Al Shami Restaurant — Restaurant in Sydney

While Syria might currently be understood as a site of conflict, on the breakfast table, a diverse range of Ottoman, Persian and Arabic culinary influences unite. Set on the wrong side of the tracks away from the bulk of Merrylands’ shops and restaurants, Al Shami Restaurant offers the chance to enjoy the flavours of this geographic region for a reasonable price. The popular dining room is centred around a bubbling water feature. The fountain is fenced off in a glass enclave within an over-decorated dining room ringed by olive green banquettes.

Your chosen breakfast feast arrives by trolley in an avalanche of food. Fresh pickles and soft flatbread are complimentary. Eggs with either sucuk or meat ($17) are buttery and gentle. A warm bowl of fatteh ($17) topped with tahini sauce, pine nuts and fried bread, is your Syrian breakfast stodge. The warm, porridge-like consistency, cut by perfectly cooked chickpeas, is a pleasurable eat on a cold and blustery morning.

Presented on iceberg lettuce, grilled cheese ($12) proves to be pan-fried golden haloumi, which eats well against slices of fresh tomato, raw onion and green olives. Felafel ($12/6)—plucked from the lunch menu—are your must-eat. Shaped like doughnuts, they’re crisp on the outside, with moist herbaceous interiors. While they come with tahini sauce, smothering everything in tangy labneh ($10) drizzled with olive oil, black seed and dried mint, keeps the meal feeling like breakfast rather than...

This was honestly one of the worst meals I’ve ever had. If it were possible to give zero or negative stars, I would. I ordered the kifta skewers, and they were hard, dry, and broken — clear signs of lacking fat and poor preparation. The skewers were thin, flavorless, and definitely not worth the high price. The meat didn’t taste like it was grilled over charcoal and certainly didn’t seem like pure lamb. The only decent item was the packaged bread, which says a lot about the rest of the meal. I’ve tried many authentic Middle Eastern restaurants such as Armani, Al Aseel, Jasmine, and Salma — all are far superior in both quality and authenticity. This place charges premium prices for food that has nothing to do with authentic cuisine, especially Syrian. I even felt embarrassed serving this food to my friends; everyone commented on how bad it was. It was my first and definitely my last order from this restaurant. Honestly, I can’t understand how this place has positive reviews — either people don’t know what real Middle Eastern food tastes like, or the reviews are fake. Serving broken “kofta” skewers is unacceptable. Shame on you, Al Shami, for claiming authenticity while delivering such poor quality. I’ve recorded a short video and taken photos, which I’ll be posting on my review channel soon. If anyone else had a similar experience, feel free to reach out so I can include your...

I had an incredible lunch experience at Al Shami Restaurant, an authentic Syrian spot in Sydney. We ordered Banquet One for four, and it was a fantastic choice! The restaurant's ambiance was charming and cozy, with decor that reminded us of Syria's rich culture, creating the perfect setting for a memorable meal.

The banquet started with a colorful array of cold mezze, including creamy hummus, smoky baba ganoush, and fresh tabbouleh. Each dish was rich in flavor and freshness, showcasing the unique spices and ingredients that define Syrian cuisine. The fattoush was especially delicious, with a perfect blend of crispy bread, greens, and zesty dressing.

Then came the hot mezze, with delicious falafel, perfectly golden and crispy, and kibbeh that was both hearty and flavorful. The balance of spices in each bite was remarkable, giving us an authentic taste of Syria’s culinary heritage.

For the main course, we were treated to an impressive selection of grilled meats: juicy lamb, tender chicken, and savory kafta. Every piece was seasoned and grilled to perfection, capturing that signature, smoky flavor that makes Syrian grills so distinct.

This place truly brings a taste of Syria to the city—I can't...