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Restaurant

Balila Lebanese Cuisine & Cafe

309 Huntingdale Rd, Oakleigh VIC 3166, Australia

Recommended by 68 people

Updated

Find Balila Lebanese Cuisine & Cafe

309 Huntingdale Rd, Oakleigh VIC 3166, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 449 802 442
HoursMonday: 12:00 – 8:30 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 12:00 – 8:30 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 8:30 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About Balila Lebanese Cuisine & Cafe

Oakleigh locals head here for charcoal-grilled skewers, slow-turning lamb shawarma, and fresh khubz baked right in front of you. Run by a welcoming husband-and-wife duo, this casual counter turns out generously packed tawook wraps, silky hummus, and punchy garlic toum alongside plant-based skewers grilled on a scrupulously cleaned grate. Pick up warm flatbread straight from the oven to scoop up charred meats and pickles.

  • Charcoal-grilled meats: Lamb mashawi and chicken tawook come fresh off live coals with deep char, garlic toum, and warm flatbread.
  • Dedicated vegan grill options: Plant-based shawarmas and kebabs get their own attentive prep, with grates cleaned down before grilling.
  • Freshly baked khubz: Traditional Lebanese flatbread is baked to order on-site in full view of the dining counter.
RestaurantLebaneseRestaurant

What's On at Balila Lebanese Cuisine & Cafe

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Balila Lebanese Cuisine

Authentic charcoal grills, made-to-order flatbreads, and dedicated vegan offerings served with family-run hospitality.

  • Fresh In-House Khubz Baked to Order

    Breads are baked fresh to order on-site in full view of guests, pairing hot, pillowy traditional flatbread directly with charred meats and homestyle dips.

    They make fresh khubz, right in front of u and they are the best khubz here in whole of Australia.

    Shazia Choudhry

  • Authentic Charcoal Grilling and Homestyle Dips

    Lebanese skewers and shawarmas are grilled over charcoal for distinct smokiness and paired with scratch-made garlic dips and creamy hummus.

    The meat was cooked perfectly and had a great charred flavour.

    katy chung

  • Dedicated Protocols for Plant-Based Diners

    Vegan diners are accommodated with care through extensive plant-based selections and dedicated grill cleaning to prevent cross-contamination.

    Excellent range of incredibly tasty vegan dishes.

    Jen Phillips

  • Seamless Mixed-Diet Group Dining

    Mixed groups of carnivores and vegans can share meals easily with plant-based shawarma and chicken plates served alongside traditional meats.

    There are great vegan meat substitutes on the menu

    Francis Vivek

  • Welcoming Hands-On Owner Hospitality

    Diners receive personal, attentive service from the hands-on owners in an inviting neighborhood setting.

    The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the owners were incredibly kind and hospitable, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

    Sagar Inamdar

  • Family-Run Neighborhood Consistency

    The relaxed cafe delivers dependable, family-run warmth and consistent homestyle cooking across repeat visits.

    Rare to still see Family owned and operated restaurant with same taste throughout.

    Vishal Doshi

Authentic charcoal-grilled skewers, traditional shawarma, and plant-based specialties

  • Lamb Shawarma

    We highly recommend the Mashawi Lamb and the Lamb Shawarma — both were absolutely delicious and full of flavour.

    Sonia Y

  • Mashawi Lamb

    We ordered the mashawi lamb and lamb shawarma, and both were absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked and full of traditional taste.

    Sagar Inamdar

  • Shish Tawook Wrap

    Outstanding tawook wrap. Juicy, crispy, fresh and delicious!

    Paraj Singh

  • Vegan Mashawe

    I recommend the vegan mashawe Mediterranean barbecue and side of Lebanese green bean stew cooked with tomato and garlic

    Jen Phillips

Other favorites

Traditional Lebanese sides, scratch-made dips, and in-house baked breads

  • Fresh Khubz

    They make fresh khubz, right in front of u and they are the best khubz here in whole of Australia.

    Shazia Choudhry

  • Garlic Dip

    The garlic dip was a standout and complemented the dishes beautifully.

    Sagar Inamdar

  • Fattoush Salad

    Love the Fattoush salad, the zaatar manakesh.

    Shazia Choudhry

  • Loubieh Bi Zeit

    Loubieh Bi Zeit (bean & tomato) salad - just delicious!!!

    Jann G

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality touches that elevate the dining experience at Balila Lebanese Cuisine & Cafe

  • Dedicated Grill Cleaning for Plant-Based Meats

    The team takes explicit care to thoroughly clean down the grill before cooking plant-based meats, allowing vegans to order shawarma and kebabs with peace of mind.

  • Khubz Baked Fresh to Order in Front of Guests

    Lebanese flatbread is baked fresh to order right in front of diners rather than served from pre-packaged bags.

  • Warm, Personal Owner-Led Hospitality

    The husband-and-wife owners take hands-on pride in welcoming tables, personally guiding diners through the menu and sharing genuine passion for their recipes.

  • Generous Homestyle Presentation

    Generously plating homestyle Middle Eastern comfort specialties like slow-cooked lamb shank alongside scratch-made dips, pickles, and chips.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular menu items to order?

Popular dishes include the lamb shawarma, shish tawook wrap, mixed grill mashawi, and lamb shank, paired with sides like smooth hummus, thick garlic dip (toum), and fresh fattoush.

Are there vegan and vegetarian options available?

Yes. The menu features an extensive range of vegan options, including plant-based shawarma and kebabs, falafel, loubieh bi zeit (green bean stew), and bemieh, with staff taking care to clean the grill before preparing vegan meats.

How long does food usually take to prepare?

Because dishes and grilled meats are prepared fresh to order, wait times can range from 15 to 45 minutes during busy periods. Calling ahead or planning for takeaway is common if you are on a tight schedule.

How much seating is available for dining in?

Seating is limited with just a few tables inside and some seating out front on the footpath, making it best suited for casual dining, smaller groups, or takeaway.

What are the parking options nearby?

Street parking directly outside on Huntingdale Road is limited, though free street parking is accessible on nearby surrounding streets.

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