Tomoca Coffee

Tomoca is Addis Ababa's oldest and most celebrated coffee house, founded in 1953 by an Italian family and still family-run today. Tucked into a narrow shopfront on Churchill Avenue, it has become a pilgrimage site for coffee lovers — a place where locals, diaspora returning home, and curious travellers line up side by side for one of the finest espresso shots in Africa.

The Coffee

Tomoca roasts its own beans on-site using a vintage Italian drum roaster that has been in continuous operation for decades. The house blend draws on Ethiopian arabica from Harrar, Yirgacheffe, and Sidama — producing a cup that is bright, aromatic, and intensely flavoured. The espresso is served short and strong, Ethiopian style, with a thick crema and a lingering sweetness.

What to Order

• Espresso (macchiato) — the classic order; a single shot of espresso topped with a small crown of milk foam
• Buna — traditional Ethiopian coffee served in a small clay cup, sometimes accompanied by popcorn
• Ground coffee to go — Tomoca's house blend in 250g and 500g bags, the city's most popular coffee souvenir

The Atmosphere

The space is small, standing-room only during peak hours, and deliberately unchanged. A hand-painted mural, the hiss of the espresso machine, and the smell of fresh roast define the experience. There is no Wi-Fi and no seating area — just great coffee, fast service, and a century of ritual.

Visitor Tips

• Arrive before 9 AM or after 3 PM to avoid the longest queues.
• Buy a bag of ground coffee to take home — it travels well and makes an exceptional gift.
• The macchiato here is the standard by which all Addis coffee is judged.