This is hands down one of the top restaurants in the United States. As a Lebanese person, I long for Beirut (and its sister restaurant Byblos). Toledo has the best Lebanese food in the country, and I've missed it ever since living in San Francisco and Oakland. When it comes to quality and service, Beirut outperforms every restaurant I've been to in the Bay Area, LA, and New York. It is world class all around and a Toledo institution. Compared to the cities I work in now, prices here are remarkably low given the quality level. The Falafel, Shish Tawook, Shish Kafta, etc. have no equals outside of Toledo. You can get good Lebanese in nearby Dearborn and Windsor too, but Beirut and Byblos step it up a notch. Anyone visiting Toledo owes it to themselves to eat at this restaurant. If during the summer, also try to hit a classic Arab festival like St. George. The Lebanese and Arab community in Toledo is what I miss most about the Glass City. This restaurant is at the heart and soul of it. read more

You could go on and on about just how great this place is, because it really is that good. The food, the service, and the quality would make this establishment a stalwart in any city across America. I have lived in Chicago, NY, Seattle, Denver and San Diego and could easily see this place with the same fame and fanfare in any of those places. That being said, it really isn't possible for me to try and tell you what is good and what I order because I always vary it up each time I come home to visit my parents. All I can tell you is that you get what you pay for here and then some... Enjoy Suckas'!!! read more

AMAZING food. Huge portions. Friendly staff that had excellent recommendations. It is not a trendy looking place - but who cares when the food is divine. read more

To be honest I am torn on this review. I always say service is half of the experience and I still feel that way. If YELP would allow a 1/2 star review I would split it down the center and give them a 2.5 star rating....I would give them a full 2.5 out of 5 on food and taste and I would rate them 0 out of 2.5 on service. Unfortunately the last 4 or 5 times we have been there our wait staff has been horrible We seem to get the same lady who barely visits the table for refills and request and only makes herself visible to take our order and deliver the food. I really wish they would get the service side o their business together because it would make it a much more enjoyable experience being that this place is a Toledo Staple. We will try a few more times and see if they get it right and I will update the review accordingly. read more

Beirut - Italian Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

We've heard wonderful things about this place so we just had to give it a try. Unfortunately, I think we just ended up picking the bad entrees that night. Neither of us were very happy about our choices, but hopefully the next time we will choose winners. First off, the night started weird because their front entrance was locked. It was a busy Saturday night at dinner time and we couldn't get in! At first we thought maybe there was an alternative entrance until we managed to catch the door as people were leaving. We let the manager know and everything was fixed. The dining area is so cozy. It's similar to some Italian restaurants in KC that we've been to. There are vines covering the ceilings and it almost feels like you are in a hidden grotto. I like the atmosphere. You first start off with some bread and butter. They gave us a ton of bread! It was more like pita bread really, but it still isn't pita. I don;t know exactly what kind of bread it was, but it was nice to have while we were waiting for our food. So I wasn't feeling super hungry and I saw that most of the plates were around $20, which is a little high for us. So we decided to each get some of the cheaper plates on the menu; this was our mistake. I got the Chopped Sirloin ($12) which is basically hamburger meat that has been shaped to look like a steak. It fooled me initially, and then I realized what it really was. I also wanted to have it medium rare and it came out well done. I would avoid this entree unless you like hamburger meat that is broiled like a steak. The bf got the Broiled Chicken ($13) which is a half chicken over a bed of rice and this cold green bean salad. His dish was pretty tasty, the chicken was moist and flavorful. Just wish that it came with some kind of sauce because the plate overall was a little dry. Overall, I can see that this place has a lot of potential. We should've forked over some more cash to get some of the other dishes that were recommended to us. Next time we will actually try some of the Mediterranean dishes when we are here! Pros: - free bread and butter - nice atmosphere - huge portions of food Cons: - a little bit more pricey ($20 plates) - non-Mediterranean dishes were not very good - how can you lock your doors on a Saturday night?? Why I gave it a 2.... I think we just picked the wrong dishes here. We will definitely have to come back and try the actual Mediterranean dishes. I'm hoping we just both picked the worst items on the menu. It is expensive ($20 a plate on average) so we will have to come here after it's been pay day. read more

