Eritrea: Asmara – Macchiato Culture in Eritrea

Asmara serves the best macchiato in the world and once you try – you will be hooked forever (never more americanos or cappuccinos). The love for macchiato stems from the Italian influence during the colonial era, where Asmara became known for its cafes and coffee houses, many of which still retain their Italian names and decor. Asmara’s cafes, like the iconic Bar Tre Stelle and Cafe Cinema Roma, offer macchiato prepared with strong, high-quality local coffee beans. Eritreans flock to these cafes after 6pm in droves and then take their time enjoying the drink, which is not just a beverage but a social ritual – you will see groups of people sipping macchiatos and discussing daily life (there internet is hard to come buy so talking is still a preferred way of spending the evening). Macchiato culture in Asmara is actually more of a blend of Italian and Eritrean influences, as macchiato preparation here often incorporates a unique twist, with the drink served with a small portion of foam and flavored with spices like cinnamon.