Kazbah Balmain

Justly famous for its bountiful breakfast tagines, Kazbah has earned a reputation as Middle Eastern Party Central with its exotic flavours, eclectic decor and convivial atmosphere. A collection of colourful brass lamps, hand-blown water jugs and intricate Moroccan plates is right on theme, as is the lively addition of boisterous belly dancing on weekends, although service can get a little lost in the melee. Grilled garlic and harissa octopus and crisp, spicy lamb borek shine among a long list of entrees, preparing you for the spice trail ahead. Traditional tagines arrive in authentic cone-topped pots with preserved lemon and harissa relish, while shish kebab is generously presented on a giant skewer. A whole baked snapper with pistachio samke hara (chilli and tahini) sauce and char-grilled steak with Moroccan butter successfully infuse Aussie staples with Moorish flavours. Desserts push creative boundaries out a notch, with a sweet, flaky pastry bisteeya filled with velvety chocolate and topped with pistachio ice-cream. Also at Darling Harbour & Top Ryde