Guides
15 Must-Visit Places in Beirut (After A Really Bad Week)
If this week felt like it dragged on forever, you deserve a break. Whether you need comfort food, a change of scenery, or a fun night out, Beirut has just what you need to recharge. Here are 15 must-visit places in Beirut to help you turn your week around and start fresh.
If you’re looking for comfort food spots
1. Jai Kitchen, Kantari
Exceptional stir fried dishes, hearty pho, and delightful bao buns for you to chow down on and forget all your problems. Jai is the perfect spot to visit after a bad week, especially with friends.
2. Universal Snack, Hamra
Old but gold, there’s absolutely no way visiting this nostalgic spot won’t put a smile on your face. We actually have an entire compilation of nostalgic spots here.
3. Le Chef, Gemmayze
This beloved gem offers hearty Lebanese dishes best enjoyed at breakfast or lunch. Indulge in generous portions of foul w hummus, fatteh b laban, and more at extremely affordable prices.
4. Munchease Diner, Gemmayze
If your kind of comfort food is juicy burgers, chicken wings, and lots of fries, then head over to Munchease Diner in Gemmayze. They offer open everything, from wings to smashed burgers to chicken strips.
5. Swirkies, Mar Mikhael
For dessert lovers, Swirkies will blow your mind with their skillet cookies and fluffy pancakes. And if their mouthwatering desserts aren’t enough to cheer you up, their vibrant decor surely will.
If you’re looking for a change of scenery
6. Agora, Achrafieh
With its vintage decor, red window shutters, and high arches reminiscent of an old Beiruti house, this spot will feel like home. Their garden is a great place for you to hang out with your friends over a few bites.
7. Pavilion Café, Mathaf
A marvelous new addition to the National Museum of Beirut, the Pavilion Café offers a touch of greenery—perfect for a quick stop before enjoying a stroll through the museum.
8. Abajour, Adlieh
Tucked away on a street right off of Adlieh and just a stone’s throw away from Badaro, Abajour Beirut is located in “an old house with a garden transformed into an open cultural space”.
9. BEYt Garden Café, Mar Mikhael
Whether you’re sipping on a cup of coffee in their heritage home or soaking up some vitamin D in their garden, this cultural space is a must-visit in the city.
10. Jacaranda, Mar Mikhael
Those seeking a beautiful outdoor location with a much-needed taste of nature will fall in love with this gem. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a delectable bite under the shade of the vibrant jacaranda trees!
If you’re looking for a distraction (preferably a drink)
11. JIVE, Gemmayze
If you’re the type who loves cocktails and vinyls, JIVE is one of the most lively bars in the city. Hip-hop, soul, funk—the possibilities are endless. You can never go wrong with good music and great drinks.
12. Standard Café and Bar, Gemmayze
With drinks to suit the lively streets of Gemmayze, this bar trottoir will turn any casual night out into a memorable one. And you can’t have an excellent cocktail without a delicious bite to go with it!
13. Fizz, Mar Mikhael
Strategically positioned in Mar Mikhael’s Pharaon Street to offer quiet coffee runs and casual nights out with your friends. If you’re looking for a more chill outing to distract yourself, this is the place!
14. Odette’s, Achrafieh
Tasty Mexican bites and frozen lime margaritas? Count us in! They offer a great selection of drinks to pair with your tacos, homemade chips, and guac.
Promising to be your favorite Asian bar in Beirut, Mii-Yao offers an assortment of exquisite cocktails and bites in a beautifully quirky environment. This is the perfect place for social butterflies!
What’s a must-visit place in Beirut that we missed? You might also like: 9 Spots in Beirut to Take Your Friend Who’s Going Through a Break Up
