Tucked away in the constantly changing landscape of the capital of Nigeria, Abuja is an abundance of Lebanese flavors, spices, and hospitality – Yes! An unmistakable Lebanese touch to the experience. So, right here in the centre of Nigeria, you can take your taste buds on a luxurious journey to Beirut without leaving the city!
Add that to the smoky aroma of grilled kebbah and creamy bliss of hummus with warm fluffy pita bread and you have deliciousness celebrating culture, tradition and family— and in a diverse city like Abuja, it’s no surprise that this delicious cuisine has so many fans, with restaurants popping up at an incredible rate, serving everything from shawarma to extravagant mezza platters.
5 Lebanese Restaurants in Abuja
1. Ali Baba Restaurant
2. City View Restaurant
3. The Pasha
4. Bombay 2 Beirut
5. De’ Cascade by Cilantro
Lebanese Restaurants in Abuja
In this guide, we will showcase 5 of the best spots in Abuja for Lebanese food, with their personality. Whether it is a romantic dinner under the stars, a casual lunch, or a birthday party with a group of family and friends, we have you covered. But they all share a few things in common: flavor, heart, and an undeniable interest in coming back for more.
1. Ali Baba Restaurant
Ali Baba Restaurant is more than just a restaurant, it is an experience. This continental restaurant and shisha lounge from Lebanese, Italian, Chinese, and Mediterranean cuisines has it all, with sit-down dining and a menu that wraps each of these cuisines into a collection of flavours.
This modern, classy, and stylish restaurant is a fit for a lunch meeting, a casual meal after work, or watching your favourite team on the weekend. When you want to relax and unwind, Ali Baba offers a shisha lounge, which screams leisure time and is a popular and convenient place for locals or visitors to meet.
Ali Baba’s Lebanese restaurant serves large servings of real Middle Eastern dishes. The hummus with meat, fried goat cheese with herbs, and the chicken wings marinated and char-painted are all fantastic, but what is most impressive is that every dish is prepared fresh with healthy and good ingredients. A solid recommendation is the arayes (flatbread stuffed with kifta meat and slivers of almond). Everyone must try arayes or mezze once for the quintessential Lebanese experience.
There are some general themes to reviewers’ comments on the welcome service of the restaurant and the hospitality of the owners. For example, the attentiveness of the staff is above standard as they go out of their way to ensure each patron enjoys a good dining experience and feels at home.
Location: 3 Bujumbura Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Budget: From 6,000+ (2 persons approximately)
2. City View Restaurant
City View Restaurant is in Wuse, offering stunning views of Abuja’s beauty in magnificent surroundings while enjoying great dishes. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows and a tropical courtyard garden, you are truly in a little piece of heaven.
City View Restaurant has a classic modern style, but is inviting – a blend of beauty and functionality. I could see any occasion, from a casual lunch to a birthday celebration, as a truly entertaining and enjoyable experience within the restaurant setting.
City View generally serves food, as I would describe, prepared with Lebanese, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern flair. It also has traditional mezzes such as kibbe, potato harrah, kafta aarayes, and foul mudammas, with a delicate flavour. For those who like the grill may wish to enter the world of barbeque, for example, the family mix grill, and/or chicken kafta Stick. Even seafood lovers may relish the city’s special fish or numerous menu selections.
You’d think restaurant excellence ended there. Staff members are very polite, professional, and kind, making guests feel at home.
They also cater for dietary requirements and have private dining rooms for events.
Location: 7 Cape Town, Wuse, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Budget: From 20,000+ per person
3. The Pasha
The Pasha is located in a secluded area of Abuja. and is about as quaint and cozy as one can get, making it a unique establishment. As you approach the entrance with its Lebanon-style brick walls and step inside with its traditional décor and ambiance, it has a homely and authentic feel.
From the moment you enter, The Pasha brings a charming feel to the experience, like you are stepping into a Lebanese village. There is indoor seating with traditional art and various lanterns, but if you’d like to connect to nature, you can enjoy the outdoor seating that is immersed in greenery. There is also a private cinema room in the restaurant, which can be noticed much later in the experience, that can be booked for private events.
The menu at The Pasha is wholly made up of Mediterranean staples, which include Lebanese delicacies. The most popular dish, and arguably the signature dish, is the grilled seafood platter. The Lebanese classic baklava, a light, sweet pastry richly garnished with filo dough and sometimes pine nuts or cashews. There is also a creamy hummus served with freshly made pita bread, and delectable lamb kebab that regulars rave about.
Guests have recognized The Pasha for its service and acknowledge members of staff and their role in delivering an experience that each guest can make unforgettable. Trust their staff to always give the best treatment, whatever the occasion may be.
Location: 11 Cassandra Crescent, off Usuma Street, Abuja.
Budget: From 7,000+ per person
4. Bombay 2 Beirut
Bombay 2 Beirut is a lovely dining venue that combines true Indian and Lebanese food. Located in Wuse Zone 4, just past the police station! Owned by the well-known Cilantro Group, it brings the vision of experience to life in a relaxed environment and modern interpretation with an informal dining experience.
The restaurant itself has been crafted in a modern way, but also includes creative accents that include the best of both worlds. The room has plenty of space for family fun, while the rooftop seating boasts lovely views of Abuja’s skyline that are most spectacular at dusk.
Bombay 2 Beirut has a wonderful menu that includes Indian and Lebanese dishes. The Lebanese staples provided, labneh, warak, spinach fatayer, makanek, and sujuk, all use traditional spices which deliver authenticity. I would recommend the Shish Tawouk, the tender chicken skewers that they spice up with an alluring smoky barbecue flavor! For anybody looking for Indian flavors, explore the tandoori grill, which is very aromatic and bursting with favorable tastes.
This restaurant excels with regard to hospitality and attention to detail. From the dishes on their presentations to the courteous nature of their staff, every aspect is created for dining purposes. In the evenings, the rooftop sitting area with a bar and grill opens up into a lounge where you can socialize or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
Location: Zone 4, 4 Cape Town, Wuse, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Budget: From 10,000+ per person
5. De’ Cascade By Cilantro
Here is another gem! De Cascade is a high-end restaurant residence along Ahmadu Bello Way, Kado. This restaurant has diverse international culinary offerings that have been fused. The decor is distinctly modern, with an influence of local culture. Dining at De Cascade is a rush of images and flavors from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean. Accompanied by numerous Lebanese dishes like hummus and samosa, fattoush salad, and falafel.
Their specials shift with the season and keep the diners leaning open for exploration. The authentic aspect of the restaurant’s dishes creates connections to the meal-preparative practices that birthed the layers of taste. The mixture of culture makes for an elegant atmosphere, which allows the diner to dress in their everyday, leisure, or traditional Nigerian attire, free from pretense, in a highly luxurious experience.
The service is well-honed, with staff skilled in guiding the diner through a lengthy menu, providing options for pairings, as well as enhancing the overall experience. The restaurant provides organized cultural nights with performances, while still providing a fine dining experience that appeals to taste and vibrancy.
Location: 3FQ3+9GJ, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kado, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Budget: From 4,000— 12,000
Conclusion.
There is a satisfying number of Lebanese restaurants in the Abuja landscape, each a culmination of flavors, traditions, and experiences. Each offers diners an easy gateway into Lebanese culture, from Ali Baba Restaurant with its fusion fun dining and finest traditional Lebanese meal, to De’ Cascade’s culinary adventures with experiences that include a new experience each time. You will find what you want, casual dining, a romantic night over fine dining, or even an interest in Lebanese fine dining and culture. All five unique restaurant offerings give visitors experiences rich in flavour to nourish and tantalise the appetites.
