An authentic new Ethiopian eatery in Gzira with sublime stews and injera

The team behind the permanently closed One Love, Malta's first African bar and restaurant in Msida, are back after a few years hiatus by blessing Gzira with a brand new no fuss cafe (which opened less than a week ago) serving food from their motherland.

The space at Afro Deli and Coffee is tiny and it's pretty much a hole in the wall, but don't let that fool you, the kitchen is where the magic happens (so don't be a decor snob and ignore the poorly-designed/written menus).

 

The authentic menu features traditional fare at exceptionally reasonable prices and hearty portions (most dishes come with injera).

They also serve Ethiopian breakfast dishes such as foul (foul by name not taste), kinche and of course the internationally-loved Ethiopian coffee (an excuse for another visit).

Doro Wat is Ethiopia's national dish, so naturally I had to order this.

My protein of choice was chicken, which is slowly simmered in a moreish berbere sauce (berbere is a potent and complex spice blend). This is served with a marinated boiled egg and of course, injera. An absolutely outstanding and rich offering.

From the beef section, I was pleasantly silenced by the aromatic Gomen Besga - a hearty spinach-based dish with tender pieces of seasoned meat, collard greens, onions, garlic and spices. Eating it felt like receiving a warm hug.

The pieces of lamb in the Kilkil were evidently cooked low n slow and marinated for long. This turmeric-based stew is earthy with full-bodied flavours. Nothing to fault. 




The Doro Tibs is a 'dry' dish consisting of seasoned chicken cubes (very tender) sautéed in onions, tomatoes, jalapeño and Habesha spices. This dish was well-accomplished and exquisitely fragrant. 

Also there is a vegetable section on the menu filled with the same kind of dishes and these are vegan friendly. The fish category looks delicious, but unfortunately it was not available when I went (another reason to go back).




So whether you love Ethiopian food, real Ethiopian food, or want to give it a try, you have to pop over to Afro Deli and Coffee in Gzira.

There were a few minor hiccups due to them being so new (such as fish dishes and rice not being on available yet), but that was certainly overlooked. The food is very good, the prices are very affordable, and the portions are huge. 

One word of advice, ditch the cutlery and swipe the curries and injera with your hands... Ethiopian style. 

Afro Deli and Coffee
19 Triq Sir William Reid
Website