Maha North

Maha North is a slick and moody Middle Eastern bar from owner-chef Shane Delia – who’s also behind top spots Maha, Maha East, and Jayda. Here, Delia is focused on creating a produce-driven menu that features interesting takes on Middle Eastern classics.

Expect a handful of East’s best dishes, such as king prawns wrapped in crisp, string-like kataifi dough, and crowd-pleasing zucchini flowers stuffed with anchovy and almond tarator. There are also meze-style snacks which might include crispy burek buns filled with duck fesunjun (a classic Persian stew); and pickled octopus and sweet muhammara (roasted capsicum dip) wrapped in lettuce. On the larger side, there might be haloumi covered in rosemary and fig molasses and buttered walnuts; and stand-out diamond clams with sujuk cream, mopped up with house-baked simit (a circular, bagel-like bread).

Dessert might be refreshing pineapple granita served with panna cotta-like yoghurt crème, Geraldton wax and crumbled namoura (a crunchy Arabic semolina biscuit), or playful, filled handmade chocolates that are reminiscent of the kind your grandmother might serve with tea after a meal.

The 150-strong wine list is made up of new- and old-world bottles, with local producers the primary focus, and you can also BYO on certain days. The cocktail list includes Maha classics like the signature Pomegranate Sour.

Long-time collaborator Studio Y is behind the interior, which has marble benches, brass-edged mirrors and moody lighting. There’s also a coveted window seat by a beautiful stone ledge, which allows diners to look out onto Smith Street.