melbourne middle-eastern
Rumi
BRUNSWICK EAST
Since 2006, Joseph Abboud’s Middle Eastern diner has reached institution status. Come for his signature cheese cigars and advieh-marinated lamb shoulder. Plus, a 200-strong mostly Middle Eastern wine list and fiery charcoal grill.
Abla’s
CARLTON
The food and ambiance at this Melbourne institution have comforted generations of Lebanese Australians and introduced the cuisine to countless others. Come with a big group – if only to try as many dishes as possible.
Zaatar
COBURG
A Middle Eastern bakehouse specialising in pies, pizza and folded foccacias.
Al Alamy
COBURG
Enter a world of Middle-Eastern gastronomy.
Teta Mona
BRUNSWICK EAST
Twin brothers Antoine and Bechara Taouk serve up Lebanese soul food, just like their grandma did at home.
Sezar
MELBOURNE
A modern take on a not-so-familiar cuisine – Armenian.
Ziggy’s
BALACLAVA
Ziggy’s in Balaclava is all about full flavours with no frills.
Oasis Bakery Murrumbeena
MURRUMBEENA
A family-run Middle Eastern bakery in the suburbs.
Tavlin
CAULFIELD
Family-style Israeli cuisine in Balaclava.
Very Good Falafel
BRUNSWICK
Shuki Rosenboim and Louisa Allan opened this spot in 2016 on a strip packed with other options. Its secret to standing out? The chickpeas: Allan’s dad grows them in the Mallee. Here, they’re ground daily and fried to make crispy golden falafel for pitas and platters.
Tulum
BALACLAVA
Chef Coskun Uysal ships the flavours of modern Istanbul to downtown Balaclava.
Astroluxe
BENTLEIGH EAST
Good coffee and design in a neighbourhood that was wanting.
Atlas Dining
SOUTH YARRA
Ambitious young owner-chef Charlie Carrington changes the cuisine every four months.
Maha Restaurant
MELBOURNE
The flavours at celebrity chef Shane Delia’s opulent Maha are familiar, but they’re assembled with more finesse than your average Middle Eastern restaurant. Vibrant mezze, a must-have lamb shoulder and an affordable wine list make this a winner for group dining.
Just Falafs
FITZROY NORTH
Its falafels are crisp, fresh and 100 per cent vego. They’re packed into pitas with a staple combo of Israeli salad, house-made hummus and tahini. The sabich and haloumi are crowd-pleasers. Go for the pita or order your meal piled high on a plate.
Tahina Northcote
NORTHCOTE
This vegetarian Israeli street food spot is a local favourite. It’s slinging loaded pita pockets, refreshing salads, two flavours of falafel, shakshuka and smoky roasted vegetables. Plus, satisfying smoothies that’ll make for a whole meal.
Miznon
MELBOURNE
Eyal Shani’s Israeli pita haven came to Melbourne, via Paris and Vienna.
Half Moon Cafe
COBURG
Egyptian falafel and a friendly neighbourhood atmosphere.
The Foreigner
IVANHOE
Who’s up for camel burgers?
Second Wife
BOX HILL
Come for the healthy menu with Japanese and Middle Eastern influences.
Oasis Bakery Fairfield
FAIRFIELD
At the second Oasis outpost, expect the same familiar service, a host of menu favourites, and Turkish coffee. Plus, a grocery section full of homemade dips, baklava, herbs and spices.
Maha East
WINDSOR
A sleek wine bar and restaurant serving up Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, some borrowed from its elder sibling Maha. Tuck into share plates of Armenian beef dumplings, lamb cutlets and taramasalata fried buns. There’s also a 120-strong wine list.
Falafel Place
COLLINGWOOD
Vego and vegan-friendly Middle Eastern on Smith Street.
Maha North
COLLINGWOOD
Experience fun takes on Middle Eastern classics at Shane Delia’s moody spot. Go for crispy burek buns filled with duck fesunjun (a classic Persian stew), alongside a signature Pomegranate Sour cocktail.
Prior
THORNBURY
This 130-seat space is full of warm hues and natural materials. Whether you're sitting on a sleek leather banquette or you've got a table in the large outside courtyard, there are no dud spots here. On the menu, you'll find a range of inventive Middle Eastern-inflected dishes, many of which showcase vegetables.
Advi's Falafels
YARRAVILLE
Most of the menu here is vegan (including the baklava), with one notable exception: deep-fried haloumi fries. And the Lebanese-style falafels are served like an open souvlaki on pita with hummus and four types of salad.
Neri’s Hummus Bar
BENTLEIGH EAST
A Friday-only destination for next-level hummus and falafel bowls.
Jayda
MELBOURNE
Shane Delia’s cocktail bar, right next to his flagship Maha restaurant. Enter for classic cocktails turned on their head by a world-class bartender and a cracking bar menu of beefy borek buns, taramasalata tarts and a saucy lamb sanga.
Moroccan Soup Bar North Melbourne
NORTH MELBOURNE
The Fitzroy North institution is now open in North Melbourne. Find many of the classics including the cult chickpea bake, and the ever-changing share banquet – which takes inspiration from owner Assafiri’s Moroccan, Lebanese and Turkish heritage.
Little Sister Bakery McKinnon
MCKINNON
Find an array of Middle Eastern baked goods at this family-owned and -operated bakery. It offers favourites like spelt sourdough loaves and sesame bagels as well as chocolate rugalach, shakshuka-filled pita and challah.
Little Sister Elsternwick
ELSTERNWICK
This family-run bakery serves up Middle Eastern-inspired pita pockets, bagels, challah and loaves. Bag a loaf of bread for home or pick up its grab-and-go lunches of shakshuka-stuffed pita pockets, and bread twists topped with fragrant za’atar.
Knafeh Nabulseyeh
COBURG
This family-run bakery specialises in knafeh – the crisp, cheesy golden Palestinian pastry. Plus, it also serves traditional baklava and maamoul (cookies stuffed with dates and nuts).
Henrietta
WINDSOR
Henrietta is not a “grab your chook and go” situation. If the $2.5 million fit-out doesn’t draw you in, the garlicky aroma of toum, fresh bread and fire-grilled chicken surely will.
Wazzup Falafel
NORTHCOTE
Everything is made in-house at this vegan diner. Stop by for some of the best falafels and fatteh in town and watch owner Ahmad Al Alaea – donning his signature cowboy hat – work in the open kitchen.