Would you pay $10 for a manoush? Beau & Dough Surry Hills price divides foodies

You can usually grab this Lebanese flatbread topped with oregano for loose change in Sydney’s west. But a new Sydney location is charging $10 for one manoush. Would you pay that much? Have your say in our poll.

When the Nomad team opened Beau & Dough this week, diners were excited.

After all the pedigree is exceptional, Jacqui Challinor is executive chef and former Stanbuli owner Ibrahim Kasif is head chef.

The specialty is manoush, a Lebanese flatbread topped with olive oil and za’atar, a spice mix based on either oregano or thyme and which can also include marjoram, sumac, cumin, coriander and sesame seeds. You can also crown it with cheese, spiced lamb or vegetables.

It’s long been relegated to the cheap eats category, popular in fast-casual eateries in Western Sydney and not seen very often in the inner city.

But the excitement quickly turned to disbelief when diners saw the inner-city prices.

An oregano manoush goes for $10 at Beau & Dough in Surry Hills. Picture: Petrina Tinslay

A simple za’atar manoush at Beau & Dough is $10. Add cheese and it’s $14. You want it with sujuk, egg and cheese? That’s $22, thanks.

For anyone who grew up in the west, or heads out regularly to explore its fantastic foodie scene, paying that much is unthinkable. Facebook commentators expressed their shock.

The manoush with cheese sells for $14. Picture: Petrina Tinslay

“If the zaatar costs more than $5, walk out,” one wrote.

“Looks expensive, Punchbowl $1.50 lol,” said another.

At Manoosh Pizzeria in Enmore, a za’atar manoush is $4.50.

Afran Lebnan Bakery in Granville, long considered one of the best places in Sydney to get manoush, charges just $3.50 for a plain one.

Owner Tony Obeid, 62, says his was the first family in Sydney to open a manoush bakery.

It’s been going strong since 1977 and sells about 100 pizzas a day to hungry customers, which is why he can keep prices low.

“Here we turn a big volume out and sell it cheap,” he says.

“It should be $6 really, but ours we can do for $3.50. The restaurant is in Granville and the price also depends on the area and the rent.”

With the $10 manoush at Beau, you are getting a premium Surry Hills location and a restaurant offering that includes slick interiors and interesting wines by the glass.

While Afran Lebnan Bakery is only open from 7am-2pm, because manoush is traditionally a breakfast food, Beau & Dough is open until late and also offers interesting takes on Middle Eastern favourites.

The traditional Lebanese charcoal chook with pickles and toum is reimagined as achiote spiced spatchcock with pickles and garlic sauce. The flavours of the popular iskender kebab are channelled in the twice cooked lamb neck with harissa XO, yoghurt and zucchini ezme.

You’re getting more than just a manoush, you’re getting a restaurant experience. And that comes at a cost.

Beau was approached but declined to comment.

Originally published as Would you pay $10 for a manoush? Beau & Dough Surry Hills price divides foodies