Merkamo Ethiopian
A dedicated vegan Ethiopian kitchen in Old Spitalfields Market (4.8 from 284 reviews), loved for flavour-packed, healthy platters of lentils, okra and dumplings — portions generous enough that regulars call it the best-value healthy option in the market, worth the occasionally slow queue.
Why it's listed: Merkamo Ethiopian in Old Spitalfields Market (E1) is a dedicated vegan Ethiopian kitchen (vegan_restaurant primary, 4.8 from 284 reviews).
Profile last updated 11 July 2026.
The business claims it
Structured facts from the listing and website.
- Cuisine style
- Vegan Ethiopian — lentil, okra and vegetable stews served as mixed platters“how delicious the lentils, okra and dumplings taste... the Merkamo special which is a bit of everything”
— reviews - Kitchen-wide dietary regime
- vegan“primaryType: vegan_restaurant; review: "my go-to option for an excellent healthy vegan lunch"”
— types - Service modes offered
- dine in · takeaway“The atmosphere is top-notch, with extra seating downstairs (market stall with seating)”
— reviews
Customers reveal it
Recurring signal mined from real reviews — with receipts.
- Occasions customers use it for
- healthy workday lunch near Spitalfields · relaxed unhurried meals and low-key date nights (extra seating downstairs) · non-vegans wanting genuinely flavourful plant food“my go-to option for an excellent healthy vegan lunch when I used to work near Spitalfields... never too busy, which makes it a perfect date night spot”
— reviews - Dishes customers name repeatedly
- Merkamo special (bit-of-everything platter) · Lentil stews · Okra · Dumplings · Sharing platter“You'll be surprised with how delicious the lentils, okra and dumplings taste... went for the Merkamo special which is a bit of everything”
— reviews - Recurring caveats in reviews
- queue moves slowly at busy times — 'don't come here in a rush' · prices have risen slightly over time“Service was slow though, the queue took quite a while although we were only 4 people in line”
— reviews - Service character as customers describe it
- Incredibly friendly staff who make people feel at home and never rushed; counter service can be slow when there's a queue“The staff are incredibly friendly and make you feel right at home... Service was slow though, the queue took quite a while”
— reviews - Value for money as customers see it
- Generous portions — one platter 'could easily feed three people'; prices have crept up but regulars still call it worth it and filling“the portion is generous and could easily feed three people... The price has gone up a little, but still worth it”
— reviews
Only the owner knows it
Questions we hold for the kitchen itself. Unanswered until they answer.
We're holding 9 questions for the owner — families & kids, best occasions & the vibe, vegan, coeliac & allergy options, why choose you, groups, private hire & catering, booking or walk-in?, good to know before you visit, must-order dishes, made in-house & sourcing — and will publish the answers here once confirmed.