(Credit: Photo provided by the establishment)
Located in one of the capital’s liveliest neighborhoods, the restaurant can accommodate around 60 guests across a counter where hand rolls are prepared in front of customers, an indoor dining area and a terrace. Fifteen employees run the establishment, which is open daily from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., and until 2 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On weekends, DJs take over from 10:30 p.m., transforming the venue into a nightlife destination.
"We were inspired by our travels and by the growing popularity of hand roll bars around the world," explains Walid Fayad.
The concept combines premium hand rolls, sashimi, nigiri, salads, appetizers and signature dishes, including a fish burger and a wagyu burger, alongside a dessert menu focused on soft-serve ice cream. The average bill is around $60 to $65 per person, depending on the choice of dishes and drinks.
Beyond the cuisine, the founders are betting on a complete experience combining cocktails, music and weekend DJ sets. "By bringing together a quality food offering with cocktails, music and a real atmosphere, Chubby Fish goes well beyond the traditional hand roll bar," says Fayad. "This approach has already helped us build a community of loyal customers who return regularly."
The project brings together three professionals from the entrepreneurship and hospitality sectors. Nasri Choueiri, founder of Unipod Hospitality, has developed several restaurant and entertainment concepts, including Frozen Cherry in Lebanon, Helipad in Dubai and Community Badaro.
Fayad, meanwhile, began his hospitality career with the opening of EDL Bar in Lebanon. He is now co-founder of Nuit de folie, an events company based in Dubai, while continuing a career in business transformation and customer experience with groups such as Talabat and Genesys.
The third partner, Fares Traboulsi, has been an entrepreneur since the age of 18 and has more than 10 years of experience in restaurants, sales and new technologies, including at Careem. He is also a co-founder of Nuit de folie.
The project also benefits from the backing of private investors, although the founders declined to disclose the amounts invested.
Investing in Lebanon despite uncertainty
The entrepreneurs have chosen not to disclose the investment amount or their profitability targets. Instead, they emphasize the motivations that led them to launch the project amid Lebanon’s continued economic uncertainty.
"We believe this is the right time to invest in Lebanon, despite the economic difficulties," says Fayad. "We see the risks, but also the opportunities. Lebanon has always been a regional reference point in dining and hospitality."
After spending several years building their careers in Dubai, the three partners say they wanted to reinvest in their country of origin.
"We have always shared the ambition of giving back to Lebanon through a project that reflects the creativity, resilience and hospitality that define the country," he adds. "We wanted to create jobs, introduce a new concept to the market and contribute to the revival of the restaurant sector."
However, their ambitions extend well beyond this first location.
"Our goal is to open several establishments in Lebanon before expanding internationally. Less than two months after opening our first restaurant, we are already working on the next step of this vision."
