15 Foods of Lebanon Table of Lebanese food

Here are 15 foods from Lebanon that you must try

1) Falafel

These small, deep-fried balls made of chickpeas, parsley, and onions are a staple in Lebanese cuisine.

Falafel is a popular street food of Lebanon and can be enjoyed with tahini sauce or hummus. Falafel is eaten throughout the Middle East and is a common street food.

15 Foods of Lebanon Falafel
15 Foods of Lebanon -Falafel

2) Kibbeh

Kibbeh is a classic Lebanese dish made of bulgur wheat, minced onions, and finely ground meat (beef, lamb, or goat). It can be served raw, baked, or fried.

15 Foods of Lebanon -Kibbeh
15 Foods from Lebanon -Kibbeh

3) Tabbouleh

The freshest Lebanese food ever! This refreshing salad is made of chopped parsley, bulgur wheat, tomatoes, onions, and lemon juice.

It’s a light and healthy dish that can be enjoyed as a side dish or a main course. I order tabbouleh salad whenever I get the chance to enjoy the food of Lebanon.

15 Foods of Lebanon -Tabbouleh
15 Foods of Lebanon – Tabbouleh

4) Hummus

This creamy dip made of chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic is a staple in Lebanese cuisine.

It’s a perfect accompaniment to pita bread and fresh vegetables or eaten with fresh, hot falafel.

15 Foods of Lebanon Hummus
15 Foods of Lebanon -Hummus

5) Shawarma

This popular street food is made of marinated meat (usually chicken or beef) that is roasted on a spit and then shaved off and served in pita bread with pickled vegetables and sauces.

15 Foods of Lebanon Shawarma
15 Foods from Lebanon -Shawarma

6) Baba ghanoush

This dip is made of roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. It’s similar to hummus but has a smoky flavour and a creamier texture. 

15 Foods of Lebanon -Baba Ghanoush
15 Foods of Lebanon -Baba Ghanoush

7) Kafta

This Lebanese dish is made of ground meat (beef, lamb, or goat) mixed with onions and parsley, and then grilled or baked. It can be served with rice, salad, or pita bread.

Enjoy Kafta with some freshly baked Lebanese bread and mezze, a selection of small dishes that are served as appetisers in the Middle East.

15 Foods from Lebanon - Kafta
15 Foods from Lebanon -Kafta

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8) Fattoush

This salad is made of mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, radish, and fried pita chips.

It’s dressed with a tangy mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and sumac. This is one of my personal favourite foods of Lebanon.

15 Foods of Lebanon - Fattoush
15 Foods of Lebanon – Fattoush

9) Manakish

This traditional Lebanese breakfast food is a type of flatbread that is topped with za’atar (a mixture of dried herbs, sesame seeds, and sumac) and baked in an oven.

It’s cheap and filling and you can find them sold in small bakeries and street food vendors around the country.

15 Foods of Lebanon Manakish
15 Foods of Lebanon -Manakish

10) Stuffed grape leaves

This dish is made of grape leaves stuffed with a mixture of rice, herbs, and spices.

It’s a popular appetiser in Lebanese cuisine and other Middle Eastern and Mediterranean countries. These foods from Lebanon can be enjoyed hot or cold.

15 Foods of Lebanon Stuffed Grape Vines
15 Foods of Lebanon -Stuffed Grape Vines

11) Kanafeh

Kanafah is a traditional dessert food of Lebanon and in other Middle Eastern countries. 

This incredible dessert is made with two crispy layers of kataifi pastry which is soaked in sugar syrup and rose water, and then filled with clotted cream or ricotta cheese.

The filling is often flavoured with cardamom and orange zest. Kanafah is served warm and it is the most wonderful dessert I’ve ever eaten. 

15 Foods of Lebanon -Kanafeh
15 Foods of Lebanon -Kanafeh

12) Lebanese-style pizza

This type of pizza is made of a thin, crispy crust that is topped with a variety of fresh vegetables, meats, and herbs.

Foods of Lebanon like this are best eaten straight from the oven. Oh, and don’t forget to squeeze fresh lemon over top. Delicious!

