Chef’s Kiss

Shila Kitchen

Café · Middle Eastern · Café & brunchBalmain4.5 (476 Google reviews)

10+ gluten-free dishes

28 dishes marked gluten free+ 2 can be made gluten free on request

119 dishesmenu read 1 Novbalmain.shilakitchen.com.au

Always confirm with staff

DirectionsWebsite

Badges show only what the menu states. Anything else: allergens not listed, so ask staff.

Breakfast

8am–11:00am (everyday)
  • Persian Tomato Omelette$25

    With feta cheese, green salad, black olives and slices of cucumber, served with fresh Barbari bread and our house-made jam. (Spicy available

    VeganLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Spicy Mirza Omelette$25

    Scrambled eggs with mirza, green salad, black olives and slices of cucumber, served with fresh Barbari bread. (Non-spicy available)

    VeganLikely gluten (our guess)

  • 40 Thieves of Baghdad$27

    Omelette of bacon, feta cheese, walnuts, tomato, olives, parsley and onion garnished with sesame and date, served with Barbari bread.

    Likely gluten, dairy, nuts, egg, sesame (our guess)

  • Nargesi$21

    Fried eggs with spinach garnished with somaq, home-made pickles, served with fresh Barbari bread.

    VeganLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Banana Bread$7.50

    VeganLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Butter & Jam$12

    Toasted Barbari bread served with butter and our house-made jam.

    VeganLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Scrambled Eggs on Persian Toast$12

    Toasted Barbari bread with butter scrambled eggs.

    VeganLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Smashed Avocado on Persian Toast$13

    Garnished with Persian feta and nigella seeds.

    Likely gluten, dairy (our guess)

  • Kuku Sabzi & Feta$18

    A fluffy herb egg frittata baked with fresh herbs, walnuts, and barberries, served with Persian feta, fresh tomato, and cucumber.

    VeganLikely nuts (our guess)

  • Feta, Ricotta & Spinach Borek$16

    Served warm with shiraz salad & olives.

    VeganLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Potato & Leek Borek$16

    Served warm with shallot yoghurt dip.

    VeganLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Minced Beef Borek$16

    Served warm with shallot yogurt dip.

    Likely gluten, dairy (our guess)

  • Cherry Borek$16

    Served warm with whipped cream & jam.

    Likely gluten, dairy (our guess)

Menu

  • Shirazi Salad$13

    Small bowl of finely chopped fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and onion with mint and vinegar dressing.

    VegetarianFree of gluten

  • Fattoush Salad$17

    Green leaf salad, cucumber, tomato, capsicum, and parsley tossed in sumac, olive oil, and pomegranate molasses; topped with crunchy pita bre

    VegetarianCan be made free of gluten

  • Persian Pickles$12

    Seasonal fermented vegetables infused with coriander seeds, tarragon, and chilli.

    Vegan

  • Caspian Olives$14

    Green olives marinated in mint and garlic, tossed with pomegranate molasses and crushed walnuts, and finished with a sprinkle of Persian hog

    VegetarianFree of glutenLikely nuts (our guess)

  • Makdous$16

    Fermented eggplant with walnut and garlic chopped, served over crunchy pita pieces with Persian yogurt.

    VeganLikely gluten, nuts (our guess)

  • Caramelised Zucchini$16

    Zucchini gently cooked with turmeric and caramelised onion, served over crunchy pita pieces with Persian yogurt.

    VeganLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Stuffed Selection$16

    Chef's assortment of stuffed vine leaf, eggplant, zucchini, and cabbage dolmas, each filled with a flavourful blend of rice, onion, and herb

    VegetarianFree of gluten

  • Spicy Hummus$10

    Cooked mashed chickpeas with tahini and lemon juice finished with chili oil and sumac.

    VegetarianLikely sesame (our guess)

  • Baba Ganoush$12

    Mashed smoked eggplant with tahini and garlic, finished with sesame and olive oil.

    VegetarianLikely sesame (our guess)

  • Spinach Borani$12

    Creamy yoghurt, spinach, and caramelised onion finished with fenugreek and olive oil.

    Vegan

  • Maast Khiar$12

    Creamy yoghurt, cucumber, dried mint, walnuts, finished with black currant and rose petals.

