Open until 1am five nights a week and 2am on Saturdays, East Taste has those late night cravings covered. Always busy, sometimes noisy, the service is efficient with attentive staff, no matter which time you roll in.

Since opening in 2003, the spot has become a staple for Gouger Street dining. Owner and chef Michael Chow delivers an extensive Asian fusion menu with a strong Chinese influence.

The kitchen cranks out favourites such as the cult BBC (beans, bean curd, Chinese chutney); Sichuan Chicken; honey eggplant; and shallot pancakes. Sweet tooths are catered for with those old China Town classics: fried ice cream and red bean pancakes.

The wine list is made up of mostly local wines, and plenty of bottled beer and non-alcoholic beverages are on offer too. Otherwise you can BYO wine for $9 corkage per bottle.

Soft lighting, wooden floors and modern amenities give a softness to the busy restaurant, which is a rarity on Gouger Street at this price point.