Member Review by melbourne_muncher

Here's what I was expecting when I went to Mecca Bah... 1. A smart, professional outfit in the vein of the other restaurants owned by this consortium, Livebait and Mecca 2. Casual, tasty middle-eastern food at reasonable prices 3. A gorgeous location, great decor and a good view.

Well, I got number 3 right! My experience at Mecca Bah left a lot to be desired. Upon arrival we waited at the counter for 10 minutes and started to get the feeling that this wasn't the restaurant we were expecting, the service was reminiscent of Blue Train or Automatic. Our table was extremely dimly lit and out of the way, so much so that we were off the service radar and often had to call the waiter over to bring us menus, take our order etc.

Then there was the food. The menu is divided into Mezze ($4.50- $11.50), Tagines ($17.50-$19), Grills ($19.50-$20.50), Turkish Pizza ($15-$18) and Desserts. We selected some lamb boreks and silverbeet rolls, both of which were tasty but drowned under a yoghurt and mint sauce. For main course I chose a chicken tagine that I found barely edible. Served with couscous, the tagine was overpoweringly flavoured with almond essence with a taste that reminded me of marzipan. My partner ordered the Chicken Kebab from the Grills section of the menu which he found to be quite tasty but it turned out to be undercooked (it was impossible to tell in the dim lighting) and he had gastro the next day.

All in all, Mecca Bah was certainly not the restaurant experience I expected. It was overcrowded, understaffed and the food was slap-dash and unpleasant. There are far better meals to be had at this price in Melbourne.

Member Review by alina tooley

cant go past the sticky date banana pudding desert---absolutey superb!

Member Review by Marilena

The setting is good as you are sitting literally on water, but that's it. The food is average, the desserts disappointing, the service lacking, and the tables are too cramped together. With the vast choice of good restaurants in Melbourne, I don't think I will be returning back.

Member Review by Kate Dal Forno

A more modern take on the Middle Eastern fare available in Melbourne, without the expense of momos or mecca. If you are tired of Alaysha's same old offerings after 20 years (even before the food poisoning saga of January 2005 from which they haven't yet reopened), then this spot is worth a try. The menu, wine list and even a 360 degree view of the restaurant is available on the website for all net savvy foodgod followers ... www.meccabah.com to check it out.


You cannot book so be prepared to wait or wander off. The food on offer is more mezze in style - and cheaper and lighter than in that of its sister establishment Mecca. You wont find pide with Roast pumpkin, chilli, pomegranate jam & feta nor date ice-cream in Sydney Road.

The ambience and location set it apart from Brunswick but so to do the prices.

Member Review by Danny Segman

Nice setting....however if you crave traditional Middle Eastern Food this is not the place.

Menu is also pricey and staff can be a little rude.

If you are in the city and crave middle eastern, head to Sydney Road Brunswick !