Food & Drinks

Beirut is crammed with nice restaurants, lunch places and bars, with the highest density in Hamra, Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael. The owners and ambiance of the places can change rapidly, making it hard to know what is hip or not. For the latest trends, it is best to ask around or check the local news providers such as the Daily Star or Beirut.com. For a complete overview of restaurants, including recommendations and reviews, see Beirut Restaurants.com and www.nogarlicnoonions.com.

Below you'll find links for a selection of restaurants, lunch places and bars in each of Beirut's areas. 

Interested in attending a Cooking Class to learn how to prepare a delicious meal yourself? Click here for more information.

THE HISTORY OF BEIRUT’S NIGHTLIFE

Since the end of the Civil War, Lebanon’s nightlife has ebbed and flowed as crowds descended on certain areas. The northern parts of Beirut such as Kaslik and Sin al Fil hosted the first nightclubs and bars, only to see the crowd move several years later. Monot Street, technically part of the green line during the Civil War, became the new hotspot, bubbling with activity. Starting out with only a handful of bars, the number swelled to well over fifty during the early 2000s. In 2004, the wave of individuals who had attended the bars and pubs of Monot gradually but surely went looking for a new area to migrate to. Gemmayzeh, only a short walk down the road, ended up becoming the new destination. While the area of Monot slowly faded, Gemmayzeh began to rise up. Starting with only three places in 2004, the narrow main road of Gemmayzeh soon became lined with bars and restaurants. During Monot’s heydays, Hamra had been dormant with scant a place to cater to the students of the local universities. That changed in 2005, when De Prague opened on Makdessi Street and eventually ushered in a new era. After the sit in at Martyrs Square from late 2006 until 2008, both Hamra and Gemmayzeh continued to accommodate the large number of Lebanese and foreigners, enjoying late night entertainment and soon after, Mar Mikhael became a popular destination. While Hamra’s Makdessi street has seen its fair share of pubs opening in recent years, it is likely that the city will retain these three areas as the main destinations for a night out.