AALIA Restaurant Sydney in Sydney

Great food and even better service. Gloria was amazing.

One of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Sydney hands down

Amazing food and service! 10/10!

The food is delicious. The rating is reduced because the wine list is outrageously expensive. They are charging 3 X retail price and they would buy wine wholesale for less than retail, so they are probably charging 4 x mark up! Disappointing but probably banking on the corporate card

From beginning to end, service, food and drinks were outstanding. Francesco delivered top notch service and ambience, his attention to detail was elegant and precise. Well done Aalia!

Ate well, but after 10 days we return to Liguria and then

Sensational experience and highly recommend. Delicious food, passionate service and amazing setting. Our waiter Francesco, constructed an amazing menus for us based on our preferences and made sure we had a fabulous time.

Food is great, service is outstanding and the atmosphere is so cool.

Amazing

First of all, the directions are quite complicated. From Castlereagh Street, its very tricky to navigate, and the Martin Place part doesnt seem to make much sense either. Once you enter the shopping area and go up to the upper floor, youll find the place right in front of you when you exit the shopping center. The venue is stylishly designed, but its very cramped, and the tables are placed too close to each other, in my opinion of course! The food was amazing. We had the Banquet for $119 per person, and I absolutely loved the mocktail rose. I highly recommend it, especially for those who dont drink alcohol. The lamb neck was an excellent choice, and the tuna tartare ( hope it is correct name ) :) was also a great pick However, the waiter constantly asking us how it was started to get annoying after a while. I understand asking for feedback after the meal and explaining the dishes, but its not necessary to ask how we are, even while drinking water. In my opinion, the service could be a bit more formal; they acted as though we were very familiar with them. The music was quite loud, and we had trouble talking to our friends, but the song choices were good, so lets give them points for that. And of course, the best part was that all the food was HALAL! Everything! That s such a wonderful freedom. Wishing a great dining experience for anyone going there!

This was the best restaurant I have been to in a long time, it was a great experience and we will be back.

Amazing food and great staff. Coming from Europe, we were very much interested of the Australian take on mediterranean cuisine and they nailed it.

Vegetarian options: Many to choose from Dietary restrictions: As the food is middle eastern there are plenty of vegetarian options. Parking: Parking via the Theatre Royal or alternative third party parking g in the area. Best to catch a bus, tram or tram to Martin Place and walk to the venue. Cheaper option. Kid-friendliness: Kid friendly if you choose to sit outside. Inside is more restrictive and noisy. Wheelchair accessibility: Access via the Theatre Royal to use Lucy s and come out at restaurant level.

The owner is a natural and the other employees are very friendly. There are a variety of wines and the atmosphere is so nice that I would like to visit several times if I have the chance during my stay in Sydney!!!

Still maintaining high standards. Great wait staff. Banquet is well priced but pacing should be a little better.

I recently booked a table for our companys Christmas party, and I have to say, it was absolutely divine. From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. The food was exceptional bursting with flavor, and my team members were genuinely blown away by each dish. The service was equally impressive; Alison and her team struck the perfect balance of friendliness and professionalism, making us all feel welcome and well taken care of. A heartfelt thank you to Alison and the entire team for making our dinner such a memorable experience!

The Middle Eastern fusion dishes are beautifully presented, with perfectly balanced flavors. The spices complement the main ingredients without overpowering them. Soft, warm pita is served, ideal for dipping in olive oil and eggplant a true celebration of carbs. The wagyu I had was exceptionally well-seasoned, delivering a subtle heat while remaining tender and juicy inside. The dessert options are uniquely crafted, offering flavor combinations i wont find elsewhere in Sydney. Recommended!

Great food and attentive service

Would recommend. We had a lovely dinner at Aalia every dish was delicious. Food was great for sharing we shared one main and two veg sides between 3 of us plus a couple of mezze and were full. Drinks were delicious also.

Worthy of all its accolades. The food surpasses all expectations but it s the service from the team that makes it worthy. Love the uniquely blended cocktails and the food is world class.

We travelled from Port Douglas to visit Aalia and it worth it 100%. We had the pleasure of experiencing the classic banquet menu, which was exceptional. We would have appreciated a smaller portion for the main course to allow us to sample more options. Nonetheless, we look forward to returning for another delightful experience! Our favourites: bread and eggplant Laurette, our server, amazing, and Alison making us feel like home since we arrived. Thank you!

Love the food and service. Exceptional - would give it an 6 stars if I could - great taste - good portion and exceptional value. Only a 4 star for atmosphere because of the location - you need to walk out to go to the washroom.

The food and service was outstanding. Lou was one of our waitresses and was extremely attentive. The gentleman at the bar was also great. We ordered the banquet plus bone marrow and honestly we couldn t fault any dish. We ll definitely be back.

Me and my wife dined at this place earlier in the week and the quality of the food was exceptional and outstanding. Every dish we tasted, it felt like we were in the Middle East. I would also like to thank Francesco for being our waiter, who was very friendly and provided excellent service. Thank you to AALIA and the team for the great experience of Middle Eastern dining and will be back. Highly recommended to others wanting to try Middle Eastern food!!

A pleasant discovery that we found while walking through Sydney. The Banquet menu is highly recommended, each dish better. We were very lucky to be served by Gloria, professionalism and kindness at the level of few. Must visit in Sydney.

Went here for our anniversary. Loved everything we had chosen, namely the bread that came with the bone marrow dip, the lamb hawawshi with the black garlic sauce and the wagu rump cap, which was cooked perfectly medium rare. Even the sides we got (carrots and bitter salad) were full of flavour. Also really enjoyed the mango coconut katifi wafer dessert. Although a little loud for an intimate dinner, we still thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience. Can recommend!

Aalia was of the best restaurant experiences I ve had. The food was delicious and generous, the service was exceptional and the restaurant is beautiful. Well done.

Get the duck ! Incredible

New favorite restaurant! You have to try the beef nayer, everything was so well balanced and enjoyable. The venue is beautiful and the service incredible. Big thanks to Francesco for helping us choose the best food, to Sheila for hosting us wonderfully and Bianca for explaining the dishes so well. Hope to repeat soon again!

