Lebanese cooking represents the heights of Middle Eastern cuisine. This is the Mediterranean diet at its best, with a heady mix of olive oil, whole grains, vegetables, beans and lean meats and fish. Many of the iconic Middle Eastern dishes — falafel, shawarma, hummus, tabouli are staples of the table in this small country.
Meals in Lebanon are often are served as a variety of mezze, or little dishes. Lebanese sweets and pastries are famous around the world, and are followed up with a strong cup of coffee or bracing, anise-flavored arak.
Typical Lebanese Dishes
A list of typical Lebanese dishes and foods. Use it to help you plan a Lebanese-style meal, party or festival.
Appetizers
- Baba Ghanoush (Eggplant dip)
- Hummus bi Tahini (Chickpea and sesame dip)
Salads
- Fattoush (Tomato, cucumber and pita salad)
- Salatet Malfoof (Cabbage salad)
- Tabbouleh (Bulgur and parsley salad)
Dairy
- Laban (Yogurt)
Poultry
- Dajaj Mahshi (Chicken stuffed with rice and pinenuts)
Meats
- Kefta (Spiced meatballs)
- Kibbee (Ground lamb and bulgur stuffed with pine nuts)
- Sfeeha (Meat pies)
- Shawarma (Spiced meat sandwich)
Fish and Seafood
- Samakah Harrah (Baked fish with tahini sauce)
Vegetables and Beans
- Falafel (Fried chickpea patties)
- Kousa Mahshi (Stuffed zucchini)
- Loubieh bi Zayt (Green beans in tomato sauce)
- Mahshi Malfouf (Stuffed cabbage rolls)
Breads and Grains
- Pita (Pocket bread)
Sauces and Condiments
- Dibs Rumman(Pomegranate molasses)
- Muhammara (Spicy roasted pepper dip)
- Taratour (Sesame sauce)
- Zattar (Middle Eastern spice blend)
Desserts
- Baklava (Nut and honey pastry)
- Dates
- Figs
Beverages
- Arak (Anise-flavored liqueur)
Lebanese Recipes
Try these recipes from Lebanon.
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