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Restaurant

EL-Manara Lebanese Restaurant

143 Haldon St, Lakemba NSW 2195, Australia

Recommended by 24 people

Updated

Find EL-Manara Lebanese Restaurant

143 Haldon St, Lakemba NSW 2195, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 2 9740 6762
HoursMonday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About EL-Manara Lebanese Restaurant

Haldon Street’s 35-year anchor serves Lebanese comfort food with zero shortcuts—nothing touches the grill or the fryer until the ticket drops. Decades in, multi-generational regulars still treat the wood-panelled room like their own kitchen, greeted at the door by owner Amin. The made-to-order wait pays off in charred lamb skewers, crunchy falafel, and platters heaped with warm flatbread and punchy toum.

  • Cooked Fresh to Order: Nothing sits under heat lamps—every skewer, falafel, and pastry is prepared and fried strictly after you order.
  • Everyday Value: Heaping mixed platters, dips, and shawarma served at accessible prices that have anchored the neighbourhood for decades.
  • Retro Family Hospitality: A wood-panelled, vintage dining room where the host treats walk-ins and multi-decade regulars like family.
RestaurantLebaneseRestaurant

What's On at EL-Manara Lebanese Restaurant

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose EL-Manara Lebanese Restaurant

Lakemba’s enduring home of authentic Lebanese comfort food, cooked fresh to order with genuine warmth. Book your table now to enjoy an unbeatable feast.

  • Strict Made-to-Order Preparation

    Dishes are never batch-cooked or held in advance; every skewer, dip, and falafel is cooked fresh to order, ensuring maximum crispness and authentic taste.

    I appreciate that they don’t prepare food in advance—everything is made fresh, and you can really taste the difference.

    Patty

  • Uncompromising Everyday Value

    Generous portions of classic grills and sides provide exceptional, dependable value without compromising on quality or authentic Levant flavours.

    The best value for money Lebanese food.

    petersugu

  • Heartfelt Familial Warmth

    Hospitality is personal and heartfelt, greeting diners with genuine warmth that transforms a neighbourhood meal into the feeling of joining a family table.

    It feels like sitting in someone’s home, and the way they speak to you is like you’re part of the family.

    MrTomsmith81

  • Decades of Timeless Consistency

    With more than three decades of culinary consistency, patrons rely on time-honoured recipes that remain completely untouched by passing food trends.

    Was growing up in Lakemba when it opened 40yrs ago, and a visit today shows that it thankfully remains unchanged.

    Clumsy Carp

  • Abundant Platters Made for Sharing

    Plentiful mixed plates and fresh accompaniments offer the ideal layout for communal dining, allowing companions to share across a diverse spread.

    The mixed platter offered a generous serving of a variety dishes that were perfect to share

    Shannon Pham

  • Unpretentious, Family-Friendly Setting

    The unpretentious, retro setting provides a relaxed neighbourhood space well-suited for comfortable family gatherings and casual dinners.

    It's not a flash or modern restaurant but more of a family-friendly one with vegetarian options and Halal.

    Annie Keverian

Cooked strictly to order using recipes preserved across decades—book your table today to taste Haldon Street's enduring Lebanese staples.

  • Mixed Plate

    Ordered two mixed plates and everything came out fresh and well cooked.

    Sione Toumolupe

  • Falafel

    the falafel (to die for- amazingly light and perfectly crisp).

    Carmen S

  • Baba Ghanouj

    The baba ghanouj was exceptional. I have always been a big fan and their one just tastes amazing.

    Athifah W

  • Lamb Shawarma

    I can't fault this lamb shawarma at all pefect 10/10.

    elz y

Other favorites

Authentic Lebanese dips, salads, and savoury bites prepared fresh to accompany your meal.

  • Hummus

    we couldn't get enough of the perfectly seasoned hummus topped with a dash of paprika.

    Lina Meier

  • Tabbouleh

    the tabbouleh so fresh and perfect.

    Juanita Lennox

  • Garlic Dip

    The garlic dip is all killer, no filler.

    Davrosjay

  • Kibbeh

    Their kibbeh was also moist and had the perfect shell.

    Carmen S

Before you head over

Practical guidance on timing, ordering, and parking—book your table today for an unhurried, classic Lebanese feast.

  • Allow Extra Time for Peak-Hour Orders

    Everything is cooked fresh to order with no advance prep, which means food can take a little longer to arrive during busy evening rushes. Arrive earlier in the evening or allow extra time for your meal.

  • Anchor Your Table with Shared Mixed Platters

    Portions are generous, making the mixed plate the ideal foundation for sharing across the table alongside fresh flatbread, super crunchy falafel, baba ghanouj, and garlic sauce.

  • Head for the Rear Parking Lot

    The dining room is cozy with a modest number of tables. For smooth arrivals, look for spaces in the large public car park situated directly behind the building or along Haldon Street.

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