There’s something irresistibly magnetic about a restaurant that can honour centuries-old culinary traditions while boldly pushing boundaries. These are the places that don’t just serve food - they tell stories, remixing the classics with new textures, spices and presentation. In neighbourhoods like Brunswick, Glebe and Haberfield, you’ll find kitchens that defy expectation - fusing technique, culture and flair in all the right places.
Here are four exceptional venues that walk that tightrope between heritage and innovation with absolute style.
Walking into Tom Phat on Sydney Road feels like stepping into a Southeast Asian hideaway pulsing with effortless cool. The space is a visual escape - timber detailing, pendent lights and lush greenery create an atmosphere that’s equal parts laid-back and luxe. It’s the sort of place where locals linger with cocktails and conversation while the scent of lemongrass and chilli lingers in the air.
On the plate, tradition is honoured but never confined. The standout choo chee prawn curry delivers a rich medley of lemongrass, coconut milk and seasonal vegetables - deeply fragrant and fiery without overwhelming the delicate sweetness of the prawns. The chilli caramel pork belly is a masterclass in texture and balance, its richness offset by a crisp Asian apple slaw. If you’re lucky enough to catch the succulent sticky lamb ribs on the menu, glazed in dark ginger soy, don’t hesitate. They’re slow-cooked to the point of surrender.
Old Durbar Restaurant & Lounge – Brunswick, Vic
Old Durbar on Sydney Road offers more than just a meal - it’s a cultural moment. This Nepalese-Indian fusion spot radiates warmth from its blond wood furnishings and vivid red cushions to the ambient live music that drifts through the space. Murals of Himalayan landscapes transport diners thousands of kilometres away, even as Melbourne’s hum continues outside.
Among the many bold dishes on offer, the butter prawns deserve a moment of reverence. These tandoor-cooked prawns are plump and smoky, coated in a velvety, spice-laden butter gravy that delivers comfort and complexity in equal measure. Elsewhere, the goat vindaloo is unapologetically fiery, balanced by vinegary sharpness and tender chunks of meat. It’s the Nepalese-style fish curry, rich and subtly earthy, that truly bridges tradition with a fresh culinary voice.
Yori Japanese Fusion – Haberfield, NSW
Tucked inside the Empire Square Shopping Centre, Yori Japanese Fusion is a bright, breezy surprise in suburban Haberfield. Bifold doors open the space to the street, blurring the lines between the calm indoors and lively surrounds. Inside, the mood is low-key chic, the sort of place where weekday dinners can feel like special occasions.
On the menu, Japanese classics are reinterpreted with modern gusto. The grilled miso black cod is a perfect example - its savoury, silky flesh enriched by a sharp yuzu miso glaze, flanked by broccolini and asparagus for a crisp counterpoint. The sushi rolls are visual poetry: torched salmon and tempura prawn dressed with soy and creamy mayo, or soft-shell crab laced with sweet pickled vegetables. It’s inventive yet grounded in the purity of Japanese technique.
Craving Japanese with a modern twist? Book your seat and let the fusion begin.
Ayahuasca on Glebe Point Road is where Latin American soul meets avant-garde execution. Inspired by the mysticism of the Amazon and the colour of the Andes, this vibrant venue delivers atmosphere in spades - flashes of rustic decor, pops of art and a menu that speaks to tradition without being held hostage by it.
Here, marinated octopus tentacles arrive kissed by the grill, cloaked in a smoky sauce and paired with boiled potatoes and a verdant cilantro chimichurri. It’s soulful and sensory, bringing together earthy, zesty and charred elements with finesse. For those seeking heartier fare, the tenderloin beef with cherry tomatoes, golden chips and red onion pops with flavour, while the stir-fried rice with chicken, sausage and fried plantain walks the line between comfort and curiosity.
Taste the bold spirit of Latin America - make your reservation now and explore the unexpected.
When done right, culinary contrast is a beautiful thing. These venues prove that you don’t need to choose between authenticity and innovation - they’ve created something that elevates both. Whether it’s tandoor butter prawns, grilled cod or smoky Peruvian octopus, these restaurants celebrate heritage while refusing to stand still.
