Maalu Maalu

In Sri Lanka, “maalu maalu” is a phrase commonly shouted by fishmongers to attract potential customers. And it’s also the name of this all-you-can-eat buffet in Brunswick, run by husband and wife Minuri and Matt Adams.

For $25 a head, you can pile your plate high with steamed or stir-fried rice and noodles, dal, sambol and a rainbow of curries – think silky slivers of beetroot, whole boiled eggs swimming in spiced coconut milk, and cashews simmered until tender. The buffet is mostly gluten-free and vegetarian, though there are always a few meat dishes on rotation.

Drinks include mango lassi and coconut toddy, a low-ABV sparkling beverage made from fermented coconut sap. In the future, Minuri and Matt plan to add a small selection of cocktails and spirits including arrack, a popular Sri Lankan liquor also made from coconut.