Bourdain's favourite cities - Beirut, Lebanon - photo by Michał Huniewicz under CC BY 2.0
Beirut, Lebanon - photo by Michał Huniewicz under CC BY 2.0

Anthony Bourdain Beirut: All Of The Restaurants Picked On No Reservations

When Anthony Bourdain visited Beirut on his show No Reservations “Back to Beirut” Season 6 Episode 21, he and his crew picked many restaurants. Here are all the addresses and the dishes showcased on Anthony Bourdain Beirut, all in a convenient list:

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DISH – Arak, Kibbeh, Hummus, and Maghmour

WHAT IS IT?

Arak – anise seed flavored liquor that turns milky white with the addition of water; Kibbeh – Levantine dish of bulgur, finely ground meat, minced onions and Middle Eastern spices; Maghmour – eggplant dish with tomatoes, chickpeas and onions.

WHERE IS IT?

Le Chef
Beirut, Lebanon

ANTHONY BOURDAIN BEIRUT NOTES

According to Tony, “Le Chef is a legendary spot in Beirut, famed for its simple, straightforward, home-style classics.”

DISH – Labneh, Lahmajoon, Seasonal Salad, Fūl and Balila, and Kasbeh Nayyeh

WHAT IS IT?

Labneh – cheese from salted strained yoghurt; Lahmajoon – Armenian meat pie; Seasonal Salad – of artichokes and fava beans; Fūl and Balila – stewed fava beans and chickpeas, can be served on hummus; Kasbeh Nayyeh – a dish of raw lamb liver, fat and meat with bulgur and spices.

WHERE IS IT?

Tawlet
12 Rue Naher
Beirut, Lebanon

ANTHONY BOURDAIN BEIRUT NOTES

Tawlet is a commissary concept restaurant that Tony described as “sort of utopian showcase” for the artisans at Souk El Tayeb. It offers fresh, specifically regional foods at a very reasonable price.

DISH – Kebbeh Nayeh, Kibbeh Addas, Soubareg, Warak Enab, Batata Harra, Soujouk, Seared Sparrows, and Lamb with Cherry Sauce

WHAT IS IT?

Kebbeh Nayeh – cracked bulgur wheat, chili and raw lamb; Kibbeh Addas – red lentil kibbeh; Soubareg – filo pastry with Armenian cheese; Warak Enab – grape leaves stuffed with rice and olive oil; Batata Harara – spicy potatoes; Soujouk – spicy Armenian sausage; Seared Sparrows – whole-cooked sparrows in butter and spices, then basted with molasses until crispy; Kebab Karaz – lamb in sweet cherry sauce.

WHERE IS IT?

Onno
Badaro Street | Borj Hammoud, Hamra, & Naccache
Beirut, Lebanon

ANTHONY BOURDAIN BEIRUT NOTES      

Tony on the dishes at Onno: “Whatever the opposite of a light snack is, that’s this.”

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DISH – Hotdog – No Reservations Beirut

WHAT IS IT?

Hotdog sandwich with barbecue and chili sauce.

WHERE IS IT?

Frank Würst Fine Hotdog
Beirut, Lebanon

Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.

ANTHONY BOURDAIN BEIRUT NOTES

As Tony puts it: “Nothing soothes the staggering drunk better than meat in tube form.”

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DISH – Falafel Sandwich – No Reservations Beirut

WHAT IS IT?

Falafel on top of parsley, mint, radish, tomatoes and chili, wrapped in pita.

WHERE IS IT?

Falafel M Sayhoun
Beirut, Lebanon

ANTHONY BOURDAIN BEIRUT NOTES

Falafel M Sayhoun are two stores right next to each other, owned by two brothers who, as Tony understands it, haven’t been speaking to each other for years.

DISH – Potato Salad, Pasta with Laban, Malfouf Salad, Grilled Eggplant, Tomato and Halloumi Cheese, Shish Taouk, Shawarma, Freekeh, and Kibbeh Bil Sanieh – No Reservations Beirut

WHAT IS IT?

Potato Salad – with parsley, olive oil and nuts; Pasta with Laban – spaghetti with local sheep’s milk cheese; Malfouf salad – Lebanese salad of shredded cabbage with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dried mint and salt; Grilled Eggplant – eggplant that has been sliced then grilled; Tomato and Halloumi Cheese – sliced tomatoes and halloumi cheese (cheese from sheep’s and goat’s milk); Shish Taouk – shish kebab of marinated chicken; Shawarma – thin slices of meat that has been roasted in a cone-like vertical rotisserie, wrapped in pita; Freekeh – roasted green durum wheat cereal; Kibbeh Bil Sanieh – kibbeh baked in a tray.

WHERE IS IT?

Massaya Vineyard
Taanayel, Lebanon

ANTHONY BOURDAIN BEIRUT NOTES

Massaya Vineyard is a winery with a casual restaurant that serves Lebanese specialties.

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