A Cultural Experience
In case you were wondering, Eri is short for Eritrea. In fact, that’s the official country code for this Northern East African country that borders with Ethiopia. The café was established in 2006 in order to sprinkle a little Eritrean spice on the Ottawa scene. Located in Centretown, the café is divided in two sections with a full service bar in the middle. There is a games room on one side and a dining area on the other. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed and the décor is bright and cheerful, painted in the traditional red and blue colors of Eritrea.

Exotic Flavours
Eritrean cuisine is very similar to that of Ethiopia. The menu includes a nice range of entrées. Try some tasty vegetable stews or meats prepared with Abyssinian spices and served with traditional Injera bread. Ingredients are purchased from the freshest sources in order to ensure a healthy meal.

Since Ancient Times
It is generally believed that coffee originated in North East Africa. The region has some of the oldest coffee traditions in the world. At this café you will find a variety of coffees and teas, including well-known favourites such as cappuccino and espresso, but you will also find special Eritrean coffee preparations. Traditional coffee ceremonies are performed on a periodical basis. The coffee ceremony is an extremely important social aspect of Eritrean culture. The ritual normally takes time and gives people a chance to socialize as well as enjoy sensual aromas and flavours. Beans are roasted in a pan and brewed in a special pot called a Jebena. This is something that coffee lovers won’t want to miss.