Piassa Mart, Atlanta

With each authentic dish at Piassa Restaurant & Mart, diners receive a balanced helping of Ethiopian tradition and hospitality, which, according to the hosts, is essential to the Ethiopian dining experience. Vibrant booths and beaded curtains enliven the restaurant, along with paintings and photographs depicting Ethiopian culture. The restaurant draws its name from the piassa, an epicenter of cultural and economic activity in Addis Ababa and other major Ethiopian cities. With traditional menu items, a selection of Ethiopian music and apparel, and special events, Piassa Restaurant & Mart dutifully reflects its namesake. Each night until 2 a.m., the staff host a full-service bar complete with Ethiopian wines, traditional drinks such as tej and tella, domestic beer, and espresso that keeps diners energized while they’re chopping down neighborhood mailboxes for firewood.