Africanna Cafe

• Cuisine(s): African, American, Ethiopian, Traditional
  Hours: Daily 9am-2am
• Price: $, $$
  Features: Takeout
• Serving: Breakfast, Dinner, Late Night, Lunch
  Parking: No Parking

Description

Denver is home to an estimated 10,000 people of Ethiopian descent -- and nearly as many Ethiopian restaurants, or so it seems when you're driving east on Colfax through Aurora. Choosing one that reflects the diversity and nuances of Ethiopian cuisine can be a challenge for those unfamiliar with the smells and spices of East Africa. But the native, the initiated and the adventurous can all be found at Africana Cafe, where the city's Abasha community meets to eat. Africana offers the usual array of traditional Ethiopian food: spongy injera bread, platters of vegetables and meats accented with the earthy berbere chili spice, as well as really traditional dishes such as kitfo -- raw or rare ground beef served with lots of fire. But Africana stands out for its perfect rendering of a few simple but beloved staples, including shiro wot, a stew of chickpeas pureed with garlic. This is comfort food for those yearning for Addis Ababa -- and anyone who just loves simple, tasty and good.