What Is Middle Eastern Food In Melbourne?

You need a change of pace every once in a while. So if you're in the mood for Middle Eastern cuisine, you'll be pleased to know that many of Australia's best Middle Eastern restaurants can be found in Melbourne.

For those of us who want more than just a simple felafel (though they always do the trick), we've tracked down Melbourne's finest producers of Middle Eastern fare. So get your fill of charcoal-roasted meat, pickled lemon, and falafFalafel just enough garlic to knock down your dinner companions.

The Best Middle Eastern Cuisine in Melbourne

The food in the Middle East is both varied and delicious. Curcumin, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns, and allspice are common spices used in Middle Eastern cooking. Other key components include mint, barley, walnuts, figs, citrus fruits, dates, and rosewater.

Tahini, baba ghanoush, and hummus are just a few examples of savoury dips that have an important function in Middle Eastern cooking.

Kibbeh, a type of croquette; Shawarma, a type of wrap; FalafFalafelype, of frying snack; or Ful medames, a staple meal, are all commonly eaten. As for desserts, baklava and Turkish delight are both big hits.

Maha

Chef and entrepreneur Ryan Delia's brainchild, Maha, is a great, cutting-edge dining experience that showcases traditional Middle Eastern flavours like beans, hummus, zaatar, and harissa.

Treat yourself to a relaxing meal from the 2, 4, 6, or 8-course set menu (with wine pairings).

Bond Street basement into such an aromatic modern Middle Eastern fantasy serving up classic meals with a brilliantly inventive twist.

When celebrity chefs are in charge at Maha, the restaurant's traditional Arab fare takes on a new meaning. After extensive renovations in 2015, the restaurant now provides a modern fine-dining experience with authentic Arabian touches.

There are no boundaries regarding reproducing Middle Eastern flavours at Maha. Local barramundi is prepared with asparagus & lemon yoghurt, and the lamb shoulder is roasted for 12 hours. Cocktails flavoured with saffron, pomegranate, and Arabic coffee martinis are some refreshing drinks that come to mind. The massively successful burger line updates classic Middle Eastern flavours with an Aussie touch.

Miznon

The sixth in Israeli Pita-focused street food restaurateur Eyal Shani's global portfolio may be found in an unassuming corner of Hardware Lane.

Miznon elevates the humble pita by incorporating regional flavours into his innovative new recipes. Inspiring him is Melbourne's abundance of farm-to-table restaurants.

Think of the Cheakypita, loaded with a falafel hamburger, tomatoes, beef, cream cheese, chillies, onion, and pickles, or the Steak and Egg Pita, stuffed to the gills with steak, egg, cream cheese, tomatoes, shallots, & Lebanese cucumber.

The Number 76 Club

Middle Eastern food lovers in Craigieburn may now visit the trendy new One 76 Lounge on nearby Elevation Boulevard. Its complete glass frontage floods the space with natural light, creating a convivial atmosphere perfect for leisurely brunches and late-night dinners.

Breakfast options include brioche burgers with egg, diced ham, avocado, beetroot relish, and shakshuka, made with egg, tomatoes, onions, capsicum, and tomato sauce.

For the main course, try the char-grilled bull rib eye topped on shrimp in peppercorn sauce, accompanied with chips and veggies, or the sambousek, a handmade pastry filled with beef mince, pine nuts, and onions.

Fantastic Falafel

Authentic falafels prepared by chefs Louisa Allan & Shuki Rosenboim. Vegetables, pitas, and a dish of humus top with, you guessed it, falafels are just some of the daily offerings at the casual eatery run by two friends who make everything from scratch twice a day.

Ancient Spice

St. Kilda's Ancient Spice is a laid-back cafe serving classic and contemporary Middle Eastern dishes. Ancient Spice offers a contemporary approach to recreating Middle Eastern street food, drawing inspiration from the time-honoured cooking techniques of Turkey and Morocco.

The restaurant's speciality is wrapped like the Pilgrim's Journey, loaded with slow-cooked meatballs with Turkish Salcha sauce. Turkish tapas like dolma and sambousek pair well with traditional dips like hummus and babaganoush.

