Ethiopian Spiced Tea at Ge'eza: 2,000 F, and When to Order It

Ge'eza's Ethiopian spiced tea, in Point E, is a black tea brewed with spices and served hot at 2,000 F. It is a gentler drink than coffee, often chosen at the end of a meal or for an afternoon break, and should not be confused with Senegalese attaya, which is prepared and served quite differently.

What is in the cup

The Ethiopian tea on the menu is a black tea, brewed with spices, served hot. The spices give it a warmer profile than a plain tea, in the same spirit as chechebsa or genfo at breakfast, where berbere and spices play a central role. It is a simple drink to order, with no special preparation at the table, unlike the coffee ceremony.

When to choose it over coffee

Ethiopian tea suits anyone who wants a hot drink without the caffeine kick or intensity of a macchiato or a round of the ceremony. It goes down well after a heavy meal, late in the afternoon, or during a lighter work break. For a morning that needs a boost, the Ethiopian macchiato at 2,500 F remains the more common choice; tea tends to take over later in the day.

How it differs from attaya

Senegalese attaya is a different tea ritual, just as central to life in Dakar: brewed in three successive rounds, poured to build foam, and drunk from small glasses, with time taken between each round. Ge'eza's Ethiopian tea, by contrast, is served in a single cup, without attaya's pouring routine. The two still share an idea: tea, like coffee, is a moment to share rather than a drink to gulp down. The article attaya, Senegalese tea explains this ritual and its three glasses in more depth.

The Senegalese dish of the day, served at midday Tuesday to Friday, actually includes attaya in its 5,500 F price, which means you can try both tea traditions in a single visit if you come back another time for the Ethiopian tea.

Where to have it

Ethiopian tea can be ordered at any time the house is open, indoors, on the terrace under the trees, or in the glass-roofed room. The restaurant page presents the full drinks menu, for planning your break ahead of coming.