A new vibrant bar and grill has landed in Harris Park, bringing the authentic flavours of India but this time with a twist.
Mad Down Under is the newest addition to the famous Wigram Street Indian restaurant-strip and the latest jewel in the crown of Little India Harris Park.
Not long ago restaurants along the street were feeling the weight of COVID-19’s economic pressures but Little India Harris Park is well and truly back in business with crowds flocking back to the popular foodie-hub.
Cousins and Co-owners Vipin Punia and Amit Sehgal are bringing a new upbeat flare to the street, with the dimly lit bar providing a fresh, trendy ambience to the region.
The restaurant combines a unique Indian-inspired menu with some worldly favourites, specialising in woodfired pizzas and kebabs.
Perfect for date night, special occasions or a night out with friends, Mad Down Under also offers extensive cocktail, wine and beer offerings.
Mr Sehgal said the restaurant was like no other in Little India Harris Park and he is excited to be adding their Indian flair to some non-traditional crowd favourites.
“We are excited to be open and provide something different; it really is nothing like anything else in Harris Park,” he said.
Mr Sehgal, who also owns a traditional Italian pizza takeaway chain, said combining their knowledge of traditional, authentic Indian food with the pizza and kebab menu offerings was a fun way to bring something new to the streets of Harris Park.
“Indian food is our specialty, we still offer traditional curries on our menu but really specialise in the Indian-inspired pizzas, which have naan-like bases, and kebabs,” he said.
Some of the flavours and ideas in the menu, particularly with the base of the pizzas, and naan bread as well as traditional curries come from old family recipes and traditions within the cousins’ families back home.
Mr Punia said the head chef, Harry Negi was world class and spans 15 years in authentic Indian food cooking.
“All of our kebab meats are marinated overnight and cooked in a special Indian tandoor clay oven,” he said.
“Everything on the menu is rich with a mouthwatering blend of flavour, aroma and spice.”
Mr Punia recommends their ‘drunken prawn’ menu item, which involves prawns soaked overnight in rum and served with a shot of vodka on the side.
For bookings call 8872 3616 or visit the cottage-front restaurant at 95 Wigram street, Harris Park.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.