The acclaimed Ministry of Crab restaurant is set to make waves in Melbourne's dining scene with its first permanent Australian outpost, following the success of two sold-out pop-up events at Crown Melbourne.
Time to get cracking, Melbourne – Ministry of Crab, helmed by celebrated chef Dharshan Munidasa, will open its doors on Flinders Lane in February 2025, bringing its signature Sri Lankan-Japanese fusion seafood dishes to the heart of Melbourne’s culinary district.
With locations in Singapore, the Maldives, Shanghai, Mumbai, Bangkok, Chengdu and Colombo, it’s safe to say the restaurant is a culinary sensation.
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Ministry of Crab will source its star ingredient – mud crab – from local supplier DK Live Seafood in Northern Australia, while Mooloolaba king prawns and fresh oysters will also feature prominently on the menu.
Diners can expect Ministry of Crab’s renowned pepper crab and garlic chilli crab dishes, alongside their signature coconut crème brûlée.
But that’s not all. In an ambitious move, Munidasa is also set to open a second restaurant, Carne Diem Grill & Bar, right next door. The luxurious avant-garde steakhouse will feature the signature, custom-built Ignis Maximus grill oven, which has the capacity to reach a whopping 750 degrees Celsius.
The menu features five cuts of Westholme Wagyu, including a T-Bone, bone-in ribeye, and Tomahawk. “The combination of extreme heat paired with the skewer suspension style of cooking ensures the steak retains the maximum amount of moisture, ensuring the steak’s tender, juicy interior and its crispy, caramelised crust creates a phenomenal, melt-in-your-mouth sensation,” says Munidasa.
Munidasa, whose original Ministry of Crab in Colombo has earned five appearances on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, brings his distinctive culinary approach that draws from his Japanese and Sri Lankan heritage.
The Melbourne venture will be operated by H&J Restaurant Group, with hospitality veterans Harsha Kumarasingha and Jayantha Warnakulasuriya at the helm.
Both new restaurants are set to open in February 2025 at 266 Flinders Lane, bringing a new luxury cuisine hotspot to the heart of the city.
Find out more about Ministry of Crab and Carne Diem Bar and Grill.
