OUR STORY
Araliya Restaurant and Wine Bar was opened by Sam and Dee in September of 1985 offering contemporary, Sri Lankan inspired dishes and drinks.
Spanning over four decades of refined Sri Lankan cooking In Hawthorn, Fitzroy Street St Kilda and their most humble abode at present which sits comfortably in the heart of Kew junction, right beside lush greenery, in a very intimate setting serving curated dinners with recipes that Sam has perfected for over 40 years.
Still at the helm of the kitchen, no dish passes without his palate test. Sam draws on Sri Lankan traditions, yet focuses on seasonal produce sourced locally alongside aromatic herbs and spices ethically sourced true to its origin.
Araliya is patronized by a broad clientele of Corporate diners, Food aficionados and of course three generations of our loyal clients, who in fact found the present abode in Kew.
The venue is available for smaller functions of up to 50 people, where you can book the entire restaurant out, with a curated menu of your choice.
Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us.
The Araliya philosophy is to serve contemporary dishes drawing from high quality local ingredients and infused with the spices for which Sri Lanka is well known: coriander, cumin, fennel, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves. Sam creates his own recipes, refining the cuisine he was born into with the best of ingredients and every dish that comes out of his kitchen is of the best possible quality.
"My husband and I came for dinner and had a lovely evening! As soon as you walk in, the smells were delicious and made us instantly hungry. The staff were attentive and super nice and the decor/ambience was tasteful and calming.
We had the six course tasting menu which was absolutely delicious and very well presented - tried some new dishes we’d never had before and they were all very flavorsome. It was very filling as well, we definitely did not need any more food."
CJH
"An exquisite dining experience. We had the duck with hopper starter which was amazingly tasty. Then the beef with marrow, chicken, lentil and green beans and red rice. Each dish was special and memorable.
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Food: 5/5Service: 5/5Atmosphere: 5/5
Recommended dishes
Tumeric Chicken"
Isuru Sankalana
"Araliya, offers a unique fusion of Sri Lankan-inspired cuisine with a modern twist, blending traditional spices with contemporary techniques.
The restaurant provides an elegant fine dining experience, perfect for special occasions. Celebrating my birthday here with an 8-course meal was an unforgettable treat. Each dish was super delicious, showcasing the best of Sri Lankan flavors with innovative flair.
The friendly and attentive staff, especially Hirushi and D, made the evening even more memorable.
Highly recommended for anyone seeking a flavorful, authentic experience."
Simon Cottrill
Enjoyed everything about our meal here at Araliya..wonderful staff and service. We had the 8 course banquet and the chef even altered some of the menu for my wife who doesn't eat red meat (substituting jackfruit for beef) so that she didn't miss out on anything
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Food: 5/5Service: 5/5Atmosphere: 5/5
