Review Little Africa - Melbourne

Amazing little hidden gem. Best Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant I've even been, portions are very generous, prices are fair and the owner is such a cool guy. Highly recommend it! Will come back for more.

Food was amazing. Couple of the dishes were quite spicy but very tasty. Very flavoursome. Traditionally you eat with your hands which gets messy but they do supply cutlery. Only had a couple of staff so service could be a little slow but wasn't too bad and food still come out quite quickly. Venue is on the smaller side so preferably book beforehand but amazingly decorated.

Easily my favourite place to eat in Melbourne. The food is always superb and tea with kammam is delightful. The service is great and the food comes out so quickly. Would recommend to anyone.

Very friendly staff. Awesome food. Ordered dorho zighini chicken was well cooked and delicious flavours. Ethopian coffee was bit bitter but some unique taste. The ambience makes you feel their culture as there are some antiques on the walls. Felt heart warming. The toilets are clean and some ancient painting in there too which felt nice. The staff was so nice as we ordered one extra dish and then we were full so cancelled it but the staff allowed us to cancel it. So nice gesture. The portion is satisfactory enough to make you full. Would definitely visit again and try other dishes.

We ordered a Vegetarian Combination for 1x person and 1x order each of Dhoro Zhigini (Chicken) and Lamb Zhigini. Vegetarian dishes are very good and actually better than the Meat dishes. I found that the Lamb Zhigini was dry but the Dhoro Zhigini is really good. Their COFFEE IS ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE TRIED. If I could have another I would, but unfortunately it won’t make me sleep for the next 10hrs 😅 Waiting time for food is really quick, but because we arrived at 5:30PM and were the first customers there. Staff were amazing and accommodating. The place itself is clean. Really well supplied of sanitizers and soaps. Toilet is probably the cleanest toilet I’ve been in restaurants here in Melbourne - No jokes.

We love Little Africa!! The vegan combination is sooo good - wish I could come more often. Well priced, so much flavour, service is always quick. Update 15/3 - went tonight with a bunch of girlfriends and we had both vegan and gluten free both in the group. All the food was delicious! The combination can be done Gluten Free with rice instead of injera bread which was fab to know! Delicious as always!!

Amazing service and equally great food every time! Affordable price point for a taste of Africa, 5/5 recommend for family and friends. Pet-friendly seating outdoor as well.

We went for dinner and it was good. The lamb tatse good and the goat was tender although very watery as well. I wouldn't mind coming back to try other dishes. We ordered a la carte and realized we should've tried their combination/set menu per person. Next time, we would order one vegetarian and one meat combination so we have more dishes to try. 🙂

4.5/5 if I could! Being unfamiliar with Ethiopian cuisine, I would say that this was an amazing and novel experience! TDLR; try it out, Little Africa has great service, feels cosy and their selection of combination “wat” (thick stews, similar to curries) have unique spices.<br/><br/>FOOD = 4/5: LOVED the lamb and fish stews for the combination platters. Their injera bread portions are massive and had an almost crepe-like texture. It’s slightly sour, which wasn’t my jam but it balanced out any heavy stew flavours :) Spices for the vegetable stews were flavourful but did not differ too much between them I felt. <br/><br/>SERVICE = 5/5: no complaints. Quick to take orders and bookings.<br/><br/>ATMOSPHERE = 4.5/5: quite a small place in North Melbourne, not great for large groups, but the decor is beautiful with some traditional African pieces. Not noisy, everything was clean.

Very good food with Friendly service. The place is a little hidden on the streets. But otherwise the food is awesome as well as cheap. I ordered the vegetarian platter with various different curries. A must try for experience and Taste.

Nice hearty food and friendly service. Cozy little place, thank you! 😊

Delicious, filling food that is also very reasonably priced. You can’t go wrong with the vegetarian combination plate. The people who run the restaurant are also really lovely and warm. Little Africa ticks all the boxes! ☀️

Some friends hyped up this restaurant for us for a long time and we decided to try it. <br/>It was cute, homely and welcoming. <br/>The food was spectacular with hits of flavor and big portions for 2 people at a really good price! You don’t leave hungry. <br/>It was my first time trying African/Ethiopian food and I was definitely not disappointed!

