Merkato

Ethiopian restaurant · Barnsbury

Merkato

Ethiopian restaurant · Barnsbury

3

196 Caledonian Rd, Barnsbury Estate, London N1 0SQ, United Kingdom

Photos

Merkato by null
Merkato by Merkato [Official Photo]
Merkato by Merkato [Official Photo]
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null
Merkato by null

Highlights

Merkato is a cozy cafe-bar on Caledonian Road, dishing out hearty Ethiopian and Eritrean fare like vibrant vegan combos and comforting stews, all enhanced by live music and a friendly vibe.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater
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196 Caledonian Rd, Barnsbury Estate, London N1 0SQ, United Kingdom Get directions

merkatokingscross.co.uk

$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

196 Caledonian Rd, Barnsbury Estate, London N1 0SQ, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 20 7713 8952
merkatokingscross.co.uk

$ · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 7, 2025

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@infatuation

"Merkato’s menu system is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a dizzying grid formation with no less than eight combinations of injera, wot, and tbsi, 24 arrows, and flashbacks for any perennial snakes and ladders loser. Still, pretty much any route you go down will end in button-popping satisfaction. This Ethiopian spot on Caledonian Road is much more straightforward than its ordering style suggests. Mesob baskets with injera and stews come quickly and are piled generously, and every table in the tight-knit, bric-a-brac-filled restaurant is happily tearing and scooping. All of the food is solid. Don’t be surprised to see a birthday celebration happening under the twinkly setting of fairy lights and umbrella chandeliers. A round of crispy St. George lagers and a few communal platters are perfect for a celebration or a long overdue catch-up with all your mates. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Jake Missing photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Food Rundown photo credit: Jake Missing Vegan Combo With Lamb Tbsi Merkato’s vegan combo comes with a variety of lentil, yellow pea, and spinach stews. There are hits of berbere from the war and nice jolts of ginger too. The lamb tbsi is a little chewier than other varieties but its amaze sauce has a creeping, welcome kick to it. The sauce is a little loose for our liking and the injera is rolled very thin, so you might want some fresh rolls on the side to soak it all up." - Jake Missing

Merkato - Review - Kings Cross - London - The Infatuation
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@eater

"Calling Merkato a restaurant is maybe a disservice to its vibe, so low-key and relaxed that diners could easily sink into it like injera into kitfo, a heady, melting pile of chopped raw beef in warm butter and mitmita, a spice blend of bird’s eye chillis, salt, and spices normally including Ethiopian cardamom and clove. First-timers should take a look at the fifty-fifty — which pairs hot or mild lamb, aggressively fried, with any of the textbook vegetarian dishes." - James Hansen

Where to Eat Near King’s Cross Station
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@eater

"Merkato is as more of a café and chill spot than a restaurant on Caledonian Road. Food reflects a mixed Eritrean and Ethiopian heritage, and the recommended fifty-fifty option gives newbies a chance to sample bits of the whole menu, mixing meat and vegetarian options like the spicy lentil-based ades, fagioli — pasta, but not as you’ve had it in Italy — and hamli sautéed greens. With home comfort drinks on offer such as meta, castel, and St. Georges beer, it’s a great place to spend some time." - Riaz Phillips

London’s Best East African Restaurants: Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Somali - Eater London
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Jaips Rekhi

Google
Honey wine and Gored Gored. Really lovely and definitely worth trying Ethiopian & Eritrean food (and wine) if you haven't before. Very friendly service and advised us on what we should try

Gemi Rachel George

Google
It was a really nice Ethiopian dinner for us. We had Doro wat and Shero with Injara and some honey wine. Everything was delicious. It was infact a tad bit less spicier than I expected. Portion sizes were reasonable. Service is quick and friendly. Somehow you are expected to order 1 item per person. Overall, it is a good place for some authentic Ethiopian food.

Saoirse Mallorie

Google
Tasty food and nicely presented, quite different to anything I'd had before. Service was good, and at £13 a head it was very reasonably priced

Kristin W

Google
What a homey, vibey, authentic Ethiopian restaurant! As soon as you walk into this quaint, unassuming place you’re greeted by a waft of incense and a friendly smile from the lady serving - you could just be walking into your aunty’s house. Delicious combos (see picture) and such value for money. We tried the Ethiopian honey wine - and had to order another! Recommend pairing the spinach& cottage cheese starter with your food, as it tastes so good with the meat and injera.

Nóra Knopf

Google
Such a beautiful restaurant! The food is absolutely delicious, and we were treated to the loveliest service. Highly recommended.

niharika gadde

Google
The food is really good. This is my first time trying Ethiopian cuisine definitely not a bad impression. The Doro wat and red lentils are the best of everything we have eaten. Definitely suggest ordering them.

Ivan Paparaka

Google
Amazing food and very generous portions. The vegan combo has 6 different sides and tons of injira bread 😁

Ernest Badjie-Harris

Google
There was excellent live music after 8:30 pm from Ethiopia. The ambience is spot-on, and the service is lovely. Have the coffee after your meal; it's beautiful.