Bamiyan

It might lie in a dark and sleepy pocket of Five Dock, but even on school nights this place is rocking. The cottage housing one of Sydney’s few Afghan restaurants is decorated inside with earthy tones and wall-mounted rugs. The extensive menu holds plenty of interest and shows influences from Greece, Persia, India and Mongolia. Sticky beef dumplings are coated in a yoghurt and mint sauce, and samosas are mildly spiced and grease free. Boneless chicken gets added body from chickpeas in a creamy korma, while lamb kurooti is fragrant with cardamom. Starch options galore help with sauce-mopping.