Beirut offers a wealth of attractions like ancient monuments, lovely beaches, and majestic mountains, but its cuisine stands out as the primary draw for visitors.
The city features Parisian-like squares and wide avenues, and landmarks such as the imposing Mohammed Amin Mosque that might remind you of Istanbul. Yet, the most compelling reason to visit Beirut, and Lebanon as a whole, is its exceptionally tasty cuisine, supported by the region’s friendly locals.
In this post, you will discover the best places to eat in Beirut and enjoy the amazing tastes of Lebanese cuisine.
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Endless feast of Mezze
Lebanese cuisine, often seen across the Levant, is renowned for its mezze, which includes a variety of salads, spreads, and delicacies. These dishes are usually eaten with thin slices of bread that are essential to the meal. This bread is typically bought from local bakeries, which can sometimes be hard to find in Beirut. At communal meals, bread is used to wrap grilled meats along with pickles and hummus, falafels, yogurts, cheeses, and halva. Even the national dessert, baked sweet nabulsi cheese, is served on bread—often a soft hamburger bun. In some Arabic dialects, bread is so crucial it’s called “life.”
It’s no wonder then that Lebanese people might be fuller-figured, as slimness isn’t especially valued in their culture. People live for the moment and seize every chance for enjoyment. Among the wealthier class, there’s little sign of the restraint or thrift seen in Northern Europe; luxury cars and designer clothes are the norms, and their cities are filled with architectural wonders. Meals are extravagant, seen as feasts that might as well be eaten as if there were no tomorrow, given the uncertainty about future peace and prosperity.
When visiting Lebanese hosts or dining in local restaurants, prepare for an unending feast of mezze and grilled dishes. In restaurants, these appetizers are just the start of what turns into a much larger meal, often paired with excellent local wine.
A cultural melting pot– diversity of cuisines
Lebanon’s cuisine is a delicious blend of various cultures, thanks to its rich soil and diverse heritage. On a typical Lebanese table, you might find Arabic bread paired with Turkish yogurt and roasted almonds, alongside Armenian dumplings, or a salad dressed with pomegranate, pine nuts, and dates. There’s even a French flan for dessert. Don’t miss out on tasting the aromatic taouk chicken skewers or the savory ground kafta skewers, each dish showcasing Lebanon’s rich culinary diversity.
In the end, however, let’s leave the fashionable part of the city to visit legendary places. A native resident of Beirut takes us on an extraordinary journey:
- We start the trip with the most famous falafel – at Falafel Freiha. The local excellent vegetable meatballs bear little resemblance to those we know from European restaurants. The taste of small balls, definitely more subtle, is contemplated by wrapping them in bread with the addition of tahini sauce, mint leaves, and cucumber pickles. We would like to come back for another portion, but the guide’s eyes remind us that this is only the beginning of the trip.
- On the opposite side of the street, the elegant window of Douaihy’s patisserie catches the eye. We order kunafa cheese sandwiches ( knefe ), which Lebanese like to start the day with. Unlike crispy pistachio biscuits, cheese sandwiches seem heavy to us and are unlikely to become our breakfast delicacy. After breakfast, we continue following in the footsteps of the best places to eat in Beirut.
- After a short walk, we reach Lala Chicken. Here we are delighted with pieces of juicy grilled chicken breast, wrapped in bread and served with fresh garlic sauce and pickles.
- After a longer walk through the colorful streets of the city, where bicycles and tattered cars ride right next to Lamborghinis and Maclarens, we reach another iconic place. Boulangerie Ghattas offers a local version of pizza – crispy thin manoushe is served here with za’atar, a spice mix popular in Arab countries. Like other fast food options in the city, Lebanese pizza served with refreshing labneh yogurt leaves us in awe.
- After crossing Beirut’s most important restaurant street, we reach the Armenian Quarter Bourj Hammoud, located on the other side of the river. Unfortunately, the most famous Armenian restaurant, Varouj, is packed to the brim with diners. That’s why we only glance at the interior that evokes associations with “The Godfather” and move on. A little further we drop into one of the few traditional bakeries in the city. A laughing baker offers us delicious markouk bread with nigella .
- Right next to it, a daughter with a fisherman father serve bread filled with freshly fried anchovies , which also taste great.
- At the end of our Armenian adventure, we cycle through the meticulously rebuilt center of Beirut to the inconspicuous Ichkhanian Bakery . Here, for over 70 years, excellent lahmajun pie and meat manti dumplings have been served, served on trays, topped with thick yogurt, and sprinkled with spicy olive oil.
Best places to eat in Beirut:
El Denye Hek
Armenia Road in Gemmayzeh restaurant area, same entrance as FABRK club, first floor.
The restaurant offers one of the richest menus in the city. Everything here tastes good and the prices are reasonable. In addition, the restaurant has a roof terrace from which you can admire the city.
Le Bistro
Phoenician Street, opposite Radisson Blue.
The Bistro offers Lebanese classics at very reasonable prices (no alcohol).
Onno Restaurant
Onno is Armenian restaurant with a rich and interesting menu. It operates in several locations in Beirut.
Em Nazih
Pasteur Street, in the back of the passage leading from the main street.
Em Nazih is perfect for party people (open until four in the morning). Decent Lebanese food for every budget.
Le Chef
Gouraud Street
Le Chef offers home cooked food and a daily changing menu with reasonable prices.
Mayrig
282 Pasteur Street
Mayrig offers exquisite Lebanese-Armenian cuisine. Perfect for romantic evenings. The restaurant has a garden patio.
Varouj
Bourj Hammoud Alley
Varouj is a legendary Armenian restaurant in a district that evokes memories of pre-war Beirut with its atmosphere. The restaurant serves dishes at the discretion of the chef. Reservation by phone is recommended: +961 3 882 933. Closed on Sundays.
Bakeries, patisseries, and fast food:
Ichkhanian Bakery
Hussein Beyhum Street
An Armenian bakery famous for its delicious lahmajun pancakes. Open until three o’clock.
Boulangerie Ghattas
Gouraud Street, opposite St Anthony’s Church
Boulangerie Ghattas serves great manoushes and other quick bites. During the week, the place is open until 15:00, on weekends – until noon. Best to be at least 30 minutes before closing time.
Douaihy
Place Sassine
A well-stocked patisserie and cafe, open until midnight.
Falafel Freiha
Al Salam Street, near Sassine Square
Falafel Freiha offers excellent falafel sandwiches.
Lala Chicken
Mar Louis Street
Lala Chicken offers delicious sandwiches with chicken and tahini sauce.
