Andu Café | Wholesome, Affordable Ethiopian Food
Andu Cafe is, apparently, the “first and only Ethiopian restaurant in the UK that specialises in traditional Ethiopian vegan food”.
Although, when one considers that coffee was first discovered & cultivated in Ethiopia, then in a way we’ve all been enjoying vegan Ethiopian cuisine for centuries.
But stimulating semantics aside, Andu Cafe really is somewhere quite special. And not only for the fact that when you step inside, you feel as though you’re being immersed in Ethiopian culture. It’s not exactly swanky, but that doesn’t matter – the walls are covered in pictures of Ethiopia’s lush landscape, as well as traditional ornaments, and even a guide to the Ethiopian alphabet.
No, the thing that makes Andu Cafe stand head and shoulders above the competition is that it’s probably one of the best value restaurants in London. You can get a whole platter of traditional Ethiopian food for just £10 a head. In fact, it’s impossible to spend anymore than that as there’s only one dish on the menu. Everyone who goes chows down on the same mix of spicy lentil and split bean stews, as well as a number of vegetable dishes like tikil gomen (chopped cabbage, potatoes, and onion). The only decision you need to make is whether you’d rather rice, or to mop it all up with thick folds of injera bread (although half & half is also an option).
Drinks wise, it’s BYOB. And they don’t charge for corkage either, meaning, with service, you’re looking at £15 max. That is unless you go for their highest priced item which – surprise! – is the coffee. Weighing in at a steep £7, it comes as part of a whole traditional coffee ceremony which sees the coffee brewed three times.
Andu can’t argue with that.
NOTE: Andu Cafe is open daily. It’s cash only, there are only bookings for groups of 6+ (on 020 7254 1780), and you are welcome to BYOB. You can find out more at their website right HERE.
Andu Cafe | 528 Kingsland Road, E8 4AH
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