An Urban Oasis: Authentic Lebanese Restaurant Rue Du Liban Opens in Tsim Sha Tsui

An independent eatery offering a lively vibe amidst sophisticated interiors, including an up-side-down-hanging garden, Rua Du Liban serves as the perfect canvas on which the culinary team presents its modern yet authentic take on traditional Lebanese fare.
 
Rue Du Liban is the creation of restauranteur and owner Imran Khaleel and Egyptian Executive Chef Maged Makram, who initially met in Hong Kong for various restaurant consultation projects back in 2019.
 
A Swiss-trained chef with over two decades of culinary and operation experience under his belt, Imran began his hospitality career with The Ritz Carlton Hotel group in the USA, progressing to the acclaimed Hakkasan Group in the UK and the UAE, and worked his way up to the general manager position to oversee multiple brands under the group, including Modern Chinese fine-dining restaurant Yauatcha and Sake no Hana Modern Japanese Restaurant.
 
In 2012, Imran relocated to Hong Kong as the Deputy General Manager for Zuma Hong Kong. Since then, he has helped various dining groups launch multiple restaurants and bars. The passionate restaurateur has ventured out on his own, creating a neighbourhood dining destination that promises to be one of the city's most authentic Lebanese restaurants.
 
Rue Du Liban's culinary team is led by Egyptian Executive Chef Maged Makram. With over 40 years of culinary experience working for renowned luxury hotel groups in Egypt and South Africa, including Sheraton, Le Méridien and Fairmont, he relocated to Hong Kong in 2011 to continue his culinary journey. "Our menu reflects traditional Lebanese flavours and techniques. We take pride in sourcing our ingredients straight from Lebanon, creating a truly authentic dining experience," says Chef Makram.
 
A Vibrant yet Tranquil Design Dining Space
 
Rue Du Liban takes its name from the French word for "Lebanon Street", which is reflected by the idea that street foods often reflect traditional local cultures and exist in an endless variety. Catering to 60 guests, Rue Du Liban combines inventive and inspiring takes on classic Lebanese fare, served in vibrant interiors reminiscent of exotic Lebanese architecture.

With navy blue plaster on the façade and a relaxed ambience, the venue's design persona draws upon a traditional Lebanese house garden décor. With the main dining room dressed in navy blue, the effect of the Instagrammable up-side-down-hanging garden ceiling is accentuated by the use of artificial spring flowers and warm timber hues. 
 
Rue Du Liban is bathed in golden light from banks of traditional pendant light fixtures suspended from the ceiling. This unique look is further accentuated by wood motifs, including extended curved fluted timber panels ​matched with navy blue elements and honey-hue-timber gracing the dining room walls. This exotic feel is evident in every corner; comfortable banquette seating is matched with cross-stitch embroidered back-rest cushions. 
 
The main dining room is complemented by a private dining room, which caters to 12 diners, and an elegant bar area accentuated by touches of bronze, where guests can sample from the restaurant's Lebanese wine selection.

The restaurant owner Imran, fully understands that all of the small details make a big difference; the restaurant also operates with bronze tableware, with each piece specially handmade in the small town of Orissa in India. Pure bronze is an ultra-superior metal usually used for dining and cooking implements and is thought to help enhance digestive health.

Timeless Tradition Preserved & Refined

The essence of Levantine cuisine is all about sharing, including appetisers and main platters, where it is always a case of the more the merrier. The restaurant menus cater to diners of all persuasions and appetites by showcasing regional dishes and traditional Lebanese cooking techniques. Menus are designed to bring friends and family together, and the new restaurant is as perfect for celebrations as casual catch-ups.
 
Lebanese food rarely uses heavy sauces but instead utilises a variety of fresh herbs, spices and raw vegetables, which are used moderately in dish preparation, making it one of the healthiest cuisines in the world. Following the Lebanese tradition of cold mezze, Rue Du Liban presents mouth-watering starters, including various options of house-made hummus like the Hummus Beiruti (HK$88), a classic silky blend of Lebanese chickpeas, tahini, lemon and olive oil with mixed pickles; Moutabal (HK$94), made with smoked eggplant, tahini, lemon and olive oil; and Muhammara (HK$98) with roasted red pepper, walnut, sauteed onion, breadcrumbs and pomegranate molasses. These dishes are served with freshly house-baked pita bread and crispy pita chips.
 