    VeganLikely nuts (our guess)

  • Maast Moosir$12

    Creamy yoghurt and Iranian shallots finished with sumac and olive oil.

    Vegan

  • Kashk Bademjoon$14

    Caramelised onion and eggplant slow cooked with fermented yoghurt, finished with fried dried mint and walnuts. Served warm.

    VeganLikely nuts (our guess)

  • Mirza$14

    Charred eggplant crushed with tomato then slow-cooked with garlic. Served warm.

    Vegetarian

  • Saffron Chicken Salad$32

    Grilled chicken fillet marinated in saffron. Served with green leaf salad, delicate slices of almond, and a tangy blend of barberries, fresh

    Free of glutenLikely nuts (our guess)

  • Koobideh Kabab & Bread$36

    Grilled minced lamb resting on a bed of shallot creamy yoghurt, grilled tomatoes, crunchy pita bread with fresh basil, and sliced onion. Gar

    Likely gluten, dairy (our guess)

  • Iranian Kabab Classic$38

    A platter of two skewers: Koobideh (minced lamb) and saffron-marinated chicken fillet, served with saffron rice, grilled tomato, chopped oni

    Free of glutenLikely dairy (our guess)

  • Chenjeh Platter$40

    Grilled marinated lamb backstrap paired with Baba Ganoush, Caspian olives, grilled tomato, served with sliced onion, parsley, and Lavash bre

    Can be made free of glutenLikely nuts, sesame (our guess)

  • Persian Koofteh$25

    A rice ball of minced beef, split peas, and fresh herbs; cooked in a traditional tomato sauce, with a Bukhara plum (with seed) at the centre

    Free of gluten

  • Halloumi Baghala$24

    Cannellini beans and halloumi cheese cooked in dill, garlic, and turmeric sauce.

    VeganFree of gluten

  • Chicken Fesenjoon$30

    Walnuts and pomegranate molasses cooked gently with chicken Maryland and caramelised onions.

    Free of glutenLikely nuts (our guess)

  • Carrot & Prune$22

    Carrots, prunes, and walnuts, slow-cooked in a savoury blend of cinnamon, and cardamom.

    VegetarianFree of glutenLikely nuts (our guess)

  • Plum & Spinach$22

    Spinach cooked with Bukhara plum in a tantalizing sauce of verjuice, and turmeric.

    VegetarianFree of gluten

  • Eggplant & Sour Grape$22

    Eggplant, unripened grapes, and tomatoes slow-cooked in a blend of lemon juice, and turmeric sauce.

    VegetarianFree of gluten

  • Beef Gourmet Sabzi$28

    Tender beef with Persian herbs, Omani lime, kidney beans and cardamom.

    Free of gluten

  • Lamb Gheimeh$26

    Slow cooked lamb with split peas, tomato sauce, Omani lime, rose water and turmeric.

    Free of gluten

  • Lamb Celery$26

    Tender lamb with celeries in saffron, parsley, and mint sauce.

    Free of gluten

  • Rhubarb Pork$27

    Pork and tangy rhubarb cooked with mint, parsley, turmeric, and lime.

    Free of gluten

  • Crispy Pita Bread$6

    VegetarianLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Lavash Bread$4

    VegetarianLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Gluten Free Crackers$7

    Printed as 'Glueten Free Crackers'.

    VegetarianFree of gluten

  • Saffron Rice$9

    Basmati rice cooked in two stages, finished with saffron-infused rice.

    Vegetarian

  • Jewelled Rice$13

    Basmati rice garnished with saffron-infused rice, barberries, orange peel, and pistachio.

    VegetarianLikely nuts (our guess)

Specials (Winter and Lunch Specials)

  • Osh - Persian Noodle Soup$18

    Lentils, beans, chickpeas slow cooked in turmeric, cumin, fresh herbs soup, garnished with fermented yogurt, dried mint and caramelised onio

    VeganLikely gluten (our guess)

  • Chicken Broth Soup$15

    Chicken broth with cinnamon and turmeric, blended carrot, celery, and garlic; with spinach and potato.

    Free of gluten

  • Beef Gourmet Sabzi Combo$30

    Choice of stew served with rice & salad. Beef Gourmet Sabzi stew.

