12 Lebanese Restaurants in Sydney

Many people associate Australia with its huge deserts and large swathes of uninhabited land. But as Australia's largest metropolis and a global hub for immigration, the diversity on offer in the highly urbanised area around the Harbour City goes back decades. Lebanese people first moved to New South Wales in the late twentieth century and, since the 1970s, have been welcomed in larger numbers. Now, the predominance of Lebanese restaurants on Sydney's streets is a shining example of the area's commitment to diversity and it offers an opportunity for diners from around the world to sample some of the best dishes in Australia. Whether you're going for a big dinner with loved ones or simply a light meal with a couple of friends, the historic Lebanese restaurants in Sydney will not disappoint.

When people began moving from Lebanon to Australia, they tended to settle in groups so they could better build their new lives together. For that reason, several of the neighbourhoods outside of the city's urban core play home to thriving Middle Eastern communities, and that means you might need to do a little fun exploring to find some of the best Lebanese restaurants in Sydney. To start your search for these gems head out to Bankstown in the southwest of the city where Summerland Restaurant on Chapel Road is known for its bright decor, large portions and home-cooked traditional dishes like mansaf (Lebanese fried rice with lamb). As well as Bankstown, other prime suburban areas for delectable Lebanese food include the nearby neighbourhoods of Lakemba and Auburn.

If you're looking for somewhere to take your friends before you head for an evening on the town, the Lebanese restaurants in Sydney's central business district are a great idea. If you're going out in Surry Hills, head to Hannibal on Elizabeth Street and sample the gorgeous shish tawook (chicken breast in garlic, lemon and mixed spices) or, for vegetarians, grape vine leaves stuffed with rice, tomato and parsley. For a more high-end meal in the centre of town, why not try Embers Mezze Bar on Oxford Street? Located just minutes away from the epicentre of the city's nightlife, treat yourself to the glazed beef cheek with freekeh and sheep's milk labneh or the confit lamb shawarma with pickled radish.

The chefs at Sydney's Lebanese restaurants really do know how to satisfy those sweet cravings, so while it's tempting to order as many savoury dishes as you can eat, be sure to leave some room for dessert. Almost all of Sydney's Lebanese restaurants offer the country's favourite sweet treat, baklava - sugary, nutty filo pastry parcels baked in syrup and topped with pistachios and cashews. Other desserts commonly on offer include chilled rice pudding with subtle hints of rose water, as well as lokma (sweet, deep-fried balls of dough). And if you just want a small bite to round off your meal, several Lebanese restaurants in Sydney give a nod to the French influence on their cuisine by offering petit fours.