Have you ever had Ethiopian food in Orlando before? Nile Ethiopian Restaurant is a long-time celebrated local Orlando restaurant specializing in Ethiopian food – they are located on International Drive in Orlando, Florida.

It was founded in 2006 by Abeba Gonetse and her husband and has since been known for serving a variety of authentic Ethiopian dishes with signature house spices.

When Abeba first moved here from Washington, D.C. she noticed the lack of Ethiopian options available and wanted to bring the taste and hospitality of Ethiopian cuisine to central Florida. Almost 20 years later, they’re still going strong.

The restaurant offers a range of dishes from beef, lamb, poultry, and also caters to vegetarian and vegan preferences. In fact, some of my most favorite dishes at Nile are the vegetarian ones!

Ethiopian food is known for its distinctive use of spices and the communal dining experience. Meals are often served on a large platter with injera, a sourdough flatbread made from teff flour, which diners use to scoop up various spicy stews (wat) and other dishes. Ethiopian cuisine is also characterized by its vegan-friendly options, especially during fasting seasons prescribed by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Popular dishes at Nile Ethiopian Restaurant include:

– Taste of Nile: A combination of Shiro, Kik Alicha, Miser Wat, Gomen, Tikel Gomen, Azifa, Tomato Fitfit, and Fosolia (Green beans and carrots).

– Injera: A sourdough flatbread that is a staple in Ethiopian cuisine and used to scoop up stews and other dishes. It comes with most of the dishes.

– Ethiopian coffee: did you know Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of coffee? It’s where the coffea arabica plant originates. If you have never experienced the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, make sure you do so at Nile ASAP!
– Tej – Honey wine: Made in-house – this is delicious.+

Sampler Starter – Sambusa, Azifa and Tomato Fitfit. Tomato Fitfit – Diced tomatoes, red onions, jalapeno peppers, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice mixed with pieces of Injera. Served cold. 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 jalapeño peppers