    Free of gluten

  • Lamb Gheimeh Combo$30

    Choice of stew served with rice & salad. Lamb Gheimeh stew.

    Free of gluten

  • Lamb Celery Combo$30

    Choice of stew served with rice & salad. Lamb Celery stew.

    Free of gluten

  • Rhubarb Pork Combo$30

    Choice of stew served with rice & salad. Rhubarb Pork stew.

    Free of gluten

  • Halloumi Baghala Combo$30

    Choice of stew served with rice & salad. Halloumi Baghala stew.

    VeganFree of gluten

  • Chicken Fesenjoon Combo$35

    Choice of stew served with rice & salad. Chicken Fesenjoon stew.

    Free of glutenLikely nuts (our guess)

  • Carrot & Prune Combo$25

    Choice of stew served with rice & salad. Carrot & Prune stew.

    VegetarianFree of glutenLikely nuts (our guess)

  • Plum & Spinach Combo$25

    Choice of stew served with rice & salad. Plum & Spinach stew.

    VegetarianFree of gluten

  • Eggplant & Sour Grape Combo$25

    Choice of stew served with rice & salad. Eggplant & Sour Grape stew.

    VegetarianFree of gluten

  • Koobideh Plate$23

    A skewer of minced lamb, grilled tomato, chopped parsley-onion and yogurt served with rice. Extra chicken / lamb skewer for $10.

    Free of glutenLikely dairy (our guess)

  • Saffron Chicken Plate$23

    A skewer of saffron chicken fillet with grilled tomato, Shiraz salad and yogurt served with rice. Extra chicken / lamb skewer for $10.

    Free of glutenLikely dairy (our guess)

Click & Collect (Pickup)

  • Baba Ganoush$9

    Mashed smoked eggplant with tahini and garlic.

    Likely sesame (our guess)

  • Hummus$6

    Cooked mashed chickpeas with tahini and lemon juice.

    Likely sesame (our guess)

  • Kashk Bademjoon$9

    Caramelised onion and eggplant slow cooked with fermented yoghurt and mint.

    Likely dairy (our guess)

  • Kuku Sabzi$9

    Parsley, coriander, dill, garlic chives, walnuts and barberries baked into a fluffy frittata.

    Likely nuts, egg (our guess)

  • Maast Khiar$8

    Creamy yoghurt, cucumber, dried mint, walnuts.

    Likely dairy, nuts (our guess)

  • Maast Moosir$8

    Creamy yoghurt and Iranian shallots.

    Likely dairy (our guess)

  • Mirza$9

    Charred eggplant crushed with tomato then slow-cooked with garlic.

  • Olives$6
  • Shirazi Salad$7

    Finely chopped fresh tomatoes, cucumber, and onion with mint and vinegar dressing.

  • Spinach Borani$8

    Creamy yoghurt, spinach, and caramelised onion finished with fenugreek.

    Likely dairy (our guess)

  • Stuffed Vine Leaf$2.50
  • Cabbage Dolma$2.50
  • Eggplant Dolma$3
  • Afghan Bread$5

    4 slices of afghan bread.

    Likely gluten (our guess)

  • Fattoush Salad$16

    Freshly-chopped lettuce, cucumber, tomato, capsicum, and parsley tossed in sumac, olive oil, and pomegranate molasses; served with crunchy p

    Likely gluten (our guess)

  • Kadoo$8

    Zucchini gently cooked with turmeric and caramelised onion.

  • Beef Gourmet Sabzi Stew$25

    Slow-cooked beef with Persian herbs, Omani lime, kidney beans and turmeric.

  • Carrot Prune Stew$20

    Tender carrots, prunes and walnuts, slow-cooked in a flavourful blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and caramelised onions.

    Likely nuts (our guess)

  • Chicken Barberries Rice$32

    Chicken Maryland slow cooked with cinnamon, garlic and tomatoes served with saffron rice, garnished with barberries, slivered orange peel an

    Likely nuts (our guess)

  • Chicken Fesenjoon$25

    Chicken Maryland slow cooked in traditional walnut pomegranate sauce.

