Where To Find Good African Food Around Melbourne?

The cuisine of South Africa is largely considered to be one of the most contextually diversified in the world, earning the country the nickname "rainbow nation." We can thank the colourful fusion of European, Indian, and Malay cooking influences that gave rise to South African cuisine.

South Africa is often regarded as one of the world's best vacation spots thanks to its abundance of wildlife, beautiful seas, and sandy deserts. It really shouldn't come as a surprise that South Africa is a popular holiday spot.

Even though Europeans brought refrigerators to South Africa, some of the meals on our list below still make use of traditional culinary methods like curing and preserving.

African Cuisine in Melbourne

Even though it's hot as hell in Melbourne right now, we thought it would be helpful to assemble a list of the favourite African restaurants in the area so that you may cool off and have a tasty dinner at one of these top-notch places without having to worry about the heat.

Safari Restaurant

Safari is one of the few places where you won't feel awkward if your child acts out their worst dining nightmare. The African-American customers laughed and joked as they sipped from carafes drinking Vimto Cordial, and the waiter grinned as he placed a stack of fresh napkins on the table.

Photographic sceneries adorn the walls, African print glass tops serve as table surfaces, and a water jug statue gently trickles by the false pot plant. If you don't want to eat with your right wrist, which is the norm in the majority of the world, there is a shared washroom equipped with soap and utensils. Guests are greeted with a hot bowl of chili-laced lamb soup with a few rounds of nutritious carrot buried at the bottom to start the meal. This broth is best seasoned with such a wedge if lemon and a bit of a crushed red-chili sauce that's also supplied on the side. Easily enough for four people, the Meal for two can easily feed six. On one end of this massive metal tray, you'll find long-grain rice. The second half is filled with spicy pasta.

Places in Italy's Pasta, and particularly spaghetti, is widely consumed in Somaliland due to its history as both a British protectorate of an Italy Kingdom in the nineteenth century. Over a bed of rice and spaghetti sat slow-cooked lamb flavoured with lemon, coriander, and garlic. On top of that, a tiny bowl of salad was placed. Despite being greasy, the 32 dollar price tag is absurdly low.

Somalis often eat suqaar, which literally means "little ones," a dish made of lamb cubes that have been marinated in garlic and then stir-fried with pieces of onion, carrot, pepper, tomato, and spinach.

The Kay Kay was created by crumbling "jabati," a flatbread with a similar performance to roti, and frying it with the suqaar in oil. Delicious desserts like honey cobbler or halwa can be obtained in the area, and the local Somali tea, which is comparable to chai, makes for a wonderful pairing. It's a chill place to try authentic Somali cuisine.

Little Africa Restaurant

Are you interested in following a restaurant which has received an unprecedented number of five-star reviews for its food? Visit North Melbourne, where the colourful and quaint Little Africa may be found. Each day of the week, you may stop by this welcoming restaurant and enjoy some authentic, flavorful African fare. The extremely close quarters are more than made up for by the high quality of the service and food. If you're craving something fierier, you owe it to yourself to order the dorho zighini.

A rare find in the increasingly trendy northern Melbourne, where cultural diversity is valued, is the Little Africa café. Little Africa, which can be found on a picturesque patio just off Victoria Street, is frequented by locals, visitors, and those from the surrounding area because of its unique and delicious food.

Traditional aromatic spice combinations are utilised to draw attention to original Ethiopian stews, curries, or other specialised foods, such as delicious flatbread. The location of Little Africa, combined with the fact that African cuisine is great for sharing, makes it a great choice for a group outing or a date.

The Little Africa on Victoria Street is North Melbourne is a little venue with a large heart and a beautiful terrace. There's something on the menu for everyone, from traditional American dishes to more unusual dishes like Ethiopian soups and curries. This cultural treasure is warm and inviting, perfect for a couple's outing or a group of friends to enjoy.

