Situated beneath the Mancunian Way motorway flyover, a key part of the city’s inner ring route, Hatch is central Manchester’s shipping container park, with a plethora of eateries, drinkeries and retail outlets covering a deceptively large area that runs back from the landmark Oxford Road. It’s here we find House of Habesha, which is one of just a handful of restaurants in town serving up flavours from East Africa, with the word ‘Habesha’ itself referencing the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia. 

If you’ve new to this cuisine then think warming curries that define the term ‘comfort food’, with dishes plated up alongside the unique Injera — a fermented flatbread that’s spongy to the touch, sharp and sour in flavour, and works perfectly alongside the deep and often spicy notes that define many of the recipes. A number of standout options are on the menu, and longstanding must-try choices include the Kulwa Keyh (made with spicy lamb finely sliced and slow cooked with lentils, and the Dorho — a full chicken leg, stewed with a boiled egg.

Elsewhere, the Spicy Timtimo is a vegan mix of red lentils stewed in onions, garlic, tomatoes and berbere seasoning, and along with the aptly-named Fit-Fit (pieces of Injera stewed with tomatoes, onions, garlic and spices) nods to the fact that this type of kitchen is ideally suited to non-meat eaters by nature, rather than design. Many options are also gluten-free. Although spoilt for choice, we’d highly recommend looking to one of the platters, which tick several boxes by offering samples of various curries. Meanwhile, those looking for something more fusion style might want to check the Habesha Twist range, which combines East African roots with modern Western fast food including burgers, loaded fries and wraps. Taking all that into account – not to mention the unique drinks on offer, like Kemem Tea — it’s no wonder House of Habesha walked away with Best Food Trader at the Manchester Food & Drink awards in 2022.