Dessous

Down a flight of stairs on Flinders Lane. Moody, dim, lit by the seductive glow of table lamps. Dessous isn’t just shaking up flawless drinks—it’s firing out some of the most thrilling, border-blurring bar food in the CBD. Those haunting this subterranean space know the drill: start with a round of briny, perfect octopus gildas before diving into char-grilled squid humming with sambal and salted egg aioli. Cocktail hounds pack the intimate tables for the expertly balanced pours, but stay for the kitchen's unapologetic funk and heat. Tamarind-laced barra collars giving serious som tam energy. Minced duck curry. Addictive larb fries. It’s a riot of complex, punchy flavors wrapped in a deeply romantic vibe. The floor staff move with effortless grace even on a chaotic Friday night, intuitively splitting a rich mushroom coconut broth for the table. Finish the night with a miso caramel crème brûlée. A total culinary mic drop.