RecommendedEating out Paddington

A Middle Eastern tapas bar from the team behind Shaffa

Gazpacho cocktails have landed on Oxford Street.

Erina Starkey

May 2, 2025

1 / 5The menu is made up of small share plates. Supplied

3 / 5Chorizo with red wine beef jus. Supplied

Mediterranean$$

Sydney has seen fusion restaurants before, but never a Middle Eastern tapas bar.

Caness is the first venue from Shaffa owner Erez Nahum with long-time Shaffa head chef Juan Colmenares. It’s a relaxed, 60-seat tapas bar with a focus on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food. Think beef tartare with pimenton-harissa aioli, sardines with pan con tomato and shifka pepper relish and bonito crudo with jalapeno dressing.

Choose a vino from the chalkboard menu. There are drops from Greece, Italy, France and beyond, available by the glass, carafe and bottle. A short cocktail list includes a punchy gazpacho inspired by Spain’s iconic chilled soup.

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Erina Starkey – Erina is the Good Food App Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Previously, Erina held a number of editing roles at delicious.com.au and writing roles at Broadsheet and Concrete Playground.

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