Our Story
Family, flavor, and the spirit of Ethiopian hospitality.
Chapter One
The Seed Is Planted
In the highlands of Addis Ababa, a young girl named Almaz watched her grandmother roast coffee beans over an open flame. The aroma filled the entire neighborhood. Neighbors came. Stories were shared. And a tradition was born — not just of coffee, but of gathering.
That girl grew up carrying those recipes, that clay jebena pot, and a dream: to bring the warmth of Ethiopian hospitality to a new home, thousands of miles away.
Chapter Two
A New Home, An Old Soul
In 2015, Almaz opened the doors of First Cup Ethiopian in Minneapolis. The first day, she served three tables. By the end of the first month, there was a line out the door.
Word spread quickly: authentic injera, properly fermented for three days. Berbere blended by hand. Doro Wat that tasted like home. And the coffee ceremony — performed every weekend, exactly as her grandmother had taught her.
What started as one woman's dream became a community gathering place — a home away from home for Ethiopians, and a discovery for everyone else.
What We Believe
Our Values
Hospitality First
In Ethiopia, a guest is a blessing. We treat every person who walks through our door as family.
Authenticity Always
No shortcuts. Our injera ferments for three days. Our spices are blended in-house. Our recipes are unchanged.
Community Roots
We source locally, hire from our neighborhood, and give back to the community that welcomed us.
Tradition Honored
The coffee ceremony is sacred. We perform it the way it has been done for centuries — no compromises.
Quality Without Exception
Every plate that leaves our kitchen meets the standard our grandmother set. Nothing less.
Culture Shared
Food is the universal language. We are proud to introduce Ethiopian cuisine to new friends every day.
Years of Service
Meals Served
Authentic Dishes
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