Your First Coffee Ceremony at Ge'eza: What to Expect

For a first coffee ceremony at Ge'eza, in Point E, here is what actually happens: the floor is covered with fresh grass, incense burns, green beans are roasted in a pan in front of you, ground by hand, then brewed in a jebena and served in three rounds, Abol, Tona and Baraka. The full ceremony lasts about 45 minutes and costs 5,000 F per person; each round can also be ordered on its own.

The steps, in order

Setting the space. The space changes before the coffee even appears: freshly cut grass is laid on the floor, and incense is lit. It is the first sign that the ceremony is starting.

Roasting. The green beans are washed, then roasted in a pan over embers, in front of guests. You are often invited to breathe in the smoke from the beans at this point, a gesture that is part of the ritual.

Grinding. Once roasted, the beans are pounded by hand in a mortar, with no machine involved.

Brewing in the jebena. The ground coffee is brewed in the jebena, a clay pot with a long neck, set over the embers.

The three rounds. Coffee is poured from height into small, handleless cups. Abol, the first round, is the most intense. Tona, the second, is more nuanced. Baraka, the third, means blessing and closes the ceremony gently.

How long it takes and what it costs

The full ceremony takes about 45 minutes at Ge'eza, compared with sometimes over an hour in some Ethiopian households, where it can happen several times a day. It costs 5,000 F per person and includes the three rounds, incense and house-made dabo, served with honey. For anyone short on time, each round can also be ordered separately: Abol at 2,500 F, Tona at 2,000 F, Baraka at 1,500 F. The article Abol, Tona, Baraka explains what sets each cup apart.

What it means

The coffee ceremony is not a simple drink service: it is an old hospitality ritual, marking welcome and conversation. You do not just drink coffee, you share it, taking the time for all three rounds without rushing. To understand what this gesture means in Ethiopian culture, the article the coffee ceremony as a language of hospitality goes further into the meaning of the ritual.

Booking your first ceremony

It is best to book, ideally 24 hours ahead, especially for a group. Booking happens online on the coffee ceremony page or on WhatsApp at +221 78 660 07 07, with confirmation through the same channel.