Lebanese restaurant NOOR shines a light at the end of the Tunnel

When you enter NOOR, time simply disappears. It feels like you are being dropped into another world from the historic surroundings of the Tunnel and the foothills of the Castle District. It is rare to feel such immediate positive energy.


Pleasant music accompanies the aroma of incense, the restaurant at once homely and elegant. Everything seems natural, just as it should be, and nothing feels exaggerated or forced.

Being of Persian origin, Switzer Nabil originally wanted to set up an Iranian restaurant in Budapest, but couldn’t find a suitable chef. The Lebanese direction seemed more realistic, especially since, in his view, Lebanese cuisine is the most sophisticated of all Arabic cuisines, as it combines with its French counterpart.


The various Arab cuisines are quite similar anyway, with Lebanon the meeting point, noticeable in the use of ingredients and decoration. Nabil was responsible for the interior, putting it together with his own hands and showcasing his personality.

At NOOR, food is prepared according to halal practices, meaning that the animal providing the meat was slaughtered in a specific way, by an adult Muslim. Here there is, of course, no pork or alcohol. Lamb and poultry are brought to the fore, with delicious lemonades or non-alcoholic cocktails to accompany.

For our visit, we started with a selection of meze (HUF 5,500), which included super appetisers such as mint-yoghurt labneh, crispy tabbouleh salad with fresh parsley, smoked aubergine moutabel dip, hummus, falafel and mouth-watering lamb sausage, accompanied by Lebanese bread and olives.

For a main course, the Beirut barbecue selection (HUF 11,500) is a substantial choice, the texture and flavour of the kofta (minced beef and lamb grilled with traditional Arabic spices), lamb shashlik and shish taouk (grilled chicken breast cubes) perfect. With no over-seasoning, the taste of the ingredients stands out. The French fries, too, are a quality garnish, and not the frozen variety. It’s always the detail that counts.

As well as lunch or dinner, you can also pop in and sit down to a waterpipe.

A popular Christian name, NOOR means ‘light’ in Arabic, apt considering its location at the end of the Tunnel, handy if you’re visiting the historic sights of Buda Castle above.