Raas Indian Brings Mumbai Prawns, Kerala Fried Chicken & Edible Shot Glasses to Sydney Road

Melbourne’s a foodie city, but India’s vast diversity of cuisine is still somewhat untapped. Sydney Road’s new restaurant, Raas Indian, reflects a world of distinct flavours and traditions, spotlighting lesser-known dishes from across the country.

Alongside familiar vindaloo, korma and biryanis, they’re dishing up regional specialties like Mumbai-style Prawn Koliwada, Punjabi-style Chicken Rara, Kheema Matar, Chingri Malai Curry of West Bengal and crispy spiced KFC (Kerala Fried Chicken). Raas feasts beg to be shared, tables abundant with steaming bowls and cold beers, hands ripping roti straight from the clay oven tandoor to scoop silky sauces and tender meats, a vibrant discovery of flavours mingling.

It’s the kind of atmosphere co-owners Janhavi Kanchan and Venkatesh (Venks) Kanchan envisioned. “We want guests to feel comfortable, curious, and cared for,” Venks says. “Whether it’s their first time trying dishes from across India or revisiting favourites, the experience should be flavourful, fun, and memorable.”

The couple took over Brunswick’s South-East-Asian stalwart Tom Phat a few years ago, and saw a gap for a casual 7-day Indian spot. With Raas, they can dive into Indian roots and present it for Melbourne tastes, right down to food-matched cocktails, murals by Melbourne artist Chris Drew and a laid-back beer garden.

Janhavi leads the creative culinary side, drawing from her childhood moving around India and its tapestry of food traditions, as well as dishes from her Maharashtrian and Kannadigan background. “Maharashtrian food is earthy and layered, with spices, coconut and peanuts playing a big role,” Venks says. “While Kannadiga cuisine is more subtle, rice-based and balanced, with tamarind, curry leaves and coconut creating gentle layers of flavour.”

Their Head Chef Satbir Singh brings over 18 years’ experience in 4 and 5 star hotels in India. “Satbir focuses on freshness,” Venks says. “All our spice mixes are ground in-house, and every dish is made from scratch.”

A suite of boozy bevs showcase India’s drinking culture, from old-school brands like Kingfisher to newer craft brewers Bira Boom and Godfather, boutique spirits like Amrut whisky and Indri Single Malts and intriguingly Indian-leaning botanical profiles of Spiced Patola Gin and Jaisalmer Gin.

Raas cocktails are a mix of classics and playful originals inspired by Indian street food, like the Mango Chilli Margarita, Paan (Betel Leaf) Mojito and the Coconut & Curry Leaf Gin Fizz. Plus a unique house specialty, the vodka Pani Puri shot (how often do you get to eat your shot glass?).

Those skipping booze still have plenty to sip on, including a rich, cardamom-spiced mango lassi with crushed pistachios and almonds.

Raas is open at 148 Sydney Road, Brunswick everyday from 5–9:30pm Tuesday–Saturday, and 5–9pm, Sun–Mon.