Souk Is Melbourne's New Two-Storey Middle Eastern Restaurant and Bar

The enticing aromas of a Middle Eastern market will soon be wafting through the Melbourne CBD. Set to open in one of the city's countless laneways sometime in early March, Souk will serve up mouthwatering mix of Arabic, Anatolian and North African cuisine with a contemporary edge, along with a selection of Middle East-inspired cocktails.

The menu at Souk is the brainchild of Mexican-born chef Rogelio Almanza, who has promised to unleash an explosion of flavour. "It's an enjoyable challenge for me because it is gastronomy of the Middle East but I understand the concept very well as it is similar to Mexican gastronomy," he added.

With a strong focus on share plates, starters at Souk include prawn falafel served on smoked black tahini, and Kuwaiti fried chicken ribs crumbed with el-hanout spice mix, served with sweet cucumber and garlic sauce. Down the page you'll find heartier dishes, such as charcoal octopus with Muhammara sauce and roasted potato, apricot chicken koftas served with beetroot hummus, and traditional Turkish meatballs because of course.

Souk will be split into two levels: a 130-seat upstairs dining room, and a downstairs bar. It's in the latter space that you'll find a mix of local, European and Middle Eastern wines, plus cocktails including Aladdin's Mistress made with Moroccan green iced tea, crush cardamom pods, white rum, dark rum and mint.

Souk will open from early March at 13 Bligh Place, Melbourne. For more information check them out on Instagram or visit soukmelbourne.com.au.