May 9, 2025

Saj Al Balad Beirut

Fresh taste of Saj in Beirut

"Whenever I crave some fresh breakfast outside, "Saj Al Balad" in Beirut comes to mind. The owner will make you feel most welcome whenever you visit!"

Whenever I think of having a healthy fresh breakfast outside my own kitchen, Saj Al Balad comes to my mind.

Saj bread is a type of unleavened flatbread that is baked on a domed or convex metal griddle known as saj. It's very known in the Middle East, and here in Lebanon it is usually done in villages in the South, but here in Beirut I can think of Saj Al Balad for such an experience.

Saj Al Balad is a small breakfast/ falafel shop that gives you the intimate experience of a dine-in for a maximum of 3-4 people as you can either eat next to the saj metal griddle or outside on the sidewalk. However, the owner will make you feel welcome whenever you visit!

My favorite to order is a Labne saj with vegetables (cucumber, tomato, black olives, roquet and mint leaves) with a pinch of salt and thyme and a cup of hot tea. Meanwhile, you can always try their falafel sandwiches or potato or chard fatayer (filled triangular wrapped dough).

Oh I forgot to mention that because Saj Al Balad's spot is strategic in that it's close to a hospital and the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces, they provide printing services! I always see some Internal Security Forces employees passing by this shop for their breakfast, snack, or lunch takeaways!

Amsterdam
Antwerp
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture
002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

VGJ8+9WQ

Labne Saj:

LBP

16000

+961

81880952

Find your way with 179 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Beirut guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Beirut

Al Makari Sweets

A disappearing Beiruti dessert

"Al Makari Sweets" in Beirut makes authentic mufata'a dessert. It's hard to make, thus it's hard to find, but they make it like my grandma used to...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Najat

Kibbi

Jul 4, 2025

Sugar Shake

A hidden shakes destination

At "Sugar Shake" right behind Beit Beirut Museum, you will be served one of the freshest and tastiest smoothies & frozen yogurts you can have in the city!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Samira

Ezzo

Jul 4, 2025

Le Mikado

My go-to flower shop

"Le Mikado" in Beirut has been providing customers with (dried) flowers and arrangements since the '50s. I just love their display outside the shop...

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Samira

Ezzo

Jul 4, 2025

Kalei

Specialty coffee in Ras Beyrouth

"Kalei" isn't just one of my favorite specialty coffee spots in Beirut - the building it occupies has been around since the 1800s, and you can tell!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Samira

Ezzo

Jul 4, 2025

Liza

A fancy dining spot

"Liza" in Beirut in the 19th-century palace is the place to go if you want to dine luxuriously with a menu and presentation that are 'lavishly perfect'...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Samira

Ezzo

Jul 4, 2025

Mansion

20th-century public space

"Mansion" Blatt in Beirut is a 20th-century villa that's been turned into a shared coworking & creative space used by designers, artists, architects & more.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Samira

Ezzo

Jul 4, 2025

Assabil

My haven away from chaos

My favorite "Assabil" Public Library in Beirut is in Monnot. It's always active with events, whether virtual or real-life ones and full of youth!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Samira

Ezzo

Jul 4, 2025

Crypt Museum

Underneath a cathedral

An exciting part of this museum is that at some point, if you look up, you'll be looking through a glass ceiling that shows the church right above you.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Samira

Ezzo

Jul 2, 2025

Garden of Forgiveness

Cardo and Decumanus Maximus

The "Garden of Forgiveness" in Beirut is a vast space that was properly unveiled during excavations after the Civil War. Come observe its beauty & history.

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Samira

Ezzo

Jun 30, 2025

Barzakh Bookshop

Reclaiming Hamra's Identity

"Barzakh Bookshop" in Beirut is the ultimate definition of a hidden gem. It's a cultural melting pot of literary rebels from around the world...

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Samira

Ezzo

Jun 30, 2025

Beit Beirut

Beirut's museum of memory

"Beit Beirut", or the Yellow Building, has been standing since 1924. It survived the Civil War and is now used as a center for exhibitions & events...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Samira

Ezzo

Jun 30, 2025

L'Artisan du Liban

Souvenir shop made in Lebanon

"L'Artisan du Liban" is a social movement in Beirut that's keeping local art and artisans alive. I usually buy gifts for my locals friends here...

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Viera

Obeid

Jun 30, 2025

Heading to Beirut?

179 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Heading to Beirut?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

179 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Beirut

Our team loves Beirut

Get to know our other Spotters from Beirut

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
7316
Filters