My safe place: this is the area I go to when I’m sad, happy, excited... This is where I sit with friends for hours to just talk, have a cup of coffee and a cigarette while enjoying the area’s vibe and aesthetic.
Walking down rue Gouraud will feel as if you’re taking a walk down memory lane. The Saint Nicolas Stairs, also known as Escalier de l'Art, are located adjacent to Rue Gouraud and host annual art events. The stairwell leads from Gemmayze to Rue Sursock.
It is a relic from another era, magnificent in its ancient buildings. Graffiti embellishes many of its walls. surrounded by old mansions that now feel feeble but were once vibrant. Surrounded by a new generation of artists and designers plus shop owners, it’s exactly where the old meets the new.
The graffiti, the diversity, its people, the whole area screams Lebanese. It’s artistic, wild by night, yet calm by day. You’ll always find a new hidden gem pop up around this area, from diverse coffee shops to different concept stores, varied restaurants and cultures... there’s something for everyone.
Head on a morning walk in Gouraud street, put on your earphones, grab a coffee cup from coffee shop Sip facing the St. Nicholas stairs, sit there with your book or sketch book while listening to Trip to the Moon by Omar Rahbany, and just enjoy the area. Or at least that’s what I do…
Gouraud Street
LBP
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Find your way with 179 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
This piece shows beauty and power in whatever future you choose for yourself as a woman, and it shows how you can find light, hope, and love.
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"Salud" in Beirut is a happy Mexican bar-restaurant, one of my favorites in town! You have to try their beef burritos together with a pitcher of Margarita!
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"Dead End Paradise" in Beirut was created by the owners of Electric Bar Sutt, destroyed in the 4/8 explosion. It reminds us to enjoy life to its fullest...
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They have outdoor and indoor seating, with 3 comfy sofas that fit the steampunk theme and even the light bulbs above the bar are held up by gears.
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What makes the chicken sandwiches different at Zaghal's is that they're wrapped in a "Marqouq bread" which was not popular in Beirut back in the 60s...
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Go to "Jaï" for awesome Thai, Chinese and Indian food in Beirut! Stick around for their fluffy donuts topped w/ spiced almonds and a coconut/lemon dip...
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Cantina Sociale is a wine and coffee shop concept located in Beirut. If you’re a fan of wine and chill, modern spaces then you need to hit it up...
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Very charming in a very simple manner - nothing too extravagant, yet very cozy. I love that Grand Meshmosh is never too loud or too crowded, but just perfect.
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One of my favorite places in Hamra is Raseef Beirut, originally a small sidewalk restaurant and pub – hence the name: “Raseef”, which translates to “sidewalk".
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Known for its system, unique decor, and budget-friendly menu, Em Nazih is where you'd go on a lazy Sunday when you want to stuff your face with some good Lebanese food or on a casual coffee or drinks outing.
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The menu includes some local bites, but Molo is best known for its pizzas, served on a wooden plank. The menu is also rich with different types of hot tea, coffee, and signature cocktails.
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179 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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