I love Ethiopian food and the mixed platter we had was very good and well flavoured. I thought the large chunk of lettuce would've been easier to eat if cut into smaller pieces, and I do prefer all the meats and sauces to be on the layered injera rather than in bowls on top of one injera bread with the extra bread placed separately, but that's just personal preference.

I found an African restaurant with good review，Ethiopian stew. The restaurant was not big. There were only two or three people in the front desk kitchen. Lamb, chicken, fish, vegetables and beans, beans taste very good, but the overall portion is too large, really can't finish eating, so you can't feel how delicious it is at the back, so give 4 stars, the taste is very good at the beginning, very new, is not eaten food. Store is putting the music of Africa, decorate also is African style, have immersive feeling. Still recommend everybody to want to try all sorts of food can try!

If you love curry, this is another place to go. All the meals served with flat bread and salads. They are super delicious. This place opens only for dinner, better to book a table beforehand. Been back here few times now. Good for sharing and very good value of money

We tried the combination dish and was ok. I am a huge fan of ethiopian cuisine and this wasn't the best I have tried. It was a little bit milder in term of taste and depth of flavour than what I am used to. I don't think I am coming back. Service was good and friendly.

Tried this highly rated ，cozy family restaurant。Went there too early, a nice guy from Africa told me wait for a while when he passing by, he recommend this restaurant too…food are full of spices…really like the injera bread, bit sour taste go very well with strong flavor curry dishes。

An excellent place to get some authentic cuisine from sub-Saharan Africa. Daily combo is fantastic - Injera with a mix of 5 different curries of the day. Friendly front of house staff who are sensitive to the cultural differences between their home country and Australia (ie offer cutlery even though the food is traditionally eaten with one’s hands). Good value too - stuffed our faces for $22 per head. Food is packed with flavour and delicious - will be back again and again. Do yourselves a favour and eat here.

Friendly neighbourhood restaurant. Simple menu with spicy African fare. We shared the combination plate piled with a mountain of injera and flavourful fish, chicken and dahl dishes. Good reliable option if you’re in the area.

Tasty Ethiopian cuisine, with the classics on menu and good injera. A small family run restaurant.<br/>The set platter it's a good choice and good value. For vegetarian meal $20 for 1, $35 for 2, which is a filling amount of dishes and injera.

Had such a good dinner at Little Africa. It’s a small restaurant near Queen Victoria Market which seems to get busy even for a weeknight. We got the combination platter for 2 for $45 which had generous serving size as we couldn’t finish it all. The quality of the meats are good and I loved the taste of injera bread, as it’s not too tangy as I’ve had before. This place is cash only. If you are adventurous and want to try African food, definitely try it here

Shared 2 platters of the mixed combination of the day platter set with 5 friends. It was enough to feed all of us. The vegetarian and seafood mini side dishes were delicious. However, the pita bread that formed the base tasted ordinary, and a lot softer as compared to what I prefer and am used to in comparative cuisines. While I could see how other people would have enjoyed the food greatly, it did not quite suit my palette.

Delicious! We had the 25 dollar vegetarian platter for 2. Omg so much food and all delicious. The bread, as everyone has commented, is beautifully textured and the perfect consistency to grab the curries. Will be back.

Was pleasantly surprised as I was coming into this blind. Went to Little Africa with a group of friends and we had no prior encounters with African food so we were quite clueless as to what to expect. We each got the combination of the day which consisted of 2 meats, 1 fish and 3 vegetable dishes. It was served on a flat tangy and savoury steamed bread. As there were 6 of us, they served us two huge portions of it. At first, we were sceptical of the portion sizes but it was unfounded as we couldn't finish everything and left completely stuffed. Every single curry dish had a different and unique taste to it. What surprised me the most was the vegetable curries as they had so much flavour and depth which made me keep going for more. This experience definitely made me keep an eye out for african food.

First time tried African food, it’s delicious. The spice not too strong and the salad really good. I ordered combination meat for 2 people and feel full. Eat by hand for authenticity and don’t forget to bring cash. Card is not accepted.

