Barbar Restaurant

It all started in 1979: Mohammad Ghaziri, a Beiruti citizen with a fearless entrepreneurial spirit, decided to open a small ‘Manouche’ bakery to serve his city’s residents. The shop, which opened in front of the famous Piccadilly theatre in the heart of Beirut gained fame for its delicious manouché: thyme and minced meat manouché. Yet, Barbar restaurant’s twist was the manouché with runny Akkawi cheese, surprisingly topped with sesame seeds. This drove the manouché to rapid fame. As a family business, Barbar was built from the ground up over many years, introducing new products and services every period for the public to enjoy. In 1985, it introduced the Shawarma, Fried Chicken and Hamburger followed by a fruit cocktail and ice cream shop offering a variety of exotic juices in 1988. These expansions were happening amid a brutal civil war, which was marred with daily strikes, electricity cuts, water cuts, and even life-threatening incidents. The post-war period witnessed the introduction of the famous Falafel in 1993, followed by a barbeque in 1996 and a wide selection of delectable sandwiches in 1998. With success comes growth: in 2001, Barbar opened its second outlet in Spears Street, Beirut. For more than 40 years, Barbar’s doors continue to remain open 24/7, during wartime and peacetime. This led the company to generate the highest possible return on its investment, while serving the city’s residents anytime during the day, even in the darkest of times. During peacetime, Barbar was hit with high taxes and increasing operational costs. Still, it maintained its non-stop restaurant and delivery service, providing clean, affordable, and mouth-watering comfort food to more than 2,500 customers daily: the rich, the poor and the famous, and especially outdoorsy customers and nightlife goers. Over the years of its operation, it was visited by singers, artists, and celebrities who performed in the landmark Piccadilly theatre in Beirut.