In Sydney, charcoal chicken seems to be one of those cuisines that appears around every corner – no matter where you live.
Household names like El Jannah and Chargrill Charlies dominate your Uber Eats selections, and traditionally humble local takeaways can emerge to create cult followings like that of Frangos in Petersham and Clem’s in Newtown.
Henrietta Charcoal Chicken in Surry Hills would be my choice above all of those options. Here’s my review:
Key Takeaways
Henrietta serves Lebanese charcoal chicken featuring Middle Eastern classics like mezze and charcoal chicken, lamb kofta and shish tawouk.
An incredible option for both lunch and dinner – their dishes excel in flavour, quality, variety and value. Perfect for a lunch with your favourite client, all the way to a cosy date night or as a jumping pad before you make your way to Allianz Stadium to watch the Roosters lose.
They belong in any conversation around the best charcoal chicken in Sydney.
Food & Standout Dishes
- Charcoal Chicken (obviously) – It’s thoroughly seasoned, perfectly charred, and by far the juiciest chicken breast anywhere in the postcode.
- Eggplant Fatteh – Moreish, well balanced collection of crunch, acidity, and creaminess that demands attention away from the chicken.
- Crispy Brussel Sprouts – Not traditional, but hear me out. Deeply savoury thanks to generous spices and how it’s roasted, balanced out with a brightly sweet punch of pomegranate.
Vibe & Atmosphere
- Simple, clean, and no-frills in it’s approach.
- Industrial feel with exposed stone and simple wooden furnishings allow the occasional pop of orange neon signage deliver a straightforward, trendy ambiance.
Prices & Value
- Can cost anywhere between $20 to $45 per person. This price range will guarantee a full, satisfied belly and at least a little bit of variety.
- The charcoal chicken can be ordered with a ‘meal’ combo and will run you around $56 for a whole chook, or a $32 for a half which is ridiculous.
- It includes toum (garlic sauce), pickles, bread, and a side or salad which will occupy a lot of real estate in the stomach for sure. You’re guaranteed satisfaction.
The Restaurant
Henrietta Chicken can be pretty easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Outside of the bright orange signage and the long takeaway queue outside, the restaurant is a clean grey complemented with minimalist glass windows. Perhaps the food is meant to do the talking, and grab the attention of anyone peering into the building looking to see what smells so good.
The Charcoal Chicken
This chook has definitely been kissed by some charcoal. It’s smokiness was prominent across every bite, but was never too overpowering. It’s reaction with the chicken skin made it sticky, deeply savoury, and kept you going back for another bite. There’s no single part that was burnt or pale.
I typically avoid the breast when I get a whole chook because I’m always afraid it’s going to be dry, or simply not as good as some darker parts like the leg and thigh. Not this time though. This chicken breast was as juicy as it comes and I know the red light makes you question if it was perfectly white or not, but it was perfectly cooked to the point where it felt delicate to handle. Perfection.
The Dips
While the chicken is the clear hero of the meal, the entrees and dips steal the show. They were bright in freshness, vibrant in it’s flavours and so diverse in a range of textures.
Hummus
with Green Shatta and Cashews
It was smooth, creamy and rich without feeling dry. The green shatta was punchy and refreshing while the whole cashews added much needed texture.
Babaganoush
with Tahini and Pomegranate
Babaganoush can sometimes be goopy, bland and all around disappointing. The version from Henrietta was savoury and smokey. Those pops of pomegranate go a long way to elevate the dish and give it a bit of balance and fun.
Toum (Garlic Sauce)
+ Mixed Pickles
And what Lebanese charcoal chicken would be complete without your standard fare. Quite solid, but unremarkable. There’s no room to get super creative with these classic staples.
and the Entrees
As you could probably guess already, there’s a mix of traditional and not-so traditional dishes on offer at Henriettas. While the charcoal chicken’s the star of the show here, these punchy veggies are the quiet sleepers to round out the meal and provide an excellent excuse to get more fibre in your diet.
Eggplant Fatteh
with tahini yoghurt, chickpeas, crispy bread, almonds
How sexy can eggplant really be?
You’d think eggplant (already mushy) and tahini yoghurt (already creamy) would just be a mouthful of gloop. You’d be correct in saying that, but it would be the most vibrant and delicious warm hug of a mouthful of food you’ll get. The crispy bread and almonds add some of that much needed crunch.
Halloumi
honey, pistachio, grapes, za’atar
I’m actually not the biggest fan of halloumi as it’s often too greasy and salty. The team at Henriettas seem to already know that too which is why this dish has been balanced out with a rich and syrupy sweet topping against the salty halloumi which makes you want to scoop up as much sugar as you can with each mouthful. Highly recommend!
Crispy Brussel Sprouts
tarator, date molasses
And of course, the humble brussel sprout. Though technically classified as a salad on the menu, I can confirm these sprouts were crispier than any of the fries you could’ve ordered on the menu. Coupled with a creamy sauce and a pop or three of a few fresh and tart pomegranates, it’s such a lovely, toasty snack in between bites of garlic sauce.
