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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.

Before you head over

Practical advice on parking, seating, and ordering vegan specialties at Balila.

  • Explore Local Streets for Parking

    On-street parking right outside along Huntingdale Road is limited, so plan to check nearby local side streets if you are driving.

  • Order from the Dedicated Vegan Grill

    Vegans can order plant-based shawarma and kebabs with confidence, as the team cleans down the grill before cooking plant-based items.

  • Choose Calm Weather for Footpath Seating

    If you prefer sitting outside on the footpath, pick a calmer day to avoid vehicle fumes and heavy road traffic.

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