Barbar-Hamra — Restaurant in Ras Beirut

Having not visited Lebanon for a few years, I was excited for a lot, but particularly to sample some of the country’s best regarded shawarma. The opportunity to try out Barbar arose following a few drinks in downtown Beirut, and was made especially possible by the restaurants 24x7 hours.

Arriving at close to 1am, the first thing we noticed is that Barbar seems to have taken over the entire street, with an array of shops selling everything from smoothies and baked goods to mashewe. Our focus was decidedly on the shawarma, and upon entering the storefront we were greeted by two large rotating spits of chicken and beef.

Although I would have ideally liked to sample both chicken and beef shawarmas, we had dined not too long ago, and so I opted for a single chicken shawarma sandwich. Following our order, we found a table to sit and patiently waited for our food. Despite the flurry of activity even at 1am our shawarma arrived relatively quickly, and I excitedly unwrapped my shawarma from Barbar’s signature packaging. I find the first requirement for a good shawarma is being busy, and Barbar’s popularity is evident. The chicken was juicy, and paired with the solid garlic sauce and fries made for a tasty combination.

While I wouldn’t consider it the best shawarma in Lebanon, if it was late at night and I was looking for a solid place to eat, I wouldn’t...

Lebanese fast food diner. You have not been to Lebanon without the Barbar stamp on your passport.

Price for two: $10-30

Pros: Fresh ingredients; everything's freshly made, served piping hot off the grill/frier. Food tastes amazing (even the leftovers in your fridge after a week). Polite, friendly staff. Unpretentious, no-nonsense establishment. Super fast service. Easy on the wallet.

Cons: You're sure to overeat, and order a big batch to take away. Might be tough to find seating during busy hours in the evenings and weekends. Crammed interior; you don't spend an hour and have a conversation: you arrive, you eat, you leave. Unless you're thrifty like Ed Sheeran, not a place to impress your date.

Delivery: yes (but not too far from Hamra unless you're ordering a lot)

Things to try: Broasted chicken platter;grilled chicken; falafel; kebab sandwiches orfali, intabli, and halabi. More adventurous types should also try the sheep brain and tongue.

Public opinion is divided about Barbar. Most expats and about half of my Lebanese friends absolutely love this place. The others say that it's unhygienic. Neither I nor anybody I know has ever has fallen sick from eating at/from Barbar. So I think it's a historical bias more than anything else...a bit of an eastside vs...

The food is amazing. But unfortunately the service is terrible. Abu Ahmed that’s what he told me his name is was really terrible.

I asked him for a take way wrap he says he is not gonna wrap everything only specific items

Then he asked someone to come wrap it on my table the guy didn’t even have gloves on or anything and then I took the box and wrapped it myself

To make matters worse abu Ahmed tool for ever to get me the receipt! I kept calling him and he kept wondering around not getting me the receipt.. I then stood up and went to ask him for the receipt as it was getting more and more frustrating guess what he said yeah come after me went after him.. then we went to the exit of the restaurant stood there wondering around again… he forgot about me and was just chilling there…

I then asked him for the receipt again!!!! For god knows what time 6th or 8th he said yeah yeah on it

Then went to the cashier and called me to come again!!! After him to get the receipt and pay!

I mean I don’t know what kind of service is this! But this is shouldn’t be acceptable

I know your food is great and you are now even opened in Egypt and that’s amazing but it really sadness me that in Lebanon where things must be on point you hire such...