Karim’s guidebook
Food scene
Dar Bistro & Books
great food.
Personally its my Favorite Restaurant when in comes to breakfast or brunch. highly recommended.
directions
Chehade Street, Zeideiniyye, Aicha Bakkar, Beirut District
Al Soussi Restaurant
Personally its my Favorite Restaurant when in comes to breakfast or brunch. highly recommended.
directions
Chehade Street, Zeideiniyye, Aicha Bakkar, Beirut District
Basterma Mano
a mixture between Lebanese/Armenian cuisine. must visit
Salim Bustros Street, Ashrafieh. This bakery is the new kid on the block, opening in 2016 and immediately establishing itself as a local favorite. The standards are well covered here, or go for creative toppings such as cheese with arugula or walnuts with rose water
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Beirut Street Food
Salim Bustros Street, Ashrafieh. This bakery is the new kid on the block, opening in 2016 and immediately establishing itself as a local favorite. The standards are well covered here, or go for creative toppings such as cheese with arugula or walnuts with rose water
. Bohsali is the knefeh institution in town, beloved for its crunchy crust and perfectly gooey cheese. The original shop (another casualty of Lebanon’s Civil War) dated all the way back to 1878, but even this nearby branch boasts a history back to 1955. Here you can also try knefeh in the style of Nablus — a Palestinian town which claims the origin of the dish — with shredded crispy filo dough substituting for the semolina crust. You’ll find knefeh at just about any shop selling traditional sweets in Beirut, but no one does it like Bohsali
Amal Bohsali - Hamra - Pastry
Alfred Nobel. Bohsali is the knefeh institution in town, beloved for its crunchy crust and perfectly gooey cheese. The original shop (another casualty of Lebanon’s Civil War) dated all the way back to 1878, but even this nearby branch boasts a history back to 1955. Here you can also try knefeh in the style of Nablus — a Palestinian town which claims the origin of the dish — with shredded crispy filo dough substituting for the semolina crust. You’ll find knefeh at just about any shop selling traditional sweets in Beirut, but no one does it like Bohsali
One of the Middle East’s most famous foods, falafel may be made with fava beans or chickpeas — in Lebanon, traditional recipes call for a combination of both. Each shop jealously guards its secret recipe, which definitely involves soaking dried beans then grinding them up with garlic, onions, cumin, coriander, and a little baking soda for levity, and may or may not include parsley, cilantro, or mint. the best in town
Falafel Abou Nabil & Sons
One of the Middle East’s most famous foods, falafel may be made with fava beans or chickpeas — in Lebanon, traditional recipes call for a combination of both. Each shop jealously guards its secret recipe, which definitely involves soaking dried beans then grinding them up with garlic, onions, cumin, coriander, and a little baking soda for levity, and may or may not include parsley, cilantro, or mint. the best in town
There is a reason why so many prewar eateries are Beirut favorites: To survive, they had to be the best. And Barbar is just that. This snack bar opened in 1979 and hasn’t closed its doors since — not during the civil war, nor in the 2006 war with Israel. The chicken shawarma, marinated with cardamom and cinnamon, is an iconic Beirut dish.
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Barbar Restaurants
There is a reason why so many prewar eateries are Beirut favorites: To survive, they had to be the best. And Barbar is just that. This snack bar opened in 1979 and hasn’t closed its doors since — not during the civil war, nor in the 2006 war with Israel. The chicken shawarma, marinated with cardamom and cinnamon, is an iconic Beirut dish.
T-Marbouta
Neighborhoods
It is a residential area which includes Muqbil Palace and Lady Sursock Kokrin’s Palace. The Sursock Palace was built in 1902 and transformed into a museum in 1952.
Sursock
SursockIt is a residential area which includes Muqbil Palace and Lady Sursock Kokrin’s Palace. The Sursock Palace was built in 1902 and transformed into a museum in 1952.
