5.  Ghenet in Park Slope, Brooklyn: Ethiopian

Park Slope‘s Ghenet opened restaurant 18 years ago. Ghenet prides itself on surviving traditional Ethiopian cuisine, which utilizes a flat-bread called Injera, a chili-spice and herb mix used on meats called Berbere and a special clarified butter called Nitir Kibe. These basics, among others, form the foundation for all of Ghenet’s cuisine.

Ghenet also promotes a chance to buy collectibles called “EthiDolls,” under the “marketplace” tab their website. EthiDolls are barbie-like figurines that are committed to preserving black heritage. Currently available for purchase is a figure of Makeda, The Queen of Sheba and Queen Mother Ya Asantewaa. Each doll also comes with their own story book excerpt.

Address: 348 Douglass Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217