Burj Al Hamam

Burj Al Hamam is a Beirut restaurant brand established in 1958. Originally on the Raouché corniche, one of the definitive Lebanese kitchens of the 20th century. The Aqaba branch opened inside the InterContinental Aqaba Resort on King Hussein Street and brings the full Beirut mezze culture to the Red Sea: cold appetisers (muhammara, mutabbal, hummus Beiruti, tabbouleh, labneh), hot appetisers (fatayer, sambousek, kibbeh nayyeh, arayes), charcoal grill (lamb kofta, shish taouk, lahm mashwi), and a deep seafood section leaning on the day's Red Sea catch.

The cooking is notably better than most Aqaba Lebanese restaurants. The kitchen is supervised by the Beirut head office, pita bread is baked on-site in a saj oven, and olive oil is imported directly from the brand's Koura estate in northern Lebanon. Portions are generous. The standard move is a mezze sharing spread for the table (six cold, six hot, plus grilled fish or a whole sayadieh rice dish to finish).

The room is built for group dining. Long tables across a terrace that looks out over the InterContinental's beachfront, with the gulf directly visible beyond the pool deck. Private rooms are available for parties of 8 to 20. Service is Lebanese-professional and moves fast once you've ordered. The wine list is predominantly Lebanese to Chateau Musar, Kefraya, Massaya Gold. And the arak selection is the most serious in Aqaba.

Open for lunch and dinner. Allocate 2 to 3 hours for a proper mezze sharing meal. The terrace is the correct choice from October to May; the air-conditioned indoor room takes over in the summer heat. A 5-minute walk from the Movenpick along the beach promenade.

Burj Al Hamam is the team-dinner room in Aqaba. Long tables, generous mezze-sharing culture, the slight theatre of a proper Lebanese spread, the Red Sea breeze. Every element favours a group. Book a terrace long table for 8 to 14, pre-order the mezze spread, and the kitchen will time the grill courses so everyone eats together. For birthdays, the staff will bring a kunafa with candles; ask when booking. For smaller parties the indoor corner tables offer the same cooking with tighter acoustics.