AALIA is the Sydney CBD restaurant that’s reimagining Middle Eastern cuisine.

This beauty comes from Esca, the hospitality group that are responsible for many of the city’s favourite eateries, including NOUR, Henrietta and LILYMU. The venue itself is unique, boasting curved timber columns reaching for the ceiling, round leather booths and a bustling open kitchen. During the day, this place is bright and airy, offering an outdoor terrace for alfresco eats. But in the evening? The lights are dimmed and date night vibes commence.

Having rifled through Arabian cookbooks that date back to the 10th century, Executive Chef Paul Farag developed a menu of raw, mezze and mains using lesser-known ingredients. Think Murray cod masgouf, served with double apple and ajwain, as well as chickpea masabacha accompanied by Urfa mussels. As for drinks, there are lots of wine, beers and bubbles to tip back. But if you fancy a cocktail, choose from sips such as the Mash Mash Sour, which marries vodka, apricot, turmeric jam and lemon juice, topped with a myrtle foam.