If one insists on calling Beirut the Paris of the Middle East, then Kitsch is the Colette of Beirut. The first concept store in the city boasts up and coming designers – Lemlem, Pencey, Torn by Ronny Kobo – movie posters, books, vintage Rolex watches and a coffee shop where co-owner Racil Chalhoub will encourage you to “sit for hours as if you were at your friend’s house.” Serving brunch, salads, tartines and baked goodies like the Kitsch Cupcakes all made fresh in-house, this is a friend’s house with benefits. 14 Gemmayze St.; 961-1-57-50-75;
The air is dense with narguileh smoke, Lebanese men lean attentively over backgammon boards, a one-man band belts Arabic music. Gemmayze Café has everything the Arabic world evokes. Owner Angel Abihaidar’s grandfather opened in 1951 and she will proudly tell you, “The café never closed during the war even though there was nothing else open all around. It was blessed.” Not much has changed since the beginning. Except now women, teenagers and international types join the men in smoking, drinking, dancing and doing what the Lebanese do best: enjoying life. Gouraud Street; 961-01-58-08-17
Le Rouge, as the name suggests, is all about the colour red: poetry handwritten on the walls, warm lighting, a fiery manager and lots of red meat. An excellent place to come for a steak, and the Roulades d’Aubergine and Nakasaki on Ciabatta are also red hot. 15 Gouraud St.; 961-01-44-23-66;
Originally from Globe Life Travel
