Moroccan Soup Bar

LOCATION
Easily accessibly on St Georges Road, near Edinburgh Gardens.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
The Moroccan Soup Bar employs a simple formula, but one that has made it uniquely popular for many years. Its longevity isn’t based on an expensive fit out, fancy menus or silver service. What keeps people coming in droves is a natural, unassuming vegetarian restaurant that doesn’t allow alcohol, has no written menu, only accepts cash and won’t take bookings for less than six people. If you can work within these stipulations, you will become privy to excellent, homecooked vegetarian fare that will leave even the hungriest punter satisfied. This restaurant is staffed entirely by women and overseen by owner Hana Assafiri, who greets diners on arrival. After guests have been served with sweet mint tea, she explains the dishes of the day and ascertains if there are any allergies or intolerances.


The Moroccan Soup Bar employs a philosophy that focuses on vegetarian food that nourishes your body. Earthy African qualities show through the variety of flavoursome dishes including spiced dips and breads, aromatic lentils and saffron rice, and exotic eggplant, mixed vegetable, and cous cous dishes. The chickpea bake is a creative play off of savoury-sweet characters through a combination of yoghurt, toasted pide, tahini and buttery toasted almonds - a perennial favourite. Most people opt for the three course banquet, which offers excellent value at $20 a head, and will ensure you walk away amply satisfied. Rock up early if you don’t have a table booked and be prepared to be sent away for an hour on busy nights. The good news is there are several quality bars along this strip (one right next door) where you can sip away some time with a drink as you wait.

Angela Costanzo