Tables Over Tours: Announcing My Lebanon Dinner Series
It all begins with an idea.
There are some places you can understand from a guidebook.
Lebanon is not one of them.
Lebanon reveals itself at the table.
Around slow Sunday lunches that stretch into the late afternoon.
Over mezze that just keeps coming. Arak with its milky innocent look, yet immediate kick.
With wine poured by the person who actually made it, olive oil from groves you passed on the way in, and stories that weave together food, history, resilience, and joy.
When I first lived in Beirut, it took time to be invited into those dinner parties and long lunches – the kinds of gatherings where locals, expats, and friends passing through all somehow end up at the same table. Those nights changed how I experienced Lebanon. They’re also not something you can “book” with a few clicks.
So I decided to change that.
This new Lebanon Dining Series is my way of opening that door for you from day one – so you land in Lebanon and already have a spot waiting for you at a local table.
Why a Dinner Series, Not a Tour
I’ve always believed in tables over tours. Tours can show you the sites; tables let you feel the soul of a place.
This series grew out of two things:
The dinners I wish I was invited to when I first arrived in Lebanon, and
My work as a travel advisor, constantly stitching together the “impossible to find online” guest houses, wineries, beach clubs, and local collaborators that make Lebanon so special.
Lebanon can be tricky to navigate:
There’s very little public transportation.
The most special stays are often under-the-radar guest houses, not big hotels. Also those don’t exist outside of Beirut.
The best food is in kitchens and concepts you’re more likely to hear about from a friend than from an online listicle.
But when you have the right local lens, it’s one of the most rewarding destinations in the world.
These dinners are designed to provide access to that special energy you find at a fabulous dinner table.
Each experience is:
Intimate and hosted – think curated dinner party, not anonymous group tour.
Rooted in people, not just places – you’re meeting chefs, winemakers, and the women who power Souk El Tayeb, not just “staff.” The local women and community it supports.
A launchpad for the rest of your trip – we build your wider itinerary around whichever dinners you choose or all three, which are strategically placed around the small country to experience more.
Meet the Makers: What Makes These Experiences Different
All three dinners in the series share one core idea: you’re not just “eating out,” you’re meeting the people behind the table.
You’ll have the chance to:
Meet the chef behind one of Beirut’s most exciting kitchens and hear how global experience and Lebanese roots are shaping his food.
Walk the vineyards and taste at the source at one of Lebanon’s storied wineries, where ancient vines and modern winemaking sit side by side.
Experience Souk El Tayeb’s world – the women, farmers, producers, and changemakers who have turned food into a tool for community and preservation.
Rather than listing out every detail here (you’ll find that on the landing page), here’s the spirit of how each experience is set up:
Thoughtfully curated menu: A set menu or tasting-style experience so no one has to fuss over ordering – you can just relax into the evening.
Tips included: Gratuity is built in, so the people taking care of us are properly looked after.
Winery lunch structure: At the winery, your visit includes a guided tour + lunch; wine is available à la carte by the glass or bottle so you can decide how indulgent you’d like to be.
Shared table: You’ll be seated with a mix of fellow travelers, Lebanese locals, and expats returning home – which is where the real magic happens.
This isn’t “follow the flag” group touring.
This is front-row access to people who pour their hearts into what they create from wine and olive oil to multi-course meals and social enterprises.
Lebanon in August: A Homecoming Vibe
The series is intentionally set during Lebanon’s liveliest season.
Every year, Lebanese from all over the world return in August. The country hums with homecoming energy: beach clubs are buzzing, terraces stay full late into the night, and there’s this palpable sense of reunion.
Yes, it’s hot. But it’s also:
Vibrant and social – everyone’s out, catching up over long lunches and late dinners.
Beach-ready – you can cool off at some of my favorite beach clubs during the day before heading up into the hills or into Beirut for dinner.
Alive in a way you can’t quite put into words – which is exactly why I want you to feel it at the table, not just see it from the window of a car.
These dinners are meant to slide right into that rhythm: beach or exploring by day, then a beautiful, unhurried table waiting for you in the late afternoon or evening.
Why I’m Doing This (And How I Support You as a Travel Advisor)
I’m organizing dinners I personally would move my schedule around to attend.
But beyond that, I’m also:
A travel advisor who knows Lebanon well, and
Someone who understands how important it is to feel safe, supported, and welcomed in a place that doesn’t always feel “plug and play” from the outside.
Lebanon is not a destination where I recommend winging it:
Transfers, drivers, and timing matter.
Local nuances change quickly.
The most special places often don’t show up on the first three pages of Google.
So in addition to your seat at the table, my role is to be your boots on the ground planner, helping you hand-stitch the rest of your stay:
Curated guest house and boutique hotel recommendations in Beirut, the Batroun hillsides, the Bekaa Valley, and beyond.
Drivers and transfers so you’re not wrestling with logistics or worry.
Beach clubs, wine tastings, and local experiences that pair naturally with the dinner(s) you choose.
Suggestions for day trips, walks, cafés, bars, and shops that fit how you like to travel.
You can join us for one dinner, two, or all three, and I’ll build out a tailored itinerary around your choices and dates.
Who This Dinner Series Is For
You might see yourself in one (or more) of these:
Curious food travelers who would rather have one unforgettable dinner with locals than check off ten generic “must-sees.”
Lebanese diaspora & friends returning with partners or friends who want to show them “your Lebanon,” without the stress of planning every detail yourself.
Couples and small groups who want something more meaningful than a standard group tour, but don’t want to plan everything solo.
Seasoned travelers who love destinations with depth and complexity and appreciate having an advisor who knows how to navigate them.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience Lebanon through a local lens, but weren’t sure where to start, this is designed for you.
How to Join the Table
Here’s how it will work on your end:
Explore the dinner series details
I’ll link the dedicated landing page with all the specifics: dates, locations, what’s included, and pricing.Choose your dates + which dinners you’d like to attend
You can opt for one, two, or all three experiences depending on your schedule and how deeply you want to dive in.Fill out the short travel form
This lets me understand who’s traveling, your preferred dates, and how much support you’d like with accommodations, transfers, and additional touring.We design your tailored itinerary around the table(s)
From there, I’ll come back with a proposed itinerary and trip framework that stitches everything together – your flights, drivers, stays, beach days, and these dinners as anchor points.
Spots will be limited for each dinner to keep them intimate and meaningful, so if this is tugging at you, I recommend reaching out sooner rather than later.
What’s Coming Next on the Blog
This post is your official invitation and launch of the Lebanon Dinner Series.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be publishing a separate deep-dive blog post on each experience, including:
A closer look at Beihouse and a Q&A with Chef Tarek ,
A profile of Souk El Tayeb and the women and makers behind it,
Stories from the wineries (including Domaine and Sept) and how these ancient vines are being nurtured today.
I’ll also share sample itineraries that weave in my favorite guest houses, beach clubs, and day experiences so you can visualize exactly how a trip like this could look for you.
Ready to Experience Lebanon at the Table?
If you’ve been curious about Lebanon, if you’ve been waiting for the “right way” to go, or if you’ve been wanting to return and show it to someone you love – consider this your sign.
Come for the dinners.
Stay for the vineyards, the sea, the mountain switchbacks, the stories, and the people who will inevitably make you feel like you’ve known them much longer than a single meal.
✨ https://www.tripwhisperer.co/lebanon-dinner-series
I can’t wait to welcome you to the table.
Blog Post Title Two
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.