4 RCA-winning Middle Eastern Restaurants Where Spice is Nice

As we continue on our delicious drive around the country discovering the plethora of Readers’ Choice Award-winning venues, let’s take a look at those Middle Eastern restaurants to embrace a Spice Affair.

Here are four of our faves where spice is nice:

Just like its owners, Olive Thyme Turkish Cuisine on Sandgate Road in Albion is where Turkish tradition meets modern inspiration. Nestled in a beautiful heritage-listed 1920s building, this restaurant has a warm, welcoming ambience of polished wood floors, intimate table settings clothed in white linen and walls adorned with colourful china plates.

 

In true Turkish style, a centrepiece counter displays tempting entrée platters and desserts so guests can take a peek before ordering plates like ahtapot – tender Fremantle octopus, tahini bean purée, daikon, green olives and activated walnuts.

A tantalising fusion of Middle Eastern cuisine comes together at The Nile Grill & Kebabs restaurant, found inside the Eaton Fair Shopping Centre on Recreation Drive. Welcoming in ambience, a warm interior lures weary shoppers in need of nourishment, taking a seat among Egyptian-styled artwork and surrounded by soft red and orange hues.

 

As mouth-watering smells waft to tempt the nose, take time to peruse a menu of traditionally-inspired dishes created from inherited family recipes and spiced sauces made in-house; satisfy hunger with spicy chicken shawarma cooked with capsicum and sumac, served with couscous salad.

 

Take your tastebuds on an exotic journey at El Attar Middle Eastern Grill on Neil Street in Toowoomba. Be transported to Egypt after your first steps through their doors and into a moody ambience of red décor, mosaic tiles and wall murals of pyramids, as the aroma of spices waft from the kitchen, whetting appetites for authentic Middle Eastern fare.

 

Delve into shared entrées of creamy hummus topped with lamb, beef or chicken, served with flatbread and pickles; before mains such as charcoal-grilled, seasoned minced lamb skewers with rice or chips, or opt for the banquet menu with a little bit of everything.

 

Inspired by Turkey’s rich culinary history Safran restaurant on Ocean View Road delivers authentic recipes with contemporary twists to Ettalong Beach diners. From dishes cooked in Ottoman Palace kitchens to street food, Safran covers all tastes and palates, enjoyed in stylish surrounds of a green tiled bar, recycled timber flooring, arched windows and Middle Eastern-style lights.

 

Perhaps opt for the five-course degustation and paired wines, or dine à la carte with starters like beef-filled dumplings, garlic yoghurt, tomato, mint, chilli butter and sumac; then devour slow-roasted goat shoulder, beetroot coulis, braised chickpeas and Swiss chard.