What is Binnys Kathitto’s super power?

It’s not just me who has Binnys Kathitto on their Canberra Favourites list. Gourmet Traveller magazine have picked Binnys Kathitto for their Best Canberra Cheap Eats too. Binnys Kathitto recently featured in the 2018 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide which was published with the August 2017 issue.

So what’s so special at Binnys Kathitto?

It could be Binnys Kathitto’s special focus on the lesser known South Indian foods that can be hard to find on menus.

Majeesh who creates in the kitchen, is from Kottayam Kerala. He’s an expert at cooking appams, puttu, idyappam, Kerala parotta, moilee, aviyal, pollichathu and so much more!

It could be the joy of watching Binny and Rose’s journey from Hamlet Pop-Up food van to their bricks and mortar home on Lonsdale Street and to now go on to receive their well deserved Gourmet Traveller honour.

Or perhaps it’s the warm South Indian hospitality of the team and cute and lively decor.

But at the end of the day, I think Binnys Kathitto’s super power has got to be the great food!

What’s special on the menu?

I love the South Indian breads and rice based sides so I’ve always got to start my order there.

 Meals for One

If you are ordering meals to eat individually, then I say go for one of the $19 dish and side combos. These include the breads and rice based sides. They are great value because you don’t need to add on the extras. However, they can be harder to share with a group than the larger gravies and grills.

My favourite combo so far has been the Erachi Puttu with Chicken Curry $19 – a steamed rice cake layered with meat masala, along with pappadum and served with a curry. I love the puttu. (Gluten Free)

The Lemon Rice and Meen Molee Curry is also excellent!

Binnys’ dish uses spice crusted barramundi flavoured with a turmic & coconut molee (curry) served with lemon rice, crispy lentils, smashed peanuts & green chili. (Gluten Free)

Idiyappam are a Kerala style spring hopper pancakes are made of fine ground raw rice and grated coconut. Binnys serves them with a curry made of slow cooked goat with coconut milk gravy.  You might instead choose the spiced mixed vegetable style curry instead. (Gluten Free)

The Kerala Parotta is always delicious. Keralans make these flat breads from wheat flour and Binnys serves them with a Kerala style curry, cooked with fried red chilli and curry leaves.

There’s also other good vegetarian options:

• Mumbai’s famous Pav Bhaji $16 – a spicy curry of mixed vegetables (bhaji) cooked in a special blend of spices and served with soft bread pav (bun) shallow fried in butter
• Puri with Masala – $17 is deep fried, puff, wheat flour bread served with a spiced potato curry
• Sri Lankan like Nadan Kothu Parotta (Vegetarian) $17 that is a parotta chopped and mixed with egg, and your choice of chicken, beef and mixed vegetables.

Meals to share

If you’re ordering dishes to share, its better to order dishes and add breads and rice based sides. This makes sure there’s enough for everyone can taste a range of flavours.

The Kanava Roast $23 is very good.  Majeesh cooks the squid in traditional Kerala spice with ginger, fried chilles, onions, tomato and squeeze of lemon. The Kerala Parotta cost $4 each. I love the tender squid and it goes well with the parotta.

The Tharavu Curry $23 is another favourite. Majeesh cooks the duck in coconut milk with green chilli, ginger and spices flavoured with curry leaves. It goes well with appam – a Kerala style hopper pancake made of fine ground raw rice and grated coconut, $3 each. Binnys Kathitto serves a very generous serve of well flavoured duck meat that falls off the bone.

The Meen Pollichathu is a little pricier but well worth it! (Gluten Free) $29 – Whole fish flavored with turmeric, lemon juice and red chillies, sealed in banana leaf and grilled. This really is an authentic Kerala dish.

The Avial is another classic Kerala dish full of vegetables $18.

And while it looks tricky to share, the Masala Dosa actually makes a great value entree because everyone can pull off a piece.

Masala Dosa $16 – a crepe wrapped around a savory filling of mashed potatoes, onions, crackled mustard seeds, and tempered spices with sambar and coconut and tomato chutneys.

I once even spied this clever Binnys Kathitto take on the famous Indian street food snacks  Pani Puri shots!

More details

Entertainment Book Discount

Good news for Canberra Entertainment Book holders, Binny’s now offers a 25% discount up to $30.

BYO

Binny’s offers BYO wine at $10 corkage a bottle however it is also licensed.

Location

5 Lonsdale Street, Braddon
Canberra 2612, Australia

 02 51002044

Opening Hours