Over the past 8 months I've visited Sydney 4x and stay in CBD. Obviously there are numerous restaurants in the CBD but on my last night I wanted to experience a local neighborhood. After a few searches I decide upon Balmain, a suburb of Sydney, directly across the harbor. Balmain like most areas around the harbor have an interesting history - look it up. Back to the meal - the tenderest chicken kabob ever! So good, I decided to take the last portion back to my hotel. The appetizer- Arnabeet was fantastic. If you like this cuisine - make the short trip by land or water taxi. The only reason it's not 5 star - they served me Sprite instead of lemonade- forget that - 5 stars - I should have asked for another drink. I'll return for lunch in near future and take fotos when I have more ambient light. Kudos to the chef! March 2018, I came back for another wonderful meal and look, Kazbah was at the end of the rainbow! read more

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Kazbah It's my birthday and I'll eat if I want to! FOOD Round 1 - Starters Date & Banana Porridge with Stewed Rhubarb, Warm Rice Pudding with Saffron Poached Pear, Cinnamon and Hazelnuts and Sweet Couscous with Nuts, Dried Fruits, Stewed Rhubarb and Cardamom Milk Round 2 - Breakfast Tagines Lamb Mince with Feta, Spinach, Roast Capsicum, Caramelised Onion, Roast Tomato, Eggs and Pumpkin served with Turkish Toast and Lebanese Bread Round 3 - Eggs & Sides Poached, Scrambled and Fried Eggs on Turkish Toast with Merguez Sausage, Bacon, Roasted Tomato, Hash Brown, Mushrooms, Halloumi, Spinach, Baked Beans Round 4 - Pancakes Strawberry with Maple Syrup and Double Cream Overload of food. We were absolutely STUFFED. What a fabulous breakfast with a great sweet and savoury mix. The only thing that would've made it better was if either the pancake wasn't as thick or there was more maple syrup as the pancake was pretty dry. OVERALL The breakfast feast is a great and different way to celebrate a birthday right from the moment you wake up in the morning. I'd love to do it again! read more

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We venture a short distance from the city, to the harbourside village of Balmain. We are here to visit a local favourite - Kazbah, for a modern Middle Eastern / Lebanese dining experience. This cafe restaurant is ever popular, particularly for group dining for breakfast, lunch or dinner.Kazbah is easily spotted from the street by a glimpse of colour, which is provided by the beautiful mosaic tiled feature wall, which is also decorated a number of table tops within the restaurant. The space is large and welcoming, with a long communal table running length ways through the centre of the venue. As you enter we find the place abuzz with diners and you are sure to be welcomed by the friendly and personable staff who will show you to the table. We spot the Middle Eastern coffee implements, which also make for good decor as do some colourful ceramics. Ahead, we also spot the bar, an array of wines on display and a busy open kitchen.Having spotted the coffee equipment, we were inspired to order an 'Arabic' or Turkish coffee. The brew is thick with a nice sweetness and is poured from a cool copper seving vessel, known as a dallah into a coffee mug with a Middle Eastern kaleidoscope design.Visiting in a group, the entree / mezze menu is ideal to start. The fried cauliflower with eggplant jam, tahini and pinenuts at $18.50 is a tasty way to enjoy some vegetables. The Skakshuka or Lamb meatballs and Kasseri cheese at $18, is another top pick crom this menu. There are also prawn saganaki, falafel, sambousek, pita and dips to name a few.From the mains, the popular hummus plates are a must. We chose the Spicy lamb Hummus - a large bowl served full of deliciousness; with whole chickpeas, spicy morrocan lamb mice parsley, pickled chillies, grated haloumi cheese, boiled egg, pomegranate sauce and pinenuts for $21.50. This comes highly recommended.The roast pumpkin salad was a good option to accompany this feast. A good mix of ingredients: roasted pumpkin, a quality smashed falafel, freekah and eggplant with rocket, quinoa, walnuts, coriander, grilled haloumi, roast tomato, avocado, boiled egg with tahini and dukkah for $22.5. It was fresh and zesty and we like that we got to try falafel with this.Kazbah's specialties include a range of tagines. The Chicken Chermoula Tagine with chicken, potatoes, green olives, apricots, carrot and citrus couscous for $34 was our pick of the meal. The chicken was extremely tender and well infused with pleasant flavours from time spent in the tagine.If you're interested in coming for breakfast, there's also an amazing breakfast choices on the menu including tagines, egg based dishes and rice pudding and even a banquet feast at $49 pp.Kazbah is a good option for any time of the day with great service, an enjoyable venue and some great food on offer. read more

