Assaha, which roughly translates from Arabic as ‘village meeting place’, is a high-concept venue with branches across the Arab world. This particular branch is a small restaurant in Paddington, most easily spotted by the Lebanese flag outside and the smell of customers’ hookah pipes wafting from the verandah. Inside it’s filled with enough bunches of garlic, stone carvings and other rustic nick-nacks to fill a souk.
The menu covers the usual Lebanese signature dishes, plus some more unusual options. No alcohol is served, but there are a number of soft drinks including fresh fruit juices.