By The Sea Fish n Chips & Burgers — Restaurant in Kiama

India By Night @ By The Sea: A 5-Star Culinary Journey in Kiama

Tucked away in Kiama’s Terralong Street, By The Sea is more than a dining spot; it’s a canvas where culinary artistry meets local charm. By day, this beloved local takeaway serves a plethora of sumptuous dishes. But come nightfall, especially on the third Thursday of each month and other days for exclusive group bookings, it undergoes a magical transformation. This metamorphosis reveals “India by Night @ By The Sea,” an event that redefines the essence of Indian culinary tradition with a modern twist.

The Maestros Behind the Magic: At the heart of this transformation are Chef Deepanshu Vij, affectionately known as Deep, and his wife Mridul Anand, or Rid. Deep’s culinary voyage from the bustling streets of India to the sophisticated kitchens of the UAE, and then to the local favorite JJ's, has been a journey of relentless passion and creativity. His dishes at By The Sea are a testament to this rich journey. Rid, the epitome of grace and hospitality, orchestrates the dining experience with an impeccable charm, making each guest feel like royalty.

Our Culinary Expedition:

Amuse Bouche: Aam Panna: A traditional Indian drink that set my palate alight with its perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness, prepping me for the culinary delights ahead. Paapdi Chaat: A street food marvel transformed into a gourmet experience, bursting with fresh, zesty flavors.

Soup: Tamatar Tulsi Ka Shorba: A velvety concoction of tomato and basil, this soup was a heartwarming revelation, breaking away from the norm found in Indian menus.

Entrée: Afghani Chicken Tikka: Each bite of this yogurt and cream marinated chicken was a journey through smoky and aromatic flavors – a celestial version of the classic tikka. Lamb Seekh Kebab: A symphony of spiced lamb, herbs, and spices that melted in my mouth, leaving a lingering desire for just one more bite.

Main Course: Butter Chicken: An innovative take on the traditional recipe, packed with unexpected flavors. Bhuna Ghost: A slow-cooked lamb dish that was a romantic storytelling of spices. Khadai Paneer: A vegetarian’s delight, rich, and satisfying, even for the ardent carnivores.

Sides: Steamed Basmati Rice and Home Made Bread: The perfect complements to the main dishes, each adding its unique flavor and texture.

Dessert: Meethi Sewaiyaan: A sweet vermicelli pudding that whisked me back to the fond memories of childhood desserts, but with an Indian twist.

Each course was a unique exploration, beautifully curated and presented. The harmony of traditional flavors with modern culinary techniques made for a memorable dining adventure.

Final Thoughts: Dining at India By Night @ By The Sea is not merely a meal; it’s an extraordinary experience. The combination of Deep's remarkable culinary skills and Rid's warm hospitality, along with their excellent team, creates an atmosphere of luxury and comfort. For an unmatched and memorable dining experience, this event is a must-visit for anyone seeking a unique epicurean adventure in Kiama.

India By Night @ By The Sea stands out as a symphony of exquisite tastes and impeccable hospitality, meriting a rating that exceeds even the 5-star scale. It’s more than just a pop-up restaurant; it's a culinary adventure waiting to be discovered, offering a journey that transcends...

We dined at By the sea yesterday afternoon after a long day of travelling and we were famished. The biggest thing that stood out from the time we entered was the genuine hospitality and just outstanding service we were given.

We had one famished indian vegetarian with us and he absolutely loved the dhal and tandoori garlic naan.

We thoroughly enjoyed the chicken biryani, and the butter chicken too. On that note I should say that the indian food here isn't your stock standard indian restaurant recipe with that generic feel. The indian food was so pleasantly nice because it was the same style of food that we make ourselves when we make the effort to have guests over as 2nd gen Indians. Authentic in every aspect, especially the tandoori foods.

We enjoyed our first dishes so much that we ordered the tandoori seekh kababs, the chicken curry and also a chicken burger! The kebabs were so beautifully spiced, it reminded me of my own mum's home tandoori spices. So different to the generic indian restaurant marinades, but so so delicious and enjoyable. The tandoori rotis were divine and the home made mint chutney was perfect with the lamb kebabs and matched really well with the chicken too! The indian food had nice spice and wasn't overly chilli which we really appreciated.

The owner was so nice and genuinely gave us such wonderful service, he really went the extra mile.

For lunch today I reheated the leftover kebabs in the oven and made a wrap out of the roti with some salad, yoghurt and the mint chutney. Wow!! Just so delicious!

Next time I'll be tempted to try some seafood too.

I can sincerely recommend that you give this place a try, at least for some unusually authentic home style indian if...

I came here with my husband and in laws due to the reviews and it's so hard to find a good fish and chips restaurant! So definitely had high expectations.

The service provided by the staff member/chef was basic and transactional. Personally, I felt he was cold and uninviting.

I ordered 2 fish and chips plus the seafood basket and 2 soft drinks. Later we ordered 2 tomato sauce and 2 aioli sauce as they mentioned it was extra but I returned 1 unopened aioli sauce a few minutes after receiving it as we realised we could share and the sauce was plenty enough for 4 people.

Prices for food acceptable.

I am not a fan of fish and chips so I rate the food mediocre. Husband is better rater and he said for fish and chips, this place is pretty good so he made me change from 3 stars for food to 4/5.

Price for sauce $1 each I believe. I only took 3 and I returned 1 and the staff member continued to charge me for 4 when I initially informed him I only used 2 tomato sauce and 1 aioli sauce. That was disappointing and I paid anyway. In my opinion, I don't believe I had to pay $1 extra as we didn't open it hence didn't use it.

In a nutshell, this gal with her penny pinching purse tendencies and extreme talent to save money, I would not like to come back here due to the service. Happy to say go try it out if someone wants a feed in the area but I will also plug him my disappointments with the place.

Warm...