Taste the Middle East in the Eastern Suburbs

I remember back in the miserable lockdown days when we’re trapped within 5km radius of our home, ordering food from local cafes was my daily pleasure.

On a rainy wintry day I was looking for something warm and comforting which is usually not great when it comes in a take away box, but this…. A box of warm, not too hot, rich and thick tomato- based stew and two poached eggs, really brighten that miserable, cold and freedomless day.

Lockdown is now over (thank goodness!). Life moved on and I kept thinking I must go back and have a proper sit in brunch.

On another cold, wet, wintry day. My friend Danny and I found ourselves a cozy corner by the window.

Coming from Israel himself, Danny knows what makes a good shashuka and doesn’t order it much in Sydney cafes anymore…

He picked the safe bet - the charred roast cauliflower which was usually my favourite. Anything to do with cauliflower is usually a synonym for Heaven in my food dictionary 🤣

But this…’Hummushuka’, wooooooo, no words can describe it. If I must try, it’s a thick, warm spiced stew with tomato as base but some secret yummy ingredients that I cannot guess. Served on a bed a rich creamy, nutty hummus, two poached eggs in the middle and a side of sliced toasted sourdough. Yum! Oh, and Danny verified it! A good, authentic shashuka it is!

It’s another one of those cafes that don’t get enough mentions but if you’re in the hood, many locals will point you to.

If you’re planning a day tour in the area, hit us up for some more local tips or just pop by to have a tea, coffee, matcha, turmeric latte, whatever you’d like!

Have you had shashuka before? Where’s your favourite in Sydney or around the world? Leave us a comment and happy branching! ❤️