pizzas. You can finish the meal by sipping a macchiato on the pleasant terrace.

On the circle where Convergent and BDHO avenues converge, the Blue Bird (formerly known as Blue Nile and renamed as a result of a dispute with Ethiopia about the river) is one of the best places to taste authentic Eritrean cuisine. The meat is melting to want and deliciously spicy. Also on the menu, some Italian specialities, including the very good rigatonis al forno. It is impossible to book and, given the popularity of the place, queuing is often necessary.

With a pleasant, palm-lined interior courtyard, Casa is the great favourite of the staff of the neighbouring embassies who enjoy, in addition to the pleasant setting, the speed of service (much higher than any other city restaurant). The dishes are Italian specialities using very fresh and cooked products. On Tuesday and Thursday, you will be required to taste the lasagna of the jour.

Very popular with the local workers due to its moderate prices, this restaurant located in the middle of the city centre of Harnet Avenue is filled with speed at lunchtime. It's a safe value for pizza and local cuisine, and the bread you are being served to wait for your order is absolutely delicious.

Located near the intersection between BDHO Avenue and the 173-1 street, this Yemeni restaurant has a pleasant shaded terrace. For breakfast, the classics of South Arabia include ful (bean purée), liver and eggs. In the afternoon and in the evening there is a salta or a wood-fired fish that is eaten with a large galette of bread called «Rachouch».

Hidmona is part of those places where you have to go when you are looking for a real traditional experience. The servers are in traditional costume, the music is 100% Eritreans and the map offers of course all national dishes. It is better to come over the weekend to take advantage of the orchestra and dancers who will be happy to make you a demonstration of istiska (this traditional dance where you only move your shoulders) during your dinner. It should be noted that the place turns into a disco in the evening.

Located on a hill behind the Sunshine Hotel, the Castello is not the most obvious to find, but the game is worth the candle. Its large shaded courtyard and its location away from traffic make it a perfect place for a peaceful lunch. This is one of the places of choice for expatriates who come to eat French fries, the best in town according to them. For those wishing to eat more balanced, the map offers various Italian and Eritrean specialities.

This restaurant serves good pasta as well as traditional quality cuisine, but it's primarily for its deliciously prepared capretto that both locals and tourists are pressing here. Located on the Giro Fiori, there is a small shaded terrace, which is pleasant for lunch and dinner.