FPFood Passport

Chapter · Volume Lebanon

Beirut

10 stamps · 88 POI on the web · 2 missions live

Beirut is the culinary beating heart of the Mediterranean, a city where centuries of Phoenician, Ottoman, and French influences converge on a single table. The city’s food culture is defined by its social nature; meals are rarely solo affairs but rather long, communal feasts known as **'mezze'**. From the early morning aroma of stone-baked manakish in Gemmayzeh to the late-night sizzle of shawarma in Hamra, every corner of the city offers a masterclass in spice and technique. Despite its turbulent history, Beirut has maintained an elite standards of hospitality, where the quality of the ingredients—fresh herbs, vibrant olive oils, and sun-drenched produce—is never compromised. For the traveler, Beirut is a place to slow down, order an extra plate of hummus, and understand why Lebanese cuisine is considered one of the world's most sophisticated traditions.

ManakishHummus & MezzeShawarmaFalafelMixed Grill (Mashawi)Tabbouleh & SaladsKibbeh NayyehKnafehLebanese SweetsSeafood
Local tip

1. **The 'Furn' Ritual**: Every neighborhood has a local 'furn' (bakery). You can even bring your own toppings (like a jar of specialty zaatar or eggs) and pay a small fee for them to bake it on their dough. 2. **Tipping Culture**: A 10-15% tip is standard in restaurants, and small change is always appreciated by street food vendors. 3. **Price Tiers**: $ is 100k–300k LBP, $$ is 300k–1M LBP, $$$ is 1M+ LBP. (Note: Due to the economic situation, always check the current 'black market' exchange rate). 4. **Mezze Rules**: Never rush a mezze meal; it is designed to last hours with multiple rounds of small plates.

Best Manakish in Beirut

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Barbar

HamraThe most famous street food brand in Lebanon. Their cheese manakish is legendary for its stretch and generous portion.

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Zaatar W Zeit

variousThe 'modern' face of manakish. While a chain, their quality control is high and their 'Famous Chicken' wrap on manakish dough is a must-try.

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Onno

Mar MikhaelPrimarily an Armenian-Lebanese bistro, their mini-manakish as part of a mezze are outstandingly authentic and flavorful.

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Furn El-Maksour

AchrafiehA high-turnover neighborhood spot where the cheese is always bubbling and the crust is perfectly blistered.

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Fern Ghattas

GemmayzehA legendary neighborhood furnace that has survived generations. Their 'zaatar extra' is the gold standard for many Beirutis.

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Ichkhanian Bakery

Zokak el BlatFamous for the Armenian version (Lahmajine). Their dough is incredibly thin and the meat topping is perfectly spiced with pomegranate molasses.

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Mankoushe 77

AchrafiehA modern take on the neighborhood furn, known for using high-quality olive oil and artisanal zaatar blends.

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Fern El-Sabah

Mar MikhaelA favorite for locals and the creative crowd; their dough is exceptionally soft and their cheese blends are generous.

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Malak Al Tawouk

variousWhile famous for chicken skewers, their 'Tawouk on Manakish' is a definitive student meal that merges two Lebanese icons.

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Furn Al-Cheikh

BadaroA family-run spot in the trendy Badaro district, known for their exceptionally light and crispy zaatar manakish.

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Furn Al-Kayed

Bourj HammoudThe place to go for Lahm Bi Ajeen in the Armenian quarter; the meat is hand-ground and the spice level is perfectly balanced.

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Wood-Fired Bakery

GemmayzehA no-name neighborhood favorite where the scent of wood-fire smoke is the only advertisement they need.

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The Village

DbayehA modern food court setting that features an artisanal furnace using organic flour and heritage zaatar.

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Souk El Tayeb

Mar MikhaelNot a traditional furnace, but their Saj manakish made by village women at the market is the most authentic rural taste in the city.

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Manakish Street Kiosk

HamraThe ultimate 'on-the-go' manakish, served wrapped in paper to be eaten while walking the busy Hamra sidewalks.

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Best Hummus & Mezze in Beirut

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T-Marbouta

HamraA cultural hub and restaurant that serves excellent traditional mezze. Their Moutabal is smoky and rich, and the vibe is perfect for students and intellectuals.

