Timbuktu Café - Observatory

Observatory district changed since the last decade. Now you can find new restaurants targeting the residents and other locals on the main street. But you have to discover an eclectic and exotic place behind a green edge. Yes the cafe and the restaurant are hidden from the street just to invite you to start a new adventure. You will be so surprised to discover the fancy tables, the walls, and the terrace. Now you are sit listening a soft funky jazzy Ethiopian music and you start to eat Doro Wot with your injera... with the food and this atmosphere will be during some minutes very far from Cape Town travelling over deserts, mountains and seas. A place like a book: you read and you dream.

The setting is what makes Timbuktu cafe special. There are very few tables, which makes for a lovely experience. The food is good, not as amazing as Addis but then it doesn't break the bank as much either. The veg sampler is amazing and a great way to sample the menu.

Given the fact that the cuisine is Ethiopian, I was absolutely delighted to find that Timbuktu is not some over-priced theme park tourist trap, but a simple, somewhat eccentric little Obs restaurant with a relaxed, warm and welcoming atmosphere. Vegetarians and carnivores alike are spoilt for choice with the variety of dishes on offer - I strongly recommend the sampler options on the first visit - and the prices are extremely reasonable. In short, I can't stop raving about this quirky little place!

Timbuktu is in Mali but this is an Ethiopian restaurant. Sadly the food is mediocre and the injira seems to have more flour than teff. I was extremely disappointed with the menu. Perhaps I am accustomed to excellent Ethiopian food in Australia.

Having been to Ethiopia, discovering authentic cuisine out of its birth country is hard to find as many claim to be authentic, but Timbuktu Café in Cape town Observatory lives up to its potential, food is really good

The restaurant has a welcoming and cozy feel to it, it's perfect for small groups, couples or even solo dining. The place isn't pretentious like the other Ethiopian restaurant around the city. The food is excellent and the service is great.

A place to relish and experience the original Ethiopian food at a very reasonable price. The food is very tasty and filling. The only issue is that the bread is not made out of injera but rice flour. I guess this is done to keep the prices affordable or maybe because injera is not available off the shelf in cape town.

Delicious and authentic Ethiopian food for a very reasonable price. Very fun and intimate atmosphere - great for birthday dinners and big groups so that you can order a variety of dishes and share.

I've been to another Ethiopian restaurant in Cape Town, but this one is a gem. The decor is eye catching, with antique items transporting you to a bygone era.The food was beautifully prepared, perfectly spiced and very tasty. We had the vegetarian sampler with lamb and beef added. It was alot of food for two people, and we had to ask for the leftovers to be wrapped to go. Next time we'll save our appetites for the generous portion of food.We will definitely be back

The food is really good and the staff are super welcoming & friendly. First restaurant I've ever been to that gave me the wifi password without asking.