A NEW CULINARY CENTER
Few places capture Silver Spring’ s Ethiopian influence better than Beteseb, a welcoming Georgia Avenue restaurant that has become a destination. Chef and co-owner Darmyelesh Alemu was named a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, a recognition that honors both her cooking and the growing prominence of Ethiopian cuisine in the region.
Beteseb— its name means“ family” in Amharic— lives up to that spirit. Newcomers are welcomed with guidance through the menu, while groups gather around generous platters designed for sharing. Colorful portions of lentils, vegetables and richly seasoned meats arrive atop a broad round of injera.
A combination platter offers an ideal introduction. Highlights include difin misir, lentils simmered with garlic and ginger; turmeric-brightened atkilt alicha with cabbage, carrots and potatoes; tender gomen collard greens; and beef tibs sautéed with onions. More than a meal, the experience offers a glimpse of how Ethiopian culinary traditions have traveled, taken root, and flourished in Silver Spring.
COFFEE AND COMMUNITY
Ethiopia’ s influence in Silver Spring extends well beyond the dinner table. Coffee holds a central place in Ethiopian culture— the country is widely regarded as the birthplace of coffee— and several local cafes offer a taste of that longstanding tradition.
At Black Lion Café, Ethiopian-grown beans are featured in a menu of espresso drinks and drip coffee, alongside smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and pastries. The café offers a casual introduction to a beverage whose roots stretch back centuries and whose preparation and sharing remain deeply woven into Ethiopian social life.
Nearby, Adulis Coffee & Roastery takes the coffee connection a step further by roasting its beans in-house. The café also serves Ethiopian dishes throughout the day. At breakfast, enkulal firfir folds pieces of injera and sautéed onions into seasoned scrambled eggs to make a comforting dish.
BEYOND ETHIOPIA
Ethiopian culture may be especially visible in Silver Spring, but the area’ s connections to Africa extend farther across the continent. Restaurants rooted in West African traditions add to the community’ s diverse culinary landscape.
At Jolloff Etcetera on New Hampshire Avenue, Nigerian cuisine takes center stage. As its name suggests, the restaurant specializes in jollof rice, the beloved West African staple made with tomatoes, peppers, and aromatic spices. The menu delves deeper into Nigerian cuisine with egusi, a hearty stew thickened with ground melon seeds; okra and ogbono soup served with pounded yam; and fisherman’ s soup brimming with seafood.
At Koité Grill, the focus shifts to Senegal, where grilled meats and bold seasonings define the menu. Lamb dibi, a Senegalese favorite, arrives from the grill with a fiery, mustard-based sauce, while crisp fataya pastries offer savory pockets of seasoned fish. Spiced wings and other grilled specialties round out a menu inspired by West African cuisine.
These restaurants expand Silver Spring’ s culinary map, offering a taste of Africa. Diners can experience the cultures of Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Senegal— no passport required.
Photo: Jill Jasuta
AUTUMN / WINTER 2026 35 FLYWASHINGTON. COM