Achrafieh

Upscale residential area with boutique shopping and quality restaurants. Quieter and more expensive than the nightlife districts. Safe, family-oriented atmosphere works if you want a calmer base, but you'll need taxis to reach the interesting parts of the city.

This upscale residential area spreads across eastern Beirut's hills. Designer boutiques, expensive cars, restaurants where Lebanese families celebrate special occasions. It's one of the oldest Christian areas, so you'll see more churches than mosques and won't hear the call to prayer. ABC Mall has upscale shopping, side streets have independent boutiques and galleries for wealthy locals. Monot Street has bars and clubs that get busy weekends, though it's more subdued than Gemmayzeh. The neighborhood feels residential and safe - families walk around evenings, street lighting is good. English is common in shops and restaurants that cater to educated locals and expats. Good choice for a quieter base with decent dining, though you'll need taxis to reach better nightlife and more authentic Lebanese spots.