Istana

Best Known For

Istana king prawns – half shelled king prawns cooked with blanchan, onions, fried shrimp, garlic, onion, ginger and fresh curry leaves

Located in Thornleigh on Sydney’s upper north shore, Istana Restaurant’s pastel-coloured dining room is always busy, and has been for more than 20 years. Take that – and the fact that most of its patrons are Asian – as a good sign. Specialising in Nyonya (a rich blend of Chinese and Malaysian cuisines), Istana’s food is renowned as authentic and infused with their own original twist. The Istana king prawns – half shelled king prawns cooked with blanchan, onions, fried shrimp, garlic, onion, ginger and fresh curry leaves – is one dish that keeps regulars returning time after time, as is the Malaysian chilli mud crab. Istana’s homemade durian ice-cream should be tried at least once.