Wau Kitchen

Wau Kitchen is a charming and unique Afro-fusion restaurant and soon-to-be-wine bar, tucked away in a rustic shed in the Salisbury wartime factory precinct.

The ambient cavernous space, which by day is shared with Upendo Cafe is decked out with planter boxes, ceiling to floor curtains, African artworks, ornaments and runners on tressel style tables, along with concrete floors and atmospheric lighting from strings of light bulbs. 

Adding to the inviting atmosphere, down one end is a cosy lounge nook with shelves of books, with sofa and cane arm chairs and a stand of bric-a-brac and plants.

The menu varies from other African restaurants in Brisbane, serving a sophisticated fusion menu of food largely from the regional East Africa along with North and South Africa.

Starters include samosa (Kenyan style flaky pastry filled with beef, chicken or mixed veggies); Ta'ameya (crispy Egyptian-style falafel infused with green herbs); fried chicken wings dipped in coconut milk and coated in special Wau mix); garlic chapati; and fried sweet plantains.

For mains there's a delectable selection of dishes, incorporatiing flavours of Sudan, Kenya, Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa and Egypt, such as Shaiyah (slow-cooked beef with onion, cumin and homemade spices); Spicy Goat Soup; Boerewors (South African sausage with hot cherry tomatoes, onion, garlic, thyme and snow peas); and Tilapia Temptation (crispy fried frish served with kachumbari salad and spicy chilli sauce).

Other dishes include Maafe (tender chicken thighs in creamy peanut butter and capsicum sauce); Lamb Lovers (BBQ lamb chops with spiced lamb mince, rice and peas) and Peanut Stew (blend of peanuts, cassava and sweet potato in rich creamy sauce); and salads such as eggplant with lime juice, peanut butter, cumin and garlic; and Kachumbari (fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, chilli and coriander in zesty olive oil and lime dressing.

Save room for dessert, with offerings such as Kuindiong (South Sudanese sweetened semolina dessert); locally dourcedd organic fruit plate; and African Baklava (flaky pastry filed with blend of nuts, honey & aromatic spices).

*At the time of visiting, Wau Kitchen was BYO, with plans for a bar service underway. The restaurant itself will also be on the move into another section of the shed, which is currently under construction.

Need to know - There is plenty of free onstreet parking available on Textile Crescent and nearby streets.

Check out our full guide to the best African restaurants, cafes and shops in Brisbane

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Still hungry for more suggestions on where to eat out in Brisbane, head to our comprehensive Eat & Drink section HERE! Happy grazing!