Food : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Combination of the day - Good variety of tastes. Lack of taste for the fish. Lentils were yummy and the the meats, chicken and lamb, were well cooked. <br/>Price : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good portion / Great Value<br/>Service : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Friendly staff / Quick service <br/>Ambience : ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pretty small but with African decoration and African music

Hidden little family restaurant behind Queen Victoria Market located on Victoria Street. Unique interior decorations gives it an African vibe. Not too many seats but makes up for it with the big hearts of the family that runs the shop. Absolutely fantastic host (unfortunately we forgot to get his name) who made sure we enjoyed our meals and were comfortable with everything.<br/><br/>We ordered the combination of the day which came with five different curries: Fool (fava beans), Tumtummo (lentils), Gored-Gored (beef), Asa Zaghini (fish) and Zighini (slow cooked lamb) all on top of a tangy Injera bread.  Accompanying our meal we ordered a chai and Ethiopian coffee. I found the coffee too strong for my liking, especially as it was without any milk or creamer. Our favourite was the fish which was buttery soft but also a fairly light dish.<br/><br/>Overall an interesting experience worth trying if you are feeling a bit adventurous.

Tiny little place but amazing food. We both had the vegetarian platter with an assortment of curries on top of injera bread. Food was cheap and very filling. You need to ask for cutlery, otherwise its eat with your fingers!

Food was delicious. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to try African food. Everything had such a different taste and texture but somehow complimented eachother.

The food here is absolutely amazing! Everything we had was perfect (and we had one of almost everything). The staff was friendly and helpful in navigating the menu.

Was really impressed with the food as I did not know what to expect and had no knowledge prior to what Ethiopian  cuisine is like. The bread they lay at the bottom complemented all the dishes well and had such a unique texture . Would love to return

Had the combination, the mush on the left, the chicken and the veggies were really dank. And of course as mentioned by many, absolutely welcoming service. Bear in mind it’s cash only tho.

Delicious food. I fell in love with potato. And the chicken was so well cooked (and flavoured). My mouth is watering just thinking of it. The only downside is that they don't accept card.

Warm, welcoming service and great food! We ordered the daily combination plate for 2 people and it was huge with a fish, chicken and lamb plus 2 veg dishes and salad all on a beautiful injera, with 2 extra injeras! Food was tasty and clean. Good value!

Combination meals are superb. Perfect mixture of spices and colours. Friendly staff and great value for money.<br/>Terrific fun using your hands to negotiate the dishes onto the injera and then hopefully somewhere near your mouth.

The food is amazing. Great experience. The customer service was top notch as well. I didn't have to ask for water at all it was refilled automatically. The dorho zighini is a must try if you like your food to have some spice.

Just brilliantly delicious food. Great service, kind and friendly staff. Can't recommend this place enough. I especially enjoy sharing the combination servings with friends.

This place is AMAZING! I've never tried such cuisine before, and this will definitely set high expectations to your tastebuds. Quite a small restaurant but that makes it so cosy! Had the combo with meat, everything was so tasty, but I have to say their chicken w berbere sauce was PHENOMENAL!! <br/><br/>The guy working there is so nice and so welcoming! You have to try this place asap!!

What we love about Melbourne is the variety of cuisines available and if you haven't tried authentic Ethiopian food, Little Africa is a great place to start! Nestled in north Melbourne this restaurant is a great foodie jem. <br/>We tried the tumtummo (split lentils), the delicious ganberi (shrimp) and the tender gored gored (beef cubes) served with plenty of injera bread. Our recommendation is to not order so much bread - they give plenty in one serving! Overall, the meal was delightful and we enjoyed eating with our hands, although towards the end it was a little on the heavy side and needed some relief!

A really cute little joint in north Melbourne. <br/>Craving African ? You will find Fresh and delicious African food here! Plenty of food to go around! So don't order too much! Unless you have two stomachs . We ordered the platter for three.. it can serve 4-5 people!

This place is amazing!!! The injeera was soft and spongy and sour like sourdough bread and holy moly the lentils were to die for. You should get the meat and veggies combination platter and share it with someone. <br/><br/>The people serving us were really nice too!

If you feel like Ethiopian food, I would recommend this place. I had the combination shared dishes with one other friend. The food is reasonably priced ($55 inc entree and drinks for 2) and plenty (there were leftovers)! It's a small restaurant with a lot of flavour. I wasn't very keen on their beef dish but everything else was good! I also wished they had a variety of drinks and Ethiopian desserts!

Seriously good food and great service, one of the best restaurants I have been to in Melbourne, and without the hefty price tag. More vegetable dishes than I expected and all very tasty.

