Special Awards Mediterranean 2023Establishment

Brût

Youssef Akiki

Hrajel, Lebanon

WebsiteInstagram

Hidden Gems

Restaurants that deserve to be discovered for their unique culinary experience and the interpretation of their terroir.

Chef patron Youssef Akiki traveled the world, doing apprenticeships with Alain Ducasse, Nicolas le Bec, and Joel Robuchon, among many others, before returning to his childhood village in Lebanon, Hrajel, to open Brût, which he describes as “a true culinary journey in the middle of nature”. The farm-to-table restaurant serves exquisite Levantine cuisine using local produce, from saffron and squash to oranges, figs, and many herbs from nearby Mount Lebanon. As well as Brût, Akiki operates in Beirut and Dubai, and is a significant voice in Lebanese hospitality.