Massawa

Almaz, an Eritrean immigrant, spotted the location Massawa now calls home on Amsterdam Avenue while driving a cab in the 1980s. Inspired by her love of cooking and desire to serve authentic East African food to residents of Harlem and the Upper West Side, she opened the restaurant with the support of her family in 1988. Massawa is New York Citys oldest African restaurant, known for its unique split pea shiro and friendly service. Our vegan-friendly menu features Ethiopian classics as well as Eritrean seafood dishes. Today Almaz & Amanuels sons, Yohanes and Abraham Tekeste, continue the legacy as restaurant managers. In 2018, the family renovated and expanded the restaurant to create a more comfortable and modern space for hungry locals, large groups and special events. German Massawa Map.jpg