Southern and Eastern Middle East

The cuisine at Middle South East is a fusion of modern Australian café fare and the vivid and unique flavours of the Middle East.

The Homage to Teta features scrambled eggs with a unique twist: they are combined with cumin and served on sourdough bread with stuffed zucchini, mushrooms, mujadara, tomatoes, labneh, and hummus.

Turkish Cuisine at Alasya

Since 1978, the same family has owned and operated Alasya Turkish Restaurant in Brunswick, and they've done their best to showcase the wide variety of Turkish cuisine on offer.

This eatery has earned a solid reputation for its excellent selection of traditional lamb and chicken fillet kebabs, homemade dips, superb vegetarian and non-vegetarian finger food, and wood-oven baked goods.

They've evolved their menu to reflect Turkey's rich culinary landscape better.

Advieh

Advieh is a gem of Seddon's Gamon Street, and once patrons have experienced its many perks, they rarely leave. There is plenty of room to spread out, with tile-inlaid banquettes and wooden floors contributing to the overall rustic, exotic feel that goes so well with the menu's Mediterranean or Middle Eastern fare.

Morning tempters include poached eggs, Turkish sausage, and spinach on bread, or perhaps homemade roasted beans, spice, cilantro, dukkah, and tzatziki; all created using high-quality ingredients sourced from nearby markets.

Lunchtime diners can select from various options, like Lebanese falafFalafels with tabouli, coleslaw, lettuce, tahini sauce, or Moroccan meatballs, salad, and yoghurt sauce.

Moroccan Soup Bar

If the vibrant outside isn't enough to draw your attention to the Moroccan Soup Bar, the long line in front of the restaurant certainly will.

Even though you may have to wait a bit, it will be well worth it because this restaurant is a huge hit with the locals and doesn't take reservations. Get a glass of sweet tea as the waiter runs over the menu (spoiler alert: the banquet is the best bet), then settle in for a purely vegetarian meal in a lively and crowded setting.

Sezar

Sezar, chef Garen Maskal's second restaurant, is a chic eatery in a Melbourne back alley. The brown-butter hummus and the New Style baklava with walnuts caramel cream are two of the most well-liked items on the menu.

In the city of Babylon, Fitzroy.

Babylonia is located on Smith Street in Fitzroy, and it is the perfect place to start a reimagined version of a familiar adventure. This one-of-a-kind restaurant is like a haven in the middle of the city, where diners may take a break from the stress of modern life in one of three distinct settings. Rich & fresh flavours like sweetness and spice dance on the palette from a menu presenting a blend of current Middle Eastern classic European meals, as brilliant colours and lush foliage provide a pleasant break from the artificial desert of city existence.

Main courses include pan-seared fish fillet with lemon sauce, Dutch carrot, broccolini, roast potatoes, a mixed grilled platter with chicken and mutton shish kebabs, mutton kofta, salad, and rice.

Rumi

Make a reservation in advance to eat at Rumi or while away the time with one of the many drinks featuring Middle Eastern flavours. To encourage conversation and to eat together, Chef Joseph Linking and his staff have prepared a menu meant to be sampled by everyone at the table.

Beyond the usual hummus and tabbouleh, these Middle Eastern meals burst with passion and colour.

The walls of Rumi are covered in beautiful Farsi calligraphy, a nod to the Persian heritage of the restaurant and its cuisine. However, while the Persian and Lebanese influences are clear, Rumi also draws on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions' more extensive and historical flavours.

Both vegetarians and meat eaters can find delicious options among the many fresh dishes. One of their hallmark dishes is a lamb shoulder marinated in sirkanjabin and slow-roasted with spices.

Glenny Kebabs

Glen Waverley locals frequent Glenny Kebabs off Springvale Road because of the fantastic atmosphere, delicious food, and great classic vehicles. Car enthusiasts gather to show off their finest rides while eating great fast food at Wednesday Night Chills, making it more than a kebab joint and providing a welcome respite from the rigours of the workweek.

