Thai Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
164 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Tuesday – Saturday, 5pm – late
Menu Reservations Events and Functions
About Gallery Gift Vouchers
03 9070 4939 info@dessous.com.au
Located in the heart of the city on Flinders Lane, Dessous is a Thai restaurant and cocktail bar in the basement of the historic Richard Allen & Son building.
An underground bar like no other. Old World decor meets a new wave of Thai-accented cuisine alongside signature cocktails.
The perfect subterranean spot to linger late. Perch at the long marble-topped bar or sink into a booth and enjoy an intimate space of moody shadows and lamplight, bright flavours and vibrant music.
Guided by Thai flavours and Australian seasonal ingredients, Chef Dan Sawansak’s menu offers something for all appetites, from punchy one-bite snacks to shared mains and elegant little desserts. Join us for Cocktail Hour specials, a sumptuous Chef’s set menu or late night snack menu featuring a few of our favourites — perfect indulgent finish to a long evening.
To drink? Our signature cocktails change with the seasons, complementing the food with a few surprise twists such as highlighting fresh and preserved produce from our farm, Common Ground Project. Sweet or savoury, boozy or booze-free, you’ll find something to enjoy with us. And we’re always happy to make you the classics on request.
On our wine list, you can always find a mix of approachable, fun wines and local producers alongside cult bottles and unfamiliar varietals. We like to change it up. Enjoy what you love or try something new.
Chef Dan Sawansak leads the kitchen, drawing on years of experience in restaurants in Melbourne and abroad. He spent five years at MoVida before travelling overseas and working in kitchens in Norway and Hong Kong. Upon returning to Melbourne, he took the position of head chef at Higher Ground and moved across to open Dessous in October 2019. Dan’s cooking style is inspired by his Thai upbringing and international travels, expressing his authentic identity and well-honed technique in every dish.
If you require an accessible entrance, please get in touch with us at info@dessous.com.au
The interior is both minimal and attentive, featuring a warm assembly of low lights, marble, plush velvet and deep greys and greens – the perfect atmosphere for your next function.
The space can be set in multiple arrangements to create a unique event, with the ability to accommodate groups ranging from intimate gatherings to a corporate lunch or dinner.
We have a number of different set menu and canape options available or can tailor a menu to suit your needs. Dessous allows guests to explore and enjoy the beauty of the entire space.
FOOD
PACIFIC OYSTER, FERMENTED CHILLI DRESSING – 6.5 EA
CGP SEASONAL CRUDITÉ, LON – 12
ABROLHOS ISLAND XL SCALLOP, CARAMELISED PORK CHEEK, FINGER LIME – 12
GLOBE ARTICHOKE, SWEET SOY SAUCE, SHALLOT, GARLIC – 6
PICKLED SPRING BAY MUSSELS, CHILLI COD ROE, CRISPS – 11
TARO FRITTER, SALTED PLUM SAUCE – 6.5
SPANNER CRAB DONUT, SRIRACHA, SALMON CAVIAR – 19
POTATO ROSTI, LARB SPICED TUNA TARTARE – 11
CHAR-GRILLED SQUID, SAMBAL, SALTED EGG AIOLI, POTATO BREAD – 30
OX TONGUE SKEWER, GREEN PAPAYA AND TOMATILLO SALAD, PEANUTS – 22
ROASTED BONE MARROW, STICKY RICE, THAI HERB SALAD – 24
GRILLED PORK JOWL, GREEN MANGOES, CARAMELISED SCHOOL PRAWNS – 30
BARRAMUNDI, BLUE SWIMMER CRAB, CURRY POWDER SAUCE, GARLIC CHIVES – 40
LOCAL WILD MUSHROOMS, COCONUT AND GALGANGAL BROTH – 28
BAKED VERMICELLI NOODLES, KING PRAWNS, PORK BELLY – 45
SMOKED DUCK LEG ‘HUNG LAE’ CURRY, BRAISED SHALLOTS, GINGER – 47
STIR FRIED BANANA PEPPER, GARLIC, OYSTER & BLACK VINEGAR SAUCE – 15
JASMINE RICE – 5
STICKY RICE – 5
GRILLED BANANA WITH TURMERIC, COCONUT SORBET, PEANUTS – 15
COCONUT STICKY RICE, FRESH MANGO – 15
LEAVE IT TO US! CHEFS MENU- $88 PP
GLOBE ARTICHOKE, SWEET SOY SAUCE – 6
POTATO ROSTI, FERMENTED CELERIAC – 11
LOCAL WILD MUSHROOMS, COCONUT AND GALANGAL BROTH -28
SOY MIRIN BAKED RICE, SEASONAL VEGETABLE – 28
STIR FRIED BANANA PEPPER, GARLIC, SOY & BLACK VINEGAR – 15
GREEN PAPAYA AND TOMATILLO SALAD, PEANUTS – 15
COCONUT STICKY RICE PUDDING, SEASONAL FRUIT – 15
Thank you for choosing Dessous. There are a few things to note before you book.
Reservations are for dining guests only. Bookings before 6:30pm will have a dining time of 2 hours, after which we’ll require the table back for the next sitting. Groups of 6 or more will be required to dine on our chef’s shared menu ($88 per person).
If you were looking for just a drink, we always keep the bar and a few tables aside so feel free to pop in.
10% of all profits from Dessous and venues in The Mulberry Group go back to support Common Ground Project, our regenerative farm and social enterprise.
Our food and signature cocktails are inspired by the seasonal produce delivered each week from the farm. Common Ground Project seeks to lead the way in responsible, sustainable farming practice and food systems.
Staying Grounded is one of their most important social programs, offering women from asylum seeker and immigrant communities a pathway to employment through paid training in food and hospitality. Dessous collaborated with these incredible women for Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2024 in a sold-out event showcasing their culture and culinary skills.