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Abla's, Carlton, AU-VIC

Abla's

4.7
4.7
30 Reviews
$41 to $100
Lebanese
109 Elgin St, Carlton, AU-VIC 3053

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for groups
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Vegetarian-friendly
Abla Amad was born in Lebanon and arrived in Australia in 1954 at the age of nineteen. In 1979 at the urging of friends and family she opened Abla’s, a restaurant that has become a Melbourne institution.

Ever since it opened, diners have returned time and again to experience her special brand of traditional, homemade Lebanese food.

For Abla it is a cuisine that can only be made from the heart – that’s why she is widely regarded as ‘the queen of Lebanese cooking’.

BYO is now available on Thursdays - We fill up quickly so be sure to book!

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $41 to $100
  • Cuisines
    Lebanese, Home cooking
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Sat 6:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (03) 9347 0006
  • Website
    http://www.ablas.com.au/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Abla Amad

Experiences

  • Standard Banquet

    A$72.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, groups of 8 or more must enjoy our set menu. Children under 12 will be able to order from the a la carte menu. We can cater to most dietary requirements; please give us a call if you would like to discuss. Standard Banquet Menu: Hummus, Baba Gannouj, Labnee Makaneek Ladies Fingers Loubyeh Chicken wings Tabouleh Kafta Skewer of lamb or chicken Chicken and rice Lebanese coffee/tea with Baklawa and Turkish delight
    Standard Banquet Photo

  • Weeknight/Lunch Banquet

    A$60.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    On Thursdays groups of 8 or more must enjoy our weeknight or standard banquet menu. We can cater to most dietary requirements; please give us a call if you would like to discuss. Weeknight Banquet Menu: Hummus, Baba Gannouj, Labne Ladies fingers Loubyeh Chicken wings Tabouleh Kafta Chicken and rice Lebanese Coffee/Tea
    Weeknight/Lunch Banquet Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 30 people are saying

Abla's reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • Inner City North

    Kid-friendly

  • Inner City North

    Healthy

  • Inner City North

    Vegetarian-friendly

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Abla's in Melbourne is a beloved institution known for its "delicious traditional food" and welcoming atmosphere. Guests appreciate the "super friendly" staff and consistently "outstanding service." While some find it noisy, the "home-style Lebanese cuisine" remains a highlight, with dishes like "amazing chicken livers" and a "great wine selection."
30 Reviews

  1. Graeme

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and excellent service . Very friendly staff and great presentation all round.

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  2. Sascha

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing food, amazing service and a lovely atmosphere

    Is this helpful?

  3. David

    Melbourne2 reviews

    1.0

    Dined on April 1, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Friendly atmosphere, food was poor, very dry kibbeh, service was disinterested. We ate 1/2 of one kibble and only 2 out of the 5 silver beet rolls. Not asked if we were enjoying. Chicken livers were nice, dips ok.

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  4. Tamara

    San Francisco5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    An institution for home style Lebanese. This family has been keeping it consistent for generations

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  5. 12345

    Melbourne9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Have been to Abla’s for years standard of food has always been good. I will always recommend to all my friends

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  6. Ivana

    Melbourne1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing Good! Can’t wait to go back. Loved it 😻

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  7. Cara

    Melbourne7 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on March 1, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This is the first time we have tried this place. We got a GoodFood voucher to spend and decided to try this place. It was sooooo yummmy! We will definitely go back! We went at 6pm so it was quiet for the first hour and we had a great spot by the window. However as it got later on the evening it got busy and the downstairs area is small so the noise got stronger (but what you expect from restaurant atmosphere). We could see its very popular with the amount of people coming in. Such lovely tasty food!!

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  8. George

    Brisbane8 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on February 27, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Unfortunately, lebanese Restaurants in this Country tend to serve whatever is ordered, as quickly as possible, notwithsatanding, whether you have finished your first dish , second dish or whatever. I advised the initial waiter that I have a huge problem with that type of service and regrettably, That went into one ear and came out of the other. Within twenty minutes of arriving, we had every meal that we had ordered on the table, Entrees, mains getting cold.The food was great, when we first started, but unfortunately, by the time we got to the Kofta , lamb and chicken skewers, it had all gone cold.A fair amount was sent back, as we were tourists and left Melbourne the next day. Abla's is not the only place that unfortunately lacks this finesse.It's truly a pity as their food is great and all those serving were very courteous and obliging.If only, they concentrated on this aspect, we would love to go back again.

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  9. Pilar

    Melbourne7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful food! Every dish was tasty and well presented. Atmosphere is lovely. Staff are very friendly. I first dined here 20 years ago and the food is just as good! Very impressed

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  10. Adam VIP

    Melbourne20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on February 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely fantastic. Nobody can do chicken livers like Abla’s. Service is extremely efficient and friendly.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Abla's is rated 4.7 stars by 30 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 9 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Abla's

109 Elgin St, Carlton, AU-VIC 3053

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Carlton
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Sat 6:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $41 to $100
  • Cuisines
    Lebanese, Home cooking
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Abla Amad
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Wine
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