AUSTRALIAN GOOD FOOD GUIDE - Home of the Chef Hat Awards

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.

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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/

Location & Map

Shop 20/12 West Lane, Darwin CBD 0800 NT - See Map

Features & Facilities

Payments Accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Eftpos

Seats: 90   Chef: Minoli De Silva  

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Opening Hours

Mon  Closed
Tue  5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Wed  5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thu  5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Fri  5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sat  5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sun  Closed

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

Leave a Review

Member Reviews (6)

Rita Yaworsky

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.

shir1

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.

jasmine77587

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.

theek63085

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.

Lucien

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.

AlvinQ

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.