This is defineitly not an ordinary restaurant which focusses just on what is served on your plate but tries to implicate the true Lebanon culture in every single way. From Lebanese live music, belly dancers, sheesha pipes to a family atmosphere Habibi makes itself unique from the others. The Colombo diner will be opened to a totally new environment where they will not only stimulate and satisfy their taste buds but also have a time of their life enjoying the true culture of Lebanon. Lebanese restaurateur and food connoisseur Michel Habibi runs his successful ‘Habibi’ franchise across the globe from Middle East to Africa and he explained that the secret to the unmistakable appeal of ‘Habibi’ is very simple. “We are 100% Lebanese!”

As I entered the restaurant I was greeted by the host/owner Mr.Michel Habibi who welcomed everyone with a ever pleasant smile. We were greeted with our first taste of Lebanese cuisine as they served us with some Lebanese tea and coffee. I must say it tasted quite unusual and it surely pepped us for what was in store, the flavour it had was very unique as it was more spicy rather than sweet. Mr.Habibi tries to make this more than just a meal as he tries to inculcate the Mediterranean environment in every possible way. Majority of his ingredients are flown straight from Lebanon “When you eat hummous at my restaurant, it is the real deal,” he informed. While the sesame tahini which gives the dish its unmistakable tangy flavor, the olive oil and aromatic condiments are brought down specifically from Lebanon, Habibi looks to Greece for his authentic Fetta Cheese and Australia for the highest grade of lamb and mutton and of course, the delicious grape leaves which make up one part of his extensive Mezze Platter. He has a combination of three local as well as three Lebanese chefs who do wonders in the kitchen. Mr.Habibi has been in the food industry for more than 30 years having more than 35 restaurants. He wants to make Sri Lanka his final destination as he considers this the perfect country to settle downl, ‘I want to settle down in this country and make this my final restaurant’. He has sold most of his restaurants and has only three left under his ownership, one of them run by his son. The place was a spectacle itself with the colourful lighting and the exquisite furniture which contributed to the whole experience. Mr.Habibi was the man behind the interior decor as he brought in a sense of elegance to the whole place with his unique taste in decor. Surprisingly it took only seven days for him to completely transform an empty space into this majestic looking restaurant.

Have you ever seen the Restaurant owner coming and taking your order and visiting each guest? This is exactly what Mr.Habibi does as he believes in running the show and believes that there should be a closer bond between the customer and the dinning place and people. ‘Habibi’ means lover/darling and is considered the most famous word in the Arabic language. The meaning of this name is personified by this individual as Mr.Habibi makes his customers feel very homely, loved and at ease. As I made my way around the restaurant one thing struck me quite significantly. The photos of celebrities were everywhere! I learnt that this was considered a custom in Lebanon to have pictures of families and celebrities signed by them to make it more homely. There is also an empty wall which has been reserved for all the photographs of customers that are going to come in. After observing the uniqeness of the place we were pleasantly asked to go and serve ourselves. The food was nicely laid on a table and looked very inviting, various dishes in bright and attractive colors. He mentioned to his guests that all the food that is served is Halal and assured that everyone can come to get a true taste of Lebanese culture.

After indulging in that royal feast I felt like my taste buds had discovered new tastes that were alien to me before. The flavour had a clear distinction and was very sharp. Mr.Habibi was very precise on how the food tasted as he wants all his customers to get the true essense of their culture, and a true essense of culture is truly what we got as the geogeous Fernanda made her way out to the dance floor to entertain the guests who were present. Having amassed fans in Habibi’s restaurants in Cyprus and Egypt, the fiery Fernanda has been flown down to add the final touch to a truly Lebanese experience in Colombo. Every evening she will shimmer and sway and she will entice diners to leave their inhibitions and join her to dance, men, women, children and all. “Dining is more than just about food in Lebanon,” Habibi explained, “It is a complete experience combining relaxation with entertainment”. Fernanda made sure that she got the participation of all who were there and made everyone dance with her.

Most of the movements involved isolating different parts of the body (hips, shoulders, stomach etc) and was simply magical to watch. She is joined by Imad the musician who plays the organ and sings, and he was also brought down from Lebanon. This duo will be involved in conducting belly dancing classes for all who are interested. Anyone who is above the age of 6 is eligible to join Fernanda as she teaches you the mystical and alluring dance of the middle east. “It is a custom in all my restaurants,” the affable Habibi explained, “and now, the ladies of Sri Lanka are also given the opportunity.”After Fernanda’s performance we made our way back to the table as Mr.Habibi explained to us how his restaurant caters to three different crowds. The customers that come for lunch, the early birds who catch dinner at around 8 and the night crowd who want a taste of the entire Lebanese culture. The diners kept on coming even as we were there and one even booked a table for 17. This showed the demand that has been created for ‘Habibi’ as it simply is a different concept all together amplifying true Lebanese taste.

Dishes available at Habibi
Start off your Lebanese dining experience by treating yourself to Habibi’s scrumptious Mezze Platter which is the Lebanese equivalent to appetizers. With over 20 dishes to choose from you can either go all out, or stick to a safe a la carte menu. Ranging from the irresistible and addictive hummous made of chick peas, olive oil, tahini and lime juice, to the ‘Queen of the Lebanese table’ Tabbouleih where chopped parsley is combined with tomatoes and lime to tease your taste buds, from the delicious mashed eggplant dish Moutabbal to the delectable herb rice wrapped in Grape Leaves, the Mezze Platter is a treat to the eyes and a feast for your senses. Grab yourself a piece of pita bread and indulge.

The variety of the Mezze is only the start, and you can next indulge in a plethora of delicious textures and flavors of the Lebanese samosas, soft and tender falafels, delicious meaty kebabs and spiced rice among the extensive menu.

Complete your meal with the rose and milk flavored creamy Mahalabia, Lebanese sweets or fresh fruits but it is still only the beginning of the dining experience. Grab yourself an authentic Lebanese coffee or kahwa, which Habibi ensured will keep you alert for the next four hours, giving you the perfect opportunity to enjoy the rest of the night swaying to the Lebanese music or relaxing with a bubbling sheesha in the lounge.

Habibi’s Challenge
The fun does not end there. Habibi has challenged that if any two of his diners can sit with his mammoth Mezze Platter and finish every dish, he will give them the Mezze for free. It is not an easy task, but the brave diners of Colombo have been warned. Head to ‘Habibi’ and accept the delicious challenge yourself.

Whether you are visiting Habibi for the first time or the fifteenth you will feel welcomed like a member of the family. The atmosphere is bustling and the restaurant has its own design and totally different flavors. That is because the food is made fresh, and each Chef has his own "touch" that keeps you coming back for more.