15 Foods of Lebanon Lebanese Pizza
15 Foods from Lebanon -Lebanese Pizza

13) Lentil soup

This hearty soup is made of lentils, onions, garlic, and spices.

It’s a warm and comforting dish that can be enjoyed on a cold day.

15 Foods of Lebanon Lentil Soup
15 Foods of Lebanon -Lentil Soup

14) Sfeeha

This Lebanese meat pie is made of ground beef or lamb that is mixed with onions, pine nuts, and spices, and then baked in a dough shell.

I’ve also eaten Sfeeha while travelling in Syria and it was amazing! Read more about the 9 Most Delicious Foods of Syria.

RELATED POST – How to Travel to Syria in 2023: Everything You Need To Know

15 Foods of Lebanon -Sfeeha
15 Foods of Lebanon -Sfeeha

15) Lebanese grilled fish

This dish is made of fresh fish that is marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs, and then grilled to perfection.

It’s a healthy and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed with fresh salad, rice, or bread.

15 Foods of Lebanon Grilled Fish
15 Foods of Lebanon -Grilled Fish

Most Popular Drinks in Lebanon

Lebanon has a diverse and vibrant food culture, and its drinks are just as delicious and unique.

Here are the 3 most popular drinks in Lebanon:

Arak

Arak is a traditional Lebanese anise-flavored spirit that is often served as an aperitif. It is made from grape juice that is distilled with anise seeds, giving it a unique and distinctive flavour.

It is usually served mixed with water and ice, which causes it to turn white and cloudy, creating a beautiful presentation.

Lebanese Wine 

Lebanon is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with a history of winemaking that dates back to ancient times. Today, Lebanese wine is popular both in Lebanon and abroad, with a variety of red, white, and rosé wines produced in the country.

Some of the most popular Lebanese wineries include Château Ksara, Château Musar, and Domaine des Tourelles. I highly recommend this Lebanese Wine Tasting Tour from Beirut, if you’re visiting Lebanon’s capital city.

Arabic Coffee

Arabic coffee, also known as Turkish coffee, is a popular beverage in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East. It is made by boiling finely ground coffee beans with water and sugar in a special pot called a dallah.

It is traditionally served in small cups, and is often accompanied by dates or other sweet treats. Arabic coffee is a social drink and is often shared with friends and family during social gatherings or celebrations.

Final Thoughts about Foods from Lebanon

15 Foods of Lebanon Meat Pizza

Lebanese cuisine is a unique and diverse blend of flavours, ingredients, and cooking techniques that have evolved over thousands of years. It’s a cuisine that is rooted in tradition and history, yet constantly evolving and adapting to new tastes and trends.

From the classic dishes like falafel, hummus, and kibbeh, to the lesser-known dishes like manakish and sfeeha, Lebanese food offers a truly delicious and exciting culinary experience.

Lebanese cuisine is also known for its health benefits, as it often uses fresh, whole ingredients and a lot of vegetables and herbs. The use of olive oil and lemon juice as common ingredients also adds to the health benefits of this cuisine.

Lebanese food is not just about nourishing the body, but also about nourishing the soul. The dishes are often shared with family and friends, and enjoyed in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Lebanese food is a true celebration of life, love, and the pleasures of good food.

If you haven’t tried Lebanese cuisine yet, I highly recommend you give it a try. And, after visiting (and eating in) every single country in the world, I rate this cuisine in my Top 10 Food Countries for Food Lovers!

More Food Tips & Inspiration

If you love trying new cuisine when you travel, you may enjoy reading our best 7 tips for how to find the best food when travelling.

Check out our Ultimate Food Map of Europe, this Food Map of Asia, or even this detailed Food Map of Africa, including all 54 countries!

Or if you’re heading towards North America, then our Mexico Food Guide can’t be missed, plus these 7 Dishes to Eat in Central America and of course, the Top 10 Eats in New York City!

To learn more about the travel websites we use to save money to travel the world, and our best travel tips from over 15 years of travel, head over to our Travel Resources Page.