Zaatar w Zeit (Hamra)

Zaatar w Zeit is a Lebanese manakish chain that has become a fixture of the Beirut breakfast and lunch routine; the Hamra Street branch is convenient for anyone staying in West Beirut. The menu centres on freshly baked flatbreads topped with za'atar and olive oil, cheese, lahm bi ajin (meat), sujuk and labneh, plus wraps, salads and fresh juices. The bread is baked on a saj or in the oven, and the same recipes are repeated across the chain, so quality is predictable. Prices are low, and portions are good enough for a meal. It is open from morning to late at night, though exact hours differ by branch and are best checked on Google Maps. A cheaper, quicker alternative to sit-down breakfasts, it also gives solo travellers an easy way to try Lebanese bread-based staples.