Sweet Summer: 10 of Sydney’s Best Mango Dishes
Summer signals the start of mango season, and it’s hard to beat the happiness that comes when you spot that first tray of tropical fruit at the supermarket. For many of us, it calls up fond memories of sinking our teeth into a perfectly ripe mango, with the juice running down our chins. Australia grows the best mangoes in the world, and year after year, our chefs take full advantage of their taste and texture.
From mains to desserts, make your summer even sweeter with these mango dishes.
Catalina
Perched on the waters of glimmering Rose Bay, Catalina has been serving impeccable cuisine to the well-to-do since 1994. An extensive wine list is teamed expertly alongside a healthy smattering of cocktails while a beautiful menu of decadent desserts keep the sweet-toothed guests happy. A must try this season is their mango panna cotta with passionfruit gel, mango and lime salad, and coconut sorbet.
Lyne Park, Rose Bay
Bennelong
Set under the sails of the Opera House, Bennelong’s view is as iconic as its chef, Peter Gilmore. Dessert is his specialty, and now that mangoes are in season, the famous ‘Five textures of Queensland mango’ is back on the menu. The bowl is layered with mango whipped cream, mango panna cotta, frozen mango parfait, fresh mango and a dollop of mango ice-cream.
Bennelong Point, Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Eastside Kitchen + Bar
Headed up by renowned chef Stanley Wong, Eastside Kitchen + Bar, in Chippendale’s foodie strip Kensington Street, provides diners with a whimsical, urban, fusion experience. Deeply rooted in sustainability, the menu lets seasonal produce do the talking. With mango's in season, a must try is their decadent mango cheese cake mousse with bitter chocolate air.
2-10 Kensington Street, Chippendale
Chat Thai
A serious contender for the best sticky rice in Sydney, Chat Thai’s mango version hits the sweet spot every time. The rice is complemented by freshly-cut Kensington Pride mangoes and coconut ice-cream. Known as kha niao man in northern Thailand, the dessert is a textural delight, but moreish enough to keep you feeling full til your next meal. Our advice? Pay the $3 for an extra scoop of ice-cream – it’s worth it.
Circular Quay, Haymarket, Sydney CBD, Manly, Randwick
Trio
With front row seats to Bondi Beach, Trio is a neighbourhood haunt that’s recently had a shiny makeover. The Mediterranean-meets-Middle Eastern menu is excellent, and it all starts with breakfast. While you watch the waves break, tuck into the mango and lime buttermilk pancakes. They’re fabulously fluffy, and served with strawberries, lemon curd double cream and 100% Canadian maple syrup. Go on, treat yourself.
56 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach
Black Star Pastry
After making its debut at the Night Noodle Market, Christopher The’s Mango Cake incited an Instagram frenzy. Specially created for the Australian summer, the recipe for the multi-layered mango cake took two years to perfect. Built on a bed of gingerbread sponge, it features a lavender and coconut sago pudding, whipped Cointreau cream, slivers of mango and fresh blueberries. To finish, it’s garnished with crystallised violets and baby coriander.
Newtown, Rosebery, Sydney CBD
Koi Dessert Bar
Ever since he wowed the crowds with his delectable desserts on MasterChef, Reynold Poernomo has been busy building a sugary empire. For a mouth-watering mango dessert, go to one of his Indonesian-inspired dessert bars and get the bright green ‘Mango.’ Made up of yuzu ganache, almond gel, lemon curd, short bread and lemon dust, it’s almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
Chippendale and Ryde
Aki Indian
Perched on Woolloomooloo Wharf, Aki is known for its authentic Goan and South Indian dishes. When you’re craving mango, go for the Thali king prawn curry. Deliciously fragrant, it’s simmered in a mild, delicate coconut and turmeric broth, and topped with green raw mango, snake beans and curry leaves. To keep the theme going, ask for a serve of sweet mango chutney on the side.
1/6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
Gelato Messina
When the temperatures soar, it’s traditional for Sydneysiders cool down with a swim and a scoop from Gelato Messina. Next time, go for one of the bestselling flavour combos: coconut and lychee and mango sorbet. It’s refreshing and we won’t judge you if you get two scoops! But if you’re not a fan of coconut, the regular mango sorbet is pretty perfect, too.
Pyrmont, Circular Quay, Darlinghurst, Surry Hills, Glebe, Newtown, Rosebery, Bondi, Parramatta and Miranda
Nawaz Flavour of India
Over in Glebe, Nawaz is the go-to place for classic Indian food in a fine dining setting. For your main, get the mango chicken – a sweet, creamy curry with chicken fillets, turmeric and curry leaves in a coconut mango sauce. It tastes as gourmet as it sounds. If you’re a fan of fruity desserts, try the mango kulfi. Often described as the Indian version of ice-cream, it’s dense, creamy and bursting with flavour.
142A Glebe Point Road, Glebe
