Ben Abeba

Top choice in Lalibela


Easily one of Ethiopia's coolest restaurants, this Ethio-Scottish-owned, Dalí-esque jumble of walkways, platforms and fire pits is perched on the edge of the ridge for 360-degree views. The food is tasty – we especially like that the restaurant makes its own traditional bread and uses it to make an excellent goat burger. Stop by at 11am to see injera being made.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Lalibela attractions

1. Saturday Market

0.72 MILES

Lalibela’s Saturday Market is quite large. It's quieter on other days, but still worth visiting.

2. Museum

0.75 MILES

Downstairs at the ticket office, the uninspired museum displays the usual church items. It's an obligatory stop, but any time spent here is merely…

3. Bet Uraiel

0.77 MILES

In the trench fronting the western facade of Bet Golgotha, past the symbolic Tomb of Adam (a giant, hollowed-out block of stone), Bet Uraiel opened as a…

4. Tomb of Adam

0.77 MILES

The symbolic Tomb of Adam is a giant, hollowed-out block of stone next to Bet Uraiel.

5. Bet Meskel

0.78 MILES

Carved into the courtyard’s northern wall at Bet Maryam is the tiny semi-chapel of Bet Meskel. Four pillars divide the gallery into two aisles spanned by…

6. Bet Golgotha & Bet Mikael

0.78 MILES

A trench at the southern end of the Bet Maryam courtyard connects it to the twin churches of Bet Golgotha and Bet Mikael (also known as Bet Debre Sina)…

7. Bet Maryam

0.79 MILES

Connected to Bet Medhane Alem by a tunnel is a large courtyard containing three churches. The first, Bet Maryam, is small, yet designed and decorated to…

8. Bet Medhane Alem

0.8 MILES

Resembling a massive Greek temple more than a traditional Ethiopian church, Bet Medhane Alem is impressive for its size and majesty. Said to be the…