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Citrus

A help-yourself curry hotspot.

Citrus buffet.
1 / 5Citrus buffet.Enrique Ascui
Vegetarian curries.
2 / 5Vegetarian curries.Luis Enrique Ascui
Inside the casual diner.
3 / 5Inside the casual diner.Luis Enrique Ascui
Meat curries.
4 / 5Meat curries.Luis Enrique Ascui
There are plenty of curries on offer at the buffer.
5 / 5There are plenty of curries on offer at the buffer.Luis Enrique Ascui

Critics' Pick

Sri Lankan$

Those in the inner north know Citrus. In the four years since opening, this family-owned restaurant has drawn a following for its nourishing all-you-can eat Sri Lankan fare.

In a low-lit dining room amid images of tea plantations, roaring waterfalls and wild elephants, a stream of diners moves along the buffet. They’re piling their plates high with cumin-rich biryani, potato simmered with mustard seeds and chilli, sticky-spicy devilled fish, and hearty lentil dhal.

A heap of fluffy saffron rice is a necessity, as is customising with condiments: super-sour lime achcharu (pickle), pineapple chutney and flossy coconut sambol.

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It’s not all buffet-style, though. String hoppers kothu can be ordered a la carte, as can watalappan, the coconut milk pudding sweetened with jaggery. Can’t get enough sweet stuff? Falooda – the drink of condensed milk, rose syrup and basil – will satisfy.

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Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/vic-good-food-guide/citrus-20241109-p5kp91.html