The Definitive Guide To The 10 Best Upscale Restaurants In Beirut

If you are looking for bites on a budget or pocket-friendly meals, check out our Crave section that is chockfull of options for you to explore—all of which do not skimp on taste or flavor. If you are looking for the finest upscale restaurants in town for an elegant and memorable meal, you’ve come to the right place! Here is your definitive guide to the best upscale restaurants in Beirut. In no particular order whatsoever.

Le Petit Gris

Fancy and French are two ways to describe this Gemmayze gem. Yet, this bistro is not stiff when it comes to the food, serving up inventive and mouthwatering delights like a bottarga pizza that perfectly complements the ambiance. Ideal for a romantic date or a memorable meal with friends.

What we recommend: Baby shrimp salad, moules frites (served just once a week), and the mouthwatering stroganoff.

Le Sushi Bar

Beautiful interiors and exceptional cocktails are the perfect accompaniments to what is hands-down the best sushi experience in Beirut. The stunning space is perfectly accented with what is the best restaurant playlist in town. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that their food looks almost too beautiful to eat.

What we recommend: Duck salad, new-style nigiris, and pretty much all the makis you can get your hands on, especially the blue crab roll.

Paname

This Saifi village restaurant is probably the most relaxed of the bunch, offering a more laidback lunch and dinner experience. But do not be fooled, the food and service at Paname is always 5 star. Lending a particular focus to fresh, high quality produce, each dish is executed perfectly from ingredients to presentation. As for the ambiance, it is calm and serene.

What we recommend: All their ceviches, the steak hache burger, and mushroom rigatoni.

Burgundy

Hands down the fanciest on the list, eating at Burgundy is more accurately described as an experience than a mere meal. On the menu you’ll find lavish ingredients like white truffles, venison, sea urchin, lobster, and of course…a healthy dose of caviar. But it’s not just star ingredients, Burgundy’s chef takes each plate to the next level with perfect execution.

What we recommend: If you happen to have a free-flowing budget, try their set menus. Delectable a-la-carte options include eel with horseradish and langoustine.

Toto

While Italian restaurants are abundant on the Beirut food scene, very few deliver an upscale experience that borders on fine dining. Beautiful interiors with wood paneled walls perfectly accent the modern setup which just so happens to be a traditional Lebanese home. On the menu is everything you’d expect from an Italian restaurant, all made with finesse. Squisito.

What we recommend: The seafood spaghetti, veal Milanese, and their pizzas.

Hotel Albergo – Swim Club

The stunning Achrafieh hotel is home to not one, not two, not three, but four exceptional restaurants. Each similar yet perfectly unique, our favorite happens to be tucked away at the glitzy and glamorous Swim Bar. Gorgeous interiors (decorated by none other than the exceptional Maria Ousseimi) will transport you to another world—where you’ll definitely want to stay. Surrounded by hand-painted wallpaper, hanging lanterns, and perfectly placed greenery, this oasis is unlike any other in the city. On the weekends, you can expect things to get a little louder (and more fun).

What we recommend: Crispy tuna on rice, schnitzel salad, and the pineapple salsa.

Em Sherif

Lebanese food, perfected. Every single dish at any of Em Sherif’s restaurants, whether it be the Zaytuna spot that focuses on seafood, the cafe offering an a la carte experience, or the wonderful legacy restaurant with a set menu will blow your mind.

What we recommend: Everything?

Liza

Stunning interiors and a space like no other, this spot will take your breath away before you even taste the food. Tucked away in a 19th century former palace, the captivating decor is only made better by the exceptional Lebanese food with a twist. During the summertime, you’ll love sitting near the fountain on the terrace. Refined mezza dishes, luxurious surroundings, and gorgeous presentations are what this place is all about.

What we recommend: Eggplant fatteh, cauliflower shawarma, and their famous kebbe.

Clap

A picturesque dining experience with backdrops of our wonderful cityscape. Perched atop the Annahar building, this magnificent rooftop and restaurant feels like a party on any given night. Excellent food, a fantastic soundtrack, and perfectly crafted cocktails make for a memorable night in Beirut.

What we recommend: Wagyu beef gyozas, all their maki rolls, and their fresh sashimi dishes.

Cocteau

An oldie, but still a goodie! Originally located in Sodeco, the upscale French bistro has become a destination for steak tartare aficionados and bouillabaisse lovers who relish the wintertime seafood soup. Since moving to Minet el Hosn, Cocteau further established itself as a gourmet option in the city with retro interiors and traditional French food. This is a calm spot best suited for quiet, romantic evenings and business entertainment.

What we recommend: Foie gras salad and their stroganoff.