Dawa Food in Atlanta: Where to Try This East African Honey-Ginger Drink

If you’ve heard the term “Dawa food” and you’re in Atlanta, you’re probably looking for one of two things:

1. the classic East African Dawa drink (a hot or cold honey–ginger–lemon remedy-style beverage), or
2. East African and Kenyan-style restaurants or cafes that might serve it alongside traditional dishes.

In Atlanta, “Dawa” is not a restaurant chain or brand most residents know by name, but the drink and the food culture behind it are very much alive through the city’s international and African dining scene. This guide focuses on how Dawa typically shows up in Atlanta: as a drink, a style of comfort food, and part of East African cuisine.

What Is “Dawa” and Why Does It Matter in Atlanta?

In much of East Africa, especially Kenya and Tanzania, “dawa” literally means “medicine” or “remedy.” In food culture, it usually refers to:

• A honey, ginger, and lemon–based drink (sometimes with garlic or herbs) served hot or cold
• A general idea of soothing, home-style remedies made from everyday ingredients
• In some places, a cocktail variation using similar flavors (outside of this article’s focus)

In Atlanta, you’ll most often see Dawa as:

• A non-alcoholic drink on menus at African or international restaurants
• A homemade drink sold at farmer’s markets or pop-up food stands
• A comfort beverage people make at home using ingredients from local markets

For locals and visitors, Dawa fits right in with Atlanta’s love of bold flavors, herbal teas, and comfort food with a global twist.

Key Ingredients in a Typical Dawa Drink

Most Dawa-style drinks in Atlanta follow a simple pattern:

• Ginger – fresh, grated, or sliced for a strong, warming flavor
• Lemon – juice and sometimes zest for brightness and acidity
• Honey – for sweetness and thickness
• Hot or cold water – depending on whether you want a tea-like drink or a cooler refresher
• Optional add-ins:
  • Garlic
  • Mint, rosemary, or other herbs
  • Cinnamon or cloves for a more spiced profile

You’ll see personal and regional variations, but these basics are common. In many East African households, this is a go-to comfort drink, and Atlanta’s diverse communities have brought that tradition here.

Where Dawa Fits in Atlanta’s International & African Food Scene

Atlanta has a growing East African and pan-African restaurant community, especially in and around:

• Clarkston (east of Atlanta, known for its diverse immigrant communities)
• Decatur and Stone Mountain
• Parts of Tucker, Doraville, and Chamblee
• Pockets of Southwest Atlanta and West End where international restaurants cluster

You’re more likely to see “Dawa” mentioned at:

• Kenyan, Tanzanian, or broader East African restaurants
• Cafes and juice bars with African herbal tea or traditional drink menus
• Pop-ups at international food festivals, farmers markets, or cultural events

Even if “Dawa” isn’t printed on the menu, many East African spots will understand if you ask for a honey-ginger-lemon tea or something “like a Kenyan Dawa.”

Typical East African Dishes to Pair With Dawa

Since “Dawa food” often means East African food plus the Dawa drink, it helps to know what dishes to look for when you explore Atlanta’s restaurants.

You might find:

• Ugali – a thick maize flour “cake” or porridge, often served with stews
• Sukuma wiki – collard greens cooked with tomatoes and onions
• Nyama choma – grilled or roasted meat, especially goat or beef
• Chapati – flatbread, soft and layered, similar to Indian-style chapati
• Pilau or biryani – fragrant spiced rice dishes
• Samosas – fried pastry with savory fillings (beef, chicken, or lentil)

A warm Dawa drink pairs well with grilled meats and spicy stews, while a chilled version can be refreshing alongside rice dishes and fried snacks.

Finding Dawa-Style Drinks in Atlanta

You won’t always see “Dawa” written on the sign outside, so a targeted approach helps.

