A visit to Azima is best approached with an appetite. In her This is Canberra review, Lucy Ridge arrives on a busy Thursday evening to find the City Walk restaurant filled with friends and families sharing generous Lebanese food in Canberra, eventually settling on The Classic banquet after being advised that the larger option would be more than enough for two.

The meal begins with a spread of cold Lebanese mezze—hommos, baba ganouj, mouhamara and parsley-rich tabouli—served alongside fresh and fried pita dusted with za’atar. The hot mezze follows with falafel, meat sambosek and fried kibbeh, giving the meal a varied introduction to the flavours and textures of traditional Lebanese cuisine.

Then comes the grill: shish tawook, lamb and lamb kafta, all cooked over the restaurant’s grill and seasoned with flavours such as cinnamon and sumac. The portions prove generous enough that even the smaller banquet leaves plenty to finish, reinforcing Azima’s emphasis on abundant, shared Lebanese dining.

The Lebanese influence continues through the drinks list, which features a strong selection of Lebanese wines alongside Australian and international bottles. Dessert brings a choice of baklava or rice pudding, with the latter offering a lighter finish of rose-scented rice, Persian fairy floss and pistachio praline.

By the end of the meal, This is Canberra leaves Azima with a simple recommendation: bring friends, arrive hungry and settle in for a Lebanese feast. The review highlights generous portions, approachable Lebanese banquet dining and food that makes the restaurant particularly well suited to sharing around a table.

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