Lebanon is a nation in the central east situated off on the Mediterranean ocean. Beirut, its capital, is known as the “Paris of the Middle East” because of its appealing nature and culture. Lebanon is also known for its cuisine and for the assortment of flavors they use. The food of Lebanon is famous among visitors and one of the reasons to visit the country is its delicious food. Lebanese food is healthy and varieties of tasty flavors are added in the dishes.

Here are some famous dishes of Lebanon are:

MANAKISH

Manakish is the Lebanese version of pizza which is made of flatbread. The fragrant, zingy mix of flavors makes it a dazzling bite and starter. The Lebanon pizza contains cheese and meat, wild thyme, olive oil, sesame seeds, and culinary sumac in the dish before heating. This food of Lebanon is served with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and new mint leaves. It is one of the most well-known Lebanese dishes that local people eat consistently.

SHISH TAOUK

In this dish, the meat is marinated overnight in lemon juice, yogurt, a bit of tomato paste, and paprika, so that it becomes incredibly tender and juicy. Shish Taouk is normally presented with a lot of pitas. The taste of this sandwich is unique and more than delightful. These sandwiches are very popular with marinated chicken in Lebanon. Shish Taouk is a famous dish in Lebanon.

BABA GHANOUSH

Baba Ghanoush is a plunge made with eggplant and tahini. This plunge is very extraordinary and appreciated by the people of Lebanon. It is normally presented with pita bread and sprinkled with some olive oil and finally topped with pomegranate. This creamy dip can also be enjoyed as a snack or appetizer. This famous dish in Lebanon is perfect for Vegan people.

TABBOULEH

Tabbouleh is a mainstream Lebanese food that represents the culture of the country. It is generally enclosed by pita or lettuce. This healthy vegan plate of mixed greens is made up of tomatoes, parsley, bulgur, and onions blended in a sauce of lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Lebanese eat this solid and super-green plate of mixed greens for dinner. This dish has different varieties and some varieties include green onions and new mint leaves. This green salad famous dish of Lebanon can also be eaten with French fries.

KIBBE NAYEH

Kibbe Nayeh is made with crude sheep or meat, spices, puree of onions, and a little bit of the wheat grain. This dish is like steak tartare. Kibbe Nayeh is generally presented with new vegetables and pita, and it is eaten immediately after being cooked as it contains crude meat. The Lebanese butchers believe that it is fine to eat crude meat.

FALAFEL

This dish is made with singed chickpeas and spices like garlic, parsley, coriander, and cumin. It is served on a salad as an appetizer and wrapped in a piece of bread as a sandwich, normally accompanied by some hot sauce, French fries, tomatoes, pickles, or cucumbers. This is an inexpensive dish of Lebanon sold in the street corners of Lebanon and also in the different nations of the Middle East like Egypt, Israel, and Syria. Vegans love this Lebanese food as it is plentiful in supplements like folate, protein, and fiber.

SHAWARMA

Shawarma is a customary Lebanon food that combines fresh vegetables and tahini sauce, all enclosed by pita bread. It is served with fattoush or tabbouleh. The meat is usually turkey, sheep, or chicken, and the flavoring depends on cardamom, turmeric, cloves, and cinnamon. Various toppings are included in the dish like carrots, lettuce, purple cabbage, pickles, eggplant, crude onion, tahini, hummus, and salted mangoes.

KOFTA

Kofta is minced meatballs served all alone or with potatoes and pureed tomatoes. They are made with minced meat, onions, parsley, and flavors. There are various varieties of kofta, some of them made with red meat, and others with fish.  Some koftas are blended in with rice, splashed bread, or bulgur before being shaped into balls. The kofta is made with finely grounded meat and onions, parsley, and then it is grilled, seared, prepared, or roasted. Kofta is one of the famous dishes in Lebanon.

HUMMUS                                      

Hummus is a traditional dish of Lebanon that is both scrumptious and delicious. It is made with tahini, chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. It is combined with fresh vegetables like carrots and eat as an appetizer. It is mixed up with barbecued chicken, fish, eggplant, or falafel. It is a basic part of Lebanese mezze, decent food, and a rapid blender. The garlicky and lemony taste of the Lebanon dish is delicious.

KANAFEH

Kanafeh is a dessert dish in Lebanon. It is a pastry made up of cheese and topped with pistachios and sugar syrup served with bread that makes it an excellent sandwich. Kanafeh is the traditional food of Lebanon and it has millions of varieties. It is a delicious dish of Lebanon with a layer of gooey and unsalted cheese.

BAKLAVA

Baklava is a delicious pastry found in Lebanon having a rich flavor of sugar syrup and chopped nuts. There are different varieties of baklava, some are made with honey and nuts, some with chocolate and coconut. The main ingredient in this dish is the flaky filo dough. The layers of filo dough filled with nuts and honey, baked and then soaked in sugar syrup for hours. People in Lebanon prepare this dish on special occasions.

SFEEHA

Sfeeha, or sfiha, is basically Lebanese savory meat pie. Sfeeha is the best and most popular dish in Lebanon. It is served as a snack, as part of the Lebanese mezze, as a main dish, or as a quick dinner. This small, open meat pies- a famous dish of Lebanon could be found at every bakery in Lebanon.

FATTOUSH

Fattoush is a traditional Lebanese salad made up of vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, radish, parsley, and other vegetables. It is mixed up with fried crushed bits of pita bread and sprinkled in lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and garlic. The dish of Lebanon is served with grilled meat. People in Lebanon eat it as an appetizer and is a wonderful vegan salad that is packed with nutrients and various flavors.

FUL MEDAMES

Ful Medamas is a traditional Lebanese dish that is mashed up with fava beans, vegetable oil, chopped parsley, onion, garlic, lemon juice, and chili pepper. It is prepared with different spices and herbs.FulMeddamas is considered popular food in Lebanon found in the street corners of Lebanon. Lebanese people love the taste of ful medames, and consider the dish as a part of their tradition.

KIBEH

Kibbeh is a national dish of Lebanon which is made up of bulgur, meat, mint leaves, and onions and it is shaped in the form of a football. These football-shaped Kibeh are deep-fried and are delicious and crispy. The dish is served with hot, fresh, and sour cream.

ARAK

Arak is a colorless, unsweetened beverage which is made up of grapes and aniseed. It is a famous dish in Lebanon as it provides strength and ability and turns white when combined with water. It is a traditional drink in Lebanon. This alcoholic drink helps in digestion.

LABAN AYRAN

Aryan is a special drink in Lebanese cuisine. This marvelous drink is really refreshing and soothing. It is very common in Lebanon and made up of fresh curd and combined with milk, salt, and garlic. Aryan is a tasty, salty, and sugar-free drink.

JALLAB

Jallab is a fruit syrup made up of dates, carob, rose water, and grape molasses. Served with crushed ice, floating raisins and pine nuts and People drink it to refresh themselves in summertime in Lebanon. Jallab is usually made at the time of Ramadan.

All the above-mentioned, desserts, drinks, and dishes of Lebanon are delicious and must be tried when visiting Lebanon. Explore your choices from above and taste the dishes of your choice while visiting the country.