Driving down North rd in Melbourne’s south east, the last thing you expect to find in it’s semi-industrial surrounds is an Oasis. Well the Oasis Bakery, that is… A Middle Eastern bakery, cafe and specialist grocery store.
After living and working in Melbourne’s north for most of my life, where middle eastern food and pastries are delicious and plentiful, I developed a Lebanese Meat Pizza (Lahm bi Ajeen) habit. Travelling to Thornbury to satisfy my cravings isn’t that easy now that I live southside, so finding Oasis Bakery just a few suburbs away means that my penchant for Middle Eastern flavours can finally be appeased.
I headed over with Emma for lunch and was overwhelmed buy the hot food and pastry choices but settled on a Kebbeh & salad plate and a Moroccan chicken & chickpea parcel. It’s always super busy, so having a pager that buzzes when your order is ready means you can browse the grocery section or play outside with the kids in the mean time. If eating in, try to bag an empty table as soon as you see one, it won’t be empty for long.
Lamb kebbeh, salad & hommus $15
But the winner this visit was the Moroccan Chicken Parcel with it’s mild warm spice flavours and crispy pastry. The chickpeas really lifted the filling and at only $6.50 it’s a hearty and healthy lunch for the price.
Tender chicken w Moroccan spiced chickpeas & halloumi cheese $6.5
Make sure you leave some room because the sweet offerings are syrup soaked and delicious.
On offer are traditional Lebanese and Middle Eastern pastries as well as cafe style cakes, biscuits and slices. The Almond and Cranberry Makroud caught my eye, it was sweet, fragrant and rich, probably something I’d share with a friend next time as the portion was too much for me.
Cranberry and Almond Makroud $3
We had a wander around the grocery section which has an expansive range of spices, nuts and dried fruits as well as other Middle eastern essentials.
But my absolute favourite area is the section where the giant wheels of nougat, Turkish delight and (oh so delicious) Halva is rationed out. Just the thought of it is making my mouth water.
Halva always reminds me of Christmases as a kid, traditionally in Argentina nougat (turron) and halva (Mantecol) are eaten, but I haven’t had it in years. I’ll be popping into Oasis to get some for my Christmas table this year.
Can you bring the kids?
Yes, it’s very casual although during peak times it may be hard to get a table. Put the kids in charge of the buzzer to keep them entertained.
High chairs are available, I forgot to check the bathrooms (sorry).
Worth crossing town for?
Well it’s certainly worth making a detour for if you are in the general area, especially if you need to stock up on spices and other staples. They also run regular cooking classes which always seem to book up quickly.
Oasis Bakery
9/993 North Road, Murrumbeena 3163 VIC
03 9570 1122
Saturday to Wednesday: 8am – 7pm
Thursday & Friday: 8am – 9pm
Public holidays: 9am – 5pm
oasisbakery.com.au
