Vegan
Delivery
Take-out
Gluten-free
African
Ethiopian
Fully vegan restaurant specializing in Ethiopian cuisine. Menu includes samosa, sharing paltters, injera, and more. Bookings for traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony available. Open Mon-Sun 12:00-22:00.
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42 Hanbury St, East London, England, E1 5JL
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Last update on 07 Jul 2025 by martinlugton
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Added by ultraviolet.gomez on 20 Oct 2024
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29 Reviews
First Review by ultraviolet.gomez
Elarm
Points +998
Traditional Ethiopian food - Edit
Small place, very cute inside, 100% vegan. Try it out!
Read moreGuest
MaxCHappyCowAccount
Points +95
Incredible - Edit
This is probably the best etheopean food I've ever had, and to make things better, the place is fully vegan. My only issue is that it is very expensive compared to other Etheopean places in London.
Read morePros: Incredible flavours, Friendly staff
Cons: Expensive
Guest
vegancoupletravels_
Points +509
Traditional Ethiopian food on Brick Lane - Edit
We visited for lunch back in August. Lovely location right on Brick Lane. We had the Merkamo Special (medium). Portion wise we’d say it was perfect for lunch for two. We really enjoyed it and it was very healthy which isn’t always easy to get eating out in London. It was in a lovely heart shaped dish and was presented well. We would definitely visit again. The waitress was also lovely and very helpful.
Read moreGuest
N3starax
Points +20
Unbelievably good! - Edit
Incredible flavours, reasonable price and lovely staff. Would recommend 100%
Read moreGuest
vegansheep
Points +3519
Such a nice little restaurant - Edit
I’ve visited the Merkamo stall many times so I knew the food would be good and they didn’t disappoint! Really like the decor and presentation too.
Read moreGuest
vinchau9
Points +55
Amazing Injera Merkamo Special - Edit
Order the merkamo special with Injera only, medium size for two people. We really enjoyed the curries served with the Injera, very tasty and delicious. Service was superb and great value for money.
Read morePros: Filling, Service, Value for money
Guest
AmyHolly
Points +43
A feast - Edit
We loved the merkamo special platter, medium size (1-2 people) was in reality plenty for 2 hungry adults and ideal for people like us who aren’t too familiar with Ethiopian cuisine.
Read moreYou get a great selection served on top of injeera, and the guy who worked there was genuinely thrilled to see how much we enjoyed it.
Loved it!
Guest
ChristinaAtlanta
Points +108
Too high for the quality - Edit
My meal was a good size for one person. The lentils were undercooked, and I don't mean al dente. Since I didn't eat the beans, I ordered a samosa, not knowing that it was stuffed with the same undercooked beans. The phyllo was good and the seasonings for the meal were fine. The rest was cooked like what I have elsewhere.
Read moreGuest
MegD
Points +473
Great food. - Edit
There's a range of vegan options. I went for a mix which gave you a taste of everything. It was definitely a good choice.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-07-26
Pros: Lots of choice, Tasty food, Good atmosphere in the market
Guest
PatiLamour
Points +1556
10/10 - Edit
Ein richtiges Festmahl; lecker und sättigend. Würden jederzeit wiederkommen.
Read morePros: Super Preis-Leistung-Verhältnis, Vielfältig
Guest
MagaliEledhwen
Points +2780
Excellent food - Edit
The food is excellent, flavourful and tasty. The staff is really welcoming.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-06-08
Guest
TDU
Points +28
Excellent food - Edit
Really tasty dishes. Lovely service.
Read morePros: Food, Service, Food
Guest
dropkick690
Points +38
Ethiopian delights and warm hospitality - Edit
Delicious food and very friendly people. We had the Merkamo Special, which offered a wonderful cross-section of their pulse- and vegetable-based dishes – such an amazing variety of delightful flavours. Since it was our first time eating Ethiopian food the traditional way, we also received a quick and helpful introduction to eating with injera bread.
Read moreGuest
bexgx
Points +82
Flavourful and friendly! - Edit
Love this place!
Read moreI’ve tried their food in Spitalfields but they’ve now got their own restaurant just off of Brick Lane. They’ve decorated it so nicely, lots of Ethiopian art with a modern, earthy touch.
Food was delicious and flavourful, the staff are so so so so so friendly, they really put so much love into their food and are so smiley and happy to be there.
Food was presented beautifully, I had a platter and some coconut dumplings. Just delicious.