The Abyssinian

This is the place to be if you have an interest in Eritrean customs and cuisine. Food is covered in the traditional straw hats of Eritrea, and African artefacts adorn the walls.

Injera, a type of fermented flatbread, is commonly eaten with a wide range of meat & vegetarian sauces. Relax with a handwashing and a nap. For years, patrons have praised this Ethiopian restaurant for its "slow-food either from the horn of Africa."

Trying one of his or her platters is a great way to get a feel for the huge range of flavours that can be found in African cuisine. The quantities are so large, the restaurant is so stylish, and the service is so warm and welcoming that you may never want to eat at KFC again. The Dorho Zighini is a popular East African chicken dish appetiser that is slow-cooked either a rich and well-experienced Berbere sauce or a traditional East African stewing sauce, and is then topped with a full boiled egg.

Nyala

Ethiopian food is the most common, and it typically consists of injera flatbread and various condiments. Other options include chicken in a coconut sauce, couscous, & baboutie, a South African speciality consisting of minced meat, a fruit condiment, plus spices served on toast. It really loves gomen.

Cafe Lalibela

Cafe Lalibela, found in the western Melbourne district of Footscray, is another notable Ethiopian eatery. For more than a decade, it has been a staple of the Melbourne dining scene, earning a well-deserved reputation for its delectable fare. Have a taste of one of their exotic beers and go for the pan-fried chicken.

Mesob

The cuisine at this popular Ethiopian eatery is as colourful and varied as the country's history. The majority of a food is served in a communal setting, either on huge platters or as part of a family type meal. The carnivore plate is highly recommended since it comes heaped with delicious curries and is accompanied by soft, warm bread. You may take your taste senses on a global tour without leaving the comfort of MESOB Ethiopian Restaurant in Northcote.

Even though it's on the bustling High Street, this bar manages to feel like a long way away thanks to the exotic design (including Ethiopian ornaments) and live music (including a wide variety of non-Western instruments).

This family-style meal takes its cues from traditional Ethiopian fare and incorporates fresh ingredients such biodynamic grass-fed beef, complimentary chicken and eggs, and aromatic spices and herbs. You should have Doro Wot, delicious chicken stew flavoured with mild spice, onions, ginger, as well as an egg that isn't hard-boiled but is instead served with maybe.

African Taste Cafe

Visit Seddon's African Taste Cafe if you're curious about African food or have never eaten it before. Even if they don't always stick to traditional methods, Ethiopian restaurants in the West nevertheless serve delicious food. The atmosphere is great, as well as the service is prompt and helpful. We'd appreciate it if you'd add it to the list.

The food is primarily Ethiopian, but there are a few other African options. Toasted millet flour balls simmered with herbs & served with chipotle chile and yoghurt, known as Genfo African Fufu, were a major hit at the party. They also enjoy injera flatbread. Recycled fried broccoli is a fantastic addition to the already tasty mulukhia.

Savanna African Restaurant & Cafe

Savanna African Restaurant & Cafe in Collingwood serves up authentic African cuisine that will make you feel like you've been transported to the continent's urban centres. This less expensive Ethiopian landmark offers a vast variety in Ethiopian beer and wines in addition to some of the greatest vegan meals in the country.

Vegetarians over particular will be taken aback by the tremendous array of selections, but everyone else will enjoy the warm service and ample servings as well.

Ge’ez Ethiopian Restaurant

In the centre of Brunswick, an area that promotes Ethiopian tradition and culture, you'll find the Ge'ez Ethiopian Hotel at Sydney Road, serving authentic African cuisine. When the curtains are drawn back, the exposed brick and handmade photo frames from the place of origin create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. While that's happening, customers mull more than a menu that features it all from injera through family-style portions.

Try the Doro wot, a chicken dish that is occasionally served with such a cooked whole egg and rice, or the lega tibs, which is prepared of delicate lamb, leeks, onion, rosemary, jalapeño, and exotic herbs and served with bread and rice. Nothing beats a group of friends chowing down on a deluxe platter of assorted vegetables and meats, injera, as well as a house salad with a pitcher of fruit juice.

