Lebanon famous food features a vibrant blend of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions. With fresh herbs, olive oil, grains, grilled meats, and sweets, Lebanese cuisine is celebrated for its healthfulness and depth of flavor.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best food to try in Lebanon, from traditional mezze like kibbeh and tabouleh to flavorful street snacks like shawarma and falafel.
- 1. Falafel
- 2. Shawarma
- 3. Manakish (Za’atar Flatbread)
- 4. Kibbeh
- 5. Baba Ghanoush
- 6. Kafta (Kofta Kebabs)
- 7. Fattoush
- 8. Tabouleh
- 9. Arayes
- 10. Lahem Meshwi (Grilled Lamb Skewers)
- 11. Batata Harra
- 12. Sfiha (Lahm bi Ajeen)
- 13. Kibbeh Nayyeh
- 14. Halawet el Jibn
- 15. Baklava / Kanafeh
- 16. Mujadara
- 17. Shish Tawook
- 18. Riz bi Djej (Lebanese Chicken and Rice)
- FAQs
1. Falafel
Falafel is Lebanon’s most iconic street food, a crunchy, golden-brown ball made of ground chickpeas or fava beans, flavored with garlic, parsley, and coriander.
Crispy on the outside and tender inside, it’s typically tucked into warm pita bread and topped with creamy tahini sauce, pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce.
You’ll find falafel everywhere, from Beirut’s narrow alleys to roadside stalls in Tripoli.
- Must Try With: Falafel in pita with tahini, crunchy pickles, and fresh herbs.
- Where to Eat: Found everywhere from Beirut’s alleys to Tripoli’s street carts.
- Price Range: $1–$2 (₹83–₹166)
Also Read: Lebanon Visa for Indians
2. Shawarma
No trip to Lebanon is complete without trying shawarma, thin slices of marinated meat (usually chicken or lamb) roasted on a vertical spit until crispy. The meat is shaved and wrapped in flatbread with garlic toum sauce, pickles, and sometimes French fries. It’s fast, filling, and bursting with flavor.
- Must Try With: Chicken or lamb shawarma wrapped with garlic toum and pickles.
- Where to Eat: Grab one hot off the spit from roadside grills or local shawarma joints.
- Price Range: $2–$4 (₹166–₹332)
Also Read: Nightlife in Lebanon: Top Places to Enjoy After Dark
3. Manakish (Za’atar Flatbread)
Manakish is Lebanon’s version of pizza, only simpler, healthier, and loaded with bold flavor. This flatbread is typically topped with za’atar (a tangy blend of wild thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac) mixed with olive oil, then baked in a stone oven until warm and fragrant. It’s a favorite breakfast and street snack, best enjoyed rolled up and eaten on the go.
- Must Try With: Manakish topped with za’atar and olive oil, hot from the oven.
- Where to Eat: A staple at bakeries and breakfast stands across Lebanon.
- Price Range: $1–$3 (₹83–₹249)
Also Read: 20 Top Restaurants in Lebanon’s Capital, Beirut
4. Kibbeh
Kibbeh is Lebanon’s national dish, a delicious blend of bulgur wheat, minced meat, onions, and spices shaped into balls or ovals. These are deep-fried until crispy on the outside and juicy inside. You’ll often see it served as part of mezze platters or as a main course during family gatherings. Each region in Lebanon has its own twist, including baked and raw versions.
- Must Try With: Fried kibbeh served with cold yogurt or a squeeze of lemon.
- Where to Eat: Enjoyed at family feasts or mezze platters in local restaurants.
- Price Range: $3–$6 (₹249–₹498)
Also Read: Lebanon With Kids: Adventures Await in the Land of Cedars
5. Baba Ghanoush
Baba ghanoush is a creamy eggplant dip made by roasting eggplants over open flames, then blending the smoky flesh with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. It’s a staple in every Lebanese mezze spread and is often garnished with parsley or pomegranate seeds. Its rich flavor and smooth texture make it a favorite accompaniment to grilled meats, falafel, or fresh pita.
- Must Try With: Creamy baba ghanoush with pita, garnished with herbs or pomegranate.
- Where to Eat: Found in nearly every mezze spread, from homes to fine-dining spots.
- Price Range: $2–$4 (₹166–₹332)
Also Read: Discover the Best Markets in Lebanon: A Shopper’s Paradise
6. Kafta (Kofta Kebabs)
Kafta is Lebanon’s answer to meat skewers, a minced beef or lamb mixture combined with finely chopped parsley, onions, and aromatic spices. Shaped onto skewers and grilled over charcoal, kafta is juicy, smoky, and incredibly satisfying. It’s typically served with rice or hummus or wrapped in pita with pickles and garlic sauce. Perfectly seasoned and flame-grilled, kafta is often a centerpiece at Lebanese cookouts.
