Arabella Lebanese Restaurant Newtown

As I had so many times at Arabella, I had a great time with my friends there. Every time the food is so good and is on time. We've tried the banquet twice and I recommend it for the big groups. For the service was good as well and the team is so friendly, I met Omar there who is very expert. After that we switched to the shisha lounge and we had a good time with the best flavours and shisha service. Thank you so much for making our night and make out friend happy for her birthday.

The atmosphere is great, and I really loved the overall vibe of the place. However, the service was quite slow, especially considering how many staff members were present. We could clearly hear them asking each other to check on our table, which felt unprofessional. Additionally, given how upscale the restaurant appears, it was surprising and disappointing to be served water in plastic cups (as shown in the attached pictures). For a place where you’re paying a premium, this level of service is not what one would expect.

Arabella serves some of the best Lebanese food I’ve had in Sydney. The menu goes far beyond the usual neighbourhood Middle Eastern fare. This is genuinely authentic Lebanese cooking, including dishes you rarely find elsewhere like kibbeh malse, the southern Lebanese take on raw kibbeh. Yes, it’s pricey but the depth of flavour and quality make it worth it. It feels like a thoughtful and elevated dining experience rather than a casual local spot. The long-standing staff are excellent and really elevate the experience. The newer waitresses, however, are still clearly finding their feet. One was handing us our plates every single time and handing them to the wrong person which felt awkward and honestly made me feel bad for her especially when she had to carry two massive mixed plates at once. The only reason this isn’t a 5-star review is the music. It consistently triggers migraines for me to the point where I have to medicate before going. When you sit in Arabella, you hear loud music from both Arabella and Shishabella at the same time. Interestingly, if you sit next door in Shishabella, you only hear one venue’s music so this feels like something that could be fixed. That said, Arabella is also very aesthetic with beautiful design and atmosphere. Incredible food, stunning space but just please reconsider the sound setup.

The dishes on the menu included "standard" Middle-eastern/Lebonese fare, and a few less common dishes. We ordered three plates to share for lunch, wine, sparking water, and eventually coffee (both Lebanese and Western). We ate on the sidewalk tables, but there were plenty of tables inside. The food was delicious. The tabouleh salad arrived without cracked wheat (?!), yet was tangy and fresh despite. The problem was the service... we waited 20 minutes for anything to arrive, then the dishes trickled in every few minutes, and we had to remind the waiter about the wine and water. Every time a waitperson appeared, it was a different person.

I absolutely loved my experience at this restaurant from the moment I walked in. The atmosphere was warm, relaxed, and beautifully set, making it the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a night out. Every dish we ordered was delicious, full of flavour, and presented with such care that you could truly see the passion behind the food. The staff, along with the owner, were exceptional. Their attentiveness, friendliness, and genuine warmth made us feel welcomed and valued throughout our entire visit. It’s rare to find a place where both the service and the food are consistently outstanding, but this restaurant delivered on every level. Overall, I couldn’t be happier with the experience. It’s the kind of place you instantly want to return to and recommend to everyone you know. Highly recommend, Thank you very much!