Beloved Vegan Ethiopian Vendor Heads to Santa Monica

In late 2019, Berbere by T&T Lifestyle earned a devoted fanbase at Smorgasburg LA, the weekly open-air market at ROW DTLA where Angelenos can feast on delectable eats and treats from local vendors.

Despite the pandemic forcing many vendors to close, Berbere owner Tezeta “Tete” Alemayehu and her partner Tsega-Ab “Bicko” Fenta have continued cooking in a ghost kitchen space at the Colony and are now planning on Berbere’s first standalone brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Executive chef and an Addis Abba, Ethiopia native, Tete has been busy crafting an entirely vegan menu inspired by zesty Ethiopian cuisine with her husband. The menu features vibrant, healthy plates that allow you to “eat the rainbow” such as the Abeba Gomen (cauliflower) Burger, Ethiopian Twist Tacos (three flour tortillas with Ethiopian chili sauce, lentil, mushroom, potato, Ethiopian salad dressing, tangfaye sauce, cilantro and lime or lemon), and Green Power Pancakes (three spinach and oat pancakes topped with banana, turmeric and chia sauce with a side of tofu scramble).

Berbere will settle in at 510 Santa Monica Boulevard, just around the corner from the Promenade. According to Eater LA, an official opening date has bot been announced, but foodies can “expect something in the coming months.” Berbere’s Instagram assures fans that the new location will be “coming summer 2021.”

For those who cannot wait to dig into T&T Lifestyle’s heavenly vegan Ethiopian fare, you can find Tete and and Fenta serving up delicious plates at Smorgasburg LA, which reopened this past weekend.