What’s Your Comfort Food? 5 Venues for Nostalgic Comfort Fare

We all crave a certain comfort food when we are feeling down, under the weather or just looking for a pick-me-up. It is food that provides a nostalgic or sentimental value and is quite often characterised by its high-caloric nature and association with childhood or home cooking.

Ultimate Aussie comfort food choices include everyone’s fave butter chicken, chicken parmigiana, pizza with pineapple, a burger with the lot and the humble meat pie…here are five venues to get a comfort food fix:

Satisfy ravenous Sri Lankan and Indo-Chinese cravings at all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant Serendib on High Street in Northcote. This locally-loved Melbourne dining destination oozes casual style with glowing neon signage, potted greenery and polished concrete, setting the scene for memorable meals.

 

Offering a range of traditional dishes, including comforting curries, rice, salads, condiments and roti, all of the offerings are made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and authentic spices to ensure an unforgettable experience. Delve into tender beef curry with egg fried rice and condiments, or vegetarian options such as beetroot curry, in a rich, aromatic coconut milk gravy infused with cinnamon, cardamom and cumin. 

There is something for all to enjoy at One Fusion on Janefield Drive in Bundoora. Located in Uni Hill Town Centre, this restaurant, sports and cocktail bar and function centre is a unique place to wine, dine and unwind in stylish surrounds of tan leather banquettes, neon signage, exposed brick and a well-stocked bar promising cheeky cocktails.

 

Start with small plates of beetroot, gorgonzola and walnut arancini, before finding comfort in a bowl of pappardelle pasta with slow-braised beef, tomato, herbs and pecorino; perhaps devour pizza slices topped with tandoori chicken, Napoli, red onion, mushroom, mozzarella and tzatziki, or scallops, calamari, mussels, prawns, fish, fior di latte and basil on a Napoli base.

Discover the delights of innovative Chinese cuisine at Mr Stonebowl on Forest Road in Hurstville. This Sydney stone pot dining destination greets diners with black leather banquette seating under softly glowing Edison bulb lighting as tantalising aromas waft from the kitchen with the promise of delicious dishes to come.

 

From a menu boasting flavours that demand attention, expect traditional plates with a twist along with creative new spins on old favourites; dive right in with starters of Wagyu beef spring rolls or dip your spoon into a steaming bowl of comforting coconut chicken soup. For the main, try braised pork belly with prawn, squid, mushrooms and sides of steamed rice and stir-fried mixed vegetables.

Dine with views over the bowling green and beyond, capturing the best Mosman has to offer, at Rolly’s Bistro @ Warringah Bowls on Bradleys Head Road. Find a light-filled and stylish dining room, or dine alfresco and watch the bowling action, as you catch up with family and friends over a delicious meal and drink.

 

Expect an elegant and fresh menu designed to share from bar snacks of sizzling chilli and garlic prawns or Provencal mussels and crusty bread to mains such as a Texan smoked rack of ribs. Find culinary comfort in a steak such as a New York strip or tomahawk from the grill with your choice of sauce, chips and salad, or a bowl of fettuccine with garlic prawns.

An unequalled world of Asian flavour is the mission of Tweed Heads restaurant Sway Thai Fusion. Found on Minjungbal Drive, this contemporary restaurant delivers traditional Thai fare amongst modern décor and a warm, welcoming ambience, ideal for delving into Chef's specials such as Hang Lay slow-cooked pork spare ribs with special Burmese curry, roasted peanuts, garlic and fresh ginger.

 

Jump right in with small plates like garlic black pepper soft-shell crab bao, then look to signature dishes such as choo chee grilled salmon in rich, aromatic coconut curry with lotus root, snake beans, capsicum and kaffir lime leaf. Perhaps order comforting street food dishes such as pad Thai with prawns, rice noodles, egg, sweet radish, garlic chives, bean sprouts, roast peanuts and lime.