Great and delicious ethiopian food 😍<br/>Good service, waiter helps with your order, what it's good to choose.<br/>And cheap and pretty good wine :))<br/>

Exceptional value for the two person pack. Enjoyed the leftovers for the next two meals!<br/><br/>The menu will say spicy but they're quite mild even for a non spice fan.

When we came here, the streets looked kinda deserted but the restaurant was full of people! Very delicious cusine, I loved the pancake and the chicken was my favourite out of all the meats. Super flavoursome and awesome service.

Heard great things about this place and was very exciting to try it out but to my disappointment I really disliked it. I feel as though this is a love it or hate it place and for me personally, the food just didn't suit my palette. The injera bread was of a crepe like texture that looked very appealing to the eye but once I tired it, I was taken aback by the acidity if the bread. Never have I ever had bread as sour as that and on @top of that the entree or bread was accompanied with natural SOUR yoghurt which really threw the whole dish out of balance. The main was average, but that is my opinion. I'm not saying the food is bad but for me it's not tasty at all and I wouldn't go back. Ethiopian food just isn't for me though I'm willing to try another place but I'm hesitant from this first trial. Service was excellent and for those who enjoy Ethiopian food the prices were a bargain.

Amazing food. Reasonable price. Friendly service.If you don't know where to start with Ethiopian food, I recommend ordering the combination. For the two of us it came to $45 and gave us great variety and plenty to eat!

Had the spicy chicken with garlic and a boiled egg. It was quite spicy, which was great- I quit liked it that way. Make sure you ask for the yoghurt to accompany your meal. We shared the vegetarian platter for one. It contained chick pea stew, lentils amongst other deliciously cooked options. All portion sizes were perfect. The pancake underneath the dish went down really well worn the chicken. The two guys running the show were amazing and really sweet and helpful to talk to About options. The place is small and cosy. Probably best to go in with two to four people only. Only a couple of wine options- I was really happy with my cab sav. Cost of everything only $49! Will definitely go back during winter to warm up with their dishes and also to try the fish.

I had never tried African food before so I don't have much to compare it to but honestly Little Africa made me wonder why I had never tried African food before! <br/><br/>The vegetarian food was soooo good. I would recommend just ordering the Vegetarian dishes. The meat and seafood dishes cannot even compare and I am not even Vegetarian! Plus the bread is great as well! Also I found that the vegetarian food held more flavour.<br/><br/>The food here is very cheap. We ended up paying $18 each (there were five of us and the food was very filling) <br/><br/>And just so you all know they are cash only!

Delicious, great value and very friendly owners! Very happy to find this little gem in North Melbourne, sure to come back. <br/><br/>- Fried Chicken Connoisseur -

Always heard raving reviews about this place so I went last week and it definitely lived up to all my expectations. Absolutely delicious food, and great, friendly owners.

The fish! Oh the fish! We are repeat diners because it's so consistently good. The combination comes with the fish, lamb, chicken, lentils, vegetarian curry, more vegetables, salad and so much injera (bread), it's like they dare you to eat it all. Ordering individual dishes is also rewarding, with our friends loving the lamb. Everything is so tasty and sampling it all with your hands is half the fun.<br/>Booking highly recommended as the place is tiny. A practical little place to enjoy Ethiopian fare, fast and friendly service. Be prepared to leave holding your belly - so.much.food.

Hard to rate this one as I munched it all down like an old twix, but not all the dishes seduced me with their flavours. I think I just love injara bread & whatever you wrap within its soft, bubbly surface is enhanced. <br/>Had both the chicken & the lamb zighinis, as well as lentils. Was hoping for filleted chicken for a nice easy transfer into the bread, but alas, it was a drumstick & a wing, drowned in oil. The other 2 dishes were close to perfect tho, especially the lentils.<br/>I would eat here again but avoid chicken zighini

So glad I came across this place in its prime location near the Victoria market. I had Ethiopian a few years ago and loved it, this placed lived up to that memory. Soft, spongy bread to gobble up the flavourful curries and stews. The tomato and onion starter was firey deliciousness and the fool vegetarian dish was superb. Cheap too. On a downside they only take cash.

Food was amazing, friendly service, you should definitely book a table (restaurant only seats ~20) and try it for yourself. The fish curry will blow your mind!

Have had the combination for two people on two separate occasions. Can't complain whatsoever. More than enough food to share, wide variety of meat/veges, flavours are amazing. Best value dinner in North Melbourne imo. Cheap wine on the menu as well!

