INDU Dining – Conscious Vegan Night

Welcome to one of Melbourne’s most delectable hidden gems. Tucked away in the CBD’s iconic Collins Quarter, INDU Dining has been offering up a contemporary twist on Sri Lankan cuisine since 2021. Whisking the elements of both village culture and rich Sri Lankan dining, INDU is a must visit for any foreign food connoisseur, or for anyone who wants to try something a little different!

As well as showcasing Sri Lanka’s incredible fusion of meat and seafood, INDU also offers an array of vegan and vegetarian dishes, ensuring everyone at the table can enjoy the rich and flavourful experience of Sri Lankan cuisine – and Milk Bar had the privilege of attending their recent monthly Conscious Vegan Night on March 27th.

Entering through a blink-and-you’ll-miss it doorway off Collins St, guests are lead down a narrow hallway and are immediately transported into a lush banquette-style space, where the kitchen is on full display for guests to watch INDU’s chefs work their culinary magic. We began the evening with a vegan friendly Gin Fizz, a deliciously sweet intro that substituted the traditional egg white with whisked aquafaba. While admiring the cosy decor of the venue, we were then treated to the first of four courses; the Amuse Bouche – a mango and fable cordyceps “oyster” with passionfruit and chilli granita. Not being too familiar with the flavours and aromas of Sri Lankan food, this was a mouth-watering introduction to the evening’s offerings, with the entire table satisfyingly agreeing through mouthfuls that we may have hit the peak early. The entrees then followed; a beetroot and squash tartare with gunpowder potato pave and runny “yolk”; and a personal favourite, the fable birria roti with consomme to dip. Both servings complimented one another, the former a flavoursome blend of different sweetnesses, while the latter balanced it out with a savoury hint of spice.

While relishing in the charming run of dishes thus far, we cleansed our palates with a selection of both red and white vegan wines, and were then presented with the appropriately titled ‘palate cleanser’ – the coconut and lime sorbet, served on a chirirenge. Although designed to clear our senses for the main course, we couldn’t help but feel we had been blessed with an early dessert. The coconut, a commonly used ingredient in Sri Lanka, melted beautifully with the sorbet and we collectively agreed that we would not have denied another five servings if we were ever so lucky to be offered.

For the main, we were presented with a Fable Lamprais – a famous Ceylon meal wrapped in banana leaf. Consisting of Fable pulled-shiitake curry, spiced plantain and coconut salad, lemon rice, sambal and eggplant pickle – the fabulous INDU staff carefully unwrapped the banana leaf to reveal a kaleidoscopic array of colours, flavours and spices. Shared between two, we felt like we had reached the climatic finale and it did not disappoint. More wines followed, with the night wrapping up with the Bombe Ceylon for dessert, served to us scorched, and with grilled peach sorbet, chai spiced shortbread, meringue and spiced rum. A delicious end to a wonderful night of flavour, spices and a fantastic introduction to possibly my new favourite cuisine.

INDU Dining is highly recommended for your next special occasion, date night or a casual after-work cocktail. Their next Conscious Vegan Night will be held on May 22nd. Don’t miss it!

INDU Dining
86A Collins St, Melbourne
Next Conscious Vegan Night – May 22nd.