Al Aseel

Al Aseel is in Newtown, Surry Hills and Lakemba, too (Burwood is a franchise), but this Greenacre site is the original and nowadays grand HQ: a slick operation with wired-up waiters and flash fit-out. The name means ‘authentic’ and the Lebanese menu is just that. Try ‘Beiruty’ hummus, which is thick, not creamy, mixed with lemon juice, mint and parsley. Meat skewers are tender and juicy and the garlic sauce moreish, while vegetarian kibbeh has spinach, onion and chickpea inside a crust of crushed wheat and pumpkin. The epic banquet option busts the Under $30 budget, but could banish hunger forever.