Average service but the meals come fast, food was poorly prepared, had to get a knife as nothing was cut up which is not ideal for this kind of meal

Last night dinner at Little Africa was a memorable one. A real birthday should be the ones that you all eat off the same dish with your hands. Team work makes the dream work, right? Exceptional experience. Only downside is its cash only, so come prepared or you'll need to find a hole in the wall somewhere.

Cute little restaurant in North Melbourne, it's authentic Ethiopian cuisine with charm. The waiter was very helpful and kind and the food was amazing! All the dishes come with injera which is a sort of sourdough with a spongy texture and much thinner. It perfectly mops up the curries though! <br/>We got the zighinis in lamb, chicken and fish and I can highly recommend the lamb one. It's a beautiful mix of spice (not too spicy) and texture (the lamb was succulent). Will definitely be coming back to try some of the veggie dishes!! Also bear in mind that this restaurant is cash only so come prepared.

Little Africa is great for simple and delicious Ethiopian fare. At $45 for two people's serve of six small dishes and three massive injera breads, their combination sets are very value for money. My favourites were the fragrant fava beans cooked in ghee (Fool), the Dorho Aletcha chicken curry, and the Asa Zighini Berbere fish dish. I expected the injera to be made of teff flour, but the rice and wheat-based ones at Little Africa were tasty nonetheless albeit the texture was a bit sticky and not as spongy as I'd hoped. Overall, the dishes were satisfying and flavourful.

This is my first time to try Ethiopian cuisine so i don't really know what to expect. We ordered the $25 platter where you get 3 meat dishes with 3 salad/ vegetables. The lamb meat and lentils was too spicy and i tolerate spice pretty good. The potato was undercook so i couldn't eat half of the portion serve. The bread i think is an acquired taste. I dod not mind it hut i can't say i like it either. In terms of flavours in my opinion it's a cross between middle eastern and indian flavour. Would i come back again? Probably no. The place itself is small and cosy. Service was warm and plesant. if you want to try Ethiopian cuisine definitely this is the best place to start.

Little Africa is a restaurant that I have been recommended by friends and online reviews alike. A small Ethopian restaurant known for their authentic use of traditional spice combinations and large servings of hearty Ethopian food, Little Africa has often garnered high praise from their customers.

Delicious food with amazing flavour and fresh ingredients. Hearty and beautiful for cold winter nights. The injera bread here is really good. I found it to be less sour than the previous one I tried in other Ethiopian restaurant. The price is reasonable too. Warm, friendly service with staffs that made you feel welcome. It was a wonderful dining experience.

This is the best African that I have tried in Melbourne. I have been many times, but last night was the first time in 12 months or so. I noticed the place was pretty empty. Odd? Not sure about why as I have seen this place heaving on a Tuesday night before. We got one of the lamb dishes and my fav - the fava beans. Loved it! Great African beer too. Cheap as chips!

One of my favourite places. Small shop front African restaurant seating approximately 20  to 25 people with clean amenities. I had the combination of the day. Always good value. A mixture of meat and vegetable dishes selected on the day served on injera bread (sour fermented spongy and good for you). A range of spice in each dish allows everyone to be happy. The staff are happy to please and gave us some sour cream to accompany one curry that was spicy. Will be back

Love this little place. It is called Little for a very good reason...it is a tiny place but cosy. Food is tasty and portion is very generous. Everytime we want African food, we would always head here and have the combo of the day served with Injera bread which is soft and fluffy, and a few African beers. Been there a few times and haven't been disappointed.

This restaurant is a little gem! The food is delicious and plentiful. I would recommend the combination meals and the Injera bread is wonderful. I great place for dinner for vegans, vegetarians and meat eaters! The place is small so I would recommend booking.

I came here with high expectations and unfortunately was disappointed. We had the meat special combination. The flavours were bland and repetitive and the meat dishes were drowning in oil. Not for me.

This was one of the 1st places i went when i moved to Melbourne. The food it so amazing and its just perfect. Tasty and rick and filling. Plus great value

Awesome food fantastic value. Friendly service. The food is tasty, wholesome and flavoursome. This a little gem that you really have to book in advance.

Fantastic service, delicious well priced food, tastes amazing, what more can I say! The share platter is a perfect mix of meat dishes and vegies dishes, all on spongey perfect injera bread. You will be stuffed at the end of it! Tiny restaurant but packs a punch!

