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Hi, Beirut. It’s one of the oldest cities in the world and was, for a period, considered to be the Paris of the Middle East. These days, it is affectionately referred to as “Bey,” and, quite frankly, resembles Miami by way of Portland more than it does the City of Light. Despite ongoing political turmoil, Beirut remains a hub for Levantine history combined with stunning juxtapositions: green hills, a sea-cradled peninsula, labyrinthine streets, neglected architecture—from Arabesque to Venetian Gothic—high-rises, old mosques, churches and palaces, and much more. Add to this a sociocultural melting pot, teeming with makers, doers, and shakers. The result is a perfect storm of shopping, wining, dining, dancing, and—eventually—sleeping in this capital city where the Mediterranean meets the Middle East. Friday Upon arrival, check into the Baffa House. This privately owned, four-bedroom guesthouse is located in the lively neighborhood of Mar Mikhael. The yellow 1940s building is on a quiet side street and provides a convenient location for exploring both Mar Mikhael and neighboring Gemmayzé on foot. Baffa is comfortable and fresh, with a mix of colorful art and antique furniture. Samer, the owner, will gladly help with everything from recommendations for taxis to restaurant reservations. Get your bearings over lunch in the jasmine-scented garden of Makan, located on the ground floor of Baffa House. For lunch, Makan serves a vegetarian-friendly Lebanese and Sri Lankan lunch buffet. Sister restaurant Motto, located a few blocks away, also specializes in approachable international cuisine. For dinner, Makan hosts chefs for three nights at a time—currently Persian and Italian—while Motto is an incubator for new chef talent. Both offer customers the unique possibility to “pay what they think is fair” for their meals. Next, by taxi or with map on foot and with sunscreen in hand, head over to the recently reopened Sursock Museum. Housed in one of the rare remaining Italianate-style mansions from the early 1900s, the museum houses more than 800 works of Lebanese and international modern and contemporary art. While in the neighborhood, check out the attractive tableware and home accessories at the playfully named The Silly Spoon; furniture, lighting, and more decorative items at Over the Counter; and a cold press and souvenir bottles of local neroli and rose hydrosols at reputable organic shop A New Earth. Green juice at the ready, get onto the mat. There are no excuses—Union Square Yoga, one of Beirut’s top studios, is just a few blocks away. In 2005, Danielle Abisaab left her career in architecture to “temporarily” teach within the budding Beirut yoga community. More than a decade later, the studio that she founded in the heart of chic Ashrafieh has an extremely devoted sangha and offers classes like pop and rock vinyasa, jivamukti yoga, aerial yoga, plus dance and music workshops. Indefatigable Abisaab, or Yoga Holic as she is known on social media, also works with refugee teens to teach them yoga asanas and breath work.
What goes with wellness? Wine, of course. On the way back to Baffa, stop by Zawya for a glass, or bottle, of wine. This new shop serves only Lebanese wines, from small- and medium-size wineries. Friday night is the night for seaside dining at Lux. Think: Mediterranean specialties like grilled octopus; white fish carpaccio; and seasonal, organic salads and sides. Cocktails are the way to go, and the DJ will get you warmed up for subsequent drinks and dancing at the weekly summer Decks on the Beach party at venerable institution Sporting Club. Saturday
On Saturday morning, enjoy the tasty homemade Lebanese breakfast at Baffa House, but don’t overdo it . . . there will be samples galore at the Souk el Tayeb (literally “good market” in Arabic), Lebanon’s first farmers’ market. Created in 2004 by former journalist and food activist Kamal Mouzawak and held every Saturday at the Beirut Souks from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., this market is an indispensable stop not only for the food, but also as evidence of the traditions and hospitality that unite the region’s otherwise fractured communities. After the market, detour over to boutique-cum-atelier Orient 499, arguably the best place in Beirut for high-end furniture, clothing, and accessories from Lebanon, Syria, Morocco, and beyond. Spend the rest of the morning exploring the charming cobblestone streets of Saifi Village, the Beirut arts district. Bokja is a must for brightly colored, textured furnishings and pillows handmade by local artisans. Be sure to also check out the sleek and chic contemporary designs of Lebanese-born, Japanese-raised interior designer Nada Debs. In case you want to work up an appetite, Saifi Village also houses the city’s first spin and TRX studio, Exhale. I have also attached an article for you on Tripoto to make you plan your trip better . Please check it out. Thanks!
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