Maha is an institution—a well-oiled machine in a swish CBD space serving Middle Eastern dishes that recall the chef/owner’s childhood. You’ll find wines from as far afield as Morocco and Turkey to pair with spice-laden dishes like slow-roasted lamb shoulder with smoked eggplant, and miniature doughnuts stuffed with Turkish delight jelly. Offshoots Maha Bar in Collingwood and Maha East in Prahran are smaller, livelier, and often easier to get into.