This unassuming but always busy bakery, cafe and food store nestled just behind the intersection of Bell Street and Sydney Road delivers an ample overview of Middle-Eastern gastronomy.

Everything at Al Alamy is baked on the premises daily. For a quick lunch, a coffee and a $1.50 zaatar pizza is the business, but if you really want to splurge you can fork out $2.50 on the lahme bajin (mince lamb with chilli and lemon) or up to $4.50 for a pizza with practically everything.

Amiable owner and manager Ahmed Haouchar loves introducing customers to new foods, and with items like Turkish fairy floss, halva, nuts and dried fruits of all kinds, unfamiliar soft drinks, pickled foods, grains, spices and more Middle-Eastern produce than you knew existed, it’s easy to find something you’ve not tried before.