The guide’s ranking · Beirut

Best Tabbouleh & Salads
in Beirut

Tabbouleh is the national salad of Lebanon and a masterpiece of herb-forward freshness that serves as the essential counterpoint to the city's rich meats and breads. Unlike the bulgur-heavy versions found abroad, a true Beiruti Tabbouleh is a massive mountain of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, with only a tiny scattering of bulgur, diced tomatoes, and green onions. It is dressed simply with premium olive oil and plenty of fresh lemon juice, resulting in a vibrant, zingy explosion of flavor that cleanses the palate. Fattoush is its more rustic cousin, a 'peasant salad' featuring toasted or fried pieces of pita bread mixed with romaine, radish, tomato, cucumber, and a heavy dusting of sumac and pomegranate molasses. Both are mandatory elements of any Beiruti meal, representing the city's commitment to using the highest-quality, sun-drenched produce available.

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Guide score ✕ verified reader stamps ✕ critic notes ✕ Google Maps signal. External reviews are linked, never copied.

What to order

Why locals care

Le Chef

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“A Beirut institution where the welcome is as warm as the food. Their hummus is perfectly smooth and served in a setting that feels like a family dining room.”

The guide’s verdict · Gemmayzeh

Queue: Main street location.

Go: 1:00 PM; for a classic Beiruti lunch.

Price: $$

Dietary:

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Abdel Wahab

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Verdict: A classic Beiruti spot for a long, formal mezze lunch. Their service is impeccable and their hummus is a textbook example of the Beiruti style. — Achrafieh

Queue: Famous dining street.

Go: 1:30 PM.

Price: $$$

Dietary:

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Em Sherif Café

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Verdict: A more accessible version of the ultra-exclusive Em Sherif restaurant. The mezze here is high-art, with exquisite presentation and the finest ingredients available in Lebanon. — Downtown

Queue: High-end district.

Go: 2:00 PM; for a luxurious and grand mezze experience.

Price: $$$

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T-Marbouta

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Verdict: A cultural hub and restaurant that serves excellent traditional mezze. Their Moutabal is smoky and rich, and the vibe is perfect for students and intellectuals. — Hamra

Queue: Hidden in a small alley off the main road.

Go: 7:00 PM; for a social evening in the courtyard.

Price: $$

Dietary:

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Liza

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Verdict: One of the most beautiful restaurants in the world. Their take on mezze is light, creative, and serves as a bridge between tradition and modern fine dining. — Achrafieh

Queue: Located in a stunning 19th-century palace.

Go: 8:30 PM; for a sophisticated and beautiful dinner.

Price: $$$

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Al Mayass

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Verdict: Specialized in Armenian-Lebanese mezze. Their 'Hummus with Sujuk' (spicy sausage) provides a unique and spicy twist on the classic dish. — Achrafieh

Queue: Residential area.

Go: 7:30 PM.

Price: $$$

Dietary:

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Enab

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Verdict: A vibrant restaurant that feels like a traditional Lebanese village house. The mezze selection is vast and includes excellent versions of harder-to-find rural dishes. — Mar Mikhael

Queue: Industrial district.

Go: 8:00 PM; for a lively and colorful dinner.

Price: $$

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Karam Beirut

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Verdict: A high-end institution known for its consistency and quality. Their Fattoush and Hummus are benchmark dishes for the city's business elite. — Downtown

Queue: Inside the souks area.

Go: 1:00 PM.

Price: $$$

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Al Falamanki

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Verdict: A massive, nostalgic cafe and restaurant with a large garden. It's the best place to spend an entire afternoon sampling small plates and playing backgammon. — Sodeco

Queue: On the old Green Line.

Go: 6:00 PM; for a long afternoon with an Arak.

Price: $$

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Lorris

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Verdict: A trendy spot that blends traditional flavors with a modern, social atmosphere. Their mezze platters are designed for sharing among the neighborhood's young professional crowd. — Badaro

Queue: Easy.

Go: 7:00 PM.

Price: $$

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Onno Bistro

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Verdict: Their Kafta with a spicy cherry sauce is a standout dish that perfectly illustrates the fusion of Armenian and Lebanese grilling traditions. — Mar Mikhael

Queue: Easy.

Go: 1:30 PM.

Price: $$

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Babel Bay

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Verdict: A modern, upscale seafood and mezze restaurant with a stunning interior. Their Moutabal is uniquely presented and exceptionally creamy. — Zaitunay Bay

Queue: Easy.

Go: 8:00 PM.

Price: $$$

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Souk El Tayeb

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Verdict: Not a traditional furnace, but their Saj manakish made by village women at the market is the most authentic rural taste in the city. — Mar Mikhael

Queue: Easy.

Go: Saturday morning.

Price: $$

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Barbar

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Verdict: The most famous street food brand in Lebanon. Their cheese manakish is legendary for its stretch and generous portion. — Hamra

Queue: Corner of Spears and Hamra.

Go: 1:00 AM; it's a 24/7 institution.

Price: $

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Saj & Salad

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Verdict: Specializes in a quick and healthy lunch combination of fresh-baked saj bread and high-quality traditional salads. — Achrafieh (Sassine)

Queue: Easy.

Go: 1:00 PM.

Price: $

Dietary:

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