Damasquino, Brunswick East

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MELBOURNE | Most of the recent attention regarding the burgeoning food and drink scene of Lygon Street, Brunswick East, has been focused on the area south of Victoria Street. Head further north, towards the “Maccas” end, and there are several less heralded gems to be found. One of these is Damasquino. It’s a Syrian spot that opened without fanfare a few months ago, and is well worth your time.

The signature item at the family-run restaurant is Syrian Shami (Damascus-style) shawarma. Your choice of chicken or lamb, coated in a dry spice blend, before being marinated in yoghurt and citrus, and layered to slow-cook on the rotisserie. The result is juicy, tender meat, with prominent flavours of cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It’s joined by house pickles, tomato, parsley, and a good dose of garlicky toum, before being wrapped in pita and finished on the grill to slightly crisp the exterior.

You can get single shawarma wraps, or have it cut up ‘Arabic-style’ as individual serves, or family platters. Shawarma plates are served with a side of chips, pickles, and toum. There’s also Syrian-spiced broasted fried chicken, and a few other things like coleslaw, lemony hummus, and tahini.

I recommend the chicken shawarma wrap plate, Arabic-style, and a serve of hummus, topped with lamb shawarma.

Damasquino

464 Lygon Street
Brunswick East
Victoria 3057
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9191 4559
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Tue – Sun: 1:00am to 10:00pm