Fantastic food and service. Enjoyed the flavours and the portion sizes were adequate. I certainly didn't leave hungry. Wait staff were patient after we changed our minds twice during ordering. Sure it isn't the cheapest out there but definitely worth trying out.

I recently visited this restaurant and unfortunately had a very negative experience. The prices for the items I ordered were extremely high and, in my opinion, very unfair. I was charged $13 for a small tea pot and $4.50 for a small baklava, which I feel is unreasonable. While the food itself was decent, the exorbitant prices left a bad taste in my mouth. I cannot recommend this restaurant to others, as I feel they are taking advantage of their customers and not providing good value for the money. If you are looking for a reasonably priced meal, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

Exceptional Lebanese food. Fresh authentic tasting and great portion sizes. Have only had takeout from here but the ambience inside seemed wonderful as well and I would love to return to dine in when I'mback in town.

While the food was good, it didn’t make up for the appalling customer service. There were multiple missing food items, and we were told that perhaps we didn’t unpack the box properly. By three different people, we were finally offered a small 50% cash refund which was delivered to our door not back on the card. Both the staff and the owner were very defensive and offered no apology. We understand that mistakes happen, but it is how you fix them that counts.

Nice experience great tasting food! Excellent quality

Good portions of food and great quality / price. Highly recommendable.

Good food, great service. We went with a large group and they were very kind to accommodate us and managed the orders very well. We did not have to wait too long for our orders and everything was on time. The server at our tables (forgot to ask him name) was excellent.

Average food, service was good though. Expensive as compared to Sydney for such small portion and quality of food.

Booked a reservation for 11 adults and 3 children. There were plenty of space to accomodate us and tables were ready prior to our arrival which was great as a whole lot of hassle was avoided. We ordered mixed platter, Beirut platter, some salads, and calamari and chips for the kids along with some mock tails. The food was prepared and served really quick. Service was very good and would recommend this place to all who is looking for a good Lebanese taste with some good service.

Although the food was well presented and the young staff very friendly, the food was ridiculously overpriced. We were overcharged $100,00 on our bill and if it was not for my eagle eyed husband who picked up on this discrepancy, it would have gone unnoticed. We will definitely rethink supporting this venue. Although we did receive a refund of our over-charged amount, if it was not for us checking the bill, it would have gone unnoticed. As far as the $100 voucher is concerned, with the high price of the meals, we will not come out with much.

Great atmosphere and the food tasted great! The night that I was there there was a wedding happening. Awesome place for a nice night out!!

The food here was amazing! The staff were lovely and nothing was too much to ask. We ordered the banquet and they moved us to a bigger table ? We will definitely be coming here again :)

Our favourite shish kebabs. Great food all round

The meat lovers platter!

Very nice

The staff welcomed me and brought me a drink on the house. Presented with a comprehensive menu they assisted my selections explaining some of the provenance of Lebanese food I was served by one waiter who frequently checked that I was enjoying the food and whether I was in need of anything. Paying for the meal was completed easily without fuss and simply matched the quality of the food and the service. I have since taken members of my family there on two recent occasions.. I highly recommend it.

Always excellent service. Always excellent food. Book, as it fills quickly. The lamb is amazing. The shawarma is a must, as is the garlic dip! Go for a platter to make the most of your visit. Prices are fairly standard restaurant prices, with meal sizes above average. The wait staff are lovely and work hard. Go a little earlier to get parking nearby. Cannot recommend enough.

Amazing food, huge portions, meatlovers platter for 1 filled up me and the partner, best food i have had in a while!

Lunch there with a friend, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and dessert. Their lemon & mint drink is unreal, yum. The food was delicious, service was friendly and meal was served quickly. We're looking forward to going back again, also because the price was reasonable. Thanks Samaras.

We loved it. Dropped in for a lazy Sunday lunch. We weren't rushed by the staff. Enjoyed our spot outside. We shared a platter for two. So much yummy food we couldn't finish, so we took it home and enjoyed it the day after. Thank you team.

Awesome service, friendly staff, Great food, amazing atmosphere. ❤️

A very homely and exciting restaurant, that looks great and serves fresh delicious food. Customer service is brilliant! Staff helped us in ordering enough, as we were 8 people, and catered for any dietary requirements / how well to cook the meat. Skewers are the OG! Prices are reasonable. Highly recommend, especially for group gatherings! Don't forget to make a reservation!

Incredibly attentive service and stunning food. We ordered the Lebanese mixed platter buffet plate for three and it was a large amount of food for the three of us. It was a great variety let us try many things offered on the menu. We left satisfied, full, and with leftovers for the next day. Highly recommended.

We squeezed in just before it got super busy at dinner and we’re pretty lucky as the food was great. We got the Lebanese platter which came with theee kebabs each, falafel, salad pickles and dips and bread. It was around 37 pp and we were pretty stuffed at the end. Also got some lemon lime bitters which were the ready to drink bottled kind.Little bit expensive but good overall.

Great Lebanese food. We had the mixed platter and everything was tasty and fresh. The meats were tender with heaps of flavour and dips were delicious. No alcohol is sold but it is BYO with a small corkage fee which is amazing as it means you don’t spend heaps on alcohol. Ambience of the restaurant and service was good.

One of the best restaurants in Australia!!! (Wollongong)10/10. Restaurant was closed we talked to the chef and he was supper friendly and make the food for us!!

