Eat · Merkato
Street food, Merkato
Sambusa and shiro wat with injera from a stall near the market entrance: eat here for a fast, cheap lunch before or after browsing — go with a small day bag, no valuables on show.
last order: unknowncounterENot field-verified
Key facts
- Price
- ETB 100–200
- E
- Hours
- unknown
- Walk in
- 11:00–15:00
- easiest window
- Seating
- counter
- 28″ bags
- No
- Merkato
- Getting there
- Streets near the Merkato market entrance
- 5 min walk
- Cheapest hot lunch near Merkato
- Vegetarian-friendly shiro
- Fast
- Near: Merkato market lanes and Anwar Mosque.
- Order: Sambusa or shiro wat with injera
- Counter seating
- Walk-in window: 11:00–15:00
- Vegetarian options
Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.
Rules in force · 13Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…Do not photograph government buildings, military sites, p…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Ethiopia ↗Apply for the Ethiopian e-visa only on the official portal before you fly; visas on arrival have been suspended for most foreign visitors (check the current status for your passport).
- Ethiopia ↗Check your government's advice zone by zone before booking any domestic flight; in 2026 the UK and US advise against all travel to Amhara and Tigray, and the US also to Afar.
- Ethiopia ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention below about 2,000 m, altitude, and yellow fever — Ethiopia is itself a yellow fever risk country, so your next destination may ask for the certificate.
- Ethiopia ↗Confirm times in writing: local 'Ethiopian time' counts hours from about 6 am, so 2 o'clock local can mean 8 am.
- Addis Ababa area ↗Check your own government's travel advice before booking domestic flights: some regions carry warnings or restrictions that change quickly.
- Addis Ababa ↗Addis is at about 2,350 m: rest on the first afternoon, drink water and go easy on alcohol the first night.
- Addis Ababa ↗Use a hotel car or a ride-hailing app (such as Ride or Feres) where available; agree the fare before you get in a street taxi. Avoid cross-town trips at 07:30–09:30 and 16:30–19:00.
- Addis Ababa ↗Do not photograph government buildings, military sites, police or airports. Ask before photographing people.
Map & directions
Directions
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Plan
When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay
Walk-in windows
11:00–15:00: high
A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.
Paying and dietary fit
0undefined
1undefined
2undefined
3undefined
4undefined
5undefined
6undefined
7undefined
8undefined
9undefined
10undefined
11undefined
12undefined
13undefined
14undefined
15undefined
16undefined
Who it suits, booking, closures
goodWho it suits — Anyone up for a fast, cheap lunch while browsing the market; a good vegetarian-friendly option.
- Dress code
- Casual.
| When | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly or holiday closures | check before you go | Most stalls work daytime only; check locally. |
On the ground
Facts
- Reservations
- false — Street stall; no reservations.
- Capabilities
- food
- Diet
- vegetarian: yes · gluten free: ask · halal: ask
- Getting there
- Streets near the Merkato market entrance · ~5 min walk
Cons
- Standing or low-stool seating only at most stalls.
- Keep bags close and leave your passport at the hotel — Merkato is a pickpocketing hotspot.
Ordering helpDish glossary · Dietary phrases · Hygiene
Dish glossary
| On the menu | What it is | Order it how |
|---|---|---|
| — | — |
Dietary: what to say
| Need | Say or show | Reality here |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian / allergies | Ask staff directly. | Shiro wat (chickpea-flour stew) is vegetarian by default and a safe, filling choice; check sambusa filling before ordering. |
Hygiene notes
- Choose a stall with hot, freshly cooked food and steady turnover.
Deep dive
Questions, nearby food and sources
Questions and answers
Is it safe to eat street food here?
Choose a busy stall with visible, fast turnover and freshly cooked food; that's the best guide anywhere in the city.
Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk
Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.
All places to eat in Addis Ababa, with filters →
Nearby
Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.
Used as a seated rest node in Addis Ababa in 4 days.
Sources
- secondaryWikivoyage — Addis Ababa (eat)