On my road trip around Lebanon with a friend in June, we stopped at Byblos for a tour of the Crusader Castle and lunch at the famous Byblos Fishing Club. The Byblos Fishing Club, otherwise known as Pepe’s is the restaurant and bar that attracted the beautiful people such as David Niven and Brigitte Bardot in the 60s and has been dining out on its reputation ever since.
As we knew it was where everyone who was anyone stopped for lunch, and it was even raved about in our Lonely Planet, we made a beeline for it without further thought but found it a bit disappointing.
The restaurant is pretty enough in that Greek Taverna meets Italian-neighbourhood-joint kind of way, with the blue painted chairs, fishing paraphernalia and the countless photos of the stars on the walls. It does have a great location overlooking the pretty harbour that could have been in any Spanish or Italian seaside town, with the fishing boats and yachts bobbing up and down and the blue sea and sky beyond.
But somehow the sparkle was lacking, the service seemed a bit sleepy and the whole place lacked the joie de vivre and personality that made it famous. Pepe Abed, who was the owner in its heyday and made every day at the restaurant a party for the rich and famous, has now departed to the great fishing boat in the sky and the place is run by his son and grandson, who trade heavily on Pepe’s name. We had the typical selection of mezze to start with and some grilled fish which was all fine, but we found it a little overpriced and over-hyped.
If you want to try an alternative, there are lots of places in Byblos including the Bab el Mina restaurant next door, which has equally fine views over the harbour. Next time I go to Byblos, I’ll take the advice of a local and take a bit more time to explore the other restaurant options.
Read other articles about Lebanon
Meet the winemakers at Chateau Musar in Lebanon
The Cedars of Lebanon – Tannourine Cedars Reserve – video
Mezze Memories in Lebanon
This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com
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Pepe's Fishing Club: Byblos, Lebanon | Worldfoodist
Sunday 3rd of June 2012
[...] Now, of course, you can’t expect to see any international glitterati here now — any more than you’d expect to find Hemingway still sitting in Harry’s Bar, Venice, or Noel Coward washing down drinks in the Long Bar at Raffle’s. That’s not just because they’re dead. But because the place has moved on. And if you come here expecting the glamour of yesteryear you will be disappointed [...]
Wojtek de Pologne
Thursday 24th of May 2012
After 2 years let me write again some words recalling Pepe's Fishing Club in Byblos, Lebanon.... I do hope some day I'll again visit Lebanon and for sure will visit PFC and meet His son and grandson.
I will always nicely remember Lebanon and Lebanese people, and those gorgous-pretty Lebanese girls.....
God bless you Lebanon :-))))
Heather
Saturday 26th of May 2012
@Wojtek So glad you enjoyed visiting Pepes Fishing Club and the beautiful country of Lebanon
My 7 Links – a delve into the archives at Heather on her travels | Heather on her travels
Monday 11th of July 2011
[...] A lacklustre lunch at Pepe’s Byblos Fishing Club – in Lebanon Byblos Fishing Club Restaurant in Byblos, Lebanon [...]
Heather Cowper
Monday 2nd of August 2010
@ Bettina I wish you all the best in your family's restaurant - if you have good customer service and your customers are happy then you will prosper.
I can't say that I did an extensive price comparison around the neighbourhood as I was only in Byblos for one day, so I accept it if you say your prices are fair for the quality you provide.
However, I think it's worth saying that I found fresh fish is generally an expensive menu choice in Lebanon, but that would be the same in any restaurant serving it, not unique to yours.
The other advice I'd give to businesses like yourself is that you will help yourself by having an excellent website to promote yourself, or if you have one you should ensure that it's coming up first in the search pages. That way, when someone writes something you don't like, your own website will also be there to promote your point of view to potential customers.
Bettina Abed Steiger
Monday 2nd of August 2010
Anyone can write about whether or not he/she liked her meal. Pepe fishing club is an establishment of international class that is truly one of the highlights in Byblos. Pepe fishing club follows basic rules in maintaining good customer service with a smile, a relationship that helps business grow and prosper. Exceptional customer service keeps customers coming back and they have been coming year after year for over 50 years. Interval between appetizers,main menu and dessert are served to enjoy the view and the atmosphere. If someone is looking to do fast food please choose a fast food restaurant. Food and fuel inflation will effect pricing on a menu.