Shaffa Surry Hills- bold Middle Eastern flavours hidden underground, waiting to be discovered
Shaffa Surry Hills is a one-hatted Middle Eastern restaurant and bar tucked down a laneway at 80 Albion Street, framed by two heritage-listed sandstone buildings from the circa-1855 Appletree Inn. From bold nishnush at the marble chef's bar to refined shared mains in the softly lit dining room, it is one of Surry Hills' most considered dining experiences.
The menu takes classic Middle Eastern flavours and reimagines them with modern confidence. Start with the Rockefeller Oyster with pomegranate molasses, harissa oil and brown butter, or the Beetroot-Lentil Kibbeh Niyah with paprika paste and silan. The Octopus Al Ha'Esh with crispy potatoes, sujuk and muhammara is the one to order mid-menu, and the Lamb Shoulder on the Bone with chermoula and burnt shallot earns its place as the anchor main.
The Charred Negroni with charred grapefruit and cardamom-infused gin is the cocktail to start with. The wine list is a serious piece of work, spanning small Australian producers to Georgian Qvevri wines, Barossa Grenache and a Brunello or two for those who want to go deep.
Quick Bites
EAT: Lamb Shoulder on the Bone with chermoula, lamb jus and burnt shallot.
DRINK: Charred Negroni. Charred grapefruit and cardamom infused gin, Aperol, rosso vermouth.
PLAY: Weekend Long Lunch with a group, drinks package included. One of the best Sunday afternoons in Surry Hills.
VIBE CHECK: Sun-drenched atrium with 10m high glass ceiling between heritage-listed buildings and a nice, buzzy atmosphere