Stop in between lunch and closing time any day of the week for a char-grilled chicken package, rice, and Lebanese pita bread, or a lamb kebab on salad, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and aioli served with fries made with sweet potatoes.

Falafels or faux meat with salad, rice, or chips are available for those who choose a plant-based diet or a halal meal, and Oreo churros and a Nutella kebab can satisfy a sweet craving.

A1 Bakery

Students seeking a bargain and natives in Lebanon appreciate A1's quality and low prices, so it's no surprise that both groups frequent the Bakery.

When you've stuffed your face with treats that won't break the bank, peruse the aisles of the Middle Eastern market and let the sights, sounds, and smells motivate you to try Lebanese baking in your kitchen.

Feast Of Merit

YGAP (Y-Generation Against Poverty) was motivated to create Feast Of Merit as a sustainable fundraising mechanism after being exposed to the North-East Indian mentality of sharing the vast fortune with the community.

The seasonal meal was created by renowned chef Ayhan Erkoc, who took inspiration from the Middle East.

Nini's Hawthorn

At Nini's on Burwood Road in Hawthorn, Melbourne's newest rooftop bar and restaurant, you can sample cuisine from the Mediterranean and the Middle East. A rooftop terrace with indoor and outdoor seating is perfect for long lunches that grow into evenings, excellent drinks, great wines, and coffee.

The menu is inspired by the culinary traditions of Greece, Turkish, Tuscany, Persia, and Lebanon, and it is served in big family-style servings that are perfect for sharing.

Take in the sights of Hawthorn's ancient rooftops as you dine on pork belly with pomegranate and apple balsamic sauce or chicken skewers with mustard aioli, housemade flatbread, and Greek salad. Finish it all off with Nini's tiramisu and mascarpone cream for dessert.

Kamel

Kamel, located in the bayside neighbourhood of Albert Park, features a menu that spans the Middle East and North Africa. The traditional Middle Eastern meal, whether a banquet or a selection of mezze, is meant to be shared with loved ones.

Kamel's blends and spices are an ode to the culinary traditions of a wide swath of the Middle East, from Yemen through Morocco. This restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind fine-dining experience despite its extensive collection of traditional Northern African-inspired furniture. Kamel's extensive wine collection is the ideal accompaniment to a classic, substantial meal.

Dukkah Restaurant

Dukkah Restaurant, located at 102 Vernon Street in South Kingsville, is a labour of love and an extension of the Middle Eastern tradition, serving up authentic and innovative fusion meals. Exposed brickwork, rose neon lettering, mosaic tiling, and drop globes give a warm glow over the table arrangements at this Melbourne café.

To kick off your meal, try the cheese cigars stuffed with halloumi, feta, and mozzarella with your friends and family or as a romantic meeting for you and your special someone at Dukkah, which serves comforting, heartfelt food and a fantastic range of wine and craft beer.

Chicken shawarma tagine, served with saffron rice, pita chips, and garlic aioli, is one main course option; another is a combination platter with chicken shish tawook, sheep chicken tikka skewers, quinoa tabouli salads, a triad of dips, and rice pilaff.

Restaurant Mint & Co

Mint & Co. Restaurant along University Avenue in Carlton serves you a rainbow of delicious fusion flavours that will leave your taste senses in a state of sensory overload.

The Middle Eastern restaurant was the brainchild of friends with varied cultural origins who shared a passion for exploring new cuisines and cultures. Guests can eat outside in a Dubai-style Arabic garden or indoors among an unusual mix of authentic accents.

Starters like gently fried chicken wings wrapped in a dark secret spice marinade and Himalaya pink salt can be enjoyed against ornate arches, table lamps, and vivid lighting. Baba's marinated, char-grilled lamb chops are served on a grain bed or mashed potatoes with a dipping sauce made of garlic, mint, and cucumber yoghurt.

The Lebanese Cuisine at Maroush

The original flavours and vibrant atmosphere at Maroush Lebanese Restaurant in Eltham make it a hidden gem. As a family-run business, Maroush goes out of its way to make each customer feel at home, whether dining in the elegant, colourful dining room or relaxing in the green alfresco space.

