Merkato Eri-Ethrio Cafe & Restaurant

What is Merkato Eri-Ethrio Cafe & Restaurant? Located at 436 Parliament Street in Cabbagetown, Merkato Eri-Ethrio Cafe & Restaurant brings authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian home cooking to the former Little Bangladesh storefront. The setup is unpretentious and intimate, featuring straightforward dining room seating, warm hospitality, and a welcoming community-oriented atmosphere.

Merkato Eri-Ethrio Cafe & Restaurant Menu & What to Order Communal dining shines here, with dishes served over large platters of freshly made, tangy injera. First-timers should opt for a combination platter, which brings together slow-simmered doro wat, berbere-spiced beef tibs, and rich lentil stews. The kitchen offers extensive vegan stews like spiced shiro alongside raw or lightly seared kitfo, best finished with a fragrant, traditional jebena coffee service.

Know Before You Go Tables are largely walk-in only, making it an easy drop-in spot for relaxed weeknight dinners or unhurried weekend lunches. The restaurant is easily accessible via the 506 Carlton streetcar or 65 Parliament bus, though street parking along Parliament can be scarce during dinner rushes. Service runs daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.