There are few things better than a table absolutely covered in Lebanese-style sharing platters, grilled meat coming straight off the charcoal, and the knowledge that sharing is caring.Malta now has a new speciality dining destination to introduce the finest Levant cuisine. Al Kasbah Lebanese Restaurant has opened its doors on the ground floor of Hard Rock Hotel Malta, bringing a new Lebanese dining experience to St. George’s Bay, St Julian’s inspired by the food, hospitality and late-night energy of Beirut.With the welcome ritual of Arabic coffee waiting to greet you, Al Kasbah has been designed as an all-year destination, combining Lebanese cuisine with cocktails, music and a space that gradually shifts in mood as dinner turns into night.The concept takes its name from the Arabic word kasbah, referring to a citadel or fortress, with the restaurant conceived as a contemporary interpretation filled with warm lighting, rich colours and Middle Eastern influences.The Kind Of Menu You’re Going To Want To Order For The Whole TableFlavourful but not spicy, Lebanese food is at its best when everyone gets involved, and Al Kasbah’s menu very much leans into the art of sharing. Whether dining as a couple, solo or with kids, Al Kasbah offers something for everyone.You can start relatively traditionally with tabbouleh, silky hummus, smoky fire-roasted moutabal and muhammara, made from roasted red peppers and walnuts with pomegranate molasses.Then things start getting a little more playful.There’s black hummus finished with white truffle, Arayes tacos filled with spiced lamb and herbs, spicy batata harra, and Beirut-style prawns sautéed with garlic and tomatoes.And then comes the charcoal.The grill is one of Al Kasbah’s biggest calling cards, with various halal options, including Shish Tawook, marinated chicken skewers served with garlic sauce; premium lamb chops seasoned with herbs; and Lahmeh Sheqaf, beef tenderloin grilled over charcoal until it develops that smoky crust you actually came for.There’s also slow-cooked lamb shank served over jasmine rice and pine nuts, alongside Samkeh Harra Beiruti, fresh fish with spiced tomato and tahini sauce.In other words, this is probably not the evening to announce that you’re “just having something small”.And Malta Makes An Appearance On The Dessert Menu TooOne of the more interesting dishes arrives right at the end.The Malta Meets Beirut dessert combines an olive oil and citrus cake with orange blossom crème, bringing a little Mediterranean crossover to the menu.It all feeds into what Al Kasbah describes as “authentic Lebanese hospitality” – something the restaurant is putting at the centre of the experience, with a Lebanese chef and Arabic-speaking members of the team.But Al Kasbah Wants To Be More Than Somewhere You Go For DinnerThis is where the Beirut inspiration really comes in.As the evening develops, the soundtrack is designed to move from softer oud sounds into deeper, warmer beats, giving the restaurant more of a lounge atmosphere as the night goes on.Lebanese wine also forms a big part of the experience.And being inside Hard Rock Hotel Malta means dinner doesn’t necessarily have to be the end of the evening either.Guests have access to free parking, St George’s Mall is right next door if you want to make an evening of it, and you’re already in the middle of St Julian’s once it’s time to move somewhere for a drink afterwards.There’s A Free Cocktail Up For Grabs TooAl Kasbah is open every evening from 6:30pm until 11pm.Anyone who visits by Sunday 4th October will receive a complimentary cocktail for each guest as part of the restaurant’s opening offer.So if your ideal evening involves smoky charcoal grills, enough mezze to make your table disappear, Lebanese cocktails and a little Beirut energy in the middle of St Julian’s, this might be one to add to the list.Al Kasbah Lebanese Restaurant is now open at Hard Rock Hotel Malta.Visit AlKasbahMalta.com or book your table here.Tag someone you are going with•