Let’s be honest: there is nothing quite as awkward as a “modern Australian” dinner where everyone orders one tiny, separate plate and spends the night staring longingly at what their neighbor is eating.
At Oh Ya!, we believe food should be a conversation. On the Mornington Peninsula, where life moves a little slower and the vibes are all about connection, Indian cuisine is the ultimate “social glue.” It’s messy, it’s colorful, and it’s designed to be right in the middle of the table—not tucked away on a single plate.
The Magic of the “Family-Style” Table
In India, “sharing” isn’t a trend; it’s the default setting. When you walk into our space in Mornington, the goal is to create a feast that looks like a masterpiece and tastes like home.
Why group dining works so well here:
- Zero “Order Envy”: When the whole table shares, you get to taste everything.
- The Spice Spectrum: We can adjust the heat of each dish so your “extra mild” friend and your “chilli-obsessed” cousin are both happy.
- Dietary-Friendly by Default: Whether someone is vegan, gluten-free, or a total non-vegetarian, the Indian menu has a seat for everyone.
The “Icebreakers”: Shared Starters
The best way to kick off a night at Oh Ya! is with a spread of starters that disappear in seconds.
- Samosas: The ultimate handheld comfort food. Perfect for splitting while you catch up on the week’s news.
- Chicken Tikka: Smoky, charred, and tender. It’s the dish that gets everyone’s appetite Revved up.
- Papri Chaat: A crunchy, tangy street-food classic layered with spiced chickpeas, whipped yogurt, and zesty tamarind.
- Chilli Chicken: Crispy chicken tossed with crunchy peppers and onions in a spicy, tangy Indo-Chinese sauce.
The Main Event: Curries for the Crowd
The secret to a perfect group order is balance. You want a mix of textures and “vibe levels.”
- The Crowd-Pleaser: You can’t skip the Butter Chicken. It’s the creamy, velvet-smooth anchor that everyone loves.
- The Hearty Choice: Dal Makhani or a rich Lamb Rogan Josh adds that deep, slow-cooked soul to the table.
- The Green Factor: Palak Paneer brings a pop of color and a fresh, earthy balance to the richer gravies.
The “Bread Basket” Strategy
If you aren’t fighting over the last piece of Garlic Naan, are you even dining out? At Oh Ya!, our breads are the “utensils.” There is a specific kind of joy in using a piece of fluffy, buttered naan to scoop up the last bit of sauce from a shared bowl.
Why Mornington Chooses “Oh Ya!”
Mornington is a community that loves a good story and a great meal. We’ve designed our restaurant to be a place where the laughter is loud, the portions are generous, and the hospitality feels like a warm welcome from an old friend.
Whether it’s a birthday, a Friday night catch-up after a beach day, or a massive family reunion, the food at Oh Ya! tells its own delicious story.
The Bottom Line: Don’t just book a table; book an experience.
Ready to get the group together? Click here to book your table at Oh Ya! Mornington and let’s get the feast started.