Addis Ababa has two very different shopping experiences: the enormous, chaotic Mercato and the more curated craft shops aimed at visitors. The Mercato is where the city actually shops; the craft shops in the Bole and Piazza areas are where most travellers end up. Both are worth a visit.
For traditional crafts, look for handwoven textiles (particularly the white shemma cloth with coloured borders), hand-carved wooden crosses, silver jewellery, pottery, and traditional musical instruments. The shops along Churchill Avenue and around the Piazza have the most consistent selection, and bargaining is expected.