Du Liban Bakery and Roasters

Alongside opening a new bakery in Rosebery, the last month has seen the Du Liban team reward Marrickville locals by branching into nights. They’re clearly much better at time management than I am, because they’re now offering up a seven day week of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their industrial park warehouse setting is softened by low light jars, though the concrete floors do reflect the winter chill. It’s quite a small space, so booking ahead is advised. With the charcoal rotisserie in high gear when we arrive, the aroma of barbecued chicken made it pretty hard to pass up a Whole Chook $28). As Du Liban also do takeaway, staff are super happy to serve up half in situ, and package up the other half bird for your lunch the next day. Fresh off the rotisserie, Du Liban’s barbecued chook is almost too moist and juicy, meaning it eats slightly better then next day. It’s not going to rival El Jannah, but you don’t have to drive to Punchbowl to eat it either. It’s served with garlic sauce, flatbread, pickles and hand cut fries, made extra tasty by leaving their skin on. Ordering a Mixed Plate $26) and sharing both dishes will take care of two people likely with food to spare). The mixed plate gives three skewers of lamb, kafta and chicken tawook pride of place over a garden of felafel, hummus, baba ganoush, tabouli, pickles and fragrant kabsa rice. The meats are all well cooked, with the flavoursome kafta being the standout. Being foolhardy and a big fan of yoghurt dip), I ignored staff advice and threw in Zataar, Labne and Pickles $6) it was tasty but certainly surplus to our requirements. The cooking here is halal, so they don’t serve alcohol, but they do generously allow you to bring your own bottle and wine glasses) to enjoy with your meal. We weren’t charged a BYO fee for the privilege either, bringing our whole meal for two and subsequent lunch) in at sixty bucks. Consider blowing your change from a hundred on good bottle of Australian wine.

Love the look from the front, and as you walk through the door the smell is amazing, but apart from coffee and cakes, not much more to write home about.

Du Liban is another of those little places tucked away in an industrial area of a Marrickville, Sydney. If you are not careful you may miss it like I did for a couple of weeks. I can assure you that many people have managed to find it, in fact the line up of local workers and Tradie trucks pulling up at lunch time will tell you that Australians from all walks of life know good food even if they have to hunt it down.It’s a friendly casual place where you order from the counter and the staff are keen to guide you. This is a dream come true for the owners, Raed and Dorrie , a local couple with three children who just wanted to find a cafe with good food. OK, tick. They combine a love of good ingredients and a simple quality approach to the food they serve. The cafe has predominately Lebanese Middle eastern food with some French influences . The bakery is in the back and it produces all of the baked goods made from Laucke, organic Australian flour. The focus for the bakery is the Manoush, a traditional Lebanese pizza style bread that is served flat, like pizza or wrapped around a variety of ingredients either with vegetables or a combination of meat, vegetables , cheese and Za a’tar. Their interesting varieties and combinations keep the lunch trade coming back. The day I visited there were both Salmon and Dill and one filled with Haloumi and lamb. ranging from $4-5.50. The tangy green Za’atar bread is served cut into wedges warm $3.50. That alone will have me coming back. Breakfasts are a treat if you are fond of beans because they serve ful medames, a traditional fava bean dish of creamy cooked beans and a side of flat bread, $8.50. On the weekend you can have the big breakfast with Scrambled Eggs, Baked Tomato, Sauted Lemon Garlic Potatoes. Side serve of pickles) $16.80. Any of the components can be ordered separately including the luminous pickles . There’s Scrambled Eggs with mince and Pinenuts and even Shakshuka but if you are really hankering for something sweet you can have Buttermilk Pancakes, croissants or a more traditional Lebanese Dessert. These are baked by of the pastry chef, who has worked at Black Star amongst a long list of other places and are a combination of middle eastern and more local hybrids. The Slow Roast lamb wrap with Mint, lettuce and a garlicky tahini is delicious and a very filling $11.80. A camel Burger was an unusual choice for lunch. The hand cut chips were irresistible and the lovely charred Camel Burger patty was a surprise. $12.50 Coffee is a blend especially roasted for them but why not also give the hot chocolate a try $4, it’s warm frothy milk blended with a house made Callebaut Chocolate ganache. You could opt for a more traditional drink of Ayran, $2, a yoghurt drink served warm, or a Golden Milk. This is a surprising combination of Turmeric, Ginger, Black Pepper and milk your choice or Almond , rice or standard milk). It’s lightly sweetened with honey or maple syrup $4.50, and makes you feel like you are doing something really good for yourself. Knefeh a much loved “Middle Eastern”, semolina and ricotta cake sits alongside, $7), a wondrous carrot cake stuffed with crunchy walnut filling. I am hooked on the relaxed warehouse feel. The concrete floors and the rustic looking wooden tables. Out the back the enormous kitchen space, full of mixers and long benches, pumps out food and bread, while we sit outside in the winter sun.

This is a hidden gem in Marrickville and a must see, fabulous staff and coffee, next visit I will definitely have some of the gorgeous breads, pastries cakes with my coffee.

Been there a few times,the food is good but obviously it could be better. We didn't know if there was table service or counter..staff are just busy doing their own thing and noone approach you...you have to go and order,then they bring it out to you. Eggs,bread and Knebe were great. Tasty,delicious and great flavours. Coffees are not bad either. I think if staff provide more service,this place would be very sucessful.