Just simply delicious flavours at a reasonable price. Loved the set up, loved the tea, loveeeeed the lentils and loved this place! Thank you for filling our stomachs/souls Little Africa

Looks promising though I'm curious as to why you charged me $2 per injeera even though your websites states $1 each. I guess you warrant doubling the price for take-away (just for putting it into a plastic bag)?

As we gently sipped on our tea and coffee after the sumptuous banquet of fish, chicken, lamb and a selection of vegetables, the last of the customers were just paying their bill. It was at that very moment we had the whole restaurant to ourselves. The upbeat sounds of African percussion and vocals became more distinct, the mood further enhanced with the low-watt incandescent lighting bouncing off the sand-coloured walls. Suddenly I was transported halfway across the globe and relaxing at a local eatery somewhere in Addis Ababa after a day of exploration. The quiet din of traffic along Victoria Street served as a gentle reality check that I've just embarked on a micro-adventure to the Horn of Africa on my stomach!<br/><br/>An hour ago, we walked into this modest-looking shop only to be greeted with this delectable aroma of this spice mix to which I believe it's called Berbere. We were shown to our table by the friendly host and menus were handed out. My eyes were having a visual feast - distracted by the various earthenware, baskets and assorted ornaments hanging on the wall. Even the menu just read delicious and I knew I was in for a gastronomical safari. And that I did. I think we all did. Being first-timers, we went for the combination of the day as it seemed to be the popular choice. Didn't wait too long for our food to come. <br/><br/>Our dishes arrived on a large enamel tray on top of layers of Injera bread. The stews were served in bowls but the mixed vegetables and lentils just sat on the top of the bread. The idea is to pull off the bread and use that to dip or scoop up the food and straight into your mouth. Now this is the epitome of communal food sharing! The flavours were amazing with a good blend of spices that I was not all too familiar with but fast becoming accustomed to. Though it's my first time having Injera bread but I can draw parallels flavour-wise to the South Indian Dosai. Sourish with a springy texture. By the end of it, we only managed to finish 3/4. The servings are mighty generous. After letting the food settled, we ordered tea and coffee...

This is the first African/Ethiopian I've ever eaten. I'm not sure if it is a acquired taste but I can't say I'll be eating here again. The bread/pancake you get is Spungie and sour, but the meat was not as slow cooked as I would of hoped and it lacked flavour. The bread/pancake thing doesn't bother me but with the meat I was expecting a burst of flavour I've never had before which did not happen, disappointed to say the least but it will not stop me from trying more of this cuisine.

Amazing food and great service. The place was booked out and we were seated out in the street but staff went above and beyond to accommodate for us. Great bread too!

The food was amazing . Sanjay the person who waited on us excels at customer service . He was so patient although we bombarded him with so many questions. We even got drinks on the house . Yay! It's small ,cozy and absolutely worth it !

My first time having Ethiopian food and boy was it amazing. The curries were all so flavourful and that Injera bread, with a nice sour taste, was amazing. Although at first it reminded me of off yoghurt or dairy, it's surprisingly pleasing and I kept going back for me. We ordered two single serve combination meals between the three of us and it was so filling, I definitely don't recommend getting one just for yourself.

October 2016<br/><br/>Out of a tiny, family owned restaurant with only 6 tables (I counted), comes delicious, flavorful food and one of the warmest and best customer service I've ever experienced. <br/><br/>Meat curries and lentils were just as good as I remembered. The pumpkin curry was so spicy - the staff member came and offered us yoghurt because he saw that we were struggling to eat it. After we declined he gave us a different, non-spicy vegetarian curry to try instead! He was also very attentive and thoughtful in replacing our water. Service was just incredible as we felt so well looked after, and the man was just lovely. <br/><br/>Overall we were absolutely stuffed and had a great dining experience. My friends who had never had Ethiopian before were skeptical at first, but they loved it and said they would definitely have it again. <br/><br/>August 2015 <br/><br/>Words cannot describe how much I love this place. Came here for a friends birthday after visiting their sister store in Ballarat (which was delicious). The place was tiny so you definitely need to book before coming! We shared a platter and were given generous amounts of injera. The flavors in the curries were absolutely heavenly and unique, and made me fall madly in love with Ethiopian cuisine. Banquet prices were reasonable at $26pp, we were stuffed and I even got to take a box home. Best part was that they even gave the birthday girl a scarf just because it was her birthday!!! The staff were accommodating and made it an incredible experience. Worth the travel and will be back for many years to come.

