There’s something special about hanging out at Mamsha Al Saadiyat. Maybe it’s the white sands and calming ocean sounds nearby, or maybe it’s the sheer number of new places to try. Whatever your reason for visiting, this hotspot on Saadiyat Island certainly deserves the hype.
Among so many shiny things, it can be hard for a restaurant to stand out, but Beirut Sur Mer manages to be a gem among gems. It’s the perfect place for everything from a breakfast date to a fancy night out with friends, just make sure you book in advance because it seems like the whole city is hanging out here.
You can opt to sit on the terrace with a view of the beach, inside the air-conditioned outside seating area, or inside the buzzing restaurant. The inside space features an open kitchen with food and flames whirling as orders fly in and out; high ceilings are adorned with hanging plants, fruits, and pottery balanced on exposed pipe scaffolding; and pink blossoms decorate the walls and hang from the ceiling creating a whirlwind of objects to look at. If you’re not careful you might find yourself spinning.
But hang onto your hat because there is even more to look at on the menu. Featuring seven tightly packed pages with everything from breakfast and bakery items to a whopping 14 salads, plus hot and cold mezze, mashawi (mixed grills), seafood specials and an incredible selection of desserts. It seems like you could come here every day for a year and still not manage to eat your way through it all (though we’re thinking of testing that delicious theory).
Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices? The tlameh are a Beirut Sur Mer special, so you can’t go wrong when ordering the trio – tlametna.
Make sure you leave room for the mixed grill: another incredible choice for mains that will have your eyes popping out of your head when you see how big it is.
There are nine desserts and five shakes to choose from. These include a “popcorn fantasy” shake and a kunafa that we eyed even as we waddled out the door.
Fancy it? Don’t miss out.
