Legendary charcoal chicken joint El Jannah is now open in Gungahlin

Posted on 14 June, 2023

“Legendary charcoal chicken” isn’t usually a sentence you hear uttered around Canberra, but with the opening of El Jannah in Gungahlin we’re ready for the talk to begin—and for lines to stretch around the block.

Finally opening its first-ever Canberra store on Hibberson Street, El Jannah isn’t exactly a newbie to the hospitality scene. Originally feeding very hungry locals in Granville during the late ‘90s, it quickly became a household favourite in Sydney after converting foodies to the soulful Lebanese-Australian charcoal chicken.

From there, the menu has become legendary. But why (and more importantly, how) does chicken get a cult-like status?

For the uninitiated, what makes El Jannah so popular is the simplicity of the meals—charcoal chicken served with Lebanese bread, and an abundance of sides, including tabouli, fattoush, hommous, and babaghanouj, as well as the famous garlic sauce and traditional Lebanese-Australian plates.

“It just seems to resonate with so many people and chicken is obviously a staple of an Australian diet,” says El Jannah CEO Brett Houldin.

“But the way we cook it over live charcoal means that it has a unique flavour and that makes it different from everyone else. And then the garlic, the hommus, and the babaghanouj—things that used to be quite foreign 15 or 20 years ago are now products that a lot of Australians are comfortably enjoying as a regular food item.”

Recently updating the menu with slightly more Westernised offerings like burgers, rolls, and fried chicken to attract all kinds of tastes—for Brett, the Tawouk roll with juicy chicken breast, coleslaw, T-sauce, green pickles, and garlic sauce is a must-try—the idea of each meal is people can have the convenience of a quick feed without compromising on quality.

And to make it even more appealing for those searching for something yummy yet convenient, they also have a host of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options for you to feast on—so we can guarantee you’ll probably want seconds.

For Centre Manager of Marketplace Gungahlin Jeremy Wilson, it’s another feather in the cap of Marketplace’s diverse food offerings.

“We are thrilled to have El Jannah join our thriving food scene at Marketplace Gungahlin. As Gungahlin continues to grow, we aim to offer a variety of culinary experiences that reflect the diverse tastes of our community,” explains Jeremy.

“El Jannah’s arrival represents our ongoing commitment to drive diversity within our dining offering, and we are confident that their renowned Lebanese-inspired cuisine will be warmly embraced by our community.”

Made for sharing (…or not, we won’t judge) while remaining simple and unpretentious, if you’re not sure where to start with the jam-packed menu we recommend the chicken plate—a quarter, half, or full bird with Lebanese pickles, Lebanese bread, and the aforementioned magical garlic sauce, which is perfect for slathering, dipping, and dunking. It can also be served with a side of hot chips sprinkled with chicken salt for a little extra somethin’ somethin’.

Excited to finally see Canberra join their 16 stores in Sydney and four in Melbourne, Brett sums up El Jannah in three words—“quality, abundant and authentic”—and says that Canberra foodies can expect an experience that goes beyond a simple meal.

“You get an authentic Lebanese Australian offering where you come into one of our stores and we haven’t skimped on the dining room—so you’ll get a chance to relax, feel comfortable and enjoy some great food in the comfortable surrounds with the people that you want to have a nice experience with,” he says.

“Make sure you get a chance to eat all of the menu, because there’s a lot of hidden surprises.”

With plans to open in other Canberra locations—and add dessert options—and literally translating to ‘Paradise’ in Arabic, the El Jannah experience promises to be all that and more. It’s the kind of restaurant that can speak to everyone.