- Must Try With: Grilled beef or lamb kafta skewers with onions and grilled veggies.
- Where to Eat: Common at-home barbecues and charcoal grills across Lebanon.
- Price Range: $2–$5 (₹166–₹415)
7. Fattoush
Fattoush is Lebanon’s favorite way to turn humble ingredients into something extraordinary. This fresh salad blends crunchy romaine lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fried pita chips tossed in a lemony dressing laced with sumac. The fried pita soaks up the citrus dressing, adding a unique texture and flavor that’s hard to resist.
- Must Try With: Fattoush salad with sumac, lemon dressing, and crunchy pita chips.
- Where to Eat: Served as a zesty starter in homes and mezze restaurants.
- Price Range: $3–$5 (₹249–₹415)
8. Tabouleh
Tabouleh is a refreshing, green-hued salad made primarily of finely chopped parsley, with a supporting cast of mint, tomatoes, bulgur wheat, lemon juice, and olive oil. Unlike typical salads, the greens are the main event here, giving tabouleh its bold, herbaceous flavor and vibrant texture. It’s light, tangy, and deeply satisfying on a hot day.
- Must Try With: Bright tabouleh packed with parsley, mint, lemon, and bulgur.
- Where to Eat: A mezze is essential in Lebanese households and eateries.
- Price Range: $3–$5 (₹249–₹415)
9. Arayes
Arayes are pita bread stuffed with seasoned minced lamb or beef, grilled until crisp and golden on the outside and juicy on the inside. They’re hot, crispy, and rich in flavor, making them a popular choice at Lebanese barbecues or street-side grills. The magic is in the blend of spices that soak into the bread during grilling, creating layers of smoky, meaty goodness in every bite.
- Must Try With: Spiced meat-stuffed pita grilled and dipped in garlic sauce.
- Where to Eat: Found at roadside grills and barbecue gatherings.
- Price Range: $2–$4 (₹166–₹332)
10. Lahem Meshwi (Grilled Lamb Skewers)
Lahem Meshwi refers to tender lamb cubes marinated with garlic, lemon juice, and spices, skewered and grilled to smoky perfection. A centerpiece of many Lebanese feasts, these juicy lamb skewers are often served with hummus, garlic sauce, grilled tomatoes, and warm pita. You’ll find them sizzling over charcoal at open-air restaurants and home gatherings alike.
- Must Try With: Juicy lamb kebabs, toum, rice, and grilled vegetables.
- Where to Eat: Served at open-air restaurants and weekend cookouts.
- Price Range: $5–$8 (₹415–₹665)
11. Batata Harra
Batata Harra, which translates to “spicy potatoes,” is a simple yet addictive Lebanese dish. Cubes of potatoes are fried until golden, then sautéed with garlic, fresh coriander, chili, and lemon juice. Often served as a mezze item or street snack, Batata Harra is loved for its bold flavors and satisfying texture.
- Must Try With: Batata harra served hot with tahini or toum for dipping.
- Where to Eat: Popular as a street snack and mezze item across Beirut and beyond.
- Price Range: $2–$4 (₹166–₹332)
12. Sfiha (Lahm bi Ajeen)
Sfiha, or Lahm bi Ajeen, is Lebanon’s beloved meat flatbread thin dough topped with a savory mix of ground lamb, onions, tomatoes, and spices, then baked to perfection. It’s like a Middle Eastern pizza with bold, fragrant flavor. Sometimes served open-faced or folded, sfiha is often eaten as a hearty lunch or snack.
- Must Try With: Mini sfiha topped with lamb, pine nuts, and a squeeze of lemon.
- Where to Eat: Grabbed fresh from ovens in bakeries and family kitchens.
- Price Range: $1–$3 (₹83–₹249)
13. Kibbeh Nayyeh
Kibbeh Nayyeh is Lebanon’s boldest dish, raw minced lamb blended with bulgur wheat, olive oil, and spices, served chilled with mint leaves and onions. It’s a delicacy often enjoyed during special gatherings or festive occasions. The meat is incredibly tender and well-seasoned, offering a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s enhanced by the nutty bulgur and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Must Try With: Kibbeh nayyeh, drizzled with olive oil and served with mint and onions.
- Where to Eat: Reserved for special occasions, best in homes or traditional restaurants.
- Price Range: $4–$8 (₹332–₹665)
14. Halawet el Jibn
Halawet el Jibn is a creamy Lebanese dessert made of sweet cheese dough rolled with a layer of thick clotted cream, often flavored with rose water. It’s soft, subtly sweet, and beautifully presented, garnished with crushed pistachios and sugar syrup. This dessert combines the chew of cheese with the silkiness of cream, creating a delightful texture contrast.
