Ageyo Coffee: Bridging Worlds in Collingwood, Melbourne
Ageyo Coffee, founded by Dan Seyoum, is attracting tourists while Melburnians may be missing out on this unique cafe experience. Inspired by his family's coffee farm in the Ethiopian village of Ageyo, Seyoum now roasts ethically sourced beans in Melbourne, offering a taste of Ethiopia in Collingwood.
A Journey of Heritage and Hospitality
The journey to Ageyo Coffee reflects a richer story. Dan Seyoum's father established a family coffee farm in the village of Ageyo, Ethiopia, decades ago. After settling in Melbourne, Seyoum and his wife, Soliana, returned to source and import coffee beans. The 2020 COVID lockdowns shifted their focus from distribution to roasting, a change Seyoum now considers a blessing.
The Ageyo Experience: Coffee, Food, and Ambiance
Visitors to Ageyo Coffee are greeted with genuine hospitality and invited to relax and connect. The menu features expertly crafted coffee, including batch brews that evoke dark stonefruit, and flawlessly delivered milk coffees. The cafe also offers a range of less-caffeinated beverages. The space is described as a foliage-accented afro-minimalist setting with introspective psychedelic groove music.
Despite a limited kitchen, Ageyo Coffee offers dishes that reference traditional Ethiopian flavors. "The Ethiopian Experience" is a home-style variety plate inspired by Ethiopia's beyaynetu mixed platters, featuring stewed seasonal vegetables, red lentils, and rice. Simpler breakfast options like toast with avocado and feta, as well as sandwiches, including a tamago egg toastie with Ethiopian berbere spice, are also available.
Ethos and Global Appeal
Ageyo's commitment to traceable and sustainable coffee sourcing has garnered international attention, with Taiwanese customers making it a point to visit during their Australian trips or ordering beans online. Dan Seyoum and his team have successfully merged Ethiopian heritage, culture, and hospitality with industry experience. He emphasizes the importance of honoring guests and cherishing the opportunity to host them.
Beyond Ageyo: Exploring Ethiopian Cuisine in Collingwood
For those looking to explore more Ethiopian culinary experiences, here are three nearby restaurants offering beyaynetu:
- Savanna African Restaurant (7 Johnston Street, Collingwood): Offers beyaynetu platters of injera with vegetarian and meat dishes from Ethiopia and Eritrea, with options for solo diners.
- The Horn Cafe (20 Johnston Street, Collingwood): Serves beyaynetu and hosts live local jazz acts on select evenings. They also sell berbere spice mix for home cooking.
- Mesob (213 High Street, Northcote): Features excellent versions of beyaynetu, both a la carte and as a chef's selection share platter. An off-menu item, kitfo, is also recommended.
Ageyo Coffee Details:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Ageyo Coffee |
| Location | Collingwood, Melbourne |
| Specialty | Ethiopian-inspired coffee and cuisine |
| Founder | Dan Seyoum |
