Massawa

East African food is on the up and up in London, and not too far up in the north of the capital, Highgate to be precise, Massawa is doing an excellent ambassadorial job. Named for the crucial Eritrean port of Massawa, this restaurant is exporting the spices and culinary exoticism of the Horn of Africa to a new audience from a cosy, stylish restaurant up on Archway Road. The chefs and proprietors are passionate about the homestyle food they prepare, selecting spices from Ethiopia and Eritrea and preparing each dish with care. Traditional stews are all served with the signature injera flatbread, spongy, slightly sour, and perfect for scooping up the flavoursome gravy. Open to the complex history of the region, you’ll find Italian influences in the use of tomatoes, and Middle Eastern influences in the form of cumin and curry powders. If you haven’t yet boarded the East African cuisine boat, Massawa is a great place to start.