The best places to meet up in Addis Ababa

Sometimes, it’s the small things in life that make happiness. Discovering a beautiful, cozy boutique hidden in some narrow, historical street of Addis Ababa’s Piazza; the first bite of a freshly baked, warm piece of baguette you bought at the local French bakery on your way home; a delicious cup of machiatto, or a refreshing cocktail in the sophisticated restaurant of a luxurious hotel in the company of a friend after a long day of work.

The latter is one of my biggest pleasures in life. Addis is beautifully retro, a delightfully nostalgic time travel to the 1950s. However, one also misses the grandiose, modern, expensive-looking hotels of Paris and New York.

Addis Ababa thankfully has the best of both worlds: the charming old vintage classics and the modern, luxurious hotels so beautiful and so comfortable you simply don’t want to leave. Here’s my top 3 of favourite places to meet for a luxurious happy hour in Addis Ababa.

1. The Lobby of the Sheraton

Unfortunately, Ethiopia’s catchphrase, “13 Months of Sunshine”, is a little misleading. While the weather certainly is perfect during the dry season, Addis sees a long 3-4 months of dark clouds and incessant rain. In those days, all we crave is a warm cup of top-notch quality, creamy Ethiopian coffee, or a nice, comforting cup of hot chocolate in a cozy, luxurious hotel lobby somewhere.

The best place for the description above is the Sheraton’s lobby. With high ceilings, lavish red carpets, big windows with warm wooden frames overviewing the exquisite Sheraton gardens, and an appeasing, dimmed, cozy atmosphere, the prestigious Sheraton lobby is a marvellous place to meet for a deep, intellectual debate with a respected friend, or for an important business discussion with a colleague.

2. Hyatt Regency

The Hyatt Regency of Addis Ababa has become a high-quality classic since its recent opening. It is in my opinion the most refreshing meeting place of the Ethiopian capital. The lobby is decorated with taste, with luxurious marble floors, plush, comfortable couches, and refined artistic finds that compliment the chic, modern color pallette of lavish dark blue hues, marble white and expensive wood pecan. A small bar, Cascara, offers delicious coffee and delighful, elegant pastries, that are not only a treat for the eye with their carefully decorated toppings, but also for your tastebuds, with their creamy, rich quality. The atmosphere is modern and luxurious, the food and beverages delicious, the couches plushy and relaxing, the light bright and refreshing. It’s a perfect place to meet if you want to pamper yourself and your company, perhaps even after a relaxing massage at the Hyatt’s glamorous spa, which I review in my article The best things to do in Addis Ababa.

However, it gets better: Cascara has two more spaces, both very different and both incredibly enjoyable. The inside of Cascara, a separate room with high ceilings, sublime natural light, wooden pillars, luxuriant green plants, and delightfully comfortable, cozy couches, is simply marvelous.

In addition, lounging on the terrace situated in the inner courtyard, is now a classic of Addis because of how enjoyable it is. Silent, with a minimalistic, chic design, the courtyard is embellished with colorful flower beds contrasting with the deep space gray of the floors. With a cool stone blue pool in the middle, with small, mesmerizing fountains, a good cup of coffee or a cold, refreshing iced latte, this modern little paradise is a fantastic place to meet. Chic, stylish, sophisticated, peaceful, and so easy on the eyes, Cascara of Hyatt Regency is one of my favorite places in Addis Ababa.

3. Union Restaurant

Union is possibly the most exciting place to meet for a well-deserved cocktail. This proudly African restaurant is modern, trendy, and wonderfully situated. Here, you can enjoy what is possibly the best view of Addis Ababa, admiring the futuristic skyline and the beautifully illuminated Meskel Square at your feet while sipping the most original cocktails of Ethiopia. Loungey afrobeats, a fantastic collection of unique cocktails, and glamorous city views make Union an incredibly pleasurable place to meet for happy hour.

While their cocktails are fantasic, the food here isn’t the best in Addis. My reccomendation would be to enjoy drinks in this stylish, seductive atmosphere before heading to one of my favorite restaurants in Addis: Top 5 Restaurants of Addis.