Phoenicia Not only the best of Lebanese cuisine, also a complete immersion into the enchanting world of Orient

Fatima Haji and her husband came to live in Bulgaria in 1993. Before that they visited as tourists and they loved it. They thought they could do business here relatively easily and cheaply and moved from Lebanon.

What she likes the most about Bulgaria is the climate, peacefulness, the people, and the fact that it is only 2 hours away from Lebanon.

She has no favorite Bulgarian dish because she doesn’t not eat pork, only halal meat and therefore she hasn’t tried anything from Bulgarian cuisine.

What she misses the most from her homeland is her family.

Her favorite childhood dish is ful – it’s a dish with boiled broad beans and spices, prepared as a salad.

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The restaurant was opened in 1999. Before that, she and her husband had a small restaurant on the corner of Neofit Rilski Str. and Vitosha Bul., where they offered mostly takeaway because they only had two tables.

The name of the restaurant comes from the Phoenician people, where Lebanese originate from.

Their customers come here because of the cosy atmosphere, hospitality and delicious food. The place offers great Lebanese desserts, special Lebanese brandy “arrack” and hookahs. The three mandatory meals are tabbouleh (parsley salad), kebbe – groats stuffed with minced meat (fried or raw) and hummus. Moreover, every Saturday the restaurant organizes oriental music program with songs and dancing until dawn.

The restaurant adheres to original recipes and does not change anything, because their customers like the authenticity of the dishes.

The most frequent visitors to the restaurant are mainly Bulgarians (70%), as well as Arabs (15%) and foreigners of all nationalities.

Interview and photos: An Fam
Translation from Bulgarian: Boyan Boychev
Illustration: Rositsa Raleva for Compote Collective
November 30, 2013