Mezyan

Mezyan originally opened in 2011 in Estral Center, at the start of Hamra. Before tapas (which aren't only Lebanese mezze) were fashionable, there was a tapas / mezze restaurant and bar with a brick pizza oven and a cozy and beautifully high-design ambiance. Mezyan was an instant hit, becoming the go-to hangout for Beirut's young (and not-so-young) intellectuals, artists, musicians, and designers.

Mezyan is a Hamra establishment. Over the years, this restaurant-bar has moved about, serving tiny dishes of Lebanese, Syrian, and Armenian mezze to a lefty clientele. The latest incarnation, in an alley close to a bureau de change on Hamra St, is known for its exuberance on Friday nights. Make a reservation and be ready to dance your hips to Arabic pop music.

The menu still includes a combination of Lebanese mezze and Tapas inspired by Spanish and North African cuisine. Salads are always fresh and generously portioned. Main courses are also available and change daily depending on the chef's ideas; a plat du jour and other starter specialties are also served most days. If you want something sweet with your coffee, there's also a dessert of the day, which alternates between gooey Arabic sweets and exquisite cakes.

Indoor smoking is theoretically prohibited in Lebanon, yet revelers gladly break the law on weekend nights. Mezyan should be avoided on Friday and Saturday nights if you have a sensitivity to it. You must enter the Rasamany Building doorway and travel to the end of the hall because there is no notice on the street.

Rate: 4.4/5.0, 991 Google reviews

Address: Rasamny building, Street, Hamra, Lebanon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MezyanPub/