8 Essential Affordable Eats in Beirut, Lebanon

Lebanon’s rich culinary heritage blends Ottoman, Syrian, and French influences, creating a vibrant food scene. While street food is sparse in Beirut, you might come across a vendor selling kaak (a sesame-seeded bread) or boiled corn. Despite the city’s crowded sidewalks and heavy traffic, your budget can go a long way here. Local favorites like tabbouleh and burgers are often found in restaurants, but Beirut offers plenty of budget-friendly options for food enthusiasts.

Manakish

Manakish, or man’oushe when singular, is Beirut’s favorite snack. This dish features a soft dough similar to pizza, topped with herbal za’atar (a wild thyme and sesame blend), Akkawi cheese, chopped tomatoes, and meat, all served hot. Typically, manakish is prepared in advance and displayed under a glass counter in bakeries, then heated to order in a wood-fired oven and wrapped in butcher paper for easy eating. Saj is a similar dish, made on a convex griddle, and lahm bi ajeen is another variant with thinner dough topped with ground lamb or mutton.

Tiny man’oushe shops are scattered throughout the city, but a long line doesn’t always mean better quality—often, it just signals low prices. With most manakish priced under $2, don’t settle for less; go for the best. Also, make sure to visit before 3 p.m., as manakish isn’t a common dinner choice.

Where to find it:

Fern Ghattas Gourad Street, Gemmayze. Since 1920, this bakery, named Fern (or furn) in Arabic, has been a staple. It did relocate during the Lebanese Civil War due to a mortar strike but remains a cherished spot.

Hamadeh Rome Street, Facing Ministry of Tourism, Hamra. A trusted bakery for over 50 years, renowned for its top-notch za’atar quality.

The Lebanese Bakery Salim Bustros Street, Ashrafieh. Although a newcomer, having opened in 2016, this bakery quickly became a local favorite. It offers both classic and inventive toppings, such as cheese with arugula or walnuts with rose water. | Website

Bonus:

Ichkhanian Hussein Beyham Street, Sanayeh. Although not a traditional man’oushe shop, this Armenian bakery is famous for its lahm bi ajeen—freshly baked dough with ground mutton spiced with hot peppers or sweetened with pomegranate syrup. The vegetarian version with mushrooms is also excellent, and at under a dollar each, it’s one of the city’s best bargains.

Knefeh

For a sweet breakfast treat, knefeh is a top choice. This dish features slightly salty cheese nestled in a semolina cake, crispy with shredded filo and topped with finely chopped pistachios. It’s typically drenched in sugar syrup flavored with orange blossom or rose water. Traditionally enjoyed during Ramadan, knefeh is a satisfying, sweet breakfast option year-round, especially when served inside kaak bread.

Where to find it:

Amal Bohsali Takieddine Street, Koreitem. Amal Bohsali is the go-to spot for knefeh, famous for its crisp crust and creamy cheese. Although the original shop was a victim of the Civil War and dates back to 1878, this branch has been serving patrons since 1955. You can also try the Nablus-style knefeh here, featuring a crispy filo crust instead of semolina. While many places in Beirut offer knefeh, none match the quality of Bohsali. (Note: Another branch is located on Alfred Nobel Street in Hamra.) | Website

Croissants

After 23 years of French influence (1923 to 1946), Lebanon retained more than just the language. In Beirut, you can enjoy excellent croissants, baguettes (locally known as franji), and pain perdu, along with other delightful French-inspired treats. (Good red wine is available too, but that’s a different story.)

Where to find it:

Paul corner of Gouraud Street and Georges Haddad Avenue, Gemmayze. Although Paul is a global chain that originated in France in 1889, it has been embraced wholeheartedly by Beirut. The bakery’s flaky croissants, available in both standard and mini sizes, are among the best in the city. Enjoy them to-go or in one of their delightful cafes, especially the one in Gemmayze which is a hotspot for socializing. | Website

Bar Tartine Armenia Street, Mar Mikhael. Similar to Paul, this bakery also serves as a full-service cafe. Though Lebanese-owned, they imported their head baker from France to ensure authentic croissants. Choose from a variety of options including plain, almond, chocolate, cheese, or za’atar. | Website

Croissant Al Cheikh Emile Edde Street, Hamra. While many local bakeries offer croissants, their quality can be inconsistent. Croissant Al Cheikh stands out with its large, fluffy croissants at unbeatable prices. These Lebanese-style pastries are chewier than the French version and come with unique fillings like Oreo, pizza, or cheese and olives, in addition to the classics. Best enjoyed warm with gooey fillings.

