Destinations › Lebanon › Beirut › Traditions
Beirut, Lebanon
5 customs and traditions in Beirut — what they are, and how to take part without causing offence.
Dozens of small plates over hours, with arak, and the meal is the evening rather than a course in it.
Anise spirit, mixed with water and ice in that order, turning cloudy — a ritual with rules.
Guests are fed insistently and repeatedly; declining is treated as a negotiating position.
Families drive up to village restaurants for long afternoon meals.
Beirut's reputation for it survives everything, and venues run very late.
