Sursock Museum Resto

Since its re-opening in October 2015 after close to eight years of extensive renovations, the Sursock Museum has received thousands of visitors eager to (re)discover this Lebanese landmark. This historic site, transformed into a state-of-the-art modern 21st century museum includes an exhibition hall, a library, a bookshop and .... what else? A restaurant, of course! You can gaze all you want at the contemporary art collections and marvel at Beirut’s old city port photographs; ultimately you will be drawn to the ground-level Sursock Museum Resto without fail. Why? Because you’re in Lebanon and in Lebanon, no cultural experience is complete without food thrown into the mix.

Located on the ground level of the museum, this outdoor restaurant is more of a charming café that exudes an air of exclusivity and sophistication. With the mansion-turned museum as a backdrop, the Resto is a far cry from your usual museum snack joint. In fact, we would venture to say the place is less a casual stop on your cultural visit then a platform for encounters of the who’s who of Beiruti society. Headed by Joanna Debbas from Joanna’s table, the place offers an eclectic range of Mediterranean dishes made with fresh seasonal ingredients. The diverse and creative menu draws on culinary influences from Lebanon, Italy, and Iran, and features traditional mezze with a twist, including signature dishes such as the tomato tart, grilled falafel, and beef fillet with pomegranate sauce. Perhaps it is the commitment to cooking produce directly sourced from growers or perhaps it is the extra-effort put into the creation of gluten-free and dairy-free options but prices for this “café” are more comparable to a mid-range restaurant than a casual eatery’s, which could be prohibitive to some museumgoers. And just when we thought an open-to-all museum could cut across our social barriers and bridge some of our social inequalities…maybe next time.