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This is my 2nd favorite spot in the T-O-L. Let me tell you, Labib has it down. This place is as good as it gets in the USA for Mid-East fare. I'm no expert but I've taken a stab at dozens of similar stylings on the East Coast and the Midwest, and nothing compares. Plus the bang for your buck is exceptional, even by Toledo standards. The place is a classic Toledo institution and has a charming & quaint old scool decor. Not a lot has changed over the years. And I say if it ain't broke, don't fix it. People love this place, so why change? Let me start with the bread. The pita here is to die for. Fresh baked and steaming. I grew up on it. Love it. The appetizers are out of this world. Fatoosh and Tabouli packed with fresh ingredients and flavors. Kibbi with the perfect seasonings that tastes as cool and fresh as possible. Hommus that is creamy with the right seasonings and oils. Huge servings of grape leaves, a mountain...and they are the best...any other NYC or Chicago restaurant they are 1/2 as good and you get 1/4 the quantity. Sauteed mushrooms are a personal favorite, nothing too special but they are cooked just right. The meat fatayer is the perfect combo of crispness and meaty savory insides, love them. I could go on but my fingers tire. My only advice is jump into the this stuff and don't take the "old fashioned americana standard" route ie French soup or tossed salad. Onto the meat. Beef kabob rules, not to be missed as does the lamb kafka. Chicken is good, but focus on the lamb and beef. The rice and accompiniments are decent but they are filler. Focus on the meats and appetizers and you shall be happy. I have heard the secret gem of the menu is the trout, but I've never done it...cause I only get this place once A year now and I focus on my favorites. In my dozens of Beirut experiences, I have never had the pizza or Italian dishes, so I can't comment on them. Though I have heard the pizza is very good and I have minimal info on the Italian dishes. Dessert is good but I rarely have room. Coffee and a Bird Nest or Baklava is a nice way to close the night down...if you you like these types of dessers, which I do. A+! T-Town's finest!!! Yum!!!!! read more

Pro-tip: If you're going to order the kibbeh, make sure you have a couple of friends to help you eat it. On second thought, pretty much all the dishes, appetizers included, are huge and have extreme next-day's-lunch potential. Way to go on that, Hajjars! Service is always friendly and there is such an old-school feel to this place. I never go here without running into people I know, so it feels special, warm, and familiar. This is a place where Toledoans have been bringing their families for years and I'm happy I get to go now as an adult. read more

Cannot say enough amazing things about Beirut. Great food wonderful employees and a terrific atmosphere. Try everything on this menu. U will not be disappointed. read more

My husband and I stop in at Beirut every time we pass through Toledo on the way to Pittsburgh. We stumbled on it years ago when driving around town the night before Thanksgiving, looking for dinner. The town was quiet but Beirut's parking lot was full, so we figured it couldn't be bad. Well, our instincts were right. It's one of those places that has photos of celebrities on the walls. What struck us was the pita bread. It's homemade and comes to the table still puffed up with steam. oh my gosh. So good. When they run out they run out and you get cold, thin pita, which we found out the hard way. So make sure to come early enough for dinner! We usually order a few meze to share since it's just 2 of us. I really love their foul madamas. The sauteed zucchini is also addictive (thanks in no small part to a whole lot of butter, I think). It's tastier than it sounds. Hummus is good, and so is fattoush. We only ordered main dishes the first time we went, but have switched to the meze approach just to avoid being stuffed to the gills one day before a big eating holiday. That time I ordered swordfish, which probably should've been listed as salted swordfish--it was almost inedibly salty! But I noticed that it's not on the menu any more. In summary, this is good Lebanese-American food. The pita bread is awesome. There are Italian-American favorites on the menu for those who may not want Lebanese dishes. The restaurant has clearly been a mainstay for years. And the servers are always friendly. Love it! read more

