Weekend in Beirut: Local Tips for Food, Culture & Fun

by Barbara Yakimchuk

How To Weekend In Beirut Like a Local

9 Jul 2025

Let’s do a quick traveller test! What do you prefer: rich Arabic cuisine or charming little French-style streets? Quiet leafy cafés or loud late-night DJ sets?

If you can’t choose — or simply don’t want to — I have got the perfect solution for you. Just like an online quiz magically generates your answer… Your result is: Lebanon. Flights are (thankfully) back, the weather is great, so... let's book a ticket?

And if you are one of those anxious travellers who get stressed at the thought of planning a weekend, don’t worry. Here is your perfect two-day guide to Lebanon, packed with everything from quiet hideaways to party hotspots. Curated by real Lebanon insiders — Mootaz Chehade, Tala Mortada, and the biggest Beirut lover, Saša Ovchinnikov.

Day 1

Start your morning at Hale

This is exactly how your morning should start: calm, quiet, and outdoors (because, well, we all miss fresh air and a bit of greenery peeking through from above). Head straight to the courtyard if it isn't too busy, or stay indoors if your morning comes with a surprise work call (hopefully not!).

Order a cappuccino and ease into the day the way mornings were meant to be: slow, peaceful, and nourishing.

Location: Gemmayzeh, Beirut

Explore the local Souk El Tayeb Farmers' Market

If you are here for the weekend, chances are the first day starts on Saturday — and Saturdays, no matter where you are in the world, are made for markets.

Yes, you are probably still full from breakfast, but let's be honest: First — it is the perfect excuse to grab a sweet bite for later; Second — it is the best place to pick up a souvenir; Third — markets are never just about food. They are a whole vibe.

At Souk El Tayeb, you will find everything from fresh cheeses and meats to handmade cosmetics and ceramics.

What to buy there?

For snacks during the day:

Organic fruits and berries (definitely get wild strawberries and cherries)

Local sweets like kaak, ma’amoul, and spinach pastries — perfect if you are giving yourself a little break from the healthy routine, as you are on holiday, after all

For souvenirs:

Local honey (Lebanon is home to many small-scale beekeepers)
Traditional fruit jams

For non-food finds:

Quirky local notebooks with fun illustrated covers
Soap from Tripoli — made with natural olive oil

Location: Tawlet, Armenia Street, Mar Mikhael, Beirut

Source: travel-tramp.com

Follow with a quick lunch at Barbar (Hamra)

Not far from the Souk, this is the perfect spot to grab something quick and dive straight into the buzz and culture of Beirut. Barbar is practically a monument to Lebanese street food — loved by locals and a must-visit for anyone new to the city.

Open since 1979, it is famous for its shawarma, falafel, broasted chicken, and (of course!) kebabs. The best part? It is open 24/7 — your go-to stop, any time of day or night.

Location: Piccadilly Street (Omar Ben Abdel Aziz Street), Hamra, Beirut

Instagram: @barbar.restaurant

Walk around the Nicolas Sursock Museum

Originally a private neo-Moorish villa owned by art collector Nicolas Ibrahim Sursock, this museum has lived many lives — and even had to close after the 2020 Beirut explosion. Thankfully, it reopened in 2023.

The exhibitions here change regularly (usually around 10 a year), so there is always something new. And if you are the type who is always looking to discover local and emerging Lebanese artists, this is the place.

Bonus: Don’t miss the peaceful little bookshop and café tucked inside — the perfect spot to take a breather after a busy day.

Location: Rue Sursock, Achrafieh, Beirut

Instagram: @mustseelebanon

Get dinner at The Chef

Just a four-minute walk from the Nicolas Sursock Museum, this is one of those beloved local spots — nothing fancy or overly styled, but exactly where you want to be if you are after real, authentic Lebanese food. What to try? Hummus with pine nuts, classic kibbeh, kebabs, and meghli (a traditional spiced rice pudding dessert).

Just one important note: they only accept cash!

Location: Rue Gouraud (Gemmayzeh), Beirut

Finish the day with a club rave

Beirut is a city of clubs — places where people rediscover life, joy, and music, especially in a country where silence and calm have often followed moments of unrest. Club culture here isn’t just entertainment — it is part of the city’s soul.

So, it is time to make your own mini club rave. Here are three great options:

Club Soda

A cozy, retro-style spot known for its warm vibe and eclectic music.

Capitol

This rooftop bar is all about chill drinks and top-tier views — with live jazz and blues performances.

AHM

One of Beirut’s most iconic nightclubs, AHM always hosts big-name international DJs, draws a high-energy crowd, and keeps the party going until morning.

Instagram: @ahmclub

Day 2

Start with breakfast at BEYt Mar Mikhael

A cozy, vintage spot perfect for both breakfast and lunch — this is the kind of hidden gem you will want to come back to. With traditional interiors, vintage windows, and old furniture, it is the ideal place to quietly reflect on "What even was yesterday?"

If you are lucky, grab a seat on the tiny balcony. And if it is already full (it usually is), head out to the charming little garden.

Location: Armenia Street (near Vendôme Public Staircase), Mar Mikhael, Beirut

Instagram: @beyt.lb

Shop at Plan BEY

Right next to BEYt is BEY, a beautiful little gallery shop filled with local gems — paintings, vintage-style postcards, and traditional Arabic rugs (yes, we actually got one from here!). All items are made by local artists, and if you are lucky, the gallery owner will be around to tell you the stories behind each piece.

So even if it is just a two-day trip, make sure your ticket includes baggage. Chances are, you will want to bring something home.

Location: 1104 Armenia Street, Mar Mikhael district, Beirut

Source: plan-bey.com

Stroll through the MIM Mineral Museum

Sure, we are mostly about art and culture here — but this is a true hidden gem, especially if you are even slightly into minerals (I collected them as a kid, so no way I would skip this). The museum features over 2,000 specimens from more than 70 countries, covering around 450 mineral species.

And if, mid-visit, you feel like it isn’t quite your thing — you are in luck: right nearby are the National Museum of Beirut and the Sursock Museum, both highly recommended by our insiders.

Location: Innovation & Sport Campus, Saint-Joseph University, Damascus Street, Beirut

Source: ainuinc.com

Now you have got two choices:

Option 1: Already tired from this crazy itinerary and just want to breathe out?

Head to Metropolis Cinema. For locals, it isn’t just a place to catch a film — it’s a cultural landmark. Its reopening in 2023 was a huge deal, and watching a movie here is an experience in itself.

Location: Pharoun Street, Mar Mikhael district, Beirut

Option 2: Still have some energy left?

Take a short road trip (about 1 hour from Beirut) to Musée Henry BB. Created by Lebanese artist Henry, who spent decades restoring this space after it was damaged, it is now a dreamlike palazzo filled with antiques, frescoes, vintage tiles, and colorful stained glass.

And if you do make it out there — drive over to Lakkis Farm for some of the best falafel and a lovely countryside lunch.

Location: Saki Street, Koubba, Batroun district, North Governorate, Lebanon

Source: bamleb.com

Finish the weekend at Casablanca

To wrap up your weekend, head to Casablanca — an iconic restaurant set right by the seashore. Loved for years by both locals and visitors, it is the perfect spot to reflect on your trip, sip something nice, and start dreaming about your next adventure.

Location: Qaddoura Building, 2nd Floor, Rue Dar el Mreisseh, Ain el Mreisseh, Beirut