Too many plates on the table?

In a letter to his son’s teacher, Abraham Lincoln wrote that “only the test of fire makes fine steel”. Lebanon’s food and beverage (F&B) operators have been through several tough tests of fire over the past five years, including a decrease in tourism and dwindling local purchasing power. Nevertheless, they have emerged more seasoned and creative, albeit more cautious than they were in 2010 when Lebanon was experiencing its last boom. This resilience is reflected in the recognition of Lebanon as a culinary destination in 2016, including being named the number one “International City for Food” by Travel + Leisure magazine and being featured as a top food destination by the international publication Monocle. Despite this, the local market itself has remained largely unchanged for F&B operators. Pack your bags and move Predicting what street or area in Lebanon will be the new “it” nightlife and dining destination has become