Best Middle Eastern food in southwest Sydney
ARE you craving kebabs, kibbeh nayeh, babaghanouj and all things Middle Eastern? Well Sydney’s southwest is a hot spot for such delights so we’ve compiled a list of the top seven places to try.
Fairfield
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SOUTHWEST Sydney has long been home to many vibrant, diverse Middle Eastern communities — and it’s no surprise it is the home of their best cuisine as well.
If you have a hankering for hummus or a craving for kebabs, everyone knows you have to take a drive down the Hume to find the best of the bunch.
Residents have shared their local favourites — and now we’re lifting the lid on where you can find the tastiest Middle Eastern cuisine in the southwest.
Frank’s, Fairfield
Frank’s Lebanese Restaurant in Fairfield is a local institution. The region is commonly known for its Iraqi and Vietnamese cuisine, but Frank’s is the go-to dining destination for truly authentic Lebanese cuisine. Owner Frank Abdo immigrated from Lebanon to Australia in 1983 and has been feeding everyone’s craving for chicken, shawarma, kibbeh nayeh (raw minced lamb stuffed with wheat), stuffed eggplants and more since the 90s. The fully licensed restaurant has a bar, Lebanese bakery foods and takeaway chicken as well as a function space.
Dig in: 16 Smart St, Fairfield
Al Barakeh, Liverpool
Liverpool’s Al Barakeh is a no-fuss takeaway joint which has been winning local residents over with their charcoal chicken and range of delicious Lebanese-fusion burgers for more than a decade. The chicken is cooked on red-hot coals and covered in traditional dipping sauces — garlic, hummus and babaghanouj — made the old-fashioned way. It’s all generously salted and owner Joseph Haddad says Al Barakeh is not afraid of big flavours. A local secret that riffs on their Middle Eastern flavours is the extraordinarily popular Chicken Burgatti burger — it’s fried chicken with their house spices and glaze, peri-ranch sauce, American cheddar, pickles and slaw.
Dig in: 77 Scott St, Liverpool
La Mono, Casula
La Mono takes its name from famed eateries that line the internationally renowned Rue de la Mono in Beirut and Paris. It’s a family-run restaurant that prides itself on outstanding native Lebanese cuisine in a casual, authentic environment. Residents can eat in or get their Middle Eastern fix on the go via the small cafe and vast takeaway options. Their charcoal-grilled chicken and meat is a must-try, but they also have a vast range of vegetarian-friendly options. A popular pick is their signature Mono Mix, which includes kafta, tawook and kebabs served with tangy pickles, fresh tabouli, vine leaves, crispy sumbusik and hummus.
Dig in: 613 Hume Hwy, Casula
Aladin Sweets, Fairfield
If you’re craving a truly Middle Eastern sweet treat, look no further than Basil Barreto’s Aladin Sweets in Fairfield. The cafe has more than 30 different sweets native to Lebanon, Iraq and even Greece. Aladin Sweets was the first store of its kind when it opened almost 20 years ago, and everything is still made fresh right behind the shop. The hot tip is the Ladies Arm, which is filled with ricotta cheese, deep fried, dumped into syrup and sprinkled with pistachio. Other great options include the kahi, a filo pastry with custard, and ish, or birds nest, which has baklava pastry and cashew nuts.
Dig in: 2/17-19 Ware St, Fairfield
Jasmin1, Chester Hill
Jasmin1 in Chester Hill is a local family favourite that dishes up traditional Lebanese comfort food without the fuss. The restaurant’s menu offers a comprehensive guide to classic Middle Eastern food favourites, including fatteh (flatbread and chickpea-based dip), falafel, warak inab (vine leaves) and tabouli.
Dig in: 174 Waldron Rd, Chester Hill
Kebab Club, Edensor Park
Kebab Club in Edensor Park is the tip for great Turkish food in the southwest. They have been satisfying the community with their kebabs since they first opened in Bonnyrigg in 1999. Local residents say Kebab Club have the best snack pack in town — and certainly the largest as well. Fear not, vegetarians and vegans — the Kebab Club has you covered with their popular falafel snack packs as well. The restaurant’s signature toasted hot dogs are a favourite among midnight revellers, but the humble doner kebab is the mainstay for this local favourite. This month Kebab Club will begin lunch trading from midday if you just can’t hold out until dinner.
Dig in: 4/751 Smithfield Rd, Edensor Park
Al-Tazah, Regents Park
You can have a veritable family feast at Al-Tazah in Regents Park. The takeaway restaurant has charcoal chicken everything, from burgers to share plates with all the accompaniments. Al-Tazah keeps it simple — great chicken and great sides, including tabouli, pickles, garlic sauce, hummus and babaghanouj.
Dig in: 9-11 Amy St, Regents Park
Have you got any suggestions for us? Let us know at facebook.com/fairfieldadvance.