    Likely nuts (our guess)

  • Eggplant Sour Grape Stew$20

    Slow-cooked eggplant, unripened grapes, and tomatoes in a blend of onions, lemon juice, and turmeric sauce.

  • Halloumi Baghala Stew$20

    Cannellini beans and halloumi cheese slow-cooked in dill, garlic, and turmeric sauce.

    Likely dairy (our guess)

  • Lamb Gheimeh Stew$25

    Slow cooked lamb with split peas, tomato, Omani lime, rose water and turmeric.

  • Persian Koofteh$15

    A meatball of split peas, rice, minced beef, and fresh herbs, slow-cooked in a traditional tomato sauce; stuffed with a whole plum (with see

  • Plum Spinach Stew$20

    Slow-cooked Bukhara plum and spinach in a verjuice, turmeric, and caramelized onion sauce.

  • Saffron Rice$8
  • Chicken Eggplant & Sour Grape Stew$25

    Chicken Maryland, eggplant, unripened grapes, and tomatoes slow-cooked in a blend of onions, lemon juice, and turmeric sauce.

  • Chicken Plum & Spinach Stew$25

    Chicken Maryland slow-cooked with Bukhara plum (with seeds) and spinach in a tantalizing sauce of verjuice, turmeric, and caramelized onions

  • Chicken Carrot & Prune Stew$29

    Chicken Maryland with carrots, prunes, and walnuts, slow-cooked in a savory blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and caramelized onions.

    Likely nuts (our guess)

  • Rhubarb Pork$25
  • Beef Borek$12

    Likely gluten (our guess)

  • Cherry Borek$12

    Likely gluten (our guess)

  • Potato Borek (out of stock at time of reading)$12

    Likely gluten (our guess)

  • Spinach Borek$12

    Likely gluten (our guess)

  • Date Slice$4.50
  • Semolina Cake$5.50

    Likely gluten (our guess)

  • Halva$6.50

    Likely sesame (our guess)

  • Baklava Gift Box$33

    A selection of 6 baklavas in a gift box.

    Likely gluten, nuts (our guess)

  • Ginger Delight$4
  • Mint Delight$4
  • Pistachio Delight$4

    Likely nuts (our guess)

  • Rose Delight$4
  • Vanilla Delight$4
  • Kadayif$6

    Likely gluten (our guess)

  • Nutella Baklava$5.50

    Likely gluten, nuts (our guess)

  • Traditional Baklava$6

    Likely gluten, nuts (our guess)

  • White Chocolate Baklava$5.50

    Likely gluten, dairy, nuts (our guess)

  • Date Cookies$13

    Likely gluten (our guess)

  • Iranian Date Box$15
  • Chilli Oil$8
  • Sour Cherry Jam$11
  • Carrot Jam$11
  • Shoor Pickle$14
  • Aged Garlic Pickle$45
  • Caspian Olives (retail)$18
  • Tahini Date Molasses$12

    Likely sesame (our guess)

  • Baby Cucumber Pickle$15
  • Nazkhatoon Sauce$14

    Printed as 'Nazkhatoon Souce'.

  • Lavashak$15

Tea House (sweets)

  • Date Box$15

Tea House

  • Persian Earl Grey$9
  • Magic Tea$9

    Black tea, ginger, lime & honey

  • Chai Latte$9
  • Apple & Cinnamon$9

    with hibiscus, rose petals & earl grey

  • Cardamom Black$9
  • Cinnamon Black$9
  • Saffron Black$9
  • English Breakfast$9
  • Hibiscus & Rose Tea$9
  • Borage, Orange Blossom & Lime$9
  • Quince, Ginger & Cinnamon$9
  • Saffron Infusion$9
  • Lemongrass & Ginger$9
  • Chamomile & Omani Lime$9
  • Green Tea$9
  • Orange Blossom, Mint Green$9
  • Mint & Lime Green$9
  • Turkish Coffee$9

    Strong short black, packed with caffeine.

  • Persian Coffee$7

    Light and creamy with your choice of milk.

  • Espresso Coffees$5

    Latte, Cappuccino, Espresso.

  • Hot Chocolate$5
  • Iced Coffees$7
  • Iced Chocolate$7
  • Babyccino$2

Drinks

  • A Shot of Arak$12

    Served with a glass of ice.

