Abla's

Abla's. If you haven't been, you should go. If you've been you'll keep going. If you can't get back there you'll keep thinking about it. I've made Abla's chicken rice many times myself but I still love having Abla's original version. Love the green beans too. And the baba ghanoush. And the chicken wings, and the potatoes, and the home made lemonade... <3 <3 <3

First time coming to dine at Abla’s and I’ve been wanting to for a few years now. It did not disappoint at all and now I could say it’s one of my favourites. I’m eager to try the other dishes in the menu! We’ve had the vegetarian ladies fingers, trio dips (trust me when I say you have not tasted dips this good until you’ve had the Abla’s), samke harra and fattoush. I could not fault anything. The food was 10/10 and the service was great/friendly. The dishes came out at a good time even though it was almost full house. The atmosphere was cosy, the way the lighting was set made the dining experience very intimate. Being an old Carlton building it almost felt like it took you back somewhere else, definitely a pleasant experience.

ORDERED FEB 2025: 🦕 Mixed dips: combination of labnee, hummous and baba gannouj ($21.00) 🥔 Lebanese Potatoes/Batata Harra: Potatoes fried with garlic, coriander, chilli and salt ($16.00) 🥗 Fattoush: A green salad with radish, tomato, cucumber, capsicum and Lebanese fried bread ($18.00) 🍡 Kafta Mishwee: Four skewers of minced lamb, seasoned with parsley, onion and spices, grilled and served with tabouleh ($34.00) It was $45.17pp between two people here. REVIEW: Minor price increases on the mixed dips & lebanese potatoes compared to last year. ❤️ The food is still delicious and plentiful. The lebanese fried bread within the fattoush salad was crunchy and adds incredible addictive texture. Service is still second to none, offering more pita if you've still got some mixed dips remaining on your plate! Definitely still book before you go. It packed on a weekday! ------------- ORDERED 2024: 🦕 Mixed dips: combination of labnee (home-made naturally thickened yogurt), hummous (Chickpeas blended with tahini, garlic and lemon juice) and baba gannouj (smoked eggplant blended with tahini, garlic and lemon juice) ($20.00) 🥔 Lebanese Potatoes/Batata Harra: Potatoes fried with garlic, coriander, chilli and salt ($15.00) 🥗 Fattoush: A green salad with radish, tomato, cucumber, capsicum and Lebanese fried bread ($18.00) 🍢 Lahem Mishwee: Two skewers of lamb fillets, marinated and grilled, served with tabouleh ($32.00) 🏺 Jug of limonda: Home-made lemonade with rose water ($14.00) It was $40.60 for my portion! REVIEW: The food was fantastic. It was filling and flavourful. A couple of my favourite F words 🥰. Shoutouts are for the mixed dips with its refreshing olive oil and its generous pita servings which you can request for more once it runs out! Then, the crispy lebanese potatoes which isn't shy with its spices, and the fattoush with its crispy fried bread. I think fried food has a soft spot in my stomach 🤣. 💓 It's great food to share between friends, with a jug of limonda refreshing to have with our food. The food in general gives home cooked food vibes without compromising on the restaurant quality! Abla's has tight steep steps and I'm unsure if there's accessibility access. The area is well decorated with a bathroom upstairs as well. When you go, it's worthwhile booking at Abla's because they get PACKED out! 📕

home-style cooking that truly tastes home! abla’s boats four decades of food that never bends from authenticity. we enjoyed devilishly luscious and thick labnee, which will make the perfect dip for any dish here, with smokey baba gannouj and hummus that was on the stronger side of tahini. the fried bread was as crisp as it looks, even better when soaked in the glorious oils of the fresh fattoush. the chicken and rice is famous for a reason…gorgeously aromatic rice that smells like grandmas kitchen, delicatey shaped with tender chicken breast and golden almonds, this dish was a joy! the cabbage rolls were as rustic as ever, thinner and denser than what im used to. similar to their housemate pickles, a more bitter and tougher variety compared to others i’ve tried. for home-style cooking, prices are on the higher-end. but if you’re wanting to experience the authenticity of lebanese food, it’s worth it. abla herself says “anything you do with love you can’t do wrong.” she’s right! only good exists here at abla’s, that is good food cooked from straight from the heart!

