Known for utilising fresh ingredients, from fabulous fish and veggies to zesty lemon juice, Lebanese cuisine combines all the staples of a nutritious meal. However, the magic is how those elements are combined in classic middle-eastern dishes.
Our passion for Hummus is the perfect example. Lebanese cuisine has transformed the humble chickpea into an addictively flavoursome dip that is today an essential part of any party spread or picnic basket. (And yes. We are well aware that the Greek, Turks and Egyptians all also claim creation rights to Hummus, but you know what we mean!).
Whether you’re in the mood for a meaty and filling dinner date, or fancy grabbing a light salad for lunch with a friend, Lebanese restaurants have a dish for every occasion.
But where can you find these treat-filled establishments, you ask? Well, if you’re in the Harbour City, wonder no more. We’ve got you covered with the best Lebanese restaurants in Sydney.
Location: 529 Elizabeth Street, Surrey Hills, NSW 2010 Ph: (02) 9318 2228
First up on our look at the top Lebanese restaurants in Sydney is this sleek and modern restaurant.
The team at Zahli Restaurant serve dishes inspired by traditional Lebanese food, given a modern twist.
The menu has a wide array of delicious dishes, ranging from their unique Signature Tabbouli to their golden Fried Whitebait.
Our favourite menu item was their Zahli Banquet, which can be shared between four or more people.
The banquet comprises of five mouthwatering courses, each of which showcases the restaurant’s signature dishes. It’s got all the meat you could ask for, heaps of refreshingly light seafood, and a crunchy pastry dessert.
This restaurant has the most incredible interior. Sit at delightfully simple light wooden tables and soak up the glorious light that streams in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Pinkish tones along the walls and ceilings are complemented by indoor greenery. It all combines to sooth you into a state of readiness for some fresh food.
The Mezze selection is to die for. Choose between locally sourced freshly shucked Oysters with a fragrant Rose Mignonette, and a Wagyu Skewer served with Armenian Pickled Cucumber.
Or, don’t make that tough decision and just order both! That’s what we did, anyway. What’s great about this place is that it is up to date with modern trends and offers a bottomless brunch on Sundays.
Enjoy the spices and traditional flavours of Lebanese cuisine alongside an endless flow of French rosé or Aperol Spritz. We can’t think of a better way to finish off the weekend.
Next on our list of the best Lebanese restaurants in Sydney is a lovely family-run eatery. Pleasingly, Kadmus dedicates itself not only to providing exquisite Lebanese cuisine, but also to helping the community.
On the Kadmus menu you will find all your favourite Lebanese dishes, including three different types of Hummus and steaming Skewers.
What’s more, there is an array of vegan-friendly and gluten-free options, so that everyone can enjoy their food.
The best things about this restaurant are the friendly atmosphere, and the affordable prices. You can dine like royals on their various banquets, and at a fraction of the cost of other restaurants.
This family-run venue has been going for over thirty years, so you’d expect it to be good. It serves amazing home-style dishes made from recipes that have been passed down through generations of their family.
Their flavours are authentic and refreshing, and provide the customers with the full Lebanese experience. If you are looking for truly traditional Lebanese food, The Prophet should be top of your list.
Fill your boots with Shish Kebab and Shawarma; the latter is marinated in a concoction of wine and herbs. Needless to say, it tastes delectable.
There are so many tempting dishes to choose from, so if you can’t make up your mind, opt for a Mezza. This is a great way to sample a combination of their starters and mains.
Nada’s restaurant has a great vibe. It’s casual and cool, but still provides an authentic Lebanese feel. Our favourite thing about this place is that you can bring your own booze.
Forget overpriced restaurant bottles of wine, and bring a crate of your favorite beers to enjoy throughout the night.
Their Hummus and Babaganoush come in three different sizes, meaning you can order to your mood and levels of hunger.
Apart from these classic dips, Nada’s serves a long list of vegetarian dishes, and an extensive selection of authentic meat-based meals – so there’s something for everyone.
For an incredibly reasonable price, you and your friends can share a Super Special Banquet. This feast includes 3 sides, 7 main courses, coffee and desserts.
This restaurant is open every single evening, from 6pm ‘til 10pm, and is a perfect place to spend any night of the week.
Location: Level LG, Harbourside, The Star Sydney, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, NSW 2009 Ph: 1800 700 700
Bar Tikram is a no-booking walk-in restaurant that serves a selective menu full of Lebanese delight.
For your main course, you could have wood-fired Lamb Shoulder served with a sweet and fresh Mint Yoghurt, or locally sourced Fish accompanied by Tahini and Lemon. There are so many tasty options.
The best thing about Bar Tikram, in our opinion, is the extensive drinks menu. Tikram’s signature cocktails include the Turkish Delight; a vodka-based cocktail full of coconut water and rose infusions.
Plus, if you’re the designated driver – or a non-drinker by choice – you can still enjoy some tasty beverages from their non-alcoholic section. Now that’s the kind of consideration that we like to see.
Ideally located on the waterfront at Walsh Bay harbour, Jounieh provides a tasty slice of Lebanese culture, with a contemporary twist. At Jounieh, the chefs prioritise the use of fresh and local ingredients, which make their dishes delightfully fresh and flavoursome.
