How To Spend A Full Day In Hamra

So you’ve found yourself somehow stranded in Hamra, what to do? We’ve compiled a list of all the things you can do on any given day in one of Beirut’s most bustling neighborhoods.

First things first, let’s get you caffeinated. We respect the need for a finely-brewed cup of morning joy to kickstart your day. We’re gonna give you some options for this one. If you want to get your cup with a good view, we recommend you take a seat at Cafe Younes. If you want a cup-n-go, go grab a drink from Latte Art on Bliss. If both these options don’t seem right, check out Kaldi Coffee bar.

Now that you’re buzzing with energy, let’s go grab some breakfast. Some of you may be tempted to skip this, but always remember that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For this step, you also get a few choices. Stay at/go to Cafe Younes and enjoy a good avocado bagel for breakfast. Go to Raseef and have a classic Lebanese breakfast to spice up your morning.

After getting yourself nice and full, why not go and enjoy some culture. Hamra is littered with gems that are perfect for book lovers. Go and explore their stacks until you find the perfect one for you. We highly recommend The Little Bookshop.

Now that you’re all booked up, it’s time to go explore Hamra’s streets. Whether you want to admire the street art at every corner or simply just observe people as they go about your day, Hamra is full of rich experiences for you to take in. Plus it’s good exercise.

On your walk you’re sure to have stumbled across a few hidden gems tucked into the area’s streets. Go in there and have a look around, maybe you’ll find that antique you’ve been yearning for or that special item that’s always out of stock. And if you can’t find them on your own, we’ll give you some tips. Al Furat is great for its extensive archive of classic posters.

Now it’s time for lunch, and we need to make sure you have a meal worth the journey. We appreciate that people have different tastes, so we’ll cater to whatever craving you’ve got. If you’re feeling a little noodle-y, the newly reopened Chopsticks in Crown Plaza could have the meal for you. If you’re feeling traditional, you can’t go wrong with a good old mezza-filled meal at T-Marbouta. And if you want to go for a classic, two chicken shawarma sandwiches from Barbar will hit the spot.

To top it all off, why not get some dessert?

Now that we’ve filled your stomach up, sar wa2et nhadem. You’ve already gone on a walk so we won’t make you go through that again. If you have a friend with you, why not go for a game of bowling at Score in Crown Plaza.

Finally, it’s time to embrace your most cultured self and go read that book and one of the many cafes around town. Make sure everyone’s looking.