It was our first time having Egyptian cuisine and a high bar was set for us.
The restaurant was clean and atmosphere was comfortable. Service was timely and friendly.
We tried a dip, the chicken, lamb shank, and an ox tail tagine. Overall food was flavourful, meat was tender and portions were generous. My favourite was the ox tail tagine - fall off the bone meat cooked in flavourful soup and paired with well cooked rice. Close second favourite was the lamb shank with rice. The dip was alright - I prefer the smoky Persian / Iranian eggplant dips, this one had a more sour taste.
Overall it was a pleasant experience and I would certainly be back to try other dishes if I'm in the area again in the future.
Super friendly staff and fast service with really authentic Egyptian and Middle Eastern food with some modern fusion menu items as well.
I tried the grassfed lamb burger which was fantastic. Will definitely go again.
Really friendly staff, it's like a home away from home. Moreover they are happy to explain their menu and help you choose as it is quite a large selection.
They promise an experience that will have you begging for more. In our case my husband over ordered and I couldn't eat any more even though I truely tried. Having said that I wouldn't try that hard unless the food was worth it. I didn't leave disappointed but rather planning my next visit with the kids. Looking forward to trying other parts of the menu
Downstairs from our accomodation is a lovely location where you can sit indoors or out. We grabbed an outdoor table on a warm night and chose to start with olives and dips. Wait staff were friendly and efficient. My sparkling wine went well with the hummus and smoked eggplant dips which were served with warm bread and pita.
The olives were plump and spicy. After those we ordered quail and a mixed grill. Both were delicious and the serves are large and well priced.
This place is a pure Mediterranean experience!
The setting was modern and inviting with fun background music, the only thing was missing is a Mediterranean next to it. Service was very attentive as well.
Food was delicious! One of the best Hummus we had in Melbourne and both the kebab and the burger were great and very filling.
The owner/chef worked in several hotels in the past including in Melbourne and the Middle East. He clearly knows his job well, fantastic and unique dishes.
Will be back for more!
The coupon for mixed grill was great value. A great selection of meats. Quail was extremely tasty. The chicken succulent. The dips were all very good. Good service. Good value. A nice change in a good atmosphere just one block from Chapel St without the noise.
Amazing service, friendly staff, decent food, good quality fresh food... food tasted awesome as well as vey approachable friendly staff giving you the best service you can ask for. It was one of the best breakfast we have had.
Came for dinner last night with my partner and thoroughly enjoyed the food, setting, background soft funky music as well as the attentive and friendly service.
Setting is so like those we went to during our Mediterranean cruise last July!
Chef is obviously very talented because seemingly simple dishes had great depth of flavours expertly combined, eg the rice pilau and dips!
Definitely returning!
Great food. Great atmosphere and awesome staff............................................................................................😃
Absolutely amazing food, great atmosphere and awesome service.
Will definitely be making this one a regular.
Highly recommended for big groups as well
It definitely shows when the person dishing out the food has been a chef at top-tier hotels for more than 30 years.
With this kind of experience, it’s not surprising that the execution and finesse of the dishes tonight made for an absolutely sensational and rather flawless meal. Chef Tharwat’s modern twist to staples like salad and paella was exceptional and definitely not something anyone can pull off.
Without a doubt. Casa Besta definitely served up one of the best modern Mediterranean meals I’ve had in Melbourne, and I am incredibly thankful to have been invited to sample their offerings.
I recently had dinner here with a few friends and it was AMAZING!Â
Mezze: Mixed Fried Seafood - tender calamari strips, prawns, sardines and some baby fish coated in an exquisite spice mixture.Â
Main: Risotto with Wild Mushrooms and Semi-Sundried Tomatoes - A SLICE OF HEAVEN!
Dessert: Oum Ali - Seriously, I wish I grew up in Egypt just to have this dessert every day. Honestly.Â
Overall, I enjoyed myself here a lot. Great vibes :)
Casa Besta is run by the husband and wife team, Tharwat and Jacqueline Bestawros. Tharwat, who is also the chef, is deeply passionate about cooking, having spent many days and nights perfecting his dishes, he aims to bring the very best that Egyptian cuisine has to offer. The restaurant was brightly lit (perfect for food photos!) with simplistic furniture and seating at the bar as well as outdoors under cover. It feels very clean-cut and modern, but also very relaxing with cushions on the couches. The TV screen mounted on the wall plays a slideshow offering a glimpse of their delicious dishes.
Never had Egyptian food before. A lot better than I expected. Friendly service and relatively fast. They current have liquor license issue so unable to serve drinks but all good overall.
It is soo good to be able to enjoy Egyptian Cuisine in The Heart of Melbourne CBD. The range of authentic Egyptian dishes available at 'Casa Besta aka House of Besta' takes you back to a traditional home in Egypt, where big meals and sharing of meals around the dinner table are a must.
A must visit for All foodies and cultural cuisine lovers
The best seafood in Melbourne.. Amazing platter.. Pre-order request
Great place with a surprise Egyptian menu.
We had a range of entrees and mains, they were all delish. Perfectly spiced and cooked.
The winner was the amazing baked croissant pudding; so so yum!
Very friendly and attentive service too. 😊
Amaaaaaaaaazing food and extra great Chef, we finished and cleaned all the plates, just wow
Amazing food and experience. My wife and I are by no means expert on Moroccan/Egyptian cuisine but our dishes were great (and sizable).
We got three of the dips to start (Eggplant was our favorite), followed by Hawawshi, and then the Lamb Tagine. Each of them was flavorful, savory, and filling. We had plenty to take home and enjoy the next day.
Good variety of middle eastern food with a friendly staff.
The size of the mains and dessert were considerably big comparing to others restaurants. I have no complaints about this place!
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