Shareefs opened in Concord just days before Christmas in 2024, presenting itself as a 1960s-themed Lebanese diner.

Classic Lamb Shawarma ($10.00)

Shareef’s signature lamb shawarma was wrapped in soft, tender Lebanese bread with tahini, wild cucumber pickles, parsley-onion, fresh mint, and par-grilled tomatoes. While the bread was well-executed, the lamb was dry and overly salty. Combined with the richness of the tahini, the wrap felt heavy, with the salad components providing insufficient freshness and texture to balance the flavours.

Kafta Hommous ($14.00)

A bowl of Shareef’s thick, smooth, and creamy hummus was topped with freshly grilled lamb kafta and served with Lebanese bread. The hummus was a step above many supermarket versions, acting as an excellent base for the well-seasoned kafta, which was tender with a balanced savoury quality and minimal gaminess. Pops of pomegranate added a welcome touch of fruity sweetness and texture, though more would have been appreciated. The light, tender Lebanese bread complemented both the hummus and kafta, making this dish a standout and one worth repurchasing.

Shareefs also serves as a shopfront for BuBooza ice cream. Booza, a traditional Levantine ice cream made with milk, sugar, mastic, and sahlab, has a soft, chewy texture. It differs from Türkiye’s dondurma, which is firmer, stretchier, and more resistant to melting due to its higher salep content—ideal for street vendor tricks.

Kashta & Pistachio Booza ($10.00, cup or cone)

This ice cream featured delicate floral notes from orange blossom and rosewater, with a rich, creamy texture free of overt milky undertones. It was thicker than regular ice cream, offering a subtle chewiness, though significantly less firm and stretchy than the dondurma from Hakiki Turkish Ice Cream and more prone to melting. The pistachio coating was a highlight, adding a satisfying crunch and an incredibly rich pistachio flavour that complemented the ice cream without overpowering it.

Shareefs had a promising concept with its 1960s-themed Lebanese diner, but while the Kafta Hommous and Booza stood out, the overly salty and dry lamb shawarma fell short of expectations.

Shareef’s is located at 61 Majors Bay Rd, Concord NSW 2137.