Mother of Coffee

Apr 28th, 2023

Food : 4/5 | Service : 4/5 | Atmosphere : 4/5 More
Apr 24th, 2023

Recommended dishes Vege and Lamb Beef Combo for Two Vegetarian offerings Large vegetarian selection More
Apr 9th, 2023

Food : 5/5 | Service : 5/5 | Atmosphere : 5/5 More
Apr 7th, 2023

This was my first experience with traditional Ethiopian food. We had been wanting to come here for a while and managed to book a table for the family (2 adults, 2 adolescents) on a Thursday evening. Being off Cuba St, parking is limited so be prepared to walk. The restaurant is tucked in a cute little section of small businesses in an alleyway. It is a very small restaurant with limited tables for indoor seating, hence why booking a table here can be competitive. I'm aware it can be quite a busy place on the weekends, so book well in advance. There is some outdoor seating, and some protection from the elements with outdoor heating, however, we sat indoors during our stay, and it was fully booked on a rainy day. They have some takeaway options on their website, but not the full menu from what I understand (I did not check Uber eats or Delivereasy). There is traditional decor and art throughout the restaurant adding a unique aesthetic and conversation while we waited for our food. It was very colorful with tactile interest in the woven pieces which were difficult not to touch. Plants dangled from lights overhead. There was no music playing, but it looked like they had speakers set up for it. I'm not sure if that would have changed the ambience significantly, but I was still curious about it. We ordered 2 traditional coffees, 2 hot chocolates, and the meat combo for 4. All our drinks came with a sprig of herb (we asked but I can't remember what it was) which gave it subtle character. The children enjoyed the hot chocolates which they said were very creamy and one of the best they've ever had. Traditionally the food is eaten with your hands, but there was plenty of cutlery and napkins on hand. The food is spicy (be prepared for some heat), coupled with the sourdough flatbread (injera, gluten free) which makes it a sensory experience unlike any I've had before. My favorite was the doro wat (chicken stew) which was perfectly cooked. I'd love to come back for a date night, maybe sit outside on a warm day, and eventually try the whole menu. I'll get a hot chocolate to accompany my coffee next time. Kid-friendliness: High chairs available, but one small toilet in the center of the restaurant might make it difficult to change a nappy. I saw one mother go in there with a child and leave immediately.
Apr 1st, 2023