Al Ezez Café: A Historic Beirut Landmark From the 1900s

With every new coffee shop that opens in Beirut, we can’t help but remember some of the city’s most iconic cultural hubs from the early 20th century. Did you know that Beirut is home to some of the most iconic coffee houses in the region? Let’s tell you about Al Ezez Café, a historic Beirut landmark that once stood at the heart of the city’s cultural and intellectual life.

Even before the outbreak of the Civil War when Beirut’s Hamra street became a hub for Arab modernism and revolution, there was Al Ezez Café in Sahet El Burj—also known as Abou Al-Nasr Café.

_{^{Credits: A7la Balad Lebnen}}

This coffee house wasn’t just a place to grab a cup of coffee. It was where Beirutis came to connect, debate, and share stories. Long before the digital age, this café served as a meeting point for writers, poets, traders, students, and locals.

Al Ezez was more than a coffeehouse—it was a daily ritual, an unspoken rendezvous point. If you looked for someone in the city, you’d likely find them already seated there with a cup of coffee in hand. Conversations ranged from politics and poetry to love and war, with every table holding a different slice of Beirut’s soul.

_{^{Credits: Lebanon Scoop News}}

The coffee house closed prior to the Lebanese Civil War. It ceased operations in 1972 and closed a chapter of Beirut history—only for a new one to open after with the rise of Arab Modernism.

^{Credits: أرشيف لبنان Lebanon Archive}

Al Ezez Café left its mark after over 60 years of serving as the city’s unofficial salon. Minds met, ideas flowed, and people felt the city’s heartbeat in every corner.

The café witnessed generations of change, storytelling, and cultural evolution. You’ll find more content like this in the #Nostalgia and #Historical Snapshot sections on our website!

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