This is my first time here and it didn’t fail to impress me with their incredible delicious filo pastry lamb roll. For the mains, we ordered the lamb skewers and the chicken rice. The lamb was grilled to perfection with the right marinade. So tender and tasty. For the chicken rice, I somehow enjoyed the spice rice more than the chicken. The chicken breast seemed dried and tasteless. We came on a Tuesday night so the restaurant was not too crowded. We were seated upstairs where service was slow as the waitress was downstairs most of the times. However, it is quieter upstairs. Overall, I enjoyed the meal

I had the cauliflower and baklava. The cauliflower was delicious and went really well with the bread. Felt it was quite expensive for the amount of food you got. I was quite hungry at the time and it definitely didn’t fill me up. Had some baklava afterwards and found the baklava a little bit dry and lacklustre, definitely not worth $8 baklava imo. Overall the food was tasty, probably a bit on the pricier side and I didn’t find the serving sizes all too hearty, so I give it a 3 out of 5. Thanks for the food nonetheless guys, cheers.

We needed a place that serves halal food to bring our guest and gave Abla’s a go and it’ll be our first taste of Lebanese food. Upon entering, love its coziness . Menu has heaps of lamb dishes - great if you’re a fan but I’m not. These were what we ordered and my view: ▪️The trio dips was good, but wished that they’ve toasted / heated the pita bread. ▪️Lamb ladies finger (spring rolls look alike) - not for me ▪️Falafel, nice and crispy, with similar dipping sauce with one of the trio ▪️Baked fish was too salty and again have similar dressing with one of the trio dip Wish we had a better experience esp that we brought our guest. Could just be what we ordered or that we are ignorant of Lebanese cuisine.

I’ve been wanting to try their famous chicken rice dish for the longest time. The restaurant is just gorgeous, so homey, and the waitstaff are very polite. They were also willing to adjust my order as I was dining alone, which I appreciated. The food was just okay, though. The hummus was quite bland. The chicken rice was nice, a bit dry though. Overall, I do prefer Tiba’s.

One of the best Lebanese restaurants in the world . I haven't been to Lebanon, however this tastes as authentic as my grandmother's Lebanese recipes. If you love Lebanese food then make sure you don't miss out . I would fly here just to eat here especially if I'm in Australia in another state . I love this place one of my favorite restaurants on the planet

I love this restaurant so much!! My parents came here together when they were younger and last month when we came back to Melbourne my parents brought the family here. And even though we originally had a reservation for 4, when we called ahead they had no problem changing our reservation to 6 which we really appreciated. The food was incredible. Looking at the menu, I had no idea what to choose because everything looked so delicious! I ended up deciding on the kibbee (which was honestly one of the best things I have ever tasted) however I also tasted the chicken and rice, lentils and rice, and the dips with pita. I would absolutely recommend ALL of those dishes as they were all incredible!!! The dessert was equally amazing and the portion sizes were perfect! Despite being fairly busy, the waitstaff was very helpful and quick. I really appreciated everything that they did to make our dinner perfect. The atmosphere of the place was very comforting and the candles really added to the vibe. Everything about the decor made it seem like I was in a whole other place for the night. I have never been to Lebanon and I hadn't eaten very much Lebanese food before but after eating there, I really want to fly directly there. My family has their recipe book and when I tasted their rice and lentils I was immediately transported back to my childhood. Their food felt so nostalgic. I have a peanut allergy and the staff was very informative and clear about the nuts used in the kitchen. If you have a treenut allergy I would advise you not to come as Lebanese food does have a lot of treenuts, however Abla's was very safe for me and I think anyone else with another allergy would feel very assured with the way that the staff handled it. Overall our experience was incredible and Abla's is an amazing place! If I lived in Melbourne, I don't think very much could stop me from going every day!! I definitely recommend this restaurant to everyone!!!!!!!!!

