Hannibal - Surry Hills

Let's start with the positives about Hannibals. The host is courteous and accommodating, and the ambience good with appropriate Middle-Eastern furnishings and background music. Unfortunately though, for us, these were overwhelmed by the negatives, namely the slow service, and the fact that the food is both ordinary and expensive. We visited on a quiet night, it was less than half full with just two other tables occupied. And from what I could see there was no-one in the 'cushion room' out the back. Still, the meals seem to come very slowly and in drips and drabs. But when I saw the kitchen I could understand why - it's a tiny galley affair, narrow and crowded with two people at work. (The only reason I saw the kitchen was because I was taking back a meal they had wrongly delivered to our table.) So, I wouldn't like to visit when the place was full.Then, the food: we ordered hummus, taboulie, baba ganoush, falafel, baked kebbe and fried cauliflower. The baba ganous was fine and the taboulie freshly made though serving of the latter was on a plate barely bigger than a saucer - and cost $13. The hummus was as bland as ever I had tasted: it needed more garlic and I suspect lacked lemon juice. The falafel was too crunchy, having spent too much time in the deep fry and 'baked kebbe' was in fact pan fried. The fried cauliflower was too wet. My partner - who knows more about these things then me - said it should have parboiled first, or at least parboiled for longer. Anyway, it was not a great culinary experience to say the least. The meal was $68 for two, and that is food only as we only drank water. Not even BYO. That's pretty expensive for the 'Little Lebanon' precinct around Cleveland St/Elizabeth St corner, and where we find we can get change from $50 and a much better dining experience from other restaurants only a matter of metres down the street. Needless to say, we don't expect to return to Hannibals.

Good food amazing and friendly service. Really lovely waiter. Went there for dinner with the family Saturday night and enjoyed it.

This is one of the worst meals I can remember. The dips were tasteless, the meat chewy or over cooked and greasy, and the service poor - no one cleared our table and dirty dishes were overflowing from the sinks when I walked past on my way to the bathroom. A really disappointing experience. No stars.

Good food, though ordered the vege banquet and received only half of the food on the menu. Spent $180 between 4. Had to ask for vine leaves and cabbage rolls. Was asked to leave, as it was late, though we were waiting for out dessert. Not provided desserts, however asked to pay for corkage. Realised when we left when I checked the menu that they didn't include many of the items. Actually received hommus, bread, falafel, tabouli. Staff aren't caring. Manager rude. Terrible experience. We took our friends and were totally embarrassed. The one in Glebe is great. This one is horrible!

First impression, small restaurant that needs a major renovation. Groupon voucher presented for dinning. Food's ok 5/10 and very small portion of foods given. Customer service ok. More restaurants around with better value for money.