Winners of 'One Hat', The Age Good Food Guide 2024
The Dandenong Ranges very own Hatted South Indian Restaurant!
With our humble food, warm service and unusual spot in the Dandenong Ranges, we're so proud of our team for doing things a little differently.
Our journey began with just one tava from Kerala and a dodgy marquee - cooking dosa to a community very unfamiliar with South Indian and Kerala cuisine.
It's been a long journey, with twists, turns, tears and so much laughter. From cooking in the rain and lightning, to the intensity of cooking at the Queen Victoria Night Market - to opening our first small 'take away' shop in our home town of Belgrave before adding a dine in restaurant.
From our 'mish mash' team, made up of home taught Indian cooks and Hills locals (many who are under 18 in their first job), to being recognised by Victoria's prestigious food awards - 'The Age Good Food Awards' is just a huge WOW for us!
To our Hills community, for seeing us survive the trauma of running a small restaurant during Covid & storms ... and always 'having our back'. Thank you.
May we all recognise that not all good food comes from fine dining and that you don't need to leave the mountain to get it!
May regional Indian food and its complexities be better understood and valued by us all.
May we all help and not hinder each other to prosper.
x Babajis
Find out more about our journey here.