Jebena Cafe Ethiopian Restaurant of Seattle About

Jebena Cafe’s Story | Our Ethiopian Restaurant, Rooted in Family & Community

Welcome to Jebena Cafe, a cherished hub of authentic Ethiopian culture and cuisine nestled in the heart of North Seattle.

For over a decade we’ve been more than just a restaurant. We are a gathering place and a family—sharing our traditions with passion, perseverance, and Ethiopian hospitality.

The Vision of Our Founder, Martha Seyoum

Jebena Cafe was born from the heart and vision of our founder, Martha Seyoum.

Martha’s love for her Ethiopian heritage and her intimate understanding of its culinary arts are the driving force behind our kitchen. This devotion is enhanced by her simple, heartfelt belief that all guests should always be welcomed as family.

More Than Just a Meal—Our Passion

At Jebena Cafe, we believe that the preparation of food is a celebration rooted in connection and love. Our philosophy is simple:

  • Authenticity: We stay true to time-honored recipes and traditional cooking methods. Every dish is a taste of genuine Ethiopian heritage.
  • Quality Ingredients: We are committed to using the freshest ingredients, sourced with care to ensure every bite is flavorful and wholesome.
  • Warm Hospitality: Inspired by the Ethiopian tradition of welcoming guests, we don’t just welcome you to our restaurant—we welcome you to our family.

The Significance of “Jebena” & Our Coffee Heritage

The name “Jebena” itself is central to our culture. It is the traditional Ethiopian clay pot used in our time-honored ceremony—a ritual that transforms coffee into community.

This very connection to community led us to create the Jebena Coffee Co.

A Journey in Every Bean

Our journey begins with ethically sourced, high-quality Ethiopian beans from celebrated regions like Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Limu.

These beans are then roasted with meticulous care right here in Seattle by our skilled Ethiopian roasters—ensuring every cup reflects the rich heritage and vibrant flavors of their origin.

We invite you to treasure the true taste of Ethiopia with our artisan coffee—available in our restaurant and market.

The Jebena Market | Growing With Our Community

As our restaurant community grew, so did our desire to offer more!

Located next door, Jebena Market is your Seattle destination for all your Habesha needs.

Explore our selection of Ethiopian groceries, spices, cherished cultural items, and of course—bags of our freshly roasted craft coffee from the Jebena Coffee Co.

Join Our Family

Jebena Cafe is a testament to the joy of shared meals, rich traditions, and a vibrant community. We are immensely grateful to our loyal customers who have become like family.

To our longtime friends and new guests curious about Ethiopian culture, our welcome is always warm. We especially hope you’ll experience a traditional coffee ceremony in our restaurant home—made even more memorable with Jebena Coffee Co. craft coffee!

We look forward to welcoming you!