Lentil As Anything

A lot of famous people from the entertainment industry used to hang out at the first Lentil as Anything. The concept of "Lentil Unity" began to take shape. The "Magic Box," where donors choose how much to give, became an instant icon of the developing patron trust system.

Since anyone could join the club and receive the same advantages from the "Lentil Credit," this approach proved successful.

Lentil as Anything conceals several hidden depths. We're an organisation working to achieve social inclusion and parity. Over the course of the last two decades, we've worked to create a system in which people comes before profits. It doesn't matter what someone's background is like, what kind of mental or physical disabilities they have, what religion they practise, or what kind of money they have, everyone has the same opportunities to learn and grow and help their fellow humans.

African Village Kitchen

This African Village Kitchen Cafe is a haven of calm in the heart of the modern metropolitan jungle. A tranquil setting in which to unwind and take pleasure in life's simple pleasures. The length of the visit is irrelevant. You can treat your loved ones to delicious traditional Senegalese and Gambian food just at African Village Kitchen Cafe.

True contentment can be seen in Senegal & Gambia, two West African countries where time seems to have stood still. Our African Village Kitchen Cafe is a peaceful haven, and you are welcome to spend some time there, too. It's safe to say that this is Melbourne's sole West African eatery. Particularly notable is the mafe that is typically served with cassava. Additionally well-liked is the goat curry. Certainly not a Michelin-starred establishment, however the food is excellent and unique.

Polēpolē

If you're looking for a genuine African meal and a bustling environment, head to polpol, a restaurant in the central business district. In 2015, Glamp—polpol and its sister safaris bar, polpol, made their debut on Melbourne's dining scene. Since the executive chef has spent time in South Africa & Macau before landing in Melbourne, the restaurant's menu and drinks take on an African twist.

Recently, Stolley has added some delicious vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options to the polo polo menu in addition to the restaurant's renowned slow-cooked rib and traditional African game meats.

Saba’s Ethiopian Restaurant

Saba's Ethiopian Restaurant serves incredible meat, vegetable, and vegan dishes inspired by the cuisine of Ethiopia's far northern Tigray region; all of which are gluten-free.

AND if you give them 24 hours' notice, they can make accommodations for those who are fructose intolerant. But I digress; if you're here for the food, you must order the lamb and indeed the Doro wat.

Konjo Ethiopian Restaurant & Craft

With restaurants in both Footscray and Collingwood, it's hard to think of a good reason not to allow Konjo Ethiopian Steakhouse & Craft turn your difficult money into an easy-to-digest lunch.

The vegetarian platter is reasonably priced, and the restaurant has a nice, homey feel to it.

The Horn

Collingwood residents and visitors alike have been eating at The Horn African on Johnston Street for the past 13 years. This restaurant, managed by a local family, is well-known for its modern takes on traditional Ethiopian meals and its lively atmosphere, complete with live music.

Relax with an organic distinct blend coffee or chilled booze on the courtyard, which boasts a mural of a lion created to look like it had been painted in real life, after a nice lunch in the cosy and welcoming interior. Before plunging into meals like goat soup with red onion, garlic, berbere, & Chef's secret sauce, salad, and injera, try the zil zil, chicken strips marinated in berbere, crumbed but rather dipped with white sesame seeds, paired with Ethiopian salsa.

New Somali Kitchen

Abdo is legally entitled to citizenship in both Australia and Somalia, having spent about half his lifetime in each country. However, it was challenging to find cuisine with a flavour profile similar to that in the United States after relocating to Australia in 1998. Abdo & his family saw a need to serve the growing Somali population in Melbourne, so they opened Hamar Weyne.

The restaurant originally began with the goal of catering to the local Somali community, but its fame has since grown, and now people of all walks of life frequent its tables. The Somali food that Abdo's family has been serving for generations has now arrived in Flemington.