Since the proprietor/chef shops at the markets daily, you can always count on eating delicious, locally sourced-food. You can choose a la carte dishes such as marsh basha or sample one of the banquets to get a taste of the flavours of Lebanese cooking.

Then, on Friday and Saturday nights, you may shimmy your hips to the live performances of belly dancers. Dinner at Maroush is highly recommended, but reservations are required.

Arabesque

We have something for everyone's taste at Arabesque, where we specialise in Moroccan, Turkish, and Mediterranean food. So groups can enjoy the delicious variety of mezze and feasts together.

The tables and ceiling of Arabesque are covered in swathes of gold and red fabric, evoking the splendour of a sultan's court. A lot of time and effort is spent preserving and expanding upon ancient and cutting-edge Turkish culinary traditions. Authentic main dishes like a lamb shish and kofte are available. A cocktail made from Turkish baklava or a cup of cooling Moroccan mint tea is the perfect ending to a satisfying lunch.

Sahara

Sahara, a Moroccan restaurant with a hidden stairway in Melbourne's central business district, is a haven of peace. Sahara is the perfect spot to unwind with a drink after work, thanks to its rooftop bar, which looks out over the State Library and the bright city lights of Melbourne. The tapas or traditional Moroccan tagines on the menu are some of the simplest and least difficult dishes you'll find anywhere. Colourful Moroccan furniture, architecture, and ornamentation fill the entire room.

As a bonus, the rooftop is a great area to try out various kinds of shisha. Sahara is the premier destination for experiencing the sights, sounds, and tastes of Morocco in Melbourne's city centre.

Téta Mona

Téta Mona is a can't-miss destination for authentic, home-style Lebanese cuisine. Like any good Lebanese Teta (grandmother), the cooks at this eatery serve up hearty fare from the countryside.

The menu at this cosy spot features classic Lebanese fare like Falafels and lamb with spices. Cigar-shaped lamb pasties are the hallmark of the legendary cigar bi ahem, traditionally served with a refreshing salad and tangy yoghurt.

Zaatar

Zaatar, a classic Middle Eastern dish, is served at this cosy café. This popular delicacy is the Lebanese version of vegemite on toast; it consists of sesame seeds, oregano, and other spices spread on flatbread.

The versatility of this dish lies in its ease of preparation; it can be enjoyed with a variety of sauces, salads, or on its own. Lebanese pizzas, dips, and salads, perfect for brunch or a light meal, are also available at Zaatar.

Balha's Pastry

Balha's Pastry is one of Melbourne's top Middle Eastern bakeries, selling more than 6,000 baklavas per day among ten distinct flavours. A friendly family owns this restaurant and candy store; everything is created from scratch daily.

Balha's has approximately 40 different types of classic Lebanese cookies, pastries, cakes, and desserts, including the world-famous baklava. If you have difficulty deciding what to get from this extensive selection, knafeh and znoud al-syit are two fan favourites. Balha's Pastry also makes great Middle Eastern coffees.

Conclusion

Delicious and diverse Middle Eastern food may be found in Melbourne. Middle Eastern spices include turmeric, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns, and allspice. Savoury dips like tahini, baba ghanoush, and hummus serve a vital purpose. Common dishes include kibbeh, shawarma, falafel, and ful medames. Popular treats like baklava and Turkish delight are from Turkey.

Traditional Middle Eastern flavours like beans, hummus, zaatar, and harissa are celebrated at Maha, a magnificent, cutting-edge eating experience. The restaurant underwent substantial renovations in 2015, and it is now a sophisticated fine-dining establishment with genuine Arabian accents. The cooking time for the lamb shoulder is 12 hours, and it is served with a preparation of local barramundi that features asparagus and lemon yoghurt. Refreshing beverages include saffron-infused martinis, pomegranate-infused gimlets, and Arabian coffee martinis. The hip new One 76 Club on Elevation Boulevard is the place to go for Middle Eastern cuisine in Craigieburn.

