Baba Ghanouj Parramatta

For home-style cooking that'll transport you to a family dining table in Lebanon, look no further than Baba Ghanouj. The Parramatta outpost of this restaurant (which has sibling venues in Dural, Castle Hill and Kirrawee) boasts a broad menu of traditional plates, desserts and imported drinks.

The warm space is ideal for group outings, with large tables set among dramatic arches and chandeliers. Even more charming is the outdoor dining area where you can enjoy your next date night on a tree-lined street under draped strings of fairy lights.

The menu is divided into cold and hot mezza, small pans, salads, mashawi (grilled skewers) and wraps (available until 4pm). For the mains, choose from plates such as chilli prawns with tahini, red capsicum, onion and vermicelli rice; pan-fried barramundi with coriander, lemon, paprika and garlic; or slow-braised lamb with spices, rice, nuts and yoghurt dip. Banquet options are available for couples or groups, which include 9–12 mezza and three meats.

If that's still not enough and you can't find your favourite Lebanese dish on the menu, have a chat to the kitchen and they'll prepare it for you.

Baba Ghanouj is open mornings every day and until 11pm on Tuesday–Sunday, so you can drop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner and satisfy any cravings between meals.