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Long time favourite! Never disappoints. Fresh fit out of mix n match tiles adds to the exotic. Staff skillfully guide you through the delicious & sometimes unexpected dishes to the perfect choice! Fresh juices are not 'just juiced' but still yummy!! Today we had Chickpea Fritters & Feta Cake. Surprisingly off the breakfast menu! OMG fab!! Created by a food lover & eater who packs his creations with flavour & taste!! read more

Kazbah - Balmain - Delicious Chickpea Fritter & Feta Cake - Middle Eastern Near Me - Balmain, NSW

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Kazbah is my gem when I'm feeling like breakfast with a twist. Moroccan and Middle Eastern flavours are infused into standard breakfast fare. The dining room is always packed so a booking or wait is required. (Tip: I come towards the end of breakfast at about 2pm when there are plenty of tables). Beautiful glass jars with fresh green mint, colourful hand painted plates and bright yellow walls set the scene. At breakfast I only ever order the Roast Pumpkin Breakfast Tagine ($19.50) with roast pumpkin, spinach, roast capsicum, roast tomato, caramelised onion, feta and eggs. It is seductively good. I have also tried the lamb tagine but found the flavours too strong. I recently tried Kazbah on a Saturday night for dinner. The front staff couldn't find my booking but no matter, he remembered me from the phone and directed us to our table out the front. I was happy with the outdoor seating because inside was like one big loud party and out here we had a little (but not a lot) more room to think. Between three we ordered some dips, two mezes and two mains. We asked the waiter (who was rather strange) if this was enough food for our party and he looked confused, nearly convincing us to order more. The bread with dips ($16) consisted of hummus, babaghanouj, taramasalata, tzatziki and carrot. The babaghanouj and tzatziki were some of the best I have ever had. The carrot with cumin spices was probably my favourite. And while the hummus was ok, I have had much better. The taramasalata was way too fishy for my taste. The entrée of Chorizo and Haloumi Stuffed Calamari ($18) (http://yelp.com.au/biz_photos/xixH_tuSKRXKuLhXMC89Vw?select=DBJkSgg7TwcORcLk6uiEng) was the winning trifecta. Three of my all time favourite ingredients brought together in one amazing dish. It worked so darn nicely! This was followed by the Cumin Battered Soft Shell Crab ($18) (http://yelp.com.au/biz_photos/xixH_tuSKRXKuLhXMC89Vw?select=hgveOOcbrwP8_OCtLiXgNA) which also went down favourably. The night came alive as a belly dancer moved between the tables. The first main, the Goat Tagine ($34) (http://yelp.com.au/biz_photos/xixH_tuSKRXKuLhXMC89Vw?select=X_X-7qxJI_NIYqpE9ptMMA), had a nice sauce but the meat was bland and, how do you say it, very 'goaty'. But the pumpkin had been infused properly, so if the meat was like this, it would have been a more successful dish. And then we had the Lamb Kafta ($35) (http://yelp.com.au/biz_photos/xixH_tuSKRXKuLhXMC89Vw?select=WRaKtGr8a8CnzulSthDzwQ) which came on a bed of baked potatoes. The kafta were full of herbs and spices and the potatoes were tasty. The amount of kafta (4pcs) in relation to the price though, was a little absurd. Throughout the course of the night we had four different waiters, some nice and others strange but none too overly enthusiastic. This made it hard when it came to tipping to know who would be getting what. The restaurant is BYO but a corkage fee of $3.50 per person is charged. In conclusion to this essay, the food is good but the prices are high. I will continue to visit Kazbah but on a more sporadic occasion rather than a regular monthly thing. read more

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I came across the Kazbah by accident, whilst walking along Darling Street on a warm summers day. A few friends and I wanted breakky and the place looked really good, so we decided to drop in - and lucky we did - because we were in for a treat .... Firstly, I didn't know it was a local favourite of Balmain, but that quickly became clear when after we were seated maybe 10 minutes later it was completely packed with a queue (Tip 1 - book ahead) The menu was really fun a mix of Moroccon and Middle Eastern Flavours. I decided to be a little daring and opted for Foul Medammas - Chick Peas, Fava Beans, Garlic, Tahini, Lemon Juice, Boiled Egg, Shallots, Lebanese Bread.... and let me tell you it was scrumptious ($16.50) If doing a little middle east for breakky freaks you out - don't worry they still have the usual porridge, french toast, eggs on the menu.... but I suggest you live a little and let your taste buds run free - it's worth the adventure... A must place to visit if you're in Balmain. read more

Kazbah - Balmain - Middle Eastern Near Me - Balmain, NSW

This Middle Eastern themed restaurant is best visited for a breakfast when on Darling street, Balmain. Go with a group of friends, grab the breakfast tagine and ask for half lamb and half pumpkin. The staff here are great and the also put on a show especially when pouring drinks for the table. This is not your usual breakfast place but it is a great feed. Couple it with their amazing Chai Latte. read more

