Solidarity
The Chiche! project, led by Marianne Donven and her Syrian chef Chadi Bekhdach, no longer needs introduction. The project hires refugees as well as local people in social distress for its kitchens in Limpertsberg and Esch-sur-Alzette. In Luxembourg City, people like to spend a long evening in the restaurant's huge space or collect take away dishes at the dedicated counter. In Esch, the second Chiche! address is perfect for an efficient and tasty lunch or a shawarma on the go in the evening. We'll probably be hanging out there during Esch2022.
Chiche! 20, avenue Pasteur, Luxembourg (Limpertsberg)/125, rue de l'Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
Connected
Bazaar is not only the Gault&Millau 2021 "Bar of the Year" but also an establishment clearly influenced by the flavours of the Levant, both in the cocktails (such as the Tel Aviv 75, with tarragon and orange blossom) and on the food menu, especially in the mezze section. Labneh pommodoro, fatoush salad, spicy hummus shawarma or "babalasagnes": there is plenty to nourish the day and night revellers who have made this central establishment their watering hole.
Bazaar: 46, place Guillaume, Luxembourg, T. 28 99 07 07
Pioneer
Long before zaatar became a must for foodies of all stripes, Eli Bahbout was already making good Lebanese cuisine, one of the assets of his family hotel-restaurant in Strassen. The Levantine dishes (Cedar of Lebanon, Orient Express...), which are the trademark of L'Olivier, rub shoulders with more Western options on the menu and can be "spiced up" according to tastes and appetites, their composition evolving according to seasonal products. Discreet and always efficient, L'Olivier leads its way quietly but surely.
Hotel-Restaurant L'Olivier: 140a, route d'Arlon, Strassen, T. 31 36 66
Convivial
This is undoubtedly one of the favourite addresses of the inhabitants of Limpertsberg and aficionados of Levantine cuisine: situated just opposite the famous Café des Tramways, Kicheneck offers good food in a convivial atmosphere that works well. No wine on the menu, guests are invited to bring their own bottle. This little "local" restaurant has produced some daring and successful combinations, which are just as suitable for a business meeting as for a good evening with friends.
Kicheneck: 66, avenue Pasteur, Luxembourg (Limpertsberg), T. 26 26 20 20
A safe bet
It may not be the trendiest of the Levantine restaurants in the grand duchy, but it would be a shame not to consider Phénicia as a staple in this field that has survived in the Gare district of the capital. If the exterior is not very appealing, the interior décor and the dishes, including a lunchtime buffet, have been worth the trip for several years now. And surely for a long time to come.
Phenicia: 5, rue André Duchscher, Luxembourg (Station), T. 27 84 86 00
A safe bet, again, in Esch
It's a bit like the Phenicia of the south: Le Cèdre is a good and discreet restaurant. Apart from the mezze and the gourmet grills, I particularly like their kebbeh (finely minced meat, then pounded in a mortar with a little onion and spices and cracked wheat, a dish eaten in the form of oven-baked patties) and their moutabal (a grilled aubergine purée with sesame oil that is a real treat when it's well done).
Le Cèdre: 63, rue de la Libération, Esch-sur-Alzette, T. 54 00 63
For your home
Kitchen Leb is dedicated to Levantine cuisine created by the Capucins Restaurant-Bar, only for delivery and take-away. It should evolve further in the coming months with the arrival of chef Alessio Zapala in the kitchen. So you can enjoy the flavours of Levantine comfortably in TV dinner mode.
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This story was first published on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.