Good service and good food

Gloria really spent her time to take us through the menu, made recommendations of her personal favourite. Really great experience and the food is amazing.

it was our 2nd trip to Aalia for our 35th anniversary and it was outstanding. highly recommend this restaurant for you if you are celebrating a special occasion.

I don t understand the good reviews, the food was avarage. I didn t quite feel it was a middle eastern restaurant not very authentic. The oyster weren t cold enough and the sauce that comes with not great. The eggplant that s apparently super popular nothing special, the bread ok, the lobster dish with pastina just had a strong food stock flavour, the cod was also avarage, fennel salad avarage. The wine list was good though. The service was also great.

The food was AMAZING and not to mention the service by all the staff. A big thanks to Vincenzo who served us 4 ladies on Friday night to help celebrate our friends birthday. Could not fault anything! Well done guys

Amazing experience at Aalia last night! From start to finish, everything was exceptional. The Sommelier and the lovely waiter girl were incredibly kind and friendly, making the evening feel extra special. Every dish we tried was beautifully presented and full of flavor, but the highlight for me was the final touch the Petit Four with dates. It was the perfect sweet ending to an unforgettable meal. Thank you to the Aalia team for a wonderful evening we ll definitely be back soon!

Exceptional - the cod, bone marrow and pita bread were stand outs. Absolutely delicious!

This was our first time dining at Aalia - we had a reservation for 6pm but we arrived early and they let us be seated. Service was amazing - very informative and helpful but not intrusive. We ended up having the tasting menu for 2 and also had oysters to start with. They also had a good range of non alcoholic drinks. Our favourite dishes were the eggplant dip and bread as well as the labneh and molasses that you wrapped in leaves. We had the Wagyu which was delicious (costs extra $40). Overall this is definitely a date night restaurant/ special occasion type of place. Special shout-out to our waiter Sam who was very friendy and helpful.

Delicious food for a special occasion. The dry aged duck was a brilliant recommendation from our waiter Nico (actually, everything he recommended was perfect). Topped off with great service - friendly and warm.

The set menu dinner experience was quite enjoyable. The staff was quite attentive, the service was quite reasonably paced given it was a busy night. Interesting flavours with great presentation. The only downside is that toilet is outside of the building

Superb dining experience at Aaila, we will return.

Excellent food, service and atmosphere. Everything was spot on and the service was impeccable.

Amazing food and service

Good food, slow services too much clapping

Excellent

We had the express menu prior to going to the theatre. The food was delicious. The attentiveness of the staff was exceptional. Very enjoyable and worth the visit.

Very good !!!

5/5 the food was amazing.

What a fantastic place for dinner. The food is well executed and extremely tasty. The front of house staff are friendly and everything is done in a timely manner. The best Middle Eastern food we ve eaten this year.

Truly something special. Exceptional food, amazing service. Ive dined @ every one of Sydneys fine dining restaurants and this is definitely up there with the best. Every dish a taste sensation. Highly recommend Well done..

Highly recommend this restaurant, the food is superb and the staff are friendly and very attentive.

The food was mind-blowingly delicious! Every bite was a delight! And the service was above and beyond! Thank you Aalia for a phenomenal dinner that is embedded in my memory! We cannot wait to come back!

So if you need a quick high quality fix this is marvellous. Maître de simply takes you under her wing, helps pick the perfect combination of dishes and then looks after you the whole way through. Top quality in every respect. Hopefully you will be as lucky as me and get the fabulous Eleanor to look after you. Excellent!

We were really looking forward to dinning here as the menu looked very impressive. Service we found was friendly and very welcoming but overall found the atmosphere was spoilt for us by been seated near the kitchen, constant sound of plates and staff flying by us, not quite fine dinning standards we have encountered. Decided to go with the A la Carte option and went with the Sea urchin, Raw tuna, Beef nayyeh and Lamb hawawshi to start with. Presentation was stunning and the highlight was surprisingly the Lamb hawawshi which worked really well with the black garlic. For main we couldnt resist the dry aged duck which was perfectly cooked and a definite winner, but for us there was just no sides that really worked with it. Overall, we enjoyed dining here but not quite up to the standard we were expecting.

semi private dining room. Great food & drinks. Fantastic service

The service provided by Franesco was amazing! Food was really enjoyable and highly enjoyed the atomsphere of the restaurant.

One of my favourite restaurants! Great selection of food and drinks The lamb neck shawarma is my favourite, it falls off the bone and is perfect if you re sharing plates as it will feed 2+ people. Can t wait to be back again! Food : 5/5

We ate very well. The tuna pie is delicious! The oysters, although small, were VERY tasty. The duck was exquisite too. Highly recommended

Amazing place with good staff . We had beautiful experience. I totally recommend

Very good food, high quality although a little expensive for the quantity. The restaurant is very nice and the service is unbeatable, a 10/10 to Gloria for her service, including good recommendations and conversation!

Lovely place, centrally located with sublime atmosphere. We sampled a big variety of the small-portion expensive dishes, in search of something marvellous. Spiced prawns were a standout. The gluten-free bread was abysmal. Service was friendly, food and wine were good - but ultimately unimpressive compared to so many other great options in Sydney.

Great spot for an anniversary, made us feel so special. Great service and the food was exceptional

Great food, quite pricey particularly the wine but nice service and inviting ambiance

Great customer service.

Outstanding service and food. Highly recommend for a special night out. Will not disappoint.

