Why we love it: Though the Maha mothership has expanded with Maha East and Maha North, we pay our respects to the OG. Like an older, responsible sister, Maha continues to show up just the way you want her to, providing comfort in the form of whipped hummus, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, and smoked aged rice, like an upgraded version of a familiar and warming home-cooked meal. Time Out tip: This restaurant might be famous for its fall-of-the-bone lamb shoulder, but vegans are certainly nor turned away at the door.

Headed by celebrity chef Shane Delia, Maha redefines traditional Arab food with a modern twist. Undergoing a massive renovation in 2015, the restaurant’s now stylish and contemporary setting offers a fine-dining experience with traditional Arabian vibes. Maha takes an unrestricted approached to recreating Middle Eastern flavors.

Shane Delia has the foresight to have considered the rising demand for non-meat-based dining which in 2024 is basically reaching critical mass, and that’s why you’ll also find three of the best plant-based menus at his restaurants, Maha, Maha Bar and Maha East. Fusing the European and Middle-Eastern flavours that he’s famous for, Shane’s vegan menus feature spice-filled and incredibly in-depth flavoured dishes, celebrating the region’s diverse cuisine with plates like whipped hummus, asparagus, smoked paprika and toasted sesame, or smoked and fried Lebanese eggplant with shallot and date vinegar dressing with warm olives.

Seven days a week – until the end of June – Shane Delia’s hatted Maha flagship, a CBD staple for Middle Eastern cuisine, is serving wholesome, generously filled lunch bowls for just $15. Every week, a different chef is contributing a recipe based on their heritage or food experiences while travelling. Until June 30, for example, Maha’s newly appointed executive chef, Diego Huerta (ex- Lûmé, Geranium Copenhagen), is serving a bowl featuring creamy navy beans, burnt tomatoes, winter vegetables and wagyu meatballs with freshly baked bread.

A self-described ‘immersive modern Middle Eastern fine dining experience,’ Maha combines an eclectic mix of delicious Middle Eastern flavours and textures into one of the most exciting eateries in Melbourne. The Tasting Menu ($165 pp) gives you a sample of these mouth-watering flavours including their signature slow roasted lamb shoulder and Chemen Cured Victorian Tuna. A refined eating experience, their interior is marked by ornate and stylish decor exude opulent, making every bite just that much more delectable.

If you're looking for a fine dining experience in Melbourne, you can also try the restaurant Maha, which has been described as "an experience for the senses." The menu at Maha, a restaurant that prides itself on its array of authentic Middle Eastern flavours served in a stylish and hip environment, is extensive and varied. The restaurant has set menus that were created with the best seasonal ingredients. Make sure to make a reservation well in advance if you want a seat at Shane Delia's intimate masterpiece.

You might recognise Maha Restaurant chef Shane Delia from the SBS cooking show Spice Journey (after cutting his teeth at Le Restaurant in the Sofitel). His menu serves up familiar Middle Eastern flavours and textures, with a range of different set menu options and a decent wine list, while the fit-out feels contemporary without demanding your attention. If you’re after something other than the quintessential Melbourne Asian-fusion or French-inspired offerings, Maha Restaurant is well worth your time.

Meze is the word when you're a table of one and Maha Bar, part of Shane Delia's stable, is a specialist of the genre. Choose from cumin-roasted lamb ribs, kataifi prawns and house-made shanklish cheese topped with Yarra Valley caviar while you survey the buzzy and darkly lit room from your perch at the handsome curved bar. Beautiful joinery and vibrant prints by Lebanese artist Raphaelle Macaron provide extra visual fodder; cocktails and a raki list are equally welcome.

Powerhouse chef Shane Delia’s flagship venue is Melbourne’s premium destination for Middle Eastern fine dining. A set menu only restaurant, Maha offers a nonstop procession (seriously, there’s anywhere from 12-17 courses) of finely tuned, contemporary takes on the region’s cuisine. The $150 tasting menu includes primo dishes like Grilled Fremantle octopus, fava, tomatoes, saffron and broad beans and slow roasted lamb shoulder, za’atar spiced jus & toasted pine nuts.

The scene: From the moment you step into Maha, you’ve started your journey to the Middle East. This exotic eatery boasts a youthful and refined environment that highlights the beauty and opulence of the continent in the form of smooth beats, elegant textures and sweet aromas which set the tone for the heady experience ahead. The menu takes a fresh, unrestricted and innovative approach to Middle Eastern cuisine with a touch of Mediterranean influence.

Today’s champions include Shane Delia’s Maha restaurant in the CBD (pictured) plus his new Maha Bar in Collingwood, Very Good Falafel in Brunswick (which pretty much does what it says on the tin), Tulum in Balaclava (dishing up modern Turkish cuisine), Miznon in the city (“Tel Aviv, Paris, Vienna, Melbourne, New York”) and Miksa, a Turkish-Cypriot diner on the outskirts of Melbourne at Coolaroo producing food that’s anything but suburban.

