Authentic Malaysian cooking: ethereal roti canai sided by pitch-perfect curry dipping sauce ($6); juicy green papaya and mango salad ($8.95); spicy laksas loaded with vermicelli, prawns, chicken, and crunchy bean sprouts (about $10); and saucy curry lamb ($13.50) with a surreptitious heat. The serviceable wine list is smartly weighted toward aromatic whites that can handle some spice. Save room... more

Even with dark walls and moody lighting, this mid-Lonsdale room draws in lunchtime crowds on a sunny day. It's just as busy in the evening, when the low-budget décor takes on a pleasingly romantic glow. What's the appeal? Authentic Malaysian cooking: ethereal roti canai sided by pitch-perfect curry dipping sauce ($6); juicy green papaya and mango salad ($8.95); spicy laksas loaded with... more