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Recently, my companion and I ate at the relatively new "Abyssinia Restaurant Teff" in Neuhausen. A friend, who loves Ethiopian food, recommended it to me and insisted I check out "Teff" (or "Teff" for short). So, we did – and recently we reserved a table for the evening at the small, cozy restaurant specializing in Ethiopian cuisine.
During our visit, we had the opportunity to meet the friendly owner in person and learn a bit about the restaurant, its origins, and its history. The restaurant was transformed over six weeks from a former African café into a small, cozy, and inviting restaurant in the traditional style. Admittedly, I had relatively little contact with Ethiopia before our visit, but I learned more about it in our conversation with Ms. Assefa-Bellete Tsion and am glad I was there. She told us, among other things, that she loved cooking and preparing delicious dishes for family and friends as a child, and this sparked her desire and interest in owning her own restaurant. This led to the opening of the Abyssinia Restaurant Teff, which she now runs in Munich together with her sister, and which we visited.
The restaurant has approximately six tables of varying sizes and exudes a welcoming, cozy atmosphere thanks to its simple yet comfortable ambiance: yellow walls, colorful African decorations, simple wooden chairs with embroidered scarves, decorative vases with long grasses in the entrance area, and a cozy bar with four additional seats and a view of the kitchen. Inside, there is seating for up to 20 people, and another twelve can be seated outside in front of the restaurant.
Behind the counter, you'll also find the restaurant's small kitchen. As mentioned, the focus is on traditional Ethiopian cuisine, and they offer a wide variety of meat dishes as well as vegetarian options. These are served with "injera"—a soft, sourdough flatbread made exclusively at Abyssinia Restaurant Teff from genuine teff flour (also known as dwarf millet). This also explains the restaurant's name, as it's named after Ethiopia—Abyssinia means "Ethiopia." Injera is traditionally eaten in Ethiopia, and I really enjoyed being able to eat something in the heart of Munich that originates from so far away and is prepared using the same methods as in its homeland.
Besides the varied stews, there are also a wide selection of vegetarian dishes featuring many different vegetables. Meatless dishes start at €8, while meat dishes start at €10. The Ethiopian cold appetizer platter with kale, beetroot, potatoes, and carrots is delicious, for example. On my visit, I opted for "Beyaynetu"—a warm vegetable platter with ground chickpeas, lentils, and kale (€9). My companion chose "Tibs-Jebeg or Jebre," which is roasted lamb or beef (you can choose which) prepared Ethiopian-style with onions, fresh tomatoes, and peppers (a reasonable €13). The portions are very generous, and combined with the teff, the food is quite filling. My various sauces were excellent, and I even asked if I could order a particular one again, which wasn't a problem. I don't personally like spicy food, so I was very pleased that I could order my meal "not spicy." If you do enjoy it, however, the "Keywot" – beef or lamb with spicy sauce (for €12.50) – might be something for you. (Regarding lamb dishes, you should pre-order by phone. Since the restaurant is quite small, they plan ahead regarding lamb to avoid waste, and lamb is only kept on hand upon request.) For dessert, there's fresh fruit salad or fried bananas. The menu is manageable in terms of the selection of dishes, but there's definitely something for everyone – including vegetarians. At lunchtime, they offer a "Happy Lunch" from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, featuring a selection of different dishes such as soups, salads, and rice dishes. The dishes are prepared by an Ethiopian cook with 18 years of experience.
An interesting highlight is the opportunity to experience the typical Ethiopian coffee ceremony – called "Buna" – at the Abyssinia Restaurant Teff for €3.50. During this ceremony, the beans are roasted in a pan and then served in a traditional clay pot. My companion tried it, and we were even allowed to watch the roasting process in the small kitchen. The coffee tastes delicious, strong, and intense. My companion was thrilled, and if you're a coffee lover, you should definitely try the Buna, as Ethiopian coffee, with its unique and slightly lemony flavor, is among the most popular varieties worldwide for good reason. If you're in a hurry, you can also get the coffee to go in a cup.
You can also host your private events, such as birthdays, company functions, or other celebrations, at Restaurant Teff. The team will gladly help you with the organization and provide you with delicious Ethiopian food. Every Saturday evening, there are also regular events, such as music nights with Ethiopian music and delicious food.
The restaurant is located near the Munich Goethe Institute on Dachauer Straße in Neuhausen and isn't immediately noticeable from the outside. It's open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 10:00 pm, and accessible by tram lines 12, 20, and 21, as well as bus lines 53 and N44 – Leonrodplatz stop. Parking is easy along Dachauer Straße or on a side street. So, next time you're in the area, keep an eye out and consider eating there. It just goes to show that you should be open to new things, new dishes, and new flavors. My companion and I really enjoyed it and the food was delicious. You can tell that customer satisfaction is their top priority, alongside the excellent food. I was very pleasantly surprised and would definitely recommend it if you check it out. 🙂
I'll be back: Yes. For delicious Ethiopian food, "Teff" is definitely the place to go.
Place visited: Abyssinia Restaurant Teff
Address: Dachauer Straße 189, 80637 Munich
Telephone reservation: 0151 11 77 28 88
Website
Pictures:
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