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Restaurant

Shaffa

80 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia

Recommended by 0 people

Updated

Find Shaffa

80 Albion St, Surry Hills NSW 2010, Australia

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+61 451 810 480
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 10:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Shaffa

Set inside a sandstone laneway enclosed beneath a glass roof, Shaffa serves smoke-laced Levantine plates right in the heart of Surry Hills. Dinner unfolds along candlelit brick walls or right up at the open kitchen counter, where chefs sear octopus al ha'esh and chicken shawarma skewers over live flame. Diners frequently flag the beetroot-lentil kibbeh nayyeh and fire-roasted cabbage, mop up bowls of silky hummus and burnt eggplant labneh with warm focaccia, or leave the pacing to a structured banquet. The room wraps dessert around crunchy kataifi with halva and cardamom.

  • Enclosed Laneway Setting: Set within a historic sandstone laneway under a glass roof, creating a candlelit, sheltered courtyard setting.
  • Open Kitchen Bar: Stools at the kitchen counter offer direct views of chefs grilling chicken shawarma skewers and octopus over live flame.
  • Curated Banquets: Multi-course sharing menus bundle fire-roasted dishes and signature dips, with seamless adjustments for coeliac and dietary requirements.
RestaurantMiddle EasternRestaurant

What's On at Shaffa

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Shaffa

Discover what sets dining at Shaffa apart, from its enclosed heritage laneway to generous Middle Eastern banquets.

  • Heritage Laneway Setting Under Glass

    Shaffa's dining space occupies a historic sandstone alleyway enclosed under a glass roof, giving guests an open-air atmosphere fully protected from the elements.

    You’re dining inside a heritage laneway that’s been enclosed by a glass roof, so you get this cool 'under the stars' feeling while being completely indoors.

    Jojo

  • Front-Row Open Kitchen Bar Seating

    Counter seating directly along the kitchen bar allows diners to watch live-flame grilling and intricate plating up close.

    We sat at the bar and watched the chefs cook which was so enjoyable.

    Lucy Thompson

  • Effortless Banquet Formats for Sharing

    Set menus and shareable banquets present the full breadth of Middle Eastern fire-roasted dishes and dips, removing the friction of group ordering.

    the set menu is perfectly design to help you enjoy the wide range of the menu without having to do too much thinking.

    fahd amrani

  • Seamless Dietary and Gluten-Free Care

    The kitchen and floor team seamlessly modify banquets and dishes for dietary restrictions including coeliac and pregnancy requirements.

    It was no trouble to modify the set menu to be gluten free for one of our party and she explained any modifications clearly along the way without any fuss.

    Hannah Killen

  • Lively Group Celebrations and Long Lunches

    Vibrant energy and generous pacing make the venue ideal for lively long lunches and group celebrations catching up over abundant courses.

    The atmosphere was so much fun, with a great energy that made it perfect for a long afternoon catching up with friends.

    Daniela Dubocanin

  • Warm, Attentive Hospitality for Groups

    Attentive floor staff and welcoming hosts guide diners and make large parties feel personally looked after from arrival to departure.

    they went above and beyond to make sure we were all well looked after and had everything we needed.

    Mirzia Biondi

Fire-roasted favorites and Middle Eastern sharing plates

  • Focaccia with Hummus

    And don't even get me started on the hummus with their crispy fluffy focaccia. A simple combo done so, so well.

    Jojo

  • Chicken Shawarma Skewer

    The Chicken Shawarma Skewer is non-negotiable. So tender and flavourful, and the fresh flatbread it comes with is just perfect for wrapping everything up.

    Jojo

  • Grilled Octopus

    The Grilled Octopus had the perfect amount of char on the outside but was unbelievably tender.

    Jojo

  • Roasted Cauliflower

    The Roasted Cauliflower with garlic labneh was another winner.

    Jojo

Other favorites

Signature desserts, sides, and refreshing drinks to complement your feast

  • Knafeh

    Mais surtout n'oubliez pas de goûter le knafeh en dessert!

    Liz B

  • Kipfler Potatoes

    Kipfler Potatoes.

    Von Chavez

  • Fire-Roasted Cabbage

    Fire-Roasted Cabbage,

    Von Chavez

  • Shaffa Gazoz mocktail

    Shaffa Gazoz mocktail is so refreshing and is a go-to every single time.

    Lucy Colpitts

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful service details and immersive hospitality that elevate the Shaffa experience

  • Celebration Dessert Touches

    Diners celebrating milestones receive personalized touches, such as a complimentary dessert to mark a birthday at the chef's table.

  • Proactive Dietary Accommodations

    Staff proactively guide pregnant diners and guests with coeliac disease, detailing ingredients and modifying set menus course by course without fuss.

  • Attentive Floor & Manager Check-ins

    Front-of-house staff routinely check in throughout the meal, tailor portion guidance, and readily accommodate late-meal requests.

  • Open Hearth Kitchen-Bar Interaction

    Bar seats directly overlook the open hearth, allowing diners to watch the chefs cook and plate every course live.

Before you head over

Practical booking, seating, and ordering tips grounded in diner experiences

  • Book ahead and request bar seating for the kitchen view

    Reserve ahead, especially for weekend long lunches and Friday or Saturday dinners, as the dining room fills quickly. If you want front-row views of live fire grilling and plating, request seats at the open kitchen bar.

  • Flag dietary preferences and allergies early

    Notify the team about pregnancy, coeliac disease, or gluten-free requirements when booking or on arrival; waitstaff readily explain ingredients and adapt banquet and set menu dishes without hassle.

  • Choose the set banquet to avoid ordering guesswork

    For groups or first-time visits, opt for the set banquet menu to sample signature fire-roasted dishes and dips without the stress of coordinating individual orders.

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