Known informally as 'Little Addis' or 'Little Ethiopia' Johannesburg's Ethiopian district is contained within a few buildings on Jeppe Street near the old Joburg Sun Hotel (now boarded up). They house a dizzying array of Ethiopian stores, restaurants, coffee houses, clothing and souvenir shops, barbers, music kiosks and plenty of posters of the Emperor Haile Selassie. This is a fascinating neighbourhood with great food and authentic coffee stops. For lunch head to Netsi's on the top floor of the original Medical Arts Building, now Haile Selassie (220 Jeppe St), where you can pile your plate of injeera - a traditional sponge-like sour pancake - high with a selection of aromatic vegetable stews. For tours of this area contact African Secrets. Other good places to eat authentic Ethiopian food in Johannesburg include:
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ABYSINIA
Chef Amsale Debela is a political refugee who literally walked from Ethiopia to South Africa. Berbere spice-laden Doro Wat chicken stews with injera-fermented pancakes are her specialty.
Cnr Langermann Dr and Queens St, Kensington, tel. +27 72 918 8824, www.abyssinia.co.za. Open 12:00–22:00. R-RR.

JAMES XVI ETHIOPIAN
A tiny no frills Ethiopian café in fashionable Maboneng selling traditional cuisine in huge portions. The menu is brief and the welcoming owner, James Wondeson, is always on hand to guide you through the day’s specials. A tiny cup of their strong Ethiopian coffee is the perfect finish to a quick lunch.
Maverick Corner, cnr Commissioner and Maritzburg Sts, Maboneng. Open 11:00-18:00. Closed Sun. R.

LITTLE ADDIS CAFÉ
A hole-in-the-wall-sized shrine to Ethiopian cuisine on Maboneng’s busiest street. Try a meat or vegetarian platter served on spongy injera bread, giving you the chance to sample a variety of specialities, all made according to the owner’s family recipes. The restaurant is unlicensed but you can buy beers to enjoy with your meal from the bar next door.
280 Fox St, Maboneng, tel. +27 82 683 8675 , www.littleaddis.co.za.
Open 12:30- 21:00, Sun 12:30-18:00 (also at Market on Main). Closed Mon. R.