Nothing we utilise in our food would be considered sacrilegious by Muslims. Afraid about the future? Savor the succulent meat that has been cooked in a delicious spice mixture. We've finished off the dinner with some jasmine rice and both cooked and raw vegetables.

Hot beverages, including spiced tea and coffee, are also available for purchase, as are a wide variety of sweet and spicy sweets. Abdo, a Malian who has spent as much time in Australia as he has in Somalia, owns and operates the New Somali Restaurant on Racecourse Road. The restaurant was originally opened to serve the expanding Somali population in Melbourne, but it has now become a popular destination on the Racecourse strip thanks to the enthusiasm of the neighborhood's natives for the food.

Harambe Restaurant

Harambe Restaurant in Footscray has a wide variety of foods that all have the same unique spices, rich flavours, and zingy, genuine, and alluring perfume. Relax at the American-style café or see the upper replica of the an Ethiopian Gojo.

Traditional raffia tables and brightly coloured tablecloths liven up the space. After that, you can partake in a local coffee ceremony or sample one of the international beers.

Conclusion

Since European, Indian, and Malay culinary traditions have all been incorporated into South African cuisine, it is often regarded as one of the most contextually diverse in the world. Its rich biodiversity, stunning oceans, and sandy deserts make it a popular tourist destination. Traditional cooking techniques such as curing and preserving are still in use in South Africa, even though refrigerators were introduced by the Europeans. One of the few places in Melbourne where you won't feel embarrassed if your youngster acts up during dinner is at Safari Restaurant, which serves authentic African cuisine and is a favourite choice among locals. Pasta, and especially spaghetti, is a popular food in Somaliland because of the country's dual past as a British protectorate and an Italian Kingdom in the nineteenth century.

Located in the increasingly hip area of North Melbourne, which places a premium on cultural diversity, lies the Little Africa Restaurant. Its distinctive and tasty cuisine draws in customers from all over, including neighbourhood residents and tourists. Suqaar is a flatbread with comparable properties to roti, while the Kay Kay is cubes of lamb marinated in garlic and stir-fried with bits of onion, carrot, pepper, tomato, and spinach. Honey cobbler and halwa, two delicious desserts, can be found in the area, and combine wonderfully with the local Somali tea, which is similar to chai. If you're interested in learning more about Eritrean culture and food, the Abyssinian is the place to be.

Nyala is a prominent Ethiopian restaurant in Melbourne, and its namesake injera, a type of fermented flatbread, is served with a variety of meat and vegetarian sauces. Slow-cooked in Berbere sauce or a typical East African stewing sauce and topped with a whole boiled egg, Dorho Zighini is a famous East African chicken dish appetiser. The Ethiopian restaurant Café Lalibela is well-known for its delicious food and unique drinks.

Located in Northcote, the delicious dishes of Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant are made with authentic Ethiopian ingredients such biodynamic grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and eggs, and savoury spices and herbs. The original dishes of Savanna African Restaurant & Café in Collingwood will make you feel like you've been transported to one of Africa's major cities. The centrally located Ge'ez Ethiopian Restaurant serves some of the best vegan food in the country in addition to a wide selection of Ethiopian beers and wines. Excellent ambience and friendly, efficient service.

