Chilli Daddy

You're on Baldwin Street in the city centre, and you've spotted the red signage of Chilli Daddy. Inside, it's unpretentious and buzzing—the kind of place where locals outnumber tourists, and the staff actually know their stuff. The menu reads like a love letter to Sichuan province: numbing peppercorns, chilli oil that coats your mouth in the best way, and dishes that taste like someone's grandmother is in the kitchen fighting for authenticity. Portions are generous, prices won't break you, and they don't dumb things down for British palates. This is the real deal.