Beirut has always been a city of contrasts, but in recent years, a quiet renaissance has taken root. A wave of new openings and carefully executed renovations has injected fresh energy into the capital, with boutique guesthouses and contemporary galleries springing up across once-quiet corners. Arthaus, a restored Ottoman-era villa in Gemmayzeh, is now a guesthouse filled with rare books, temporary exhibitions and Roman mosaics. In another renovated building, the Beit Tamanna guesthouse channels its proceeds into charity, with each designer suite reflecting a distinct creative vision. The food and drink scene is equally varied. Fizz, by the port, is a hybrid café-bar hosting local gigs and serving Lebanese natural wines, while Café Younes has remained a cornerstone of Beirut’s cultural fabric since 1935. Other classics in the city also endure. Sporting Club Beach is still the spot for a midday swim and lemonade by the sea, while the newly restored Sursock Museum stands as a testament to Beirut’s enduring cultural spirit. Below, find Vogue Arabia’s guide to exploring these spots and more during a weekend in the city.
Beit Tamanna
When Tamanna, an NGO based in Beirut, struggled to raise funds during Lebanon’s economic crisis, founder Diala El Fil chose to turn their old offices into a guesthouse. Now, all proceeds from the space go towards fulfilling the wishes of critically ill children. Each of the hotel’s eight suites and three communal spaces have been created by a different designer, meaning some are adorned with bold, gold foil wallpapers while others are far more minimalist. The communal spaces foster connection, with a Lebanese breakfast served daily. Expect fresh manakish stuffed with za’atar, plates of sizzling fried eggs, and heaps of Lebanese coffee.
Located in the trendy Gemmayzeh neighbourhood, Arthaus is a boutique hotel set across four Ottoman-era houses recently restored by Zoe and Nabil Debs. Each room is named after a Debs family member and individually styled - some with wooden beam ceilings, others with stained glass windows and palatial stone archways. The interiors are peppered with artwork alongside archaeological artefacts, Roman mosaics, and rare books. Arthaus regularly hosts exhibitions and art events, while its serene gardens, pool, and spa offer respite from the city.
Founded in 1935, Café Younes is Lebanon’s oldest and largest home grown speciality coffee roaster. Today, the institution has fourteen stores across the country, including in the Badaro and Achrafieh neighbourhoods of Beirut. The Hamra branch is my personal favourite, featuring an outdoor courtyard lush with foliage and fairy lights. Be sure to order their signature cardamon coffee blend alongside their homemade desserts and pastries. Beyond coffee, the café hosts poetry readings, art exhibitions, and book signings, making it a cultural hub as much as a culinary one.
Housed in a meticulously restored 19th-century palace in Achrafieh, Liza is a showcase of both Levantine cuisine and design. Interiors by Maria Ousseimi juxtapose contemporary touches with Ottoman design details, including sweeping arches, bold patterned wallpaper and intricately carved woodwork. The menu is defined by Lebanese classics - think mezzes, molokhie and kebbé bi labnieh.
Located by Beirut’s port, Fizz is a café-bar created by four local artisans. Creativity oozes throughout the space, with a particular focus paid to uplifting the local community and showcasing Lebanese produce. Daytime brings a relaxed café vibe, while evenings transform Fizz into a lively bar with inventive mezze plates, charcuterie and natural Lebanese wines. The venue frequently hosts private events, pop-ups, and concerts from local creators, so be sure to check their programme before visiting.
Sporting Club Beach, established in 1953, is a beloved institution in Beirut. Perched along the Mediterranean Sea, the beach club boasts an unpretentious design - sun-bleached decks, simple plastic loungers, and white sunshades define the space. From here, locals lounge for hours as they tan and play countless games of backgammon. The Feluka restaurant serves fresh dishes if you get peckish. I would recommend trying their ice lemonade, taouk sandwiches, and fried bizri topped with lashings of lemon.
Severe damaged caused by the Beirut Port Blast force the Sursock Museum to undergo an extensive renovation before reopening in 2023. Today, the modern and contemporary art institution, housed in a 1912 Ottoman villa, boasts revamped stained-glass windows and carved wood panels. The museum’s galleries host rotating exhibitions, including archival retrospectives and contemporary installations. For those seeking other museum orientated days out, head to the National Museum of Beirut and Villa Audi.
Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring Beirut’s art gallery scene. Chaos Gallery is one of the more recently opened spots, with owner Charbel Lahoud particularly focussed on showcasing local artists and gaining international exposure for them. Other good spaces to explore include Zalfa Halabi and Marfa Gallery. The latter is currently hosting “On The Way Home” by Maysam Hindy, whose evocative paintings reflect on memory, migration, and the enduring contradictions of Lebanese life.
