Kammadhenu

You may come here because prices are low, but you’ll return because the food is exceptional. Owner Sriram Nageshsri is undeniably proud: “There are five good Sri Lankan restaurants in Sydney and I have three of them” including his two other stores on King Street, Newtown. It’s hard to know what to mention because I enjoyed everything from the exotic Sri Lankan Breeze ($15) cocktail made on Ceylon Arrack to the excellent Garlic Roti ($4), all the way to the papery Hopper with Milk and Jaggery ($3) I lapped up for dessert. The Egg, Onion and Cheese Dosai ($8) was quite special because they naturally ferment the rice flour batter (no yeast) resulting in exceptionally crisp dosai. They could be Sydney’s best!  When you order Beef Kothu Roti ($9) expect to hear some banging from the kitchen – it’s a filling chopped roti dish which reminded me of Pad Thai. The Lamb Chuka ($14) a dry curry with coriander, pepper and mustard seeds was the best curry; remarkably it’s also the most expensive dish on the menu! The Eggplant Curry ($10) is also a winner; as is Lemon Rice ($4). Beer’s an excellent match and their amazing selection includes German Bitburger (on tap) and longnecks of Kingfisher ($8.80).

Kammadhenu
12 Waters Road, Neutral Bay
Ph: (02) 9953 9999
Malaysian/South Indian/ Sri Lankan  $