We stopped by for dinner after a search of restaurants in the North Melbourne area and because the ratings were so high for Little Africa I thought it was a must try! <br/><br/>Little Africa specialises in authentic Ethiopian food. We didn't have a booking however staff were very friendly and happy to seat us even though they were quite busy. The restaurant is quite small and intimate with wooden African decorations on the wall. We ordered the Silsy as a starter which was onion and tomato, a bebere sauce with Injera bread. For mains we ordered the Dorho Zighini which consisted of chicken stewed in the rich bebere sauce with onion and garlic and a hard boiled egg, and the Fool which had fava beans, cooked tender and mashed and mixed with ghee butter, lemon juice and cumin, topped with green chilli, onions and tomato. <br/><br/>The food was presented beautifully on a large platter with a lid which they take off when presenting the dishes. Injera bread lines the plate while the dishes are placed on top and you basically rip the bread to dip and use it to spoon the food into your mouths. The dishes were quite spicy so if you can't eat spicy then you're in trouble! For me it was fine and I liked that extra kick. <br/><br/>Overall the food was quite delicious, the Injera bread was soft, chewy and had that lovely tangy flavour to it. The meat and vegetable dishes were well flavoured and spicy and I loved their presentation. The staff were also very welcoming and friendly. I recommend if you're interested in trying out some African food.

We ordered the combination meals which come with 6 different dishes- 3 vegetarian and 3 non vegetarian and slightly sour pancakes kind of flatbread to eat with, it's called injera i think. The food was delicious wholesome and good quantity. There's loads to eat so be ready to stuff yourself. I wish the oil was a bit lesser but that's a minor complaint. I especially liked the chicken, fish, red lentil and fawa bean dishes, even the carrot, pumpkin and cabbage were tasty. It's tough to pick favorites with so many good options.<br/><br/>Apart from the food, the ambience, and music is great. The place is small but not crowded and the best thing is ample of free parking. What a gem so close to the city!

Anyone that has anything less than a 5 to submit is dumb. Anyone that has anything less than a 5 to submit is dumb. Anyone that has anything less than a 5 to submit is dumb.

Nice to have an Ethiopian choice not too far, though I will still make my way to some of the more authentic places in Footscray as I have a few favorites. Saying that though, I loved the Derek tibs, nice to get some real chili and flavour that some places do fall short of on that particular dish. And the tummtumo is a great milder flavour for a vegetarian option. The cabbage was a bit of a disappointment as it was a little bland and very big pieces of cabbage, though I used the pieces as a makeshift injera for the tummtumo, which greatly improved it and gave the tummtumo a nice but different flavour. Ate on a Sunday and even though we booked for four wasn't full but quick change over, it was never empty. Obviously a favorite choice for many. Overall a lovely meal and would use it as an alternative if I ever didn't want to make the trip out to Footscray

Paid a visit to Little Africa mid week and the place was full. Good service, good food, good beer, good price. All good. Extra good lentils, Neil would have been impressed!

I love this place, it never fails to serve up delicious Eritrean cuisine. It's best to go with a group of friends and get the combination plate. It's a great place to enjoy with friends as there is so much delicious food served for such a cheap price :)

Little Africa is a great restaurant on Victoria Street with ample street parking nearby. During peak hours, you may need to consider making a booking because the actual dining area is quite small. We were lucky tonight because it wasn’t busy, but I was told afterwards that they usually have two sittings - 6pm and 8pm.

The food is amazing at little Africa. It's obviously home made and is consistently tasty. Its regularly booked out and it's not a surprise. <br/><br/>They also offer take away which we get on a fortnightly to weekly basis. <br/><br/>The best value for money food available in Melbourne. <br/><br/>Make a booking and dine with an open mind!

This place is amazing. Food is always really good. The wait staff always go above and beyond and the prices are really low. Never had a bad experience and I go here as often as possible.

