Zenobia Hiroo

Scooping smooth purées onto thin chapati or Arabian naan releases the rich, mellow depths of chickpeas and sesame, or the smoky savor and refreshing tang of roasted eggplant. Tucked into a side street in Shibuya’s Hiroo neighborhood, Arabian Restaurant Zenobia Hiroo (アラビアレストラン ゼノビア 広尾店) serves authentic Arabian and Middle Eastern cuisine, centered around a wide selection of mezze appetizers.

To begin the meal, ordering several of the signature mezze dishes to share across the table is an ideal approach. The range of small plates is extensive, featuring classics such as hummus (chickpea and sesame purée), mutabbal (eggplant and sesame purée), and pomegranate-accented baba ghanoush, alongside crispy fried chickpea falafel and cheese-filled sambusa rolls. Adding a vibrant tabbouleh salad, packed with fresh parsley, brings out an even sharper contrast among the flavors.

For main dishes, hearty choices include slowly grilled shish kebabs and shish taouk, traditional meats simmered in tomato or yogurt sauces, and fragrant long-grain rice pilaf known as kabsa. When dining as a group, opting for a course menu that balances appetizers, meat dishes, and kabsa offers a relaxed and seamless way to enjoy the meal.

The drinks menu complements the dishes with wines and beers from across the Mediterranean and Arab world—including Lebanon, Tunisia, and Morocco—as well as anise-scented arak, alongside refreshing fresh lemon-mint juice and tamarind juice. Linger over dessert with aromatic Arabian coffee or mint tea, paired with flaky, nut-layered baklava or the cheese-based sweet halawet el-jibn, leaving a pleasantly sweet finish reminiscent of a dining table abroad.

The dining room holds a calm, welcoming atmosphere, well suited for lingering in conversation over everything from casual lunches to evening gatherings. Reserving a table for dinner ensures an unhurried evening in the quiet ambiance of Hiroo.