Marina Bay — Restaurant in Melbourne

Looking to try somewhere new, I somehow stumbled on this restaurant and it looked great from all the reviews to the menu. I love Lebanese food, so we were really looking forward to trying it ... I don't know if it was an off night or not, but I'm not a fan. The owner/host was cold and unfriendly when showing us to the table. The staff were ok, but there were some issues along the way. One strange thing was that pita bread was put onto the table in plastic bags as if they'd been thawed out from the freezer. I thought it was a bit tacky, but surprisingly they tasted ok. The entrees were all delicious. We all enjoyed what we ordered, however the food itself was lukewarm at best. We were then a few bites through eating entree when all of a sudden, the main meals came out. We were in disbelief. They were stunned when we told them we weren't ready for them (nor was there room on the table) and they begrudgingly took them away. Then they did come back out, no one told me the plate would be super hot. I went to move the plate towards me and just about burnt my finger off. I had to dip it in ice water the rest of the time. The food was really flavourful, and in that respect, we all enjoyed it, but the chicken was dry and I just didn't want to finish it. It's a beautiful space and when it's busy, I'd say it's got a great atmosphere. However, there were too many negatives for me to travel back there to eat there again. I have a few other favourite Lebanese places I...

The atmosphere at this place was beautiful, which was the highlight of our visit. The staff were friendly when we first arrived, but unfortunately, things quickly went downhill. The service was very unorganised, and our orders kept getting mixed up. We had to wait an incredibly long time for our food, and during that time, the staff didn’t check in with us once.

We were also hoping to get our water refilled, but no one came around to do so. We tried to order shisha, but once again, we were never approached by the staff to take our order, so we ended up leaving and going elsewhere for shisha.

When the food finally arrived, it was disappointing—dry, flavorless, and not what we expected at all. Even though we had seen that meals came with fresh bread, that wasn’t provided either. Overall, it wasn’t a great experience, and I’m not sure I’ll be...

Perfection in every detail! From the moment we walked in, everything was flawless—the ambiance, the service, the presentation, even the cutlery. But the real highlight? The food. Every dish was an explosion of authentic flavors, crafted with care and passion.

What truly sets Middle East, Marina Bay apart is the chef. He personally comes to our table, not just to introduce the dishes but to share the stories behind them—his Syrian heritage, his inspirations, and the traditions that shape his cuisine. This personal touch makes the experience even more special.

It genuinely felt like a home-cooked meal, bringing back memories of dining at my mother’s table. Every bite was rich, flavorful, and deeply authentic. I cannot recommend this place enough—if you’re looking for a true taste of the Middle East, this is the...