Middle East Feasts

The current unrest in the Middle East hasn’t stopped us one bit from appreciating the region’s sophisticated culinary culture. Here are our favorite picks.

Beirut
Located right in the heart of Lan Kwai Fong, Beirut is a hot spot for dinner and drinks. The restaurant serves authentic Lebanese cuisine, and we especially love their hummus with aromatic stir-fried lamb. Another notable dish is the shawarma chicken (or the lamb if you’re a red meat lover), spiced and delectably rich. Their tabbouleh also won’t disappoint—this parsley salad is complemented with tomatos, onions, crushed wheat and fresh mint with lemon juice and olive oil dressing. If you’re a fan of shisha, you can also unwind with a pipe after a satisfying meal.
27-29 D’Aguilar St., Central, 2804-6611

Habibi Café
Habibi Café on Wellington Street has been serving the best Egyptian food in town for years. The Egyptian owner, Mohsen Gaber Ibrahim, is a food worshipper who uses only the finest and freshest ingredients to create Habibi’s dishes. We think their hummus is one of the best in the city—ditch the fork and knife, and rip apart a piece of toasty pita and dipping it in the thick, creamy spread. You also can’t miss the coshary that’s loved by all the locals. A mixed pasta and rice dish with lentils and chickpeas, it’s both nutritious and delicious. Add a dash of chili sauce for a burst of spice, and finish off with a cup of fresh mint tea after the flavorful meal. The scrumptious food, friendly staff and relaxing ambiance of the café will keep you going back. Also try the Habibi Restaurant in Lan Kwai Fong, which offers a different menu of equally authentic Egyptian cuisine.
112-114 Wellington St., Central, 2544-3886

Sahara
Walking up Elgin Street, you’ll notice a friendly presence standing at the front of Sahara, greeting everyone that walks by. The owners of Sahara, Dody and Hero, are Egyptian brothers who came to Hong Kong and started this North African restaurant specializing in Moroccan food. We suggest you start off with the mezze platter for two or four, with all kinds of Moroccan goodies that will satisfy everyone at the table. For mains, we love the succulent lamb tagine, or if you’re vegetarian, opt for the falafel tagine—a dish invented by the owners’ mother. Do order a glass of their newly imported Moroccan Shiraz to complement your meal. If you’re lucky, you’ll also be able to catch a sensational belly dancing performance while enjoying your food.
11 Elgin St., Central, 2291-6060

Kasbah
This restaurant is named after the castle-like houses that dot the North African landscape. Kasbah focuses on classic Maghreb—or North African—cuisine, which translates to authentic food from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. The food is heavily spiced, with 20 different kinds of Arabic ground spices, including cumin, cayenne pepper and cinnamon, to provide the most unique aromas. The couscous Kasbah is a must-try, served with juicy roasted lamb shank, merguez (a north African spiced sausage) and veggies on the side. The pastilla, or “pigeon pie,” a Moroccan sweet and spiced pastry with pigeon, egg and cinnamon filling is exceptionally appetizing. You also can’t go home without giving their chicken tagine a go. It’s spiced with preserved lemon confit, green olives and artichokes—the slow-cooking technique keeps the meat extra tender and flavorful.
4-8 Arbuthnot Rd., Central, 2525-9493

Sumac
Treat yourself to some lip-smacking Lebanese at Sumac. The menu is loaded with Lebanese classics including a wide selection of mezze, skewers, couscous and salads. The Sumac spot prawns win our hearts—seasoned with rosemary and sea salt and finished off with a ProvenÇal sauce, the dish is light but satisfying. The juicy lamb kofta with parsley and Phonecian fries on the side is another show stealer, while vegetarians will love the eggplant casserole with eggplants, chickpeas, tomato and coriander on Lebanese rice.
G/F, 8 Glenealy, Central, 2147-9191