Footscray is the melting pot of immigrant cultures, the very same reason why I love living in this pocket of Melbourne so much. Whether freshly made Indian dosa or a box of Indonesian crazy rice, world cuisines – therefore cultures – seem to be within a stone’s throw away from home.
Recently, I started a list of the immigrant cuisines within Footscray. A cheat sheet on the days that I don’t feel like cooking. Here are some of them, which I will keep adding, do come back again and often to check it out.
Footscray Immigrant Cultures Reflected in the Neighbourhood’s Immigrant Cuisines
Aromatic Ethiopian Coffee at Konjo
There are plenty of African restaurants in Footscray. From Nigerian and Senegalese to Ethiopian – most are good, and you can’t get it wrong even if you choose one randomly within the Footscray neighbourhood. But, if it’s black coffee you are after, Konjo is where you want to go.
The whole thing is an experience, best experienced with other coffee-loving friends on cold days (which Melbourne has plenty of). Their Ethiopian coffee is brewed in a clay pot and served in espresso-sized cups. The taste further enhances by the aroma of burning myrrh and frankincense resins, making it one of the best black coffee I have sipped.
Konjo also serves delicious Ethiopian cuisine (with vegan-friendly options), comparable to the now-closed iconic Saba’s in Fitzroy. And they also have spices, jewellery and arts worth checking out, making it a one-stop Ethiopian culture and cuisine in Footscray.
Homemade Treats at Cavallaro & Sons Sicilian Pasticceria
A visit to Footscray Market requires a short stop at Cavallaro & Sons. Stepping inside, you will be welcomed like a long-time friend (this alone resulted in my repeated visits). There are many traditional Sicilian pastries to indulge in. My favourite is the homemade cannolis shells with original fillings and not-to-sweet almond and coconut cookies. This is also an excellent place to visit if you need to stock up on Italian kitchen tools, like adorable-looking Moka pots.
No More 80c Footscray’s Olympic Doughnuts
An honorary mention of a doughnut legacy by a Greek immigrant, the late Nick Tsiligiris. After 40 years of business, the much-loved 80cents doughnut shop was closed in 2016. I couldn’t help but wonder whether I missed out on a historical gastronomy experience. So much so that I went to the same place (in front of Footscray train station).
The stall is now a typical Melbourne station coffee shop, run by two guys who made me repeat my flat white order three times.
They also served jam doughnuts, but it was no longer 80 cents and not at all good.
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