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Best Food in Asmara (2026)
Asmara's Italian influence shines in its pasta and pizza. Head to Ristorante Roma on Harnet Avenue for authentic spaghetti carbonara for around 150 nakfa. For wood-fired pizza,β¦ π Italian Heritage
Asmara's Italian influence shines in its pasta and pizza. Head to Ristorante Roma on Harnet Avenue for authentic spaghetti carbonara for around 150 nakfa. For wood-fired pizza, try Alba Ristorante near the Cathedral, where a margherita costs about 120 nakfa.
π₯ Eritrean Specialties
Don't miss zigni, a spicy beef stew served with injera. The best is at Blue Bird Restaurant on Independence Avenue, where a full platter costs 100 nakfa. For vegetarian options, try shiro at Adulis Restaurant, located on Bahti Meskerem Street, for just 80 nakfa.
π₯ Street Food Finds
For a quick bite, look for sambusa stalls near the main market. These fried pastries filled with lentils or meat cost only 10 nakfa each. Another favorite is ful, a fava bean dish served with bread, available at street carts around the bus station for 20 nakfa.
β Coffee Culture
Asmara's coffee ceremony is a must. Visit the historic Bar Vittoria on Harnet Avenue for a traditional ceremony with popcorn for 50 nakfa. For a quick espresso, try Cafe Roma near the Opera House, where a macchiato is just 30 nakfa.
π° Sweet Treats
Indulge in Italian pastries at Pasticceria Moderna on Bahti Meskerem Street. A cannoli costs 40 nakfa, and the tiramisu is 60 nakfa. For a local twist, try himbasha, a spiced bread, available at bakeries near the central market for 25 nakfa.
πΊ Evening Drinks
End your day at the Asmara Brewery on the outskirts of town, where a pint of local beer costs 40 nakfa. For a more relaxed vibe, try the rooftop bar at Hotel Asmara Palace, offering city views and cocktails starting at 100 nakfa.
π΅ Budget Tips
Most meals cost between 80 and 200 nakfa per person. Street food is the cheapest at under 50 nakfa. Always carry cash, as credit cards are rarely accepted. Tipping 10% is appreciated but not mandatory.
ngl the guide undersells Adulis a bit, that shiro is legit but get the combo plate with both shiro and alicha if they have it, comes with a side of ayb for like 100 nakfa and the injera there is some of the fluffiest in town
also if you're up for a walk, cut over to Via Trento near the post office around dusk, there's a small bakery that does fresh kicha with honey for 20 nakfa, they pull it out of the clay oven right in front of you and it's still warm. way better than the himbasha from the market stalls imo
The guide nails the Italian spots, but I'd add that you should check out the pasta al forno at Ristorante Roma instead of the carbonara. It comes out bubbling hot in a little ceramic dish and the cheese gets that perfect golden crust on top. For a lighter lunch, the panini at Alba Ristorante are a steal at around 80 nakfa and they load them with proper prosciutto.
One thing the guide doesn't mention is the fried fish at the Red Sea Restaurant near the old cinema. It's not fancy but they serve whole tilapia with berbere sauce and a pile of injera for 90 nakfa, and the place is always packed with locals around 1pm. Also, if you're near the main market in the morning, grab a cup of spiced tea from the women selling it on the corner for 5 nakfa, it's way better than the coffee at some of the tourist spots.
Honestly the guide's spot on about Bar Vittoria for the coffee ceremony but go later in the evening around 6pm when the old guys come in with their dominoes. it gets loud and smoky and the vibe is pure Asmara, way better than the quiet afternoon experience
Also a little tip nobody mentions grab a bag of roasted chickpeas from the street vendors near the cathedral for like 15 nakfa they're super salty and go perfectly with a cold beer at the rooftop bar at Hotel Asmara Palace
heading to asmara in 4 months, any hidden gems?
if you're there on a friday afternoon, find the little alley off Hamid St near the big mosque. there's a guy who sets up a charcoal grill and does lamb skewers with berbere that are insane, like 30 nakfa each. he's been there for years and the queue is always locals, not a single guidebook mentions it. also check out the Fiat Tagliero building but go inside the garage part, not just take a photo of the facade
Head up to the old train station area on a Saturday morning. There's a little bakery tucked behind the main road that does fresh ambasha with a side of shiro that most tourists walk right past. It's about 20 nakfa for a plate and you'll be eating with the taxi drivers who know the city best. Also, if you're into coffee, skip the fancy cafes and find a street-side jebena spot in the Maakel Ketema neighborhood around 4 PM when the afternoon crowd gathers.
honestly the best thing i did last time was just wander around the Italian quarter after dark. the old cinemas like Cinema Roma and Cinema Impero are still running and nobody goes to them except locals. tickets are like 50 nakfa and you get this weird mix of old Italian architecture and random action movies. also if you're around on a Sunday the open-air market near the Medebar area has these incredible handmade sandals for like 150 nakfa that you won't find anywhere else