Imagine having morning coffee, an Ethiopian lunch, and drinks with entertainment all on one street corner.
Your new meeting spot has been found.
The return of Tucson’s first African restaurant, Zemam’s Ethiopian Cuisine, to its original home on Broadway Boulevard’s Sunshine Mile brought back its classic Ethiopian cuisine.
Expanding the Experience with Z-Street
With a 32-year history and the help of funding from the Rio Nuevo development district, Zemam’s expanded its culinary footprint by including an international bar and, more recently, a coffee shop that celebrates the rich origins of Ethiopian coffee.
The restaurant, bar, and coffee shop unified to form one venue: Z-Street.
Zedamo Ethiopian Coffee Shop was created as a collaboration between Z Street and Savaya Coffee Market, a coffee shop recently recognized in The World’s Best 100 Coffee Shops list.
Zedamo is a play on the word “Sidamo,” a province in Ethiopia known for its floral, fruity coffee with a light, bright acidity. Sidamo coffee is especially popular among those who love bright and complex brews.
A Personal and Cultural Legacy
Owner Amanuel Gebremariam, a refugee who found opportunity in the United States, brings a deeply personal connection to coffee.
“We wanted to do more than just serve plain coffee,” Gebremariam said.
Originating from Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee in the province of Kaffa, Gebremariam is passionate about introducing Tucsonans to authentic coffee experiences.
The Origins of Coffee: A Legend from Ethiopia
Ethiopian legend offers insight to the origins of coffee. A goat herder named Kaldi was the first person to discover coffee beans after his goats became restless at night from eating cherries from a particular tree.
Kaldi reported his findings to a local abbot who struggled to stay awake during nightly prayer. The abbot made a tea-like drink with these berries, which kept him awake. The energy elixir gained popularity in the East, eventually spread to the Arabian Peninsula and later introduced to European countries.
With the opening of Zedamo, Gebremariam hopes to share the Habesha coffee ceremony, a traditional Ethiopian method of brewing coffee, through in-house coffee demos scheduled for July.
Whole bean coffee from Sidamo and Kaffa is available at the shop, along with Tanzanian Peaberry.
Zedamo also offers a decaf Ethiopian blend for those who want all the floral and fruity goodness without the “get-up-and-go” vibe.
Refreshing Alternatives: Tea & More
For tea lovers, ceremonial-grade matcha and caffeine-free iced teas are also featured.
Berry Creme Compote is a bright summer tea with flavors of strawberries, blueberries, and apples. Purple Papayaberry features flavors from papaya and orange, featuring a vibrant color from butterfly pea flower that’s perfect for an Instagram story.
Zedamo Ethiopian Coffee Shop, located at 2731 E. Broadway Blvd., is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m on Saturdays, and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m on Sundays. Keep up with Zedamo on Instagram.
