Find secret patios, cheeky menus and seasonal flavours at this culinary gem

If you prefer restaurants high on whimsy and low on pretension, you'll love the laid-back charm of Lake Inez in Little India.

Even before you step inside, the Miller High Life sign above the piano in the window, decorated with knick knacks and figurines, points to a high level of quirky. 

Step inside and the Montreal hole-in-the-wall atmosphere is electric. Natural wines, cocktails and beer flows from the taps behind the bar area, while guests seated around rustic tables peer in the candelit gloom to make out the cheeky handwritten menus.

The ethos is seasonal ingredients with an Asian spin, but Lake Inez isn't restrained by any one style of cuisine. Whether you're ordering lobster crudo with a spicy kick, pork ribs or halibut with tomatillos, the small-but-mighty menu packs a punch. 

Lake Inez's Mystery Patio is the stuff of legend. Every summer, the coveted spots sell out in minutes. Set a reminder on Instagram, pray to the food gods, and if you manage to snag a spot, start counting down the minutes until you're dining on Jay Moore's whacky and wonderful menu al fresco.