Shaffa

Down a moody Surry Hills side alley. Candlelit. Striking brick-and-glass architecture. Shaffa delivers a masterclass in Levantine dining. Sydney’s culinary crowd packs this intimate space nightly for fire-kissed plates that demand total attention. Grab a stool at the bar. Watch the kitchen crew work the grill with absolute reverence for the ingredients. Diners who know the menu inside out point straight to the octopus al ha'esh and the beetroot-lentil kibbeh nayyeh—intricate, cohesive, and fiercely seasoned. Expect warm, hyper-attentive service as you tear into fresh focaccia, swiping it through silky hummus or smoky burnt eggplant dip. From succulent chicken shawarma skewers and delicate scallops to the legendary fire-roasted cabbage, every dish hits hard. Finish with the cardamom-laced kataifi and halva. An undeniable rush of sweet spice and crunch. Book early.