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
İlhan MERCAN
I visited alone and wanted to try their tasting menu, which is usually for a minimum of two people. They were kind enough to make it available just for me, which I really appreciated! Each dish was well thought out and beautifully presented. One area for improvement: the balloon “pide.” It was too oily, and every time I touched it, I had to clean my hands before using a fork or knife. As someone of Turkish origin, I’d suggest serving it drier and without the oily exterior — that would feel more authentic. The staff were wonderful, attentive, and explained every dish and wine pairing with genuine care. It’s not the cheapest dining option in Sydney, but absolutely worth the experience.
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.
Adhitya Suvarna (Addy)
Very delightful and delicious experience of middles eastern cuisine with a fine dining twist. We had the signature banquet and it was amazing and very thoughtfully prepared. Staff, especially Aleyna, were very knowledgeable and explained the dishes well. Great value and definitely returning for more.
Armity Hashkavaei
We went to AALIA for our 6th anniversary on a whim, looking for a new place to try, and the experience was absolutely amazing. We were welcomed with complimentary sparkling wine for the occasion, which was such a thoughtful touch, and chose the signature banquet menu. The food was beyond expectations — absolutely divine, full of flavour, creativity, and authenticity. I came in expecting an average experience and was blown away by the complexity of the flavours and the uniqueness of the ingredients. Every dish felt like a celebration in itself. As someone with a Middle Eastern background, I especially loved how genuine and soulful the food felt — it brought me so much joy and really satisfied my inner Middle Easterner. I would 100% recommend AALIA to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience.
Vee
We had a wonderful dining experience at AALIA. We ordered the set menu which was well thought out, and an appropriate amount of food. The beef rib main was deliciously tender and the duck add on was reasonably priced for fine dining. The uni ‘snack’ was also delicious and a highlight, despite me not usually enjoying sea urchin. Overall, a great experience and I would highly recommend.
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