1. Explore African & East African Restaurants

Look for restaurants whose menus mention:

• Kenyan cuisine
• Tanzanian or Ugandan influences
• “East African” or “African fusion”

When you’re there, you can ask:

Staff members at many African restaurants are familiar with this style of drink, even if they call it something else, such as:

• Ginger tea
• Tangawizi drink (Swahili for ginger)
• Herbal honey-ginger tea

2. Visit International Markets and Food Courts

Many international grocery stores in metro Atlanta have:

• Prepared drink coolers with ginger-based juices
• Dry tea blends that combine ginger, lemon, and honey flavorings
• Fresh ginger, lemons, and honey to make your own

Popular areas for international markets include:

• Buford Highway corridor – Doraville, Chamblee, Brookhaven
• Clarkston – high density of African and Middle Eastern markets
• South DeKalb – various African and Caribbean stores

You can also ask store staff if they carry East African tea blends or Kenyan-style ginger drink mixes.

3. Check Festivities and Cultural Events

Dawa-style drinks sometimes appear as homemade specialties at:

• African cultural festivals
• Neighborhood markets with global food vendors
• Community events hosted by African churches or cultural associations

These are often held in and around:

• Downtown Decatur
• Clarkston community centers
• Atlanta BeltLine events and farmer’s markets
• Public park festivals across the city

Because event lineups change frequently, checking local event calendars or social media for “African food festival Atlanta” or “Kenyan cultural event Atlanta” can help.

Making Dawa at Home With Atlanta Ingredients

If you can’t find Dawa on a menu, you can easily make a simple version at home using ingredients available almost anywhere in Atlanta.

Basic Home-Style Dawa (Non-Alcoholic)

Ingredients (per mug):

• 1–2 tablespoons fresh ginger, finely grated or thinly sliced
• Juice of ½–1 lemon
• 1–2 tablespoons honey (to taste)
• Hot water to fill the mug
• Optional: a small pinch of cinnamon or a sprig of fresh mint

Steps:

1. Add ginger to your mug.
2. Pour in hot water and let it sit for a few minutes.
3. Stir in lemon juice and honey.
4. Taste and adjust with more honey or lemon as you prefer.

📝 Tip:
Atlanta’s farmers markets, including spots like Your DeKalb Farmers Market (3000 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA) and many neighborhood markets, usually carry very fresh ginger and lemons at good prices.

Where to Shop for Dawa Ingredients Around Atlanta

Here’s a quick reference to common ingredient sources:

Understanding Dawa in Atlanta Restaurant Menus

Because “Dawa” isn’t yet a mainstream menu term in Atlanta, expect variations:

Possible Menu Names

• “Ginger lemon honey tea”
• “Fresh ginger tea”
• “Herbal immune tea” (general marketing description)
• “Kenyan-style tea” or “traditional African tea” (ask what’s in it)

What to Ask the Staff

To get something close to a traditional Dawa drink, you can say:

• “I’m looking for a hot honey-ginger-lemon drink, like a Kenyan remedy tea. Do you have something like that?”
• “Do you make fresh ginger tea with lemon and honey?”

Most places serving house-made herbal teas can put this together from basic ingredients, even if it’s not a standard menu item.

Dawa, Comfort Food, and Atlanta’s Climate

Atlanta’s climate, with pollen-heavy springs and humid summers, makes Dawa-style drinks appealing year-round:

• In cooler months, people lean toward hot Dawa teas for warmth and comfort.
• In hot weather, iced versions of ginger-lemon-honey drinks can feel refreshing and bright.

Residents often combine Dawa-style beverages with:

• Spicy international foods on Buford Highway
• Hearty stews and grilled meats at African or Caribbean restaurants
• Simple home-cooked meals when they want something soothing to sip

Practical Tips for Enjoying Dawa Food in Atlanta

A few ways to get the most out of your Dawa search:

• Call ahead: When you find an African or East African restaurant, call and ask if they serve a honey-ginger-lemon drink or can make one.
• Be flexible on names: Don’t worry if the menu doesn’t say “Dawa.” The core idea is what matters.
• Explore beyond the drink: Ask staff for traditional East African dishes that pair well with tea; many will happily suggest favorites.
• Use Atlanta’s markets: If a restaurant doesn’t have it, you can easily pick up ingredients and make a version at home.
• Watch for events: African cultural events around Atlanta are excellent places to try homemade Dawa-style drinks and discover new dishes.

By focusing on African and East African eateries, international markets, and cultural events, you can experience Dawa as both a comforting drink and a gateway into Atlanta’s rich international cuisine scene.