AALIA

A Two Hatted Middle Eastern Restaurant in Sydney

Situated in the heart of Sydney CBD, AALIA brings together the lively spirit of Sydney's dining scene with the diverse and flavourful essence of Middle Eastern cuisine. Our aim is straightforward—to pioneer Middle Eastern cooking while staying true to its cultural roots.

AALIA's Executive Chef, Paul Farag spent years exploring dishes and techniques from lesser-known regions and coastlines of the Middle East and North Africa, discovering forgotten ingredients from millennia ago and uncovering recipes from within the pages of 10th-century Arabic cookbooks.

AALIA earned two hats shortly after opening and was named Gourmet Traveller’s NSW Restaurant of the Year 2023.

AALIA’s dining experience is more than just a meal—it's a journey through time and space. The interior seamlessly integrates with Harry Seidler’s iconic MLC architecture, blending the past with the present. The atmosphere strikes a balance between tradition and modernity, with architectural features, materials, and furnishings creating intimate and relaxed spaces. Much like being welcomed into a home in the Middle East, where the table is adorned with small plates and hospitality is abundant.  The result is a dining experience that transcends the ordinary, beautifully combining ingredients from across territories and times, contrasting tradition with modern techniques to offer diners an Arabian nomadic time-travelling odyssey of dishes.