Cherry blossoms hanging from the ceiling, trees growing from the floor and cheerful décor; Grand Beirut is a warm and welcoming spot if you’re looking for slightly-more-than-mall-food at The Galleria Al Maryah Island.
You might not expect a restaurant on the second floor of the mall to have outdoor seating, but the balcony at Grand Beirut is spacious and comfortable, so if you’re looking to dine al fresco on Al Maryah Island without breaking the bank, you’ve found the best place for it.
The menu has loads of options including hot and cold mezze and tlameh. We start with the hummus Beiruti, which is slightly smaller than the hummus portions we’re used to, but is still a solid dish. An order of halloumi ithmaliyeh (breaded halloumi served with zaatar and basil) is pleasant enough, if not particularly memorable. But the batata bil belfol here stand out, spicy and incredibly moreish, and served with tahini and salsa.
For mains there are loads of meat-lovers’ options, including baby chicken, kafta, and kreydes (grilled jumbo prawns). We opt for the prawns, and while they’re tasty they don’t completely justify the Dhs121 price tag. Other picks from the grill are just as good, and better value to boot.
Grand Beirut is a home-grown brand that opened its first branch in Dubai last summer and has since expanded to Abu Dhabi.
It’s a comfortable, relaxing space, with solid service and reliable dishes that we all know and love, and as a result it’s an easy choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s not one you’ll drive out of your way for, but Grand Beirut is a welcome retreat during a day of shopping.