Not strictly a vegetarian restaurant, chef Shane Delia’s fine dining establishment makes it on to our list thanks to his dedicated vegetarian degustation and pre-theatre menus. Treat yourself to the six-course menu and enjoy delights like garlic and cumin baked eggplant with tahini, pomegranate and coriander, and maple glazed pumpkin with macadamia, pickled butternut and brik pastry. 21 Bond St, Melbourne, maharestaurant.com.au

Head underground to moody Maha for delicious Middle Eastern-inspired dining with a contemporary twist. Award-winning chef and restaurateur Shane Delia takes diners on a journey with carefully curated set menus featuring flavour-packed dishes like Lebanese dumplings and spanner crab bourek. Paired wines match each dish to perfection, and there's also a vegan set menu option for plant-based foodies.21 Bond Street, Melbourne

The flagship of chef/cooking icon, Shane Delia, Maha opened up on Bond Street in the CBD over a decade ago. Rising with Melbourne's culinary boom, Maha established itself as a dining institution continuously evolving and developing its offering. Centred around Middle-Eastern flavours and drawing on Delia's own heritage, Maha is a spice-filled journey into his own interpretations on regional specialities and staples.

Maha in Melbourne’s CBD takes Middle Eastern cuisine to the next level with its unique fusion approach. The highlight here is their degustation menus, offering a series of dishes that creatively blend traditional flavours with modern techniques. It’s an ideal spot for anyone looking to experience Middle Eastern food with a contemporary twist, making each meal an exciting exploration of taste.

Add a little spice to your evening with the most delicious Middle Eastern Cuisine in all of Melbourne. Maha brings flavor alive on your tongue, changing the menu seasonally to ensure always having the freshest ingredients from the most reputable suppliers from around the region. Combined with a warm, comfortable atmosphere and good alcohol there is not better option for a spicy evening out.

Tucked away in an indiscreet basement on Bond Street, Maha is as exclusive and atmospheric as it is delicious. At Maha they pride themselves on providing Melbourne with the very best of Middle Eastern fare in a warm and welcoming environment. From the slow-roasted lamb shoulder to the salmon kibbeh neya to the halva parfait, dining at Maha is an experience in and of itself.

Maha isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of what Middle Eastern cuisine can be. Hidden in a sleek sub-basement on Bond Street, Maha serves traditional yet redefined Middle Eastern dishes. The set menus change regularly, so every visit offers something new, but the focus on bold, layered flavours and refined presentation remains constant.

Described as an experience for the senses, Maha is another fine dining experience for the Melbourne connoisseurs. Maha prides itself in its array of dishes with strong Middle Eastern flavours, set in a creative and contemporary space. The restaurant has set menus inspired by the best seasonal produce available.

Maha is a chic restaurant in the city centre that offers Middle Eastern fine dining. Lead by restaurateur Shane Delia, this is contemporary and lavish dining done right. Annually awarded One Hat from the Good Food Guide since opening in 2009, Maha is passionate about taking guests on a Middle Eastern journey.

At Maha, Middle Eastern flavours are given a contemporary spin in a dining experience to fire the senses. Dishes are designed for sharing, and there’s a special set menu for vegans. The meze and main courses star dishes like smoked eggplant with pomegranate dressing and roast pumpkin with caramelised tahini.

Shane Delia’s restaurant Maha is arguably more of a “date night” restaurant then its more casual Collingwood sibling, Maha Bar. However, this intimate diner has a charm that I think works great for a date. The food and drinks are delicious, taking you on a journey through Malta, Turkey, Lebanon and more.

For a touch of Middle Eastern flair, Maha in the CBD is a must-visit. While not exclusively vegetarian, Maha offers a dedicated plant-based menu that highlights the rich flavours of the region. Dishes like the Crispy Eggplant with Tahini and Vegan Kofta are beautifully presented and packed with flavour.

Location: 21 Bond Street, Melbourne 3000 / Ph: (03) 9629 5900. Let me open by stating that Eatability was lucky enough to dine at Maha recently. What’s more, we can report that at Maha, the generosity of a fabled Arabian Nights banquet is embraced through a number of enticing set menu options.

Maha Restaurants Melbourne in one of the best restaurants in Melbourne. At Maha Melbourne, you can enjoy unrestricted middle eastern dining with the twist of halal food. Many of Muslims live in Melbourne considers Maha restaurants Melbourne as the top halal restaurants in Melbourne.

Bring the flavours of the Middle East to you with a selection of dishes from Maha. The Melbourne takeaway restaurant is promising to deliver the goods direct to your door, namely their decadent Soufra menus, which feature a range of small and large meza to share between two.

The flavours at celebrity chef Shane Delia’s opulent Maha are familiar, but they’re assembled with more finesse than your average Middle Eastern restaurant. Vibrant mezze, a must-have lamb shoulder and an affordable wine list make this a winner for group dining.

Some of the top-rated establishments include New Jaffa, Taita's House, Miznon, Teta Mona, Maha, and Tulum. Each restaurant offers a unique culinary experience, blending traditional flavors with innovative twists.

If you’ve got a craving for Chinese food, might we suggest a little Cantonese finesse at Flower Drum?. A more modern Chinese elegance at Lee Ho Fook, even?. Ooh, how about a proper Peking duck at Old Beijing?

No serious lover of Middle Eastern cuisine in Melbourne is a stranger to Maha. The renowned CBD restaurant is widely respected as a crown jewel in Melbourne’s restaurant royalty, and for good reason, too.

One of my favourite places in Melbourne is Shane Delia’s Maha. Newly refurbished, Maha is located in a basement in Bond Street and is more of a fine dining option.