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Habesha Ethiopian

Restaurant & Bar

At Habesha, food is more than a meal — it is a celebration of community, heritage, and hospitality. Founded by Solomon and Tigist, our journey began in Ethiopia and continues today in New Haven, Connecticut, where we proudly share the authentic flavors, warmth, and traditions of our homeland.

 

Why We Eat with Our Hands?

In Ethiopia, eating with our hands is a symbol of connection, respect, and togetherness. Families and friends gather around a shared platter, reminding us that life is best enjoyed collectively. One of the most cherished customs is Gursha — offering a bite of food by hand to someone you care about. It is a beautiful gesture of affection, friendship, and unity.

Every meal is served with Injera, our signature soft, tangy flatbread made from teff — a naturally gluten-free, iron-rich, vegan-friendly grain that has nourished Ethiopians for centuries.

 

Our Signature Dishes

Discover the rich, deeply layered flavors of traditional Ethiopian cuisine:

• Doro Wat — Slow-simmered chicken in berbere and seasoned butter; Ethiopia’s national dish.

• Tibs — Tender beef or lamb sautéed with onions, garlic, herbs, and aromatic spices.

• Shiro Wat — Velvety chickpea stew, smooth, comforting, and full of flavor.

• Misir Wat — Red lentils cooked in fragrant berbere sauce.

• Kitfo — Minced beef seasoned with mitmita and warm spiced butter, served raw or cooked.

 

The Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

Coffee is deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture — a ritual of honor, hospitality, and peace. At Habesha, we proudly perform the traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony:

• Green coffee beans are roasted over an open flame

• Their aroma fills the room, signaling welcome

• The beans are ground and brewed in a clay pot called Jebena

• Coffee is served in small cups, accompanied by popcorn — a symbol of comfort and friendship

We invite you to slow down, sip, and experience this timeless tradition with us.

 

A Tradition of Healthy, Purposeful Cooking

Ethiopian cuisine was shaped by practicality long before modern refrigeration. Historically, cooks developed techniques to remove excess fat, preserve ingredients, and protect flavor — resulting in dishes that are naturally balanced and nourishing.

 

Poultry

Chicken is skinned and marinated overnight in fresh lemon juice. The acidity breaks down the fat and enhances tenderness. It is then cooked in berbere sauce or alecha-style, creating richly flavored, low-fat chicken dishes.

Lamb

Lamb is carefully trimmed, boiled, skimmed, rinsed, and cooked with spices and niter kibbe (herbed butter). This process removes the strong, waxy taste often associated with lamb, producing a sweet, aromatic dish with significantly lower fat.

 

Beef

Our beef dishes use USDA choice lean cuts. After trimming, the beef is simmered in purified butter and berbere sauce, creating stews like zilzil-wat — bold, smoky, and deeply satisfying.

 

Injera: Ethiopian Bread

The Cultural Heart of Ethiopian Dining

Injera is a soft, airy sourdough bread made from ancient teff grain and fermented using traditional methods. Its delicate tang and spongy texture pair beautifully with the vibrant, aromatic stews that define Ethiopian cuisine.

But injera is more than a dish — it is a symbol of hospitality and shared experience. Meals are served on a single injera-lined platter, inviting everyone to gather, talk, and enjoy food together. The tradition of Gursha — offering a bite to someone you love — reflects the spirit of warmth and togetherness at the center of Ethiopian culture.

At Habesha, every injera we serve carries the story of our heritage, reminding us that food is meant to unite, uplift, and bring people closer.

 

Ethiopian Coffee

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. The first plants grew in the region of Kaffa, where the name “coffee” originates. During your meal, specially selected Ethiopian beans are roasted, ground, and brewed fresh — delivering one of the richest, most aromatic coffee experiences in the world.

 

Spiced Ethiopian Tea

Ethiopian spiced tea offers another unique and comforting experience. Traditionally, cane sugar is not part of the Ethiopian diet. Instead, our tea tastes sweet and soothing from natural ingredients such as rose hips, cinnamon, orange peel, lemon peel, cloves, and chamomile. The result is a cup that is flavorful, aromatic, and wonderfully refreshing.