Culinary Maverick Gaggan Anand Touches Down in Australia for Exclusive Dining Experiences
Prepare your palates, Australia! Renowned for his avant-garde approach to Indian cuisine and a flair for the theatrical, chef Gaggan Anand is set to make his highly anticipated debut Down Under. The celebrated culinary artist, whose Bangkok establishment Gaggan has consistently been lauded as one of Asia’s finest, will be gracing both Crown Sydney and Crown Melbourne with a series of exclusive dining events spanning eight days across April and May.
Anand has carved a unique niche in the gastronomic world, pushing the boundaries of traditional Indian flavours and presentation. His Bangkok restaurant, a destination in itself, commands a significant price tag of approximately $700 per person and can feature a staggering 25 courses. Diners are accustomed to an immersive journey, where dishes are not merely food but performance art.
Among his most talked-about creations are the “rat brains,” a daringly shaped dumpling resembling a brain, served in a vivid, “bloody” beetroot sauce, and “Lick it Up,” a curry ingeniously designed to be savoured directly from the plate, eschewing cutlery altogether. This commitment to pushing culinary envelopes has earned Gaggan Restaurant the prestigious No. 1 ranking in Asia by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2025-26 and a spot within the global top 10.
A Taste of Bangkok in Sydney
The Sydney leg of Anand’s Australian tour will unfold from April 28th to May 3rd at Crown Sydney. While offering a more curated experience than its Bangkok counterpart, it promises to capture the essence of Gaggan’s innovative spirit. Guests can anticipate a meticulously crafted 12-course degustation menu, held in a sophisticated event space on Level 3 of Crown Sydney. This exclusive culinary journey will be priced at $549 per person and includes a complimentary glass of Dom Pérignon upon arrival, setting a tone of refined indulgence.
Beyond the formal degustation, a progressive lunch series will be available from May 1st to 3rd, offering a different yet equally compelling way to experience Anand’s culinary artistry. For those who might miss out on securing tickets for the main events, there’s still a chance to sample Anand’s genius. He will also be curating a special bar snack menu for the hotel’s chic rooftop venue, Cirq, which will be available throughout the month of May, providing a more casual yet flavourful encounter with his creations.
Melbourne Welcomes a Curated Culinary Symphony
Following his Sydney residency, the Michelin-starred chef will then set his sights on Melbourne, taking over the Californian-inspired restaurant Marmont at Crown Melbourne on May 7th and 8th. The Melbourne program will present a more intimate eight-course menu, carefully selected from Anand’s most iconic dishes. This culinary offering will be priced at a more accessible $295 per person. Adding another layer to the sensory experience, the menu will be accompanied by a specially curated soundtrack, a collaboration between Gaggan Anand himself and acclaimed Australian DJ Grant Smillie, promising a harmonious blend of taste and sound.
An Experience Beyond the Plate
In a statement expressing his excitement for his Australian debut, Gaggan Anand articulated his vision: “Gaggan is not just about food, it’s about an experience, and we have never cooked in Australia before. We will bring our minds, our techniques, your ingredients and our madness to your plate.” This sentiment underscores his belief that dining at Gaggan is a holistic event, engaging all senses and leaving a lasting impression.
Tickets for “Gaggan Anand live at Marmont” in Melbourne are currently available for purchase. For those eager to secure their spot at the Sydney events, tickets for “Gaggan at Crown Sydney” will go on sale from March 27th. This is a rare opportunity for Australian food enthusiasts to witness firsthand the extraordinary talent of a chef who consistently redefines the possibilities of Indian cuisine.
