Shopping for Food on Hamra and Bliss

The Hamra and Bliss areas have supermarkets and mini-markets that will cater to all your shopping needs. You will find nearly everything you want there, from food, alcohol, and tobacco to kitchen utensils and home appliances.

Score:
A supermarket that’s very popular with the young crowd, mostly because of its extensive liquor section inside, its cheap prices, and the fact that it practically stays open all night. It also sells cigarette rolling paper, but you have to ask them for it. It offers free home delivery if you live nearby, so be sure to ask them for their phone number.

Idriss:
A large supermarket found next to the American University Hospital (AUH) that has pretty much everything you can think of. Go there when you’re low on good food, and try their cheese and meat section. Downstairs, you’ll find lots of useful kitchen and household appliances.

Smith’s:
A multi-story supermarket with lots of special, imported Western brands that you probably won’t find anywhere else. There’s a liquor section on the second floor, and its upper floors are devoted to household items. Might be a bit pricy compared to other places, and closes very early.

COOP:
A large, cheap supermarket found near the middle of Hamra Street.

Epi D’Or:
Also known as “Abu Naji’s,” Epi D’Or is a very famous mini-market facing AUB’s Main Gate. Students go there all the time for junk food and snacks. Try their sandwiches, coffee (their double espresso shots are great!), and fresh orange juice.

Off-Campus:
A small mini-market next to AUB’s Penrose Gate. Good for day-to-day items and junk food.

Taj El Molouk (“the crown of kinds” in English)
If you want to indulge your sweet tooth, you can’t miss this place! It is the only place on Bliss Street that sells traditional Lebanese sweets.

Khaled’s:
This small shop is hardly even noticed by people, as it only opens at night and doesn’t even have a sign. Still, it’s one of the area’s best-kept secrets, and only sells cigarettes, lighters, and chewing gum. You’ll find it up the street from off-campus during the nighttime. It also has a wide variety of cigarette rolling paper.

 

 

Where to Eat on Hamra and Bliss

Hamra is one of Beirut's most famous neighborhoods. Prior to 1975, it was referred to as Beirut's "Champs Elysées". Located between two of the most prestigious universities in Lebanon, the American University of Beirut (AUB) and the Lebanese American University (LAU), it is always dynamic and active. In addition, it is well-known for its multicultural aspect over the years, as its cafés were the meeting place of the Arab world's most famous writers, artists and journalists. Hamra Street is a first rate commercial district. It also hosts a good number of hotels, furnished apartments, restaurants and coffee shops.
This is a selection of restaurants and cafés in this area. Please check the map of Hamra provided in this guide to know their exact locations. We hope you enjoy the food!

 

Cafés

Al Kahwa
A Lebanese café offering a selection of fast food and Lebanese meals, in addition to hubble-bubble, located on Bliss Street.

Costa
Located right next to Hamra Theater at the place of Horseshoe. It serves different kinds of coffee and snacks in a cozy environment. We recommend that you go have a coffee in the evening and enjoy the music by the saxophone player on the sidewalk.

De Prague
Located next to HSBC on Makdissi Street, De Prague turns from a restaurant offering a selection of delicious foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner into one of Beirut’s most popular pubs at night, with great music and ambiance. A place you must visit!

Graffiti
Open recently on Makdissi Street, Graffiti offers a pleasant atmosphere for small gatherings, dates and study groups with a variety of sandwiches and salads. It also has talent nights once or twice per week. If you like art, you will enjoy the paintings, artwork and books they have!

Kaakaya
A small Lebanese café with tables on the sidewalk located on Makdissi Street.

Lina’s
Located in Plaza Hotel on Hamra Street, Lina’s Sandwiches is one of the most popular places in Hamra. It offers a variety of mouth-watering sandwiches, salads, desserts and drinks, in addition to a very pleasant atmosphere.

Ristretto
This cozy restaurant surrounded by trimmed trees and located at the intersection of Yamout and Mahatma Gandhi streets offers delicious pancakes and pastry for breakfast, in addition to fresh sandwiches and other specials.

Starbucks
The world’s most famous coffee brand offering the widest range of coffee in Hamra Square. A very popular place for meetings, hanging out and group study.

T-Marbouta
Located on Pavillion Street, T-Marbouta has a pleasant atmosphere, ideal for hanging out and studying.

 

Manakish and Lebanese Fast Food

Barbar
Barbar's manakish are among the most famous in Beirut, make sure to taste them. Barbar is located at the intersection of Commodore and Abdel Aziz Streets.

Malek el Batata (Roi des Frites)
Malek el Batata – King of Fries – is an old and popular snack house in Hamra Street famous for its fries, falafel and other Lebanese fast food.