10+ Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Lebanon (Date Night Worthy)
Welcome to our list of the best fine dining restaurants in Lebanon!
Lebanese food is renowned for the cultural heritage that has refined its flavors over the course of centuries and — in the case of some of certain dishes, perhaps millennia. But beyond traditional Lebanese cuisine, the country boasts a diverse and inviting culinary scene. While street food and simple go-to’s like zaatar and labneh wraps are hard to argue against, we’re here to talk about Lebanon’s fine dining restaurants. Whether you are searching for a romantic restaurant for date night or an upscale restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, we’ve curated a carefully chosen selection of the best options for delicious dining with a dash of fancy in Lebanon.
This list includes:
Fine dining restaurants in Beirut
Fine dining restaurants near Beirut
French restaurants in Lebanon
Italian restaurants in Lebanon
Fusion restaurants in Lebanon
And much more! So without further ado, pick out the perfect fine dining restaurant in Lebanon!
Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Lebanon
1) Baron
Recently upgraded to #1 restaurant on the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) top 50 list, Baron is an open concept where you can watch the chefs and kitchen staff prepare world-class fusion cuisine. This hip, chef-owned fine dining restaurant is located in the trendy neighborhood of Mar Mikhael, Beirut’s bohemian quarter. From coconut curry cod and miso-butter Brussels sprouts to masterfully cooked steaks and brisket and creative desserts like date pudding, Baron’s number-one ranking is well-earned. Personally, I’d highly recommend ordering the Brussels sprouts and the brisket because they are absolutely packed with flavor; however, you can’t go wrong with any of their inventive, modern Mediterranean, Japanese, and American-inspired dishes.
2) Clap Beirut
This Beirut rooftop restaurant overlooks Martyr’s Square and boasts a sea view, which is merely a bonus on top of the omakase-style cuisine. While the cuisine is pricey, Clap Beirut delivers on the promise of its value. With starters like foie gras gyoza, wagyu beef, or spicy chili mayo rock shrimp tempura and mains like beef tenderloin, grilled baby chicken, and salmon teriyaki, Clap Beirut shines as bright as any of the starring restaurants on this list. Dress your best because it’s fairly popular to take a few snaps in front of the Instagrammable glass-fronted walkthrough wine cellar.
3) Em Sherif
Run by famed Lebanese chef Mireille Hayek, Em Sherif provides patrons with a succession of 30-plus mezze plates, featuring Lebanese mainstays such as tabbouleh, fattoush, and moutabel. Em Sherif also has an extensive wine menu, with French, Italian, and Lebanese wines. Be sure to call beforehand because Em Sherif is extremely popular and often fully booked.
4) Liza Beirut
Located in a former 19th-century Ashrafieh palace, Liza Beirut, with its mirrored walls and hammered metal lanterns, is one of the most aesthetically pleasing restaurants on this list. As for the cuisine, Liza Beirut graces guests with seasonal specials and sophisticated mezze dishes. For example, indulge in their hindbe, moutabel, tawouk, mouhamra, and stuffed vine leaves. If you can’t get enough of their delicious Lebanese cuisine, go to Liza’s on Sunday for bottomless brunch — perfect for a place to meet up with friends in Beirut.
5) Mayrig
In my opinion, Mayrig is hands-down the best Armenian restaurant in Lebanon. Using a variety of traditional Armenian dishes bolstered by fresh and seasonal ingredients, silk road spices, and generous amounts of love and culinary expertise, Mayrig was one of the many businesses that were destroyed during the Beirut Blast — except that Mayrig was so beloved that crowd-funding helped to resurrect this local favorite. Mayrig, now proudly representing the Armenian diaspora outside of Lebanon as well, even launched another restaurant in Cairo, Egypt. Try cold mezze, hot dishes, and large dishes, such as flame-grilled meats and crispy manti dumplings served with warm yogurt.
6) Mario E Mario
Whether you are trying to find a restaurant in Lebanon to celebrate an anniversary, or a birthday, or to make date night extra special, Mario E Mario is the premier Italian restaurant in Beirut. With bucket lights hanging from the pergola and surprising ingredient combinations, Mario E Mario deserves its rave reviews. The bread is freshly baked, the pasta is al dente, and every dish is thoughtfully made. My personal favorite is the goat cheese-stuffed grilled chicken with sauteed vegetables. But again, I’ve yet to be disappointed by a single dish.
7) Seray
This modern take on traditional Lebanese cuisine is located right in the heart of Beirut. Each dish is artfully crafted to the point that you’ll be conflicted about whether to stare at these culinary masterpieces or devour them! Plus, the service at Seray is impeccable.
8) Ai Restaurant
When you think of Lebanon, you might not initially think of outrageously delicious Japanese food; however, Ai Restaurant answers the call. With complex flavors and Japanese Zen inspiration, Ai is pure culinary bliss. This Asian concept is divided into three main sections, including robata, tempura, and sashimi or other raw ingredients.
9) Babel Bay
Babel Bay is a fusion restaurant, that merges sophisticated seafood with Lebanese cuisine. For example, hindbeh is improved with delectable calamari and shawarma is served with fish. Even the fattoush is infused with shrimp and calamari and the seafood salad is a refreshing mix of octopus, scallops, and citrus. Of course, they also have a variety of grilled fish for you.
10) Cocteau
This upscale French restaurant in Beirut is known best for its bouillabaisse and steak tartar. Cocteau has been refining their incredible French cuisine since the 1970s so that it matches the spectacularly high ceilings and long chandeliers of the interior. The magnificent wine cellar takes the exquisite ambiance to another level. Cocteau’s most famous dishes include the taglioni with Iberian ham, Cigalle de Mer (a lobster dish), and clams soaked in a mouthwatering mushroom sauce.
11) Burgundy Beirut
This upscale restaurant and wine cellar merges modern chic with a rustic aesthetic and cleverly plated dishes, which boast surprising ingredients and unique flavor combinations that awe patrons. The menu changes regularly, as chef Youssef Akiki never settles for anything less than extraordinary and is in a constant state of reinvention.
12) Fin Faim Bistro Bar
Fin Faim Bistro Bar, formerly located in Byblos, moved to Sursock in Beirut, where it offers hand-crafted cocktails, artisanal cheeses, and an open kitchen so you can watch how their culinary experts prepare world-class steak et frites, risotto aux cepes, an American cheeseburger, and other flavor-packed cuisines.
People Also Ask These Questions About Fine Dining Restaurants in Lebanon
Are there any Michelin-starred restaurants in Lebanon?
The Michelin Guide only covers a select number of cities worldwide, and Beirut is not currently one of them. However, World’s Best 50 Restaurants and La Liste do cover the area and have featured several restaurants in Lebanon.
Do fine dining restaurants in Lebanon offer vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes, many fine dining restaurants in Lebanon offer vegetarian or vegan options on their menus. In fact, vegan and vegetarian cuisine is growing in popularity in Lebanon. Because of this, many restaurants are prioritizing innovation and creativity on this part of their menus.
Can you make reservations at fine dining restaurants in Lebanon, and how far in advance should you book?
Yes, you can make reservations at fine dining restaurants in Lebanon. Typically, restaurants in Lebanon have a website or social media page that allows you to call or book directly to secure a table. During busier seasons, book well in advance because tourists and Lebanese ex-pats flock to Lebanon in droves. The most popular fine dining restaurants should be booked weeks, sometimes even months ahead of time.