One of the best things about living in Melbourne is the sheer variety of cuisines we have at our fingertips, and they say variety is the spice of life. If you’re looking to spice up your life a little more, then there’s no better place to start than at some of the finest Middle Eastern restaurants Melbourne has to offer.
Now, we know that the Middle East spans quite a few countries and therefore quite a few different cuisines, so to make it a little easier for you, we’ve gathered the best of the best together. Fill up with charcoal-roasted meats, preserved lemon, falafel and fragrances and aromatics all of kinds.
Here are Melbourne's best Middle Eastern restaurants for 2023.
Tulum
BALACLAVA
This is some elevated Turkish fare, to be sure. Coskun Uysa, who has worked at Melbourne fine dining powerhouses Attica and Vue de Monde, opened Tulum in 2016. If you’re looking for stock standard food your Nene would make, this isn’t the place for you—Tulum has put a modern twist to its food, and takes a ‘no boundaries’ approach to cooking. Menu offering includes Tavuk, roasted spatchcock with stuff mixed mushrooms and preserved lemons, Balik, swordfish with caramelised black tarama butter, and Manti, Turkish beef dumplings.
In addition to dining, the Tulum team is also currently running cooking classes, led by chef Coskun the Balaclava-based events will lead you through a range of different banquets to prepare from Ottomoan-style pilaf rice, Turkish kebabs, and even Turkish pastry-making from Borek to Pide. Find out more over here.
New Jaffa
COLLINGWOOD
New Jaffa is an innovative mix of Middle Eastern, North African and Southern European food, culminating in one seriously good feed. With classic dishes such as Kebab and Kofta, New Jaffa makes sure to use fresh produce for the best possible flavours, making them one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Melbourne. They’re also especially proud of their hummus, so make sure you try and judge for yourself.
Tiba’s Restaurant
BRUNSWICK
First opening on Sydney Road back in 1983, Tiba's Restaurant has cemented its institutional status on the strip. Famous for its authentic offering of Lebanese cuisine from its now-famous Shawarma to colourful mezze platters of dips, soft flatbreads, pickled vegetables and more. It's a simple brick interior, a warm atmosphere with plenty of history embedded in the walls. A frontrunner for one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants Melbourne has on offer.
Just Falafs
FITZROY NORTH
One of the most favoured eateries on St Georges Road in Fitzroy, Just Falafs is the quintessential inclusion of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Melbourne list. As well as being a hotbed for takeaway to the nearby Edinburgh Gardens, it's also a great spot for parking up and catching freshly-fried falafel.
On the cards here is a mix of falafel pita and plates options, each loaded with house-pickled cabbage salad and generous servings of tahini and hummus. A straight go-to is the harissa pita which combines their spicy house-made sauce with the classic pita, falafel and cucumber salad—adding in the fried halloumi also never goes astray.
Abla’s
CARLTON
Abla's restaurant in Carlton is one of the best spots for authentic Lebanese food in Melbourne. Founder Abla Amed is an expert when it comes to Middle Eastern cooking and has published a book of her own recipes, along with top tips on how to DIY your own Lebanese feast. In addition to great food, visitors can expect warm, friendly service and a cozy atmosphere at Abla's— and remember to bring your own wine.
Teta Mona
BRUNSWICK EAST
If you’re in the mood for some Lebanese soul food with a healthy amount of vegetarian options, then you’re in luck. Teta Mona, named after the owners' grandmother, serves up some real nourishing food, just like Teta (grandmother) used to make. Starters include Shanklish Salata, a salad with sun-dried yogurt cheese, and Tabboulé, a parsley salad with burghul cracked wheat.
If you’re looking for something more hearty, the Kousa, which is baked zucchini filled with wild rice and spices is ripe for sharing, as is the Makhlouta, a wholegrain Lebanese stew with lentils, chickpeas and potatoes. A sure contender for best Middle Eastern restaurant in Melbourne.