Delicious food, great service. Lovely vibe. Drove from Geelong and would do so again for this place.

My excitement to eat at ablas (despite meeting the abla in person) came to a grinding halt when they moved us from a table with four seats to a table of three seats in an empty restaurant. Then they served our mixed dips on a plate ( poor presentation) whereas the two tables next to us go then in three colourful pretty bowls. Why the mistreatment? We got the mixed dips with Lebanese bread. The labneh was scrumptious. Thick creamy yoghurt flavoured with some sesame like salty oil. The babaganoush was nice and smoky. The hommus was average. For mains, we got the following: Kafta - four lamb skewers with tabbouleh on lettuce The chicken skewers with garlic dip and tabbouleh And the chicken and rice dish which is lamb mince woven through the rice and encompassed and topped with roast chicken breast and almonds. Though my dish was beautiful it was quite bland the chicken was dry. I slathered it in leftover hummus and then felt sick. The lamb mince was flavorless. Quite a disappointing dish. We also got the rose flavoured pistachio custard like dish which has a weird slimy structure that wobbled when you tried to cut through it and tasted like Turkish delight. Not for me. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty the waitress was keen to get us out. Also saw her sneak in a few bites before she served the restaurant patrons. How rude. Mains are around 28-30 each. Not much selection you can only get Lebanese coffee. Poor selection of drinks. Mostly lamb or chicken dishes and they are quite similar. Very disappointing.

It is always quite risky for a Middle-Eastern to go and try a Middle-Eastern restaurant for the first time, with expectations being high (mum's cooking) and al. But with an empty stomach, an open mind and a clear palate I was ready. The experience was great from beginning to end: From the phone booking: called before their opening time and left a message which they returned shortly, to the well presented and very varied menu, which had everything I was hoping for, from appetizers, dips, and a wide variety of main dishes - except maybe for Molokheya and Sharkaseya (two dishes that I love), to the very friendly and cheerfull staff. I immediately fell at 'home' walking in. The tables, chairs, tablecloths, decor in general, waiters' outfits, the welcoming lady Abla, and the lighting - perfectly lit, not too dim "where is my food and am I sitting at the wrong table again?" and not too bright "confess your love to me Now, and I can see all the work our childhood dentist missed" that suits both a romantic date as well as a dinner out with friends - all homogenously make for a warm and fuzzy ambience. We ordered a lot of food, from mezzas to dips to several main dishes, and all of it (except the kebba neyah/ raw minced meat which wasnt to our liking as it was a bit too raw for us) was delicious. Our waiter noticed we were struggling with finishing the second dish and came and asked if we would like to cancel the next two, as well as cook the Kebba Neyah for us to go! Unbelievably friendly. The food was more of a lebanese take on Middle-Eastern dishes with a bit of a Melbournian twist to it than a hardcore-for-the-purist version. I know that every middle-eastern Ahmed, Aly and Obaid (read: Tom, Dick, and Harry) would claim that their take would be better but that is the risk a place like Abla has to take: the is no way you can accommodate for all the different versions of those common dishes and yet stay original. Which is definitely what Abla is: an Original, fresh, and very delicious take on Middle-Eastern food with amazing staff, great ambience, and very friendly service. Oh, and I forgot to mention: The baklawa is to die for. Abla Fan Nemra Wahed (Numero Uno).

This was amazing! The food and service were excellent. Definitely will be back. The food is fresh and tasty, one of the best Lebanese restaurants I have been too. Highly recommend the mixed dips, cabbage rolls, Chicken and lamb skewers.

