Visited the lovely little eatery for a group dinner recently. We had to do the banquet as we were over 8ppl. The food was all really lovely and enjoyable. The service was nice, nothing overly exciting just good all round service. (More on this in a sec) The wine menu was limited and quite pricey. The room got incredibly hot with all those bodies tightly packed and heater on hot. This started to affect the group as it was actually uncomfortably hot. The food was really good and recommend going with an empty belly. The most negative aspect and reason for my star rating: at time of paying I went to tap my card on a $700 bill and it wasn’t going through - the server said ‘if you want to.’ I’m thinking of course I want to pay… went to tap again and she said the same thing (twice more) until I realized it was asking for me to enter a tip amount… I was actually ready to tip cash that we had put in together. I told her as such and she pressed the button so I could pay the bill. I left a very generous cash tip - but - here’s the thing… on a $700 bill for 2 hours of service we more than covered any costs and generous wages on a weekend for Australian staff. Don’t add tipping to eftpos. It doesn’t sit well to feel pressured to tip in our culture. I probably won’t be going back again unfortunately.

4.5/5 Abla’s is a restaurant serving homestyle Lebanese food. It is named after Abla Amad, widely known as ‘the queen of Lebanese cooking’. The fit out is cosy but sophisticated with clean, white tablecloths and dim lighting. Between the 4 of us, this was more than enough food and we took some leftovers home. Everything came out gradually, we waited for some dishes longer than others. The Batata Harra are always delicious, they are a must-order for us when we go to a Lebanese restaurant. They are slightly spicy and tangy. Their mixed dips were perfect – generous portion, packed full of flavour, served with Lebanese bread, my favourite was the Baba Ghannouj. The meats came with a side of tabouleh (which we completely forgot about when we ordered and the bowls were big). The chicken was succulent, nicely seasoned. The lamb was a bit too chewy for our liking, we definitely preferred the chicken. The lamb sausages weren’t anything special but still good. If you like chicken livers, I recommend trying them here. They had a lovely garlic and lemon dressing which was addicting. Both salads were faultless – exactly how I’d have them at home. This is not a place where you will be ripped off, despite the prices being higher than an average eatery. Portions are so generous, just how your grandma would feed you. We struggled with putting the plates on the table as it was too small for the 4 of us, it was more like a 2-seater which became a little annoying. But overall, I highly recommend! This is quality Lebanese food, perfect for a date night or when you miss your grandma’s cooking.

Haven’t been to Ablas in ages! Managed to find a foodie who love Lebanese food to go with me 🥰 We ordered the tasting menu which consists of a variety of food that you eat 😋😋😋 it was so much food! Most of the food was delicious, the dips, sausages, beans, lamb skewers and tabouli salads were amazing. I wasn’t a big fan of the very skinny and slightly dry chicken wings and their signature chicken rice which was a bit dry as well. Their dessert was fantastic- I am not a huge fan of Turkish delight so they gave us halva and baklava and it was a perfect match w their mint tea w cinnamon.

I ate with my wife there I was surprised when I sat inside the vibe of the place everybody drinking wine and alcohol. I've never been to a middle eastern restaurant with such hidious atmosphere. Food was dry and lacking in flavour and the dark wine stenched place doesn't help either.

Absolutely amazing food! We'll definitely be coming back for more. We've found our favourite Lebanese restaurant in Melbourne ☺️ the service was great and not too over the top or pushy like some restaurants these days. Everything tasted like home-made food. The Makaneek were some of the best ones I've had. All the meat was very tender and juicy. And price point was very good too.

ORDERED: 🦕 Mixed dips: combination of labnee (home-made naturally thickened yogurt), hummous (Chickpeas blended with tahini, garlic and lemon juice) and baba gannouj (smoked eggplant blended with tahini, garlic and lemon juice) ($20.00) 🥔 Lebanese Potatoes/Batata Harra: Potatoes fried with garlic, coriander, chilli and salt ($15.00) 🥗 Fattoush: A green salad with radish, tomato, cucumber, capsicum and Lebanese fried bread ($18.00) 🍢 Lahem Mishwee: Two skewers of lamb fillets, marinated and grilled, served with tabouleh ($32.00) 🏺 Jug of limonda: Home-made lemonade with rose water ($14.00) It was $40.60 for my portion! REVIEW: The food was fantastic. It was filling and flavourful. A couple of my favourite F words 🥰. Shoutouts are for the mixed dips with its refreshing olive oil and its generous pita servings which you can request for more once it runs out! Then, the crispy lebanese potatoes which isn't shy with its spices, and the fattoush with its crispy fried bread. I think fried food has a soft spot in my stomach 🤣. 💓 It's great food to share between friends, with a jug of limonda refreshing to have with our food. The food in general gives home cooked food vibes without compromising on the restaurant quality! Abla's has tight steep steps and I'm unsure if there's accessibility access. The area is well decorated with a bathroom upstairs as well. When you go, it's worthwhile booking at Abla's because they get PACKED out! 📕

