Photo - Rahel Ethiopian Veggie Cuisine

It’s the end of an era for this blogger. After more than two years of working with East African refugees I will be broadening my scope to working with people from around the globe.  I wanted to mark this rite of passage by sharing some of the East African restaurants in San Diego where one can do delicious dining. This article is adapted from one I wrote for the Taxan newsletter.

Many restaurants cater to the approximately 30,000 East Africans in San Diego who like to eat foods that are familiar from their homelands, and also to people of other cultures who like to try ethnic foods. There are several East African restaurants in the City Heights area where numerous East Africans live.

Some restaurants serve a mixture of East African and Mediterranean food, such as Safari Grill at 4990 University Ave #E. They also do catering and food to go.

African Spice in Safari Market at 54th and University Ave. has East African and Mediterranean food seven days a week. Another East African and Mediterranean restaurant is Farida’s Bistro at 1754 Euclid Ave.

There are many Ethiopian restaurants in San Diego. Red Sea at 4717 University Avenue has a good vegetarian combination plate that include 3 or 4 items such as lentils, green vegetables, salad, and of course, the wonderful injera bread.

Awash Ethiopian Restaurant, at 4979 El Cajon Boulevard, also has vegetarian combinations and in the University Heights area, you’ll find Harar Ethiopian Restaurant at 2432 El Cajon Blvd.

Nearby is one of my favorites, Muzita Abyssinian Bistro (Ethiopian/Eritrean), at 4651 Park Blvd., a more upscale restaurant with good veggie options. For really tasty Eritrean food, try Asmara at 4155 University Ave. with entrees similar to Ethiopian cuisine. A newer Kenyan-owned place is Flavors of East Africa, at 2302 El Cajon Blvd. The food’s great and the atmosphere relaxed.

There are more restaurants than those featured here, so enjoy a taste of Africa right here in San Diego while supporting local businesses! L.A. has East African options too, like the all-veggie Rahel Ethiopian Cuisine –  don’t be afraid to try something new.