Really recommend! So happy for you guys on opening your own place😄
Updated from previous review on 2025-05-26
Pros: Platter , Coconut dumplings
Guest
KateGM
Points +593
Delicious - Edit
My partner and I shared a medium serve with a selection of everything and absolutely devoured it. The staff were helpful and welcoming.
Read moreThe injera currently isn’t gluten free due to access to Teff being a challenge, but the team quickly let me know that they will prepare full teff injera for coeliacs with notice. We hadn’t planned ahead and so had ours with rice.
Guest
Sipadan
Points +138
A unique and special place to eat! - Edit
Very fresh Ethiopian food - a cuisine that my family and I had never tasted before. The portion sizes were large and the meal was great. 🇪🇹
Read moreGuest
flocitygirl
Points +3000
Such a cool experience - Edit
With such great food and relaxing atmosphere (not to mention the super nice decor), I'm not surprised this restaurant is very successful. I think we were lucky because we managed to have a table without a booking - but I would recommend booking just in case. They were super busy that evening so we didn't mind waiting a bit, we were just happy to experience Ethiopian cuisine in a 100% plant-based restaurant.
Read moreMy only suggestion would be to indicate allergens on the menu. It turns out none of the starters are gluten-free (and I would strongly suspect none of the desserts either, although we didn't enquire because we were full at that stage). We asked for gluten-free injeras to share. It took a while to arrive, they said it was because they were doing it gluten-free on request. It was so good, perfect for sharing - just defend your territory in case you're sharing with a quick eater! And mind the sauces, they're super spicy.
Also, it's a detail maybe but I loved that they brought us tap water in a bottle full of mint leaves😄I would strongly recommend.
Guest
Mooncakemits
Points +1284
Work just got injera-esting! - Edit
So pleased to have an Ethiopian restaurant close to my work. The couscous is fluffy, the injera is spongy , the chilli sauces are spicy and the lentils and vegetables are delicious. The restaurant feels cosy and the staff are super friendly and sweet.
Read moreGuest
HannahFleetwood
Points +22
I loved, loved, loved it! - Edit
One of the best meals I've ever had. The dumplings were divine and the platter with injera was also absolutely amazing. A lovely place and very warm and welcoming service although I arrived quite early and the owner was still getting everything ready. Go and eat here!
Read morePros: Everything
Guest
Windlekins
Points +1344
Lovely place - Edit
The vibe here is lovely. Super friendly. Explained the menu really well to us. We had the sharing meal and my hubby and I were almost racing! Totally different flavour to anything else I have tried. Highly recommend
Read morePros: Vibe
Guest
AndyBajo
Points +186
Healthy tasty 🍲 - Edit
Very nice traditional food, for me preferable size of the restsurant as I don't like large restaurants😄This is a cosy size for me.
Read morePros: Bistro, Food, Ambient music
Guest
VeganPheebs
Points +112
Delicious and friendly! - Edit
I was very excited to try Merkamo and was not disappointed at all! I went for the Merkamo special platter for one which had little bit of everything, and I also ordered the samosas. It was all very flavourful and brilliant to try. The portion sizes are very generous, I struggled to finish! What really makes this place though is the wonderful staff, they are so so welcoming. I was eating out by myself on a Monday night, and often feel a bit awkward or like I'm in the way, but I was so immediately welcomed and comforted it immediately put me at ease. Thanks :)
Read morePros: Flavourful food, Welcoming staff, Funky interior design
Guest
improvegan
Points +72
Experience - Edit
Great dish, eating with hands, vosy, calm atmosphere and super nice staff :)
Read morePros: Disney, experience, nice staff
Guest
Plumesworld
Points +1075
Great meal - Edit
I've visited Merkamo's stall in Spitalfields many times so it was great to sit down in their restaurant. The food was fabulous as always and I enjoyed a cinnamon and cardamom tea, my friend tried it and had to order one for herself. The server was lovely and we had a good chat with her. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.
Read moreGuest
GabiMaddocks
Points +315
Good honest vegan delicious food - Edit
Amazing flavours, friendly and helpful staff, be prepared to tuck in with your fingers! You’ll eat the rainbow and do your gut a favour with the wonderful fermented injera.
Read morePros: Fun vibe, Lovely staff , Reasonable prices
Guest
martinlugton
Points +175
Excellent injera - Edit
The staff and atmosphere were very welcoming, and the food was generous, filling and very flavoursome!
Read moreGuest
acm19
Points +27
My favourite restaurant in London - Edit
I've tried Merkamo first when it was only a stall at Spitalfields Market. So happy to see what it's become. Real food for the soul, loveliest of owners, authentic Ethiopian experience. Love it here!
Read moreGuest
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