Lebanese Food and Drink Guide: What to Eat in Lebanon

Why Lebanon is a food lover's dream

Lebanese cuisine is built around generosity, fresh produce, and the long mezze meal. Whether you are in a Beirut bistro or a mountain village in the Chouf, expect a parade of small plates, warm bread, and strong coffee.

Signature dishes to try

• Tabbouleh - a parsley-heavy salad with bulgur, tomato, mint and lemon. The Lebanese version is mostly herbs, not grain.
• Hummus and moutabal - chickpea dip and its smoky aubergine cousin, scooped with fresh pita.
• Kibbeh - minced lamb and bulgur, served raw (kibbeh nayyeh), fried, or baked.
• Manakish - flatbread topped with za'atar, cheese or minced meat, the classic breakfast.
• Fattoush - a crunchy salad with toasted bread and sumac.

Street food and quick bites

• Shawarma - chicken or beef carved off a vertical spit, wrapped with garlic toum or tahini.
• Falafel - try Falafel Sahyoun in Beirut, a decades-old institution.
• Kaak - a sesame bread ring sold from street carts, often with cheese or za'atar.
• Knafeh - sweet cheese pastry in a bread roll, a beloved breakfast in Tripoli.

Drinks worth ordering

• Arak - the anise spirit poured over ice with water, turning milky white. It is the national drink and pairs with mezze.
• Lebanese wine - the Bekaa Valley produces excellent reds; look for Chateau Ksara, Musar or Kefraya.
• Jallab - a chilled drink of date molasses and rosewater topped with pine nuts.
• Ahweh - cardamom-spiced Arabic coffee, served strong and small.
• Fresh juices - cocktail of seasonal fruit, found on Hamra Street and beyond.

Practical dining tips and etiquette

• Mezze is meant to be shared. Order several plates for the table rather than individual mains.
• A relaxed dinner can last hours; never rush the meal.
• Tipping around 10 percent is appreciated where service is not included.
• A casual mezze lunch runs roughly 10 to 20 USD per person; upscale Beirut restaurants cost more.
• Bread is the universal utensil, used to scoop dips.
• During Ramadan, daytime hours change and iftar feasts are special; book ahead.

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