Aalia Restaurant Sydney

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.

Omg loved loved loved the food, service and atmosphere. Our waitress asked me which part of our meal was my favourite and I honestly could say every dish that was served to us was impeccable. Serious compliments to the chef. The restaurant had a beautiful moody ambience and every staff knew every dish so well. Bellisimo 😊

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.

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.

Amazing! Came here for my boyfriend's 30th birthday. Francesca looked after us and we went with all his recommendations and personal favourites from start to finish and it was perfect. We loved it from entree to desserts We both said this was the best duck we've had in our lives and my boyfriend said best meal he's had this year :)

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.

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.

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!