Murray — Restaurant in Dar Mreisse

I’ve heard so much about this restaurant, I expected the experience to be one-of-a-kind. But I didn’t expect it to be extraordinarily disappointing.

Although we reserved a table outside on the lower level, the receptionist blatantly told us that they gave our reservation to someone else and moved us to the upper level.

The receptionist on the upper level was less friendly and even more blunt than the previous one. He said we were only allowed to sit between an hour and two because “they have an entirely new concept” that shapes up at 8 pm—and he said it in a contemptuous manner as if we were supposed to know these things prior to reserving a seat in this area…which we did not.

We got seated in a very secluded section next to the sea view. But as beautiful as the view was, the service was terrible.

The sun was still up and burning. All the tables around us had umbrellas, yet when I requested one, they refused to install it for some reason, even though there were four perfectly unused umbrellas behind me.

It took the waiters 15 minutes to arrive to our table. We asked for the menu and didn’t get it, so we eventually accessed the online one.

The tables only had cutlery—no napkins, salt, and pepper, which we had to request. They also brought us broken water glasses, twice, before they finally gave us good ones.

The food was very basic, and though the portions were large, they were heavily overpriced given their basic quality.

When we complained to the manager, he didn’t acknowledge our concerns.

We ordered relatively little and immediately left to another restaurant, and the disparity in service quality was off the charts.

I don’t recommend frequenting this restaurant. It’s more trouble...

I recently went to Murray Beirut with two friends on a Friday night. We had called ahead to reserve a table, specifically requesting a table for dinner on the rooftop. The person on the phone suggested i can reserve a "30$ minimum charge table," but when we arrived, it was a low table completely unsuitable for dining. We asked to change tables, but were told everything was reserved, despite seeing several empty tables.

It took over 30 minutes for a waiter to even approach us. When I expressed my frustration about the poor service (having experienced similar issues at the restaurant downstairs), they insisted the rooftop service was different and finally gave us a table that had been empty the whole time.

While the ambiance was decent, the DJ wasn't particularly impressive. We shared a chicken Caesar salad that tasted strangely like chicken shawarma with garlic. The following day, I woke up with nausea and stomach pain, and my friends also experienced similar symptoms. On Sunday we woke up with intense diarrhea – clear signs of food poisoning.

One of my friends called the restaurant to inform them about the food poisoning, but they were dismissive and suggested she get medical tests before blaming their restaurant.

Overall, my experience at Murray Beirut was incredibly disappointing. The service was terrible, the food was bad, and the response to our food poisoning concerns was disrespectful. I would definitely not recommend Murray Beirut and will not...

Murray Beirut undoubtedly offers some of the best culinary experiences in the city, captivating diners with its exceptional food and a delightful atmosphere. The restaurant's ambiance is inviting, matched by a staff that exudes warmth and friendliness, ensuring guests feel welcome throughout their dining experience.

However, despite these significant strengths, there is a notable area where Murray Beirut could enhance its service. During my recent visits for Iftar I encountered consistent issues with the timing and sequencing of meal service. On my last visit, the appetizers arrived staggered and notably late; the hot starters came 40 minutes after Asan and Iftar time, and astonishingly, the main dishes took another hour and 10 minutes to be served. This issue of delayed service was not a one-off, as a similar experience during a previous visit saw our soup arriving after the completion of the entire meal.

While Murray Beirut excels in creating a memorable culinary and atmospheric experience, the kitchen's efficiency and timing need urgent attention. For a restaurant of its caliber, it's crucial to match the quality of the food and the service with the speed and coordination of meal delivery. I hope to see improvements in this area, as it's the only significant drawback in an otherwise splendid dining experience. If these adjustments are made, Murray Beirut could very well perfect its formula for being an exceptional dining...