Beirut Restaurant is owned by the same people as Byblos and Poco Piatti, and it's definitely a solid option for Lebanese food in the area. But it's really not as good as Byblos, and there are subtle but noticeable differences in the quality of the shish kafta (the main reason I go to these restaurants: see my review of Byblos). Still, it's only lacking in comparison to its sister restaurant, but otherwise head and shoulders above other Lebanese restaurants in the area. Also, try the only Lebanese beer they serve if you're going to drink: Almaza. It's awesome, and reminds me of my time in Beirut. read more

Great food! Authentic. Why? I smell lika an Arab after eating. Joking aside, their food is authentic middlw eastern. Only passing by from a road trip. I'm glad we did. read more

Beirut - Italian Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

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One of the best traditional Lebanese place to eat in town. They been around for years from what i can tell. The food is very good for the area. Don't know any other place that is as good or consistent as this place. I love the hummus, grape leaves and tabouli from here. They have the best pita breads that is for sure. My friends love the kibi here it seems. I always get the Filet Tips or broiled chicken here and have not been able to order anything else. Only thing I wish they do is update the place. I know its suppose to feel like the old times but just a little touch up would make this place feel less "down". read more

Positives: Amazing food Knowledgable servers Reasonable prices The pita bread is plentiful A good location away from most heavy traffic Not-so-Positives: Restrooms are almost hidden away in the night portion of the restaurant Day portion of the restaurant seems to be in middle of a store and dishwashing station Beirut has outstanding food and the Lebanese Garlic Bread will make you want to donate blood and help an old lady across the street. The rice is delicious and the portions are large. If you come here, then bring an appetite and that appetite's first cousin. There is absolutely nothing negative about the food. The meat was tender, juicy and was overflowing with flavor. I believe that one side of the restaurant is used during the day, and the other at night and for special occasions. I recommend the kafta, hummus, Lebanese garlic bread and the fatoosh. You won't be sorry. read more

My all time favorite restaurant and one of the only places I eat in Toledo when I visit family. I can't NOT eat here when I am in the 419!!! When I am in the mood for a healthy, fresh Lebanese meal, I dream about The Beruit. Every dish is absolute perfection-- the best grape leaves I have ever tasted (trust me, I have tried many) fattoush, hummus and raw kibbi. Their lamb dishes are always so juicy and tender. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. For the picky eater in your family, there are also your basic American options.They serve fresh, warm baked pitas to the table for starters. This is the only place I can say that I could eat here once a week and never get sick of. If they had a Cleveland location, my life would be complete!!!!! read more

We went there with a large group on a Monday night. I have always had the Mediterranean food so this time I tried the ravioli on the Italian part of the menu. What a HUGE mistake. The ravioli came out with extremely thick tomato paste based sauce. I can't believe that anyone had tasted it because it was almost like eating tomato paste out of the can. The sauce was hot but the pasta underneath was cold as if it had just come out of the refrigerator. Apparently the sauce was supposed to warm it up. The meat filling was compacted extremely tightly and densely and tasted overwhelmingly of garlic that was stinging to the tongue. It was so garlicky that I could not eat it at all. I sent it back. The waitress asked me if I wanted something else and I declined, as my appetite was ruined for the evening by the pungent garlic taste. The only good thing was the pita bread. It was yummy. My salad had chunks of lettuce so large it was hard to put in my mouth. I asked for ranch dressing and was given a packet of Newman's Ranch dressing that was almost impossible to tear open. It's presentation was pretty lame although the salad tasted okay. We had gone with friends a couple of years ago for dinner there and the food was decent. We had Mediterranean food that time. The only reason I gave it two stars was because the bread was good. My husband's Mediterranean dish was disappointing. He let me have his meat pie and the meat was overcooked and dry and was pretty tasteless. The waitress took the ravioli off of our bill, which was nice. My grandsons had pizza. They are picky and they said it was okay. We won't be back any time soon. read more

