Beirut Restaurant Tips by miso80 Top 5 Page for this destination

Leon De Bruxelles 1893: Mussels from Brussels

Leon De Bruxelles opened up recently in Beirut. For all those mussels lovers, this is the restaurant to visit. This Belgian restaurant offers mussels in all its forms: out of casserole, with gratin, with pastes or even cooked in po?lon.

This is a cosy restaurant...but only for mussels lovers..

Favorite Dish: mussels...need i say more?

Address: Monot Area - Beirut

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Damascus Road, Achrafieh, Beirut

Phone: 961 1 206206 961 1 207207

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 3

Theme: Seafood

The Market: A Nice Lunch at the 'Market'

I'd seen this place and seen the amount of people heading towards its entrance for lunch or dinner. I'd also heard about it being one of the new places opening in Beirut..and of course, since all the Lebanese love good food, and a great ambiance, and always crave what's new...I had to try it out ;)

So, one Saturday noon in August 2006 (yes, after the israeli invasion 2006), we decided to go there and have a nice lunch. The place wasn't too crowded since a lot of people had left the country...but there around 10 tables filled. One area of this restaurant is surrounded by glass walls, from ceiling to the floor, and so you can see the mini-green area on the outside, and watch the cars pass by on the street..The interior of the restaurant is modern with a wooden parquet floor, and the rest of the room made of glass and steel.

The waiters are friendly, and the service is good...the food is VERY good. The salads are fresh and big, and its like they're fresh outta the market. I had a delicious club sandwich that was both healthy and tasty... and my friend had what is called a italiano galettes..its like a crepe filled with mozzarella tomatoes and covered with pesto sauce..also VERY yummy.

We had a great lunch..and it wasnt even expensive! I highly recommend it for a good, healthy yet tasty lunch :)

Favorite Dish: If you thought the lunch was tasty, then do try the creme brulee crepe!!! Stunning! I havent ever tasted anything like it! My friend made me taste it, and Im sure glad I did !!

Address: Achrafieh

Comparison: about average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Other

The Fennel: Art Deco Restaurant

This restaurant is quite off-the-beaten path, however, its got a nice ambience and feel to it and the food is quite different. Its located in the same center that I currently work at, in Hamra. You may choose to sit outside in the sun, with a view of a newly rennovated lebanese architecture orange building surrounded by some trees and greenary, which I love to look at.. or you can sit inside. The interior of this restaurant is completely white, with a dark wooden floor. Its very simplistic design, but yet quite trendy. The scent of the food leaves you tantalized and anxious to eat :)

They have cooking books stacked up for you to select from and read if you wish to do so, and there are bottles of olive oil in different sizes and shapes that sit on the side of the bar, and give the place a warm home-y feeling.

Although, I might prefer other restaurants' food..this place gives an overall feeling of something different..something unique..and it is one of the few places in Beirut that offers a special selection of italian food: fresh pasta, shrimp tagiatallini, swordfish ragu and pumpkin gnocchi, etc..

Favorite Dish: Favorite dish: Tagliatellini with shrimp, swordfish ragu.

Dress Code: Anything goes.

Address: Clemenceau St.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Weaver's Center, Clemenceau St., Hamra District

Near Conseil (Furniture Store) and facing Piaff (clothes store).
This center previously had 'The Meltin' Pot' and 'News Cafe'...Its a large black and red building.

Phone: 01-363792/3

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

Gemmayzeh Cafe: Kahwet el-ezzeiz or Glass Cafe

Is one of the oldest Kahwa's or coffee houses in Beirut. Its around 75 years old, and is more of a Lebanese icon that simply a cafe. This kahwa situated in one of the oldest, and recently trendiest neighborhoods of Beirut, the Gemmayzeh district, is where people have gathered for years to smoke apple-flavored tobacco, play backgammon, listen to arabic tunes playing in the background while they sip on mint-tea :)

Today, the Glass Cafe or Kahwet Al-Ezzeiz is still the same great place. If you go there on weekends, you'll be delighted to hear a live band play folkloric music, and even have people get up off their feet and dance...there's an waiter who has been working there forever who is always amongst the first people to start dancing :) I spent my 24th birthday at Kahwet el-ezzeiz and it was such a delightful atmosphere..everyone joining in to dance, sing or simply clap and enjoy the lively crowd.

If its your birthday, the waiters line up with spoons and big pans and make a really funny entrance while carrying the cake lol

This place is open 24 hours, so go there for lunch with friends..for an afternoon of shisha and backgammon, or for a dinner with friends...but DO go there, cause its quite an experience ;)

Address: Le Gouraud Street, Beiurt

Comparison: about average

Directions: Gemmayzeh District

Phone: +961-1-447319

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Gruen Eatery: Urban & Modern 'Eatery'

This restaurant gets its name from the architect Victor Gruen of the center in which its located. Although the owner of this restaurant initially started off by opening this place in order to sell her ice-cream and pastries, she realised that she'd rather be spending her time in a fancy restaurant, rather that sitting in a little pastry or ice cream shop...and so, this urban and modern eatery came to be.

It offers delicious salads, and good burgers, in addition to its tasty pastries and ice-cream..this place is worth a try :)

Favorite Dish: I had a very good carrot soup with the chinese salad! All were exquisite...

I didn't go for a dessert, but my friends and colleagues said everything was just superb...and from the look of it, I dont doubt a word they say!

Address: Gefinor Center

Comparison: about average

Directions: Close to Clemenceau St. in Hamra. Just ask about the Gefinor Center and you can't miss it ;)

Phone: 01-737344; 01-755322

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Other

Le Duo: From French to Italian

Right in the heart of downtown Beirut, with a view of Maarad St. - the main street leading to Nejmeh Square - from one side, and the newly excavation of Roman ruins on Martyr Sq. on the other side...there is this classy, yet down-to-earth restaurant...

