Beirut - Post Report Question and Answers
What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The USG community has been on restrictions for most of the past year that don't allow going out to restaurants. In 2018/2019 it was possible to go out for the occasional dinner with friends or colleagues and Beirut had a bountiful and eclectic restaurant scene. Whether you wanted a hole in the wall shawarma or high-end Indian, there was no shortage of options. Since then groceries and the compound restaurant are the standard food options. - Oct 2020
Most embassy people eat at the restaurant on compound, which is open from 0700-2030. Prices are quite cheap and the quality is decent. Motorpool will do food pickup from nearby restaurants. - May 2019
Restaurants are everywhere and have pretty good quality. There are wonderful Lebanese restaurants, sushi, Italian, and some American restaurants that are similar to Applebee's. - Jul 2016
McDonald's, Hardees, Pinkberry, KFC, Starbucks, Second Cup, Caribou Coffee, Burger King: all at prices similar or slightly higher than would be expected in North America. There are also a number of local chains that have similar food that are just as good and often a bit cheaper. - Feb 2015
The Lebanese food is simply amazingly incomparable to anything I have had in the U.S.! Beirut is an international city, so you can also find French, Italian, and Indian. Additionally, there is every heart-attack inducing U.S. fast food chain imaginable: McDonald's, Burger King, Hardees, Shake Shack, Magnolia Bakery, KFC, P.F. Chang's, etc. Prices range from ridiculously cheap to horrendously expensive depending on the venue. Since opportunities to get out are so limited, there is a tendency to splurge and indulge when you have the chance. - Nov 2014
One of the services provided in recognition of our inability to leave the compound is that the motorpool will go and pick up food from local restaurants. While it is a nice gesture, be prepared to gain weight. You will have access to McDonald's, Burger King, Dominoes, KFC, Lots of great Lebanese food, Chinese, Japanese, a restaurant and snack bar on compound, and not lots of opportunity for activities to burn it off. - Apr 2014
Subway, Burger King, McDonald's, KFC, etc. are all available at slightly higher prices than in the U.S. There are also Lebanese fast food options. Tons of choices for restarants from casual to upscale. Everything can be delivered in Beirut! - Jan 2014
A lot of the fast food restaurants from the States are here (McD's, Burger King, Hardee's, KFC) at the same price. And then there are a number of local fast food places. Plus falafel, schwarma, and manaouche everywhere (for super cheap). - Apr 2012
Anything and everything, at Washington - even New York - prices. - Sep 2010
Every conceivable U.S. fast food chain, including some you have never heard of before, is in Lebanon. Prices are similar to the U.S.A far better option is eating the varied and very tasty Lebanese cuisine while smoking a shisha. - Jul 2010
There is much fast food-- from Diners to McDonald's to hot wings. - Jun 2009
Pretty much anything you can think of except Taco Bell and Arby's. Food quality here ranges from street food that will put you in the hospital to expensive imported filets with fois gras. Wine is exceptional. I haven't found a good Chinese restaurant yet. - Jun 2008
There is tons of fast food places and restaurants and they all deliver to your door...The tricky part is explaining where you live. Lebanese food is wonderful! - Mar 2008
