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Restaurant

SAVANNA AFRICAN RESTAURANT

7 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia

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Find SAVANNA AFRICAN RESTAURANT

7 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9416 1462
HoursMonday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Friday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 5:30 – 11:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About SAVANNA AFRICAN RESTAURANT

Savanna serves generous Ethiopian and Eritrean communal feasts over springy, tangy injera on Johnston Street. Regulars lean into the shared platters—sprawling spreads laden with slow-cooked goat curry, tender lamb, and upwards of eight spiced vegetable dishes. The vegetarian beyaynetu holds its own with rich shiro and lentils that satisfy plant-based diners and meat lovers alike. The host works both front-of-house and kitchen, pouring bottles of Ethiopian beer or wine while plates are cleared with torn pieces of flatbread. The meal wraps up over cups of freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee.

  • Communal Beyaynetu Platters: Shared spreads feature up to ten distinct stews—from slow-cooked goat and chicken to spiced lentils and shiro—served over spongy flatbread.
  • Ethiopian Drinks and Coffee: Dinners can be paired with imported Ethiopian beer, regional wine, and traditionally brewed coffee.
RestaurantEthiopianVegetarianRestaurant

What's On at SAVANNA AFRICAN RESTAURANT

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

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Why Choose Savanna African Restaurant

Why diners choose Savanna African Restaurant for authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean communal dining

  • Authentic Multi-Dish Communal Platters

    Diners can share abundant platters combining multiple slow-cooked meats with up to eight distinct vegetable preparations served over traditional injera.

    We bought the platter for 2 (non-veg) and it came with 3 meats and about 8 different vegetables. Such a great healthy feast for a Friday night.

    Subhashi Jayasekara

  • Distinctive Fluffy and Bouncy Injera

    Freshly made signature injera provides the authentic sour profile and spongy texture needed to balance robust wots and vegetable stews.

    Their signature injera bread is nothing short of spectacular - super fluffy & bouncy with just the right level and kind of sourness that pairs so well with the meat or veggies!

    Joshua Wong

  • Extensive Plant-Based Variety

    Vegetarian and vegan guests receive up to ten individual lentil and vegetable dishes prepared separately to satisfy strict dietary requirements without compromising depth.

    There was a large variety of different dishes, 10 in total, all cooked perfectly.

    Isabella chen

  • Dedicated High-Value Vegan Platters

    Generous standalone plant-based beyaynetu platters offer wholesome, affordable communal dining for plant-based groups.

    Perfect vegan platter. Some of the best food in Melbourne and so affordable.

    Thomas Cavicchia

  • Engaged Owner-Chef Hospitality

    Personal involvement from the owner across both kitchen cooking and table service brings genuine home-style warmth to every table.

    The owner was incredibly friendly, and I loved that she was involved in both the kitchen and the front of house.

    Supun Yasas

  • Heartfelt Welcoming Atmosphere

    Diners experience heartfelt personal care and authentic cultural hospitality that cultivates genuine neighborhood connection.

    Not only does she cook incredible dishes, but her warm and welcoming soul keep you coming back for more.

    Bruno

Generous traditional communal platters served on fresh injera bread

  • Vegetarian Beyaynetu

    We ordered the Vegetarian Beyaynetu – shared platter for 2 people ($54.90) where you get a taste of all vegetarian dishes described in the “Platter Choices” with Shiro and served with injera.

    Jo SB

  • Meat Share Platter

    We had the Meat Share Platter for 2 and there was plenty of leftovers. Food felt home-cooked with just the right amount of spice.

    Melanie Pereira

  • Beyaynetu - Savanna Special

    We tried the both the Vegetarian Beyaynetu and the Beyaynetu - Savanna Special, which included chicken, lamb and goat, and everything was packed with flavour.

    Supun Yasas

  • Injera Bread

    Their signature injera bread is nothing short of spectacular - super fluffy & bouncy with just the right level and kind of sourness that pairs so well with the meat or veggies!

    Joshua Wong

Beyond the menu

Personalized hospitable gestures and thoughtful accommodations that define dining at Savanna.

  • Separated Mixed-Diet Plating

    For groups with mixed dietary preferences, the kitchen thoughtfully plates and separates meat dishes from vegetarian and vegan dishes on the platter.

  • Hands-On Host Hospitality

    The owner personally welcomes guests and helps solve practical neighborhood dilemmas, such as assisting when a diner arrives without a bicycle lock.

  • Late-Night Solo Guest Care

    Solo diners visiting late in the evening are treated with attentive care, including thoughtful touches like offering to charge personal devices.

  • Dietary Transparency and Accommodation

    While the kitchen does not prepare gluten-free injera, staff maintain open communication about ingredients and permit guests with strict dietary needs to bring outside food.

Before you head over

Practical advice for dining at Savanna African Restaurant

  • Knock if Arriving Right at Opening

    The kitchen is run independently by the chef-owner; if the front door is still locked around opening time, give it a firm knock as she may be prepping inside.

  • Plan Ahead for Gluten Restrictions

    The traditional injera served contains gluten, but the team is transparent and accommodates outside food for dining companions with strict celiac or gluten-free requirements.

  • Customise Mixed-Diet Sharing

    Portions for shared beyaynetu platters are substantial, but the kitchen gladly separates meats from vegetarian curries so plant-based and omnivore diners can comfortably share a meal.

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