I recently dined at Aalia Restaurant in Martin Place, and the experience was profoundly disappointing. Coming from a Lebanese background, where my mum makes these dishes for not even a quarter of the price, I was particularly let down by the banquet for two. The value for money was appalling. For the high price, the portion sizes were small, and the flavors were surprisingly bland. Each dish lacked the seasoning and depth of flavor that are essential to authentic MENA cuisine. The presentation was also underwhelming, and the overall dining experience felt far from special. To make matters worse, the restaurants lack of basic amenities was shocking there is no toilet on the premises, which is an unacceptable oversight for any dining establishment. This lack of facilities further contributed to the overall poor experience. Additionally, the service was indifferent, with staff seeming disinterested and inattentive throughout our meal. Overall, Aalia Restaurant did not meet any of our expectations. The food was unremarkable, the prices were unjustifiable, and the absence of a restroom made the experience even less comfortable. Given that our homemade MENA dishes are superior in both taste and value, I would not recommend this restaurant. Also when we asked for a spare plate to split the dish between my partner and I, the server said to use the existing plate after we have eaten what was on it not very MENA. Unbelievable haven t had an experience like this in a long time! In refining MENA cuisine, you lost its soul.

AALIA Restaurant in Sydney offers a sophisticated dining experience with a focus on Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine. Located in the heart of the city, the restaurants elegant ambiance and beautifully curated menu make it a standout. Dishes are flavorful and artfully presented, showcasing a modern take on traditional ingredients. The service is impeccable, with staff providing thoughtful recommendations and attentive care. For those seeking a unique and refined dining experience in Sydney, AALIA is a must-visit.

Delicious food! The service was considerate & fun, the sommelier was excellent, we were generously given a complimentary taste of a dish we were contemplating trying but didn t order, the room is not noisy, gently lit and has a relaxed atmosphere. I ll definitely come back. Everything felt thoughtful.

The staff and food are truly fantastic. I must make a special mention to our Francesco our professional waiter, he maintained the balance of providing attentive service and allow us to enjoy our meal with friends perfectly. Listening carefully to our requests and genuinely wanting to ensure we felt comfortable, welcome and cared for. We will be back for sure. Great spot for a special occasion or also a business lunch as the accoustics and location of the venue are also excellent. See you soon guys.

The food was absolutely amazing Thank you so much. Our server Mario was super helpful and attentive. The reisling we had was perfect. All in all a 5-star experience and you absolutely deserve all the rave reviews that you are getting!

Aalia in Martin Pl is fantastic! The Middle Eastern flavours are incredible. We loved the Lamb neck shawarma, tarator, pickles, Saida saj .Francesco was excellent and made great recommendations. The Brown butter katifi, coconut, sumac mango was a perfect finish. Highly recommend!

Ive been here a few times with different groups and its always been excellent. The middle-eastern influenced food makes a refreshing and delicious change from the usual contemporary Italian/French/Australian menus. The eggplant mes a aha is great, the cuttlefish is amazing and the murray cod is superb. Service is very good, and staff are happy to make recommendations on which dishes to pair. Good list of wines available by the glass, with a sommeliers choice selection is you want to lash out.

Amazing food

Had an amazing lunch there ! Staff were lovely food was incredible and drinks delicious couldn t fault anything definitely be returning soon ! So good Food

Was there for a Hens. We were in the private room. Good vibes, food and excellent service

Best food I ve had in years!

Amazing food and service and lovely decor. Its very popular especially on a Friday and Saturday night so be sure to book. The portions are slightly on the small side so you may find that you need a couple of starters as well as a main. The starters were not really big enough to share.

Truly I was expecting a lot more. With so many 5 star ratings, we invited some business colleagues and were not impressed to say the least. Food was average - have had MUCH nicer in a multitude of nearby restaurants. More importantly the staff & service was where the let down was - they were somewhat robotic and had no desire to interact with us in any way. First & last visit. Don t waste your money.

Had a fantastic work dinner at Aalia on Monday night. Not many good restaurants open on a Monday but Aalia is always a 10/10 experience. Fantastic service staff, incredible food, and a great wine list. Always excited when the venue is Aalia!

Aalia was absolutely delicious. Every dish was divine. A middle eastern flair but not as Middle Eastern as sister restaurant Nour.Extensive wine list (maybe a little overwhelming). Excellent service. I can t wait to go back and try other dishes!

Overrated. The food was the biggest disappointment. Not sure how this is two-hatted ? Below average, probably one of the worst dining experiences.

Food and beer quality was great. They also have great seating outdoors and the service is excellent. Good spot for dinner in the city! Food : 5/5

This is one of the best middle eastern restaurants is the city . The food is fantastic the staff are amazing and the food is outstanding. The location is superb too. A must go to if you fancy something different. The quail skewers were amazing, lehmeh neyyeh was very tasty. Fatoosh craker is very simple yet never had fatoosh like this before. The lamb neck is very tender and taste amazing. Its good for sharing.

Best food in Sydney that Ive tried. Each dish is a **composition**. The flavors, textures, aromas all work together to put a smile on my face. We were impressed dish after dish. I would highly recommend trying out AALIA. The duck was my favorite dish.

Everything was peefect Thank You !! Food

A beautiful lunch innovative and delicious. Great service and attention

We had one of the Banquet Menus for dinner. The food was outstanding. I loved every single dish. So different flavours in each dish, which were perfectly executed. The restaurant also has a very nice atmosphere. Good selection of wines, perhaps they could have a bit more choices of by the glass wines from Australia, but it is just something minor. Totally recommend Aalia.

Impeccable service and brilliant food! Had the banquet and loved every dish.

High ratings are justified.

I always find it upto the mark. Food, vibe and service; everything is just perfect

Amazing experience at Aalia Restaurant. Delicious food, attentive service, and a lovely atmosphere. Highly recommend

Tried the banquet menu. Every dish was delicious and crafted well. Great visual presentation and served by the waiting staff with details about the dish. There are some different cocktails on the menu. Overall, it was a great dinner experience.

Great value for money. Beautiful food and wine in great setting. Staff were incredibly attentive without being overbearing

Had a great dinner there after work. If you get there early enough, ask for an express menu, which is smaller than a normal tasting menu but still showcases signature dishes. The atmosphere and services are fantastic

An Exceptional Middle Eastern Dining Experience at Aalia Tried their Banquet (Tasting) Menu and it was truly exceptional! The Fluffy pita bread with smoky eggplant dip and the flaky 4-day dry aged cod fish really stand out so delectable! Attentive service, warm ambiance, and great value. Aalia delivers an authentic and delightful Middle Eastern feast.

