A sign for Beyt Garden Café, located in the Mar Mikhael neighborhood of Beirut, pointing people on the street to the stairway leading to the café.
A customer eating in the garden section of Beyt Garden Café. Algelany said people are welcome to sit in the garden and enjoy it as a free public space to unwind from the stresses of living without power. She said, “Even if we don’t have electricity,
Beyt Garden Café Manager Ali Othman walking with a plate indoors while there is a power outage at the café. Algelany said even with three sources of electricity, one from the government and two from private generator owners, the power outages are un
Othman walking past a customer seated in the main room of the café. During power outages, natural lighting from outside provides enough light for people to sit and enjoy the café’s indoor areas.
Beyt Garden Café Pizza Chef Roni Najjar preparing a pizza in the kitchen of the café. Pizzas make up the majority of the food menu at the café, and Algelany said this became the case over time out of a desire to serve more food to customers while wo
A pizza baking in the gas-powered oven at Beyt Garden Café. Algelany said the pizzas are distinctly Lebanese rather than Italian with all the ingredients used being local and made in Lebanon. She said the ingredients are always fresh and this is par
Najjar plating a finished pizza in the café kitchen. Pizzas are the staple on the menu, but Algelany said items previously on the menu like ice-cream had to be cut due to the power and fuel shortage. She said, “If there is a need to remove one item
Othman opening a window to let in more light and fresh air during a power outage at the café. Algelany said that while the café building was not severely damaged by the port blast that took place in Beirut over a year ago on August 4, 2020, the wind
Othman lighting candles while wearing a mask inside the café. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, the port blast and fuel shortage, Algelany said Beyt Garden Café has been forced to persevere through many challenges, but the people behind the business st
A customer charging her laptop at a lounging area in the café. Algelany said despite the difficulties in keeping Beyt Garden Café open, everyone behind the café was determined to keep it running and viewed the business as a service to the public. “W
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