Little Ethiopia Food Tour

The Little Ethiopia Food Tour is a guided walking tasting tour operated by DC Metro Food Tours, a Washington, D.C. company that is part of Food Tour Corporation. The tour is centred on the U Street and Shaw area of Northwest Washington, which has long been associated with the city's Ethiopian community, one of the largest outside Africa. Guests meet outside the U Street Metro station beside the African American Civil War Memorial at 10th Street and U Street NW, in the 20001 postal area, which makes the start easy to reach on the Green and Yellow lines. The tour lasts about three and a half hours, and listed dates may start at 10:30am. Visitors stop at several Ethiopian restaurants to taste traditional dishes such as stews served on injera, the spongy sourdough flatbread that doubles as the utensil, so the tasting is overwhelmingly savoury, with coffee or sweet items depending on the stop. A guide explains the history of the Ethiopian community in the District, how the cluster of restaurants grew, and the customs of sharing food from a communal platter. The ticket is about 71 US dollars per person, and resellers list prices up to about 80 dollars. Food tastings are included; drinks and the guide gratuity are not. Reseller listings describe a full refund if the booking is cancelled at least 24 hours ahead. The tour is run in English at a relaxed walking pace with limited distance between stops, and groups are small enough to be seated together. Ethiopian cooking has many naturally vegetarian fasting dishes, so vegetarian guests are generally well served, but gluten-free guests should note that injera is traditionally made from teff and may be blended with other flours. Dietary needs should be raised when booking. Bookings are made through the operator's FareHarbor page or by phone at +1-202-851-2268, and the current price and start time should be confirmed there.