Beef, egg pita, and the Cheakypita (a falafel burger packed with tomatoes, beef, cream cheese, chillies, onion, and pickles) are best-selling. Breakfast items at the Number 76 Club include shakshuka, made with egg, tomatoes, onions, capsicum, and tomato sauce, and brioche burgers topped with egg, sliced ham, avocado, and beetroot relish. On sourdough toast with filled zucchini, mushrooms, mujadara, tomatoes, labneh, and hummus, the Homage to Teta offers scrambled eggs with a special cumin flavour. Primitive Flavoring Cafe Ancient Spice in St. Kilda serves traditional and innovative takes on Middle Eastern cuisine, all of which are influenced by the traditional cooking methods of Turkey and Morocco. Pilgrim's Journey-style wraps filled with slow-cooked meatballs in Turkish Salcha sauce are the restaurant's speciality.

Middle South East's menu is a mash-up of Middle Eastern staples and trendy Australian café fare. Advieh is a hidden gem on Gamon Street in Seddon, with its tile-inlaid banquettes and wooden floors creating a warm, exotic atmosphere. Poached eggs, Turkish sausage, spinach on toast, or handmade roasted beans with spice, cilantro, dukkah, and tzatziki, are just a few of the tempting breakfast options. The lunch menu features various dishes from different cultures, such as Moroccan meatballs, salad, and yoghurt sauce, or Lebanese falafFalafels with tabouli, coleslaw, lettuce, and tahini sauce. The brown-butter hummus and the New Style baklava with walnuts caramel cream are two of the most popular items at Sezar, chef Garen Maskal's second restaurant in a trendy Melbourne alley.

Visitors can vacation from the pressures of modern life in one of Babylonia's three unique settings while enjoying a recreated version of a classic adventure. Pan-seared fish fillet with lemon sauce, Dutch carrots, broccolini, roast potatoes, and a grilled vegetable and meat platter are just some of the main course options. Glen Waverley is home to Rumi, a well-liked Middle Eastern restaurant. Chef Joseph Connecting and his team have designed a tasting menu so guests can try something different. The Persian and Lebanese influences are evident in the magnificent Farsi calligraphy that adorns the walls of Rumi. Vegetarians and carnivores will appreciate the new selections, such as the lamb shoulder marinated in sirkanjabin and then slow-roasted with spices. Then, of course, there's also the fast food at Glenny Kebabs and the classic cars at Wednesday Night Chills, both big draws.

Students looking to save money and Lebanese locals alike frequent A1 Bakery for its high standard of baking at reasonable pricing. The North-East Asian philosophy of sharing the community's immense resources inspired Feast Of Merit, an ongoing fundraising mechanism. As Melbourne's newest rooftop bar and restaurant, Nini's on Burwood Road in Hawthorn specialises in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare. The menu draws from the cooking styles of Greece, Turkey, Tuscany, Persia, and Lebanon, and the portions are generous enough to be shared among many people. For example, pork belly with pomegranate and balsamic apple sauce, chicken skewers with mustard aioli, housemade flatbread, and Greek salad, served with views of Hawthorn's historic rooftops. Consume a serving of Nini's tiramisu and mascarpone cream to round out the meal. In the Albert Park neighbourhood by the bay, you'll find KamelKamel, a restaurant with a menu that covers the Middle East and North Africa. The formal banquet and the casual mezze platter are meant to be enjoyed with friends and family.

Kamel's wide selection of wines is perfect for matching with an old-fashioned, hearty supper. In South Kingsville, at 102 Vernon Street, you'll find Dukkah Restaurant, a labour of love and continuation of Middle Eastern heritage that serves up traditional fare with a modern twist. Despite the restaurant's huge collection of traditional Northern African-inspired furniture, it provides a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience. Dukkah delivers comforting, heartfelt food and a superb choice of wine and craft beer; to begin your meal, try the cheese cigars loaded with halloumi, feta, and mozzarella with friends, family, or your significant other. Finally, Maroush Lebanese Restaurant in Eltham is a hidden gem with a lively environment, serving authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. Dining options for guests include an outdoor area designed in the form of an Arabic garden in Dubai and an inside space featuring an eclectic blend of real-sounding cultural ambience.

