Beirut Restaurant - Doha, Qatar

Beirut Restaurant –Al Jazira Street, Fereej Bin Mahmoud, Doha

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

All reviews will be based on the Cuisine and Fare the restaurant/outlet is known for / specialised in.

This review is based on inputs from myself as well as fellow foodies who have accompanied me to this restaurant. 

The fact that Beirut Restaurant serve the most simplest and the true legends of Middle Eastern (Egyptian/ Syrian/ Lebanese et al) Fare topped with my love for these dishes make it a my all-time “comfort-food” haven in Doha

ALL RATING ARE IN THE SCALE OF 5. A rating of 5 mean Excellent while 1 is Poor.

FOOD: RATING 4.5 OUT OF 5.

Item 1 –Hummus

For the newbie to Middle Eastern fare, Hummus is Levantine dip or paste made from cooked & mashed chickpeas that is blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic.

Hummus is a staple diet of the Middle Eastern but then this staple diet has been “revolutionised” to such an extent that the new-age foodie has lost the taste of the real hummus.

Beirut seems to have frozen their hummus recipe in time and never made any changes to it. The hummus is just good old chickpeas and tahini paste drizzled with olive oil.

Nothing Fancy but so very original and homely. Love it!

By the way the Hummus with Meat is also a good option!

Hummus with Meat

Item 2 –Foul (Fu-ol)

If you are a Newbie to the Middle East, then Foul is a dish of cooked fava beans served with vegetable oil, cumin, and optionally with chopped parsley, garlic, onion, lemon juice, chili pepper and other vegetable, herb and spice ingredients.

Beirut is no fool when it comes to serving Foul. They serve you happiness in a small bowl. And again like the Hummus, the Foul is not at all fancy but so very original and homely. Yum!

Foul

Item 3 –Falafel

If you are still a newbie to Middle East, just head to Beirut and order the Falafel. I rest my case.

Falafel is one of those fried items of love that no Arab / Arab Resident can refuse. Beirut is one of those places where the Falafel never fails to impress.

Falafel

Item 4 – Pies

Well, I never knew they had pies until recently when I saw the Menu.

The pies were very basic and not much to talk about. I guess that is why they stay mainly on the menu and not on the customer’s table!

Item 5 – The bread

Nowadays, most Arabic restaurants serve their own in house Bread / Pita but alas! Beirut doesn’t. This is a big letdown as the bread they serve is just the typical grocery store read-to-eat pita packs!

Item 6 – How to eat like true Beirut Loyal

• ·         Order 4-6 Pieces of Falafel;
• ·         One Plate of Foul
• ·         Ask for the Green Chilies (this is an on the table condiment)
• ·         Crush 2-3 Falafels into the Foul
• ·         Mix well with a good helping of Olive Oil
• ·         Add the Green Chilies for heat (OPTIONAL)
• ·         Dip or scoop the mix with the Pita Bread
• ·         Eat!

PS: I suggest you order a Hummus plate and take a spoon of it as you eat the pita scoop of the Foul and Falafel mix

SERVICE – 2.5 OUT OF 5

Like I said, this place is Frozen in time. Hence the Waiters are not the new age fast servers, greeters and with minimal conversation but then they do have an electronic tab to take orders!

LOCATION – 4.5 OUT 5

A Doha dweller can never miss this place. Parking can be a hassle but then all restaurants located on main/ important roads of Qatar have this problem.

PRICING: 4.5 out of 5 (5 means cheapest while 1 means expensive)

I rate this place 4.5 (Monopoly money is more expensive out here)

In an age where the food entrepreneurs and restaurants are charging exotic rates for “rustic” / “homely” / “feel-good” food, Beirut seems to have stay true to their roots. They keep it old school style and again Time has been frozen.

A plate of Foul, 4 Falafels , Water and Tea come to around QAR 15!

AMBIANCE: 2 OUT 5

This has a feel of the good old coffee shops / diners that is famous for the food and the rest of the elements of the restaurant /diner is nonexistent.

Romantic Dinners / A quiet meal / Fine Dining are out of the question.

DECOR AND SEATING CAPACITY – 2 OUT 5

There is ample seating capacity but the rest of the place is blurred between the lines of a sloppy college canteen and a bus depot café.

OVERALL RATING: 3 OUT OF 5.

Have been visiting Beirut for long time now but I never saw the Menu until my last visit (April 2018).

I am sure about 90% of the customers never even knew a menu existed such is the fame of this place.

Having said that, I suggest you opt for a take away or delivery option because the dine-in experience is only an option if you are ravishingly hungry.

Being old school and being Frozen in time does have its charms but then there are somethings that need to change with time. Especially when it comes to décor and cleanliness in the dining area, Beirut needs to do a complete revamp/ makeover.