Feniqia — Restaurant in Jbeil

Located in the heart of historic Byblos, Feniqia offers a dining experience with a prime view and a menu that leans into Lebanese and Mediterranean flavors. While the setting is undeniably charming—nestled in a tourist-heavy area with a lovely ambiance—our meal was a bit uneven, leaving us with mixed impressions.

We started with an assortment of appetizers, which were mostly enjoyable. The hummus was smooth and well-seasoned, the moutabbal had a nice smoky depth, and the fattoush was fresh with a bright, tangy dressing. However, the makanek (Lebanese sausages) were disappointingly dry and lacked the usual burst of spiced flavor, while the calamari was overcooked, leaving it rubbery rather than tender-crisp.

Service began attentively, with our waiter offering recommendations and promptly bringing drinks. But as the restaurant filled up, attention waned—dishes arrived at inconsistent intervals, and we had to flag down staff for refills. Things improved noticeably once the owner (or manager) stepped in, gently directing the team, which helped smooth out the experience.

Given its location in a tourist hotspot, Feniqia’s prices are on the higher side, even for Lebanon’s dining scene. While the quality of some dishes justified the cost, others fell short of expectations for the price point.

The Verdict: Feniqia has a beautiful setting and some standout dishes, but inconsistencies in food and service keep it from being a must-return spot. With a bit more attention to execution and staff coordination, it could easily elevate itself. For now, it’s a decent choice if you’re in Byblos and want a meal with a view—just...

After looking at the highest rated places around jbeil this one seemed to be one of the best rated and friends recommended it to me so I thought I'd give it a try. Their menu desperately needs an update to include the ingredients/components of dishes, I had to call the waitress over 10 times to inquire on what the dishes actually are. If you want to give your dishes artsy names be sure to INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THEY ACTUALLY ARE. This is inefficient and a waste of everyone's time. I was feeling like a pizza, so I take a look at the offerings. "What is a mosaic pizza?" I ask the waitress. "Its a pepperoni pizza" she replies. So I decide to go for that. The bread is basically several layers of some sort of pita bread which is a weird but kind of works, it gives the bread a chewy texture which I didn't mind. The bread is covered with sauce and cheese and one small slice of pepperoni per slice of pizza which is a laughable amount but I guess I'm just a gluttonous uncultured swine who couldn't appreciate this masterful piece of art that was brought forth infront of me. It tasted ok, nothing special. Not something I would ever have again. I also ordered coffee which was passable at best, but the weird thing was that my coffee mug had lipstick on it, funny cause I don't remember wearing any on that particular day, or perhaps its was another piece of art that I couldn't appreciate. After hearing about it from my friends, the place kind of let me down. I'll try to give this place another chance the next time I'm in jbeil, maybe their other menu items can provide some insight on why this place is so...

Every visit to Feniqia is better than the last! I’ve been here five times over the past few years, every time I visit Lebanon, and it has truly become my place with my fiancé.

The service is exceptional — always friendly, kind, smiling, and incredibly attentive. They’re quick, receptive to multiple requests, and genuinely make you feel welcomed.

The food keeps surprising us: it’s consistently delicious, with new items added over time, and everything is presented in such an original way. The pulley-style serving system is unique and makes the whole experience even more memorable.

On our last visit, they even offered us complimentary ice cream. One of the flavors was mint (which I’m allergic to), and when I kindly mentioned that I can’t have it, they immediately replaced it with another flavor without hesitation — such a thoughtful gesture that shows how much they care about their guests.

The vibe is always so cool, with creative décor and a lively yet cozy atmosphere. Every detail, from the decoration to the presentation of the food, feels original and special.

We always leave happy, and we’ll keep coming back. Highly recommended — and I’ll be sharing pictures and videos so everyone can see how wonderful...