Al Mayass

Located in quiet Achrafieh, Al Mayass serves a delightful selection of Lebanese, Armenian and Syrian dishes in a homely environment. The lunch menu is particularly good: for just $25 (LL38,000) you can choose three dishes from an impressive selection of salads and meat dishes. The dinner menu – distinctly pricier – proffers a varied selection of mezze both hot and cold, classic (a dizzying variety of hummus-based sides) and unfamiliar (grape leaves wrapped with rice and vegetables). Since our visit, nary a day has passed when we haven't daydreamed of another helping of basterma, their delectable Armenian pastrami. A gem.