- Must Try With: Soft cheese rolls filled with cream and topped with pistachios and syrup.
- Where to Eat: Common at Ramadan feasts, weddings, and sweet shops.
- Price Range: $3–$6 (₹249–₹498)
15. Baklava / Kanafeh
Baklava is a layered pastry made with filo dough, chopped nuts (usually pistachios), and sweet syrup, while kanafeh is a shredded phyllo-and-cheese dessert soaked in rose water syrup. Both are iconic Lebanese desserts, rich and satisfying with every bite. Baklava is often served cold and flaky; kanafeh comes warm and gooey.
- Must Try With: Pistachio baklava or warm kanafeh soaked in rose water syrup.
- Where to Eat: Served in pastry shops, cafes, and after big meals.
- Price Range: $5–$10 for 1 kg (₹415–₹830)
16. Mujadara
Mujadara is a humble yet deeply comforting Lebanese dish made of lentils and rice, topped with golden caramelized onions. Though it sounds simple, the slow-cooked onions infuse the rice and lentils with rich, savory-sweet depth. It’s one of the most popular vegetarian meals in Lebanon, commonly served with yogurt or salad.
- Must Try With: Mujadara with crispy onions and a side of cucumber-yogurt salad.
- Where to Eat: Found in home kitchens, cafeterias, and local diners.
- Price Range: $2–$4 (₹166–₹332)
17. Shish Tawook
Shish Tawook is a staple of Lebanon famous food, a beloved grilled chicken skewer marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and spices, then grilled to perfection. The marinade tenderizes the meat and adds layers of citrusy, garlicky flavor. Served in wraps or on plates with garlic sauce (toum), pickles, and fries, this dish is a top favorite in fast food joints and family barbecues alike.
- Must Try With: Chicken shish tawook wrap with garlic toum and fries.
- Where to Eat: From barbecue stands to Lebanese fast-food chains.
- Price Range: $4–$7 (₹332–₹581)
18. Riz bi Djej (Lebanese Chicken and Rice)
Riz bi Djej is a festive Lebanese dish featuring spiced rice cooked with minced meat, topped with tender roasted chicken and toasted nuts. Flavored with cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom, the rice is deeply aromatic and pairs perfectly with juicy poultry. Often served during holidays or large family meals, it’s a symbol of hospitality and warmth.
- Must Try With: Aromatic spiced rice topped with roasted chicken and toasted nuts.
- Where to Eat: Best served at large family gatherings or traditional feasts.
- Price Range: $5–$8 (₹415–₹665)
FAQs
What is the most popular food in Lebanon?
Falafel and shawarma are among the most popular choices when it comes to Lebanon famous food. Both locals and tourists love these flavorful street staples for their bold spices, crisp textures, and quick, satisfying appeal.
What is the national dish of Lebanon?
Kibbeh is widely considered the national dish of Lebanon. It’s made with bulgur wheat, minced meat, and spices, and can be fried, baked, or eaten raw.
What are the top dishes to try in Lebanon?
Some top dishes include falafel, shawarma, manakish, kafta, tabouleh, baba ghanoush, and baklava.
Is Lebanese food spicy?
Not typically. Lebanese food is full of flavor from herbs, lemon, and olive oil, but is rarely spicy.
Are there vegetarian options in Lebanese cuisine?
Yes. Many Lebanese dishes are vegetarian-friendly, including hummus, falafel, tabouleh, fattoush, manakish, and baba ghanoush.
What is the most popular street food in Lebanon?
Shawarma, falafel, and arayes are among the most popular and widely available Lebanese street foods.
What is a typical Lebanese breakfast?
A typical breakfast might include manakish with za’atar, labneh (strained yogurt), olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh pita bread.
Is it safe to eat street food in Lebanon?
Yes, street food is generally safe when bought from busy, clean vendors with good local reviews.
What dessert is Lebanon known for?
Lebanon is famous for desserts like baklava, kanafeh, and halawet el jibn, all rich in syrup and nuts.
Where can I try authentic Lebanese food?
Authentic Lebanese food, a core part of the traditional food of Lebanon, can be found in Beirut’s local restaurants, home-style kitchens, bustling food markets, and traditional bakeries.
What are some popular restaurants in Lebanon?
Some of the most popular restaurants in Lebanon include Em Sherif for authentic Lebanese fine dining, Tawlet for farm-to-table dishes, Barbar for street food favorites, and Al Falamanki for a traditional café experience. These spots showcase the country’s rich culinary culture and are loved by both locals and visitors.