Never tried Lebanese food before? Get excited! I have been enjoying my mother's Lebanese cooking for all my life and Abla's makes me proud to parade authentic Lebanese food to anyone who wants to take the plunge to food paradise. Nothing fancy inside, its cosy and the staff are friendly. The atmosphere is perfect for groups and still a lot of fun with your partner. Make sure you arrive on an empty stomach and order the banquet; it has all the classics and is amazing value for money. It begins with a bowl of Lebanese bread and three mixed dips (Labneh, Hummus and Baba Ghanoush) to start the salivation process. These three dips don't get any better than this. Within a short period of time, the Lebanese sausages (Makanek), Sliverbeet Rolls and Ladies' Finger came out. You're going to love dipping the Lebanese sausages in the Hummus and Baba Ghanoush so make sure you don't finish all the dips yet! The Loubieh (best Loubieh you will have), Chicken Wings (baked in garlic and lemon), Tabouleh and Kibbee are next. All amazing (those chicken wings fall off the bone) and you will roll your eyes around your head with the taste orgasm you're having. Make sure you leave enough Labneh (one of the dips) to dunk some Kibbee in. It's not over just yet, next came out one of the best Falafels you will ever have and tender lamb skewers. The final meal that made its way was the beautifully presented Lebanese Chicken and Rice dish. If you managed this far, you will be glad to know Lebanese coffee with baklawa and Turkish delight will be tickling your sweet tooth. It's a lot of food, it's a feast fit for a king and queen, but if you can't finish it and want to take it home in a plastic container? No problem. The whole experience is homely and warm, and that's the charm about Abla's. You will be treated to the most amazing authentic Lebanese food of your life! There's nothing like it.

I went there with the guys at work for our end of FY lunch the other day and had a great time. I'd never had Lebanese cuisine before and, to be honest, it wasn't even on my list until I found out that we were going to Abla's. It was a great choice though. Standing in front of the place, you can actually guess that it's been here on Elgin Street for a long long time. The place is not fancy or pretentious, is quite small and the decor is far from vibrant. It actually looks very simple with carpet on the floor and a beige/creme coloured wall. What it lacks in the decor, Abla's makes up for it with a fantastic service and delicious food though. We had the banguet, which was about $70/head and the servings were very generous. They started with bread and dips, followed by about 7 or 8 dishes which included fish, lamb skewers, chicken and rice, Chicken Wings, Tabouleh, Silverbeet rolls. To finish off, we had lebanese coffee with baklawa and turkish delight. We didn't get a chance to meet Abla. Perhaps, we'll have better luck next time. Abla's is definitely worth a try and make sure you try their lebanese beer as well - they are pretty good.

Abla's is a Melburnian institution of sorts, specialising in authentic Lebanese cuisine with a 'homemade by mum' kind of flair. The restaurant itself is in an old house and by no means fancy; but what it lacks in ambiance it makes up for in the great food and overall experience. I recently came here on a Friday, when for a fixed-price banquet. The waitress kept bringing dishes to our table until it was completely covered and there was no room to move unless we ate our way out. Everything was delicious, highlights include the baba ghannouj (amazingly smoky with a generous touch of creamy tahini), the kibbeh (probably the best I've ever had, perfectly spiced lamb and pine nuts surrounded by airy, golden brown semolina), the felafel (amazing, slightly chewy texture - not dry and crumbly like many places), and the green beans (just the right amount of tang and not overly oily). Abla herself came by between the entrees and main course to see how we were enjoying our meal! Other pluses: they are very good at accommodating dietary requirements (I have a dairy allergy, and we had a vegetarian in the group as well), and have BYO ($5 corkage). The banquet is also a great deal, for $60 per person you'll get an out-of-this-world feast (make sure you come hungry). My one complaint would be that it's a bit loud upstairs when there are large groups, so this is probably not a good choice if you want to have a quiet conversation. If you're just out to eat some great Lebanese food, drink, and be merry, though, this is easily forgiven.

Authentic Lebanese is so good. Order the mixed dips and you will not be disappointed. The chicken and rice is delicious.

Longest running Lebanese restaurant in Melb, fantastic food. Ask for the garlic sauce on the side when you go.

Great food, just like what I cook at home, could not fault it. The staff are helpful friendly and courteous , well worth going

Best falafel ever! Portions for the full tasting menu was a little big but the food was great.

My friends refer to Abla's as a melbourne institution - this is a great place for sharing a delicious meal with friends with good service and mouthwatering mezze