Overview
A breezy new Sri Lankan restaurant has arrived in Surry Hills, taking over a two-storey space to bring a fun and fresh dining experience to the area. Kurumba comes from the crew behind The Fold in Dulwich Hill, which closed down earlier in 2023. The end of that chapter led to the being of this one, with the team moving to Surry Hills to open an ambitious new multi-space venue.
"As much as we loved the community of Dulwich Hill, our dream was always to open up a restaurant and wine bar, and we felt that Surry Hills would help us achieve our dream," says Kurumba General Manager Travin De Hoedt.
Upstairs, you'll find the dining room that spotlights traditional Sri Lankan eats while mixing things up with the addition of Sydney menu staples like Sydney rock oysters, Western Australian lobster and smoked brisket. Downstairs, there's a casual bar where you can snack on hoppers over a glass of top-notch wine.
"We really loved the concept of blending a wine bar with our cuisine. It felt like something no other Sri Lankan restaurant was doing," continues De Hoedt.
"We're very fortunate to have some amazing suppliers that give us the ability to have fun with the drinks list, going for wines that people wouldn't expect to go with Sri Lankan food, and craft cocktails using Sri Lankan spirits like Ceylon Arrack and Colombo 7 Gin that surprise and delight."
Highlights from the main dining room include smoked brisket pan rolls, kajugama tiger prawns in a chilli cashew butter and crispy pork belly curry. If you're okay with splurging a little, Kurumba's signature dish is the lobster kottu — a chopped roti, vegetable and lobster-head curry.
The set menu is a great way to attack the meal, especially if you're in a group. The $85 per person option runs through the pan rolls, hot butter soft-shell crab, three different curries and tempered cauliflower, all paired with hoppers and rice. Or you can go big with the $125 premium menu, adding the signature lobster kottu and oysters topped with calamansi, coconut water and coriander root to the fold.
If you've got the space, there's only one way to round out your meal at Kurumba. While there are a few desserts on offer, the falluda soft serve is a must-try, adding rose syrup, crystallised pistachio and crispy vermicelli to the nostalgic sweet treat.
You'll find Kurumba at 555 Crown Street, Surry Hills — open 5.30–11pm Tuesday–Thursday, 12–11pm Friday–Saturday and 12–4pm Sunday. Head to the restaurant's website to browse the full menu and make a reservation.