Beirut is shabby chic. Shabby ‘cos Middle East, and chic ‘cos French. It’s all hustle and bustle and has a frenzied charm about it. It’s young and cool too, which makes you feel as though something is bubbling under the surface. The food is divine and the nightclubs are outstanding. Beirut is without a doubt, the coolest city in MENA.
THINGS TO DO
Start in Sursock, and walk down the Saint Nicolas Stairs to old Gemmayze street; Saifi Village; Beirut Souks which are not souks in your traditional sense of the word, but it does have a small archaeological site; Zeituna Bay a small marina with restaurants which has been dubbed, mini Dubai; explore Hamra; definitely walk around Mar Michal which is the meatpacking district of Beirut (at least for the time being). Make sure you take a day or afternoon trip to Byblos (see pics):
EAT
Home Sweet Home Super cute café come shop come wine bar
Baron Massive portions, awesome food. If there’s one place you eat, make sure it’s here
Em Sherif Café The best lebs lunch
Neither tried nor tested, but researched & recommended…
Beurre Tiny bakery
Joseph in Sinn el Fil foer the best sharawrma
Tawlet Home cooked gourmet Lebanese food
Barbar in Hamra for your 5am shawarma. It’s an institution
DRINK
Sip Achingly cool café. Everyone working on MacBooks, reading books and sipping yogi blend tea.
Papercup Desifgn bookstore, great decor and good coffee
Neither tried nor tested, but researched & recommended…
Annise For cocktails
Coup d’Etat Super chill rooftop but you’ll need to climb 6 floors
CLUB
BO18 Go for the after party
Neither tried nor tested, but researched & recommended…
Garten Sickest looking open air club
AHM The latest dance temple, apparently
SLEEP
Radisson Blu Hotel Martinez Stayed here with the wedding party I was with. Super comfy with all you’d expect from a Radisson
I visited Beirut in July 2018