Baba's marinated lamb chops are char-grilled to perfection and served over a bed of grains or mashed potatoes with a dipping sauce of yoghurt flavoured with garlic, mint, and cucumber. In the heart of Melbourne's bustling CBD sits a hidden stairwell leading to the oasis of serenity that is Arabesque, a Moroccan restaurant. Sahara's rooftop bar is ideal for unwinding with a beverage after a long day. If you want to get a flavour of Morocco without leaving the heart of Melbourne, Sahara is the place to go. Téta Mona is the place for delicious, traditional Lebanese food, including staples like Falafel and lamb with spices. The café serves zaatar, a traditional Middle Eastern cuisine. More than six thousand baklavas in ten different flavours are sold daily at Balha's Pastry, making it one of Melbourne's busiest Middle Eastern bakeries. Two of the most well-liked dishes are knafeh and cloud al-suit.

Content Summary

• Every once in a while, it's good to switch things up a bit.
• If you're craving Middle Eastern food, you'll be glad to know that Melbourne is home to some of Australia's finest Middle Eastern eateries.
• We've discovered Melbourne's top Middle Eastern food manufacturers for when we need more than just a felafel (but they always do the trick).
• So eat all the charcoal-roasted pork, pickled lemon, and falafel you want.
• To blow the socks off your dinner guests, serve this falafel with a healthy dose of garlic.
• Delicious and diverse cuisines may be found throughout the Middle East.
• Middle Eastern spices include turmeric, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns, and allspice.
• The other main ingredients are mint, barley, walnuts, figs, citrus fruits, dates, and rosewater.
• Savoury dips like tahini, baba ghanoush, and hummus play crucial roles in Middle Eastern cuisine.
• Ful medames, a basic meal, is served alongside other dishes, including kibbeh, croquette, shawarma, wrap, falafel, and a fried snack.
• Invented by chef and businessman Ryan Delia, Maha is a modern take on classic Middle Eastern fares like beans, hummus, zaatar, and harissa.
• Dine in comfort with a choice of a 2, 4, 6, or 8-course set menu (complete with wine pairings) at this Bond Street basement transformed into an evocative modern Middle Eastern fantasy serving classic dishes with a very inventive twist.
• Traditional Arab cooking at Maha gets a modern spin when famous chefs are in the kitchen.
• The restaurant underwent substantial renovations in 2015, and it is now a sophisticated fine-dining establishment with genuine Arabian accents.
• When recreating authentic Middle Eastern flavours, Maha pulls no punches.
• The lamb shoulder is roasted for 12 hours, and the local barramundi is served with asparagus and lemon yoghurt.
• For example, the Steak and Egg Pita is stuffed to the gills with steak, egg, cream cheese, tomatoes, shallots, and Lebanese cucumber. In contrast, the Cheakypita is stuffed to the gills with a falafel hamburger, tomatoes, beef, cream cheese, chillies, onion, and pickles.
• The hip new One 76 Club on Elevation Boulevard is the place to go for Middle Eastern cuisine in Craigieburn.
• Natural light pours through the store's floor-to-ceiling windows, making it ideal for social gatherings such as breakfasts and late-night dinners.
• Shakshuka, made with egg, tomatoes, onions, capsicum, and tomato sauce, and brioche burgers with egg, sliced ham, avocado, and beetroot relish, are available for breakfast.
• Try the sambousek, a homemade pastry filled with beef mince, pine nuts, and onions, or the char-grilled bull rib eye topped atop shrimp in peppercorn sauce, all served with fries and vegetables.
• Chefs Louisa Allan and Shuki Rosenboim have made some delicious, traditional falafel.
• The small café is owned by two friends who create everything from scratch twice a day; daily specials include falafels, hummus, and a variety of vegetables served in pita bread.
• Ancient Spice takes traditional culinary methods from Turkey and Morocco and applies them modernly to create authentic Middle Eastern street food.
• Pilgrim's Journey-style wraps filled with slow-cooked meatballs in Turkish Salcha sauce are the restaurant's speciality.
• Dips like hummus and babaganoush complement typical Turkish tapas like dolma and sambousek.
