Shaffa

Shaffa is a Middle Eastern restaurant and bar in Surry Hills, tucked into a laneway at 80 Albion Street. The venue sits between two heritage-listed sandstone buildings and is designed to evoke the colour and energy of a Middle Eastern bazaar, while its cooking brings together heritage influences and contemporary flavour. It describes the experience as immersive, making it a distinctive setting for dinner in central Sydney.

The menu is built for sharing and includes oysters, crudo, grilled seafood, vegetables, meat and Middle Eastern breads. Standouts include burnt eggplant labneh with harissa oil and sumac, beetroot-lentil kibbeh niyah, octopus al ha’esh with crispy potatoes and muhammara, and chicken shawarma skewer served with tahini, amba, herbs, pickled cabbage and laffa. There are substantial options such as lamb shoulder on the bone and marinated Black Onyx flank steak, alongside fire-roasted cabbage, grilled mushrooms and other vegetable dishes.

For a more structured meal, Shaffa offers a set menu at dinner, with dishes including kibbeh niyah, ceviche, focaccia, burnt eggplant labneh, palamida crudo, lamb shoulder and coconut malabi. The Friday lunch set menu provides another way to sample the kitchen. Menus change with seasonal produce and local suppliers, so the selection may vary.

The drinks list gives the bar an important role, with original cocktails, classics, beer, arak and an extensive wine selection spanning Australian and international bottles. Shaffa suits an intimate dinner or a lively celebration, with the set menus and shareable format particularly useful for groups. The website does not provide enough information to assess its family or solo-dining offering specifically, but the restaurant’s range of dishes and drinks leaves room for different styles of visit.