Since their opening in early April 2020, just as COVID-19 restrictions hit, the Islington venue was close to not opening at all.

Originally serving up their Lebanese cuisine just for takeaway, it has still managed to make some noise around town. So much so, that there have been queues out the front for diners to get their hands on some of Downtown Beirut's Middle Eastern flavours.

One step through the door and you’ll feel like you’ve been welcomed into one big family full of laughs, smiles, and bloody good flavours.

What exactly can you expect?

Vegetarians and vegans are well and truly catered for with plenty of alternatives; hummus, tabouli, loubi beans, kibbi Veg, Spinach Pockets, and of course, Downtown Beirut’s signature smoked rice. For the meat-eaters, you’ll be pretty impressed as a huge part of Lebanese cuisine is just that; meat!

To make sure we had an immersive, and full experience of the Lebanese cuisine, we, of course, had to sample as much on the menu as our bellies could fit in. With one veggie banquet and one meat banquet; the spread was indeed drool-worthy.

Served on custom-made boards, made to fit each dish perfectly. Sampling tabouli, pumpkin kibbis, hommus, toum (garlic dip), lamb cutlets on a bed of smoked rice, and mixed Mediterranean grills; just to name a few. We can’t forget to mention the falafels; a personal favourite of mine and Downtown Beirut’s take is just exquisite. Full of flavour and with just the right amount of crunch on the outside.

If you’re after takeaway, the venue offers all their menu in takeaway form with your typical Lebanese wraps amongst the favourites.

Whether or not you have a full belly from the main meal, you MUST make space for some traditional Lebanese dessert; Baklawa - then wash it all down with a hot Lebanese coffee.

To secure a seat once dine-in options are available, give Madeline and the Downtown Beirut team a call on (02) 4031 4731 and enjoy some Middle Eastern flavours.