Mate's Table
Subscribe
Create
Share with the community

What would you like to make?

Add a recommendationShare a place worth gathering around.Create a guideBuild a useful list for your city.
For business

Restaurant

AK’s

2 Phillip Law St, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

Recommended by 0 people

Updated

Find AK’s

2 Phillip Law St, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

Directions ↗
HoursMonday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About AK’s

For serious Southeast Asian comfort in New Acton, head straight down the alleyway to AK’s. It's homestyle Malaysian-Tamil cooking—unpretentious, hot, and built for an honest appetite. City workers regularly bypass standard desk sandwiches for combo plates piled with crisp fried chicken, dhal, and a spoonful of house sambal. The chicken korma yields to a fork, ready to be mopped clean with roti before winding down over a frothy teh tarik. Between orders, owner AK works the floor himself, bantering with diners at the alley tables and dropping off pickled cucumbers on the house.

  • Homestyle Malaysian-Tamil Plates: Generous combos pairing chicken korma or crunchy fried chicken with earthy dhal sambar and rice.
  • Owner-Led Hospitality: Chef-owner AK works the tables personally, greeting diners and sharing complimentary pickled cucumbers.
  • Fresh Roti & Teh Tarik: Flaky house roti, curry puffs, and sweet, frothy teh tarik round out the meal.
RestaurantRestaurant

What's On at AK’s

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose AK’s

Discover homestyle Malaysian-Tamil curries, generous combos, and genuine alleyway hospitality—plan your visit to New Acton today.

  • Crispy Fried Chicken and Rich Dhal Sambar

    AK’s pairs crisp fried chicken with rich, slow-simmered dhal sambar, chicken korma, and flaky roti, delivering robust Malaysian-Tamil cooking on a hearty combination plate.

    The crispy fried chicken paired with the rich, hearty dhal was an absolute match made in heaven

    Jessica L

  • Mastery of Herbs and Deeply Balanced Spices

    Each dish showcases authentic spice blends cooked to deep perfection, providing punchy Southeast Asian recipes without unnecessary fuss or shortcuts.

    AK is the maestro of herbs, spices and cooking to perfection so that you enjoy the maximum flavour with the minimum fuss.

    Tim Conway

  • A Satisfying Alternative to Workday Sandwiches

    For New Acton workers tired of standard lunchtime fare, AK’s dishes out hot, generous two-curry combos that provide a welcome break from desk sandwiches.

    super grateful I can have something other than sandwiches for lunch.

    Marilyn

  • Fast Alleyway Dining and Convenient Takeaway

    Whether stepping away for a quick break or settling into outdoor alleyway seating, diners receive generous, piping-hot lunch portions served without delay.

    Great spot to grab a quick lunch, either takeout or to eat at the tables in the alleyway.

    Gregory Cohen

  • Soul-Nourishing Comfort Food

    Rich, soul-warming gravies and aromatic curries evoke the deep nostalgia of a home kitchen, turning a stressful day into an instant comfort fix.

    A slice of home in every bite!

    Apurva Shetty

  • Heartfelt Owner-Led Hospitality

    Owner-chef AK anchors the dining room with genuine care, chatting with customers, busing tables, and frequently sharing complimentary house-pickled cucumbers.

    The owner AK was super kind and offered us pickled cucumbers with our meal and was super friendly.

    Lauren Joy

Customer favourites and homestyle Malaysian-Tamil staples at AK’s

  • Dhal Sambar

    The crispy fried chicken paired with the rich, hearty dhal was an absolute match made in heaven—perfectly satisfying my craving for something crunchy.

    Jessica L

  • Chicken Curry

    Got the chicken curry and dhal with rice - so good.

    Mr Momo

  • Roti

    We also picked up some curry puffs and roti to take home, and everything was full of authentic flavour.

    Jessica L

  • Chicken Kurma

    I've tried their Chicken Peratal, Cauliflower Masala and Chicken Kurma and oof! - they absolutely melt in your mouth.

    Apurva Shetty

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality, personal floor presence, and homemade touches create an inviting escape—plan your visit to New Acton to experience them firsthand.

  • Personal Chef Check-Ins

    Owner-chef AK regularly emerges from the kitchen to chat directly with diners and clear tables during busy service.

  • Complimentary Pickled Cucumbers

    Guests are frequently treated to unprompted, complimentary servings of tangy pickled cucumbers alongside their curries.

  • Husband-and-Wife Hosting

    Run by a dedicated husband-and-wife duo, service is infused with genuine, family-style attentiveness that eases midday work stress.

  • Alleyway Seating and Upbeat Vibes

    Diners can eat outdoors at laneway tables surrounded by upbeat tunes and personal cultural nods like the venue's Tamil tagline.

Explore more places in Canberra

Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Canberra.

Discover more in Canberra

Explore another side of the city's food and drink.

Browse all Canberra venues