When a restaurant ruins every other fine dining experience for you, you know you’ve discovered something extraordinary. That’s exactly what happened when I first stepped through the glass doors of AALIA over a year ago — and trust me, nothing compares. Plus, arriving via Cars on Demand made the entire experience seamless from start to finish.
The Moment Everything Changed
There are dining experiences that satisfy, and then there are those rare encounters that fundamentally shift your understanding of what exceptional cuisine can be. AALIA earned two hats shortly after opening and was named Gourmet Traveller’s NSW Restaurant of the Year 2023, but accolades only tell part of the story.
Located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD at 25 Martin Place, AALIA (meaning “highest point” in Arabic) represents the pinnacle of Middle Eastern and North African cuisine in Australia. Paul Farag from Alalia took out the coveted Oceania Cruises Chef of the Year award for his innovative approach to Middle Eastern food — a recognition that’s well overdue for a chef who’s revolutionizing how we experience this ancient cuisine.
Perfect for Special Occasions and Birthday Transfers
AALIA represents the perfect destination for those milestone celebrations that deserve something extraordinary. Whether you’re planning birthday transfers for a loved one’s special day, organizing restaurant transfers for an anniversary dinner, or coordinating special event transfers for corporate entertaining, the journey should match the destination’s caliber.
There’s something magical about stepping out of a luxury vehicle directly onto Martin Place, knowing that an unforgettable culinary experience awaits. For special occasions, the seamless coordination of premium restaurant transfers elevates the entire evening from memorable to genuinely exceptional. When you’re celebrating life’s important moments with special event transfers, every detail matters.
A Journey Through Time and Territory
What sets Executive Chef Paul Farag apart is his extraordinary dedication to authenticity combined with innovative technique. 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.
This isn’t your typical Middle Eastern restaurant serving familiar mezze plates. For many people, Middle Eastern cuisine is defined by tabouli, falafel, meat skewers and baba ganoush. Aalia (Arabic for “highest point”) aims to expand this definition through techniques, ingredients and dishes from lesser-known regions of the Middle East and North Africa, including Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey and the Emirates.
The Waraq Simsim Moment
Let me tell you about the dish that completely captivated me: Waraq Simsim. Picture a glossy perilla leaf hosting a nigiri-style oblong of cumin-flavored aged rice, crowned with an indulgence of sea urchin. You fold the sides in, burrito-style, and experience a flavor explosion that defies expectation. Even on my second visit, this dish remains mind-blowingly brilliant — a testament to the consistency of excellence that AALIA delivers.
Architectural Brilliance Meets Culinary Artistry
The restaurant’s design, crafted by the talented Matt Darwin (known for his work at Automata, Toko, and Pony), is nothing short of breathtaking. 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.
Dining beneath the polished tree canopy — hundreds of steamed, forged wooden strands reaching from ground to ceiling — creates an urban forest atmosphere that perfectly complements the culinary artistry. The design seamlessly emulates the architecture of the iconic Seidler “mushroom” building, which the restaurant overlooks in Martin Place. Think curvaceous timber ceilings and a grey concave concrete pattern for the kitchen walls.
Culinary Discoveries That Transcend Boundaries
Take the Masgouf, for instance — considered the national dish of Iraq. Typically its cooked using a freshwater fish (with scales on) over a charcoal grill. Here, Murray cod is cooked as above, before it’s glazed in garlic, turmeric, tamarind, and the juices of apples and pineapples to create a sweet and sour flavour. It’s dishes like this that showcase Farag’s ability to honor tradition while creating something entirely new.
The Eggplant mes ‘a’ aha deserves special mention — this is the godfather of eggplant dips. Salted, washed, fried, then mixed and laid to rest with hour-long reduced sun-dried tomato pulp and a touch of allspice. Even my dining partner, who typically avoids eggplant, found himself going back for more in what I can only describe as an “inappropriate and slightly crazed way.”
The Bread That Outshines Legends
And then there’s the bread — a golden, glossy orb that completely outclasses even Sydney’s most celebrated offerings. Slice it open (or dare to rip with bare hands) and discover steamy, stretchy strands of dough that deliver the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and pure dining joy. We inevitably order a second one.
Service Excellence and Sommelier Magic
The service at AALIA transcends the ordinary. Executive chef Paul Farag’s attention to detail went as far as sending staff recordings of him pronouncing menu items to ensure tip-top authenticity when serving diners. The sommelier team, led by the effervescent Eleanor, brings extensive knowledge and captivating storytelling with a refreshingly unpretentious approach.
The Chef Series: Culinary Collaborations
AALIA’s commitment to culinary excellence extends beyond their regular menu through their acclaimed Chef Series. In its third incarnation, this year’s partnerships will host three renowned guest Chefs — Ivan Brehm, Zackary Furst and Shane Delia — across four exceptional evenings. These collaborations showcase Ivan Brehm is renowned for his pioneering ‘crossroads cooking’ at the acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant Nouri and the creative interdisciplinary space, Appetite in Singapore.
Recognition and Accolades
The awards speak volumes about AALIA’s impact on Sydney’s dining scene. Paul Farag’s Martin Place diner is Sydney’s north star when it comes to polished Middle Eastern and North African cuisine. The restaurant continues to earn recognition not just locally, but internationally, with notable service on the Hot List from The World’s 50 Best.
A Sustainability Story
Beyond the exceptional cuisine and service, AALIA demonstrates commitment to sustainability. The restaurant employs an ironbark wood and charcoal grill, sustainably sourced from the Blue Mountains, to impart a distinctive smoky flavour to its meats. This attention to responsible sourcing extends throughout their operation.
Making the Journey Part of the Experience
For discerning diners who appreciate excellence in every detail, the journey to AALIA should reflect the restaurant’s standards. Professional restaurant transfers ensure you arrive relaxed and ready to fully immerse yourself in Paul Farag’s culinary artistry.
When celebrating milestone moments with birthday transfers, anniversary dinners, or coordinating special event transfers for business entertaining, the seamless coordination of premium transportation transforms an already exceptional evening into something truly unforgettable. After all, when you’re investing in a two-hatted dining experience, every element — from restaurant transfers to the final course — should contribute to the magic.
The Verdict
AALIA transcends the ordinary — it’s a truly magical dining experience where every element (human, design, service, sustainability, originality, and care) is executed with precision. It’s more than a restaurant; it’s a memory that will haunt you until you return again (and again).
AALIA’s dining experience is more than just a meal — it’s a journey through time and space. In a city blessed with exceptional dining options, AALIA stands as the crown jewel — a testament to what happens when passion, authenticity, and innovation converge.
For those planning restaurant transfers to this exceptional venue, organizing birthday transfers for someone special, or coordinating special event transfers for corporate entertainment, remember that extraordinary destinations deserve extraordinary journeys. Book your premium transport and ensure every moment of your AALIA experience reflects the restaurant’s commitment to perfection.
Ready to experience AALIA for yourself? Reserve your table now and prepare for a dining experience that will redefine your understanding of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Simon’s Rating: ★★★★★
AALIA
Shop 7.07 + 7.08, 25 Martin Place, Sydney
Open six days a week
Perfect for restaurant transfers, birthday transfers, and special event transfers
Just don’t blame me when every other restaurant pales in comparison.
.avif)
.png){kind=small}