Event Details
Discover some of the most delicious Lebanese food and ingredients in Punchbowl, visiting our favourite butcher, baker, emporium, chocolate and nut shop, a pizza place like no other, using toppings of za’atar (oregano, sumac and sesame seeds) lahm bajeen (lamb and spices) and many more. Enjoy coffee to start, a sampling of the best falafel in town, plus many tastings as well as a banquet lunch. The grand finale is a palace of delicious sweets. A truly fabulous introduction to these great flavours.
Tour meets in Punchbowl
Highlights:
- Learning about many new ingredients and how to use them
- Genuine warm welcomes from family owned businesses
- Our Lebanese guide opening up new delicious worlds and sharing food and culture
- Eating like a local in one of our “finds”
- Taking home many treats for family and friends
NM –
Hi Suzy, Wanted to get in touch and say thank you to Judy, our fantastic, warm and friendly host last Saturday as we strolled around Punchbowl sampling some beautiful food. From the first falafel to the last baklawa (still practicing my pronunciation Judy!) it was a foodies delight. All the restaurants and shops were welcoming and accomodating. It was nice be in the middle of the Saturday afternoon hustle and bustle with the people lucky enough to get to shop here all the time. Al Yasmin restaurant with its no frills decor and coastal art works served us beautiful food including succulent kofta, roasted cauliflower with the most beautiful seasoning, a stand out fattoush salad – I could eat that every day. We also started our day there with Lebanese coffee and falafel. Each of the shops we visited generously offered us samples of their products…Sydney spices demonstrated the vast array of spices used in Lebanese cooking, but unfortunately declined to give their secret blends away! We visited the first Lebanese bakery which is still using the original oven and methods of production. My freezer is now at capacity filled with bread from here.
When my friends and I arrived in Punchbowl we were early so went for coffee and couldn’t figure out why there were so many people walking around with pizza boxes at 930 in the morning. We were enlightened when we arrived at Yum Yum Lebanese pizza that manoushe is the breakfast of champions. It certainly tasted amazing though personally I thought the cheese pie was a standout – maybe the keshak pie – but I might have that wrong. All in all we had a fantastic day. Judy was so knowledgeable the traders probably didn’t even need to speak to us at all.
Thanks again for a fantastic day. My family have been enjoying the spoils – I bought some falafel mix from Al Yasmin and cooked it at home. The falafel mix on its own would be enough reason to travel from Wollongong to Punchbowl in my opinion. Cheers Noreen
Diann B –
Afternoon Susie,
We had an amazing time on Saturday with Jenny, our Lebanese Walking Safari was more than we expected. All the shops we visited were so friendly especially the pizza place (which was not on our tour) Manouche making on a Saj, was just wonderful.The food from all the shops was beautiful and too much, so generous were the shop keepers. Our purchase of goods again the Butcher shop was very accommodating to keep our meat & small goods until the end of our tour were wonderful.And then there was Jenny, we could not ask for anyone more dedicated to her culture and her food……just amazing beautiful person. Thanks again, look forward to another tour next year, if possible let me know when your new tours are available next year. Have a wonderful Christmas & Happy New Year to all.
Kind Regards, Diann Badger, Symone Denham, Dianne Hogwood & Laney LaTroube. November 2022
Warren and Wendy K –
Hi Suzy, Just wanted to drop you a quick line to say how much we enjoyed the day last Saturday – it certainly was a feast with great company and a wonderful host in Nancy. Apart from the great food we learnt a considerable amount about Lebanese fare and having Nancy there to share her Lebanese background and knowledge as well as her very, very funny stories made the day that much more relaxing and enjoyable. Will certainly be recommending this to our friends.
Fond
Cheers Terry –
Hi Suzy, I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Punchbowl safari on Saturday 7 May. It was a gift from a friend for my birthday last year. Nancy was lovely and very informative. The lunch was sensational. Will definitely be going back to Jasmin restaurant. This must be about my 10th safari and as usual I loved it. Can’t wait for the next one!!
KH –
Just wanted to let you know what a lovely day we had on Saturday. Our ‘leader’ Judy was great, enthusiastic & knowledgeable and made everyone feel very welcome – as did all the proprietors of the businesses we visited. My sister (also Judi) who went on your first tour many years ago, really enjoyed the day. Neither of us would hesitate to go back on a shopping/food day on our own or to recommend the tour to friends. Thanks again