It was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Service and staff were super helpful, polite and nice to talk to. Shoutout to Nicos for providing optimal service and great recommendations. Food was probably the best food I have had for a while, maybe even ever. Would definitely come back soon!

Omg loved loved loved the food, service and atmosphere. Our waitress asked me which part of our meal was my favourite and I honestly could say every dish that was served to us was impeccable. Serious compliments to the chef. The restaurant had a beautiful moody ambience and every staff knew every dish so well. Bellisimo 😊

I went here with my sister and my husband for mine and my sisters shared birthday. My sister is vegetarian (for better or for worse, haha). But we were all hoping to do a set menu. Unfortunately, they did not have adequate substitutions in the set menus for vegetarians. When we went - in October - they did indeed have some substitutions but it felt rushed and not well thought out. So she was left out from the experience. There were options for her in the a la carte menu, however. The staff were quite strange about all of this, and it took us talking to a few people to sort it out. The waitress serving us seemed a bit lost initially. Other than that, the food was quite good - especially the meat. The quality is obviously there, though you do pay a premium price for it. The ambience is lovely. Overall, I would come again, but I am not in a major rush.

We were greeted warmly on arrival and seated straight away. The only small frustration was being placed near the door, which opened and closed often, but the staff were incredibly considerate and made sure to keep it shut so we weren’t disturbed, a thoughtful touch that didn’t go unnoticed. We tried a range of dishes. The lamb nayyeh was prepared well, and although raw meat isn’t usually my go-to, I still appreciated the way it was done here. The fattoush crackers were a standout, fresh, bright, and genuinely delicious. I also really enjoyed the eggplant with spiced tomato, especially with their pita, which was excellent. The lamb neck shawarma was good, though the flavour profile wasn’t entirely for me. I ended up using the flank steak to make a shawarma-style wrap with the bread, and that combination worked beautifully. The steak itself was cooked well and had great richness. Dessert was a highlight, the turmeric sfouf with pumpkin molasses and buttermilk ice cream was soft, delicate, and very enjoyable. Drinks were also well made and balanced. Service throughout the night was excellent. Our server was attentive, welcoming, and offered thoughtful recommendations. Having been to their sister restaurant, Nour, I was pleased to find Aalia just as enjoyable in its own way. Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience, and a place I’d happily return to.

Absolutely stunning setting tucked inside Martin Place, surrounded by architectural buildings and a sculptural pool. The interior is just as beautiful, with modern, neutral tones and a warm, refined atmosphere. We booked a table in the inner dining room (as opposed to the heated outdoor area or bar), and despite booking a week in advance, the earliest dinner time available was 8:15 pm. When we arrived, our table wasn’t ready, and we had to wait about 15 minutes outside. However, once seated, our experience was exceptional. Our waiter for the night, Sam, was outstanding — professional yet genuinely friendly and welcoming. He even allowed us to swap the tuna from the set menu for the bone marrow from the Classic Banquet, which was greatly appreciated. The food was nothing short of phenomenal, easily the best meal either of us has ever had. Even the pita bread stood out as the best we’ve ever tasted. Every dish was beautifully balanced, and the set menu was generous. We were both extremely full by the end. The standout surprise of the evening was the dessert: Milk chocolate tart with Egyptian tea and plum. Smooth, salty, creamy, and unlike anything we’ve had before. Worth returning for the dessert alone. An unforgettable dining experience. Worth every second.