Why You Should Consider the Restaurant at the Eritrean Cultural and Civic Center for Your Next Date
BY Faisale Shefawe
Published on 06/02/25
The Eritrean Cultural and Civic Center (ECCC) in Washington, DC, is not your typical, outdated community center that people tend to avoid. On the contrary, it has become a vibrant gathering place—ideal for a date, drinks with coworkers, or a night out with friends. Its newly reopened bar and restaurant rivals some of the trendiest spots in the city.
According to the designer behind the renovation, the gold paint at the entrance symbolizes Eritrea’s rich natural resources, while the blue interior represents the Red Sea—a point of national pride. The distinctive wall art behind the bar reflects traditional Eritrean cultural elements. Remarkably, every item inside the space is custom made.
The first ECCC was established in 1989 in Chinatown, at the heart of Washington, DC. It was founded to bring the Eritrean community together and help preserve its cultural identity, especially as more Eritreans settled in the area following the country’s independence war.
As the community grew, so did the need for a larger space to host worship services, cultural festivals, concerts, and art shows. To meet these demands, the center moved to its current, modernized location in 2019. Today, the ECCC offers a spacious venue for large events and social gatherings—and now, a fully stocked bar and restaurant serving traditional Eritrean dishes and beers imported from back home.
The center’s layout is thoughtfully organized: the right side of the building houses a children’s academy; the middle section features a massive venue space that can hold over 3,000 people; and the left side is home to the new bar and restaurant.
Inside the restaurant, framed photos on the walls tell the story of this small East African nation. You’ll find images of historic churches, the capital city Asmara, and Biniam Girmay—a cyclist who made history by winning gold at the Beijing Olympics.
The ECCC has become a point of pride for the community. Its venue regularly hosts concerts—including shows for fans of go-go, a funk subgenre known for its signature rhythms and energetic call-and-response with live audiences. And now, with its beautifully designed bar and restaurant, the center is quickly becoming one of DC’s most unexpected and memorable spots for a date or a relaxing night out.