SHEBELE
RESTAURANT

If you are looking for the finest in traditional Ethiopian cuisine, come to Shebele, located in the heart of historic downtown Campbell since 1993. Owned and operated by a native of Ethiopia, Winnie Bekele, all our menu items are strictly traditional, the recipes having been passed down through her family and cooked from scratch by Winnie and her relatives in our kitchen. Customers love our food, and it always brings them back for more. People particularly like the injera, a unique Ethiopian bread, made fresh by us here every morning.

If you are not familiar with Ethiopian art and culture, Shebele is a wonderful place to learn. Handmade paintings and textiles adorn the space, making for an intimate look at the artistic traditions of Ethiopia. Winnie and the wait staff welcome questions about the country's rich traditions in food, art, and history, and will happily act as your guides as your learn about this ancient culture. >>more

A mildly exotic journey to Africa
San Jose Mercury Sun

"... By the time we were mopping up the last bit of the buttery minced beef dish known as minchet abesh with the sour injera flat bread, we were certain we had come to the right place.

Shebele, a small cafe in downtown Campbell, brings the spices of Africa to a region more familiar with the tastes of Asia and Latin America. Red pepper, ginger, cumin, cardamom, garlic and turmeric are combined to create complex flavors similar to Indian curries minus the heat. The food is interesting and satisfying without being too exotic for timid eaters...

There's no mistaking the Ethiopian connection when you enter the small restaurant filled with baskets and folk art. Although the traditional low tables and cushions have been replaced by more conventional Western furniture, embroidered cloths cover the tables and African music plays in the background. >>more

The Campbell Reporter

''... But diversity in downtown Campbell isn't entirely new. Shebele (pronounced Sheh-buh-lay) Ethiopian Restaurant, 422 Campbell Ave., has been at its present location for almost a decade ..." >>more

In addition to serving traditional Ethiopian food straight from Winnie Bekele's family to yours, Shebele also offers a traditional dining area. It creates a wonderful atmosphere for a special meal.

From the Owner Winnie Bekele

Hi, I'm Winnie, the owner of Shebele Ethiopian Restaurant. Opening the restaurant in 1993 was the fulfillment of a life-long dream for me. I've always loved cooking, and, most of all, I love sharing good food with others.

I learned the art of cooking from my mother when I was growing up in Ethopia. Back then, we didn't have any electricity and we cooked over an open fire. I was so young and small, my parents were concerned that I might burn myself on the flames, but I wasn't scared at all. All I wanted was to learn how to cook, and I was so determined that my parents finally relented. All the recipes at Shebele are ones I learned at home directly from my mother.

I came to the South Bay in the 1980s, fleeing civil unrest caused by political trouble in Ethiopia. After working as a waitress in San Jose and learning how the restaurant business is run, I took the step of opening my own place, Shebele, in Campbell. All of my brothers and sisters live in the Bay Area now, and my family often helps me in the daily operation of the restaurant.

Shebele is like my child. Sometimes, people say I work too hard and I don't take enough vacations, but I love it. There's no place I'd rather be. >>more