Dip you Lebanese bread in Hummus or Baba Ganoush and get your appetite ready for some finger licking, great tasting Lebanese food. Located in Surry Hills, this modern looking restaurant gives you the choice to sit inside the restaurant or outside on the terrace and for added entertainment there's a belly dancer at night.
Al Aseel Lebanese Restaurant
The menu is huge! They have so much to offer, which could leave you lost with what to order. From dips and salads to finger foods, and then from meats to rice and seafood, this place has definitely covered it.
On the entrée menu lists the Sambousek and Falafel as the most popular but, Fried Kebbeh and Spinach Triangles are also tasty traditional Lebanese dishes that are worth tasting. Al Aseel has the "mixed finger foods plate" that has all of these in it which is great to try but, quite small for $12.
Fried Kebbeh, Falafel, Cheese Sambousek, Spinach triangle and Meat Sambousek
Dips and salads are very popular too. But depending on what you order than it may already come with the dish. I suggest the Fattoush salad; it's like a normal salad except mixed with fried bread and dressed with grenadine, garlic and olive oil.
Fattoush Salad
For first timers, the mixed plate will have you set. This comes with Hommus, Baba Ganoush and Garlic Dips, Tabouli, Meat Skewers (lamb, chicken and Kafta) and Falafel. Not only will this will it give you an idea of what to order but will also save space in your pocket as compared to buying the dishes individually.
Mixed Kafta Plate with Hommus, Baba Ghanoush and Garlic dips, Tabouli and a Falafel
My favourite main dish is the "Breast Chicken Lemon Garlic." But I must warn you, it will leave you with a strong garlic breath; but definitely worth it.
Chicken Breast Lemon Garlic. 3 Skewers of marinated chicken breast mixed with garlic based sauce
If you still have space for dessert, than Baclava is the way to go. Not mentioned on the menu is rice pudding, order that and you'll be complete.
For the smokers/casual smokers out there try the Narghile also known as the 'waterpipe.' They come in flavours such as, oeach, apple and mint.
If you do plan to visit Al Aseel with a booking, than ask to book the corner table with Bedouin cushions for a real Middle Eastern seating experience.
Al Aseelis open daily and also has a catering division for events and parties. They have a take away menu (take away prices are cheaper than eating in).
Al Aseel's sister restaurant is located in Greenacre (4/173 Waterloo Rd Greenacre) with the same menu.
