Explore Addis Ababa's Cultural Scene with Nova Varnrable
Explore Addis Ababa's Cultural Scene with Nova Varnrable
Nova Varnrable is the music project of producer, vocalist and multidisciplinary artist Nova Myrhe. n 2024, they collaborated with Dean Blunt on the track chucking it. Their debut album, Air Born, released in 2022, draws deeply from their dual Norwegian and Ethiopian heritage, as well as their experience of being adopted and raised in Norway. Myrhe’s sound captures a sense of duality, movement, and rootlessness—fluidly traversing genres and artistic disciplines.
Here, the artist guides us through Addis Ababa the capital city of Ethiopia. Scroll down for their favourite cultural spots: from where to sip the best tella, culinary places and the best of Addis Ababa's music scene.
In this Guide
Selo
አዲስ አበባEthiopia
+251 97 850 4778
“A place for organic homemade Ethiopian food and tella, a traditional brew. Tella is brewed in households, usually in the rural areas, and consumed on a daily basis. But tella's legitimate status has been fading away, losing its place to mass produced beer and imported liquor. In Selo everything is homemade, from the injera to the tella. Ingredients are collected from local communities, creating an authentic and sustainable culture around Selo. The energy is inclusive and warm, the food is fresh and tasty, and there is a variation of tellas to try out!”
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Shifta
Shifta StreetAddis AbabaEthiopia
+251 91 186 6686
“Shifta offers a wide range of delicious Caribbean, vegan and African food. The food I had there was super tasty! It's vibrant and filled with local creatives. A great place to eat, drink and hang out all night, having good conversations or just listening to the music. ”
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Fendika Cultural Center
Addis AbabaEthiopia
+251 91 154 7577
“Fendika Cultural Center is the perfect place to take in traditional music, and at the same time enjoy traditional food and drinks in a chilled environment. There are performances every week and the place is filled with soul and good energy. Everything is traditional and relevant. I went there to soak up some local jazz one night and that was a beautiful trip.”
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Zoya
Addis AbabaEthiopia
+251 91 151 5107
“This is a club concept, making electronic parties at different locations and with differenct DJs. They are reimagining rave culture in the modern day Addis Ababa. These parties are some of the highlights in the club scene and are happening once a month. ”
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Yod Abyssinia
Addis AbabaEthiopia
+251 11 661 2985
“A traditional restaurant in Addis Ababa where you can experience cultural performances while you eat local food. From around 7.30pm there are musicians, dancers and singers performing traditional acts from different tribes around Ethiopia, while wearing outfits from the different regions. All your senses are being stimulated while being in a beautifully decorated room with traditional design and art. ”
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Entoto Park
Addis AbabaOromiaEthiopia
+251 91 197 3108
“The perfect way to get out of the city, and it is only a short car ride away from the centrum. There is a great view over the city and you're able to take a walk in nature. The park itself is how we know most parks to be, but if you wander more up, in the mountain, there are small villages; more raw and beautiful nature. ”
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African Jazz Village
አዲስ አበባEthiopia
+251 91 189 7438
“An institute of Ethio jazz in its historical location, owned by the legendary Mulatu Astatke. This place features some of the best jazz musicians live in raw sessions. ”
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