The Rooftop Restaurant in Bole, Addis Ababa

The view from the 9th floor

From the rooftop terrace, Bole opens up in every direction. Look south-east for the approach into Bole International — at dusk, jet trails ladder up through the orange light. Look north for the city skyline cresting toward Mount Entoto. Golden hour through Velvet's skyline glass is one of the few sunset views in Addis Ababa you don't have to drive an hour out of town to find.

Indoors, the dining hall keeps the same sightlines through floor-to- ceiling windows, with a glowing bar at the back of the room — useful if Addis has decided to remind everyone it's a highland city and the wind picks up after 7 PM.

What's on the menu

Velvet's kitchen runs across four pillars: wood-fired Italian, house burgers and wraps, Habesha classics, and a full bar program. Hand-tossed pizzas (the Velvet Signature is the table favourite), Velvet's special burger with caramelized onions and a secret sauce, and sizzling mains for diners who want something hot and theatrical.

On the Habesha side, Tibs Firfir, Bozena Shiro, and the Rooftop Special sharing plate cover the spectrum from solo lunch to group dinner. The bar program runs from Ethiopian coffee to signature cocktails, with local draft beers and a clean wine list. Full menu with prices on the menu page.

Best time to visit

Lunch (12 PM – 2 PM) is the quietest service, useful if you want the rooftop to yourself or you're meeting for a working meal. Light pours in from the east and you can hear the other side of the table.

Golden hour (5 PM – 7 PM) is the rooftop's busiest window for a reason — the sky turns and the dining hall fills. Reserve at least a day ahead Thursday through Saturday.

Late dinner (8 PM – 10 PM) is the lounge in its proper register: the bar program is in full swing, the lights drop, and on Fridays the floor opens for Salsa Night from 7 PM.

How to find us

The address is the 9th floor of T.K Building in Bole, in front of the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel. The simplest landmark is the Skylight itself — from there, T.K Building is directly across the road. Take the lift to the 9th floor; the Velvet sign meets you at the staircase landing.

If you're driving, there's street parking around T.K Building and the Skylight side. Bolt and Ride drop-offs work at the front of the building. Dress is smart-casual — no jackets required, but most diners arrive a step up from everyday.