Enter Via Laundry: A Refined, Story-Driven Indian Feast in Carlton North

Just like its menu—an exploration of India’s lesser-known regional cuisines—this intimate 20-seat restaurant has charted an impressive journey.

Helly Raichura, the chef-owner, began by hosting small 10-person degustations at her home in Box Hill before taking her concept on the road with pop-up events. A guest judging spot on MasterChef in 2020 catapulted her into the national spotlight, generating a waitlist in the thousands. In 2022, Enter Via Laundry found its permanent home in Carlton North.

From Living Room to Nawabi Banquet

The experience begins in a warmly styled faux living room with welcome drinks, before guests are ushered to either private front tables or communal seating in the back, designed to spark conversation. The degustation menu (from $122 per person) is a journey through time, inspired by 17th-century Mughlai cuisine—lavish dishes once savoured by the nawabs, semi-autonomous rulers of the Mughal empire.

Dishes You’ve Never Heard of, But Won’t Forget

Expect intricately plated courses served on hand-painted crockery from Jaipur—like truffled artichoke sheermal topped with quail egg kebabs and paneer, or kangaroo pasanda with parsnip, riberries and edible silver.

A standout is the parindey mussallam—a layered marvel Raichura unearthed in historical texts. It features an egg inside a quail, inside a chicken, inside a duck, served with besan roti and house-made pickles. It’s part spectacle, part scholarship, all delicious.

Matching Wines, Thoughtful Touches

A curated wine list supports the menu, with pairings selected by sommelier and wine educator Ben Knight available to elevate the experience. Service is warm, curious, and deeply informed.

An Interior That Speaks Volumes

The dining room reflects Enter Via Laundry’s cross-cultural ethos. A bold work by Pintupi artist Debra McDonald Nangala commands attention, surrounded by handmade ceramics from Melbourne’s Andrei Davidoff, marble accents from Agra, and metal serveware from Gujarat. It’s a space where art, food and heritage intersect.