From Asmara to Manchester

Authentic Eritrean & Ethiopian Dining

Shared platters, slow-cooked stews, the coffee ceremony, and warm hospitality — in the heart of the Northern Quarter.

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★ Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2022Featured on NetflixVegan-friendly
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Authentic heritage cuisine✦Plant-based favourites✦The traditional coffee ceremony✦Served on fresh injera✦37 Port Street, Manchester M1 2EQ✦

Our Story

A Taste of Eritrea & Ethiopia, Shared in Manchester

Asmara Bella was born from a passion for sharing the rich culinary heritage of East Africa. Rooted in tradition and family, our recipes have been passed down through generations.

“Every dish tells a story, and every meal is an invitation to our home.”
Read Our Story
Eritrean and Ethiopian dishes shared on injera
Woven mesob baskets in the Asmara Bella dining room
  1. 01

    Shared Injera Dining

    The heart of our culture, where everyone gathers around a single platter.

  2. 02

    Traditional Stews

    Slow-cooked Wats and Tibs, bursting with aromatic Berbere spices.

  3. 03

    Vegan & Meat

    Extensive plant-based options alongside succulent marinated meats.

  4. 04

    Coffee Ceremony

    Experience the ancient ritual of roasting, brewing, and sharing coffee.

Come Together

A Table Where Everyone Is Welcome

In Eritrean and Ethiopian tradition, the finest meals are shared from one plate, in good company. Pull up a chair — here, you dine as family.

Reserve Your Table
Hand-roasting coffee for the ceremony Coffee poured from a traditional jebena A jebena and small cups set out for the three rounds of coffee

The Coffee Ceremony

The Ancient Coffee Ritual

01

Roast & Aroma

Green beans are roasted by hand until dark and shimmering, releasing incredible aroma.

02

The Jebena Pour

Coffee is brewed in a traditional clay pot and poured in a single stream from height.

03

Three Cups of Unity

Abol, Tona, and Baraka – three rounds of coffee representing peace and community.

Explore the Coffee Ceremony
Inside Asmara Bella in Manchester — warm timber bar, Edison lighting and traditional Eritrean baskets
“A little corner of Asmara, in the heart of Manchester.”

Our Heritage

Inspired by Asmara – Eritrea’s Highland Capital

Perched 2325 metres above sea level, Asmara is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its modernist architecture, palm-lined avenues, and vibrant café culture. We bring a slice of this timeless elegance to Manchester.

ArchitectureIconic Italian-influenced modernist design.
ClimateTimeless “City Above the Clouds” atmosphere.
Discover the Culture
Plant-based Eritrean and Ethiopian beyaynetu platter on injera

Naturally Plant-Based

A Heritage of Plant-Based Eating

Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine is one of the world's great plant-based traditions. Centuries of Orthodox fasting days shaped a vibrant vegan table of lentils, split peas, greens and warming spices — shared on injera.

Discover Our Plant-Based Table

Learn with us

Cultural Cooking Experiences

£45 / person

Injera & Main Dish Class

Master the art of the perfect sourdough injera and a signature traditional stew. Includes lunch.

Book Class
Best seller
£65 / person

The Combo Experience

The full journey: Learn to cook a feast and participate in a masterclass of the coffee ceremony. Includes full meal.

Book The Best Seller
£30 / person

Coffee Making Class

Roast, grind, and brew the perfect East African coffee. Learn the history behind the culture.

Book Class

View All Experiences

4.8
Rated on Google & Tripadvisor

Recognised, celebrated & loved by our guests

The Guardian Manchester Evening News Confidentials Manchester's Finest Creative Tourist Visit Manchester NETFLIX Featured in Run Away, Ep.3 ☉ Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2022

“Named among the 10 best restaurants and pop-ups at the Manchester Food & Drink Festival.”

The Guardian →

“One of the best vegan restaurants, bars and cafés in Greater Manchester.”

Manchester Evening News →

“A wonderful Eritrean & Ethiopian restaurant, hidden in the Northern Quarter.”

Manchester's Finest →
“A little gem tucked away in the Northern Quarter — fabulous food with a difference.”
SSusan T · Tripadvisor
“Super welcoming, with a very warm atmosphere and lovely traditional dishes.”
EEllie · Tripadvisor
“The food was absolutely gorgeous, the presentation superb and the service amazing.”
JJames · Tripadvisor
“The injera was really light and clearly a source of pride. Great food and so friendly.”
SSara · Tripadvisor
“Good quality, tasty, well-cooked food, a lovely atmosphere and great service.”
AAmira · Tripadvisor
“Fantastic, a hidden gem — great service and excellent food. I hope more people discover it.”
TTom · Tripadvisor

Read more reviews on Google

Good to know

Questions, answered

Anything else? Call us on 0161 460 6773 or ask our chat assistant.

Where is Asmara Bella?

We are at 37 Port Street, Manchester M1 2EQ, in the Northern Quarter of Manchester city centre.

What are your opening hours?

Monday to Thursday 5pm–11pm, and Friday to Sunday 1pm–11pm. The last table booking is at 10:40pm.

How do I book a table?

You can book online in a minute, or call us on 0161 460 6773. Tables for under 20 guests confirm instantly when available, and tables are held for 15 minutes past your booking time.

Do you have vegan options?

Yes. Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine is naturally rich in plant-based dishes – lentils, split peas, greens and spices – and we serve fully vegan platters. See our plant-based menu.

What is injera?

Injera is a soft, spongy sourdough flatbread, traditionally made from teff. It is both the plate and the cutlery: dishes are served on top of it, and you tear off pieces to scoop up your food. Read our guide to injera.

Do you offer takeaway?

Yes. Order online with Click & Collect and pick up your food from Port Street.

Can you host groups and private parties?

Yes. We host birthdays, private parties and corporate events, with sharing platters for groups. Bookings of 20 or more are confirmed personally by our team – see private hire & events.

Do you sell gift vouchers?

Yes. Gift vouchers can be used for dining, the coffee ceremony or a cooking class, and are valid for 12 months from purchase.

What is the coffee ceremony?

A traditional Eritrean ritual: green beans are roasted by hand, brewed in a clay jebena and served over three rounds. You can add it to your table booking for £12.50 per guest. Learn more.

Join Us at Our Table

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Opening Hours

Mon – Thu
5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Fri – Sun
1:00 PM – 11:00 PM