Dined at Beirut on Monday as a guest of a Toledo based client. I figured the place must be good when you pass an autograph picture (amongst many other celebs) of Billy Joel during the River of Dreams days, on your way into the place. My client is a frequent visitor to Beirut and seemed to know the staff as family. He ordered a variety of eats for the table and everything was delicious. I highly recommend checking this restaurant out when visiting Toledo. read more

Finally tried this place after driving past it so many time. Honestly one of the best meals I've ever had. The workers and the owner are extremely nice and helpful. I would very much recommend it to anyone. In my my opinion, it may be a little costly but try alot of the different appetizers. You'd be amazed how much you'd like even if you don't know what it is. Besides they will explain in great detail what it is. read more

Beirut - One of the beers they have, very crisp good flavor - Italian Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

One of the best in Toledo. Period. There are lots to choose from in the Toledo area, but Beirut does it best. Have yet to have a bad experience there or bad food or bad service. The wine selection is fantastic, along with a couple of beers as well from the region. The baby lamb chops, medium rare + medium cooked, they are the best. Like I said, I've yet to have a bad meal and I've had quit a few dishes there. My favorite thing to do is get one entree for the two of us, and then a few sides, and we just eat family style, the best way to experience Beirut. One entree less than what's in your party, and get a few sides, and just split everything. Cheers read more

Very, very tasty. Some of the best middle eastern/Lebanese food I've ever had. The only problem is the prices are quite high. It's a fancy restaurant with white tablecloths and it's a bit more extravagant than I would have liked. Overall, I'd love to visit again but the prices are just too much. read more

This place comes heavily recommended from locals and it was definitely an enjoyable meal. I came with a large group so we got a variety of appetizers. I was very glad that they brought an abundance of fresh vegetables so that I could enjoy a ton of hummus without eating sixteen pitas. The lamb shanks were stupendous. If I were to return, this would be my meal. The other appetizers that we ordered were not incredibly memorable. That being said, we ate enough of them that we were not even hungry when the entrees came. This was unfortunate, because the portions were HUGE. My tablemates seemed to enjoy their meals, a range of the standard meat entrees. I ordered the Foul Mudammas, which was good but way too oily. read more

We accidentally found Beirut one evening while driving through Toledo, and every time I find myself in Toledo I make the effort to stop in a Beirut in the hopes that homemade pita is still available. The decor probably hasn't changed much since the 80's - and that adds to the charm of this accidental find. But, back to the pita... delicious and the perfect accompaniment to ordering a long list of appetizers and sharing around the table. On our most recent trip to Beirut, we had the meatless grape leaves, sauteed zucchini (excellent!), foul mudammas (drool!), the house salad, hommus and leban (homemade yogurt). Unfortunately, if you miss the fresh pita, the alternative, cold pitas from a bag, is not nearly as exciting. But the rest of the menu items hold their own. We've had good and bad service over the years, but overall, the service is friendly and attentive. There are a lot of families and it's always crowded when we arrive, adding to the friendly and festive atmosphere. read more

Wow, what an amazing find in such a small Midwest town! While I'd personally been to Toledo many times before, I'd never had the pleasure of eating here until my most recent trip to Ann Arbor with my wife. She gets the credit for the find...thanks to Yelp! :-) Thanks to all of you locals who provided such great and thorough reviews as it's exactly why we decided to try this great restaurant. During our particular experience on a Monday night, we had a rough time trying to select a wine that was actually in-stock, but after the third attempt the manager recommended a great wine similar (and better) than our last choice...and it was delicious. The food was terrific, flavorful, and of enormous proportions. Obviously, they had adapted the dishes to meet the requirements of the local palate (lots of french fries and pickles), but overall had a pretty authentic flair. I had the shish kebobs which were perfectly cooked and had lots of good flavor; however, they could have had some type of dipping sauce to finish it off. My wife had the Beirut Filet Tips which was a meal for two or more people -- it was huge! The combination was nicely done, but the special sauce was a bit too heavy and too bitter for our tastes. Even when mixed with the rice, it still over-powered the actual ingredients. Price was reasonable and we had plenty of left-overs for the next day's lunch. Will definitely plan on coming back next year on our annual treck back to Ann Arbor. Highly recommend this to anyone driving through or whom live anywhere near Toledo. Enjoy! read more

