Born in Ethiopia to parents of Eritrean descent, Makina Cafe founder Eden G. Egziabher was raised amidst a vibrant mix of Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Italian cultures. It is no coincidence that “Makina” translates to “truck” in the languages of all three countries—the very cultures that combine to create the mosaic of flavors found on our menu.

As the first Eritrean-American female entrepreneur in NYC to launch a food truck serving “Habesha” food, Eden’s mission has always been about more than just a meal. The word Habesha is a term of pride used to celebrate the unity and shared heritage of the Horn of Africa.

From One Truck to a New York Staple

What began as a single mobile cafe has grown alongside the city we love. While our yellow trucks still roam the streets in the Summer months, we have expanded to meet our community where they live and play:
Sunnyside, Queens: Our home base. We are proud to serve the neighborhood through our Pickup and Delivery kitchen and our very first Brick-and-Mortar restaurant, bringing the Makina experience to a permanent seat at the table.
Governor’s Island: Find us year-round, bringing Habesha flavors to one of NYC’s most iconic destinations.

The Future of Makina

Tasty, healthy, and unique, Makina Cafe is for New Yorkers tired of the same old options. As we grow, Eden remains committed to using Makina as a charitable platform to give back to the community.
Follow us @makinacafe to find out what’s happening next, or visit us in Sunnyside to see where the next chapter of our story is being written.