Diners at a restaurant in Beirut in Lebanon were amazed recently to see a wild pelican wander into the establishment and demand a fish snack.

Nazha Merabi was enjoying a birthday dinner with her best friends on September 8th when the huge bird named 'Ovi' came waddling in.

"He walked in confidently, slapping his feet on the floor and demanding his dinner," said Merabi.

"Turns out 'Ovi' was rescued by fishermen. The owner of the restaurant helped him recover and ever since he pops in every night for dinner," Merabi added.

According to Merabi, the light-hearted scene cheered them all up after a very difficult period for the city, which included the devastating port explosion on August 4th.

"Ovi brought laughter to our evening and shifted the conversation away from our friend Rania's endeavours to fix her apartment, which was ruined in the blast," she said.

"Beirut was smiling again!" she concluded.

BEIRUT, September 8: My birthday! My two best friends want to take me to dinner. Between the COVID-19 lockdowns and the Aug. 4 explosion at the port, it's been months since we've all got together. Beirut is still grieving, traumatized, so we decide on a low-key dinner by the sea to watch the sunset. Of course with our luck as Lebanese, a second fire erupts at the port. After waiting for the fire to be put out and making sure the city won’t blow up again, we go for it. It’s a small fishery/restaurant under the lighthouse called Abou Mounir and really close by (just in case). Suddenly, in the middle of dinner, as I was feeding the 5 stray cats, this adorable pelican ‘Ovi’ shows up. He walks in confidently, slapping his feet on the floor and demanding his dinner. Turns out Ovi was rescued by fishermen. The owner of the restaurant helped him recover and ever since he pops in every night for dinner. Ovi brought laughter to our evening and shifted the conversation away from our friend Rania's endeavors to fix her apartment, which was ruined in the blast, and our anxiety over the future. Beirut was smiling again!