All of the restaurant’s amazing dishes are paired with a selection of delicious drinks, including cocktails and decadent whiskeys. However, the decor at Jounieh is the cherry on the cake.
They have designed the interior of their restaurant with their sea-side location in mind; calming blue tones are scattered throughout the inside and augment the flow of the layout.
The furniture is made from natural wood, and the floors and walls boast beautiful stone tiles. The ambience reflect the harmony of the stunning menu.
From herby Falafels to a gorgeous ‘Harbour view, this restaurant has it all.
Location: 116 Marion Street, Leichhardt, NSW, 2040 Ph: (02) 8084 2692 Check Online for Further Locations
This next entry in our take on the best Lebanese restaurants in Sydney is a favourite of locals and tourists alike. The dining setting is simple and bright, which allows the tantalisingly fresh food to take centre stage.
The menu features cold and hot Mezza, hand-crafted pastries, salads, grill dishes, seafood, rice and more.
The dish we would recommend is the Barramundi Plate, which has both fresh fish and prawn skewers. It comes with a crispy Greek salad and chips.
What more could you ask for? If you’re worried about taking kids with slightly less mature palates, Jasmin1 also has a little section on the menu for children.
You little ones can enjoy chicken nuggets, a mini skewer, or grilled chicken – all served with chips – while you tuck into something a little more herbaceous.
Next up is a restaurant that claims to be Sydney’s first ever modern Lebanese restaurant. While we cannot vouch for that statement, we can vouch for the amazing quality of their food.
The head chef at Arabella moved from Lebanon to Sydney nearly twenty years ago, and brought all his authentic culinary knowledge to the city. On Fridays and Saturdays, you can get Banquet Meals for six or more people to share, making it a perfect weekend treat for you and your friends.
If you don’t like sharing your food, that’s fine! Their menu also offers all the traditional Lebanese dishes that the country has become famous for.
Plus, Arabella has concocted some Lebanese-inspired sushi and sashimi dishes for all you sushi lovers.
Location: 139 Concord Road, North Strathfield, Sydney, NSW, 2137
Last, but certainly not least, is Little Beirutee. From Tabouleh, to Hummus, to Falafels, this cute restaurant delivers all your traditional Lebanese food of dreams.
What’s more, they have also developed some innovative dishes with their roots in Lebanese cuisine. For example, like their Lahme B Ajeen with Jeben, which is essentially a regular pizza made with Lebanese ingredients and tastes.
It’s open from 6:30am to 2:30pm every single day, so is perfect for a light lunch – or even breakfast.
Whether you’re up early and fancy a savoury treat, or are still out on the town at 6:30am from the night before and need to fill your stomach with goodness, Little Beirutee is the place to go.
Editor’s Note: Sadly, we’ve heard that Little Beirutee is currently closed. We will let you know when we learn more. As this is the case, check out this review instead…
Location: 183 Waterloo Rd, Greenacre, NSW 2190 Ph: (02) 9758 6744 See Website For Locations
If you’re serious about dining in the top Lebanese restaurants in Sydney, then you are probably familiar with the Al Seel Restaurant chain.
Dishing up both traditional, authentic favourites and some modern spins on the classic, Al Aseel is popular for obvious reasons.
Whether you prefer to grill on a BBQ, or in the kitchen on an easy-to-clean appliance, we have all kinds of cooking equipment for every home gourmet. See here for more information and prices.
Be warned. Whether you go to the Al Aseel Greenacre, the Al Aseel Alexandria, the Al Alseel Castle Hill or any of their other 4 outlets, they are always busy. And the menu is extensive.
Our go tos include the Arnabeet – fragrant, cumin-spiced cauliflower florets with dukkah and tahini dipping sauce and the Shish Barak – lamb mince dumplings served with coriander, yoghurt, garlic butter, pine nuts and rice.
If you find the a la carte overwhelming – and we don’t blame you! – order the Feast. At $59 pp it’ll give you a substantial meal and a taste of some of the best dishes from the huge menu. What more could you want?
Location: MLC Centre, Shop 7.07-7.08/25 Martin Pl, Sydney, NSW 2000 Ph: (02) 9182 5880.
Dishes from the Middle East and North Africa – and, of course – Lebanon are re-imagined in sophisticated fine dining restaurant AALIA.
Everything about this eatery is sublime. From the stunning interior design featuring curved wooden rods bending towards the ceiling like the frilly underside of a mushroom, to the excellent service and fabulous food.
But then, as this is the cosmopolitan sister to Nour Restaurant in Surry Hills (see above), we’re not surprised. Personally, you could leave us with the Mezze menu, and we’d be in 7th heaven. There’s smoked buffalo labneh with beetroot molasses (as colourful as it sounds) and eggplant mes’a’ha with spiced tomato. Meanwhile, the bone marrow, chermoula and iskender shows exactly why this once discarded off cut has become a darling of chefs the world over.
Already the recipient of 2 Hats from the Australian Good Food Guide, AALIA is definitely one of the top Lebanese restaurants in Sydney.
When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
