Meet Beirut

Here's a few of our favorites.

Check out this Vogue article for some great day planning in Beirut. For excursions outside Beirut, Nakhal is a trusted source where you can book tours. Tripadvisor and Lonely Planet always have a lot to say and LebanonTraveller is what the locals use to keep up to date with Beirut's buzzing scene. And do get in touch with Celia or Robby if you want help deciding.

Neighborhoods

Sursock Museum District & Achrafiyeh

Take the St Nicholas Stairs off Gouraud street to arrive to the area - it's a charming walk. Housed in one of the rare remaining Italianate-style mansions from the early 1900s, the museum houses more than 800 works of Lebanese and international modern and contemporary art. It's a stunning building and a favorite of ours. While in the neighborhood, check out home ware boutiques The Silly Spoon and Over the Counter; and for organic lovers, A New Earth.

Gemmayzeh & Mar Mikhayel

The Marais of Beirut. It is a fashionable area with cafes, restaurants, art galleries, bakeries and shops. Where the city's makers, doers, and shakers live and work.

Downtown Beirut & Beirut Souks

Ultra modern contemporary construction meets meticulously renovated traditional houses makes this area a feast for the eyes. The loud modern roads lead to quite smaller cobbled stone alleys. It's beautiful.

Saifi village & Monot street

Saifi Village is the most expensive village to live in, shop or eat. But it's exquisite. It's classy, stylish, thoughtful and hosts some seriously talented designers. Check out Nada Debs, Starch and Bokja. Monot is another street just as beautiful.

food & drink

coffee shops

Kalei Coffee* _ quiet coffee time in a courtyard

Backburner _for the flavorful organic almond milk

Paul _for fresh croissants in the garden

Sip _great for hipster coffee and millennial pink

trendy med spots

Tawlet*_ for buffet lunch, taste regional variations on popular Lebanese dishes prepared by chefs from Lebanese culinary villages - a foodie favorite

Liza* _upscale modern Lebanese food with gorgeous interiors - for design lovers (also check it out when you're in Paris!)

LUX _seaside Mediterranean cuisine and great cocktails

Baron_ for inventive mediterranean cuisine, compared to Ottolenghi - great cocktails

Meat the Fish_ contemporary seafood joint

Bar Tartine_ for fresh salads and gourmet sandwiches - great for brunch

Mayrig*_ for delicious Armenian cuisine in a charming garden

Loris_ delicious traditional Lebanese food in modern setting

cheap eats & street food

Zaatar w Zeit* _local chain of man'oush and wraps - a must try and open 24/7

Cafe Em Nazih_ for low cost local cuisine and hanging out with backpackers

Souk el Tayeb* _ for the Saj man'oush. Elegant farmer's market only on Saturday mornings - organized by Tawlet

Sandwich w Noss _for Lebanese style fast food and large portions

healthy. vegan. organic

Eat Sunshine_ a piece of LA in a frenchie street

Breakfast Barn_ for the Chia and Acai bowls

sick of Lebanese food?

Taqueria del Jefe_ for california-style tacos

Pacifico _for staple Mexican food and margheritas

Tavolina_ for the best pizza in town

Mezcalria_ for mezcals and tacos

Smoking Bun_ for late night burgers & fries - a favorite

Tsunami_ for the sushi cravings

nightlife

the bar scene

Anise_ for chilled atmosphere and carefully crafted cocktails - where the locals hang

Dragonfly_ for Parisian and jazz vibes - closest to hotel

Trainstation*_ for hip and summer vacation vibes in an actual trainstation

Centrale*_ for a memorable drink in a tube with retractable roofs - for design lovers

Demo_ the bar next door - closest to hotel

Torino*_ long standing solid bar - closest to hotel

Coop d'etat_ no frills roof bar with casual affordable atmosphere

SkyBar*_ upscale is an under statement, see and be seen

clubs & parties

Decks on the Beach*_ cheerful beach party in a vintage beach club with renowned DJs. Nu-and-old disco, electro-pop, funk and soul - only Fridays.

B018*_ late-night infamous club for party animals who refuse to let time do its thing - It's underground with a retractable roof.

Museums & architecture

National Museum_ Phoenician and medieval objects and archeology

MIM_ minerals museum in a contemporary building

Beirut Arts Center_ contemporary arts gallery by the sea

Sursock Museum*_ 18th c. mansion architecture and contemporary art

Beiteddine Palace Museum_ mosaics displayed in significant palace from 5th C. Byzantine.

SHOPS

Orient 499*_ beautiful east/west mashups of home goods

Pink Henna_ vintage and fashion accessories

Over the Counter_ design shop for home goods

Plan Bey*_ great posters and art prints by local artists

Rosa Maria_ concept store

Papercup_ books and stuff

Bokja*_ fabrics and Boho furniture design

pools & beaches

Sporting Club_ vintage AF, laid back hipster spot with pools and rocky beach access.

Madame Bleu_ posh pool lounge in Beirut.

Lazy B_ laid back beach resort 20 min south of Beirut, a fave

Bonita Bay_ boho vibes in laid back resort in Batroun, 45 min north of Beirut

day trips

*very uniquely Lebanese