Lal Qila

The touristy strip of Darling Harbour is home to the second outpost of Surry Hills’ upmarket Pakistani restaurant, Lal Qila. According to Lal Qila’s owner, Namir Mirza, customers can find fusion everywhere. That’s why he’s sticking to authentic and traditional Pakistani cuisine.

While most of the menu is a replica of the Surry Hills offering (fresh bread out of the tandoor oven; biryanis made to order; and curries in ceramic pots), here Mirza has added dishes he feels are either particularly traditional or uncommon in Sydney. One is sakandri raan, a supposably 2000-year-old recipe for lamb, slow roasted in a tandoor oven. There is also whole lamb shanks (sultani nalli) in a rich tomato sauce.

Tawa chop is a spicy street-food dish that consists of a warmed plate covered in meat (your choice), tomato, onion and ginger. Kunna gosht is a tangy curry with mutton or lamb on the bone.

There is also a lunch buffet for the local, busy office types.

This second Lal Qila restaurants has natural light, space and white tablecloths. There is a selection of Indian-inspired mocktails and non-alcoholic beers as well as and lassis.