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Abdel Wahab

AchrafiehA classic Beiruti spot for a long, formal mezze lunch. Their service is impeccable and their hummus is a textbook example of the Beiruti style.

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Karam Beirut

DowntownA high-end institution known for its consistency and quality. Their Fattoush and Hummus are benchmark dishes for the city's business elite.

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Al Falamanki

SodecoA massive, nostalgic cafe and restaurant with a large garden. It's the best place to spend an entire afternoon sampling small plates and playing backgammon.

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Babel Bay

Zaitunay BayA modern, upscale seafood and mezze restaurant with a stunning interior. Their Moutabal is uniquely presented and exceptionally creamy.

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Hanna Mitri

AchrafiehWhile famous for ice cream, they are surrounded by small neighborhood spots where a quick plate of hummus and a beer is the quintessential Achrafieh lunch.

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Le Chef

GemmayzehA Beirut institution where the welcome is as warm as the food. Their hummus is perfectly smooth and served in a setting that feels like a family dining room.

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Abou Abdallah

AchrafiehWidely considered the best specialized hummus and ful shop in the city. Their 'Hummus Awarma' (topped with minced meat and pine nuts) is the stuff of legends.

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Em Sherif Café

DowntownA more accessible version of the ultra-exclusive Em Sherif restaurant. The mezze here is high-art, with exquisite presentation and the finest ingredients available in Lebanon.

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Liza

AchrafiehOne of the most beautiful restaurants in the world. Their take on mezze is light, creative, and serves as a bridge between tradition and modern fine dining.

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Al Mayass

AchrafiehSpecialized in Armenian-Lebanese mezze. Their 'Hummus with Sujuk' (spicy sausage) provides a unique and spicy twist on the classic dish.

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Enab

Mar MikhaelA vibrant restaurant that feels like a traditional Lebanese village house. The mezze selection is vast and includes excellent versions of harder-to-find rural dishes.

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Lorris

BadaroA trendy spot that blends traditional flavors with a modern, social atmosphere. Their mezze platters are designed for sharing among the neighborhood's young professional crowd.

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Best Shawarma in Beirut

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Joseph

Sin el FilWinner of global food awards, Joseph is the purist's choice. Their shawarma is famous for its lack of grease and the incredibly high quality of the meat and bread.

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Boubouffe

AchrafiehFamous for their charcoal-grilled shawarma, which adds a unique smoky depth to the meat that is rare in the city. It's a slightly more upscale but very authentic experience.

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Shawarma Abul Abed

HamraA traditional, no-frills shop where the focus is entirely on the quality of the spit. Their beef shawarma is known for its intense marinade and perfect tahini balance.

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Makhlouf

Dora / Mar MikhaelA massive and high-energy shawarma station. They are known for their generous use of pomegranate molasses in the meat marinade and their extra-crispy fries.

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Restaurant Al-Ajami

Ramlet el-BaidaA fine-dining institution where you can enjoy shawarma in a more formal setting. The quality of the lamb used here is exceptionally high, and it is served with a sophisticated array of mezze.

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Kabab-ji

variousA clean, reliable chain that serves a very high-quality 'Duo Shawarma' platter, perfect for those who want the street flavor with a bit more comfort.

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The King of Shawarma

DowntownA convenient and high-quality spot for travelers exploring the downtown ruins who need a quick, authentic lunch.

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Basterma Mano

Bourj HammoudAn Armenian-Lebanese institution. Their 'Sujuk Shawarma' (spicy sausage version) is a unique Beirut delicacy that every traveler must try at least once.

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Spit-fire Shawarma

Mar MikhaelA trendy, newer spot that focuses on a slightly spicier marinade and extra-thin saj bread for their wraps.

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Shawarma Al-Saidi

Ouzai / Airport RoadA legendary spot for those in the know. Their spit is huge and the turnover is so fast that the meat never sits for long—always fresh, always hot.

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Local Neighborhood Shop

Hamra (Side street)The best shawarma is often found in the no-name shop with the longest line of locals; follow the scent of garlic and tahini.

