Lebanese food is super-fresh, wholesome, healthy, and aromatic. As the crossroads between the Middle East and the West, the nation is a melting pot of cuisines.
Perhaps that’s why food is a central part of every Lebanese person’s life, and visiting great mediterranean restaurants to sample, as well as home cooking is central to their lives.. All the world’s best culinary knowledge is brought together to create a delicious, rich and supremely satisfying way of creating great food.
If you haven't tried these 10 Lebanese favourites, head to your favourite Lebanese restaurant quick smart:
- Kibbeh. This is the national dish of Lebanon National Dish and its easy to see why. One bit into the deliciously sautéed pine nuts and spicy minced meat will have you pronouncing it your favourite food, too. Feeling adventurous? Try Kibbe Nayeh – it’s made from raw beef or lamb blended with bulgur, pureed onion, and spices and served with pita bread and fresh veggies. Yummo.
- Kofta. Minced lamb, beef or chicken meatballs are filled with onion, parsley, breadcrumbs and spices and barbequed on skewers. Snack on them solo or serve up with potatoes in tomato sauce.
- Kunafeh. Perfect for a breakfast sandwich with a difference or a delicate dessert. Sweet, sugary and cheesy, this Lebanese pastry is generally smothered in orange blossom syrup and topped with pistachios.
- Baklava isn’t Greek — it’s Lebanese. Layers of filo pastry, honey, and assorted nuts come together to make a golden bite of pure joy. Eat with abandon.
- Hummus & Baba Ganoush. These are probably the most eaten Lebanese foods in the world – and it’s easy to see why. Raw salad veggies and crackers taste amazing when dipped in them! Hummus blends chickpea,s garlic and tahini while baba ghanoush substitutes eggplant for chickpeas and is sometimes topped with pomegranate.
- Shish taouk. This little chicken kebab is a Lebanese staple food and often seen at Mediterranean restaurants. The kebab is marinated for 24 hours in lemon juice, garlic, paprika, yoghurt and tomato paste to make it extra tasty. Serve it with pita and garlic sauce to create a perfect little sandwich on the go.
- A salad that contains deep fried ingredients? Count me in. The crispy croutons, fresh lettuce and veggies make a perfectly healthy combination that goes with so many Lebanese dishes.
- Manakeesh. Lebanese pizza is so good it can be eaten all day from breakfast to supper. It’s bread topped with thyme, sesame seeds, sumac and olive oil, then sprinkled with cheese, ground meat or herbs (zaatar).
- Who knew parsley, mint, tomatoes and bulgur wheat combined could create something so amazing? A favourite for vegetarians, this salad dish tastes great with everything, and it's super good for you, too. Tuck in!
- Shawarma. Something to pair with a tabbouleh or fattoush salad, shawarma is Lebanese cuisine’s version of Greek gyro. Usually prepared on a rotating spit, it’s a rite of passage to get a shawarma after a night on the town. Add pita bread, veggies, tahini or garlic sauce, and you have a late night (or any time) meal that's to die for.