Axum Cafe Temporarily Closed For Renovations, May Reopen With Lunch Menu

Axum Cafe Temporarily Closed For Renovations, May Reopen With Lunch MenuPhotos: Stephen Jackson/Hoodline
Stephen Jackson
Published on April 28, 2017

Lower Haighters who like to eat with their hands may have noticed that Axum Cafe has been closed for a little while now. No need to worry; the Ethiopian restaurant is only shuttered temporarily for renovations and is slated to reopen "in a couple of months," said owner Tsegai Berhe.

"We haven't done any remodeling in the twenty years I've owned the place," he said. "We want to clean it up, put in a new counter, maybe add some new paint, and change the windows because people have used acid to make graffiti on it."

Unlike many restaurateurs, Berhe owns his building, so he's not concerned about a rent hike after the work is completed.  A more pressing concern has been finding a contractor, but Berhe is on the lookout for someone who'll take on the project.

Owner Tsegai Berhe also runs Sunrise Market next door.

Once he reopens, Berhe said he may offer a lunch menu, but Axum's menu will otherwise remain the same. We'll follow this story as more details emerge; in the meantime, Ethiopian fans can get their fix at Oasis Cafe (901 Divisadero) or Waziema (543 Divisadero).