Maha
CBD
Shane Delia’s brainchild Maha brings Middle Eastern staples like chickpeas, tahini, zaatar and harissa into an opulent, contemporary setting that is a delight for all of your senses. The flagship of chef/cooking icon, Shane Delia, Maha opened up on Bond Street in the CBD over a decade ago.
Rising with Melbourne's culinary boom, Maha established itself as a dining institution continuously evolving and developing its offering. Centred around Middle-Eastern flavours and drawing on Delia's own heritage, Maha is a spice-filled journey into his own interpretations of regional specialities and staples. Definitely one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants Melbourne has to offer.
Miznon
CBD
Unassumingly nestled in Hardware Lane is where you can find the sixth instalment of Eyal Shani’s global collection of Israeli-style pita-centric street-food eatery. Inspired by Melbourne’s fresh produce, Miznon takes the humble pita to a whole new level and focuses on incorporating the influences of each city into his newest creations.
Think delicious pockets full of steak, egg, sour cream, tomato, onion and Lebanese cucumber or the Cheakypita; stuffed to the brim with a falafel burger, tomato steak, sour cream, chilli, onion and pickles.
Very Good Falafel
BRUNSWICK
Delivering on its name—Louisa Allen and Shuki Rosenboim know how to do falafels right. If a restaurant is confident enough to put it in the name, it’s promising that it will indeed be very good.
You’ll probably never find it empty either, as Very Good Falafel has become a local favourite Homemade twice a day, the two friends invite you into their casual restaurant to enjoy their daily selection of salads, pitas, and a bowl of hummus topped with you guessed it—falafels. Make sure you try out some of their fresh salads, all of which are vegan with some gluten-free options for good measure
Middle South East Cafe
SOUTH YARRA
Middle South East brings the essence of the Middle East to the South, blending the Modern Australian cafe food native to South Yarra with a vibrant and exotic Middle Eastern flair. Their Homage to Teta is an exciting spin on classic scrambled eggs— served with zaatar bread, beetroot labneh, aromatic filled zucchini, mushrooms, mujadara, tomato medley & hummus.
Moroccan Soup Bar
NORTH MELBOURNE
They may have moved from their iconic Fitzroy location, but the food remains as good as ever. A mainstay for the Melbourne foodie scene and a booking-free restaurant means that while you may have to wait a while at Moroccan Soup Bar, it will be truly worth it. Enjoy a glass of sweet tea while the waitress reads you the menu (spoiler: the banquet is a winner here) then enjoy the bustling and vibrant atmosphere while digging into the strictly vegetarian menu. Definitely one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Melbourne.
Sezar
CBD
From the crew behind The Black Toro in Glen Waverley, Sezar is a contemporary Armenian restaurant tucked down Melbourne Place in the CBD. Inspired by traditional Armenian flavours, along with the influences of neighbouring countries, Sezar dishes up mouth-watering share plates and charcoal meats, along with flavoursome sides, sweet treats, and a very well-stocked drinks list that can all be enjoyed over two levels of dining.
Take a seat at the bar, order one of their inventive cocktails and dig into their moreish Middle Eastern-inspired food (we love the palm sugar & sumac chicken).
Rumi
BRUNSWICK
When heading to Rumi, book in early to avoid a wait or bide your time at the bar with a range of cocktails with a Middle Eastern spice thrown into the mix. Chef Joseph Abboud and his team have crafted a menu designed to be shared around the table. The Middle Eastern dishes are taken to the next level and laden with love and vibrancy that goes far beyond typical hummus and tabbouleh.
A1 Bakery
BRUNSWICK, FITZROY
A1 Bakery and its affordable and delectable baked goods attract customers from all walks — from students looking for cheap eats to Lebanese locals who appreciate A1’s quality among them. After you’ve enjoyed your sub-$10 goodies wander around the Middle Eastern grocery and become inspired by all the aromas and colours to try your own hand at Lebanese baking at home.
Check out more of Melbourne's best here:
Melbourne's best restaurants
Melbourne's best cafes
Melbourne's best bars
Melbourne's best breakfast
Image credit: Miznon (Griffin Simm)