Sydney’s Best Middle Eastern Restaurants for Satisfying Those Hummus Cravings

One of the best things about Sydney? You don’t need to leave to experience authentic flavours from across the globe. And when it comes to Middle Eastern cuisine, a little mezze can instantly transport you from the harbour city to the bustling streets of Beirut or Istanbul. You just need to know where to go.

Luckily, we got you. Here’s our edit of Sydney’s top Middle Eastern restaurants for your next flavour-packed outing.

Sefa Kitchen Bondi 

Taking up a prime position on Bondi Road, Sefa means business. The intimate restaurant serves dishes from the Levant — a rich tapestry of flavours from Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Syria, Cyprus, and southeastern Turkey. Highlights include oven-baked eggplant with smoked labneh and tomato chutney, and seared scallops with muhammara, tahini, and pickles. Pair your meal with a cocktail like the Egyptian Hibiscus Spritz and you’re set.

292 Bondi Road, Bondi

Caness

Tucked into a former Oxford Street grocer, Caness is what happens when Middle Eastern flavour mixes with the charm of a Spanish tapas bar. The menu is punchy and ingredient-led, with plenty of delicious share plates, but don’t sleep on the kubaneh; it’s a pillowy Yemenite bread that’s wildly moreish. Cocktails lean into vermouth and amaro, so the Figroni with fig aperitif, Cynar and arak is a good place to start.

Sitchu Tip: The prawn saganaki will have you begging for another serving of woodfire-toasted bread to mop up every last drop. The balance of flavours is impeccable. Creamy fetta and handfuls of parsley cut through the silky, rich and tangy sauce. But before you even get to this delightful number, sup on the snack menu, namely the Paddington Sabich — a tasty single bite of fried aubergine, hard-boiled egg, tahini, amba, schug and pita.

348 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021

Aalia 

This hatted restaurant, headed up by executive chef Paul Farag, is perfect if you’re looking for something central in the CBD. Whilst it’s not exclusively Lebanese, Aalia draws inspiration from the Middle East and North Africa and highlights the best of each region. Start with elevated snacks and mezze before exploring the mains. Do not miss Aalia‘s dessert menu that features the likes of dates covered in caramelised chocolate, rice pudding ice cream and brown butter katifi. 

25 Martin Place, Sydney

Emma’s Snack Bar 

This beloved Lebanese eatery sometimes feels more like a lively family gathering than a restaurant. With its long communal table and warm, welcoming vibe, this cosy spot may be small in size, but it delivers big on flavour. The menu is packed with mezze, grilled vegetables and meats, and the ever-popular Kibbe. It’s refreshingly unpretentious, and word on the street is that they’re happy to accommodate special meal requests.

59 Liberty Street, Enmore

Shaffa

This one will have you feeling like you’ve discovered a secret even though everyone already knows about it. Shaffa sits down a narrow Surry Hills laneway between a 120-year-old church and a 19th-century inn, beneath a soaring glass atrium that really sets the mood. The menu channels the cosmopolitan energy of Tel Aviv, with burnt eggplant labneh, chicken cigars with dukkah, octopus with sujuk and crispy chickpeas. Everything is meant for sharing and ordering more of.

80 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

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Sahtein

The name means “may you be nourished” in Arabic, and Sahtein absolutely delivers on that sentiment. Housed inside The Rocks’ historic Argyle Stores building, this Beirut-inspired restaurant is all about seasonal mezze, housemade breads and charcoal-grilled meats. But, it’s the slow-cooked lamb neck with rice, zucchini stuffed with mince, labneh and pickles that’ll have you booking a return.

Argyle Stores, 18b Argyle St, The Rocks NSW 2000

Zac’s Great Food 

If Afghan cuisine is calling your name, Zac’s is the answer. This Bella Vista mainstay blends authentic Afghan flavours with a fresh Aussie twist, all rooted in the owners’ journey as refugees from Afghanistan. While the menu includes Aussie staples like surf and turf and chicken parmigiana, it’s the traditional Afghan dishes — qabli pilaf, mantu, spiced lentils, and minty yoghurt — that steal the show. With bold flavours, generous portions and great hospitality, it’s no wonder Zac’s has become a go-to for locals and visitors alike.

05/5 Celebration Drive, Bella Vista

NOUR 

For a sophisticated take on Middle Eastern fare, NOUR is your go-to. This hatted Crown Street gem pairs refined flavours with a sleek, contemporary setting — think floor-to-ceiling windows, plush seating, and an effortlessly stylish vibe. The menu is designed for sharing, featuring house-made labneh, pillowy breads, and share plates that celebrate tradition with a modern twist. And to top it off, there’s an exceptional wine list that complements every bite.

3/490 Crown Street, Surry Hills

Iftar 

A fresh face in the west, Iftar blends earthy design with soulful cooking inspired by chef Jeremy Agha’s Middle Eastern heritage. Run by Agaha and his mother, the duo has drawn crowds to Merrylands from far and wide since its opening in January 2025. Beyond the warm terracotta tones and travertine textures, the menu is homey yet refined. Standouts include lamb shawarma tacos, wagyu kofta dumplings, sojok egg, eggplant fatteh and a big brekkie board with the lot.

Main Lane, Merrylands

Lillah Kitchen 

Known for its laid-back vibe and plant-based options, Lillah Kitchen brings the vibrant flavours of Egypt, Turkey, Israel, and Lebanon to the heart of Lane Cove. The menu is a celebration of Middle Eastern staples such as crispy falafel, warm laffah, and all the dips you could dream of: hummus, baba ganoush, and labneh. Don’t miss the LFC (Lebanese fried chicken), a crowd favourite that hits the spot. Bonus points for thoughtful touches like USB chargers at every booth — now that’s hospitality done right.

128 Longueville Road, Lane Cove

Still hungry? Check out our guide to the best Greek restaurants in Sydney, or cure your Europe FOMO with our roundup of top Mediterranean restaurants in Sydney.