Flawless, with tangible passion. By all accounts, this was a lovely evening. While the food itself was incredible, the service was impeccable. The wine matched our dish choices perfectly and aligned with our personal preferences. You have helped form warm memories and inspired creativity. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved!

Had the most amazing experience here for my birthday! Mario was our waiter and he was so helpful and accommodated to all our needs, making my day so special :) The food was sooo amazing and am already wanting to go back! Highly recommend

Delicious dinner, everything really excellent; high quality products and cooked very well. We tried the tasting menu, tasting various dishes, all delicious.

Best dining experience we have had in years in Sydney. Every single dish was spot on and the service was wonderful. Cant wait to return

We were hosting dignitaries for a lunch meeting, the staff at Aalia were amazing they moved our table to discreet area at the back of the restaurant. The service was professional to the highest standards, thankyou to all of the staff but with particular thanks to Paul, we were on time constraints and he made it all run like clockwork. The food was amazing. This is the perfect place for business lunches. Thank you to the whole team. Highly recommended.

We had a really good birthday dinner there. Paul is a brilliant chef and Francesco was very attentive and helpful. Will be back

Crisp zucchini with a sesame seed and nut paste, smoked cuttlefish and couscous, mango sorbet with coconut mousse. The most memorable, and delicious meal I ve had in ages. Superb service.

Stunning food. Lovely ambience. Excellent service. An enjoyable evening. However, we were a little put off by a waiter who advised us not to choose the set menu because it was boring and to go ala carte. We chose the set menu and it was gorgeous.

Amazing food and the staff made our anniversary dinner very special. Thank you

Loved the whole experience.

Our Monday night out at AALIA Restaurant at 25 Martin Place, Sydney was a refreshing, cosy dinning, offering a perfect mix of flavours of Australian, Polish and Middle Eastern cosines , which was truly exceptional! It reminded us of the joy that comes from sharing good food and perfect company in a setting with warmth and hospitality! Aalia restaurant, with chef Paul Farag and co-founder of Melbournes acclaimed cocktail bar, Bar Liberty in Fitzroy, Zackary Furst, who s joined for a one-off collaborative dinner, provided us with a truly unforgettable experience, making it one of our the best Monday nights out we are had in a while. The dinning experience was not just about food, it was about creating cherished memories with friends in a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. The attentive staff at Aalia restaurant added to the overall experience, ensuring that our needs were met with warm and professionalism throughout the dinner. From the first bite of perfectly cooked scallops infused with lots of flavours to the last of delightful dessert, polish honey cake , we were taken on culinary journey that delighted our test buds and sparked fascinating conversations among us Each dish presented to us was a masterpiece of flavours and creativity, showing the chef s passion, talent and expertise in harmonizing ingredients from different backgrounds. Our Monday night was enjoyable, refreshing, offered a perfect mix of flavours, laugher , and relaxation! Therefore, I highly recommended this culinary gem to anyone seeking a memorable and enjoyable dining experience. Thank you Alaia; Chef s: Paul and Zackary for an evening with delicious food, wonderful company and lasting memories. Chef Zackary, It was absolutely pleasure to meet you! Thank you for a fantastic food! Warm Regards Boz and Marek

Aalia is one of the best restaurants Ive had the pleasure of trying. The food, service, and atmosphere all deserve 5 stars! A big shoutout to Andrea and Mario, who made the experience memorable. They were attentive and always happy to answer our questions about the food. The interaction between the staff was so friendly, it felt like a family. All the dishes we tried were so delicious and my favourite was the bay lobster chicken fat orzo with trout roe but absolutely all the dishes were amazing. Highly recommend to try: Sydney rock oyster Fattous cracker Eggplant mes a aha, spiced tomato Bone marrow ful medames, black walnut Australian bay lobster, chicken fat orzo, trout roe Baby okra, rose petal muhammara Ashta date Dark chocolate truffle I will definitely be going there again to try more food :)

This is seriously our favourite restaurant in Sydney. The staff are amazing, the atmosphere is great, and the food is divine. Such amazing flavours. Also a huge thankyou for taking care of the vegan member in our group and providing them with variety and options. So often people cater poorly for vegans. We are always bringing friends to your restaurant. Keep up the great work.

Middle Eastern food at its best. Great service and atmosphere.

Had a great experience dining here. What an explosion of flavors in the mouth and an interesting take on Middle Eastern dishes. I ordered sea urchin waraq simsim for appetizer. The creamy taste of ocean complemented the aged rice wrapped in tangy perrila leaf so well. The complimentary fattoush salad atop a thin cracker that they brought to the table was a great fresh mix of flavor and texture to cleanse the palette. The lamb neck shawarma wrapped in a blanket of flatbread w tarator sauce and pickled green chilies on the side was generous both in portion and flavor. To be honest, it can feed two people. The crust over the lamb was so crispy. When the staff broke open the cooked meat when serving, a small delicious sliver of bone marrow appeared from the teased out bone. To cap off the rich main dish was a refreshing take on an Arabic dessert, halawet el jibn. A semolina dough draped over spiced candied apple and pistachio ice cream. It was like eating a Middle Eastern pie a la mode, comforting yet not too heavy. The service was great. The staff was helpful in explaining the menu and each dish they brought out. And I know I wasnt the only one who received a complimentary plate.

One of Sydneys top tier restaurants. Taking Middle Eastern cuisine to the next level. Every dish was perfection and the staff were absolutely top notch. I cannot recommend Aalia enough for both food, wine list and service.

Went here for dinner with a group of girlfriends and we ordered al la carte and everything was amazing. Stand outs were the raw tuna, lobster and shawarma. Service was so great too. Special shout out to our waiter Mario! Definitely recommend.

Amazing food and impeccable service. You need to try this place at least once!! Ill be back for more with my partner. Thanks again team for a memorable experience. Cheers! Vegetarian options: The most delicious cauliflower we have every tried lol

Really enjoyed a night out with friends at Aalia! Creative take on Middle Eastern cuisine. + Fave dishes: Pita, Bone Marrow, Lamb Neck, Duck and Chips + Attentive, helpful and efficient service. The staff were so lovely! + Restaurant felt so cozy whilst it was pouring rain outside Dietary restrictions: Halal friendly

Absolutely amazing food and great service from all staff! Special shoutout to FRANCESCO who looked after us that night. Very knowledgeable about the menu and very friendly as well. amazing work! will be back very soon!

