One of the more authentic eateries in the capital, Awtar has almost everything you’d expect from a Lebanese table and does it all right. The setting may seem shabby to some, and the restaurant’s centrepiece fountain has surely seen better days, but anyone who’s enjoyed a meal in Beirut will instantly feel right at home. The food is just right: the mezze fresh and flavoursome, the barbecues tender and well-cooked, and the few typical desserts on the menu, are spot on.
The bread at Awtar deserves a special mention, as the hot, freshly baked saj loafs have become famous in their own right. Service is quick (with the exception of the occasional late fruit juice) and minimal, and is everything you need. The restaurant will sometimes throw in a free rice pudding at the end of your meal; if they don’t, order it – It’s definitely worth a try. Be warned, Awtar does deliver but their staff picking up the phone speak little to no English.