Fancy seating. A bit pricey (avg 35 per person) but large portions and delicious. I ordered Mansaf. Got something different but it was good with a lot of meat, though spicier than Arab food

I had dinner here as they have charge back to my hotel. I had the Mezze platter for one, Beirut chicken and the lychee and passionfruit mocktail. The flavour of the platter items was good. It is a generous serving. Before I had even finished it though the main course was brought out. Waiting for me finish first course before bringing out the main is my preference and I am sure that of others. Having said that, the Beirut chicken was delicious and a large serving. The mocktail had 2 lychees in it with quite a lot of passionfruit and was refreshing. The service was great initially but as they got busier they didn't even check to see if an extra drink was wanted. I was asked soon after getting my main how it was and I said that I would need to get a take away container for my main but it didn't get brought back until I had to wave someone down, at which time it was dropped off and the waitress left without seeing if I needed anything else. Small details but it just lowers the customer service that was provided initially.

Love the food. But they do not keep lamb and beef separate. I was expecting to eat lamb but server said it mixed with beef. Bit upset as I don't eat beef.

The service was really slow and the staff was not very attentive. I am not sure if she purposely charged us extra or she was just too busy to take the order properly. She didn’t take our orders correctly. We were asking her to clarify about the extra charge when we were paying but she didn’t do anything to solve the situation. Overall experience was not great at all. Definitely not coming back.

DELICIOUS FOOD!!!!! so fresh and yummy. Service was on point, premises impeccable 👌 we've never been disappointed at Samaras 🙌 if you've never been.... do yourself and your taste buds a favour and head on into Samaras - or if they're in your area with their mobile food van, grab some delicious Lebanese cuisine you won't be disappointed 😋 😀 😉

We randomly picked a restaurant for our lunch and this restaurant’s foods are super delicious to eat! The boss is friendly, and the environment is very relaxing🥰

Portions and food were good. A bit pricey for being in Wollongong. As we were a group of 14, booking process was smooth and when we arrived w me found tables prepared for our group. On-street parking was an issue as we spent 20 minutes going around the restaurant to find a spot.

It was the best falafel I have ever had! I'm definitely going back for more :)

Service is friendly and fast, and food is delicious and very fresh. I have never yet been disappointed. Consistently excellent. I do miss the old venuet, as the restaurant gets very noisy during peak times. Overall,I can highly recommend Samaras.

The $49 banquet was delicious and you can eat until you explode they give you so much.

Had the Lebanese mixed platter and was not disappointed. The chicken, Lamb and beef were all excellent, and the falafel was easily the best part. Babaganoush was absolutely lovely. Only complaint is the pickled radish, they were the worst part and tasted like dirt, as if they hadn't been pickled. Other than that, excellent and I recommend it.

Amazing high quality food and service from the wait staff. The restaurant was in the best location and very nice setting.

I love this restaurant. It's dishes are rich and delicious. And there staff are friendly and welcoming.

I'm a regular customer of Samaras, last week I ordered 2 main courses and it turned out that it's missing some items. The sauce are the same, but less meat and no curry rice for one main course. Similar to the previous review, I hope Samaras can keep the previous quality.

Samaras is a popular middle eastern restaurant in the gong. It's in a great location as it's walking distant to the beach and mall. Service is attentive and friendly. However food is a bit slow to come out. They also forgot one meal with the order. The shish tawook isnt bad. Chicken was a tad dry but not inedible for $25 they could give a bit more salad and less chips. Overall an ok experience

Was craving some Lebanese food post nights. Have a look. Generous serving and delicious taste.

Great food great service! i love this place...

awsome food.. yummy

The food is simply delish, so fresh!! Baba ganoush is amazing!! Staff are very helpful and friendly too

Loved the food. One of the best

Its pretty good lebo food. Had takeaway 3 times now. 2 out of 3 they have forgot some items so just check oreder before leaving.

Always enjoy the friendly service and amazing food here. The prices aren't the best, $15 for 2 slices of bruschetta for example. I gave 4 stars because of the prices and the place is not licenced to sell alcohol. Perfect place for a date or a celebration.

Amazing, flavoursome food with extremely friendly service. Food comes out super quick even when they're busy and they accommodate to all dietary requirements that I have. I refused to try Lebanese food for so long as I'm not a fan of spicy food or red meat but was forced into it by a friend and was so glad they made me try Samaras. The Lamb Shawarma is to die for. Highly recommend.

Tastiest lebanese in town

Good food, could be more generous with it

Great value for money great service loved it

One of the Best Mixed platters I’ve had in the illawarra . Fast service at food truck . And Beirut platter we had was also very nice

good stuff and amazing food

I'm not sure who Samara is, but she would be proud of her team tonight. The food was 11/10. Fantastic! My background is middle eastern so I had a high expectation, they nailed it. My wife has an Australian background, we were both very pleased. From the cooks out the back to the lovely waitress that was so polite and forever helpfull. Well done team!!

Samaras is always excellent

One of the finest restaurants in Wollongong.

Nice place for lunch, will go again in future.

Bit sad we had to sit in the rain (imside tables booked for 30 mins time) with plenty of inside tables sitting empty during and after we left the restaurant.

Great service and food

Nice food and clean place

Although some dishes were nice, this place is over-rated, the garlic sauce isn't true Toum, it's glorified Aioli, tiny portions (desserts) and missing items, mistakes happen, but it's how you fix them that matters, instead of grace and generosity we got denial and attitude, outside of Wollongong they would not rate at all.

Best food in the world

Delicious fresh food, friendly staff. Definitely put this place on your list to visit.

Used to come all the time a few years ago before moving away from wollongong . Felling a bit nostalgic while back in the gong for a few nights myself and my partner got a take away . While it was busy in the restaurant i feel the hospitality was lacking from the staff front of house eg no warm welcome / farewell , i as awkwardly left to stand in the foyer while waiting for my order . Meal sizes seem quite a bit smaller than the massive feeds we used to get for a lesser price . That being said the food was still really tasty.

Good meat platter

Not bad

Awesome service and delicious food