Hamra is where the heart is. Here is our guide to a day well spent in this beloved neighborhood.
Kick off your morning with a hearty breakfast at Bread Republic, where you can choose from a delightful assortment of all-day breakfast and lunch food. Their Hamra location is one of our favorites, because you can have your meal outside while gazing at the hustle and bustle of Ras Beirut’s favorite neighborhood.
When you finish your meal, grab a coffee on the go and walk just a few meters to Hamra’s main road, where you can spend the next few hours wandering aimlessly between its shopping venues, old and new. From big name brands like H&M, Jack Jones, Vero Moda, MAC Cosmetics, Bobbi Brown, American Eagle Outfitters, and ABC, there’s a lot of opportunity for retail therapy in Hamra.
If you’re looking for something a little less mainstream, we recommend you pass by Henry’s Handmade, for trinkets and accessories that are bound to make you happy. Ask him to personalize your favorite pieces with engravings that are done on the spot.
Walk over to Barbar, grab some snacks or a fresh juice, and relax on one of the benches at Sanayeh Park where you can gaze endlessly at the water fountain or the people passing through. If your nature break leaves you feeling inspired, walk over to Agial Art Gallery on Abdul Aziz Street, home to a series of monthly exhibitions by some of the most famous artists around the Middle East. Grab a pick-me-up coffee from Trihaus, a newly opened 3D Printing café on the same street as the gallery.
Just down the street you’ll find House on Mars, where you’ll find exotic trinkets and temptations. Hungry yet? Good. For Lebanese cuisine, stop by T-Marbouta or Mezyan. For a hearty Italian meal, try Appetito Trattoria, or Dottore. For something more glutinous, try the newly opened American fusion spot, the J’s. Or, for some Armenian goodness, pass by the much loved Onno.
Last but not least, end your adventure with a happy hour treat at Ferdinand’s or Ales & Tales. Both bars are favorites in Hamra, where you’ll be treated to welcoming staff and where you can have a drink while sitting on Hamra’s bustling sidewalks. If you get carried away with the discounted drinks, not to worry, Hamra is full of bars and restaurants where you can spend the rest of the evening. Until then, sit back, relax, and reminisce on the perfect day you just spent in Hamra.
