Lamb shawarma tacos and Wagyu kofta dumplings are some of the fun, flavour-packed dishes on the menu at Iftar, a contemporary Middle Eastern restaurant now open in Merrylands. Iftar, which means “break-fast” in Arabic, is by chef/owner Jeremy Agha, who has drawn on his heritage and family recipes passed down through generations – including a wood-fired sourdough bread – to create the menu. His first restaurant is a tribute to his mother, Rita.
“The hidden meaning is, Iftar can’t be spelt without the letters of her name – there’s no Iftar without Mum,” says Agha. “It’s as much her story as it is mine.”
Come with your family or a group of friends and order a bunch of dishes to share. As well as the tacos and dumplings, other menu highlights include richly spiced manoush, batata harra and eggplant fatteh.
“Middle Eastern dining is about so much more than food, it’s the experience of filling a table with loved ones, sharing stories and savouring flavours together. At Iftar, we want every guest to feel that warmth and generosity, as though they’ve been welcomed into our home,” says Agha.
Designed by interior architect Matt Woods, the elegant, dreamy space features terracotta accents, an earthy colour palette, marble tables, travertine floors, and textured clay walls.
Iftar is open for breakfast and lunch daily, offering gorgeous Middle Eastern fare in Merrylands.
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