Next door to an Indian supermarket in a street of Vietnamese restaurants, Awash Ethiopian restaurant is typical of Footscray - colourful, off-beat and very cheap. The windows are festooned with colourful striped curtains and the light bounces off red-painted walls and decor. The menu offers meat and vegetable stew-like dishes, heartily spiced with Ethiopian chilli and served with traditional injera, a moist, tangy flat bread to soak up the juices.
During the daytime, Awash blends into the crowds of nearby Footscray Market; in the evening, its painted red interior shines out on a deserted Hopkins Street. Whatever the time of day, you'll enjoy the food and culture of this restaurant. Ethiopian food is social, so the larger the party the better. Remember, only bring your most adventurous friends. Spicy stews are served on large plates to be shared. There are no utensils, just injera to eat with. This sourdough fermented bread is spongy in texture and slightly sour in taste. The favours of the stews are spicy and the sense of celebration high as this festive mix of spices, meats and vegetarian dishes is brought to the table.
We pride ourselves on our creative combinations of spices and sauces and use of the freshest ingredients, choosing locally grown produce as much as possible. We also offer many vegan options, including white and brown injera.