Furn EL-Hayek includes many old buildings which reflect the richness of the Lebanese architectural art in the early decades of the twentieth century; in 1924, the engineer, Joseph Aphtimos, built the Barakat Villa, which is in “Sodeco” district. Furn el Hayek district also includes Lebanon Street, Shehadeh Street, Salim Bustros Street, and Abdel Wahab el Inglizi Street. It abounds with old buildings and houses.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Achrafieh
Furn EL-Hayek includes many old buildings which reflect the richness of the Lebanese architectural art in the early decades of the twentieth century; in 1924, the engineer, Joseph Aphtimos, built the Barakat Villa, which is in “Sodeco” district. Furn el Hayek district also includes Lebanon Street, Shehadeh Street, Salim Bustros Street, and Abdel Wahab el Inglizi Street. It abounds with old buildings and houses.
Mostly residential, the neighborhood maintains its architectural and social authenticity while opening up to modernity. The neighborhood evolved almost ten years ago, and nowadays, it sports the St. Nicolas stairway that constitutes a unique public and cultural space where artists and painters exhibit their works. Today, Gemmayzeh is the place to be for the spirited Lebanese youngsters who enjoy its particular ambiance.
36 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Gemmayzeh
Mostly residential, the neighborhood maintains its architectural and social authenticity while opening up to modernity. The neighborhood evolved almost ten years ago, and nowadays, it sports the St. Nicolas stairway that constitutes a unique public and cultural space where artists and painters exhibit their works. Today, Gemmayzeh is the place to be for the spirited Lebanese youngsters who enjoy its particular ambiance.
Situated to the west of Beirut, Hamra is a fascinating street that boasts several shops, businesses, hotels, cinemas, theaters, and residential neighborhoods. It offers sundry points of attraction, but most of all, it is the first choice for students who seek some rest and exuberance in Hamra due to its proximity to the American University of Beirut. The neighborhood is home to many designer shops and small businesses and offers a wide array of choices for strollers and tourists with a shopping whim.
36 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Hamra Street
Situated to the west of Beirut, Hamra is a fascinating street that boasts several shops, businesses, hotels, cinemas, theaters, and residential neighborhoods. It offers sundry points of attraction, but most of all, it is the first choice for students who seek some rest and exuberance in Hamra due to its proximity to the American University of Beirut. The neighborhood is home to many designer shops and small businesses and offers a wide array of choices for strollers and tourists with a shopping whim.
The al Manara (lighthouse) cornice stretches between Ain-EI-Mrayyseh and Ras Beirut. The corniche runs alongside the sea, offering the strollers a relaxation space where you can find joggers and lovers enjoying their time. The neighborhood is known for its sea resorts and hotels, and many restaurants and cafes sit at the roadside offering the visitors scrumptious cuisine and a relaxing panoramic view. The Beirut lighthouse borders the corniche from the south, and the street was named after it. It is worth mentioning that several prehistoric tools were found near the pigeon grotto (Rawcheh, and those tools can be found at the Lebanese Prehistory Museum (USJ).
The name "Rawcheh" is in fact nothing but the Arabic version of the word "rocher", french for "rock". These 2 large rocks broke up with the earth and are currently standing 60 meters tall as if they were keeping watch over the place.
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Raoucheh
The al Manara (lighthouse) cornice stretches between Ain-EI-Mrayyseh and Ras Beirut. The corniche runs alongside the sea, offering the strollers a relaxation space where you can find joggers and lovers enjoying their time. The neighborhood is known for its sea resorts and hotels, and many restaurants and cafes sit at the roadside offering the visitors scrumptious cuisine and a relaxing panoramic view. The Beirut lighthouse borders the corniche from the south, and the street was named after it. It is worth mentioning that several prehistoric tools were found near the pigeon grotto (Rawcheh, and those tools can be found at the Lebanese Prehistory Museum (USJ).
The name "Rawcheh" is in fact nothing but the Arabic version of the word "rocher", french for "rock". These 2 large rocks broke up with the earth and are currently standing 60 meters tall as if they were keeping watch over the place.