A find in Sydney!!! Most kitchens close at 9:30 pm we decided to try and were pleasantly surprised. Middle Eastern cuisine with a very special menu. Very typical ingredients that create wonderful dishes. I recommend the lamb shawarma which was excellent and the sfouf for dessert. Average prices. Great wine list. Super polite and attentive staff. Pleasant and accessible environment. Toilets in the annex building. There is no on-site parking. A find in Sydney!!! Most kitchens close at 9:30 pm we were surprised decided to try and were pleasantly. Middle Eastern cuisine with a very special menu. Very typical ingredients that create wonderful dishes. I recommend the lamb shawarma which was excellent and the sfouf for dessert. Average prices. Great wine list. Super polite and attentive staff. Pleasant and accessible environment. Toilets in the annex building. There is no on-site parking. Wheelchair accessibility: Fully ground floor restaurant with space between tables

great service & beautiful food

Guido is excellent with wine recommendations. Duck so delicious.

A pleasant surprise unplanned dining experience. The place is very fancy but food was absolutely wholesome and delicious. Service was delightful and unpretentious. Thank you for the great experience

Great portions, great food, cozy and relaxing vibe, attentive service

Went to Aalia on a rainy night in Sydney. Sat at the bar and enjoyed the banquet menu as we find it difficult to choose from so many amazing options. Food was exceptional, as were the service and staff. The bar staff in particular were chatty and friendly without being intrusive. All in all a fabulous evening - we can t wait to come back again.

We had our birthday celebration last night by going to AALIA and the theater after. Everything from the start to finish was impeccable and meticulous, from the service, atmosphere and the food! We had the banquet menu at $110 per person which showcased all their top menu items. Everything was hands-down so tasty and had well rounded flavours; if we had to pick our favourite of the lot - it would definitely be the Murray cod with burnt leek - I just wished that I had ordered some more bread to soak up all that lovely sauce with! Kudos to the team at AALIA last night from the maître d , sommelier, chef and kitchen staff as well as all the wait staff who looked after us! We will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu!

Cannot fault this. Please do yourselves a favour and get 1. the quail 2. the duck 3. the lamb neck. These are the standouts ! Service was impeccable

Aalia was just a beautiful experience, from the amazing food to the fabulous service! Will definitely be back! Unfortunately I didn t photograph the food! But absolutely everything we tried was delicious!

Its a great menu, great food and for the price great value.

Great location with friendly helpful and engaging team which complements the delicious food and wine. Dietary restrictions: Clearly communicated about food allergies to different members of our party and advised where modifications could be made giving us confidence

My mother and I went to Aalia recently, it is a sophisticated, elegant and moody restaurant in the evening. There were knowledgable and friendly sommeliers and front of house staff. All the dishes were delicious and designed to be shared. The food was superb. The highlights included the fresh Sydney rock oysters, cuttlefish, lobster, Lebanese zucchini, duck and desserts (Turkish sfouf; candied apple and mejdool date, all recommended by Francesco - right on the money!). The meal was sublime; experience wonderful. The memories made were so special and finally found a restaurant with Barsac on the menu! Will definitely return again.

I came for dinner on my last day of School Holidays and must admit the lamb neck is the best. 5 stars, would recommend with my eyes closed, Thank you Kornelija and Alison for the amazing service

We had a wonderful experience celebrating my birthday at Aalia. Everything was on point!! Thank you for a wonderful evening at your establishment.

One of the best meals Ive had in Sydney. We were celebrating a birthday and got the banquet for 6 people. Aubergine and Lamb were absolutely unreal. Staff were super knowledgable and friendly, particularly the sommelier and restaurant manager. No complaints. Absolute class.

Incredible food, drinks, service and atmosphere!

beautifully presented dishes full of great flavours. Matched with fantastic friendly and sincere service. excellent .

Food was good and unique for the experience. Service was above average, food came out on time. Atmosphere was nice and cozy, but could have lack of privacy if not in a booth. Food : 4/5

As a fine dining experience we thought this was right up there and the food, whilst unusual for us was all beautifully prepared and presented. The idea of the kitchen staff offering to help with menu selections was very helpful and everyone serving in the restaurant was helpful and very friendly in spite of being busy. We never felt rushed

My two friends and I had high hopes for this place. However, we were left a bit disappointed and underwhelmed. Food did not hit the mark for us. It was also quite expensive and they forgot one of our dishes and charged us for it. We didn t realise until we got home. Prob would not go back. Good service though and nice place. Murray cod and prawn skewers best dishes,

Excellent service and food. The best dining experience I ve had in Sydney. I will be back!

I have tried a lot of Middle Eastern restaurants, and Aalia is definitely one of the most impressive ones. The Sea urchin waraq simsim was sublime, it was almost unbelievable to us that sushi-liked dish could contain an explosion of flavors! We also really enjoyed their dry aged duck, the crispy skin was irresistible! Compared to our beloved Peking duck, it is not as fatty as Peking duck, but its meat is much more tender. For those who love middle eastern food or simply a foodie, Aalia is worth a go.

