The cuisine of the Middle East has always overlapped and developed with the tastes and flavours around it. The main inspirations for Lebanese gastronomy have traditionally come from France and Turkey. Newly opened ARZ now offers examples from the classic Beirut canon.
Executive chef Yahya Khadaro came to Budapest with seven years’ experience in Lebanon and five in Dubai behind him. He has since been exploring the country’s top restaurants and touring the countryside to better understand Hungarian culinary culture. At the same time, he intends to prepare authentic Lebanese food, even if it means sourcing ingredients from Vienna to Beirut.
Despite the five-star environment, prices are geared to locals. Beirut hummus is 1,650 forints, tabbouleh 2,100 forints, raheb salad with grilled aubergine, 1,800 forints, meat sambousas (little lamb parcels), 2,100 forints.
The main dishes range from 3,400 to 6,500 forints, including grilled shish taouk (grilled chicken cubes marinated with Lebanese spices), grilled lamb skewers and succulent lamb ribs. In addition to meze and mains, ARZ is also strong where desserts are concerned.
The restaurant can be an ideal choice for a business lunch or a dinner with friends, not to mention a romantic rendezvous, given the riverside location and chance for a Danube stroll afterwards.
ARZ Lebanese Restaurant
InterContinental Budapest, District V. Apáczai Csere János utca 12–14
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Current opening hours: Daily noon-10pm
