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Restaurant

Cafe Lalibela

91 Irving St, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia

Recommended by 62 people

Updated

Find Cafe Lalibela

91 Irving St, Footscray VIC 3011, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9687 0300
HoursMonday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Cafe Lalibela

Footscray regulars head here for hands-on Ethiopian feasts scooped up with tangy injera flatbread. Tables fill quickly with sprawling combination platters, balancing spiced lentil stews and slow-simmered chicken doro wot against vibrant vegan dishes. Diners wash it down with cold bottles of St George beer—just remember to hit the ATM beforehand, as it is strictly cash only.

  • Communal Injera Dining: Dishes arrive directly on spongy, tangy sourdough injera flatbread meant to be torn and eaten entirely by hand.
  • Vegetarian & Vegan Platters: The generous Beyainetu platter easily caters to mixed groups with an assortment of spiced lentil and vegetable stews.
  • Regional Drinks & Cash Policy: Meals pair with imported St George Ethiopian beer or traditional coffee ceremonies, with a strict cash-only policy.
RestaurantEthiopianRestaurant

What's On at Cafe Lalibela

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Cafe Lalibela

Why diners choose Cafe Lalibela for authentic communal meals, dietary-inclusive platters, and cultural dining traditions.

  • Communal Injera Hand-Dining

    Dishes and hearty stews are layered across traditional spongy sourdough injera, allowing groups to tear the flatbread and eat directly by hand without cutlery.

    served directly on top of Injera bread (spongy sourdough goodness) - you then tear the bread and dip it in. No cutlery!

    Kathy Nguyen (bigmelbappetite)

  • Abundant Portions for Group Sharing

    Generous platters and combo dishes provide substantial value and hearty portion sizes that leave diners thoroughly satisfied.

    The food was served on Injera, and we honestly underestimated the portion size. It was perfect for the two of us.

    Jo SB

  • Effortless Dietary Accommodations

    Extensive vegetarian and vegan mixed platters let plant-based and meat-eating guests feast seamlessly from the same shared spread.

    Easily catering for my vegan sister, everything was delicious!

    Georgia BC

  • Casual Group Dining Atmosphere

    The laid-back, walk-in setting creates an approachable dining experience that encourages guests to gather and sample multiple shared dishes.

    It is fun to go with a bunch people and share a few different dishes so that you get to try a bunch of different flavors.

    Christopher Lee

  • Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Rituals

    Guests are treated to authentic Ethiopian coffee rituals, traditionally served with popcorn or prepared as ceremonial bookings.

    Ethiopian coffee with popcorn at the end of the lunch was a perfect closing ceremony.

    Teklemichael Ab Sahlemariam

  • Authentic Cultural Sips and St George Beer

    The meal pairs authentic Ethiopian cuisine with imported regional beverages like St George beer, enhancing the cultural flavor.

    everything about it is perfect, including the charming host and the St George beer

    Olivia Mayer

Beloved traditional dishes and authentic dining rituals highlighted by guests

  • Beyainetu (Vegetarian Platter)

    We ordered the Beyainetu - Combination serves of Ethiopian Vegetarian dish ($15), which is enough for one person

    Jo SB

  • Doro Wot

    Doro Wot - Ethiopian chicken stew cooked with an Ethiopian blend of herbs & spices ($15)

    Jo SB

  • Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

    Ethiopian coffee with popcorn at the end of the lunch was a perfect closing ceremony.

    Teklemichael Ab Sahlemariam

  • Kitfo

    Don't be afraid to try something different! The food is very reasonably priced. Try Kitfo.

    Edward Jones

Beyond the menu

Distinctive cultural hospitality and dining traditions at Cafe Lalibela

  • Traditional Coffee Service with Popcorn

    Traditional coffee rituals are served with popcorn at the conclusion of lunch, or prepared as a full ceremony with advance booking.

  • Communal Hand Dining on Injera

    Meals are presented directly atop soft, spongy sourdough injera flatbread meant for communal tearing and eating by hand with no cutlery provided.

  • Attentive Host Hospitality

    Owner Abera personally hosts guests, delivering genuine hospitality that makes visitors feel welcomed like family.

  • Dedicated Vegetarian and Vegan Platters

    The kitchen crafts generous Beyainetu combination platters that easily accommodate mixed groups and strictly vegan diners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What payment methods are accepted?

Cafe Lalibela operates on a cash-only basis. Card and contactless payments are not accepted, so be sure to bring cash with you.

How is the food served and eaten?

Dishes such as stews and marinated meats are served directly on top of spongy injera flatbread without cutlery. Diners tear pieces of injera by hand to scoop up the food.

Are there vegetarian and vegan options available?

Yes. The menu includes combination vegetarian and vegan platters (such as Beyainetu) served on injera, making it easy to accommodate plant-based diets.

Can you order traditional Ethiopian coffee or a coffee ceremony?

Traditional Ethiopian coffee is served, sometimes accompanied by popcorn. If you wish to experience the full traditional coffee ceremony, it must be booked at least a day in advance.

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