Hopper Joint

Overview

Located just a few doors down from Entrecôte, Hopper Joint – the Sri Lankan restaurant in Prahran from Jason M Jones (Caboodle & Co and Entrecôte) and designer Braham Perera – champions the humble hopper. These light and crispy bowl-shaped pancakes are a staple of Sri Lankan cuisine.

At Hopper Joint, they're made to order in the 80-seat restaurant's open kitchen, giving diners a chance to see the dedication and skill that goes into constructing these delicate shells.

Head Chef Ronith Victor Arlikatti (ex-Sunda and Marion) leans on the experience of Perera, Jones and Jason Rodwell (Executive Chef of Caboodle & Co) to create a carefully considered food offering. They have adapted family recipes handed down through generations, deciding when to stay traditional and when to add more contemporary flourishes.

Apart from hoppers, there's also a tight selection of curries, sambols, street food snacks and desserts.

The team has worked hard to infuse the dining experience with Sri Lankan culture beyond what's on the plate. Punters are encouraged to eat with their hands, and are directed to the communal washbasin and a commissioned artwork by Edwina Thomson illustrating the 'how-to' of eating hoppers.

Each table also gets an antique brass bell, a nod to Sri Lankan customs, that, if misused, incurs a 'fine'. Ring the bell when it's inappropriate (to be honest, we aren't entirely sure what constitutes an appropriate time for ringing it), and you'll be asked to donate some cash to a charity of Hopper Joint's choosing.

Perera has designed the space, which feels like stepping into a traditional colonial bungalow high up in the Tea Country of southern Sri Lanka. It's filled with rattan seating and fans, amber glassware and chandeliers, timber shutters, and blood-red cork floors.

Jones and Perera have been working on Hopper Joint for over eight years, spending this time collecting decor as well as fine-tuning the menu and atmosphere they've been wanting to get just right.

Hopper Joint can be found at 157 Greville Street, Prahran, open Monday–Thursday from 5pm till late, and
Friday–Sunday from 12–2.45pm and 5pm till late. For more information, head to the venue's website.

Images: Annika Kafcaloudi