Parra Road Kebabs

I can’t remember the name of this kebab shop on Parramatta Road in Camperdown. What I can recall is the place provides two fantastic late night booze soakers. Kebab might not have the best quality meat but of course nothing a bit of garlic and chilli sauce can’t mask. A recipe for the double breasted chicken burger undoubtedly an attempt at Ogalo and a more than passable effort.


2.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? Parramatta Road, Camperdown, NSW

MLC Kebabs

To describe this kebab wouldn’t do it justice. Flat round bread is spread with a quality, nutty hummus, then on goes the shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, onions and lean, grease free, shaved chicken meat from the spinning rotisserie synonymous with the late night hangover saver. Optional garlic, chilli, BBQ sauces, sour cream and cheese. Toasted with care for a complete meal.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? MLC Centre, Martin Place, Sydney, NSW
What? Under $10

Chehade El Bahsa & Son Sweets

There’s nothing much to this Lebanese sweet shop, except for the rows and mounds of absolutely delightful Baklava, Bird Nests, Boaj and Fingers made with combinations of pistachio, pine nut, walnut, sugar syrups, honey and flaky pastry. Made on site, straight out of the shower fresh and fronted by patient gents who educated this writer on each of the gems. Have no regrets and forget about potential hyperactivity, get the good value kilo.


4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 88 Chapel Road South, Bankstown, NSW
What? Pieces under $4

Emma’s on Liberty

Emma’s on Liberty, the Lebanese unicorn that hides away in the deep of Enmore/Newtown. Every sitting is reportedly packed to the point that the tables are practically fused together, forcing people to rub shoulders in a non-sexual way. It is Emma’s mantra however, that the lovingly made dishes be shared the same way. When food is this good though, you wouldn’t want to give up a morsel. Unfortunately, using a group of 4-6 is the only way you’ll get through a good portion of the extensive menu of classics in one outing without a pre-booked stomach pump.

Everything is fabulous. And I mean FABULOUS. Death stares to those who suggest otherwise. Start with the chickpea hommus topped with lamb, pine nuts, tomato, parsley and smokey baba, then move onto the crusty wheat shelled lamb kibbe and filo pastry lady fingers. Oven roasted eggplant with onion, tomato, garlic and spices a picture of creamy decadence. Shish Kebabs of diced marinaded lamb, slightly charred succumbs in the mouth and easily put away, the tangly spiced yet ultra flavour sensation of the Moorish Chicken bits that’s grilled in Lebanese bread and shaved red onion is a must order to avoid regrets.

If there’s any room left in the food pouch, tuck into the awesome homely nutty baklava or a very gentle Turkish Delight. Glad I made it out alive, avoiding food overdose, to proclaim the delight that is Emma’s on Liberty is fully deserving of its place on the top shelf.


4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 59a Liberty St, Enmore, NSW
What? Small Dishes $10, Large Dishes $15











Left to Right : Hommus, Baba, Labne, Tabouli, Kibbe, Lady Fingers, Shish Kebab, Eggplant, Moorish Chicken, Baklava, Turkish Delight, ?, Orange Blossom Tea

Cafe d'Or

If it’s a Saturday night without the fever you’re after, don’t expect it at this unassuming Lebanese restaurant on Burwood’s main drag. For when the lights go dim, and they crank the music with a thumping bass line, its time to shake your bon bon, shake your bon bon… yeah. Can’t bury your eyes in the food, for the belly dancer will drag you from the comfort of the cushy booths to the floor with a hand that oscillates alluring towards her direction. How can you say no?

Blood pressure returns to normal and the red dissipates from the face with the help of a cool Aryan, a slightly salty yoghurt drink to also replenish the lost sweat not from the workout but the embarrassment caused whilst up on the dance floor. Jalab does its best to substitute for Gatorade and electrolytes, containing molasses, rose water flavoured with a grape syrup, topped with pine nuts.

Furthering the post exercise recovery, a light but tangy Fatoush, with great nutrients from lettuce, onions, tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, secret spices with a crunch from wafer thin fried bread. Baba Ganoush is creamy but can’t match the grand entrance of the evening entertainment, although an exposed midriff is hard to top. Kebbe has some curry puff moves, baked pastry wrapping spiced mince meat, onions and pine nuts. A massive, yet extremely tasty protein hit comes courtesy of the Kafta, grilled mince meat skewers flavoured by spices, parsley and onion that’s kept warm by flat bread. To top it all off, what every meathead should get into them because they know how to do meat here as John Travolta knows how to dance. Awesome flame grilled chicken thigh fillets, marinated in herbs and spices. A little sweet yet slightly charred and oh so tasty, making me want to change into a black shirt and white suit, popping that collar, do a little twirl and raise my finger, first pointing to my hip then to the opposite corner, repeating and shouting WOW. Must keep that in check… but Ricky Martin got nothing on this.

3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 47 Burwood Rd, Burwood, NSW
What? Average Entrée $9, Main $17









Left to Right : Aryan, Jalab, Fatoush, Baba Ganoush, Kebbe, Kafta, Grilled Chicken