• On sourdough toast with filled zucchini, mushrooms, mujadara, tomatoes, labneh, and hummus, the Homage to Teta offers scrambled eggs with a special cumin flavour.
• Those who have discovered the numerous delights of Advieh on Seddon's Gamon Street tend to stay there.
• Wooden floors and tile-inlaid banquettes provide a warm, rustic atmosphere that pairs nicely with the menu's Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.
• In the morning, guests can choose from a menu with items like poached eggs, Turkish sausage, and spinach on bread, or roasted beans, spice, cilantro, dukkah, and tzatziki, all of which are made from scratch using fresh ingredients purchased at neighbourhood markets.
• Guests get a wide variety of lunchtime menu choices, including Lebanese falafel.
• Moroccan meatballs, salad, and yoghurt sauce; alternatively, falafels with tabouli, coleslaw, lettuce, and tahini sauce.
• If the Moroccan Soup Bar's colourful outside doesn't get your attention, the queue out the door probably will.
• The wait may be long, but it's worth it, as this eatery is extremely popular amongst the neighbourhood's natives yet does not accept bookings.
• After the server has reviewed the menu with you (spoiler alert: the banquet is your best chance), order a sweet tea and settle in for a vibrant and crowded vegetarian supper.
• Popular dishes include the brown-butter hummus and the New Style baklava with walnuts caramel cream.
• On Smith Street in Fitzroy, you'll find Babylonia, the ideal jumping-off point for a new take on an old story.
• The menu, a fusion of modern Middle Eastern and classic European fare, features sweetness and spice that dance on the palate. At the same time, the vibrant colours and verdant flora offer a welcome respite from the urban landscape.
• A grilled platter of chicken and mutton shish kebabs, mutton kofta, salad, and rice are among the options for the main course.
• Enjoy the Middle East with a meal or drink at Rumi, but book beforehand.
• Chef Joseph Connecting and his team have designed a tasting menu to get everyone chatting and eating together.
• Beyond the standard hummus and tabbouleh, these Middle Eastern dishes are a riot of flavour and colour.
• Beautiful Farsi calligraphy adorns the walls of Rumi, a homage to the Persian roots of the establishment and its food.
• In addition to obvious Persian and Lebanese inspirations, Rumi also pulls from the more vast and historically flavoured regions of the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
• Fresh, healthy options are available for both vegetarians and meat eaters.
• Their lamb shoulder is slow-roasted with spices after being marinated in sirkanjabin.
• Wednesday Night Chills is more than just a kebab business; it's also a gathering place for auto enthusiasts to show off their automobiles and enjoy delicious fast cuisine before the weekends.
• Swing by any weekday between lunch and closing for a lamb kebab with salad, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and aioli served with sweet potato fries or a char-grilled chicken package with rice and Lebanese pita bread.
• Vegans and Muslims can have falafels or mock meat with salad, rice, or fries, and those with a sweet tooth can indulge in Oreo churros or a Nutella kebab.
• Little wonder both students on a budget and Lebanese regulars attend A1: the bakery is known for its high quality and reasonable costs.
• After stuffing your belly with cheap goodies, stroll through a Middle Eastern market and be inspired by the sights, sounds, and aromas to give Lebanese baking a shot in your home.
• After learning about the North-East Indian mindset of sharing a huge fortune with the community, YGAP (Y-Generation Against Poverty) was inspired to build Feast Of Merit as a sustainable fundraising method.
• Melbourne's newest rooftop bar and restaurant, Nini's on Burwood Road in Hawthorn, specialises in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food.
• With both covered and open areas, a rooftop terrace is ideal for lingering over cocktails, fine wines, and morning coffee as the day turns into night.
• The menu draws from the cooking styles of Greece, Turkey, Tuscany, Persia, and Lebanon, and the portions are generous enough to be shared among many people.
