Must try: Hummus bowl
What do you get when you serve authentic Middle Eastern fare in a quintessentially Queenslander-style corner café? The answer is Naïm, one of Brisbane’s favourite all-day breakfast spots serving modern Australian takes on Arab-world classics. Perch yourself up in the quaint dining room overlooking Paddington’s jacaranda-lined streets and be transported to Tunisia with one of their most popular dishes – the hummus bowl. Picture a fluffy bed of housemade dip, topped with marinated olives, tomato salad, crispy chickpeas, za'atar, flatbread and your choice of carrot falafels, steak moussaka or Fable mushrooms. Other Middle Eastern classics include a traditional shakshuka (baked eggs) and a souvlaki octopus skewer plate – add zhug for a spicy hit. If it’s something closer to home you’re craving, Naïm also serves a mean smashed avo toast with an unexpected pomegranate gel, plus quality coffee by Blacklab. There’s also the option to turn any of the dishes into a plant-based alternative – yep, even the meatballs.