Sometimes all we want to do is escape the hustle bustle of Beirut, relax, and maybe escape into our own little bubble. These cafés offer the respite you seek, complete with home-like comfort and food (almost) as good as Mama’s.
Located on Makdessi Street, De Prague is a café, bookstore, and bar that has been around for over a decade. Decked out with sofas, antique furniture, candles, mirrors and books, the café has a homey, casual feel and a must visit if you’re in search of a little ambiance, pleasant background music, and good food.
Nestled in Saifi, surrounded by beautiful buildings, boutiques, art venues, and greenery, Balima lures you in with its vibrant, cosy vibes and tranquil setting. Choose one of many diverse seating corners to sink into, enjoy a hot drink, and munch on their delicious Croque Monsieur or their notorious waffles while life goes on around you in slow motion.
If you’ve ever ventured into the Gefinor Plaza, you probably noticed The Beazbee. An English-inspired café and tea salon, with décor to match, The Beazbee offers a variety of delicious mouth-watering dishes and pastries in an enchanted setting that is homey, chic, calm, and extremely relaxing.
Known for its warm home-like ambiance, Mandaloun Café is more than just a café, it’s also a restaurant, pastry shop, bakery, and trendy boutique located in both Achrafieh and Dbayeh. From the warm colors, down to the comfy sofas and armchairs, the cafe just oozes coziness and is a great destination for any time of the day.
Tucked away in a little side street off of Roma Street, Dar Bistro is truly an oasis in the middle of the busy city. Set in a charming, traditional two-story house complete with a garden, Dar Bistro is a great place to sit outside to work, read a good book (from their bookstore), have a glass of wine and enjoy delicious food year-round.
With branches in Hamra, Sodeco, Aley, Abdel Aziz – and recently Riyadh, Café Younes first started as an expansion of the famous Hamra Café Younes roastery in 2008. Just like the roastery, the café has become an icon renowned for it’s high quality coffee as well as it’s easygoing and cozy ambiance, diversity of customers, and social/cultural events.
