restaurants

Tahina Fitzroy

I’m always on the hunt for unique Melbourne cafes or restaurants and Tahina Bar certainly hits the mark. With hearty, flavoursome meals that stay true to its Middle Eastern inspiration, as well as all-round affordability, it’s no wonder Tahina Bar in Fitzroy is now its second store, with the first one being in Northcote. I cannot recommend the roasted eggplant enough! But this Melbourne restaurant is seriously the best spot for adventurous foodies, vegan foodies, or those just looking for the perfect Winter hearty meal. The good fat: We started with the roasted eggplant and that was definitely the highlight from our entire meal of deliciousness! It absolutely melted in the mouth, complemented by the groundedness of the tahini and hummus, with lightly salted kale chips for an extra crunch. A perfect, PERFECT entree! Next, came our falafel salad and shakshuka. We tried to be adventurous, going for the green shakshuka that had more of an emphasis on mushrooms rather than the standard tomato like most standard Melbourne cafes with a Middle Eastern twist – and turns out it was the right choice! The shakshuka was an incredible blend from the subtleness of mushrooms with the slight hints of goats cheese for an added creaminess. The falafel salad contained a mixture of both green and red falafels, with the red falafel balls featuring a stronger kick of chilli and providing a great contrast especially when placed on a bed of hummus and salad. Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, we were treated to their incredibly light, and delicate, Malabi. The lightness of the coconut milk pudding allowed the subtle sweetness of the rosewater and maple syrup to shine, with the layer of pistachios on top for the necessary nuttiness. Each spoonful, as my friend described it, was like eating nectar and ambrosia – the delicate food of the Gods! The bad fat: The only slight issue was that the salad underneath the falafel balls was incredibly soaked with sauce, and quite simple, with only lettuce and tomato etc. and perhaps I was expecting a bit more substance or excitingness from the salad itself. SHOULD YOU GET FAT HERE? YES! This place is unique, affordable and all-round an incredible Melbourne cafe! FAT-O-METER: 5/5