Emad's Restaurant — Restaurant in Sydney

The length of time that Emads has been in operation is best measured in decades (six) rather than years. Opening in 1964, it’s part of a cluster of long-standing Lebanese restaurants on Cleveland Street in Surry Hills. While the constant flow of traffic has dulled their facades, Emads has timeless womb-like interior that summons West Asia and North Africa through low lighting, textured walls, fabrics and art.

Rice and lamb mince-stuffed vine leaves and cabbage rolls are your must-eats here, and arguably the best versions of each dish I’ve tried. They’re among the first wave of dishes to land with their set menu ($50/head) alongside excellent smoky baba ghanoush, solid hummus, bright lemony tabouli, and a generous amount of flatbread. Finely-minced lamb, onion and pine nut kibbeh, flaky spinach pie, and felafel dabbed with tahini and dusted in sumac arrive next. A tart lemon juice ($5/each) helps to bridge the richness of the deep-fried dishes.

Punctuate them with forays into the dips and salad. A pair of kebab round out your fast-to-arrive feast: garlic and spice marinated chicken breast (shish tawook) edging out the kafta (minced lamb with parsley, chopped onion and spices) for me. Coming back from a midweek show at Sydney Spiegeltent, we dined at the far edge of Emads’ opening hours. Perhaps this was why our ladyfingers, garlic dip and pickles were forgotten, but with warm hospitality and more than enough food for two people, I left happy with our...

I have been coming here for years and I love the food. One of the staff members is lovely and the other guy is incredibly rude, hence the three stars. I haven't been back for a whole since last time I went the waiter asked me what I wanted before I had sat down. When I said I wanted to look at the menu first he gave an exasperated sigh like I was ruining his night by not ordering as I walked to my seat. I stayed away a while and on my return was made to feel welcome by the nice man. The other guy who waited on us was so rude, he asked me to order and when I said we have not looked at the menu he stood there with the pen and paper in hand and said he would wait. When I gave it to him he told me that I had to order more I ordered $80 of food and he basically stood over me lecturing me. The food was good but I don't like to deal with this man and it left me with a bad taste despite the tasty food. It is unfortunate that I have to leave a review like this all because of one rude staff member (he is possibly an owner because he would have been given the heave ho a long time ago with such an unpleasant manner to...

Been a client for years. Loved this place and suggested it for a friend birthday, a group of nine. stay away from the set menu. Is a rip off. Same food separate costs a fraction! We arrived and greeted as usual but then as the menus are coming he only approached a man in our group and told him because of the size of the group we had to order a set menu. This ended costing $340 for about the same food always costs a third of that ordered from the menu, when I been there with a group before we were never forced to order a set menu and I did not know about this until after dinner. I was never told this as the regular client. I just assumed this one person ordered for all. But is not ok to make people order an overpriced menu. Even worst when one has been a client for years. Also the bill had no details just a total. As much as i love the food. I will not return because this was a total ripoff. All that money for food not worth more...