You'll also love the Tabbouleh Salad (HK$108), a refreshingly light salad mixed with diced tomato, onion and chopped fresh parsley with a zesty lemon dressing; and the Fattoush Salad Served Table Side (HK$128), a beautiful Lebanese salad made with cherry tomato, cucumber, mixed bell pepper, fresh mint and parsley gently tossed in a pomegranate dressing tableside.
 
The selection of hot mezze is guaranteed to impress. Highlights of the hot starters include Grilled Halloumi Cheese (HK$128) drizzled with Lebanese pomegranate molasses; the iconic Kibbeh (HK$118), made with a mixture of lean pounded lamb meat, bulgur wheat and pine nuts to create a crispy texture on the outside and tender one on the inside; Grilled Octopus (HK$198) served with chickpeas; and Pan-fried Chicken Liver in Pomegranate Molasses (HK$128).
 
Rue Du Liban also offers Hong Kong diners an authentic selection of Sambousek, Lebanese savoury pastries. Sambousek is one of the most popular Lebanese street snacks and is traditionally a small, round-fried pastry with a meat and spices filling. Don't miss out on the Lamb Sambousek (HK$118), or vegetarian options like the Cheese Sambousek (HK$98), and the Spinach and Pine Nuts Sambousek (HK$98).
 
These delectable starters are followed by an array of satisfying sharing grilled mains that include the Chicken Fatteh (HK$168), an ultimate comfort rice dish mixed with spiced shredded chicken, garlicky yoghurt sauce, pita chips and pine nuts; Grilled Tiger Prawns with Garlic Sauce (HK$258); slow-cooked and falling off the bone Lamb Shank (HK$248); and Mixed Grill with Lamb, Chicken, Beef Selection (HK$568).
 
Dessert lovers will enjoy the Creamy Rice Pudding with Ice Cream (HK$88), rice pudding cooked in milk until creamy and with a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavours; and Lebanese French Toast with Brioche (HK$98), a dessert inspired by Hong Kong-style French toast and made with buttery brioche and served with a rich date paste for the natural sweetness.
 
Rue du Liban's wine menu focuses on labels from Lebanon, showcasing one of the world's oldest wine-producing areas.

A Great Weekday Lunch Menu with the "Get-Them-all" Platter
 
"It is important for guests to feel they are getting great cuisine and great value in equal measure," says Imran, the owner. Rue Du Liban's "get-it-all" weekday lunch set with vegetarian options is available every Monday to Friday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and starts from just HK$108 per person. 

Choices of the main include the yoghurt marinade chicken skewers, Chicken Shish Tawook (HK$128), rotisserie cooked chicken sliced, Chicken Shawarma (HK$128), Sliced Beef Ribeye Shawarma (HK$138), Lamb Kofta with yoghurt marination minced lamb skewers (HK$138), Grilled Barramundi Fillet (HK$148), Moussaka with roasted eggplant, tomatoes and fresh herbs (HK$108), and the roasted mixed seasonal vegetable, Vegetarian Shawarma (HK$108).
 
All the sets come with the soup of the day, a selection of freshly made mezze including Hummus, Tabbouleh, Muhammara and Falafel, along with Lebanese rice, warm pita bread, one dessert and one drink of your choice.
 
All prices are subject to 10% service charge.
 
Rue Du Liban is located at Shop A, G/F, Hillwood Court, 22-26 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 a.m. until late, with a seating capacity of 60 guests in the main dining room and 12 guests in the private dining room. For reservations, please call +852 2310 2922 or follow the restaurant on Instagram @rueduelibanhk.

Address
Shop A, G/F, Hillwood Court, 22-26 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
 
Reservations
+852 2310 2922
 
Seating
60 seated guests in the main dining room; 12 seated guests in the private dining room
 
Opening Hours
All-day dining, daily from 11:30 a.m. till late

Corkage
HK$150 per wine bottle
HK$350 per spirit bottle
 
Cake Charge
HK$25 per person
 
Social Media
FB & IG: @ruedulibanhk
 
Payment Methods
Cash, VISA, Master, China Union Pay, Wechat Pay, American Express, Tap & Go