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Not our usual breakfasting spot, we were passing by and saw it and realised a friend had recommended it the week before so decided to take the plunge. I was really glad we did as the breakfast options were so different from the usual which is always exciting. I had the lamb tagine and it was exceptionally good. Very spicy and came with a load of bread to soak up all the delicious fat. It was certainly a heart starter. Or stopper. Depending on how you look at these things. My dining partner had the chickpea fritters which she loved, once she replaced the pork with haloumi which they were more than happy to do. Service was exceptional. Coffee was very strong, but good. We'll be back. read more

Never fails to disappoint... Had a large group there for Mother's Day breakfast and despite them being very busy (as always, mind you) their service was flawless, attentive and very friendly. The food was amazing and the almost to the point of excessive in its quantum. The tagine breakfast was spicy and flavoursome; the porridge and rice dishes were great in consistency and spice with a tower of meat and haloumi thrown in for good measure. The side dishes and breads make the perfect additions for a long graze, of which you need. In case you needed more the breakfast dessert pancake was simply amazing, light but satisfying. We were never rushed and was just a pleasant experience. The fit out is low key Arabian without being kitschy. Looking forward to visiting there again soon! read more

Bring a friend! Hell, bring 7 of them and tell them all to wear loose pants. This is the famed Kazbah breakfast feast and I assure you that you've probably never had a breakfast of this size or variety ever... unless you're really there for brunch, in which case you've probably never had a brunch of this size or variety ever. For $25, there's no better way to gain a kilo just by having your first meal of the day. Remember to pace yourself... don't be pressured into trying to finish all of the initial dishes (particularly the starter bowls of cous cous, rice pudding and banana porridge) as you will need the space in the belly to get through to the end. The hero dish of the entire meal is easily the lamb tangine. Full of spices, nicely seasoned and just incredibly rich and tasty, the tangine goes so well piled on a small segment of lebanese bread or a piece of turkish toast with a squeeze of lemon juice on top. Even if you don't have the numbers for the feast (it requires 8 minimum), it's worth making a booking here just to try out this dish. Service is very friendly, particularly here at the Balmain branch which I tend to think is better compared to the one at Top Ryde. It's a very warm and welcoming place to eat and the cheerful chatter amongst restaurant patrons here only adds to the radiant ambience. Bookings can be made online and is highly recommended as it certainly gets very busy. read more

*Sigh* I am really wishing that the dining partners I had whilst at Kazbah for brunch were as greedy as me and would have wanted "in" on the breakfast feast (needing a minimum of 4 people). As it was, they didn't, and I found myself salivating over the others' gloriously groaning tabletops. So, my review is for the breakfast food had by me and my bf, which was not good. I ordered a dish of chickpea fritters, poached egg, and pork belly shish kebab. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. The chickpea fritters were absolutely tasteless. The pork belly shish was deep-fried to the point of being inedible (think one massive pork rind/pork scratching. Gross) and the rest of the dish had no flavor. So sad! Also the coffees are the same price as large coffees but you get smalls. My bf's lamb breakfast tagine wasn't good either- underspiced and bland. However, another friend at our table got the Eggs Benedict. I finagled a bite. Holy deliciousness! Some of the best hollandaise I have tried! Yet another dining companion got simple scrambled eggs and bacon with Turkish toast. While I wasn't successful in scamming a bite, man they looked fab also. But the best part was the chocolate and raspberry pancake with butterscotch and choc ice cream we got to split between 5 people... it must have a corn base... it was rich, buttery, thick ooey-gooey goodness. Plenty to share and even had some left over. Yum! Again, other peoples' food was good, and the other tables around us looked happy and contented. But the dishes we chose were unfortunate. I would come back for the feasts, and to try dinner, but certainly not for my and the bf's less-than-stellar dishes. Service was prompt and cheerful as well. read more

Love this place, especially for breakfast. I know a minced lamb tajine sounds weird for breakfast, but you have entered the Arab world (or in this case the Turkish Arab world). And I'm not being racist, I was born and raised in the Arab world, that being Egypt. They have an amazing pineapple and mint juice, and a selection of teas. Their foul is no where near as good as any Lebanese place, but the Tajines are all fantastic. It is a little bit on the expensive side, but worth every cent. Go with a group and share the dishes, as you are going to want to try every dish that comes out. read more

Had a birthday brunch today and wow wee! Plenty of food, sweet and savoury. Banana smoothie was bloody fantastic, make sure if u get the set menu for brunch then u come empty stomached. $40 seems expensive but u won't eat until dinner time trust me. We had a group of 18 and we could not eat everything. Will come back again! read more

