Hallab 1881 — Restaurant in Tripoli

Since I was kid, I'm a friend & a customer to this shop, including all my family and relatives... haha... But Truthfully, putting friendship aside... it deserves an honest review... So... Their traditional Levant desserts are Top Notch... Taste, ingredients, details... wow... Their food, breakfast: From eggs to hummus to Fattah (chickpeas with yogurt), all Served in copper pots or clay pots with a vegetable plate. Either topped with meat or not, it's all delicious. Other places in tripoli serve the same traditional breakfast, some are more tastier and some are not. The only difference is the presentation of the food and the seating decor. The most tripolian people know is that the "Lahem bi ajin" meat pastry that they serve is the best in tripoli. They created different version of it, some with chicken, soy etc... but the traditional one is the best. For lunch and dinner, they have international food and daily plates. To me I might consider having a daily plate, because it's all the same as my home Lebanese dishes... so when I'm lazy to prepare a traditional Lebanese dish, I will go have it there. I wouldn't see myself having any international dish there, Not because it's not good, I haven't tried any yet, I saw some people around having looks great. But because there are a lot of other venues in tripoli who are more dedicated to international food. And I only see this shop as a dessert restaurant... Today I went there had Fattah and Lahem bi ajin, drank Tea, and had a fusion between a traditional sweet dish with "Kashta" ice cream in it. Called " Tarboush 1881". Sorry no photos, was hungry, forgot to snap a shot...It was a perfect brunch... I advise all tourists when visiting to try all the traditional desserts & food that you wouldn't...

Ambiance | It has been known for a long time that a visit to Tripoli is never complete without passing by the famous Hallab Castle. It is a perfect stop for tourists wanting to try typical Lebanese sweets and salty dishes. This branch, besides being visually historical, is the main Hallab factory; the interior design complements the concept of the restaurant. Hallab Tripoli branch is composed of 3 floors, very spacious with interior simple comfortable seating.

Food | Hallab Offers an endless variety of Lebanese Sweets of which I believe are among the best in Lebanon. They have recently introduced the chocolate Knefe; It personally did not meet my expectations. I would go for the knefe alone. Aside sweets, Hallab has daily plate de jour of 3 sizes and fair prices. They also have a limited salty mezza menu; You can ask the waiter about as they do not have it printed. This menu is very basic and fresh. I always make sure to order the sfi7a with Laban; I only wish it is more fresh and crispy. Their fattouch with debes el remen is also a not to be missed messa item. One item that I felt was new and weird was the makanik; they added Rose water which tasted "different".

Service | Typically, I would say that staff are professional and friendly. This time, exceptionally I hope, our waiter was not very helpful and knowledgeable. Speed of...

A Sweet Taste of Perfection – Hallab Sweets, Tripoli, Lebanon

Hallab Sweets in Tripoli is nothing short of a Lebanese treasure. Renowned for its unmatched quality and authentic flavors, this iconic establishment continues to set the standard for traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern desserts. From their delicate baklava and knefeh to their rich maamoul and creamy ashta-based treats, every bite is a testament to their dedication to excellence.

Beyond the incredible flavors, Hallab’s elegant building stands as a symbol of heritage and refinement. Beautifully maintained and constantly evolving, it seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, ensuring that visitors are welcomed into a space as delightful as the sweets themselves. With its latest facelift underway, Hallab is proving once again that it is not only committed to preserving its legacy but also enhancing the experience for generations to come.

Our waiter, Ahmad, is the ultimate server: friendly, efficient and thoughtful. And one can’t say enough about the great Abu Hasan, who is the backbone of the Orders operation.

For anyone visiting Tripoli, Hallab Sweets is a must-visit destination—where every detail, from taste to ambiance, is crafted...