Authentic Levantine dining in Bangkok with halal-certified menu and skyline views
If you’re looking for a new dining spot in Bangkok that feels both refined and rooted in tradition, The Levant is worth putting on your radar. Located on the 24th floor of Centara Grand at CentralWorld, this new restaurant introduces a Levantine dining experience inspired by the culinary heritage of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine. It’s not just about the food, but the way you eat it. Everything here is designed for sharing, bringing people together around the table in a way that feels natural and unforced.
The Levant follows a classic dining flow that reflects everyday meals across the region. The menu starts with mezze, small plates meant to be shared, before moving into salads, charcoal-grilled mains and ending with traditional desserts. It’s a format that encourages you to try a bit of everything rather than sticking to just one dish.
To start, the mezze selection sets the tone. You’ll find familiar dishes like babaganoush and mouttabal, both built on smoky chargrilled eggplant, alongside hummus finished with olive oil and muhammara, a rich blend of roasted red peppers, walnuts and pomegranate molasses. Each dish is simple in concept but layered in flavour. Warm mezze such as kibbeh, sambousak and falafel bring contrast in texture, while warak enab, vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs, adds a more traditional, slow-prepared element to the table.
Salads play an important role here and are not just side dishes. Tabbouleh, fattoush and watercress with lemon dressing bring freshness and balance, cutting through the richness of the mezze and grilled items. It’s the kind of combination that makes the meal feel complete rather than heavy.
From there, the focus shifts to the grill, which is central to Levantine cuisine. Meats and seafood are cooked over charcoal, giving them a distinct smoky character while keeping the seasoning relatively restrained. Dishes like lamb kofta, shish taouk, shish kebab and lamb chops highlight the quality of the ingredients rather than overpowering them with spice. Seafood options such as grilled hammour and giant prawns offer a lighter alternative while still carrying that signature chargrilled flavour.
If you’re unsure what to order, the mixed grill is a good place to start. It brings together a selection of skewers and seafood, giving you a broader taste of the menu in one plate. For something more familiar, dishes like chicken shawarma served with rice and garlic sauce offer an easy entry point, especially if you’re new to Levantine cuisine.
Dessert keeps things traditional and comforting. Options like kunafa, baklava and muhallabia round off the meal with flavours of rose, syrup and nuts. They’re sweet but not overwhelming, making them a fitting end to a long, shared dining experience.
The kitchen is led by Chef Muhannad Abdul Hadi Qasem, Arabic Sous Chef at Centara Grand at CentralWorld. With over 20 years of experience across Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil and Thailand, his cooking stays close to traditional techniques while adapting naturally to a modern dining setting. It’s clear that the focus here is authenticity, not reinvention.
The drinks menu complements the food with a mix of traditional and refreshing options. Arabic coffee and Turkish coffee are served alongside teas like karkade. For something lighter, there’s limonana, a refreshing blend of lime and mint, as well as fresh juices, smoothies and a non-alcoholic piña colada. A small selection of non-alcoholic sparkling wines is also available, keeping in line with the restaurant’s halal certification.
The Levant is open daily from 12.00 to 23.00 hrs., making it suitable for both lunch and dinner. Whether you’re planning a casual meal with friends or a more relaxed evening with family, the setting and menu are designed to accommodate both.
For reservations and more information, contact +66 (0)2 100 6255 or email diningcgcw@chr.co.th.