If you want to taste authentic Beiruti mufata’a dessert then you definitely need to check “Al Makari.” Located in the Basta area, this sweet shop only specializes in mufata’a, which is a type of sweet saffron dish made of rice and tahini pudding that’s only made by old Beiruti families.

Al Makari has a goal: to revive this Beiruti dish, as its popularity has waned because it’s so labor-intensive to make.

Patience is the key ingredient to cook mufata’a. I still remember when grandma used to make this dish on special occasions for the whole family, and my father would stir it on the stove for hours.

Honestly, Al Makari is the only other place where I’ve tasted mufata’a at and it had the same authentic taste as the one my grandma made. So if you’re in Beirut, this is a must-try!