Founded in 2006, Nile Ethiopian Restaurant has featured authentic made from scratch Ethiopian cuisine for over 15 years.

Owner Abeba Gonetse transports diners from Central Florida to a traditional Ethiopian home kitchen where everything is cooked from the heart.

Ethiopian cuisine is characterized by the use of spices such as cumin and cloves as well as tibs (sauteed meat), wat (stewed dishes), and a fermented sourdough bread called injera.

There are also fantastic vegetarian / vegan options included stewed cabbage, mixed lentil beans, collard greens, and more. Definitely get the Taste of the Nile veggie platter for those interested in plant based dishes.

Nile Ethiopian is also known for their traditional coffee ceremony – a must try for any coffee lover – where green coffee beans are hand roasted in a flat pan over hot coals, ground in a pestle and brewed in a black clay pot called a jebena.

The ceremony is considered a sign of respect and friendship and usually performed by the woman of the household as an honor.

Inside the Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony at Nile

Here is a Foodie’s Guide to Ethiopian Dishes to Try at Nile Ethiopian

Tomato Fitfit – Diced tomatoes, red onions, jalapeno peppers, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice mixed with pieces of Injera.

Azifa – Mixture of lentils, finely chopped red onions ? , jalapeno peppers, olive oil, lemon juice and Ethiopian mustard. Served cold

Sambusa – Deep fried pastries stuffed with lentils, finely chopped red onions and jalapeno peppers

Kitfo Special – Minced beef infused in house herbs, and spiced butter accompanied with a side of house cottage cheese and collard greens. Traditionally served raw (like an Ethiopian beef tartare)

Beef Tibs – Seasoned lean beef sautéed with red onions, tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. Served hot and sizzling

Taste of Nile for 2 – – Vegan! – Shiro (Ground chickpeas simmered with red onions, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, and house herbs), Misir Wat (Red lentils stew seasoned with spicy herbs, red onions, and garlic), Kik Alicha (Yellow split peas stew seasoned with turmeric, red onions, garlic, and jalapeño peppers), Tikel Gomen (Cabbage stew simmered with turmeric, carrots, red onions, garlic and jalapeño peppers), Gomen (Collard greens stew seasoned with house herbs, red onions, garlic, and jalapeño peppers), Tomato Fitfit and Fosolia (Green beans and carrots)