Lebanese Restaurants In Adelaide Foodies Don’t Want To Share
You might want to skip this one if you’re on a diet. We’ll be talking about addictively good golden-brown falafels, tahini-drenched shawarmas, and vinaigrette-dressed fattoush.
And don’t even think that distance can stop you from getting hooked. You don’t need to fly to Beirut for pita-wrapped goodness. Adelaide has fine Lebanese restaurants just a stone’s throw away from your couch.
If you’re willing to let loose a little, here are our picks of the best Lebanese restaurants in the city. Hopefully, you won’t blame us if even in your dreams you’re wolfing down moussaka.
Zayt & Zaatar
Address: 601/603 Lower North East Rd, Campbelltown, SA 5074
Contact Details: (08) 8365 1001
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 5 pm to 9 pm
- Tue – Closed
- Wed to Thu – 5 pm to 9 pm
- Fri – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Sat – 10 am to 10 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 9 pm
The no-nonsense Lebanese bites of Zayt & Zaatar make our Campbelltown trips worthwhile. The menu is a mishmash of manaeesh (traditional flatbreads), wraps, and mezze (appetizers composed of salads, dips, veggies, and meat).
But we’ll cut to the chase. The mains are where it’s at. Lamb mishwi is a diet breaker, each bite bursting with smoky, charcoaled goodness and the rich, savory flavor of perfectly marinated meat.
Then, there’s the chicken tawook, grilled to a juice-oozing state, with hints of tangy marinade and subtle smokiness that’ll have you licking your fingers clean. Pair this up with their garlicky and herby dips, and you might be ordering for seconds (or thirds).
Tip: If you want Lebanese food for your next function, leave it to the experts. Book Zayt & Zaatar as caterers by calling the number above or emailing [email protected]. |
The Middle Store
Address: 118 Winston Ave, Melrose Park, SA 5039
Contact Details: (08) 8276 6000)
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7 am to 3 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 3 pm
- Sun – Closed
Middle Store flaunts its Lebanese roots. Just take a peek at the resto’s spread of baklava, date biscuits, and olive twigs in jars.
As for the food, they’re serving up more than just your average fish and chips. Think kofta burgers (meat patties with a Middle Eastern twist) and zaatar man’oushe (a hard-to-pronounce but delicious Lebanese flatbread topped with herbs and spices).
If you want something familiar but still stands out with its Lebanese-style cooking, go for the hummus bagels.
Tip: Watch out for discounts on their Facebook page above. The food here is impeccable, but there’s an extra sprinkle of flavor magic when it doesn’t weigh heavy on your wallet. |
Ballaboosta
Address: 289 Halifax St, Adelaide, SA 5000
Contact Details: (08) 8232 1853
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 7:30 am to 9 pm
- Thu – 8 am to 3 pm
- Fri – 7:30 am to 9:30 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 9:30 pm
- Sun – 8 am to 3 pm
Ballaboosta smells and looks like a good old pizzeria, but browse through its menu, and you’ll discover Lebanese soul food that’ll put your everyday dinner to shame.
It definitely did for us (soggy fries and burned chickpeas no longer hit), especially after we tried their wraps. These treats are packed with wild thyme, olive oil, fresh veggies, sesame seeds, sumac, and mint, all wrapped in their signature wood-fired flatbread.
Speaking of flatbread, skipping their too-delicious-to-skip flatbread with minced lamb and garlic dip is one of the worst mistakes a foodie can make.
Tip: Ballaboosta can get busy, especially during peak and happy hours. Book in advance to ensure you secure a table. |
Saha
Address: 215 Magill Rd, Maylands, SA 5069
Contact Details: (08) 8333 3215
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 7 am to 2 pm
- Sun – Closed
When our city dining mood is stuck on “meh,” a breezy 11-minute drive to Saha is typically the answer. Far from the city’s chaos and chatter-bugs, this down-to-earth Lebanese cafe brings Tripoli to suburban Adelaide.
Lebanese breakfasts here aren’t your day-to-day morning eggs. We’re talking about free-range eggs served your way, with sujuk (dry, spicy sausage), homemade labneh (strained yogurt cheese), and Lebanese bread and pickles.
For something half-Lebanese, half-Aussie not named Lincoln Younes, try the avocado manoushe, a baked flatbread loaded with zaatar chicken, creamy avocado, and gooey cheese. A dollop of homemade aioli completes this satisfying piece.
Tip: Are you a coffee lover or simply someone who’s like a zombie if you don’t have your caffeine kick? Message Saha to score premium and robust coffee beans. |
Beirut Mezza
Address: 98 Melbourne St, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Contact Details: 0424 941 425
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Thu – 5 pm to 12 am
- Fri to Sat – 5 pm to 1:30 am
- Sat – 5 pm to 12 am
If Beirut Mezza’s name, shisha-filled tables, and Lebanese offerings don’t remind you of Lebanon, you might need to Google a thing or two about the country.
