Aalia
25 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Restaurant
•Why you'll love Aalia
- Offers guests with a completely private and memorable dining experience with versatile indoor-outdoor venue.
- Serves diners an Arabian nomadic time-travelling odyssey of dishes and offers flexible event packages.
- Convenient location with nearby attractions and easy access to public transports.
AALIA introduces a new perspective on Middle Eastern cuisine, unlike any other restaurant in the world. Our interior organically emerges from Harry Seidler’s original iconic MLC architecture. Our ambition is realised in a space and experience that fluidly blends the past with the now, the interior with the exterior. Sculptural architectural features, tactile materials and furnishings are used in perfect synergy to create intimate and relaxing spaces. The culinary team led by Executive Chef Paul Farag have spent years exploring dishes and techniques from lesser-known regions and coastlines of the Middle East and North Africa. They discovered forgotten ingredients from millennia ago and uncovered recipes from within the pages of 10th-century Arabic cookbooks. AALIA beautifully combines ingredients from across territories and times, contrasting tradition with modern techniques to offer diners an Arabian nomadic time-travelling odyssey of dishes.
Reviews for Aalia
Sam Allahverdi
We were greeted warmly on arrival and seated straight away. The only small frustration was being placed near the door, which opened and closed often, but the staff were incredibly considerate and made sure to keep it shut so we weren’t disturbed, a thoughtful touch that didn’t go unnoticed. We tried a range of dishes. The lamb nayyeh was prepared well, and although raw meat isn’t usually my go-to, I still appreciated the way it was done here. The fattoush crackers were a standout, fresh, bright, and genuinely delicious. I also really enjoyed the eggplant with spiced tomato, especially with their pita, which was excellent. The lamb neck shawarma was good, though the flavour profile wasn’t entirely for me. I ended up using the flank steak to make a shawarma-style wrap with the bread, and that combination worked beautifully. The steak itself was cooked well and had great richness. Dessert was a highlight, the turmeric sfouf with pumpkin molasses and buttermilk ice cream was soft, delicate, and very enjoyable. Drinks were also well made and balanced. Service throughout the night was excellent. Our server was attentive, welcoming, and offered thoughtful recommendations. Having been to their sister restaurant, Nour, I was pleased to find Aalia just as enjoyable in its own way. Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience, and a place I’d happily return to.
Dana M
I went here with my sister and my husband for mine and my sisters shared birthday. My sister is vegetarian (for better or for worse, haha). But we were all hoping to do a set menu. Unfortunately, they did not have adequate substitutions in the set menus for vegetarians. When we went - in October - they did indeed have some substitutions but it felt rushed and not well thought out. So she was left out from the experience. There were options for her in the a la carte menu, however. The staff were quite strange about all of this, and it took us talking to a few people to sort it out. The waitress serving us seemed a bit lost initially. Other than that, the food was quite good - especially the meat. The quality is obviously there, though you do pay a premium price for it. The ambience is lovely. Overall, I would come again, but I am not in a major rush.
Isabella Clague
Absolutely stunning setting tucked inside Martin Place, surrounded by architectural buildings and a sculptural pool. The interior is just as beautiful, with modern, neutral tones and a warm, refined atmosphere. We booked a table in the inner dining room (as opposed to the heated outdoor area or bar), and despite booking a week in advance, the earliest dinner time available was 8:15 pm. When we arrived, our table wasn’t ready, and we had to wait about 15 minutes outside. However, once seated, our experience was exceptional. Our waiter for the night, Sam, was outstanding — professional yet genuinely friendly and welcoming. He even allowed us to swap the tuna from the set menu for the bone marrow from the Classic Banquet, which was greatly appreciated. The food was nothing short of phenomenal, easily the best meal either of us has ever had. Even the pita bread stood out as the best we’ve ever tasted. Every dish was beautifully balanced, and the set menu was generous. We were both extremely full by the end. The standout surprise of the evening was the dessert: Milk chocolate tart with Egyptian tea and plum. Smooth, salty, creamy, and unlike anything we’ve had before. Worth returning for the dessert alone. An unforgettable dining experience. Worth every second.
Ryan Black
We have been honeymooning for over two weeks, had some amazing meals, and this might be the best! The Shawarma, I don’t know if I could even call Shawarma. It’s next level incredible. We may try to go there tomorrow afternoon before our flight, just for a final taste! Gooooo!
Olivier Cali
Beautiful restaurant with a patio, right in the fancy buzz of the CBD. Modern take on Middle Eastern cuisine while keeping the flavors true and rooted in thousand-year-old traditions. An example is the Fattoush cracker, a culinary ode to the classic salad, served on a cracker for an unforgettable bite. Their Eggplant mes ‘a’ aha, spiced tomato with housemade pita was marvelous. The staff was knowledgeable, very friendly, and helped me navigate with curiosity and delight their “Arabian nomadic time-travelling odyssey of dishes,” as they put it.
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