About AALIA

Welcome to AALIA, where the name itself means “highest point” or “elevated” in Arabic – and that’s exactly what you’ll experience. This two-hatted fine dining destination in Sydney’s CBD brings together the lively spirit of Sydney with the diverse, flavourful essence of Middle Eastern and North African cuisine. Named Gourmet Traveller’s NSW Restaurant of the Year 2023, AALIA has quickly become one of Australia’s most acclaimed restaurants since opening in 2022.

Under Executive Chef Paul Farag’s visionary leadership, AALIA offers an experience unlike any other Middle Eastern restaurant in the world. Chef Farag spent years exploring dishes and techniques from lesser-known regions and coastlines of the Middle East and North Africa, discovering forgotten ingredients from millennia ago and uncovering recipes from within the pages of 10th-century Arabic cookbooks. His approach beautifully combines ingredients from across territories and times, contrasting tradition with modern techniques to offer diners an Arabian nomadic time-travelling odyssey.

The interior is equally breathtaking, seamlessly emerging from Harry Seidler’s iconic MLC architecture. Designed by Matt Darwon, the space features stunning curved timber columns crafted from Spotted Gum that reach for the ceiling, taupe leather booths, warm lighting, and a bustling open kitchen with ironbark wood and charcoal grill. The experience fluidly blends past with present, interior with exterior – creating a space that’s bright and airy during the day, transforming to date-night elegance by evening. Every detail reflects AALIA’s mission: to pioneer Middle Eastern cooking while staying true to its cultural roots.