Buzzy, moody Middle Eastern restaurant with interesting flavours and friendly service. The menu is into divvy up into snacks, caviar, mezze, seafood, meat and vegetables. There is a banquet option but we opt for à la carte - selecting dishes from each section (except for caviar). On the whole it was an interesting experience, but the use of salt is too generous for me. We start with the much lauded Sea urchin ($16) on a huge perilla leaf which is eaten rolled up but has too much green taste for me. Fattoush cracker ($9), thick and chewy, is topped with a refreshing mess of cucumber, pomegranate and salad leaves. Beef nayyeh (raw, $16) is very nicely salted and seasoned with spices, served on a rather thickish, chewy cracker. The mezze dish of smoked buffalo labneh ($26) is quite unusual - we were encouraged to smear the labneh on leaves with / without a dash of the beetroot molasses. The combined taste is salty (labneh), bitter (the leaves) and sweet (molasses). Dry Aged Murray Cod ($65) is beautifully cook - the flesh velvety, the skin a trifle too salty for me, crisp with chewy bits. Lamb neck shawarma ($59) has the requisite melt-in-the-mouth tenderness, like something you have slow cooked in the oven for 10+ hours. But it is the side accompaniment of tarator (white sauce) and pickles that brings out the Middle Eastern soul for me. A vegetable dish of Baby okra (18) with sharp, tangy muhammara (roasted red pepper) sauce, complete the meal. Service is approachable and competent.

We visited Aalia last night for dinner and we were blown away. The atmosphere, food and service was impeccable we could not fault a thing. I would highly recommend trying the halloumi marinated in molasses - all I can say is wow. The best restaurant we have visited in Sydney

This restaurant was by far our favorite on our visit to Sydney in Jan 2024. We were so pleased with the absolutely delicious food. The wine list was phenomenal. The service was so amazing and we felt absolutely pampered. Highly, highly recommend. If available, get the sfouf dessert.

This was a beautiful dining experience. We tried the banquet menu, which was 110 pp. Each meal was a 10/10, the lamb neck shawarma was my favourite, it was so juicy and tender !!! One of my favourite dining experiences ever! Shoutout to Francesco, he was a great waiter!!

The most delicious meal Ive ever had, plus the nicest staff

The food was absolutely exquisite! Service and wine were amazing. We loved everything about it.

I thought it was very good. It was a Tuesday evening so a little quiet. Food

The food was impeccable. The ambience was nice and the venue was beautiful! The best thing however was the service. I didnt get the waitress name but she served me with delight and friendliness. She even ran after me when I left my bag! That really made my experience even memorable!! Highly recommended!!

Loved it, some of the best service we ve had in ages. Fantastic food; fresh, innovative and generous.

I really liked this restaurant, the service and the food although we ordered way too much. My husband felt the lamb was too rich. My favorite was the crispy cod and the eggplant. Neither of us cared for the chips. We had two entrees, three small appetizers and a veggies. Had we ordered the banquet, we definitely would have over ordered. I m he service is good and we did not feel rushed which we appreciated . I liked sitting outside .

I love this restaurant! The food was imaginative and so delicious. We had a large group of 12 and everyone has been raving about it ever since. I ll be back! Food : 5/5

Food is amazing - the way it is served and presented is a touch of food theatre!

Great selection of authentic dishes, all well cooked and super delicious

Excellent food and service

Went for a Birthday dinner. Enjoyed alot. Mario A our waiter was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and friendly. Guided us to order the perfect dishes

Food, beverages, service is great.

Popped in for a light meal before the theatre. We told management our plan and they made sure we were served quickly and out on time. We had 3 Mezze plates and some bread and everything was amazing. We were so full that we skipped having something on the way home. Perfect start to our evening.

Mario and Lia may be the greatest servers I ve ever had in my life. Conversational, observant and passionate about food and wine . Wow.. what an experience

Mario is an absolutely gentlemen. He made the whole experience wholesome. His knowledge and hospitality is beyond imagination. Definitely coming again when his working next.

Chefs Review Disclaimer: I m nitpicking small details. After eating at many of the best restaurants in Sydney I can say Sometimes the food is so detailed and good that it comes across simple but really it s complex. Keeping it short and Sweet, Welcome to Aalia, Immerse yourself in a hybrid mixture of Middle Eastern & North African Cuisine. SERVICE was IMPECCABLE, really solid front of house, Super attentive and goes above and beyond. Quail: Quail Skewer, Molokhia, Barberries, The best entree there great Acidity levels and Juicy Quail, Flavour and seasoning and cookery was on point, would order again. 7.5/10 Halloumi: Hand Stretched Haloumi, Kohlrabi, Marjoram, It had Date Molasses which helped the saltiness of the Halloumi, I did find the Haloumi quite Salty and the Kohlrabi was more on the light side of a pickle, Not super Sour, I feel the Sour Pickle would balanced the flavours getting it more on the line. But that is just personal preference I enjoy everything with big Bold flavours so sometimes a dish not fully flavoured can be a nice break from bold flavours, 6.5/10 Eggplant Mes A Aha, Spiced Tomato: Preserved Tomato, it was again not super strong in Flavour but more lighter, I was told to eat with the bread which was why I Ordered it, but it just wasn t punchy as I expected, had a slightly Chilli oil flavour to it, very mild. 6/10 Pita was nice and Burnt on the top, Not crazy high hydration but it was decent enough and Fresh, not super airy as-well and didn t have that sour dough flavour like Nour, 5/10 Heirloom Carrots, Carrot Top Sahawiq, Labneh: Some of the Carrots were So cooked through they fell apart and some had a good bite to it, Labneh was labneh, was it chimmi churri? Carrot top wasn t pleasant to eat in some mouthfuls, Strange cinnamon flavour conflicts with Smokey taste of the Grill. Good seasoning though not my style of flavours. 5/10 Lamb Hawawshi, Black Garlic, Lemon: Very Nomad Pastilla vibes, Lamb tasted good and Pinenuts always complement Braised Lamb, gave me apple pie McDonald s feels, black garlic just tasted as it was, didn t have crazy flavours just honest flavours with fresh quality ingredients, I don t like Black garlic flavour that straight forward but I would probably order it again, It s quite heavy the lemon helps cut through that richness. 7/10 Dry Aged Duck, Fesenjan: Duck was crispy, Air dryed could tell it was nicely blanched and done over the firefly nicely, Great seasoning of the duck, Slightly under rested as can see but it s no problem, I do prefer Duck Medium but it wasn t far from it. The Sauce I could taste had a depth of flavour and came from bones of duck and your typical stock ingredients, I could really taste that however with the tamarind it left it more acidic which help cut through the fatty mouthfeel of the duck but the sauce lacked sweetness everyone loves duck with sweetness! pomegranates didn t add anything IMO just felt it was there for some Colour, Very Solid cooking but just missed small details when it comes to flavour for me. 7.5/10 Brown Butter Katifi, Coconut, Sumac Mango: It was the best dessert there by far, Brown butter Nuttiness with the zing of mango accompanied with sumac and Coconut, Brandy snap, texturally it was perfect, ever so slightly too sweet but it was so enjoyable I really didn t care, do RECCOMEND. 8/10 Valrhona Chocolate, Walnut Ghoriba, Tahini: Not super sure on the intentionality of the texture of the Valrhona but the top layer was solid and hadn t been temped which made it not as easy to go through with the spoon, The ice cream was Vanilla ice cream very typical and overly sweet, the caramel layering was nice but it was to salty with the salt flakes not crushed up enough and eaten all together you would have to really be a sweet person to enjoy it. ( It didn t feel like this dessert was thought about much imo) 6/10 Halva Truffle, Pecan, Pistachio petit fours: halva over powered the whole flavour profile didn t taste much truffle or pistachio, and chewy, wasn t my favourite petit four but wasn t the worst. 5/10