My experience was OK. Bearing in mnd that most of the other reviews of this place are for breakfast and I was there for dinner on a Thursday night. The service was a bit slow, undoubtedly because the place was packed and there were only 2 waiters, slowly threading their way through the tables, taking orders and clearing used plates and glasses. The food itself was 3.5/5, I had the camel kebab and some breads and dips. Had a similar experience at the Top Ryde branch, good food but need to review their staffing policies. Might give the breakfast a go and see if that's better. read more

Huge portions and the food tasted amazing. Just took some time but definitely will return. Great coffee as well actually. read more

Kazbah - Balmain - Delicious - Middle Eastern Near Me - Balmain, NSW

I've only ever visited Kasbah during the day... and I was literally the only person in the place at the time. What I can tell you is this: 1. The service was attentive (not hard... given I had no competition). 2. They were happy to let me work there with my laptop. 3. The food was tasty. 4. The owner asked if I was a model. I'm almost prepared to go back just for that last bit. read more

I am a breakfast person. I'd actually have breakfast for lunch and dinner if I could. I therefore consider myself a breakfast connoisseur having tried so many different breakfasts over the years. That was until I went to Kazbah. Kazbah is Moroccan cuisine and they specialise in breakfast (served from 8AM-3PM). Dishes like sweet couscous with mixed nuts, dried fruits, stewed rhubarb and cardamom milk ($16.50) or Spicy Moroccan Lamb Mince, Hummus, Pine Nuts, Pita Bread ($18) are the highlight here. If you really want a treat try the Bisteeya - chorizo, prawn, kasseri, roast peppers, labne and avocado salsa ($22). Because it is always too hard to choose just ONE dish here, my recommendation is to go with a big group of friends so you can taste a bit of everything! read more

I booked this restaurant, after reading reviews, for 6 people on a Saturday night. The restaurant looked pleasant but that's the last positive thing I can say! The waiter didn't seem to understand our menu choices. I even wrote them down on the paper tablecloth with the crayons they provided!! They totally forgot a dish and the portion sizes for the other dishes were just plain lousy. We attempted to share but there wasn't very much!! The dessert was incorrect and so small we had to cut 2cm sweets into 4 pieces!!!!!! so we could taste some. Don't go here if you are hungry. We have been to many middle eastern cuisine restaurants and found them to be GENEROUS. Try El Phonecian at Walsh Bay, outstanding food and service. Kazbah- how can you treat paying customers like this?? read more

Brunch to die for. Have been here for brunch a number of times and never disappointed. The staff have been great, the atmosphere is fun (if a little noisy sometimes when groups are present) and the food is a fantastic journey of discovery. We particularly loved the tagines, the mezze, the rice pudding, the list goes on read more

Lord knows how much I love a good brunch. Spending four years in Montreal, a city that revolves around this mid-day meal, I can't recall a week going by without a nice Sunday brunch with friends. Nothing is better at creating a longing for Sunday morning then a hearty plate of eggs or a honeyed stack of Belgian waffles. Yet I am always welcome to a nontraditional brunch. At the recommendation of some friends, I had this week's Sunday brunch at Kazbah, a Middle Eastern restaurant with an emphasis on Moroccan and Turkish cuisine. It was a rainy day in Balmain, so a warm Mediterranean breakfast was a perfect remedy for the chilly morning. From the outside, Kazbah didn't stand out particularly among the shops and cafes of Darling Street. Upon entering, I could not help notice the attention to detail. Bright yellow walls were accented with large ceramic plates and iron lamps hung delicately from the lofty ceilings. Waiting time for our seat of five was minimal and service was attentive from the beginning. I love a Turkish breakfast, which usually consists of eggs, tomatoes, the intensely flavorful Sucuk sausage, along with fruit and the quintessential Turkish coffee. The breakfast menu at Kazbah also features some Lebanese and Egyptian treats, as well as your standard breakfast fare of eggs and sweet dishes. Along with a Turkish coffee, I ordered the individual lamb tagine, which overflowed with spicy ground meat, sucuk, roasted tomatoes, all topped with two eggs and accompanied by warm, buttered Turkish bread and pita. I was immediately impressed that the eggs were cooked to perfection and the meal itself was pretty sizable. For around $19 per tagine, it definitely satisfied my appetite. The breakfast menu is full of other things I'd like to try, like the potato cakes, foul mudammas and their daily fresh juices. But what I really want is to return to the elegantly cozy Kazbah for dinner. read more

I had the lamb shank and it was tasty. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Great location too (although, probably for that reason the prices were fairly steep). read more