Farmer-cooked daily Lebanese buffet with a rotating regional cook, on Armenia Street in Mar Mikhael.
Tawlet is the restaurant arm of Souk el Tayeb, the Lebanese farmers' market and food-heritage organisation, and it sits on Armenia Street in Mar Mikhael opposite the Spoiler Center. There is no menu: each day a different cook, usually a farmer or rural home-cook from one of Lebanon's regions, prepares a buffet of traditional dishes that reflect their village's recipes, and diners sit at large communal tables. The buffet typically covers cold mezze, a few hot dishes, a rice or grain dish, salads and homemade desserts, so the experience changes every visit and is a good way to taste regional cooking that rarely appears in standard restaurants. Time Out Beirut lists lunch service Monday to Friday and a Saturday session, and the venue also runs cooking workshops. It is a lunch-focused venue and works best for travellers who want variety rather than one signature plate. Bookings by phone are advised, especially on Saturdays.
| Price | Roughly USD 25-40 per person (~2.2-3.6 million LBP), estimate; confirm by phone |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon-Fri 13:00-16:00, Sat 12:00-16:00 (Time Out Beirut listing; confirm by phone) |
| Reservations | Call +961 1 448 129; reservations advised, essential on Saturdays |
| Address | Armenia Street (Rue de l'Armenie), Mar Mikhael, Beirut (opposite Spoiler Center); tel +961 1 448 129 |
Signature dishes
- Daily regional buffet
- Kibbeh and stuffed vegetables when cooked
- Homemade Lebanese desserts
Good to know
- Known for
- Regional Lebanese farmer-cooked buffet
Location
Armenia Street (Rue de l'Armenie), Mar Mikhael, Beirut (opposite Spoiler Center); tel +961 1 448 129
33.8972, 35.5259 View on map
Highlights
- Different regional cook each day, so the buffet changes constantly
- Shared tables suit solo travellers who want company
- Part of Souk el Tayeb, which supports small Lebanese producers
- Located on Armenia Street, central to the Mar Mikhael food strip
Tips for visiting
- Phone +961 1 448 129 to confirm the day's cook, current hours and the buffet price before going.
- Go hungry: it is an all-you-can-eat buffet, so one visit replaces a full lunch.
- Time Out Beirut lists Monday to Friday 13:00-16:00 and Saturday 12:00-16:00; confirm by phone as schedules shift.
- Vegetarians do well here because many village dishes are built on vegetables, grains and pulses.
When to visit
Weekday lunch from 13:00 or Saturday around midday
Accessibility
Ground-floor restaurant on Armenia Street; step-free access is not confirmed, so call ahead.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Tawlet cost?
A Time Out Beirut listing gave an older buffet price of LBP 40,000 (pre-crisis, no longer relevant); current prices are in US dollars, commonly around USD 25-40 per person (estimate, confirm by phone). At roughly 89,500 LBP per USD that is about 2.2-3.6 million LBP.
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are advisable, particularly for Saturday, and can be made on +961 1 448 129.
Is it good for vegetarians?
Yes. Many dishes are vegetable, grain and pulse based, and the buffet format lets diners choose.