• Pork belly with pomegranate and balsamic apple sauce or chicken skewers with mustard aioli, housemade flatbread, and Greek salad, served with views of Hawthorn's historic rooftops.
• The formal banquet and the casual mezze platter are meant to be enjoyed with friends and family.
• The blends and spices created by Kamel pay homage to the cuisines of several countries in the Middle East, from Yemen to Morocco.
• Although having many pieces of furniture with traditional Northern African designs, this restaurant provides a one-of-a-kind exquisite dining experience.
• Kamel's wide selection of wines is perfect for matching with an old-fashioned, hearty supper.
• This café in Melbourne features exposed brickwork, rose neon lettering, mosaic tiling, and drop globes, casting a cosy light over the well-arranged tables.
• Dukkah delivers comforting, heartfelt food and a superb choice of wine and craft beer; to begin your meal, try the cheese cigars loaded with halloumi, feta, and mozzarella with friends, family, or your significant other.
• Friends of various racial and ethnic backgrounds who shared a love of trying different foods and cultures came up with the idea for the Middle Eastern restaurant.
• Dining options for guests include an outdoor area designed in the form of an Arabic garden in Dubai and an inside space featuring an eclectic blend of real-sounding cultural ambience.
• Guests can enjoy appetisers like tenderly cooked chicken wings coated in a dark secret spice marinade and Himalaya pink salt against elegant arches, table lamps, and vibrant lighting.
• Baba's marinated lamb chops are char-grilled to perfection and served over a bed of grains or mashed potatoes with a dipping sauce of yoghurt flavoured with garlic, mint, and cucumber.
• Whether they're enjoying a meal in the restaurant's bright and airy dining room or lounging in the restaurant's verdant outside patio, guests of Maroush, a family-run business, are treated like extended family members.
• You can always expect to eat wonderful, locally sourced cuisine because the owner/chef goes to the markets daily to stock up.
• To experience the rich flavours of Lebanese cuisine, you can order a la carte meals like marsh basha or try out one of the restaurant's banquets.
• On Friday and Saturday nights, belly dancers will perform live for your enjoyment.
• Reservations are essential for dinner at Maroush and are highly recommended.
• At Arabesque, where we focus on Moroccan, Turkish, and Mediterranean cuisine, we offer something delicious for everyone.
• That way, large groups can share the rich flavours of the many different kinds of mezze and feasts.
• In Arabesque, the tables and ceiling are draped in rich fabrics of gold and red, reflecting the luxury of a sultan's palace.
• Traditional and innovative Turkish cuisine receives much attention and resources to ensure its survival and growth.
• Main courses, including lamb shish and kofte, are traditionally prepared and provided.
• After a hearty lunch, relax with a drink from Turkish baklava or a refreshing cup of Moroccan mint tea.
• The Moroccan restaurant Sahara in Melbourne's CBD is a quiet oasis accessible through a secret stairwell.
• In addition, the rooftop is a wonderful place to sample different types of shisha.
• If you want to get a flavour of Morocco without leaving the heart of Melbourne, Sahara is the place to go.
• A Lebanese Teta (grandmother) would be an appropriate comparison to the cooks at this restaurant, who specialise in hearty country cooking.
• You may choose traditional Lebanese dishes like falafel and lamb with spices at this cosy restaurant.
• The iconic cigar bi ahem is characterised by a lamb pasty in the shape of a cigar and is typically accompanied by a salad and sour yoghurt.
• Like vegemite on toast, this popular dish in Lebanon is coated with sesame seeds, oregano, and other spices before being placed on flatbread.
• The simplicity of this dish makes it ideal for serving with a wide range of condiments or eating on its own.
• Also available at Zaatar are Lebanese pizzas, dips, and salads, which are great brunch options or light lunch options.
• A warm and welcoming family runs this café and confectionery shop, and all the goods are made fresh daily.
• The world-famous baklava is just one of about 40 traditional Lebanese sweets, pastries, cakes, and desserts available at Balha's.