Travel advisory, as of October 2026. Lalibela is in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, where the UK FCDO advises against all travel and the US government tells its citizens not to travel. Fighting has resumed across northern Ethiopia, flights to Lalibela have been suspended since 24 September 2026 with no restart date announced, and there is no safe overland route. Nothing described here can be booked now; this page describes the town for a future visit once advisories change. Read the FCDO advice and the US State Department before making any plans.

Eating in Lalibela, Ethiopia

Foreign tourism in Lalibela was already near zero before the current fighting, and many hotels have closed. Restaurant status is unconfirmed, so treat every name below as reported and check locally.

Reported places

• Ben Abeba is a restaurant on a hilltop north of town. It reopened in December 2022, and reviews showed it open in February 2026.
• Torpido (Askalech Tej Bet) is a tej house. Directions put it in an alley behind the police station.

Dishes to look for

• Injera, the sourdough flatbread made from teff, is the staple.
• Shiro is a chickpea stew, and tibs is sauteed meat.
• Kitfo is minced beef seasoned with spices.

Coffee ceremony

In the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, green beans are roasted over hot coals, ground, and brewed in a jebena pot.

Money

Cash is the norm. ATMs and card payment are unreliable.