"An open-air Lebanese mezze house beside the Ras al-Ain spring, steps from Baalbek’s temples — go for a long birthday lunch."
About Casino Ras Al Ain
The tables sit out in the open beside the Ras al-Ain spring, in earshot of the water that has run past Baalbek for two thousand years. Casino Ras Al Ain is a Bekaa Valley mezze house in the old Lebanese sense of the word casino: a large open-air restaurant built for long, shaded lunches rather than gambling. It stands about half a kilometre from the great Roman temples, which makes it the natural place to land after a morning among the ruins. The cooking is straightforward Lebanese, and the spring-side terrace is the point. See the wider Baalbek dining guide.
The Kitchen
This is mezze-and-grill cooking, done at volume and meant to be shared. A full Lebanese mezze table arrives first: hummus, moutabbal, tabbouleh, fattoush, warm kibbeh and stuffed vine leaves, with arak on the side as the local custom dictates. The charcoal grill follows, a mixed mashawi of lamb and chicken skewers and shish taouk, brought to the table in waves. Expect to spend roughly $25 to $40 a head for the full spread, which is fair for the setting beside the spring. It will not out-cook the best mezze houses of Beirut or Zahlé, and it does not try to; the draw is the water, the shade and the proximity to the temples. Tripadvisor ranks it among Baalbek’s handful of sit-down restaurants. For more of the region, see our best fine dining in the Middle East and the nearby Palmyra Hotel Restaurant.
The Room
There is no room, really; there is a terrace. Tables spread under shade beside the spring, the sound is the water and the next table over, and the light is whatever the Bekaa sky is doing that day. It is busiest at lunch, especially on weekends when Lebanese families settle in for hours over mezze and arak. There is no dress code, service is relaxed to the point of leisurely, and the pace suits a long midday meal far more than a quick bite. Come hungry and unhurried.
Best for a Birthday
Casino Ras Al Ain suits a birthday lunch because it is built for exactly that: a long, shared table under the shade beside the spring, a mezze spread that keeps arriving, and the kind of unhurried afternoon a group can settle into. Pair it with a morning at the temples so the day has a centrepiece, order mezze for the table and a mixed grill to follow, and let the arak and the water set the pace. See more birthday dining ideas.
Not for
Not for a quiet dinner or fine dining. This is a busy daytime mezze terrace; the cooking is simple and the setting, not the kitchen, is the reason to come.
Frequently Asked
Is Casino Ras Al Ain worth visiting?
Yes, mainly for the setting. Casino Ras Al Ain is an open-air Lebanese mezze house beside the Ras al-Ain spring, about half a kilometre from Baalbek’s Roman temples, which makes it the obvious lunch stop after the ruins. The cooking is honest mezze and charcoal grill rather than destination dining, but the shaded spring-side terrace is genuinely pleasant on a warm day.
What food does Casino Ras Al Ain serve?
Classic Lebanese mezze and grilled meats. Expect a spread of hummus, moutabbal, tabbouleh, fattoush and kibbeh to start, followed by a mixed charcoal grill of lamb, chicken and shish taouk, with arak as the traditional pour. It is meant to be shared across a long table, so order mezze for the group rather than individual plates.
How much does Casino Ras Al Ain cost?
Mid-range for the area. A full mezze-and-grill meal runs roughly $25 to $40 per person depending on how much grill you add, which is reasonable for the spring-side setting. It is best value as a shared group lunch, where the mezze spread stretches further. Bring cash, as card facilities in Baalbek can be unreliable.
Is Casino Ras Al Ain near the Baalbek temples?
Yes. It sits beside the Ras al-Ain spring, about half a kilometre from the temple complex, so it pairs naturally with a morning among the ruins. Visit the temples first, then walk over for a long lunch on the terrace. See our Baalbek dining guide for other options near the site.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Casino Ras Al Ain
Largely a walk-in for lunch. For a weekend table or a group, call ahead through the listing. The terrace is the reason to come.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressRas al-Ain, Baalbek
NeighbourhoodRas al-Ain
CuisineLebanese
PriceAbout $25–40 per person for mezze and grill
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingLarge open-air terrace beside the spring
ReservationPhone / walk-in
