Isme Lebanese Restaurant

Since having dinner here last Sunday evening I haven’t stopped raving about Isme. The food was absolutely divine (and included delicious options for vegans/veg)! The service was spot on and our waiter had a great knowledge of the menu and how to order for a larger groups. We were lucky enough to end up in the private dining room. The space is so beautifully decorated and small enough to still feel intimate. Please pass on my thanks to the server, chef and staff for such a wonderful experience. I can’t wait to come back!

Very disappointing. 2 minutes before our mains arrived they told us 50% of what we order wasn’t coming as sold out. Attitude from the waiter when I told him this wasn’t ideal was the cherry on top. Oh and the $5 surcharge we found on our bill for requesting gluten free. Won’t be back.

Great food. Horrible customer service. Feel bad for the staff working here, the owners look a miserable bunch.

Food was amazing and flavorful. Service was even better. Had a great night!

Lovely food, great presentation and unique flavours Friendly staff as well

Excellent service excellent food not like every other Lebanese restaurant they have really put a modern Twist on their food

Great food

I attended this restaurant at the behest of a dear Lebanese friend. Regrettably, I have to report the most horrendous experience at this supposedly contemporary Lebanese restaurant. The service was haphazard and unreliable during our dining experiences. On arrival, we were met by a small gentleman with dyed blonde hair, whom tersely questioned us as to whether or not we had a booking and continued walking by us. We explained that we did and he callously gestured towards the outside, where the tables hadn’t been cleaned and food and drink were left splattered over the table tops. Coming from Europe and having widely traveled the world and experienced some marvellous dinners out in truly world class cities, I was shocked to come across just how this establishment was run in the heart of Fitzroy. The communication between waiting staff was so incredibly poor that they seem not to be clear on what we had ordered and arrived at the table with more sparkling water even after ours had already arrived. The food was adequate, at best, when compared to the the Lebanese cuisine in the actual Middle East and elsewhere even in Australia, such as in Sydney. The ambience was akin to having stumbled into a family dinner occasion, with family members loudly shouting over each other and r n’ b music playing which was not in keeping with an authentic Middle Eastern / Lebanese vibe. The blonde front of house manager, attempted to make amends for the poor service and less than appealing state, which we discovered our table in on arrival, however did not follow through and left my friend and I waiting around like fools for a dessert which never arrived. We left with the most abysmal impression of a restaurant, which has at heart the potential to be something quite extraordinary. The trademark cocktail - Kis’meh, was quite delightful though and a promise of what the restaurant could be if ran more professionally and more on point in all key regards.

Excellent food and customer service. Highly recommended 👍

Would zero star if possible. Maybe we got them on a bad night but the staff here were very rude to us. Definitely not going back.