You will not go wrong with Aalia - the middle eastern modern twist is extremely well done and the flavours for all the dishes are *chefs kiss* If youve been looking into booking here highly recommended, shout out to Kornelija, all the best!

Fantastic food and very good service.

If you love middle eastern food like I do then you will love Aalia. I had the banquet which was like the best tastes of the whole menu put together! I kept asking what the flavours were because it was just so well planned for the palette. Mario out waiter was very knowledgeable and professional and having one of the chefs personally deliver to your table is a great touch. Will definitely come back for seconds. A great start to birthday celebrations.

The food is unique and the lamb neck stood out the most because it was so soft. Absolutely loved the excellent service from Andrea as he was very attentive to us. Food : 4/5

Overall, good food, great presentation and amazing service from all staff. Highlights Oysters King Prawn Skewer Bone Marrow Pita Bread Heirloom Carrots Cocktails Levantiki & Aalia Espresso Martini were very nice; as it was the Italian Nebbiolo they have by the glass.

I was so looking forward to trying this restaurant and it Did not disappoint. Food was amazing, each dish became our favourite. Staff friendly and very helpful . Already planning our next visit so we can try the rest of the dishes Very happy customers Thank you Aalia staff

Thank you for a lovely birthday dinner, Aalia team. I went here for the first time with one of my best friends and we loved it. The service was perfect and food was delicious. The only downside was that my friend and I got too excited and ordered so much food, so we couldn t finish it all in that sitting! We both used to live in the CBD for a few years so tried many restaurants around the city between us, and not many have hit the mark on so many of the dishes and service like Aalia. Highly recommend.

Really great food and service - some of the best Ive had in Sydney in recent years.That first bite of Fattoush cracker was phenomenal and the signature cocktails were amazing.

Great experience

While the food at this restaurant was undeniably delicious, the rushed service left much to be desired. Despite our instructions, the staff hurried our dining experience and even began clearing plates while we were still enjoying our meal. Its a shame that the service didnt match the quality of the cuisine. The rushed service, won t leave me rushing to return to AALIA.

Stumbled on this restaurant through Google search. Honestly the flavours, although true to the middle east, had such an interesting twist that made everything we ate one of the best meals we had in a very long time. We had the prawns, lamb, and beef in pastry. The staff were also impeccable, especially Guido. Retuning with a large group very soon.

We had an anniversary dinner at Aalia last night and loved it. When we arrived we were given a table that wasn t the best but appreciated that they were busy. We sat down and were given an anniversary card (nice little extra touch), and then offered a glass of sparkling each by way of an apology for the table situation. Approx 5 mins later we were offered a better table which we accepted. The way the situation was handled was excellent! The food was exceptional and the wine selected by the sommelier was amazing. Perfect evening! Thanks to the whole team.

Food was fantastic and delicious, great recommendations from staff and friendly service. Give it a try

Celebrated my birthday at this beautiful restaurant, everything was impeccable. The service, food, atmosphere; just perfect. Highly recommend and will return again!

Good job Jorge !

Absolutely exquisite. The food, service and atmosphere at Aalia were second to none. Particular shout-out to our server Francesco and the lovely French sommelier whose name we didn t catch - both made our experience fantastic. Would come back in a heartbeat

Had a wonderful dining experience at Aalia, a cozy Middle Eastern restaurant with a twist in the heart of the city. The food were delicious and flavourful - I especially enjoyed the duck and turmeric sfouf with carrot ice cream for dessert. The portions were generous and the prices were reasonable, making it a great value for money. The service was also excellent, with attentive staff who were knowledgeable about the menu. They also checked on me regularly and refilled my water without me having to ask. I highly recommend Aalia to anyone, a gem that deserves more recognition and appreciation.

What an absolute delight. The atmosphere was great, with a variety of indoor and outdoor seating. The staff were fantastic and welcoming, and the food was perfect. We had the banquet menu which I think is a must. All the dishes were beautiful with the quail skewers and lamb shawarma a real standout .

Just sensational. Magnificent food and service. Highly recommend! Thank you very much.

Lovely dinner overlooking the fountain in Martin Place, the sommelier Lia looked after us so well and choose the perfect wine for us. The food is delicious and the banquet menu offers great value. The kingfish and the lamb are the standouts.

Wonderful food quality and services! Each dish has its own unique flavour that way beyond its look. We have nuts allergy and the kitchen was so lovely to cater for it although we ordered the banquet. Highly recommended

Was disappointed, first there are no toilets in the restaurant you have to go outside down the hall and use the public ones. Maybe it was just my night but there was zero vibe or atmosphere at all. Service was just ok no one came and spent time explaining the menu and we ordered too much food ( I was thinking 2 hatted places it s normally tiny portions ) some of the other waitresses were like ok gosh I hope we didn t recommend this it s definitely too much. Our waiter never said a thing to us about that I even asked if it was enough food when ordering. The food is nice buts it s not amazing, the coral trout had a weird taste I did not like, the lamb was delicious which is their signature dish, but i have had just as nice from any Greek restaurant, portions are very generous but for $155 a head with one glass of wine it wasn t value for money for me.

