Cafe Mao

Odd to name such a cheery and popular eating spot after one of history's bad guys, but maybe the enthusiastic diners who crowd in get the irony. For Cafe Mao isn't just a Chinese restaurant, but an eclectic Pan-Asian one whose dishes and influences range from India to Indonesia to Japan and everywhere in between. The setting in groovy Merchants City is minimalist but brightly coloured, laid out over two floors and usually abuzz. The menu features dishes like crispy roast pumpkin spring rolls with plum dipping sauce, main course of coconut lamb madras with intoxicating fragrant jasmine rice, and dessert of poached pear in saffron syrup and cardamom pannacotta. The coeliac menu is delightful, as well.