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A new website
In October 2026 The Abyssinian put up a new website: the whole menu with photos of the dishes, online bookings, the drinks list and answers to the questions people ask before they come.
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Eddie and BigMem come for dinner
Two Melbourne YouTubers who had never eaten African food came in one night in February, ordered the mixed platter, learnt to eat with their hands and stayed for dessert. The video is here.
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Closed for Christmas, back on 20 January 2025
The Abyssinian closed from 20 December 2024 for the Christmas break and opened again on Monday 20 January 2025.
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Recommended in The Age Good Food Guide 2025
The Age Good Food Guide 2025 recommends The Abyssinian in Kensington: the flavour of the chickpeas, the slow-cooked goat and eating with your hands.
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Back on 22 January 2024
The Abyssinian opened again on Monday 22 January 2024 after the Christmas break.
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Closed for Christmas, back in the new year
The Abyssinian closed from Monday 19 December 2022 until Monday 16 January 2023 for the Christmas break.
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Closed for Easter
The Abyssinian closed over the Easter long weekend, Good Friday to Easter Monday, 15 to 18 April 2022, and opened again on Tuesday 19 April.
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Closed for Christmas, back on 5 January 2022
The Abyssinian closed from 23 December 2021 and opened again on Wednesday 5 January 2022. Thank you for getting us through the year.
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Closed for summer, back on 11 January 2021
The Abyssinian closed for the summer break over New Year 2021 and opened again on Monday 11 January 2021.
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A fundraising dinner for the Indigo Foundation
In August 2019 The Abyssinian hosted a fundraising dinner for the Indigo Foundation: a full room, a band and platters on every table.
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New awnings and a new look
In March 2019 The Abyssinian got new awnings out the front, a new logo on the window and fresh menus: slow food from the Horn of Africa.
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In Qantas magazine's Hungry 100
Qantas magazine put The Abyssinian in its Hungry 100, the most exciting food and drink experiences in Australia, in October 2017.
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In the Herald Sun's chef's guide to Kensington
Chef Nick Bennett put The Abyssinian in his guide to Kensington for the Herald Sun's Taste section in November 2016: the chef's platter to share, with an Ethiopian beer.
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Ethiopian food on The Simpsons!
Eat my shiro! The Simpsons discover Ethiopian food, injera and eating with your hands in season 23, episode 5. Watch the clip, then try the real thing in Kensington.
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