Must-see restaurants in Beirut

There are loads of great restaurants in Beirut, but there's only one that commands the respect of every farmer, chef and foodie in the country – and that…

Beirutis of Armenian descent tend to head to this elegant restaurant in Gemmayzeh if they want to celebrate a special occasion, and once you've eaten here…

Tucked away in true urban style under a hostel and in the shade of an overpass, this excellent semi-open space brings together locals and foreigners,…

It's an upbeat, social scene at this enjoyable cafe-bar-restaurant hybrid. The elegant garden and glitzy interior of this sizeable villa make it look like…

Epitomising Beiruti chic, Liza serves expertly prepared nouvelle Lebanese food in surroundings that have graced the pages of many international design…

Exceptionally welcoming service and a convivial atmosphere make this one of Hamra's best dining choices for traditional food. A range of tasty hummus dips…

Mezyan is a Hamra institution. This restaurant-bar has occupied a few locations over the years, serving small plates of Lebanese, Syrian and Armenian…

Beirutis have strong, often divisive opinions about where to find the best in class of any food group, so it means all the more that Sahyoun is widely…

Every suburb needs an Italian trattoria, and it would certainly be nice if all were as impressive as this one. Serving up plump bruschetta, handmade pasta…

Located in the Mar Mikhaël design district, this locavore restaurant is very much at the forefront of Beirut culinary trends. Innovative, modern creations…

One of Beirut's best manoushe (flatbread baked in a pizza oven) spots, conveniently located between Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhaël. Cheese and zaatar (a…

On the boardwalk around the marina, a seat on the raised platform terrace here is a prime Beirut spot on a sunny day. Unlike some of the other places in…

Walk up the stairs off bustling Armenia St and step back to old Beirut, to a warren of alleys and stairs, balconies and roof terraces. You’ll have to buy…

'Conscious' eating has arrived in Beirut with this new breakfast and lunch spot in a light-filled leafy greenhouse set back from Monnot St. Gwyneth…

The Cafe Sho concept is unique in Beirut. Build your own Asian-French fusion plate, selecting from carbs (noodles, rice or potato), protein on a skewer,…

Authentic Mexican food and margaritas are slung by California transplant chef Justin and his jovial staff. Order the slow-cooked, juicy pork or beef tacos…

Beirut is a croissant-loving town, and Cannelle's may be the best in class (especially the almond and zaatar, a thyme-centred savoury spice mix). The…

Few things embody the Lebanese culture like its food does. To sample homemade food, visit the weekly open-air market Souk El Tayeb ('the good market'),…

Almayass is one of a number of classy Armenian restaurants in Beirut. Since its founding in 1996, the restaurant has opened franchises throughout the…

Makan’s serene space, bursting with antiques, is a feast for the aesthete as much as it is for the gourmand. The mostly Asian menus rotate weekly, the art…