Tripoli is known as the capital of the North and it is Lebanon's second largest city with a population of more than 500,000. It has many landmarks. Around forty historical sites which date back to the 14th century: Qalaat St. Gilles; 12 mosques that date back to the Mamluk and Ottoman eras; 12 theological schools; khans or caravanserai; baths (Hammams). Its "souks" and khans are crowded with people of various trades. You see the tailors, jewellers, perfumers, tanners and soap-makers working in a charming lively atmosphere
23 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Tripoli
Tripoli is known as the capital of the North and it is Lebanon's second largest city with a population of more than 500,000. It has many landmarks. Around forty historical sites which date back to the 14th century: Qalaat St. Gilles; 12 mosques that date back to the Mamluk and Ottoman eras; 12 theological schools; khans or caravanserai; baths (Hammams). Its "souks" and khans are crowded with people of various trades. You see the tailors, jewellers, perfumers, tanners and soap-makers working in a charming lively atmosphere
It is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is also one of the rare sites that have continuously been inhabited since their foundation excavations show that it dates back to the 6th millennium B.C. Its ancient inhabitants did not call it Byblos, but rather "Jubla" and later "Jebal". Around 1200B.C. the Greeks named it Byblos or "Papyrus", because it traded in this product.
How to reach Byblos – Jbeil
It is 37 kilometers north of Beirut. It can be reached by taking the Beirut – Tripoli highway or by taking the old road along the coast near the Gulf of Jounieh
83 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Byblos
It is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is also one of the rare sites that have continuously been inhabited since their foundation excavations show that it dates back to the 6th millennium B.C. Its ancient inhabitants did not call it Byblos, but rather "Jubla" and later "Jebal". Around 1200B.C. the Greeks named it Byblos or "Papyrus", because it traded in this product.
How to reach Byblos – Jbeil
It is 37 kilometers north of Beirut. It can be reached by taking the Beirut – Tripoli highway or by taking the old road along the coast near the Gulf of Jounieh
TOP THINGS TO DO
Explore / El Shouf
It is a mountainous district in the heart of Mount Lebanon. El Shouf is the cradle of modern Lebanon. During the Ottoman rule (since 1516) the governors of Mount Lebanon had been in charge of the districts they were assigned to; they used to govern from their residences, in Baakline, Deir el Qamar and Beiteddine respectively.
how to get to shouf?
We get to Shouf by the quick Beirut-Sidon highway towards Sidon. Twenty-five kms from Beirut, there is a cross-road in the town of Damour. We go along it towards the Shouf heights, adjacent to the river-bed of Damour River, where there are some restaurants. Then we ascend, going through the heart of the Mountai
Chouf
TOP THINGS TO DO
Explore / El Shouf
It is a mountainous district in the heart of Mount Lebanon. El Shouf is the cradle of modern Lebanon. During the Ottoman rule (since 1516) the governors of Mount Lebanon had been in charge of the districts they were assigned to; they used to govern from their residences, in Baakline, Deir el Qamar and Beiteddine respectively.
how to get to shouf?
We get to Shouf by the quick Beirut-Sidon highway towards Sidon. Twenty-five kms from Beirut, there is a cross-road in the town of Damour. We go along it towards the Shouf heights, adjacent to the river-bed of Damour River, where there are some restaurants. Then we ascend, going through the heart of the Mountai
At an ancient cross-road connecting the coast with the Syrian interior and North Syria with North Palestine, Baalbek lays with its huge temples considered among the wonders of the Ancient world. Baalbek overlooks the Bekaa Plain and is a witness of an imperial project that embodies the Roman determination, wealth and power.
How to Reach Baalbek?
Baalbek, which is 85 kilometers away from Beirut, can be reached by passing through el-Hermel and el-Arz. It is easier to reach it from Beirut via Damascus drive way, then turning to the left along Chtaura road into the agricultural lands of el-Bekaa
18 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Baalbek
At an ancient cross-road connecting the coast with the Syrian interior and North Syria with North Palestine, Baalbek lays with its huge temples considered among the wonders of the Ancient world. Baalbek overlooks the Bekaa Plain and is a witness of an imperial project that embodies the Roman determination, wealth and power.
How to Reach Baalbek?
Baalbek, which is 85 kilometers away from Beirut, can be reached by passing through el-Hermel and el-Arz. It is easier to reach it from Beirut via Damascus drive way, then turning to the left along Chtaura road into the agricultural lands of el-Bekaa
The western part of Bekaa comprises: wine industry in Kefraya, the marches in Aammiq, the artificial lake in el-Qaraoun, the Umayyad site in Aanjar and its Roman ruins.
West Bekaa
The western part of Bekaa comprises: wine industry in Kefraya, the marches in Aammiq, the artificial lake in el-Qaraoun, the Umayyad site in Aanjar and its Roman ruins.