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Saj & Shawarma

Achrafieh (Sassine)Specializes in wrapping shawarma in freshly made 'Saj' bread rather than the standard pita, offering a lighter and more rustic texture.

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Best Falafel in Beirut

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Falafel M. Sahyoun

Damascus RoadThe most famous falafel shop in Lebanon. There is a legendary family rivalry between the two adjacent Sahyoun shops; try both and join the decades-old debate on which is better.

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Falafel Arax

Bourj HammoudAn Armenian-Lebanese favorite. Their falafel recipe includes a unique blend of spices that reflects the district's multicultural heritage.

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Falafel Al-Akkaoui

HamraKnown for their perfectly crispy exterior and the secret spice blend they use in their chickpea base.

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Falafel Karim Sahyoun

variousA modern offshoot of the legendary Sahyoun family, offering the same high quality in several convenient locations across the city.

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Falafel Freiha

AchrafiehA small, no-frills shop that has been serving the Achrafieh neighborhood for generations. Their falafel is known for being exceptionally light and less oily than others.

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Falafel Abou Nabil

HamraA Hamra institution. Their sandwiches are generous and they are famous for their extra-tangy pickled turnips and high-quality tahini sauce.

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Falafel El-Chark

DoraA favorite for commuters, offering large, satisfying sandwiches that are perfect for a quick and filling meal.

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Falafel Snack

Mar MikhaelA classic street-side stall where you can watch the falafel being scooped and fried right before your eyes.

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Falafel Kiosk

Zaitunay Bay areaA great spot to grab a sandwich before a long evening walk along the Mediterranean waterfront.

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Local Furn

AchrafiehSome neighborhood bakeries also fry falafel in the morning, serving it in freshly baked bread for the ultimate breakfast combination.

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Falafel House

DowntownA reliable spot for government workers and tourists in the downtown area, offering clean and classic falafel wraps.

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Bio-Falafel

Mar MikhaelA modern take on falafel using organic chickpeas and whole-wheat bread for the health-conscious creative crowd.

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The Old City Falafel

near the portA historic spot that has served the port workers for decades, offering a rustic and extremely authentic taste of old Beirut.

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Falafel Corner

BadaroA small neighborhood gem in Badaro, known for their generous toppings and extra-creamy tarator sauce.

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Best Mixed Grill (Mashawi) in Beirut

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Onno Bistro

Mar MikhaelTheir Kafta with a spicy cherry sauce is a standout dish that perfectly illustrates the fusion of Armenian and Lebanese grilling traditions.

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Café d'Orient

Ras BeirutOne of the city's most historic spots, offering a classic mixed grill with a direct view of the Mediterranean and the setting sun.

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Best Tabbouleh & Salads in Beirut

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Saj & Salad

Achrafieh (Sassine)Specializes in a quick and healthy lunch combination of fresh-baked saj bread and high-quality traditional salads.

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Best Kibbeh Nayyeh in Beirut

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Engebret Café

variousLebanese raw meat is a serious business, and the high-end downtown restaurants are the safest and best places to try it.

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Local Neighborhood Butcher

AchrafiehMany high-end butchers in Beirut prepare fresh Kibbeh Nayyeh to order; look for the one where the locals are waiting in line for their daily portion.

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Best Knafeh in Beirut

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Amal Bohsali

variousOne of the most prestigious names in Lebanese sweets. Their knafeh is refined, uses premium cheese, and is widely considered one of the best 'grand' versions in the city.

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L'Abeille d'Or

variousA massive and high-energy pastry house. Their knafeh is the definitive Beiruti morning fix, served in a warm sesame kaakeh that is always fresh.

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Sea Sweet

variousA favorite for its value and reliability. Their knafeh is hearty and they are known for their generous syrup portions and soft, fresh kaakeh bread.

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Sultan Sweets

HamraA Hamra favorite, known for their traditional preparation and the perfect golden-brown crust of their semolina topping.

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Hallab 1881

variousA sister branch to the legendary Tripoli house, offering the same elite standards of cheese quality and pastry texture.

