On a recent trip to Beirut I was working from café to café as I explored the city, and I found café culture a great way to get a feel for the city – finding the perfect mix between that creative energy and a good coffee buzz. It’s all about finding a place with good energy, with interesting people watching, somewhere to sample the local food and of course, the coffee. Here are a few places that I recommend on your next visit to Beirut.

1. Kalei Coffee Co.

This is one of my favourites – the location, the architecture, the history of the building, those high ceilings and quirky touches. It makes for a great atmosphere, one that inspires creative thinking.
Locations: Ras Beirut and Mar Mikhael.

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Have you cupped with us yet? We cup all our coffees every Thursday at 3pm in Rue 54 and its open to public! Join us! (Soon in Ras Beirut as well)

A post shared by Kalei Coffee Co. (@kaleicoffee.co) on Oct 11, 2019 at 9:42am PDT

2. Sip

A little pink building tucked away in the heart of Gemmayze, this is a great place for a coffee pit stop as you potter around the city, taking a break for a speciality coffee in this quirky little roastery. Connect to the WiFi, catch up on a few emails, plan the rest of your day, and you’re back on your way!
Locations: Gemmayze, Aishti Seaside and Saradar Bank.

Photo Credits // urbanpotato

3. The High Llama

Launched in February 2019, The High Llama quickly gained popularity as a chilled-out coffee spot in Beirut. Grab coffee or a quick lunch, even set up a relaxed meeting and get some work done while you’re in town. Millennials can get their daily dose of avocado and the coffee perks are definitely a big draw.
Location: Achrafieh

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Saturday morning is here again and that means only one thing – a slow start and a great brunch! #saturdaybrunch #brunchinbeirut #brunchinachrafieh #coffeeinbeirut #coffeeinachrafieh #beirutcoffeeshops #beirutcoffeescene #beirutcoffeeaffairs #beiruting #liveloveachrafieh #achrafieh #monoclemagazine

A post shared by The High Llama (@the.high.llama.beirut) on Aug 23, 2019 at 10:23pm PDT

4. Urbanista

Inspired by London and New York, Lebanon puts a personal spin on its Urbanista branches, creating a community vibe about the space. Relax into a comfy sofa or gather and share ideas around the communal shared table. They also exhibit urban wear from time to time, featuring both international and emerging designers in line with Beirut’s cultural scene.
Locations: Gemmayze, Achrafieh

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Indoor. Outdoor #urbanista #whereelse

A post shared by Urbanista (@weareurbanista) on Apr 22, 2019 at 4:07am PDT

5. The Backburner

Located in Downtown Beirut, The Backburner is a little more compact than other cafes on the list; rather than serving food and drinks, the focus here is very much on the coffee, and if you fancy something a little sweet to go with it, there are some delicious desserts to choose from.
Locations: Downtown and Saifi Village

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Coffee with a view! #acupaday #freshlybrewed #coffee #latte #flatwhite #cortado #madewithlove #freshlybrewed #beirutcoffeeshops #saifivillage

A post shared by The Backburner (@thebackburner) on Feb 4, 2019 at 1:29am PST