The much-loved Bondi institution Sefa Kitchen brings the flavours of the Middle East to Byron Bay
The much-loved Bondi institution Sefa Kitchen brings the flavours of the Middle East to Byron Bay
The much-loved Bondi institution Sefa Kitchen brings the flavours of the Middle East to Byron Bay
The much-loved Bondi institution Sefa Kitchen brings the flavours of the Middle East to Byron Bay
The much-loved Bondi institution Sefa Kitchen brings the flavours of the Middle East to Byron Bay
The much-loved Bondi institution Sefa Kitchen brings the flavours of the Middle East to Byron Bay
The much-loved Bondi institution Sefa Kitchen brings the flavours of the Middle East to Byron Bay
The much-loved Bondi institution Sefa Kitchen brings the flavours of the Middle East to Byron Bay

The much-loved Bondi institution Sefa Kitchen brings the flavours of the Middle East to Byron Bay

There’s something deeply satisfying about forgoing traditional dining etiquette of knives and forks and ripping apart a piece of bread with your hands and dunking it deep into a bowl of dip. Embracing this philosophy completely is Sefa Kitchen, the latest addition to Nourishing Habitat’s stellar line-up of nosheries. Opening its doors this week, the Bondi-born venue is set to bring the diverse flavours of the Levantine and North African regions to beautiful Byron Bay. Read on for all of the delicious details …

For more than a decade Sefa Kitchen has captivated Sydney’s dining scene with its rustic yet refined take on Middle Eastern cuisine. The brand-new Byron Bay outpost marks the third venture at the thriving Nourishing Habitat hub by restaurateurs Utku Ayhan (Foxy Luu’s Byron Bay and Sefa Kitchen in Sydney) and Nicolas Degryse (Gratia & Folonomo in Sydney), who earlier this year brought us Commune Canteen and the newly opened Gitana Spanish Wine Bar.

Sefa Kitchen is set to bring a fresh and exciting dimension to Byron’s vibrant food scene, showcasing the rich, diverse flavours of Middle Eastern cuisine rooted in ancient cooking traditions. At the heart of the kitchen is a wood-fire oven and open-flame grill, which imbues the fare with that unmistakable flame-kissed taste. We’re talking Tooba bread with saltbush za’atar and spiced butter, Spring Bay mussels with whipped tarama, Jersey halloumi with local smoked bush honey, calendula and pistachio, and crispy Brussels sprouts with almond tarator, sorghum dukkah and barberry salt. The true hero is a slow-roasted baharat lamb shoulder with cauliflower puree, sumac onions and pomegranate.

While it is generally frowned upon to eat with your hands at a restaurant, at Sefa, it’s encouraged. Most of the menu is served on generous share platters, perfect for picking, grazing and dunking. Owners Utku and Nico invite guests to dive in and get messy – it’s all part of the experience. There are, however, plates and cutlery available upon request.

Bring your feast to a fitting finale with a saffron panna cotta with date molasses, Persian floss and mandarin biscuit. For those who prefer their sweets in liquid form, there’s a fun and exciting selection of cocktails, including the Egyptian Hibiscus Spritz (hibiscus tea, vodka, ginger and prosecco) and the Musky Istanbul (house-made limonata, mezcal and mint).

Sefa Kitchen is now open Wednesday to Saturday from 11:30 am to 9:00 pm at Nourishing Habitat.

Image credit: supplied.

The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Gold Coast dining guide with more than 870 places to eat, drink, shop and play.

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