Werka Coffee – Where Culture Meets at One Table

Werka Coffee is inspired by a simple but powerful vision: to bring all Ethiopian cultures together in one place through food and coffee. Ethiopia is a nation of extraordinary diversity many cultures, languages, traditions, and flavours. Yet rarely are they experienced under one roof. Werka Coffee exists to change that.

We are a cultural restaurant dedicated to serving authentic traditional foods from every Ethiopian culture, prepared with respect for origin, ritual, and history. From the north to the south, from the east to the west, our kitchen represents Ethiopia in its full richness—without dilution or compromise.

Meet the Founder

A Vision Fueled by Culture

Werka Coffee was founded by Chachi Tefera,  a young, energetic Ethiopian entrepreneur whose journey began at an age when most are still discovering their path. Starting her first business ventures in her early teenage years, she gained hands-on experience across product selling, importing, reselling, and distribution, learning the market from the ground up.

What Began as Determination Quickly Grew Into Mastery

Today, she stands as the visionary behind Werka Coffee, leading a growing cultural restaurant brand with over four branches across Addis Ababa. Her journey reflects resilience, courage, and an unshakable belief in Ethiopian potential.

Beyond The Business . . . An Identity

For the founder, Werka Coffee is not just a business venture; it is a reflection of who she is. Inspired by Ethiopia’s cultural richness and the historic origin of coffee in Werka, she built the brand as a living expression of heritage, pride, and ambition.

Her vision goes beyond success; it is about representation. She aims to elevate Ethiopian culture through food and coffee, positioning Werka Coffee as the number one cultural destination in town, and eventually taking the brand to the international stage.

Driven by purpose and guided by culture, she continues to build Werka Coffee with big dreams, bold decisions, and unwavering belief in what Ethiopian identity can achieve globally.

Why “Werka”

The name Werka comes from a place in Ethiopia historically recognized as one of the origins of coffee. In Werka, coffee grew naturally and was discovered as part of everyday life long before it became a global drink. By taking this name, Werka Coffee honours the land where coffee began and the communities that first lived with it, not as a product, but as culture. Our name is a reminder that everything we serve starts at the source, rooted in Ethiopian soil, tradition, and identity.

Our Story

Werka Coffee was born from a deep love for Ethiopian heritage and a desire to preserve it through cuisine. As modern life moves fast and traditions risk being forgotten, we choose to slow down, research deeply, and cook intentionally.

Each dish on our menu is inspired by real cultural practices, recipes passed down through generations, ingredients sourced with care, and preparation methods that honour tradition. Our goal is not just to serve food, but to protect cultural identity through taste.