Falafel

Falafel, a staple of Middle Eastern cuisine, is typically made from a blend of fava beans and chickpeas in Lebanon. Each shop boasts its own secret recipe, usually involving soaked beans ground with garlic, onions, cumin, coriander, and a touch of baking soda, with some adding parsley, cilantro, or mint. When you order, they layer thin pita bread with falafel balls, fresh herbs, tomatoes, and crunchy veggies, then drench it all in tahini-based tarator sauce before rolling it up. Many places also offer falafel by the half dozen for those who prefer a snack, served with tahini-garlic sauce on the side.

Where to find it:

M. Sahyoun Damascus Road, Sodeco. On Damascus Road, you’ll find two falafel shops named M. Sahyoun side by side. The original was founded by Mustapha Sahyoun in 1935 and quickly earned a reputation as the top falafel spot in town. During the civil war, the shop moved several times but returned to its Damascus Road location. Since 2006, Mustapha’s sons, Zohair and Fouad, each run their own neighboring establishments. Locals are fiercely loyal to their choice, so visitors should sample both to decide for themselves.

Karim Sahyoun Sidani Street, Hamra. Yes, another Sahyoun! Karim, Zohair’s son, runs this branch, and with 13 locations to his name, he's thriving just like his father and uncle on Damascus Road.

Freiha Al Salam Street, opposite ABC Mall, Ashrafieh. While the Sahyoun family adds sliced radishes to their sandwiches, Freiha serves theirs with pickled cucumbers and turnips. The turnips are famously dyed a vibrant purple by beets during the pickling process.

Shawarma

A beloved Middle Eastern staple, shawarma consists of lamb or chicken seasoned with spices and roasted on a spit. The tender meat is sliced paper-thin and served in Lebanon’s light pita, garnished with chopped parsley, onions, and garlic.

Where to find it:

Barbar Spears Street, Sanayeh. Renowned for its enduring legacy, Barbar is a staple that has stood the test of time. Established in 1979, it remained open throughout both the civil war and the 2006 conflict with Israel. Its chicken shawarma, seasoned with cardamom and cinnamon, is a quintessential Beirut treat.

Mazzat Hamra Street, Hamra. While the original Mazzat is located in the Sin el Fil neighborhood, the Hamra branch is a convenient alternative. Here, the beef shawarma is the standout choice.

Burgers

Lebanon’s love for traditional dishes is undeniable, but there's also a place for a well-made beef burger in the mix. Though not always the cheapest option in Beirut, there are some great spots around town where you can enjoy a delicious burger at a reasonable price.

Where to get it:

Smoking Bun Ibrahim Pacha Street, Mar Mikhael. This compact spot serves up just four essentials: burgers, fries, sodas, and beer. With limited seating, it's perfect for a quick bite or takeout. Customize your burger with toppings like cheese, mushrooms, and bacon. (Note: Another location is in Hamra.) | Website

BRGR.CO Patriarch Howayek Street, Downtown. While premium burgers are available, you can enjoy a satisfying basic burger for $8. Don’t miss the Parmesan truffle fries that pair perfectly with your meal. | Website

Fresh Juice

In a climate that favors warmth and with abundant fresh fruit, fruit juices are elevated to an art form. Mint lemonade is a classic choice, but also seek out pomegranate, strawberry, and avocado juices, or try jellab, a traditional blend of carob, dates, grape molasses, rose water, and Arabic incense, garnished with pine nuts and raisins.

Where to get it:

Al Antabli Beirut Souks, Waygand Street, Downtown. While the historic souks of Beirut were destroyed in the war, they've been reimagined into a modern shopping center. Al Antabli, a storied establishment, has reopened within this upscale mall, offering excellent juices, fruit cocktails topped with ashta (Lebanese clotted cream), and traditional desserts. | Website

Ice Cream

When in Beirut during the hot months, indulging in ice cream is a must. Arabic-style ice cream often features mastic, a tree resin that gives it a chewy texture, and is sometimes flavored with rose or orange-blossom water. European-style ice creams are also widely enjoyed.

Where to get it:

Helwayat Al Salam (Hanna Mitri) Mar Mitr Street, Achrafieh. This quaint shop, with its Arabic-only signage, is renowned for its exceptional ice cream, always attracting a line of eager customers. The lemon sorbet is wonderfully refreshing, and the chocolate flavor is decadently rich. Mitri Hanna Moussa, the owner, ensures only the finest ingredients are used. For a full experience, try a mixed cone to sample all the flavors.

Oslo Armenia Street, Mar Mikhael. With the slogan “Made in Heaven,” Oslo delivers European-style ice cream in a variety of global flavors such as rum raisin, stracciatella, sahlab loukoum, and matcha. Nayla Audi, the owner, also runs the renowned MILK bakery and ice cream shop in Los Angeles. | Website

Amy E. Robertson is a travel writer who has lived in nine cities across six countries, including Beirut for the past five years. She is preparing for her next adventure in New York City.Editor: Hillary Dixler