Café Beirut will leave you nostalgic for Beirut’s glory days

7 Management brings the city’s golden age to Dubai with this new opening.

For some, ‘Switzerland of the Middle East’ was a momentary moniker for the city of Beirut. For others, it represents an unforgettable era, a time when culture was thriving and life was carefree. And reviving said era in the heart of Dubai? 7 Management, of course. Responsible for both Seven Sisters and The Theater, the leading entertainment company has officially opened Café Beirut – also known as Kahwet Beirut – in Al Murooj Complex.

Stunning views of Burj Khalifa can be enjoyed from the beautiful outside garden area, while a huge indoor area is enhanced by a traditional ceramic water fountain and an olive tree, evocative of Beirut in the 1950s. Offering a glimpse into the past and honouring the creative greats who called the city home, black-and-white portraits adorn the round see-through domed ceiling that also allows the sun’s rays to flow into the main room. This is a concept rooted in preserving the memories of happier days.

Founder and CEO of 7 Management Rabih Fakhkreddine announced the opening of the homegrown brand from Beirut, saying, “2021 was a phenomenally successful year for us, and we look forward to 2022 being the same with a new project that means a great deal to us. At Café Beirut, we are remembering the city of our forefathers as it was in its heyday, when it was known as ‘Switzerland of the Middle East’. It is still our home. In our eyes, it is still beautiful, still glorious and still pulls us so gently, but unerringly, back by our heartstrings. I want somewhere where my daughter can feel that it is her home away from home. Future generations will feel that same pride and nostalgia for their homeland that their fathers and grandfathers felt. We feel this even now and hope that you will experience even a small part of our love and pride at Café Beirut.”

An extensive menu caters for every taste, starting with all-day breakfast that includes firm favourites such as ballila with pine nuts, eggs and soujouk, fattet hummus, and grilled halloumi. The lunch menu has a wide choice of cold mezza items including mouttabal, warak enab, shanklish, and labneh with garlic. Hot mezza offers delicacies like sautéed chicken livers, makanek, falafel tacos, and ras asfour with pomegranate molasses. The grilled items section, meanwhile, feature chicken, cutlets, kafta meat, lamb fillet and shawarma. Daily dishes are also available, as is a dedicated children’s menu. Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate knefeh, osmalieh cheesecake, um Ali, qatayef with Nutella, and daaoukyeh.

Hot and cold beverages include a twist on popular drinks, so expect to see the likes of Tiramisu Latte, Date Frappuccino, Oreoccino, and Caramel Peanut Butter Milkshake on the menu. Elsewhere, the Beit El Din mocktail (made from fresh kumquat, passion fruit syrup, brown sugar and ginger ale) comes highly recommended. Ready for a long night? Opt for traditional Beiruti Sharab, a cup of coffee or a spirit-infused coffee beverage – because a lot can happen over coffee.

GO: Call 04 422 5211 or follow @cafebeirutdxb on Instagram for reservations or more information.