Content Summary

1. South Africa has been dubbed the "rainbow nation" in part because of its diverse cuisine.
2. With its diverse animals, stunning coastlines, and expansive deserts, South Africa is frequently ranked among the world's top tourist destinations.
3. The fact that South Africa is a well-liked vacation spot is hardly surprising.
4. Despite the widespread availability of refrigeration in modern times thanks to the European colonisers of South Africa, several of the dishes on the following list rely on time-honored techniques like as curing and preserving.
5. Melbourne's African Restaurants Melbourne is now experiencing record-breaking temperatures, but we thought it would be beneficial to compile a list of the best African restaurants in the area so that you may find relief from the heat and enjoy a delicious meal at one of these recommended spots.
6. The Safari Grill At Safari, you won't feel out of place if your youngster has a meltdown during dinner.
7. There is a communal kitchen with soap and cutlery for those who prefer not to use their right hand when eating (the dominant hand in most of the world).
8. Destinations in Italy Pasta, and especially spaghetti, is a popular food in Somaliland because of the country's dual past as a British protectorate and an Italian Kingdom in the nineteenth century.
9. The Kay Kay was made by frying suqaar with crumbled "jabati," a flatbread with similar performance to roti.
10. Honey cobbler and halwa, two delicious desserts, can be found in the area, and combine wonderfully with the local Somali tea, which is similar to chai.
11. The Restaurant of Little Africa To what extent would you be interested in following a restaurant that has received an unprecedented number of five-star reviews for its food?
12. Located in North Melbourne, the colourful and charming Little Africa is a must-see for any traveller to Australia.
13. This inviting eatery is open seven days a week, so you can always stop by and try some delicious, traditional African cuisine.
14. Nonetheless, the excellent service and delicious meal more than make up for the cramped confines.
15. You owe it on yourself to order the dorho zighini if you're looking for something with a little more heat.
16. The Little Africa café is a unique find in the hipster-friendly northern Melbourne, where tolerance and acceptance of all cultures are highly respected.
17. Located on a lovely terrace off Victoria Street, Little Africa is a popular spot for both locals and visitors alike who come to sample the restaurant's exotic and flavorful fare.
18. Ethiopian stews, curries, and other speciality foods, like their delectable flatbread, are given extra attention by using traditional aromatic spice combinations.
19. Little Africa is convenient for both groups and dates due to its location and the sociable nature of African food.
20. North Melbourne's Little Africa, located on Victoria Street, is a cosy bar with a stunning outside patio.
21. Traditional American fare sits alongside more exotic options like Ethiopian soups and curries on the menu.
22. This cultural gem is cosy and welcoming, making it ideal for a date or a get-together with friends.
23. Common toppings for the fermented flatbread known as injera include both meat and vegetarian options.
24. Take some time to unwind with a handwash and a sleep.
25. Try one of his platters to sample the vast array of flavours present in African cuisine, for which this Ethiopian restaurant has been lauded for years by satisfied diners for its "slow-food either from the horn of Africa."
26. You may never want to eat at KFC again after experiencing their enormous portions, chic atmosphere, and kind service.
27. Dorho Zighini is a common appetiser in East Africa; it consists of slow-cooked chicken in either a rich and well-experienced Berbere sauce or a classic East African stewing sauce, and it is finished with a whole boiled egg.
28. Traditional Nyala Ethiopian fare consists primarily of injera flatbread and a variety of sauces.
29. Lalibela Café A second excellent Ethiopian restaurant in Melbourne is Café Lalibela, which can be located in the Footscray neighbourhood to the west.
30. The restaurant has been a mainstay of Melbourne's dining scene for over a decade, and for good reason: the food is delicious.
31. Sample some of their rare brews and get the pan-fried chicken.
32. Mesob The food at this trendy Ethiopian restaurant is as vibrant and eclectic as the country's past.
33. The majority of a meal is shared by all diners, either on large platters or as a single, formal meal.
34. The MESOB Ethiopian Restaurant in Northcote allows your taste buds to travel the world without leaving the neighbourhood.
35. Inspired by classic Ethiopian cuisine, this feast for the whole family has flavorful spices and herbs, fresh vegetables, and tender cuts of biodynamic grass-fed beef.
36. Café with an African Flavor If you've never tried African food before and are curious, stop into Seddon's African Flavour Cafe.
37. Ethiopian restaurants in the West serve wonderful food, even if they don't always use traditional methods.
38. Excellent ambience and friendly, efficient service.
39. Most of the dishes are of Ethiopian origin, although there are also some other African choices.
40. A crowd favourite was the Genfo African Fufu, which consists of toasted millet flour balls cooked in herbs and served with chipotle chile and yoghurt.