Location: Asmara
Top Restaurants in Asmara
Top 9 restaurants in Asmara, Eritrea
Asmara (Tigrinya: ኣስመራ) known locally as Asmera (meaning "They [feminine plural] made them unite" in Tigrinya), is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea. Home to a population of just over 800,000 inhabitants, it sits at an elevation of 2,325 metres (7,628 ft), the sixth highest capital in the world by altitude. The city is located at the tip of an escarpment that is both the northwestern edge of the Eritrean highlands and the Great Rift Valley in neighbouring Ethiopia. In 2017, the city was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Things to do in Asmara
1. Alba Bistro
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Cineasta - Mexico
clean looking place, popular with those who don't have to earn their money. Club Sandwich with SPAM paste and cole-slaw-esque filling, no tomato, no bacon, no ham, weird stone hard toast, but the authentic club Sandwich tooth pick Gimme a Break!
The glossy photo menu offers a Club for a whopping 127 Nakfa but the bill is for an extra whopping 185 Nakfa, since the Alba scam is to have food serial numbers with photos and then clandestine price lists in the back of the menu against which to run the "serial number" - what a silly way to go out of business - Eritrea suffers from lack of tourism and the few fools who make the expensive trip don;t need to be scammed by ALBA culeros.
2. Hidmona
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By skink - Falls Church, Virginia
Hidmona is a lively, fun venue to sample Eritrean cuisine and dance the night away to live Eritrean music. The food is traditional Eritrean with injera, and the portions are generous. The dancing gets going at around 10 pm and weekend nights are especially lively at the restaurant located on the Expo Grounds. The primarily Eritrean clientele are very gracious and welcoming to foreigners who try to dance to Eritean music. This is a one-stop-shop for Eritrean food and culture and is a must for all visitors to Asmara. Go on a weekend and stay late as the action starts around 10 pm.
3. Mask Place
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By skink - Falls Church, Virginia
This is a good choice for a casual meal in downtown Asmara. The Shawarma plate is certainly filling and they also serve a decent portion of pasta arrabiatta for the price. Service is fairly attentive and it's a nice place to meet local Eritreans who are very friendly and gracious people.
4. Spaghetti & Pizza House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By skink - Falls Church, Virginia
Asmara does not have a wide choice of restaurants but Spaghetti and Pizza House is surprisingly satisfying. Ingredients are hard to come by in Eritrea but this restaurant makes the best of what it can find. The pizzas are very good, probably the best in Asmara and their chili Red Snapper is another nice dish. They also prepare some decent mixed salads. It is conveniently located on the main street in town, Harnet Ave, across from the Eritel office.
5. Sweet Asmara Caffe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Sputnikboy - Trieste, Italy
Sweet Asmara Caffè is located in Harnet Avenue, right in front of the Catholic Cathedral. It is also right next door to the Tourist Office (where the travel permits are issued), another good reason for choosing this bar.
It's always crowded with young and older people, chatting and Reading the newspapers while sipping their espressos or cappuccinos.
I particularly appreciated their cappuccino, it's absolutely perfect, every bit as good as the italian ones. Pastries are also excellent, the one with wipped cream was my favourite. Prices are very cheap considered the quality.
Since the place is often full, don't mind if you get seated with locals, it only adds to the overall experience: eritreans are shy but very nice people.
In my opinion it's the best place in all Eritrea to start your day with an excellent breakfast before going out to explore Asmara.
6. Blue Bird
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By travelgeo1988 - Cornwall, United Kingdom
After living in Asmara for 2 years this was still my favourite restaurant. Their traditional food is the best in town and the service is not too bad. Becoming a little pricey, but worth every cent! Order the mixed meat plate.
7. Al Sicomoro Bar and Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Arben72 - Prishtina
Visited this place with colleagues. It is located on the second floor of a residential apartment block. At the very entrance guests are warned that this is a "slow food restaurant' so do expect that your food will be served promptly. The Chef is very good and all the food is prepared upon order.
The overall ambience of the restaurant was quite pleasant. The waiters were attentive and helpful. We ordered Italian food and must say that it was very tasteful and even came quite fast as we were braced to wait for longer.
Do not miss trying the spaghetti (with any kind of sauce) and lasagnas.
More importantly, also ask for tiramisu; I had the best home made tiramisu in years. It is made upon order and is super delicious and fresh.
8. Vittoria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By わたか - Tokyo, Japan
バーと名前にありますが、内装は完全に家族向けの甘味レストランという感じです。店員さんも若い女性が７～８人で店内でお世話をしてくれます。客層は家族連れが大半でした。少し甘いものが食べたくなったらこちらに来るといいかと思います。
ここは最安値でローカルビールが18ナクファでした。（他はだいたい20ナクファだったので）
9. M. T. Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By albertopiccardo - Genova, Italia
Questo locale è a fianco delle poste centrali di Asmara, facile da raggiungere dal centro. Ha due sale ed appare minimalista un poco decadente. Menù abbastanza ricco ma bisogna chiedere cosa c'è perché non tutto è presente quel giorno. Il menù del giorno abbina una zuppa ad un piatto forte ad un prezzo interessante. Buona la pasta al pomodoro, lasagne abbondanti ma scomposte, pietanze comunque abbondanti. Di pizze ce ne sono di migliori in città.
