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Restaurant

The Horn African Cafe & Restaurant

20 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia

Recommended by 0 people

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Find The Horn African Cafe & Restaurant

20 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066, Australia

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+61 3 9417 4670
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Friday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About The Horn African Cafe & Restaurant

Communal Ethiopian dining collides with live Ethio-jazz in a warm Collingwood space run with family ease. Tables fill with shared platters of spicy curries and plant-based stews—all piled onto fermented, gluten-free injera made in-house with pure teff flour. Regulars time their visits around the house jazz sets, tearing off pieces of sourdough flatbread to scoop up rich meat dishes while brass lines drift through the room.

  • Live Ethio-Jazz Residencies: Evenings feature live residency gigs, including sets by the owner's outfit Black Jesus Experience and local jazz players.
  • Pure Teff Injera: House-made flatbread relies on 100% teff flour, keeping the communal banquet completely gluten-free without altering the traditional sour chew.
  • Shared Platter Banquets: Banquet platters pair vegetable curries and slow-simmered meats for unhurried, hand-shared group dining.
RestaurantEthiopianRestaurant

What's On at The Horn African Cafe & Restaurant

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at The Horn African Cafe & Restaurant

Discover why guests gather at The Horn for soulful Ethio-jazz, authentic communal banquets, and pure teff injera.

  • Resident Live Ethio-Jazz Performances

    Peter Harper and acclaimed local jazz artists perform regular live residencies right in the dining room, creating a vibrant cultural atmosphere.

    Try and go on a night when a band plays to maximise the atmosphere, we were seated closest to the resident Friday night jazz band last night and the experience felt incredibly special.

    Jack Leeson

  • Black Jesus Experience Sunday Sessions

    Sunday evening shows feature the iconic Black Jesus Experience ensemble delivering authentic Ethiopian rhythms alongside traditional dining.

    Big bonus: the house band, Black Jesus eXperience (BJX) is AMAZING — my favourite band in Melbourne. They play Sunday nights (when they aren’t on tour). Last night’s show was fantastic!

    John McDonough

  • Unhurried Communal Banquets

    Hands-on banquets presented on large platters with fresh injera make group gatherings effortless and encourage shared conversation.

    The selection of dishes came in small bowls which were then turned on to the plate to be shared and eaten with the bread. Great place to dine with a group where you want to enjoy each other's company without feeling rushed.

    Emma Moses

  • Accommodating Group Celebrations

    Generous combination sharing platters cater effortlessly to mixed groups of meat eaters and vegetarians celebrating special events together.

    I had a lovely group dinner to celebrate a birthday at The Horn. The whole group loved the food, and Peter and all of the staff were helpful and accomodating to all of our needs leading up to and on the night.

    Campbell McKinnon

  • House-Made 100% Teff Injera

    The kitchen bakes genuine injera using 100% pure teff flour, offering a naturally gluten-free foundation for every stew and curry.

    The food is full of flavour and they make their own injera with 100% teff flour. If you can’t decide, go for the generous mixed / set menu for 2 or more.

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  • Extensive Plant-Based and Vegan Dishes

    A comprehensive selection of plant-based curries and lentil dishes allows vegan diners to enjoy full-flavoured Ethiopian cuisine without compromise.

    Amazing vibe and much larger than it looks from the outside. This was our first time here and we were really impressed. Lots of vegan options. The food is filling and extremely tasty.

    Lyndon Walker

Signature communal platters and traditional house-made staples

  • Injera banquet

    We had the injera banquet (3 meat & 3 veg) and there wasn't a single morsel left by the end.

    Jack Leeson

  • Teff injera

    I loved the teff injera and wasn't too sour.

    Annie Fang

  • Mixed vegetarian and meat banquet

    we had a mixed vegetarian and meat banquet, full of rich, authentic flavour.

    Sammy B

  • Vegan options

    I always choose the vegan options but have heard the meat is equally amazing.

    Zac Lister

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality and cultural details that make an evening here distinct.

  • Owner-Led Personal Hospitality

    Hands-on hosts Peter and Alex personally check in on tables with genuine hospitality and unhurried conversation, making dinner feel like being welcomed into a friend's home.

  • Live Ethio-Jazz Residencies

    Guests can dine alongside live musical residencies, from Sunday shows by the renowned Black Jesus Experience to intimate Thursday house ensembles and Friday jazz trios.

  • House-Made 100% Teff Injera

    The kitchen crafts its own house-made injera using 100% pure teff flour, ensuring gluten-free diners can enjoy authentic Ethiopian staple bread without compromise.

  • Unhurried Communal Banquet Platters

    Generous mixed platters are served in small communal bowls tipped directly onto injera platters, allowing groups to explore varied meat and plant-based stews at an unhurried pace.

Before you head over

Practical guidance on reservations, group banquet ordering, and dietary options.

  • Book Ahead for Live Music Nights

    Live sets run across Thursday, Friday, and Sunday nights—including sets with the resident Black Jesus Experience on Sundays and local jazz trios on Thursdays and Fridays. Table reservations ahead of time are strongly advised for music sessions.

  • Opt for the Shared Banquet Platter

    For groups or first-time diners who want a broad sampling, communal banquets let you share mixed meat and vegetarian dishes served together on injera flatbread. You can also consult staff directly regarding preferred spice levels across curries.

  • Gluten-Free and Plant-Based Ordering

    The house-made injera is prepared with 100% teff flour, making it a naturally gluten-free staple, alongside extensive vegan and vegetarian vegetable curries that cater reliably to plant-based diners.

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