Awesome food with generous portions. Make sure to go there with an appetite. The only downside is they will not let you order smaller portions haha. I got the lamb shank(best I've ever had). The bread is fantastic, so are the desserts. A bit pricy but worth it! read more

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I went on a Saturday night and it was packed. I understand why! The food was phenomenal and very authentic. I tried the Lebanese part of the menu (tabouli, hummus, fattoush) and it was the best Lebanese I've ever had. I'm interested in trying the Italian menu next time I go. The waitress was friendly but disappeared for about half an hour while we were done eating. That's the only reason I'm giving it a 4 instead of a 5. I'm definitely going back and telling all my friends about it. You've gotta go if you're in the toledo area! read more

Hands down, Beirut's shiskabob is the best I've ever had in my life. Back at home, we have our fair share of mediterranean offerings - but none can compete with the food at Beirut. If you don't trust my opinion - maybe you'll trust Bill Cosby's? He has an autographed picture in the restaurant. Apparently, he's a fan too. read more

We love getting take out here and do at least once a month The shish tawook is deeelish. The hommos is just like my Siti's. We are Lebanese and we know good Lebanese food. Best in town!!!!! read more

Very good looking Lebanese restaurant with yummy food. I was surprised to find a nice Lebanese restaurant like this in the middle of Toledo. A little higher priced than similar restaurants I go to in Beverly Hills area. read more

This is my favorite restaurant in Toledo. These people know what their doing and it shows in every plate. Be prepared to pay for your experience (a little pricey, but worth it). Best Fattoush. Perfectly ripe tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, and onions. And the crunchy pita on top sets it off! Their fresh bakes Pita is sooo goood! It usually comes right from the oven. If you're not watching your calories go for the Garlic Pita, it is excellent! This is one of the only restaurants I'll order Lamb Kibbeh from. I feel very safe ordering raw read meat because the restaurant is very clean and professional. The meat is so buttery and delicious! Forego the Beef Kibbeh and pay the extra for the Lamb! Worth it! One surprising dish is the French Onion! Super Tasty! Entree: I love the Steak Kabob, Pizza, Shrimp, and Tawook. However, I usually load up on Hummus, Fattoush, Kibbe, and Tabouli. So Fresh so GOOD! read more

This place is good, but it won't be a place we frequent too often. I had the Shish Kabob, which was fantastic. I have to carefully cut up my kabob and put some onion or pepper with it to form a bite, and unlike many places, they provided a good quantity of onion and pepper. And there was a huge quantity of tenderloin to my own! i actually even took some of it home with me. i did have a problem in as there evidently was a huge amount of salt on it, and my blood pressure sky rocketed. We also had pizza's as appetizers, and they were quite good. But there were things we weren't happy with too. Our server wasn't professional, and wasn't at all attentive enough. When we came in the hostess seemed befuddled as to what she was supposed to do, though did eventually seat us. And for a place that is fairly expensive, and has been around a long time, why in the world do they have cheap, lightweight silverwear which bends when you use it! Put some of the profits into real knives and forks. And too the glasses they use are from differing sets. read more

Awesome lunch and dinner this week! Introduced an out of town colleague to the fine fare and dependable service @ the Beirut. We will be returning! Thank you Labib! read more

A Toledo staple. My parents always bring out of town guests here because the Mediterranean dishes are good and the Italian dishes please picky eaters. To be honest, I didn't like this place as a kid, but now I like it! Some of my favorite dishes include the falafel, arayes, vegetarian grape leaves, and hummus. My husband and I usually order several appetizers (basically small plates) and skip the entrees, but my mom loves their lasagna. I have had the kabobs and shwarma, which are served with fries (which is probably why one reviewer was given ketchup - that is not how we eat shwarma here) or rice pilaf. These dishes are good, and portions are large, but I prefer to do several smaller plates. Service is very friendly, and I love the soft, warm bread that comes out before the meal. Another treat my husband and I like is the dessert parfait - a shot of your choice of liquor poured over vanilla ice cream. Simple and cheap if you're in the mood for something sweet. There are 2 small parking lots and some limited street parking. The place fills up fast, but they do great takeout, too! read more

