Hidden in the suburbs of Mar Mikhael, Makan is set in a beautiful old town house which you enter via the scented jasmine garden in front. There’s no set cuisine here: the menu changes every few days. You might try Thai, Greek, Uzbek, Peruvian or Georgian food, depending on the day and on the chef.

The restaurant has a lovely welcoming atmosphere, with candles and miniature bouquets of flowers on each table. As soon as you enter, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It’s fitted out with beautiful antique furniture, retro light fittings, lace curtains and plaid tablecloths, and old photographs on the walls.

My favourite thing about Makan is the fact that the food always surprises you. There’s no room for indecision, as the only options are whatever is being served on that day’s set menu. Last time I ate there I had a 9-course Thai menu for 38,000 LBP ($25), with mouth-watering vegetable summer rolls, a sizzling green curry and a flavoursome prawn pad-thai as highlights. The food is served on large sharing platters, but rest assured you won’t leave hungry.