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Al Aseel

Is this Sydney’s best Lebanese restaurant?

First published on 25 May 2012. Updated on 11 Dec 2012.

You’ve probably heard us moon and swoon over Jasmins in Lakemba about a bazillion times, but there’s a new contender who may just steal the spotlight. Al Aseel, who have branches all over Sydney (Lakemba, Greenacre, Surry Hills) have recently opened in Newtown. That’s good news for povvo students, vegetarians, big groups and pre-gig diners alike. Let’s hear it for reasonably priced and delicious Lebanese food.

Excitingly, Al Aseel open for breakfast on weekends. Pity the foul – you can only order it during the day. Here, fava beans and chickpeas are slow-cooked in lemon and garlic, doused in olive oil. And maybe go for a dose of shakshuka (spiced baked eggs with tomato). We love the chickpeas and yoghurt covering a layer of fried flatbread and melted butter.

It’s also one of the few restaurants where there’s something to eat before you even sit down – flatbread and mixed pickles adorn every table just waiting for smoky baba ghanoush and hummus – both served here with a deep well of sweet olive oil.

It’s a fancy-looking establishment, just off Missenden Road with a big bar off to the side that even has Trumer Pils on tap and house-made lemonade if you’re abstaining. Floating top and bowler hat lamps dangle from the ceiling throwing a golden glow over the room, and Lebanese pop music blasts in the background.

They’re masters of the fryer here. Order the cinnamon-heavy kibbeh – deep-fried pucks of lamb mince – and crunchy, creamy falafels with tahini (which, BTW, they do at brekkie for an extra $1.50 a piece. Yeah!). If you’re time/cash poor, you could do worse than order one of the mixed plates where you get skewers, dips and tabouli on the same dish. Otherwise, try a few of the grill options like lamb, chicken thigh and kofta, all served with garlic sauce.

Al Aseel also feature quite the fancy dessert menu, including a surprisingly good roast pistachio ice cream with candied pistachios and honeyed figs. There’s also chocolate torte with custard sauce we have our eye on.

An all round win, we’d say.

Words by Myffy Rigby |

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Al Aseel details

Address

189 Missenden Rd

Newtown 2042

Telephone 02 9550 3194

Price per person including drinks up to $50.00

Open Mon - Sun 10am - late

Al Aseel website

Newtown area guide

Al Aseel map

If this map or venue details are incorrect then please Contact Us

Restaurants near Al Aseel

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Readers' comments, reviews and pictures

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Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Anne said:
Was really excited to see Al Aseel open in burwood! we were having a girls night out and walked in at 8pm and it was so busy, we ordered chips calamari and a mixed platter, after 50mins our food still wasn't there but we put it down to teething issues and were happy to wait. When tables which came after us were being served we asked the manager if he forgot abt us - he said he hadn't but their oven was broken but it's fixed now and they had started cooking our food, we figured they missed our order but everybody makes mistakes, so it was ok! BUT THEN 20mins later, after newer tables were served - the manager came out to us saying their ovens broken and our grilled meats can't be served ( but what happened to our chips and calamari??). They didn't offer us alternate food. Not happy very bad service and the management could have dealt with this issue differently by offering us other meal options. We wont be visiting this Al Aseel every again at burwood. Hopefully this branch does not give other Al Aseel a bad reputation !!

Posted on Mon 17 Dec 2012 10:54:23
Guest said:
Al Aseel Greenacre will always be my one true love as their mother-hub but it's always nice to see them expanding and still keeping quality up.

Posted on Thu 23 Aug 2012 08:20:19

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