I come to the American University of Beirut (AUB) on Bliss Street when I want to escape for some greenery and shade, especially in the heat of the summer. Open to visitors all year round (do bring ID and be prepared to go on a guided tour), AUB is a haven of foliage and scenic views of the Mediterranean. The university has a stunning campus and there’s also an on-site archaeological museum which is well worth a visit.
The campus, which is filled with ancient trees, is a home to hundreds of stray cats, who get fed daily by the local residents. Look out for Zaha Hadid’s distinctive modernist building built in 2014, set between the 100-year old buildings, and the secret staircases leading downhill.
The campus also occasionally hosts events, including ticketed concerts. Check the Facebook page for details.
Whilst I’m in the area, I usually stop off at one of the many small eateries on Bliss Street – look out for the excellent saj (a thin dough topped with zaatar or other toppings) bakery and the fresh juice and ice-cream places.
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Singing Mama has a variety of food items and drinks and the interior is warm and lovely, with colorful furniture, flowery wallpapers, and a big oven.
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I'm no art connoisseur, but walking into Art Scene in Gemmayze, I immediately spotted some pieces that I could have stared at for ages.
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We tried the Chelo Kabab Waziri and Ghorme Sabzi, a traditional Persian stew made of a beans and herbs sauce, served with chicken and rice with saffron.
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The Barn is an organic and healthy eatery that serves breakfast and brunch items, as well as hot dishes for lunch or dinner and a range of desserts.
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This mural reflects how whenever we think of Ziad Al Rahbani, we think of how his plays and scripts still reflect our current situation in Lebanon...
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"Second Base" is a thrift-concept store in Beirut invented by FabricAID. They sell vintage, hipster revealing, extroverted clothing items...
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A healthy lifestyle requires freshly concocted dishes with seasonal vegetables and ingredients that are preferably sourced locally. This is what the concept of Salata is all about.
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Falafel Joseph broadened his menu and opened a "restaurant" a couple of hundred meters away. The restaurant serves one of the tastiest chicken shawarma in town!
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What you will be able to see is the bath's infrastructure, which includes fired clay or terracotta with some other mosaics that are still preserved.
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179 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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