The restaurant can accommodate up to 280 people. (Credit: Handout)
After Faqra and Ashrafieh, the al-Khawaja group has set up in Batroun (North Lebanon) with a new seafood-focused restaurant: Samkit al-Khawaja, which opened in April 2025 on the town’s picturesque port. Designed as an ode to the Lebanese coast and its traditions, this new venue expands the group’s culinary experience by adding a seaside flavor to its gastronomic heritage.
“Samkit al-Khawaja was the natural next step in our journey,” explains Christian Bou Chaaya, founder of the group and the mind behind Jnaynit al-Khawaja in Faqra (2020) and al-Khawaja in Ashrafieh (2022). “In the mountains, we welcome skiers and nature lovers; in Beirut, city dwellers and tourists seeking elegance. In Batroun, we wanted to embrace a more relaxed lifestyle, one that moves at the pace of the Mediterranean.”
Facing the lively port and its fishing boats, the restaurant celebrates local fish, prepared simply and without fuss. “Serving fresh fish is also a way to honor those who catch it. We don’t import anything — everything is fresh and caught the same day,” emphasizes Christian Bou Chaaya. This commitment to freshness is embedded in the very DNA of the venue, which sits on a 1,900-square-meter plot, with 300 square meters dedicated to two terraces. The space also includes a 150-square-meter indoor dining area, a 12-seat bar, low tables, and a 250-square-meter kitchen. In total, the restaurant can accommodate up to 280 guests.
The menu offers two complementary approaches: on one side, the “al-Khawaja classics” — a seafood take on traditional Lebanese cuisine with fresh mezze, raw, grilled or fried fish, homemade desserts and arak. On the other, more contemporary signatures like the daily fish burger, crab rolls, or fried calamari, best enjoyed with a cocktail or a glass of wine. The offering is designed to appeal both to fans of local flavors and those curious about modern twists. The average bill is $65.
Respecting heritage
The ambitious project took a full year of construction. The original structure was completely torn down and replaced with a new building. Carefully selected ramlé stones—typical of Batroun — were used to reflect the architectural identity of the old town, in a deliberate effort to integrate with and respect the local heritage.
The investment totaled just under one million dollars, jointly financed by Christian Bou Chaaya and Elie Mhanna, who were already partners in previous al-Khawaja ventures. All three branches are managed under a single entity, al-Khawaja SAL. The founders are aiming for a return on investment within two and a half years.
With Samkit al-Khawaja, the group now completes a coherent gastronomic trilogy, with each location offering its own ambiance while upholding the same standard of quality. In Faqra, it’s the cozy vibe of mountain chalets; in Ashrafieh, the elegance of a 1960s Lebanese building; and in Batroun, the authenticity of the port. “What unites us is our love for Lebanese cuisine, reimagined with both precision and simplicity,” concludes Christian Bou Chaaya.