  • Pomegranate Salted Spice$22

    Arak with Iranian pomegranate and golden spice (Golpar), served short over ice with a rim of salt.

  • Shila's Mojito$21

    Arak with Shila's own Leemoonade and fresh mint, served tall over ice.

  • Redbank Elevage King Valley Prosecco NV$14

    King Valley, Australia

  • Louis Bouillot Crémant de Bourgogne Grande Réserve Brut NV$90

    Chardonnay / Pinot Noir / Gamay / Aligote; Burgundy, France

  • Bleasdale Pinot Gris$15

    Adelaide Hills, Australia

  • Opawa Sauvignon Blanc$15

    Marlborough, New Zealand

  • Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay$16

    Margaret River, Australia

  • William Fevre Petit Chablis 2024$110

    Chardonnay; Chablis, France

  • Triennes Rose 2024$17

    Cinsault / Grenache / Syrah / Merlot; Provence, France

  • Chaffey Bros Served Chilled 2023$14

    Grenache, Mourvèdre; Barossa Valley, Australia

  • Ox Hardy McLaren Vale 2023$16

    Grenache; McLaren Vale, South Australia

  • Collector Cherry Orchard 2024$17

    Shiraz; Hilltops, Australia

  • Georges Duboeuf Moulin-à-Vent Sélection 2019$18

    Gamay; Beaujolais, France

  • Dalrymple Pinot Noir 2024$22

    Tasmania, Australia

  • Juices$9

    On ice, no added sugar: Pomegranate, Sour Cherry, Orange, Mango, Apple

  • Peroni$9
  • Coopers$9
  • Somersby Apple Cider$9
  • Leemoonade$6

    Made with Iranian lime.

  • Willow & Orange Blossom$8.50

    Distilled orange blossom and Egyptian willow.

  • Hibiscus & Rose Iced Tea$7.50

    Brewed from hibiscus petals and distilled rose.

Good to know

Café

  • Vegetarian dishes (86)venue menu, read 1 Nov 2026
  • Vegan dishes (72)venue menu, read 1 Nov 2026

Not known yet: dog friendly, kid friendly, kids menu, outdoor seating, wheelchair access, high chairs, takes bookings, byo, baby change. Ask the venue.

Facts

FactDetail
AddressBalmain, NSW
AreaInner West
KindCafé · Middle Eastern · Café & brunch
Websitebalmain.shilakitchen.com.au
Google rating4.5 from 476 reviews
Menu read1 Nov 2026 from balmain.shilakitchen.com.au
Drinks list46 drinks, read 1 Nov 2026
Hours
  • Monday8am–3pm
  • Tuesday8am–3pm
  • Wednesday8am–3pm
  • Thursday8am–9pm
  • Friday8am–9pm
  • Saturday8am–9pm
  • Sunday8am–3pm
MapOpen in Google Maps

What diners say

No diner ratings yet.

Ratings are diners’ own experience. They don’t make a dish safe; neither do we.

Where this comes from

Allergen answers come from the menu’s labels first, then the listed ingredients, then a model’s judgement checked when unsure. How allergen status is decided.

Questions about Shila Kitchen

Does Shila Kitchen have gluten-free options?

Yes: 28 dishes are gluten free as served, and 2 more can be made gluten free on request, from the menu read 1 Nov 2026. Each dish shows whether the venue labelled it or it was read from the ingredients.

Is Shila Kitchen coeliac friendly?

Chef’s Kiss reads each venue’s own menu and says where every answer came from. It never calls a dish safe: kitchens share fryers, boards and flour, and menus change. If you have coeliac disease or an allergy, confirm with staff before you order.

What can be made gluten free at Shila Kitchen?

Fattoush Salad (GF-optional (ask for gluten free version)); Chenjeh Platter (GF-optional (ask for gluten free version)).

When is Shila Kitchen open?

Monday: 8am–3pm. Tuesday: 8am–3pm. Wednesday: 8am–3pm. Thursday: 8am–9pm. Friday: 8am–9pm. Saturday: 8am–9pm. Sunday: 8am–3pm. Hours can change on public holidays; check with the venue.

Nearby

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