Helly Raichura as pictured in her new book The Food of Bharat.

The underrated local gems (and fine diners) this top chef loves eating at the most

The Enter Via Laundry chef and memorable MasterChef guest opens her little black book of food and dining recommendations in Australia and overseas.

  • Jane Rocca
The premium Indian restaurant seats 130 in booths or on elegant folding chairs.
Good Food hat15/20

This hatted restaurant is a jewel,nestled in our critic’s least favourite location in Melbourne

Toddy Shop chef Mischa Tropp’s fire-driven,premium restaurant at Crown feels real,right and resonant.

  • Dani Valent
Serving a wine-friendly,share-style Indian menu.

The Cellar Kitchen at Avani Wines

Where wine-friendly,share-style Indian dishes shine.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Rocket Kulfi,Chulho.

10 years ago this Sydney suburb was dead. Now it’s brimming with brilliant Indian eateries

From samosa chaat to all manner of sweets,we’ve rounded up the best Indian food on the east side of Parramatta.

  • David Matthews
The king-size thali at Namaste Haifa in Ormond.

This affordable,female-led eatery provides an ‘extraordinary’ discount to certain diners

Create your own vegetarian thali from the day’s 20 specials,all cooked by a team of mothers.

  • Dani Valent
Advertisement
Indian-inspired ice cream at Icy Spicy in Clayton.

Icy Spicy

Indian-inspired scoops and street food.

  • Dani Valent
Tear the dosa,dip it in sambar and enjoy.
14/20

A former real estate office is now home to one of Melbourne’s best South Indian restaurants

Vegetarian Udupi restaurant Sri Ananda Bhavan will impress dosa snobs and novices alike.

  • Dani Valent
Exotic rose,Alphonso mango and tutti frutti ice-cream.

This sweet and spicy spot sells 32 Indian-inspired ice-cream flavours

Parramatta’s coolest hot spot Icy Spicy offers a tempting all-vegetarian menu,from chilli ice-cream to fried beetroot momo.

  • Lee Tran Lam
Riverside bar Marmont evokes the sunshine and glamour of Los Angeles.

These two new venues have made Crown that one thing it’s never really been before – cool

There’s an Indian diner and sports bar with butter chicken and cricket on the TV. Plus a riverside bar with Cali vibes and tequila cocktails.

  • Tomas Telegramma
Babaji’s Kerala Kitchen in Belgrave.

Babaji’s Kerala Kitchen

A welcoming slice of southern India in the Dandenong Ranges.