With its warm ambiance and delicious diverse menu...this place is constantly crowded. It has two floors, and whether you decide to sit outside or inside, you definitely will enjoy the experience.

Favorite Dish: The onion soup served in a bowl made out of a warm bread bun, and covered with melted cheese..is deeeeeeeeeeeelicious! Also, I've always been in love with their rich salad bar...

but you can have anything from italian pizza to peppered steak or penne arrabiata or smoked salmon...

As for the dessert..now THAT is something else. The fondant is heart-melting, the chocolate mousse is for those chocolate lovers - brought to you in a huge bowl, so you can fill up as much as you want... and if you decide on not asking for dessert...they will serve you small scoops of icecream covered with chocolate, which are also a lovely end to you meal :)

Address: Downtown Beirut

Comparison: about average

Directions: Maarad St. to the left side as you walk toward Nejmeh Sq. - Right next to La Posta.

Phone: (01) 99 19 92

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Other

La Tabkha: Home-cooked Lebanese Cuisine

The owner of this little restaurant on Gemaizeh Street is the same owner of Centrale (check other Restaurant Tips). This place serves home-cooked lebanese dishes. Each day there are 2-3 dishes that you can select from for lunch.

For those who are interested in a home meal, this place will be a good idea. You can also order to your work, hotel, etc.. The packaging is very neat and has a pretty presentation. However, it opens up only at lunch-time.

Address: Gemaizeh

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Restaurant opposite Food Yard on Gouraud Street

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Wardat el-Walimah: Old House serving Lebanese Food

Wardat Al-walimah ('Flower of the Feast'..sounds corny in english!): This is in the Hamra area, it is right next to a hotel called the 'Marble Hotel'...this isn't as easy to find as the other places...but if you are on the main hamra street, and you ask around for the restaurant and/or the hotel, I think you may find it ;)

Favorite Dish: They serve plenty of local dishes. They usually, have 2-3 choices that they offer each day at each meal. This place is another place where you will taste the local cuisine as it is cooked at home..The whole mood of the restaurant feels like you're sitting at a friend's house, or your own!

Address: Hamra

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Next to the Marble Hotel, off of the main Hamra Street.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Socrates: 'Home' food

Located right next to AUB, this restaurant is an old well-known casual restaurant that serves a variety of traditional dishes and desserts, and has daily dishes that taste like they've just come out of 'mama's' kitchen ;-)

The atmosphere is really casual, and you can choose to select your food and 'take-away', or sit down and enjoy your lunch there, while watching the bustling Bliss Street.

Favorite Dish: So many delicious dishes, and I have listed a lot of items with their corresponding prices below...one thing I highly recommend, and I have found no place in Beirut offers a tastier version of this cake, is the Cortina (Chocolate cake with eclair-like balls covering it on top). So, if you have a birthday to go to ... this cake is GREAT!

Note that 1 USD = 1500 LBP

Pasties (by the dozen):
Fatayers 5000 LBP
Mini Pizza 5000 LBP
Cheese Rissole 8000 LBP
Lahm Bi Aajin 8000 LBP
Kebbeh Balls 8000 LBP

Salads:
Tabbouleh 3000 LBP
Garden Salad 3000 LBP
Exotic Salad 5000 LBP
Niçoice Salad 5000 LBP
Greek Salad 5000 LBP

Plat du Jour (Daily Dish)
Chicken Gratins 6000 LBP
Spinach Crepes 6000 LBP
Kafta & Mashed Potatoes 8000 LBP
Moghrabieh 8000 LBP
Mexican Chicken 8000 LBP
Chich Taouk 8000 LBP
Kebbeh Labnieh 8000 LBP
Sweet & Sour (Chinese) 8000 LBP
Kebbeh Sanieh 8000 LBP
Stuffed Lamb 8000 LBP
Mouloukhieh 8000 LBP
Roast Beef & Vegetables 8000 LBP
Strogonoff 8000 LBP
Show Ming (Chinese) 8000 LBP
Turkey 8000 LBP
Chawarma 8000 LBP
Stuffed Chicken 8000 LBP
Stuffed Vines 10000 LBP
Kebbeh Arnabieh 10000 LBP
Sayadieh 12000 LBP
Shrimps & Curry 12000 LBP

Address: Bliss Street

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: If you plan to visit the American University of Beirut, Bliss St. would be the main street right in front of it . It is located at the end of this street, next to the peripheral gate of AUB, right next to Hardees.

Phone: 01-363011 / 01-364150 / 01-36415

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Roadster's: Beirut's Classical American Diner

This is your classical American-style diner...It has a very comfy and friendly ambiance, and the food is tasty! You can enjoy anything from yummy appetizers, good salads, to burgers and steaks and fries with milk shakes or have a tuna melt sandwich, or you can even select from 1 of four types of pasta dishes... you can even go there and indulge on a good breakfast or delicious..and i mean DELICIOUS desserts..yummmmmmmmmmmy!

Favorite Dish: My favorite dishes...hmmmm...

Appetizers - Loaded nachos (i've had better, but these are fine), mozzarella sticks

Salads - Yummy crab salad with oranges and balsamic vinegar!! (I just love the combination, and yes! I never would've thought of it myself)

Main Dish - hmmm...its really depends on what i feel like..but the tuna melt is really good, the club sandwich..

Desserts - the yummy, heart-melting Mud Slide!!! Its icecream with pieces of brownie chunks inside of it, covered with caramel and chocolate sauce...yes, it is toooo good!

Address: Various Locations

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Hamra, Downtown, Achrafieh, Jal El-Dib, Kaslik

Other Contact: 09-933955, 04-722721

Phone: 01-325777,01-502506,01-996622

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Diner