Must-see restaurants in Beirut

  • Sirena@Mótto

    Beirut

    This Indian pop-up restaurant in the design district was such a big hit that they've made it permanent. There's still plenty of change in this space…

  • Le Chef

    Beirut

    Don’t miss lunch at this beloved Beiruti institution where waiters dish up vast platefuls of ‘workers’ food’ to all and sundry. There’s little atmosphere,…

  • Bar Tartine

    Beirut

    Yes, it's a chain, but Bar Tartine's original Mar Mikhaël location is set back from the road, up a set of stairs (as many restaurants on this stretch are)…

  • Tsunami

    Beirut

    Beirut first fell for sushi in the naughties; today myriad sushi joints are dotted throughout the city. Tsunami is the best you can get without putting on…

  • Don

    Beirut

    The Beirut food community, deprived of affordable Asian food for so long, lost its mind for a minute when Don opened. This place hits all the trend marks:…

  • Lebanese Bakery

    Beirut

    Any given Beirut manoushe (Levant-style ‘pizza’)stand can be hit or miss. The best turn out better manoushe than the Lebanese Bakery does, but on a short…

  • Jai

    Beirut

    Jai is Beirut's first pan-Asian restaurant, and it remains a stalwart. The restaurant itself is minuscule, only large enough to house the kitchen and one…

  • Enab

    Beirut

    Head up the wooden staircase to access this huge and ultra-popular restaurant and then choose between a garden table or one in the attractively decorated…

  • El Brimo

    Beirut

    Supremely out of place in the sleepy Geitawi neighborhood, El Brimo's Vegas-style facade hides an elegantly restored manor house with a garden. The mezze…

  • Paul

    Beirut

    A favourite with the affluent Achrafiyeh set, this chain cafe at the start of Rue Gouraud is a fine spot to indulge in some people watching. You'll need…

  • Zaatar w Zeit

    Beirut

    Zwizz, as the kids call it, is the hometown hero of the Lebanese fast food scene. Franchises abound, and they all sling the same tasty, healthy-ish,…

  • Ahi Poke

    Beirut

    The poke wave is crashing into Beirut in a big way. Ahi Poke was the first poke place to open in the city, and, for now at least, it’s the best. Ahi Poke…

  • Eggslut

    Beirut

    Beirut is home to the only international outpost of this Los Angeles institution, slinging cholesterol-rich breakfast sandwiches to AUB students morning…

  • Abu Naim

    Beirut

    Despite Hamra's buzzing scene, it's not that easy to find a straight-up Lebanese restaurant without a hipster slant or burger menu. This fits the bill:…

  • Das Küche

    Beirut

    Had your fill of hummus? Das Küche has opened smack in the middle of Mar Mikhaël, slinging imported (read: overpriced) pork and beef brats and wursts…

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