Crazy good food. Was first time diner and wished the waitress had been more friendly and helped me with my order. She let me order WAY too much food. It was so good though I'll give that fourth star but don't expect warm and fuzzy. I felt like she wanted me gone asap. LOL. read more

I had the Beirut Filet, medium-rare and it was perfect. Service was great even though it was a Saturday evening and the place was packed. The only negative was a very minor one. I ordered a Scotch and soda, and the house Scotch was a little below par. If you order a cocktail I'd recommend specifying the brand of liquor read more

Classy sophisticated and great for large parties. Stellar menu. Go on a weekend when they make their fresh bread. Apps to split a must. Great service. read more

My first time there and i was impressed by the great food and service...fatoosh,grape leaves,and baby lamb chops with rice...for some reason the couple who came with us said try the french fries....they were the best fries i had in a long time... read more

Beirut - Fatoosh - Italian Near Me - Toledo, Ohio

OMG! I am SOOOO disappointed! The beirut cannot even make a fatoosh. I can't even summon the energy to write a review. They are off the list. Good bye cruel lebanese restaurant. read more

This place is out of this world amazing!!!!!!! I pretty much find it indescribable! You just HAVE TO experience this place!!!!!

I have actually been going here since I was a kid. My grandpa was friends with the original owners and we've been name-dropping my grandpa for 3 decades in order to get a good table and speedy service. Unfortunately nobody there knows or cares who he is anymore, so we're just average joe's. I have always loved the food here. It's very close to the way my family cooks arabic food so I have grown up accustomed to the taste and spices of the way everything is prepared. Because of my history with this restaurant, every other arabic joint in town MUST be at least comparable to the quality and authenticity of the food at Beirut. And it's safe to say that most restaurants have fallen short. I went back again Friday night after a very long 3 year stretch of absence. I actually tried to name-drop my grandpa again but the hostess looked at me like I was high so I dropped the subject. I ordered an appetizer of raw kibbe (lamb) and lebanee. The combo of the lamb, with the tangy lebanee, and the warm bread was delightful! My brother and I were actually slapping each other's hand's out of the way so we could get to the food first. The main course was the kabob and such. It's a tasty combo plate with a long lamb kabob, a few grape leaves, a meat pie, and a square of kibbe over rice. It was exactly how I remembered and I was enjoying every bite. I actually stopped myself from eating the whole thing simply so I could enjoy another meal out of it. The service was excellent as our waitress made sure our glasses and the bread basket was never empty. We had weird separate checks and she kept right up with us and got everything correct. This is one of those places that will never get old and I will try not to go so long between visits. Without a doubt, it's one of the best arabic restaurants out there, even without grandpa. read more

I heard the lamb shank at Beirut was very good so I just had to try it. Beirut was easy to find but parking was challenging. I was lucky to find parking on the restaurant's lot. The falafels were great. The spices are a little different for other falafels I've had. I loved them. The lamb shank was cooked beautifully. The meat was tender and the connective tissues just melts in your mouth. The gravy was so good and went well with the rice. The rice just soaked up all that wonderful gravy. Definitely will RTE when in Toledo. read more

I'm actually shocked by the glowing reviews for this place. The fact that menu boasts both an array of Middle Eastern and Italian dishes kinda says it all. I met a friend for dinner a couple of weeks ago. I ordered shawarma and after the waitress took our order she plunked down a bottle of ketchup without being asked. Apparently that's how the shawarma is eaten here. My friend had a combination plate with some things she liked and some things she didn't. I thought the food was fine. On the plus side the fresh bread was great, and I loved that they serve it with butter instead of a more traditional garlic spread. Who doesn't love hot bread with butter? The servings were huge and the food was decent. I admit I'm 15 minutes from Dearborn, so I'm a little spoiled. I think it would be excellent for groups. The kids could order pizza and everyone would be happy. read more