Addis Ababa Food & Market Tour – Customizable Culinary Adventure
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
fully customizable Addis Ababa experience, designed around your pace, interests, and travel style.
Combine Merkato Market, Africa’s largest open-air market, with the city’s key cultural highlights spices, coffee, textiles, leather, and real local life.
Explore National Museum of Ethiopia, home of the famous Lucy fossil and Ethiopia’s human history.
Visit Tomoca Coffee, one of Ethiopia’s oldest coffee houses and a symbol of coffee culture.
See city landmarks, viewpoints, Black Lion statues, and the “Lion of Judah,” reflecting Ethiopia’s identity and heritage.
This tour is fully flexible you can adjust stops in real time based on your interests, whether markets, culture, food, or photography. Add Ethiopian cuisine, local drinks like Tej, Tela, Araki, and a coffee ceremony for a full cultural experience.
This is a personalized, immersive Addis Ababa experience showing the real city, not the tourist version.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Mercato Market
Discover the true heartbeat of Addis Ababa with a guided visit to the iconic Merkato Market, one of Africa’s largest and most vibrant open-air markets. explore a vast maze of narrow alleys and bustling stalls overflowing with color, energy, and culture. Experience the rhythm of everyday Ethiopian trade as you pass through sections filled with freshly roasted coffee beans, aromatic spices, handwoven textiles, leather goods, clothing, household items, and locally crafted products. With your expert local guide, learn how to navigate the market like a local—understand pricing, observe traditional bargaining, and interact with friendly traders who bring the market to life through stories and daily commerce. This immersive experience offers a powerful insight into authentic Ethiopian urban life, where culture, tradition, and trade come together in one of Africa’s most dynamic marketplaces.
Shiro Meda Market
If your tour is scheduled on a Sunday, we will implement an alternative arrangement, as Merkato Market is closed on Sundays. In its place, we will visit Shiro Meda Market, located near Mount Entoto. Shiro Meda is particularly renowned for its vibrant Sunday market and is a premier destination for Ethiopian textiles, offering a wide selection of handwoven cotton garments, traditional attire, scarves, and finely crafted local accessories and souvenirs. Alternatively, we may visit Sholla Market, an active open market on Sundays that provides a comparable range of goods to Merkato—including clothing, fresh produce, household items, and handicrafts—within a more relaxed and less crowded setting. This adjustment ensures the continuity of your tour while maintaining a rich, authentic, and high-quality local market experience.
What‘s Included
Pick up and drop off
Guided Walking Tours to Open air Mercato Market+ Unlimited drinking bottled water
Attend Ethiopian traditional coffee Cermoney +all types of organic fruit juices testing
Professional driver/guide+Wifi on board
Air-conditioned vehicle With Fuel surcharge
Entry/Admission - National Museum of Ethiopia
Ethiopian National Food none vegetarian & Vegan all types +Tips for your driver/guide + alcoholic.
Cultural food and drinks at local Restaurant
Kindly note that the National museum is not open on Monday
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
City Tour, Food Tour, Shopping
Duration: 4 hours Food tours : Vegetarian And non vegetarian Guided By Dailyaddis tours Ethiopian Vegan and Vegetarian all type Food Tours Food Local Market city Tours Mini van Pickup included
City tour shopping food Tours
Food local Market City Tours Duration: 4 hours Car and vans Pickup included
Reviews
50 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Day in the Life of the Mercado
Cynthia L,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My husband and I enjoyed our tour w/ Yonas. This was our first time in Ethiopia and it could have been very overwhelming with the traffic and visiting the mercado. Yonas was thoughtful and provided alot of information about ethiopia and the city. He was willing to personalize to whatever we wanted to see. We would recommend him to anyone as you can see how much he loved teaching us about his fascinating culture and country
Best tour ever !
ansam h,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00As a solo female traveler, I had an amazing experience exploring Sholla Market. The local open market is full of life fresh produce, spices, and everyday city trade all happening at once. It felt authentic and gave me a real glimpse into local life. I was picked up on time in a new, clean car, and Yonas was very professional not only a knowledgeable tour guide but also a safe and reliable driver. He made me feel completely safe throughout the entire tour and even dropped me off at the airport, which I truly appreciated. We also stopped at an old Tomoca coffee shop, where I enjoyed one of the best traditional coffees, along with a fresh mixed juice and a local breakfast full of rich flavors. Sharing this experience and interacting with locals made it even more special and memorable. Yonas is truly professional, knowledgeable, and caring. His connection with the community made everything smooth and enjoyable. Strongly recommended!
