Ella by Minoli
Readers' Choice 2024 - Region
Best Known For
Braised beef cheek with spiced carrot purée, tamarind caramelised onion and a side of steamed basmati rice.
About Ella by Minoli
Transporting diners to a hidden jungle town in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka, Darwin foodies head to Ella by Minoli on West Lane for flavour-packed fare with flair. This hidden haven tucked away in a quiet, unassuming pocket of the CBD welcomes you with warm hospitality where nothing is an afterthought and stepping through the doors you become family. Curiosity is nurtured, there is no fear in the kitchen and Ella loves pushing culinary boundaries; think starters like spice-cured kangaroo tartare, figs, dehi, confit yolks and crispy potato shavings, or octopus with yellow capsicum sauce, charred corn salsa and turmeric potatoes. Slow-cooked jaggery lamb with apricot gel, tomato salsa and tarragon oil entices for the main, or perhaps devour barramundi cooked in banana leaf with green salsa.
A few words from Ella by Minoli
https://kitchen.nine.com.au/recipes/minoli-de-silva-9honey-new-cook-savoury-recipes-with-fruit-today-extra/30e48d37-e9c3-4a3d-9d78-054a02290cd5
https://amp.nine.com.au/article/30e48d37-e9c3-4a3d-9d78-054a02290cd5
https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/eat-drink/2022/10/20/the-must-dine-restaurants-to-visit-in-each-capital-city/
https://www.newidea.com.au/masterchef-australia-minoli-de-silva
https://ntindependent.com.au/masterchef-australias-minoli-de-silva-is-back-and-plans-to-open-a-new-darwin-restaurant/
https://10play.com.au/masterchef/articles/that-completely-broke-me-why-minoli-de-silva-was-mortified-by-her-final-pressure-test/tpa220517xucgb
https://www.ntnews.com.au/business/nt-business/from-masterchef-to-minding-her-own-business-minoli-de-silva-opens-ella/news-story/fc396529ec8800acfdea05587cd8b5dd
https://thelatch.com.au/masterchef-australia-2022-minoli-de-silva/
https://www.mamamia.com.au/minoli-de-silva-masterchef/
Ella by Minoli Menus/Downloads
Videos
More From Ella by Minoli
RECIPES
Kiwi Curry - Chef Recipe by Minoli De Silva
It is my signature dish and I would love everyone who can’t get to my restaurant to try it at home. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever tried before so hopefully if anyone makes it, they will experience the bold and fresh flavour of the dish which still allows the fish to shine bright.
RECIPES
Aliya Cocktail - Recipe by Joao Santos
“I recommend this cocktail because it is a brilliant combination of ingredients that make you feel like you are on holiday.” – Joao Santos.
ARTICLES
Cultural Influences and Chemical Engineering – Chef Chat with Minola De Silva
Minoli De Silva’s culinary journey began with a unique blend of cultural influences and a background in chemical engineering – a foundation that has provided her with a scientific approach to food and...
ARTICLES
Tis the Season to Be Jolly!
How are your festive preparations going? With only 16 days to go, it’s time to turn our attention to what’s on the table and under the tree come December 25. This week we have you covered from Christm...
ARTICLES
5 Newly-awarded Chef Hat Winners You Need to Dine At!
Continuing the excitement from the announcement of the 2024 AGFG Chef Hat Awards on January 17, let us take you on a culinary journey around the country to award-winning restaurants you need to dine a...
ARTICLES
Cocktail of the Week from Ella by Minoli Mixologist Joao Santos.
Welcome to our Cocktail of the Week series, where each Friday we will highlight a cheeky creation to tantalise tastebuds and set the tone for good times....
Features & Facilities
Payments Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Eftpos
Seats: 90 Chef: Minoli De Silva
Opening Hours
Groups & Functions
- Up to 70 Guests
- Birthday Party
- Charity Event
- Christmas Party
- Cocktail Party
- Conference
- Corporate Function
- Dinner Party
- Engagement Party
- Hens & Bucks Night
- Product Launch
- Wedding
- Canapes
- Cocktails
- Degustation
- Finger Food
- Set Menu
Superb!
We have eaten very well in Darwin ??. In particular, we have enjoyed all the Asian food on offer. We ate through our list and saved the best for last. Ellabyminoli. I watched Minoli create her scrumptious Sri Lankan dishes on Masterchef Australia 2021 and I liteterally drooled, wishing I could taste them. Now I have, and I can tell you, the food did not disappoint. We only wish there were 10 of us so we could have ordered everything. Sadly, we had to choose and what we enjoyed was:
Spiced lamb ribs, cooked for 18 hours with tamarind treacle, served with yoghurt dressing.
Pan Rolls, local barramundi (of course), slow cooked jackfruit & tamarind chutney.
Tamarind Chicken, coconut tamarind sauce & confit tomato.
Local prawns, spiced tomato bisque & confit garlic soy ghee.
All sauces soaked up with a Perfect Roti.
Flavours that transported me to another dimension!!
Food. Service. Ambiance. Vibe.. it was just incredible. A 15/10. I went there a week ago and I can't thinking about the food. All I want to do it go back and eat there. It was super busy but the wait staff were so attentive, the food made me stop thinking about everything else and all I could think about were the complex flavours that were buzzing around in my mouth. If you're in Darwin, Ella by Minoli is a must visit. It transports you to another place, a place that seems to be oozing with heritage, love, and a sense of community. Well done to the team, it was an experience I won't forget.
Take me back!
Ella is a must visit when you're in Darwin. The food is next level, it's unlike anything else on offer in Darwin. It's fancy without being pretentious, it heroes the local fresh produce and is run by the loveliest staff. We even got to meet Minoli and she's a sweetheart. Oh and the cocktails are divine! Can't wait to come back and try more of the dishes.
Delicious food and a great vibe
Amazing dishes, perfectly seasoned by Masterchef's Minoli De Silva. The food was complex in flavour and incredibly delicious, the aromas made my mouth water. Their signature cocktails were delightful on the senses. The restaurant and bar style created a lush, sophisticated tropical atmosphere. Ella would be perfect for any type of group or night out. The staff were friendly and helpful. I'll definitely be back very often.
Top quality in the Top End
Ella has it all. Not often you find a restaurant that nails every aspect, the decor, the vibe, the service, the drinks, the food, the flavour (omg the flavour!). All of it has been refined into a cohesive and exquisite dining experience. I can see Sri Lankan cuisine exploding in popularity across Aus and this place will be the catalyst. Can't wait for my next trip to Ella.
Flavour and generosity
Ella by Minoli serves a good mix of traditional and contemporary Sri Lankan food. Dishes are as generous as they are flavourful. A much needed addition to Darwin, Ella by Minoli uses fresh produce transports the diners to Sri Lanka. Whether you’re sipping one of the creative cocktails at the bar or sharing a feast with your family, Ella by Minoli won’t disappoint.