For Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world, Diwali (aka Deepavali) is one of the most significant celebrations of the year. Known as the Festival of Lights, it marks the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
Celebrated over five days, the festival sees people light diyas (small oil lamps), decorate their doorsteps with intricate rangoli designs, set off fireworks and share mithai (traditional sweets) and festive feasts with family and friends.
This year, the main festival day takes place on November 8. In Melbourne, many restaurants are marking the occasion with special menus and celebratory spreads. Here are nine of our favourite ways to celebrate in Melbourne and beyond.
Enter Via Laundry’s mithai boxes
Helly Raichura is bringing back her handmade mithai boxes this year. While you can usually find mithai at most Indian grocers, Raichura’s contemporary creations stand out for their refined flavour combinations and quality ingredients. Expect hazelnut barfi (fudge) topped with dark chocolate ganache, and sunflower-shaped pendas combining Iranian saffron, orange zest and reduced milk from St David Dairy. That’s just a small taste of the 15 pieces you’ll find in Enter Via Laundry’s mithai box. Raichura is also making a selection of traditional sweets with a twist, including gajar halwa (carrot pudding), rasmalai tres leches and tapioca payasam with banana caramel.
Order online before October 30, with delivery and pick-up available on November 5, 6 and 7.
Dinner with Pallavi Sharda at Kolkata Cricket Club
Mischa Tropp’s 150-seat Southbank restaurant and sports bar at Crown Melbourne, Kolkata Cricket Club, puts regional Bengali dishes in the spotlight. On November 3, Tropp is teaming up with Australian actress and good friend Pallavi Sharda, best known for her roles in the Netflix rom-com Wedding Season and Oscar-nominated film Lion, for a one-off Diwali dinner. Enjoy the full KCC menu as Sharda mingles and chats with diners around the room. Think of it like hanging out at a friend’s house. A Polaroid camera will also do the rounds so you can take snaps with Sharda to keep as a memento of the night.
November 3. Book online.
Aki’s Diwali party at Manze
Mauritian wine bar Manze is building a reputation for its exciting chef collabs. For Diwali, the team will host chef Akanksha Nath – also known as Aki – for a one-off à la carte dinner paired with Indian-inspired cocktails. On the music line-up, expect Rhea, UKGhee and Anaari. Plus, Bollywood screenings and rasmalai for dessert.
November 8 from 4pm until late. Walk-ins only.
Set menu at Thaali
Thaali serves up street snacks, North Indian curries and Indo-Chinese favourites. Over the Diwali weekend, the restaurant’s Fairfield and Craigieburn venues will serve a special festive thaali (a platter-style meal) and shahi tukra – a traditional dessert of fried bread soaked in sweetened milk. You’ll also get a complimentary non-alcoholic aam panna (a tangy raw mango drink) and a gift to take home. To really dial up the festive spirit, both venues will be decked out with flowers and rangoli designs.
November 6–8. Book online.
Hampers at Oven Stories
Oven Stories is a cafe and dessert shop specialising in Indian-inspired eggless cakes. For Diwali, the team is offering mithai boxes and curated hampers packed with sweet and savoury treats. Highlights, such as masala cranberries, chilli-dried mango and peri-peri almonds, are available in boxes or tins. Call ahead to place an order, or simply drop by and pick up. The regular range of cakes will also be available – including Oven Stories’ popular rasmalai cake and pineapple cake.
Menu specials at Ish
Ish brings modern Indian cuisine to Gertrude Street. All through November, the team will serve four Diwali specials: bok burrata papdi chaat (a playful take on the classic Indian street food), watermelon chaat, young mango barramundi curry and the restaurant’s festive rasmalai cake.
Available in November. Book online.
Menu specials at Atta
Albert Park’s Atta gives traditional Indian dishes a fine-dining twist. And for Diwali, chef-owner Harry Chanjal is plating up three festive specials. Expect Amritsari machi (fish) with capsicum reduction; aloo tikki avocado chaat; and cardamom kulfi served with strawberry coulis, mango-saffron reduction and honey gel. Diyas will bring a festive glow to the space.
November 3–8. Book online.
Set menu at Mukka
Mukka is throwing one-off Diwali feasts at its Fitzroy and St Kilda restaurants. The party starts with DIY pani puri and palak patta (spinach leaf) chaat, followed by a spread of meat or vegetarian curries. Both come with pea pulao, naan, kachumber salad and raita. For dessert, it’s gulab jamun and pistachio kulfi, followed by complimentary chai and homemade laddoos.
November 6–8. Set menu only available for groups of three or more, prices vary. Book online.
Lunch and workshops at Saadi
Chefs Saavni Krishnan and Sriram Aditya spent years running Saadi, one of Melbourne’s most exciting pop-ups, before opening a permanent restaurant in the old Sunda space. Their private culinary workshops for groups of up to 12 are a great way to celebrate the festival with family and friends – with topics including fermentation, the art of biryani and Indian tea snacks. After the workshop, sit down to a three-course lunch before taking home your creations and a recipe booklet.
Enquire at info@saadimelbourne.com.
Celebrating Diwali at home this year? Check out these 13 Diwali recipes by Meera Sodha, O Tama Carey and more top chefs.
Dining and Cooking