Amazing experience, top quality food. Anil gave us amazing service !

Were a group of 4 friends traveling together and AALIA was one of the best restaurants during our 3-week trip. We loved the food, the presentation of it, the drinks. We loved our waiter Francesco who suggested the goat dish -it was excellent! He and his team did a wonderful job to make our dining experience memorable. Thank you!

Aalia restaurant in Martin Place, Sydney delivers a truly exceptional dining experience. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly by the staff, who provided attentive and friendly service throughout our meal. The food was simply outstanding, bursting with flavor and expertly prepared. The atmosphere was inviting and sophisticated, making it the perfect setting for a memorable meal. Overall, I cannot recommend Aalia enough - it s a definite must-visit for anyone looking for top-notch Lebanese cuisine, impeccable service, and a wonderful atmosphere.

Omg the service was on a whole new level.. Andizea and the wine sommelier (idk his name) were sooo professional, humble and kind. Def gonna revisit!!

Thank you Mario A for your amazing service

A fantastic dining experience in the CBD, with warm and friendly service. I love middle eastern food and this restaurant is one of my favorites now in Sydney for it. Quite hard to decide on the dish I liked the best!

Aalia was amazing with excellent food, the staff provided professional service with their detailed knowledge of each dish and the timing to receive each dish was great. I came here for my anniversary with my girlfriend and they made it a special experience, providing complimentary card, glass of drinks and sweets. The food was also amazing, unique and flavoursome, definitely would recommend to try them out.

Beautiful place, great service and great taste

Delightful and hardworking team. Special thanks to the amazing Renzo.

Service last night was pretty bad. Staff not trained at all and given the steep prices - not in line with expectations. They had no idea what they were doing. Food was ok. Pita Bread was not like Tottis that s for sure. Oysters were fresh but room temperature which always makes me nervous. Eggplant was nothing special and my dinner mate didn t eat it at all. But it was the service that was a real miss for me. Won t be back. It s not cheap - we had a few small plates. No mains. Two drinks each and it was 270.

Amazing food. Sandra was a great, did a perfect job handling my allergies

Beautiful food, lovely service and just a great time. Every dish we tried was extremely delicious, but my favourites were the tamarind prawn skewer and lamb shawarma. Our server Francesco was really lovely and recommended the right quantity of food for us.

I was super late and lost, so highly recommend you to know your area or how to get there if youre not from there, I am not from Sydney and that was hard but they still managed to fit me in despite missing my booking. The staff was lovely, helped me with my food choices and made me feel great. I wasnt feeling very good so I couldnt eat it all but I still regret it! the food was delicious!!!!!! I have to go back this time with plenty of time and room to enjoy my food. It was a lovely experience before going to a show.

Celebrated my birthday here and the service was world class. Due to a misunderstanding there was a dish I was allergic too, but they were so apologetic about it, we started to feel bad. Thankyou I dont know name of our waitress but she was lovely and so was the manager, the night quicklu turned around to feel special celebrating my birthday there. Food is very unique. Cant say Ive eaten similar before. The beef cracker was our favourite dish. Good vibes on a Thursday night.

Had a great time at Aalia after been wanting to visit for a long time. The food was amazing and the service by Franesco was some of the best ive received in Sydney fine dining.

I wanted to call out the great experience we had, especially with Francesco. He was attentive and just a pleasure to have as our waiter, and also gave us great recommendations. The food was amazing. I would definitely recommend the eggplant and pita bread, king prawn and quail skewers and the lamb shawarma main.

A poor relative of Middle Eastern fare. As a second generation Lebanese-Australian, my closest connection to my ancestry and its culture, like many children of immigrants, is food. Food is part of my identity so it s personal. I grew up with many people from other Middle Eastern cultures and their food. As I am familiar with the regional differences of traditional dishes; I am truly disappointed with the dishes served at this restaurant, as purportedly Middle Eastern . I have spoken with other people of Middle Eastern heritage about the menu of this restaurant. The general consensus was that it had great Australian dishes, but it was misleading people by stating that they are serving Middle Eastern inspired food. They should just rename this restaurant, and people who are educated in Middle Eastern fare, would not be insulted. The seafood at this restaurant was amazing. The fresh oysters and BBQ king prawns were wonderful. The staff and hospitality was outstanding. However, let me point out that these seafood items - and the Fesenjan duck (originally an Iranian chicken dish) are not staples of Middle Eastern cuisine. A menu item called Beef nayee was an absolute misnomer. Though the literal translation means raw beef in Middle Eastern restaurant parlance this means Kibbee Nayee as opposed to Kibbee Bil Sanieh (kibbee meat mix cooked in oven). The dish presented under this byname beared a closer resemblance to the French dish Beef Tartare diced raw meat with herbs. The authentic Middle Eastern dish of Kibee Nayee is one of triple minced meat (lamb & beef), flavoured in traditional herbs and spices (just look up on internet for more) presented with mint leaves and Spanish olive oil and a side of green olives, radishes, and onions. Another dish which confounded was the Bone marrow with ful (beans) . We are guessing this is inspired by the traditional Fasoulia ,(red haricot or kidney beans, with Middle Eastern style rice. It is served as a thick soup, with a side of rice with vermicelli). The dish that was served, was a greasy liquid with diced veg, bits of marrow, and cooked with Italian fava beans. On its own it was not palatable it could have been saved with a side of authentic rice. When chefs take cultural foods and modify them - and still call them by their original names - then they disrespect the culture, and the artistry of the food. The food fascination with the exotic orient appears to be at the core of their identity (a selling point). I am all for cultural appreciation, but not of cultural appropriation. If you are going to profit off of food from another culture, please do it in a way that honours the artistic origins of the food.

One of our favourite places in Sydney. Thank you for hosting us on the day of our wedding anniversary. Food, service and overall experience were immaculate!

Absolutely fabulous restaurant. Great on every measurement you could throw at it