T-Marbouta — Restaurant in Ras Beirut

First time here as ‘Johnny Foreigner’ with my Lebanese wife. You can always tell how good a restaurant is by the presence of lots of locals and, by Jove, they come in their droves. We sat outside which was covered and with thick cellophane side panels to keep out the cold. This is an inexpensive restaurant by Beirut standards although the food quality is top-notch.

Positives: Great Lebanese food, efficient service, pleasant ambience with lots of students, academics and residents. Am fussy about my Kofte and my serving preference was indulged. The chef also takes his french fries VERY seriously - perfect! Tables sufficiently well-spaced outside to allay fears of catching the Coof. Highlight for me was the Kaak Hallawa (pictured below) - Lebanese bread filled with a sweet sesame paste. Perfect on a late and cold Friday afternoon.

Negatives - little bit Smokey outside as we were fairly well enclosed due to the cool weather. Couch style seating a bit low for me as a hulking Anglo-Saxon.

Summary: This is a conveniently-located restaurant in Hamra serving honest, delicious Lebanese food at reasonable prices. You won’t be...

Honestly this place is not what it used to be.

It has degraded in terms of food quality, I have found hair in the food multiple times, not to mention the frying oil tasting like it’s a week old!

The staff barely even reply, they don’t even smile! If they’re underpaid I don’t fully blame them

Food portions have decreased immensely! The “mashewe mshakal” has only 1 tawouk, 1 lahme, and 2 kafta, after it was 2 of each, and for the price of $16! AN INSANE RIPOFF! IT DID NOT EVEN TASTE GOOD!

Also the place IS NOT CLEAN! Going to the bathroom (which was disgusting) I saw the wall-mounted speakers having thick layers of dust!

Overall, I somewhat recommend this place ONLY if you want to get Meza/Starters like batata harra, their hummus is still good, Fatoush is decent (was better), and fried cauliflower and eggplants, although the oil will most probably taste old. If you try other than these, don’t expect the same quality and...

Cozy restaurant, scrumptious food and very friendly staff. Didn’t find it too expensive. You gotta try this restaurant if you are in Hamra or even if you’re in Beirut. It’s inside a tiny shopping center. Some said it’s difficult to find, but if you the shopping center is right in front of you (and credit Libanais or Bank of Beirut is behind you), then the corner Starbucks should be on your right, walk straight past Starbucks while it is on your right, go to the end of the shopping center and you will see this restaurant in the left most corner, I don’t think we saw the T-Marbouta sign, and asked somebody where the restaurant was. The entrance is relatively tiny, but you go and then can sit either inside or outside in the court-yard. Inside was way too cozy for me so we sat outside.

Overall: 5 stars, for the amazing food, welcoming and friendly staff and...