Words By Maghie Ghali
Lebanon’s culinary landscape is renowned for its vibrant flavors and rich traditions, but its restaurant scene is also earning attention for another reason: captivating interior design. In Lebanon, food is sacred — and dining out is a multisensory experience, beginning with a feast for the eyes in spaces that are as thoughtfully designed as the menus they serve.
From contemporary concepts infused with timeless motifs to serene, minimalist escapes, Beirut is home to some of the region’s most unforgettable dining environments. Here are seven spots to explore this summer:
1) Mimi by Bus Architects
Designed by Bus Architects, Mimi is a bold, playful, and slightly eccentric new restaurant and cocktail bar in Achrafieh. Sisters Yasmina and Elissa Yared envisioned this Mediterranean-inspired venue within a historic landmark building, blending vintage heritage with contemporary touches. Rich wood and marble lend timeless elegance, while cherry-red accents, steel-and-glass gates, and a striking 22-meter lighting sculpture add intrigue. Its red-and-black palette, accented with gold, evokes old-school cabarets and theaters, creating an atmosphere of drama and nostalgia.
2) Aubrac by Jeffrey Meawad
In Naccache, this open kitchen and bar designed by Jeffrey Meawad offers a serene escape from downtown Beirut. The soothing palette of olive green and slate gray sets the tone, anchored by a sculpted communal bar crafted from Avocatus quartzite, framed by Zellige tilework. Industrial details are softened by lush plants, a curved wraparound sofa, and bespoke tan saddle-leather chairs, creating a comfort-driven, understatedly luxurious setting full of personality.
3) Le Sushi Bar by Gregory Gatserelia
One of Beirut’s most beloved dining spots, Le Sushi Bar — founded by Mario Jr. Haddad and redesigned by Gregory Gatserelia — is a must for design enthusiasts. Winner of the 2020 Restaurant & Bar Design Award (MENA category), its interiors fuse contemporary flair with Japanese sensibilities, using bamboo as a central material. Modern interpretations of Asian lanterns and Raku pottery lend subtle nods to tradition, while maintaining the airy, light-filled aesthetic today’s diners love.
4) Beihouse by Linda Boronkay
In Gemmayzeh, Beihouse celebrates maximalism and vintage allure. Designed by Linda Boronkay, of Soho House fame, the social hub occupies three restored Ottoman-era villas linked by a courtyard, a project undertaken with Dagher Hanna & Partners. Its main restaurant brims with retro lighting, 19th-century influences, and Art Deco touches, crafting a dreamy, eclectic environment. Contrasting textures, patterns, and colors — alongside heritage crafts — coalesce into a cohesive, visually rich identity that makes Beihouse stand apart.
5) Maryool by Ramy Boutros
Located in Saifi, Maryool captures the vibrancy of Levantine culture in both its cuisine and design. Architect Ramy Boutros envisioned an intimate, warmly lit space, centered around a sculptural column that rises organically from floor to ceiling, shaping the bar and a floating table with playful dots of light. Traditional materials — limewashed walls, wood parquet, and marquetry framing — ground the design, while apricot and raspberry hues inject energy, perfectly reflecting Lebanon’s lively spirit.
6) Molo by Ghaith & Jad
In Badaro, design duo Ghaith Abi Ghanem and Jad Melki (Ghaith & Jad) created Molo, a cinematically retro bar and eatery steeped in nostalgia. Inspired by vintage film, music, and art, the space combines a sculpted wood bar, bubbled-glass cabinets, and plush mid-century furnishings with gleaming stainless-steel accents. Two undulating curtains divide the bar and lounge, concealing the entrance to the restrooms. Its 1950s modernist aesthetic feels timeless yet transportive — a setting made for analog photography.
7) Mayrig by Vicky Haidamous
A Beirut institution for exceptional Armenian cuisine, Mayrig has unveiled a striking interior renovation by Vicky Haidamous this summer. Housed in a Lebanese heritage building on Pasteur Street, the restaurant now blends contemporary sophistication with historic charm. Warm brick tones and dusty pinks pair harmoniously with sage green, while a standout bar — crafted from wood, metal, and Alicante marble — anchors the space. The preserved original tiles and intimate room layouts enhance its cozy charm, while the garden, dressed with floral fabrics and cane seating, invites diners to linger al fresco.
