Beirut Habibi – Lebanese Australian Cafe, Bangsar
Words: Matt Brown
Photos: Monica Tindall
There’s always a lot to enjoy about the experience of undertaking a new assignment for The Yum List – meeting new and enthusiastic people who are excited to share their creations, sampling incredible food and drink in a way that continually makes my parents jealous, and exploring new parts of this constantly regenerating city. After our visit to Beirut Habibi in Lorong Kurau, it occurred to me that I could spend the majority of my time with an enormous grin on my face, and even leave still smiling about the whole experience – such is the joy of experiencing Malaysia’s vibrant food scene.
This latest addition to The BIG Group family – known for their creative and thoughtful approach to all the ventures they undertake – is a welcoming space in the Bangsar area known for great places to eat. What sets it apart is the genuine friendliness and calm professionalism of the staff. From the chefs to the stars on the floor, we feel more at home than in most places we head to for breakfast or lunch.
Opening in June 2023 and offering a wonderful selection of “traditional Lebanese ingredients and techniques with a modern Australian twist”, the light-filled space is gorgeously decorated in a palette of pinks, oranges, purples and greens – all bright colours that somehow fade into the background when the eye-catching dishes full of delicious and natural colours start to arrive at your table.
Breakfast at Beirut Habibi
We quickly agree that it’s the small touches offered at Beirut Habibi that allow it to stand out instantly. Table water is infused with slices of lemon, and a welcome drink of Moroccan Mint Tea is a soothing herbal pick-me-up.
The Veggie Platter (RM38) gets us started with an explosion of colour and what is essentially a collection of all the greatest vegetarian hits on the menu on one large plate. There are three dips – beetroot labneh, baba ganoush and hummus with crispy chickpeas, Arabic flatbread and ciabatta for dipping, roasted carrots with sunflower seeds, Australian beetroot, seed-crusted avocado, cucumber and tomato salad and roasted cauliflower with pomegranate salsa. Yes – all in one dish. All fresh, All delicious.
The kitchen’s take on Shakshuka (RM23) is spicy, with baked egg, tomatoes, chickpeas, harissa sauce and labneh, served with more gorgeous baked in-house bread. You can be completely decadent and add Lamb Koftas (RM15) or Halloumi (RM10).
Chickpea Fatteh (RM22) is incredibly moreish, with rough slices of crispy sumac flatbread among a mix of boiled chickpeas, tahini yoghurt, pine nuts and pomegranate. If you aren’t getting the idea by now, this is a place to bring one or more friends/family members so that you can share as many of these beautiful dishes as possible.
The final breakfast item we try is the Salmon Eggs Benedict (RM42), featuring the kitchen’s own beetroot-cured salmon, soft-boiled eggs and two elegant towers of potato rosti, all sitting on top of creamy herbed labneh with some green zhoug sauce for a little spice. It’s the most unique presentation of this classic we’ve come across.
Lunch Menu
Being the intrepid Yum Listers that we are, we also opt to try two salads and two sandwiches so that those of you venturing out a little later in the day know that equally as tasty and eye-catching options are available. The things we do for you!
I’m not always a big fan of kale, but the Kale Salad (RM28) manages to treat it in a way that makes it an excellent green focus within a medley of roasted cauliflower, red peppers, tahini yoghurt, herbed labneh, pistachios and crispy chickpeas. The Avocado Fattoush Salad (RM25) is equally fresh and colourful, with cos lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, some of that fantastic crispy sumac flatbread and a green goddess dressing. It won’t just be the vegetarians in your party who rave about these dishes.
Diners can choose their sandwiches as either open-faced or done in a naan bread wrap – we chose open-faced for both. The Lamb Kofta Sandwich (RM38) combines burnt chilli butter, pickled chilli, hummus and tomato and cucumber salad with the expertly spiced ground lamb patties on top. The Crispy Fried Falafel Sandwich (RM28) features lemon tahini sauce, herbed labneh, smashed avocado, sesame zaatar and green goddess dressing and was a stunning emerald presentation on the table, as well as being so fresh and tasty.
Beirut Habibi Drinks Menu
A lot of venues established by The BIG Group take great pride in making sure their coffee is done well, and Beirut Habibi continues that tradition. Our Lattes (RM 12) are gorgeously presented with a well-textured foam and a great balance of bitterness and acidity in the finish. There are a selection of coffees, hot or iced, as well as teas and juices. The Pomegranate Juice (RM20) is as fresh as they get, and its almost neon-pink colour is a great addition to the rainbow table.
Dessert?
One final note on the menu: you MUST try the Tahini Hot Chocolate (RM15). This velvety-looking drink is chocolate powder, tahini and coconut in the most rich and enjoyable combination that should really be the only option on menus where silly ‘drinkable cake’ choices hide the fact that nothing is done all that well. This is a dessert in and of itself, and if it could somehow induce a thunderstorm outside every time one is ordered just to give it the perfect ambience, I would never leave.
Reasons to visit Beirut Habibi: this is a place that manages to have both an upbeat and energetic vibe whilst also feeling completely relaxed and at ease. We noted how everyone in the open kitchen is just happily getting on with their jobs, and there seemed to be no stress in the air. The staff are reason alone to visit; they are a lovely group of committed people who enhance all of the incredibly delicious and fresh food with their excellent service. You really can’t go wrong with anything from the menu – only if you don’t order enough! Stay tuned for the September opening of a dinner menu, as well as their lovely upstairs space for cocktails and natural wines. We will see you there.
Beirut Habibi
Taman Weng Lock, No. 11B, Lorong Kurau,
Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
+60 03 2282 3571
@thebiggroup
Beirut Habibi Opening Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Find more cafes in Kuala Lumpur here and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in KL’s food and beverage scene here and here.
Never tried Mid-Eastern cuisine. Would love to give it a try!