Phoenician Falafel

Proudly serving traditional Lebanese from a small shop beside the Embassy Theatre on Kent Terrace, Phoenician Falafel is Wellington's window into Beirut's street-food scene. The Assaf family have been keeping things authentic since the mid-nineties, turning out simple, clean, flavourful classics from their homeland.

Before Tony left Lebanon with his wife, Yolanda, he collected recipes for the finest falafel, shawarma and makanek across Beirut. Arriving with four children to support, this knowledge became the foundation for what hungry Wellingtonians now queue for daily.

Their menu board has remained essentially unchanged for three decades: a handwritten list in bold red, yellow and green. The space mirrors this simplicity. Bistro chairs around a wooden tabletop beneath a modest black facade, recalling the alleyway eateries of the Levant. Inside, the same seating matches wooden fixtures and earthy tones, with framed Lebanese landscapes clustered on one wall around a decorative cherub.

With Tony and Yolanda entering semi-retirement, their son Zahi has taken the helm. He plans to fill the remaining wall space with photos documenting his parents' journey, honouring decades of service that haven't quite finished. Dad still oversees the fermented pickles; Mum won't relinquish baklava duties.

On the counter, glass jars of Tony's kabees sit in front of freshly prepped produce. Behind, falafel balls rim the deep pan that gives them their signature crunch, each one fried fresh to order. As the menu above states, classics dominate with limited creative liberties: chicken and lamb shawarma, shish tawook; all available as wraps, rice platters or salads. Zahi, being coeliac himself, ensures gluten-free options come at no extra charge.

A piece of Lebanon in the Courtenay Place precinct, Phoenician Falafel draws twenty-year regulars who swear it tastes exactly as it did on day one. No fusion, no contemporary reimagining: just authentic Lebanese street food that the Assafs have not only made their own, but made locals love.