Madhu's Brasserie Richmond

You walk into Madhu's and it feels like someone's finally got the balance right. The dining room has a proper brasserie feel — warm lighting, comfortable spacing, the kind of place you can actually hear your mate across the table. What sets this apart is the kitchen takes itself seriously; these aren't dumbed-down curries for the Richmond set. The tandoori work is precise, the breads come out properly charred, and they're not afraid of actual heat. It's the sort of spot locals keep coming back to, which the ratings reflect.