The Middle Store

The name is a hint. The olive twigs in glass jars are a hint. The displays of baklava, date biscuits and semolina cakes are a definite hint. The Middle Store has a Lebanese heritage that isn’t forgotten amid the fresh and modern design and constant stream of coffees.

While other places serve up bacon and egg rolls, the Middle Store has kofta burgers, zaatar man’oushe (Lebanese flatbread) and hummus bagels. They’re the family favourites that Masterchef contestant, Rose Adam, and her two sibling co-owners grew up with.

Although back to those bacon and egg rolls, they make them too. Standard cafe options such as milkshakes and iced coffees join a menu dominated by sumac and cumin.

The intimate space keeps you immersed in the goings on of the whole cafe, making it easy to get to know the faces behind the counter and adding to the comfortable feel of a family run store.

You can’t get behind the scenes to see mum making her rosewater-infused baklava on Sundays, or visit the garden where the oregano and other herbs are grown, but somehow those familial touches are still felt.