AALIA Sydney

Aalia sits within the sandstone walls of Martin Place, tucked into the retail levels of the complex. It is a five-minute walk from the bustling Pitt Street Mall, yet the room feels insulated from the frantic churn of the shopping district.

The restaurant holds two hats from the Australia Good Food Guide, but the acclaim is secondary to the way it handles Middle Eastern ingredients. The kitchen pivots away from the heavy, traditional mezze found elsewhere in the city, opting for a lighter, contemporary approach that defines the menu. The room runs smart, feeling more like a private clubhouse than the grand, drafty dining halls typical of the surrounding business quarter. It is a far more focused experience than the tourist-heavy spots lining the path to the Sydney Opera House, making it the better choice for a meal that prioritizes the plate over the postcode.