Maryool

Beirut, Lebanon

There’s a big sign on the wall in Maryool that reads: ‘I love you ya hmar’, which translates as ‘you donkey’, a light-hearted, bantering-among-friends Arabic term. It sets the tone for what this place is about: Levantine food that doesn’t take itself too seriously, served either at the counter or on the festoon-lit terrace. Recipes draw from influences across Iraq, Iran, Syria, Palestine and beyond, with an emphasis on using all-natural ingredients to create made-from-scratch dishes, many of which are designed for sharing. Start with bowls of garlicky hummus and creamy labneh; okra stew; cauliflower fritters; or vine leaves stuffed with vegetables and pomegranate molasses. Tacos, salads and flame-grilled kebabs are also popular; keep an eye out for the daily-changing ‘bowl’, which on one day could be malfouf mehshi (rice-filled cabbage rolls, lamb chops and cucumber yoghurt salad) or siyadiyeh on another day – sea bream with Lebanese-style rice. Vegans will be happy with their options, too. And the drinks menu has a decent selection of cocktails, mocktails, wine and beer.

Key Information

• Average price per person $45
• Lunch and dinner: Mon – Sun
• 961 76 719 002
• Visit Maryool's Website

Location

Mkhalassiyeh Street, Saifi Village, Beirut,