Maha is my firm Melbourne favourite for lunch or dinner.

The $35 per person weekday two course lunch, like the two course dinner, offers a lovely range of Lebanese flavours and textures to share.

But it’s hard not to go for the three course $45 pp menu which was fabulous.

First course

local olives, fel fel

cauliflower hummus, chicken, cashews, parsley

olive oil braised potatoes and beans, marjoram, black olive

arak pickled cucumber, fennel fronds, labneh

chemen cured swordfish, kewpie mayo, preserved lemon and shallot

Second course

12 hour slow roasted lamb shoulder, cumin, coriander, sumac, St David’s labneh

char grilled victorian calamari, saffron, tomato, hamsi toast

charred brocolini and winter greens

Third course

peppermint crisp ice cream, pomegranate creme, semolina, chocolate, pine nut crumb

The decor and service are welcoming and stylish.

The staff even thoughtfully surprised us to mark the special occassion we were celebrating!

The staff work together well as a team and are clearly proud of the Maha experience.

Spring Street Grocer, next to the Princess Theatre, is a gourmet treasure trove.

There’s an impressive cheese cellar, down a quirky spiral staircase.

But my highlight is the icecream. Flavours are unusual, but delicious, like salted caramel and Wattleseed, citrus and yogurt, cardamom and pistachio.

Open everyday until late, it’s my go to spot for Melbourne CBD icecream.