Abla’s an institution. Been coming here for years on and off, but first time actually writing a review. The experience is like being invited over to a friends for dinner - homely and humble. The food is lovingly prepared and authentic, so much so it feels homemade. The banquet is a great way to go if you’re not sure what to order or what’s what, but for me I know what I like so simply ordered our favourites off the menu : Mixed Dips - Combination of Labnee, Hummous, Baba Ghannouj Ladies’ Fingers  - Filo pastry cigars filled with minced lamb, pine nuts and spices and also the veggie version containing feta and mint Makaneek  - Grilled home-made spiced lamb sausages Fattoush Salad Kibbee Cabbage Rolls Kafta Mishwee  - skewers of minced lamb, seasoned with parsley, onion and spices, grilled and served with tabouleh in a lettuce cup Chicken and Rice  - Exquisitely flavoured rice pilaff with minced lamb, chicken, almonds and pine nuts Highly recommend dining here if you haven’t already, the most intimate dining experience you will have in Melbourne.

The foods are incredibly amazing .. We have the banquet and every single dish gives flavourful taste . Start to the end it’s marvellous . Definitely recommended .. the service’s good too .. Would be great if they checked the table often .. hard to find the staff when needed… apart from that , it’s incredible..

I hadnt been out for Lebanese cuisine for a long time. This was so good. Great variety of dishes. Also I ask for the aircon to be put on and they sorted it out right away. Really lovely staff and great atmosphere. Also the dry Prosecco is excellent.

Warm and friendly restaurant at a non-busy part of Carlton. The space is a bit small , but the food is generally pretty good with generous portions. The photos are of the chicken and rice and the fattoush salad. I feel like the chicken and rice dish needs just a little something to tied it together like hommous. Definitely try the meat cigars or lady fingers as they’re called if you’re going.

Unfortunately, I think Ablas has been a victim of its own reputation, and perhaps has gotten too comfortable with its cult status. We spent around $180 for food and 1 drink per person, and the quality simply wasn't there - for entrees we had lady fingers, pickles, and falafel. At $17 for both entrees and $7 for pickle they used to give for free, the servings were pretty small. We got 4 falafels, and they were good but not great. The ladies fingers tasted mainly of oil but were also okay. The mains were chicken pilaf and cabbage roles at $32 each and the pilaf was delicious! But $32 seems steep for something that is chicken breast and rice with raisins and pine nuts. the cabbage rolls were a let down since they tasted of very little. The baklava for dessert was very good though, would definitely recommend! In sum - felt quite overpriced for dull food, not like the Ablas of old.

Dined in and was exquisite. Fantastic service from the lovely Rose and Miranda. Stunning. Lamb skewers blew our minds. Balaclava is a must-order. We will most certainly be back. Would give 6 stars if I could. Stunning.

food was very sour, lucky I don’t mind sour food. the lamb skewers were cooked and seasoned perfectly, cabbage roll was nice and refreshing

I love their chicken and rice dish - such intricate beautiful flavors! Every dish was great and baklava and halawa desserts too. Highly recommend for a dinner. The prices were good too and the service was friendly and quick.

Food was delicious, fresh, truly a "home cooked meal" experience (but way nicer 😋), the portions very generous and the service super friendly! I must say, though we ate A LOT, neither of us complained about stomach issues (we usually do) not even our gluten intolerant party member. Recommend!

Excellent Lebanese food in a lower key mother's kitchen atmosphere. Good service priced well. Had the banquet, plenty of food for 6 adults & 2 kids

A fantastic culinary experience. Each dish was a standout in it's own right. I would highly recommend this place if you want to experience something special.

Had an absolute delicious meal! Couldn’t fault a dish! Will definitely return

Went to Abla’s tonight and the food and service was amazing. We sat upstairs and two of the waitresses we had we very attentive and super helpful. It was so lovely to see such good customer service again! Food was also delicious and great value. We ordered the banquet and literally rolled out of the restaurant!

Came here on the recommendation of many however it didn’t quite live up to expectations. Food was nice, but not outstanding. There are many other places doing Lebanese/middle eastern food better. The prices are also quite steep and possibly not value for money.

Always wanted to try this place out as I read somewhere that it's a hidden gem and I did not get disappointed. Food was absolutely delicious and price was reasonable, we still had some to take home. Staff were lovely and super love the place and the ambiance - quiet and relaxed. Perfect place for an intimate date night. Don't forget to order their tea and desserts!

Always an amazing experience going to Abla's. Consistently good no matter how busy. Great menu with an excellent variety for meat and non-meat eaters., Authentic middle eastern food, and excellent service and ambience. Bonus points if you recognize any of the 90s arabic pop songs playing. Very nostalgic and a true gem of a place.

They had two sittings obviously to be able to fill to capacity and we did feel rushed. We had hardly sat down before the waitress was trying to get us to order she was very polite and friendly. We ordered a variety of dishes for two of us and the boys had the set menu they were very impressed. I love the deserts the Turkish delight and baclawa were beautiful. We probably wouldn’t eat here again but I certainly would go and pick up some of that Turkish delight there are better Lebanese restaurants in Melbourne

I found this place nice but not spectacular. Feel like most of the items we ordered were very mild tasting so if you're looking for something more bold this isn't it.