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Maison Libanaise Reopens In SoHo: A Lebanese Home Away From Home
Three Floors, A Saj And Hong Kong's Biggest Lebanese Wine List
Updated
Maison means house, and that’s exactly what Maison Libanaise feels like after its refresh. Spread across three floors of one of Central’s last tong lau walk-ups, it has grown up: a little more elevated, a little more modern, but still every bit the generous, lingering, one-more-plate Lebanese home it set out to be, serving the kind of delicious, authentic Lebanese food that tastes as if it came from someone’s kitchen rather than a restaurant.
The inspiration is Achrafieh, Beirut’s elegant, tree-lined neighbourhood, and more specifically the women who live there. Head Chef Teya Mikhael says the spirit of the house is shaped by the Lebanese women who raised her: women of conviction and style, whose fridges were always full and whose tables always had room for one more.
Highlights at Maison Libanaise
- Three floors, three moods: a lively wine and mezze bar on the ground floor opening onto the Mid-Levels escalator, a dining room upstairs that feels like a beautiful Achrafieh apartment, and a rooftop terrace made for long lunches, sunset drinks and private celebrations.
- Hong Kong’s largest selection of Lebanese wines, led by Château Ksara and Château Musar (which, famously, is more celebrated abroad than at home; nul n’est prophète en son pays!). Plus arak (HK$88) poured the proper way: spirit, then water, then ice, until it turns milky white.
- A real saj. There’s a dedicated baker manning the forns (bread ovens) in full view, turning out markouk, kaak and hot saj bread to order. Kids will love watching it being made.
- The charcoal grill: Farrouj al Fahem (HK$548), a local three-yellow chicken grilled until juicy and burnished, and Kabse Short Rib ($688) with tahini, pickles and warm bread.
- Mezze done right: Hummus (HK$118), Falafel (HK$118), Smoked Labneh (HK$128), Tabbouleh (HK$128), lemony Fattoush (HK$148), Hummus Araydis (HK$148) topped with crisp baby prawns, and Kibbeh Nayyeh (HK$168), a nod to the Sunday lunches Chef Teya grew up with.
- One dessert to order: Riz bel Halib (HK$118), an orange-blossom rice pudding that tastes like something a grandmother made, whichever culture your grandmother came from.
- Fresh juices inspired by Beirut’s street vendors, making it an easy spot for families and non-drinkers too.
- A tawle (backgammon) board at the bar for anyone planning to settle in.
The Details That Make It Feel Like Home
What really got me was how thoughtfully everything has been put together. Designer Melissa Collison has drawn on Lebanese residential life (graceful arches, warm stone, collected art), and the result feels lived-in rather than themed. There are the patterned tiles that every old Lebanese house has, family photographs, and little mementos Chef Teya picked up on a recent trip to Beirut’s Basta souks.
The soundtrack made me smile. Of course there’s Lebanese and Arabic music, but don’t expect wall-to-wall Fairuz; woven in between is the music of Chef Teya’s noughties Beirut adolescence, so think Animal Collective, Beach House and Arcade Fire. This is what we grew up listening to, and it gives the place an easy, cool-cousin’s-apartment energy.
The service matches. The team is warm, knowledgeable and, despite not being Lebanese, pronounces every dish perfectly. They’ve clearly embraced the culture!
A Table With Room For Everyone
Chef Teya consulted Lebanese chef, cookbook author and Slow Food Beirut founder Barbara Abdeni Massaad on the new menu, and Massaad’s take sums it up: “Tradition is not something we preserve behind glass; it lives in the way we cook, the way we welcome people.”
Chef Teya puts it more simply: “I hope people leave Maison Libanaise feeling that there is always a place for them at our table.”
Whether it’s a quick glass and a few mezze on the way home, a long family lunch in the dining room, or a golden-hour gathering on the roof, there’s a corner of the maison for everyone. Just don’t plan on leaving quickly. I certainly didn’t.
Is Maison Libanaise good for kids in Hong Kong?
Yes, if your kids will share plates. This SoHo Lebanese canteen is built for mezze, not a formal set menu. Hummus, falafel, pita and grilled chicken are easy wins for younger eaters. The restaurant is child-friendly and keeps two high chairs. It is a three-storey walk-up, so the ground-floor counter is the easiest stop with a buggy.
Where is Maison Libanaise and how do we get there?
It is at 10 Shelley Street, SoHo, Central, right by the Mid-Levels escalator. From Central MTR, walk up through SoHo; from Hong Kong Station Exit C it is about a 10-minute walk. Le Comptoir on the ground floor does kebabs, salads and sides to go. Le Salon upstairs is the sit-down mezze room, and La Buvette is the rooftop. Call +852 2111 2284 before a big family outing.
What should we order with children?
Start with cold mezze, then the crispy falafel, shish taouk and the ras asfour debes. Pita is baked to order, and the labneh and hummus are made in-house. Skip anything very spicy if you have toddlers. Desserts are the sweet finish if they are still at the table. Portions are meant to be shared, so order a few plates rather than one main each.
When is the best time to go with the family?
The counter runs most of the day; the dining rooms are mainly lunch and dinner, with a later close on Friday and Saturday. Sunday is the easy family slot. More sharing-plate ideas are in kid-friendly restaurants in Hong Kong.
Why Little Steps Loves It:
Because it's a real home, not a concept. The tiles, the family photos, the souk finds, and the noughties indie soundtrack add up to something personal, and Lebanese food is built for sharing, which makes it one of the easiest cuisines for a table of mixed ages and appetites. Add bread being made to order in full view of the dining room and three floors that each suit a different kind of night out, and you have a place that's as good for a quick glass as it is for a milestone birthday.
Who It's Perfect For:
Families and multi-gen gatherings in the first-floor dining room, where a Farrouj al Fahem and a spread of mezze will keep everyone happy. Friends and date nights at the ground-floor wine bar with a bottle of Musar and a tawle board. Celebrations on the rooftop under the open sky. Mid-Levels commuters after "just one glass" on the way home. Non-drinkers and little ones, thanks to fresh juices made the Beirut way. And anyone homesick for Lebanon. Trust me on that last one.
Where To Find It:
- Maison Libanaise
- G/F-2/F, 10 Shelley Street, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong
- +852 2111 2284
- [email protected]
- https://www.maisonlibanaise.com.hk
Additional Info:
Opening hours:
- Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 6pm – 11pm
- Thursday – Saturday, 6pm – 12am
- Closed on Monday
Marya Saidi
Marya is the Regional Editor for Little Steps Asia. Originally from Lebanon and raised in London, she moved to Hong Kong with her husband in 2014 and now calls it home. With a background in mental health research and experience working with NGOs, she brings a thoughtful perspective to her writing. When she’s not exploring the latest restaurant openings or events, you’ll find her building sandcastles with her son on Repulse Bay Beach or strength training at her favorite gym.
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