If you're on the hunt for an authentic taste of Africa in Melbourne, look no further than African Taste Cafe. Nestled in Seddon, this gem offers a delightful array of Ethiopian dishes that will transport your palate straight to the heart of Ethiopia.
African restaurants, predominantly Ethiopian, are dotted all over Footscray and they offer traditional cultural cuisine. African Taste is a great addition to the area. There’s a warm, humbling ambience when you walk into African Taste.
The food here is inspired by Chef Ben’s country of origin Ethiopia, but with a hint of difference - all dishes are a modern take on the traditional cuisine. Everything on the menu at African Taste, from the homemade chilli sauces to the luscious desserts, is delicately crafted by Ben, a professionally trained chef. Ben is often chatting to customers and you can see his passion for food in his broad smile and expressive hand gestures. It’s a pleasure to be able to chat with the chef, usually hidden in the kitchen, and to sample Ben’s lovingly made, wonderful culinary creations.
Unique Dishes and Flavors
The cafe serves up generous portions that are sure to satisfy even the hungriest diners-don't miss their unique take on traditional dishes like butter gnocchi! Indulge in authentic African cuisine featuring unique dishes like asa kitfo, crispy fish with creamy sauce, lamb fufu (gnocchi), beef samosas, crumbed cauliflower, chicken fufu, and lamb baeg tibes.
For instance gnocchi, a well known Italian staple, is made here the African way using barley. The gnocchi are then pan fried and tossed through a creamy sauce, rich yet light, topped with natural yoghurt. The African Enchilada is a revelation. A wicker covered ramekin holds tender pieces of chicken and torn pieces of flat bread, oven baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce. The flat bread soaks up the flavours of the dish and is a wonderful addition.
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We accompany our two mains with an African Taste salad - a simple lettuce mix with tomato, cucumber and pieces of toasted pita bread tossed in a tangy lemon, oil and sumac dressing - simply delightful. The Harar Beer we order is perfectly refreshing and goes well with our meal. For dessert, we sample the baklava. It’s a delicately sweet ensemble of nuts, filo pastry and syrup - sublime. We devour this with coffee, served hot and strong to our liking.
While in traditional Ethiopian culture it is custom to leave some food on your plate after finishing your meal, Ben prefers to see empty plates at African Taste.
African Taste Bar & Cafe a Cafe in Melbourne serving African Food
Customer Reviews
African Taste Cafe in Melbourne is a beloved gem that offers an unforgettable dining experience. Reviewers rave about the delicious and authentic African cuisine, highlighting dishes like asa kitfo, crispy fish with creamy sauce, lamb fufu (gnocchi), and beef samosas. The warm hospitality of the owners and outstanding service add to the charm of this restaurant.
Guests praise the vibrant atmosphere filled with music and laughter, along with perfectly balanced spices that tell a story of tradition and culture. The staff's attentiveness and pride in their food make diners feel like part of the community, creating a truly memorable evening.
Highlighted Reviews
- "I have been to this place so many times I have lost count, I love the food that I have ordered and had so far. It's definitely delicious specially their asa kitfo and crispy fish with creamy sauce and rice to die for, so I do recommend for people to go check it out and the service is beautiful very hospitable."
- "Tried lamb fufu(gnocchi) and crispy fish. Food was amazing, especially the gnocchi. Never had a food with that kind of texture ever before and I love it. Recommend to anyone to have a go at this place."
- "We absolutely loved this restaurant/cafe in Seddon!!!!!! from start to finish, the entire experience was nothing short of exceptional. The moment we stepped through the doors, we were greeted with such warmth and hospitality that it immediately set the tone for what turned out to be a truly memorable evening. The food was honestly phenomenal. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and absolutely bursting with authentic African flavours. The spices were perfectly balanced - bold but not overpowering - and every bite told a story of tradition and culture. What really elevated the experience was the staff. They were attentive without being intrusive, happy to share recommendations, and clearly proud of the food they were serving. This restaurant is an absolute gem - a place that celebrates culture, flavour, and connection. We’ll definitely be back and recommending it to everyone we know. 🌍🍲✨"
More Reviews
- "This restaurant is hands down one of the best in Melbourne! The food is so reasonably priced, the serving sizes leave you stuffed and nothing compares to the wonderful people who run it. The African gnocchi is out of this world, as are all of their dishes. Do yourself a favor and eat here - your taste buds and tummy will thank you for it!"
- "African Taste Cafe is seriously amazing. I had the crispy fish and lamb fufu and both were so good. The fish was perfectly crispy and paired with a creamy garlic sauce that was full of flavour. For entrees we tried the beef samosas and they were incredible. The pastry was soft, crispy, and just melted in your mouth. The service was excellent, super friendly and welcoming, and the spot itself is really cute. Overall, amazing food and great vibes. This place definitely deserves more recognition!"
Tips for Your Visit
Try traditional Ethiopian dishes served at African Taste Cafe such as butter gnocchi for a Western-style twist on authentic cuisine. Visit during peak hours to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere filled with music and laughter that enhances your dining experience. Engage with the staff to learn more about the cultural significance behind each dish for a deeper appreciation of African flavors.
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A Personal Reflection
I had been totally addicted to the earthy flavour of the Fufu’s barley balls cooked in clarified butter and smothered in a rich ricotta and spinach sauce, and the oozy cheesiness of the enchiladas contrasting with the crispiness of the pita bread and slight crunch of the green beans and other veggies. Oh my goodness, how I miss them! So I think that’s why I’ve been avoiding dining at African Taste for a while - I didn’t want to trigger my grief. I had missed Sunni’s smiling face and bright welcome, and the unique interior of African Taste. I’m not really sure how to describe the restaurant’s style. It’s kind of homely looking, as if a house has been converted into a restaurant but some of the features of the house have been left behind (note for example the brightly coloured plastic strips that cover the door to the kitchen).
Lunch Experience
This was our first time eating lunch at African Taste having been for dinner frequently. There are a few vegetarian dishes to choose from including the filling African Taste salad with crispy pitta bread, the moorish cramped cauliflower, FuFu, and African Fasting Food which is certainly not something you would eat during a fast (see above). Gluten and dairy free are not marked on the menu but the lovely Sunni will walk you through the ingredients in the dishes.
Since the traditional African recipe for injera (the pancake-like bread you can see we the fasting food above) does not contain gluten, I was very hopeful of being able to indulge in this speciality. However, similar to the story with masala dosas, African Taste’s injera is made with wheat flour by a local injera bakery. Apparently it’s too expensive to make injera to the traditional recipe in Australia. African Taste will substitute injera for rice in any of the dishes to make them gluten-free.
Seafood features on the menu with the crispy fish salad being a favourite of mine prior to becoming gluten intolerant. My dad woofed this down so I assume that the fish is still crispy on the outside and perfectly flakey on the inside.
For the first time, I ordered the African Fuil with rice instead of pita bread, no feta and yes to tuna. It was described as an omelet with fava beans, tomatoes, onion and chilli paste. I had expected an omelet with all of the ingredients inside. Instead, I was pleased to find that my lunch had several separate elements each served in little bowls. This lunch ticked all the boxes for me - very filling, tasty and healthy. Three kinds of protein! The cooked tuna was served as a cold salad with tomato and herbs. The fava beans were served hot, refried and were mildly spicey.
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