A good friend booked out the entire venue to cater for his birthday (and to also pop our African Cuisine cherries). The place was small and we were cramped but the food was generous and flavourful. Would recommend, especially for those new to the cuisine.Combination of the day (per person) $25. Carried out from the kitchen in this cone covered plate. Different:

This place is spot-on Ethiopian with authentic injera (I have spent some time in Addis Ababa and this meal transported me back there!). Ordered the meat combination of the day and loved every dish. There was way too much food for 2 so for $45, you couldn't ask for better value (outside of Africa)!

I've never had Ethiopian food before so I really had no expectations of what food I was going to be eating. The place itself is pretty small and cosy which I quite liked minus the guy sitting across from us who was very opinionated about politics and let the entire restaurant know for the good hour that I was there. Lots of flavours going on, kinda reminded me a bit of Indian food but without the chilli. The naan type bread that was served wasn't really going down well for me, I found it too tangy for my liking and I'm not sure how it's meant to taste?

Seriously one of the best meals I have ever had both in Brisbane and Melbourne! Excellent value and a really fun experience!!! Highly recommend this little hidden gem!!!

Love this cozy place. Yummy food and good customer service. Just book your table beforehand so that you never miss and always get your table waiting for you. I have tried other African food restaurants but nobody can beat the best and authentic favours that this restaurant serves.

The food here is great value for money, as the portions for a sharing plate (we had the vegetarian platter for 2) are massive. The tumtummo was a highlight, as well as the spicier fool. Extremely homely and filling Ethiopian food, which provides something different to try in the inner city area. Quaint atmosphere with beautiful decor, although the staff can be a little bit dismissive.

Ever since the first time I saw a photo of it, I have always been intrigued by injera – the Ethiopian flatbread made with teff flour. Injera is used as a sort of ‘plate’, and also as an eating utensil, adorned with stews and salads until all consumed. As my first foray into African cuisine I decided to go on a food adventure to Little Africa, and since it can apparently get quite busy, I booked ahead. The restaurant itself was small and dim, yet cosy and intimate with its humble decor, and despite the cold and rainy weather, it was nearly full. Just as well I reserved a table.

Always fabulous. The Fool and fish are my favourite. Although the chicken dish with the boiled egg is also fantastic. I recommend that you order in from Prudence next door. Perfect night out. Thanks guys :-)

Tasty and cheap for what you get. Came here with a vegetarian and had the mixed vegetarian platter - it was really, really tasty and filling, especially the lentils spiced with berbere. The IPA beer I ordered on the waiter's recommendation was also super nice. On a weekday night, it was fairly quiet and we were served quickly. I'd love to return and try some of the other dishes.

The name goes by "Little Africa", but the experience you get out of it is so not little!...it is the hidden gem when it's come to Africa food. ...If you ever looking for a place to to have a "one of a kind" experience, my recommendation is to go for African food. And the place to try this out is at Little Africa. Little Africa will knock your sock off, as it did with mind. Little Africa, you simply provide me the gracious experience.

Of the vegetable dishes, my particular favourites were the tumtummo (split lentils stewed in a thick but mild sauce with seasoning) and exceptional fool (fava beans, cooked until tender mashed then mixed with ghee butter and seasoning, lemon juice & cumin topped with green chilli, onions and tomato). The meat and fish curries were also good, particularly the lamb zighini (cubes of lamb slowly cooked in a rich berbere sauce with mixed spices and clarified butter)...Although slightly more expensive I'd happily come back.<br/><br/>Next time I would order the combination of the day again. Even though I have my favourites, it's the variety of 6 that keeps the meal more interesting.

We made a reservation at Little Africa on Elizabeth St, and while none of us have tried Ethiopian food, we decided to say 'Yes!' to new experiences and go for it. <br/>African fare is admittedly a tad unusual for a Thanksgiving dinner, but who cares, because

This is a great place to go if you have never tried African food as there is a description next to every dish on the menu and there are tasting plates available. Price – $20 for a tasting plate is good value. Service – fast, friendly, knowledgable. Dish – Vegetarian tasting plate was interesting, exotic and fun to eat! The large piece of bread that the tasting dishes are served on will blow your mind. I’m still not sure how the dough doesn’t break, it is so thin but so large in diameter. All I can say is this takes talent- I’m impressed. You must like spicy food to some degree to enjoy most of the dishes. Interesting fact – if the restaurant is fully booked out (not uncommon!) you can in fact go to Prudence bar down the road, order and eat it there. Brilliant. This place has only good reviews and here is another.