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Restaurant

The Abyssinian Restaurant

277 Racecourse Rd, Kensington VIC 3031, Australia

Recommended by 14 people

Updated

Find The Abyssinian Restaurant

277 Racecourse Rd, Kensington VIC 3031, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9376 8754
HoursMonday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Friday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Abyssinian Restaurant

Racecourse Road’s premier stop for East African comfort gathers diners around communal platters eaten straight with their hands. Most tables share the Chef’s Platter—a generous spread of slow-cooked meats, earthy curries, and spiced lentils arranged across spongy sourdough injera. Flavors lean into deep warmth rather than sharp heat, making it easy to scoop through every sauce without pausing. Longtime regulars lean on the front-of-house team for tailored Ethiopian beer pairings while tearing through extra rolls of flatbread.

  • The Chef's Platter: Slow-cooked meats, curries, and lentils spread across a bed of soft, spongy injera.
  • Complex Spicing: Dishes emphasize layered, earthy spices and balanced warmth over searing heat.
  • Welcoming Hospitality: Front-of-house staff welcome guests warmly and recommend Ethiopian beers matched to personal taste.
  • Vegan-Friendly Banquets: A dedicated plant-based banquet platter offers rich lentil and vegetable dishes on injera.
RestaurantEthiopianAfricanRestaurant

What's On at The Abyssinian Restaurant

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at The Abyssinian

Discover why diners gather at The Abyssinian for authentic East African communal feasts and hospitality.

  • Hands-On Injera Dining

    Dishes arrive communally layered over large rounds of spongy injera flatbread, designed to be enjoyed by hand rather than with standard cutlery.

    I love the tactile experience of eating using the bread as your cutlery.

    Jennifer McConachy

  • Sensory Feast of Slow-Cooked Flavours

    Generous platters combine slow-cooked spiced meats, stews, and lentils directly on injera that absorbs the complex sauces.

    Every mouthful was different, and the injera was perfect for scooping everything up and soaking up the delicious sauces.

    Amilliah

  • Cultural Discovery for Groups

    An interactive communal dining tradition provides a memorable cultural introduction for visiting friends and family.

    everyone eats with their hands directly from the same plate here, so it'll be quite a unique experience for first-timers

    Adelia Putri

  • A Distinctive Setting for Guests

    A vibrant room adorned with cultural decor and engaging hosts creates an inviting setting for hosting guests.

    I keep taking all my guest to this restaurant. You can understand why. Yes you are right. Unique experience, vibrant atmosphere and good ambience

    Nazar Bil

  • Dedicated Vegan & Vegetarian Banquets

    Fully dedicated plant-based sharing platters ensure vegan and vegetarian guests enjoy a complete, multi-dish feast without compromise.

    ordered the vegan chef platter for 2 and it was absolutely delicious. Perfect amount of food and a great way to try all the different meals.

    Rain

  • Accommodating Diverse Dietary Preferences

    Extensive meat, poultry, fish, and plant-based selections allow parties with diverse dietary needs to dine seamlessly from shared platters.

    visiting from the States and was looking for restaurants that offer plant based options. We ordered the Vegetarian platter (vegan) which was good to share.

    BGal

Signature communal platters and traditional dishes served on injera

  • Chef's Platter

    I ordered the Chef's Platter, which is definitely the way to go if you want to try a bit of everything.

    Amilliah

  • Vegan Chef Platter

    Went here with a friend and ordered the vegan chef platter for 2 and it was absolutely delicious.

    Rain

  • Doro Wat

    We ordered the vegetarian combo and the doro wat, and both were outstanding, deeply spiced, perfectly balanced, and served on fresh, soft injera.

    shanti ashworth

  • Cubed Eggplant

    I also loved the mix of entrees, with the cubed eggplant with garlic and chilli being my favourite of the 4

    Julia Ellul

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful cultural traditions and warm personal touches that elevate communal dining at The Abyssinian.

  • Communal Hands-On Dining Ritual

    Platters are served communally on spongy injera flatbread without cutlery, honoring the East African tradition where sharing a dish directly by hand signifies mutual trust.

  • Personalized Dish & Beverage Guidance

    The front-of-house team takes time to guide newcomers through the menu, explain traditional dishes, and recommend Ethiopian beers tailored to individual tastes.

  • Dedicated Vegan Chef's Banquets

    Plant-based diners can enjoy a fully dedicated vegan chef's platter served on fresh injera, featuring an expansive spread of lentils, stews, and vegetables.

  • Authentic Cultural Artifacts & Decor

    The dining room is decorated with genuine East African prints and wall artifacts, creating an intimate, welcoming space accompanied by authentic music.

Before you head over

Practical advice for planning your visit and ordering communally at The Abyssinian Restaurant

  • Reserve Ahead to Skip Waits

    Book your table ahead of time to avoid potential waiting times, as the dining room fills up quickly even on weeknights.

  • Opt for the Chef's Platter

    If you want to sample a wide variety of meats, poultry, fish, and curries, order the Chef's Platter served over fresh injera.

  • Dedicated Plant-Based Options

    Vegan and vegetarian diners are thoroughly accommodated with dedicated sharing platters offering varied plant-based stews and lentils.

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