Shaffa
The flavours of the Levantine have a Sydney home at this Albion Street eatery.
Overview
Since 2021, the sights, sounds and flavours of Middle Eastern markets have had a Sydney home at Shaffa, sister to the Oxford Street eatery Caness. Akin to a great stall within those markets, it's slightly off the beaten path, tucked in a laneway and surrounded by heritage buildings.
The 60-seat interior blends history and theatricality, with sandstone walls, a ten-metre glass ceiling and an openair atrium that all work in tandem to lend a dramatic backdrop to the dishes and dining experience.
Inside the bar room, a tile and marble bar, backlit by a mix of natural and installed lighting, showcases a refreshing selection of drinks that work for lunch, dinner and late-night drinks alike. Said selection includes beers, arak and a truly global wine list, plus cocktails like a negroni with charred grapefruit and cardamom gin and Shaffa's signature martini, made with olive leaf Four Pillars gin, extra dry vermouth, orange curacao and verjus.
On the food front, the à la carte and set menus take Australian produce and elevate it with flavours sourced from throughout the Levantine corridor. Signature dishes include the beetroot-lentil kibbeh niyah, focaccia with za'atar, burnt eggplant labneh, cauliflower made with garlic labneh, crispy kale and ras-el-shaffa, marinated black onyx flank steak and a traditional chicken shawarma skewer.
In addition to its lunch and dinner offerings, Shaffa also offers bottomless weekend long lunches every Saturday and Sunday from 12–2.30pm. From $79 per person, you can get starters and mains like focaccia, burnt eggplant labneh, ceviche, and lamb shank. Wash it all down with a $37 or $47 per person drinks package, with 90-minutes of drinks like free-flowing margaritas and beers. It's bottomless, but curated for foodies and connoisseurs.
Images: Nick De Lorenzo
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