Byblos

While Portside Wharf’s multi-stage revitalisation brought a lot of new concepts to Hamilton’s riverside stretch, some of the precinct’s long-term residents were also on the receiving end of a glow-up. Byblos, Ghanem Group’s Lebanese-inspired restaurant, underwent a substantial renovation process in 2024, giving the cherished eatery a new lease on life after 18 years of operations.The team has worked with Space Cubed Design Studio on the overhaul, has gone above and beyond your run-of-the-mill refit. The process wasn’t just a lick of paint and some new furnishings – the team drew upon the culture and cuisine of Lebanon for its oasis-like aesthetic, with sand-like textural rendered walls, sculptural dining booths with forms inspired by the Phoenician alphabet, a newly relocated monolithic bar backed by stepped arches clad in Alabastrino travertine, and tables covered in hand-crafted and painted tiles from ancient city of Byblós. The restaurant’s riverfront alfresco space has also been expanded and improved with new weather-proofing upgrades.

That’s not the only aspect of Byblos that received a sprucing – Ghanem Group executive chef Jake Nicolson (who embarked on a research trip to Lebanon alongside group directors Adonis and Nehme Ghanem) has retooled the menu with a sharper focus on modern Lebanese cuisine. The menu starts with mezat plates – hot and cold appetisers that include the likes of rakakat (lightly fried filo pastries filled with mozzarella, feta, parsley and onion) and eggplant fatteh (fried eggplant, cow’s milk yogurt, fresh mint and toasted flatbread). A number of grilled dishes are also worth trying, including the King River Wagyu skewer with pomegranate, pickled red onion, wild thyme and chimichurri, while mains like samik mekli (floured and flash-fried seven-spice whole small fish with fresh lemon and tahini) and the slow-cooked lamb shoulder with Lebanese lamb rice, mixed nuts, currants and jus are undeniable highlights. As always, Byblos’ beverage program offers fabulous and fun cocktails, a broad spirits list and a wine offering overflowing with international drops.