Babakish review: our verdict
At Babakish, the table quickly fills with small orange and white plates: hummus, baba ghanouj, taboulé, falafel, and Lebanese bread for dipping. The green sign promises "urban chic food," while the bamboo-lined terrace with its planters plays up the city garden vibe on Tariq Ibn Ziad Street.
People come here for a lunch with friends or a casual dinner, and the place opens as early as 9 a.m. for breakfast. Service is quick and friendly. Mezze and grilled dishes make up the main pleasure, supported by decent desserts. Purists of Lebanese cuisine, however, will have reservations about the shawarma, which is pan-fried rather than roasted on a spit, and the slightly underwhelming plates for the price: this isn't the spot for shawarma like in Beirut.
The dish to order: a selection of cold and hot mezze to share. The trap: the shawarma, if you're expecting it on a spit. The good tip: the breakfast, served from 9 a.m.; the house closes at 11 p.m.