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Maison Al Halabi

AchrafiehA neighborhood gem in Achrafieh, providing a high-quality morning fix to the local professional crowd.

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The Knafeh Specialist

Bourj HammoudA small shop that focuses entirely on knafeh, offering a rustic and very authentic taste of the district's morning rhythm.

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Knafeh & Coffee

BadaroA trendy spot that pairs high-quality artisanal knafeh with modern third-wave coffee for the neighborhood's young professional crowd.

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Douaihy

variousA high-end pastry institution with a long history. Their knafeh is exceptionally consistent and they are famous for their perfect orange-blossom syrup balance.

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Abdul Rahman Hallab

variousWhile originally from Tripoli, their Beirut branches serve some of the most refined and high-quality knafeh in the city, favored by those who want a premium experience.

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Knafeh Kiosk

Corniche areaThe ultimate morning ritual: grab a knafeh sandwich from a street kiosk and enjoy it while watching the sun rise over the Pigeon Rocks.

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Cafe Younes

HamraA great spot to enjoy a high-quality piece of knafeh with a traditionally brewed Lebanese coffee in a historic cafe setting.

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Local Neighborhood Patisserie

GemmayzehMany small bakeries in Gemmayzeh serve knafeh for only a few hours each morning; follow the locals for the most authentic experience.

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The Harbor Knafeh

near the portA historic spot that has served the city's port workers for decades, offering a massive and hearty knafeh sandwich to start the day.

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Best Lebanese Sweets in Beirut

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Sammadi Sweets

variousA historic name in Lebanese sweets, providing a very high standard of quality for over a century to the city's elite families.

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Taj Al-Moulouk

variousA high-end sweets house that is particularly famous for its 'Mloukiyya'—a massive and luxurious assortment of their finest Baklawa and nut-based pastries.

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Local Neighborhood Bakery

Bourj HammoudThe Armenian quarter is famous for its unique versions of traditional sweets, often using more intense spice profiles and different nut combinations.

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Maison Al-Kayed

Bourj HammoudA specialized shop in the Armenian quarter that focuses on traditional nut-based sweets and is a favorite for local residents.

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The Sweet Corner

BadaroA trendy spot that offers high-quality traditional sweets alongside modern interpretations of Lebanese pastries for the neighborhood's professional crowd.

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Haj Mohamad Sweets

near the portA historic spot that has served the city's port workers and residents for decades, offering a rustic and extremely authentic taste of traditional sweets.

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Best Seafood in Beirut

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Local Harbor Grill

near the portA rustic and extremely authentic spot that has served the port workers and local residents for decades.

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Chez Sami

Maameltein (North of Beirut)Widely considered the finest seafood restaurant in Lebanon. Their quality of fish is unmatched, and their mezze are as famous as their grilled main courses.

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Al-Sultan Brahim

variousA historic institution known for its consistency and its deep connections to the country's best fishermen. Their Sayadeya is considered a benchmark for the dish.

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Feluka

Sporting ClubA classic Beiruti experience. Eating fresh fish on the terrace of the Sporting Club while the waves crash below is one of the city's most beloved summer rituals.

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+80 XP0 recordsMaps

Samak Al-Ajami

Ramlet el-BaidaA fine-dining institution where the seafood is of the highest quality and served in a formal, traditional setting.

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+80 XP0 recordsMaps

Seafood Market Stall

DowntownSeveral high-end stalls in the downtown area allow you to pick your fish and have it prepared in a more casual, street-food format.

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Moby Dick

RaoucheA popular and more accessible spot with a direct view of the Pigeon Rocks, serving a solid and reliable version of the city's seafood staples.

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+80 XP0 recordsMaps

Saj & Seafood

Achrafieh (Sassine)Specializes in a quick and high-quality lunch combination of fresh-baked saj bread and traditionally prepared seafood mezze.

Order: Signature order

+80 XP0 recordsMaps

Beirut missions · played in the app

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Eat Knafeh at Fern El-Sabah

Fern El-Sabah Stamp · Suggested

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Eat Manakish at Fern Ghattas

Fern Ghattas Stamp · Suggested

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