Their wraps are the picks of the masses, particularly the tawook wrap. Bite into it, and you’ll indulge in well-marinated chicken covered with crisp vegetables and a drizzle of aromatic sauce.
You can’t overlook the lahem wrap, though, a close runner-up in the popularity contest. This one offers succulent lamb tucked into a warm wrap with all the fixings.
Tip: Like every spot with Snoop Dogg around, it gets smoky here. If the shisha smoke is bad for you, order online for the sake of your sanity or lungs. |
Arz Charcoal Chicken
Address: 161 Magill Rd, Norwood, SA 5069
Contact Details: (08) 8362 1127
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Sun – 11 am to 9 pm
The name says it all: Arz Charcoal Chicken is all about charcoal chicken (insert the “mind-blown” GIF).
But for those still confused about what Lebanese charcoal chicken is, just imagine juicy, melt-in-your-mouth poultry infused with charcoal smokiness and Lebanon’s herby, aromatic spices.
Here, you’ll get options like quarters or eighths of the mouthwatering chicken, paired with 2 small garlic sauces. There’s also the whole meal accompanied by a heap of chips, a medium garlic sauce, and a 1.25-L soft drink bottle.
Tip: Keep an eye out for combo deal announcements on their Facebook above, which often include a combination of chicken, skewers sides, and drinks at a discounted price. |
Byblos On O’Connell
Address: 21/23 O’Connell St, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Contact Details: (08) 8267 5975
Operating Hours: Daily – 11:30 am to 12 am
Byblos’ meat mezza is in a league of its own, boasting top-notch flavors and a plethora of options that are hard to beat and forget even if you’re fasting for a summer bod.
For starters, there’s kibbeh nayyeh, a blended and spiced love letter to enjoyers of raw meat. The lahme milleye is another must-try. It’s a diced meat masterpiece kissed by the heat of chili.
If you aren’t a carnivore, vegetarian options like Lebanese yogurt, chargrilled eggplant in puree, and fried cauliflower drenched in tahini sauce are your best bets.
Tip: Having a hard day? Visit their balcony shisha lounge during the late afternoon or the after-hours to find your zen. |
Alminas Kitchen
Address: 394 Main N Rd, Blair Athol, SA 5084
Contact Details: (08) 7226 2506
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 11 am to 11 pm
- Thu – 11 am to 12 am
- Fri to Sat – 11 am to 3 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 11 pm
If you aren’t a fan of falafel or shawarma, it might be time you swing by Alminas Kitchen. The food, just like their sleek and detailed modern space, is upscaled, from the yiros to the dips.
Our dietician’s bane is the 14-buck gourmet falafel and the $16 tandoori manakeesh, both packed to the brim with aromatics, tomatoes, and flavorful sauces.
For families or crews, their generous serving of Lebanese butterfly chicken is a pick you won’t regret. It features an entire charcoaled chicken seasoned the Lebanese way and served with an abundance of crisps and hummus.
Tip: Only madmen would say no to discounts. Download Alminas Kitchen’s app if you’re looking for some. |
Falafel Station
Address: 101A Prospect Rd, Prospect, SA 5082
Contact Details: 0422 278 877
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Closed
- Tue to Sat – 8 am to 4 pm
- Sun – 8 am to 3 pm
Since our team loves falafels more than Kanye loves Kanye, the subtle Falafel Station has become one of our no-frills favorites that still delivers the goods.
Going for the classic falafel (draped with creamy tahini sauce and topped with a crunchy mix of leafy greens) is a no-brainer. A bite-sized, circular version of this delight is available if the true-and-tested oval one no longer cuts it.
But if the hunger pangs are too strong, opt for their hearty and healthy bowls of crispy fried eggplant and cauliflower heads. These meals rest on a bed of leafy greens, pickles, tomatoes, and tahini sauce.
Tip: Trust us, the ultimate way to elevate your dining experience here is by paying extra to try all their homemade dips. |
Kayalz Kitchen
Address: 15 Gosport St, Renown Park SA 5008
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 5 pm to 8:30 pm
- Tue to Thu – Closed
- Fri to Sun – 5 pm to 8:30 pm
Kayalz Kitchen is one of the main reasons we renounced the bland for the bold.
Their smoky, richly-flavored dishes are game-changers, with crowd-pleasers like plant and protein-based wraps. These are bathed in their top-secret blend of herbs and tahini sauce before getting wrapped in a full-size Lebanese pita.
You can even take it up a notch by having Kayalz’s sides, especially the zaatar toastie and loaded smoky eggplant.
Tip: If you’re a fan of combo meals, keep tabs on Kayalz’s Instagram account above for the latest combo deals they’re offering. |