The team that brought us Lebanese fine-diner El Phoenician has launched a new Middle Eastern restaurant. Jounieh is led by former Merivale chef Charlotte Gonzales-Poncet (Felix, Coogee Pavilion) and was inspired by the pickles and spices of Lebanon’s bustling Old Souk. As a result, there’s a liberal dose of baharat, mahleb and saffron sprinkled throughout the menu.

The indoor-outdoor 100-seater has taken its design cues from the Mediterranean, using wood, stone and an ocean-inspired colour palette to whisk diners away to its seaside namesake, the Lebanese city of Jounieh. Its harbourside setting in Walsh Bay dials up the relaxed coastal vibe.

Being Middle Eastern means mezze is king here, with house-made dips, pita and pickles proving the perfect primer.

Like with El-Phoenician, Jounieh is championing Aussie produce in Middle Eastern dishes designed to be shared. Local snapper has been flaked into herby Samke Harrah croquettes. Grilled Moreton Bay bugs gleam in a lemon and orange citrus butter, served atop a colourful beetroot couscous. An 11-hour cooked lamb shoulder with sweet red currants and a sour garlic yoghurt falls apart on the fork.

The spices don’t stop with the food: bespoke cocktails like the Spicy Sunset features a za’atar-infused gin, cinnamon and chilli.  Sweet tooths are also catered for in a lychee and rose martini and fig caipiroska.

If a trip to coastal Lebanon isn’t on your immediate bucket list, Jounieh might be the next best thing.

Jounieh
17 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay NSW
jounieh.com.au