Sydney Restaurants

  1. Almustafa

    With belly dancers on the weekends and water pipes for afters, Almustafa is a fun place to eat - which wouldn't matter if the food wasn't first rate. Try not to fill up on the more-ish hummus and baba ghanooj dips; save room for stuffed vine leaves, sizzling lamb kofta, chicken shwarma and the other greatest hits of Lebanese cuisine.

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  2. Erciyes 2

    The cafe up front serves quick takeaway meat pies and kebabs, along with some excellent dips - try the jajik (cucumber, yogurt and garlic). If it's good Turkish pizza you're after, you won't go away hungry. For something fancier, come at night, when the BYO restaurant does similar fare but with belly dancing as well (Friday and Saturday only).

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  3. Fifi's

    Chef Fifi Fudda brought the secret of her deliciously smoky baba ganouge dip with her from Beirut. Her restaurant gives Lebanese cuisine the respect it deserves, with white linen and classy décor. Opt for either a three-course omnivore or vegetarian banquet (around A$30 ) or supersize to five-courses.

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  4. Sabbaba

    Despite being situated in a block catering mainly to Bondi's Hassidic Jewish community, this Israeli falafel shop attracts more punters in board shorts than black coats (it's not strictly kosher). The vegetarian falafels in pita bread (around A$7 ) are a tasty bargain, or if that sounds too healthy, try a meat grill for a serious protein hit.

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