If you live in Sydney, you’re probably aware of how ethnic comedy has permeated into its culture. The harbour city houses a huge Middle Eastern population and has numerous Middle Eastern hotels serving contemporary and classic dishes.
The hotels offer cuisine from Lebanese and Turkish staples like shawarma, fried potatoes, and hummus, as well as Israeli baked goods. This article reviews the top middle eastern eateries in Sydney that you should sample.
1. Above Par
Located in the CBD, this newly renovated restaurant pairs wine and food with entertainment like DJ nights. Nevertheless, the food is usually the main highlight, with delicacies like puffy bread dipped in Turkish Olive Oil on the menu.
2. Cedrus
This restaurant returns classics with its menu of cold and hot Mezza Lebanese fish and grill. The hotel sources fresh produce, and you can start by eating their salads, then mezze and sample fresh off-the-grill meat for the main course.
3. Cubby’s Kitchen
Cubby’s kitchen is the place to be if you’re looking for a restaurant where you can cozy up and enjoy delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. The restaurant has various delicacies on its menu, from burnt sesame and sweet miso to Baba gannoush infused with eggplant.
4. Emma’s Snack Bar
The restaurant’s menu is a delicious blend of classic with a modern twist with dishes such as Moorish Chicken with shaved red onion and chicken with tangy spices being offered.
The veggie and meat banquets are out of this world; nevertheless, their dishes, like fried potatoes and cauliflower, are also to die for.
5. Henrietta
This classic restaurant offers traditional Middle Eastern dishes with unique flavours. You can expect to find delicious meals like a charcoal chicken with harissa, fried potatoes flavoured with sumac chicken, and brisket shawarma tacos on their menu.
6. Jasmin 1
This restaurant is dotted through West Sydney from Chester Hill to Leichhardt, offering mouth-watering delights like hummus. Besides the hummus, you can also get the mashawi skewer plate for $30.
7. Lebanon & Beyond
This restaurant thrives on blending the classic and modern with its murals and menu that includes delicious treats such as Lebanese sausages, garlic chicken, grilled skewers, and shawarma at affordable prices. Lebanon and Beyond also offer classic delights like El-Meishi and grilled meats.
8. Maestro & Co.
This restaurant offers classic dishes like duck borek, pastry infused with orange blossom water, and charcoal chicken with a modern twist. The Maestro and Co’s prowess lies in their grass-fed lamb dipped in aromatic spices, honey, and ginger with pomegranate prunes and molasses.
9. New Star Kebab
No Middle Eastern eatery list is complete unless it features a restaurant offering delicious kebabs. The New Star Kebab restaurant is renowned for its huge portions, authenticity, and freshness.
10. Nour
This restaurant offers traditional Lebanese dishes with a modern twist. Rather than the conventional dishes like charcoal chicken, you can opt for hay-smoked spatchcock with chilli salsa, herbs, walnuts, and sujuk stuffing.
11. Stanbuli
Located in Enmore, Stanbuli is among the most popular restaurants in Sydney, offering conventional Turkish dishes with a twist. The restaurant’s main highlight is its trendy wine list and unique take on street foods.
12. Tayim
This restaurant is built in the historic rock centre, and it’s among Sydney’s most popular restaurants that offer conventional Israeli dishes.
13. Thievery
This restaurant offers traditional Lebanese dishes like Fried chicken with garlic and an assortment of cocktails like Baby’s Got Baklava with a fresh new twist.