Gemmayze St restaurant review: Metro Top 50 2018

By Metro date Jun 21, 2018

Gemmayze St restaurant review

Metro Top 50 2018 restaurant Gemmayze St in St Kevins Arcade does delicious contemporary Lebanese food.

With its leadlight windows, heritage tiles and atrium views over Myers Park, Gemmayze St surely takes the prize for the most gracious dining space in central Auckland. At the far end of K’ Rd charmer St Kevins Arcade, the restaurant has paid homage to the roots of chef Samir Allen since mid-2016. On Monday nights, he hosts Everybody Eats, a “pay as you feel” not-for-profit initiative, which sees volunteers serve up three-course meals using food saved from going to waste. The quality of Gemmayze’s Middle Eastern food, served as no-short-cuts shared plates (try sticky, falling-apart lamb shoulder or freekeh risotto of broccolini, confit garlic and labneh), is a constant: it’s the totality of the experience here that always draws us back.

What it offers Shared-plate options / Fixed-price meal options ($60 “Jeeb” offer) / Free-range chicken and/or pork / Good for vegetarians / Takes large groups / Bar / Craft beer selection / Good for kids
A favourite dish Braised lamb shoulder with mougrabeye, white onion and vinegar leeks.
Awards Winner, Food for Good
Hours Dinner Tue-Sat
Price $$
Seats 80
Chef Samir Allen