RESERVOIR’S NEW WEST AFRICAN CAFE

In a quiet, humble residential avenue in Reservoir, a new West African eatery is bringing delicious authentic food, and a dash of Tiktok popularity to our suburb.

La Goût Afrique (french for ‘Taste of Africa’) is the creation of Evette Quoibia and Esther Moses, who are the seventh owners of the 50-year-old milk-bar.

The store upholds the milk bar’s historical conveniences (milk, bread, canned goods) and traditional takeaway staples (fish and chips). What makes La Gout Afrique truly interesting is the addition of a cafe with a large selection of West African dishes.

Evette and Esther say the most popular dishes are jollof rice, fried rice, okra with fufu, egusi with fufu and red beans with flat bread. Fufu itself is a unique eating experience for westerners, and has recently become popular on TikTok. What makes it different is that you don’t chew fufu but swallow it whole. The cafe serves cassava fufu, yam fufu and semolina made from wheat durum.

Esther said they have received extremely positive feedback on their dishes.

“People love the food,” she said.

All of the food is cooked by

Evette, a support worker and single mum, who is the eldest girl of 11 siblings. She first bought the milk-bar while going through her divorce, with the dream to add in a cafe.

“I have always been a natural cook. People have always loved my food. I thought I should bring it to the world,” she said.

Evette and Esther, both from Liberian backgrounds, first met when working together at a takeaway shop in Sunshine and reconnected over Facebook. It was at a church girl’s night, where Evette shared her vision for the old milk-bar that Esther became interested.

“I checked out the milk-bar a few weeks later which was getting renovated, and Evette said she needed a business partner and I said OK,” Esther laughed.

While Evette’s background is in hospitality and food, Esther wants to make it clear that she is not a cook and her passion is in fashion and styling. As well as working full-time as a social worker, she also has an online clothing store called, DeKontee - the label. Esther has also been is also a savvy TikTok, with La Goût Afrique becoming a surprise viral sensation.

In the lead-up to their grand opening she uploaded a video on TikTok. Nothing flash, just short and snappy, celebrating: ‘We started the first convenience store to serve

La Goût Afrique

Address: 13 Moira Ave, Reservoir

Hours are Monday - Friday 7.15am - 8.45pm

African cuisine in Melbourne.’ Within 24 hours the video had nearly 800 views, and now it sits on 103,700 views.

That very TikTok video led me, and Rezzadent illustrator Nicole Roberson to attend the grand opening. La Goût Afrique was packed and there was a line out the door. Evette and Esther has been blown away by the local support, with a regular customer bringing them flowers for the opening.

While the big grand opening over and things have quietened down for the moment, there are some exciting and delicious plans in the works.

La Goût Afrique is looking to host future events in their outdoor area, such as a family BBQ for locals. They are also looking at adding jerk chicken to their menu with the support of a Jamacian friend.

But in the meantime, there’s plenty to try on their menu. If you’re looking for something different, authentic and a bit different - support this local gem from TikTok to IRL.