The menu, or literal lack thereof at this Seven Sisters restaurant is similar to other Somali dining experiences in the city, with the meals of the day reeled off to punters. Expect some combination of fragrant rice and tough red meat such as beef; for anyone hoping to date in private, a draping of curtains with the ability to conceal a group makes for a hilarious occasion.

On a road full of east African cafes and hangout spots, Somali restaurant ZamZam’s double floor layout and energetic name sticks out. While some Somali chefs showcase their own version of injera, the breadwinners here are bariis isku karis or isku dhez karis, featuring a flavour-packed one pot concoction of vegetable rice and goat meat. The Italian presence in the region is also shown here, with baasto, a spaghetti pasta also accompanying meats like digaag, a spiced and diced chicken. Don’t be surprised by the banana — it’s a customary accompaniment.

It’s fitting that the Ethiopian town this Tufnell Park restaurant is named for is a UNESCO world heritage site: Lalibela is as much a restaurant as it is a museum of relics, sculptures and art. Numerous plates include assa, — fish — beg, — lamb — bere, — beef — and doro — chicken — variations seasoned and sautéed with a plethora of vegetables and spices. Injera bread should be added here, and if there’s room for afters the Ye Mar ena Ye Wetet Dabo milk and honey cake sweet, soft and of course gluten free is a mindful treat.

The name Abyssinia was that of the ancient Ethiopian empire that preceded today’s nation state. Fitting then that it should be the name of London’s self-proclaimed first and oldest Ethiopian restaurant in London. In addition to the regular regional fare of meats and vegetable combos beside injera, expect golden roasted red meat tibs and tilapia fish. As the night drifts on, a cup of tej — Abyssinian honey wine — to is highly recommended.

Gorgeously wood-carved furniture, willowy plants and a straw-thatched bar awaits a vast menu that should accommodate any diet or preference. The word “appetiser” on the menu should be taken with caution. The ketegna — toasted injera — coated in mild chilli, the sheba salad and filled pastry sambossa alone could make a meal. The focus here is on injera sharing dishes. While some places serve the injera bread, rolled into smaller pieces served in a separate bowl, here the separate stews are served atop a behemoth round injera the same size as the tray.

Andu Cafe started life as an Internet café with coffee and the occasional snacks for browsers. A few snacks, injera bread and coffee turned into a dining menu and with the rapid change of Dalston’s population its popularity grew so much so that it expanded into the dormant space next door. Andu is a strictly vegan outing and as such the menu is relatively stripped down. Injera is paired with spiced cabbage and potato tikil gomen, a spinach gomen, and an assortment of split peas and lentils. Don’t be swayed by the pared down menu: the refinement means each topping gets the attention it deserves.

Merkato is as more of a café and chill spot than a restaurant on Caledonian Road. Food reflects a mixed Eritrean and Ethiopian heritage, and the recommended fifty-fifty option gives newbies a chance to sample bits of the whole menu, mixing meat and vegetarian options like the spicy lentil-based ades, fagioli — pasta, but not as you’ve had it in Italy — and hamli sautéed greens. With home comfort drinks on offer such as meta, castel, and St. Georges beer, it’s a great place to spend some time.

Addis’ coarse golden walls, amharic language scriptures and engraved wooden chairs immediately transport you to the Ethiopian capital it is named for. While many restaurants outsource injera, the King’s Cross stalwart makes it own, the sharp citrusy undertone of the sourdough bread cutting through. Special kitfo, a lean minced beef readied with “special” spinach and the pivotal Ethiopian butter is a unique item, and for those new to the cuisine, lamb dishes such as the bitesize awaze tibs, lean dry-fried dereq, or goden spare ribs are a fine introduction. The offal-inclined may find solace in the dulet, a mishmash of lamb red meat, liver and lamb stomach; For those wishing to keep their stomach clear of meat, beyaynetu mild mixed vegetable platters or seneg spiced with green chillies will tingle any tastebud.

Old Kent Road is home to an array of international communities, representing all corners of sub-Saharan Africa, from Tunisian bakeries to Nigerian diners and a number of east African hot spots. The most popular of the latter is Enat Gauda. The menu is markedly simple compared to others on this list, with a simple choice of meat or veg, consisting of whatever selection of the cuisine has been prepped for that day.

An outright Eritrean locale, this Woolwich restaurant takes heed of Italian colonial presence in the country and uses it to its advantage to provide an experience unlike any other. Lunch features a pasta of the day, and from start to finish the menu features a fusion of Italian and Eritrean classics. The Eritrean side showcases kemem tea, infused with cloves, cinnamon, star anise and ginger, warm ful meat stews infused with cardamom and cinnamon and cooked in tesmi, a warm and comforting spiced butter and a delicious homemade sweet cardamom flavoured bread called himbasha. For dinner vegetarian stews like the duba stebhi of pumpkin and beetroot, tumtumo lentils, and various meat stews scooped up with injera will leave no one wanting.

Adulis’ African palatial setting has to make it one of the finest east African and Eritrean restaurants in the capital. Platters for one double up all the way to the gargantuan Adulis kirchat for eight, served on a behemoth injera base with a selection of eight different vegetarian and meat based dishes. House specials on the meat side include the Adulis special of lamb cubes fried with a myriad of herbs and spices served on a charcoal heated clay pan, with a rarely seen linseed stew called intat’e is a strong choice for vegetarians.

Deep in south London, Somali Town is another unassuming local spot that provides a social space and pick me up for local Somalians and East Africans. There is no set menu however it can be assumed there will be maraq, a famous Somali vegetable soup or stew depending on how much produce is added.Meat abstainers may find themselves more bereft of options than Eritrean or Ethiopian restaurants, with meals like the bariis isku karis centred on a hefty portion of chopped, charred meat.