outstanding individual tour to get the best basic Addis Ababa insight
hansgK3284XW,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Initially, and as usually, I planned to explore the center and especially the big market myself but got sincere advice to book a guide for not getting lost or robbed. Luckily, I got YONAS a very friendly, flexible, smart, good English spoken guide who quickly adopted to my preferences and made it an unforgettable outstanding experience. On my request, we had an intensive 3h visit of nearly all sections of the huge and amazing Merkato and I was able to buy some vegetables, fruits, as well as souvenirs. Afterwards Yonas drove me to two different coffee shops, one was TOMOCA the oldest Addis Ababa coffee shop with a small museum inside and another more modern one, mainly selling the best and traditional coffee from Yirgacheffe and Sidama regions. I had a tasting at both spots but didn't buy any as the prices are mostly higher than those for similar coffee back home in Europe. For lunch, we went to a traditional non-touristic Ethiopian restaurant where we had different marinated vegetables as a starter, grilled lamb as the main course along with spicy sauces and the typical injera bread and cool local non-alcoholic beer. Afterwards Yonas continued with a wonderful sightseeing tour, showing me university, unity park (outside), different squares, biggest Addis Ababa mosque, St Georges church and many other interesting buildings which I was able to capture. Bottom line: an outstanding individual tour to get the basic Addis Ababa highlights and insight. I highly recommend this tour, especially with the perfect guide Yonas, who can be reached on WhatsApp at +251 91 338 4298. He will expertly organize your trip according to your preferences and in line with the companies rules to ensure it becomes an unforgettable experience.
Adisu best guide ever
19ralft,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a 16h layover in Addis Abeba and wanted to get to know the Ethiopian people, culture and food in this short period of time. We spontaneously booked a tour and had the perfect match. Adisu responded right away, accepted our requested changes to the itinerary and picked us up only 1h later. He brought us to a beautiful place where we had traditional lunch and a coffee ceremony, the food was amazing, the staff friendly and welcoming. Then he showed us the Merkato, we walked through streets which we as non-locals would've never found. Another coffee in the city's oldest coffeeshop, before we went up the Mount Entoto. Throughout the whole tour Adisu explained us so many things about Ethiopia's history and culture, he answered all questions patiently and was absolutely polite and welcoming. He's a safe driver and a very positive person. We did some shopping on a local clothing market and had a nice dinner including fresh fruit juices. It was almost sad to say goodbye at the end of our tour, but we couldn't have imagined any better than those few hours we had in this city and are thankful to have made new friends. Big thanks and hugs to Adisu, we highly recommend booking a tour with him!
Perfect Activity for an Extended Layover
314julesw,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a 24hr layover in Addis. This was a great way to spend the time, seeing the city, having an authentic meal. I had the best Injera ever! The tour is also super flexible and customizable based on your interest.
Fantastic intro to Addis Ababa!
G507KEmarias,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had about 5-6 hours to see the city and we went on this tour with Yonas. He really made sure that we made the most out of our short stay in the city: we had a fantastic and authentic breakfast and lunch, tried amazing Ethiopian coffee in the oldest cafe in the city, checked out the market and the modern face of the city, as well as views og the city from above. I was sceptical at first that we'd fit all this in but Yonas knows the city inside and out so managing all this was super easy and smooth! Yonas is a super friendly and knowledgeable guy who knows everything about his country and really takes the time to get to know his guests and what they like in order to really tailor the tour to their needs and interests. Would definitely recommend!
Explore the Mercato like a local
Danny C,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00If you want to see Addis like a local, I highly recommend this tour. You will definitely need a guide to see the real Mercato and Adisu is that person. He will show you how the locals shop and walk you through the tiniest most obscure of the market stalls. Be sure to wear close-toed shoes, as the street can get wet and muddy.
Top 3 Tours I’ve ever done & I’ve been to 50+ countries
Hannah worsham,Dec 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yonus was AMAZING. I’m passing through Addis Ababa on the Ethiopian Airlines Stopover Program and wanted to do a tour to see the city. I booked the tour because they’d said Yonus was a great tour guide and they were absolutely right. He came to my hotel and was even early for pick up and had a clean car to pick me up in. No one else signed up for the tour so it was just the two of us touring around the city. When I got in, he asked me what I wanted to do and tailored the day to fit what I wanted. We grabbed breakfast & tea, walked around the market at my request, did a coffee ceremony, went to the top of the mountain, took me to a couple rooftops to see the city as I’m an avid photographer, and had lunch before dropping me off at my requested time for my flight. I stick out a bit, I’m tall with blonde hair and blue eyes and was worried about safety, especially in the busy market, but little did I know that with Yonus I wouldn’t have to worry whatsoever. He was incredibly professional and made sure I was comfortable by checking in every so often during the day while still being incredibly personable. He walked right next to me in the market and made sure no one made me feel unsafe or uncomfortable. If I ever know anyone to pass through Addis Ababa, I will definitely personally give them Yonus’ number so he can be their tour guide. I may even come back through so he can show me the jazz scene as I love Ethiopian Jazz. Absolutely highly recommend.
Heart of Addis
B3973UEchiarab,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Touch the vibrant atmosphere of Merkato and the deep religious faith. Alam will show you the heart of this special city.
A trip around Addis Ababa
R850AOwillg,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yonas was assigned to us via get your guide for another trio in Ethiopia. A few days later we messaged him to see if he would take us on a tour of Addis Ababa. What a great guy. We told him the basics of what we wanted to do and then he added the Yonas touch to make it special. Great English, knowledgable, funny and kind, spending time with Yonas as we explored the giant mercato was amazing and always felt safe in his presence. We also went to the piazza to the first Italian coffee house which was a must do! Then on to the Palace. Nothing is too much for Yonas and he is always really very keen to help. A top guide for a top city.
From US$75.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Daily Addis Tours