Explore the food of the Middle East
Beirut is the perfect place to explore the flavors of the Middle East as the city is an important cultural and culinary intersection. Lebanese cuisine features a variety of vibrant, flavorful ingredients and spices that provide a unique culinary experience and today you find Lebanese restaurants in almost every major city.
What to eat in Beirut
Dishes that everyone should try when they visit Beirut include hummus, a creamy, garlicky chickpea dip served with warm pita bread, tabbouleh, a parsley salad with tomatoes, mint, onion, bulgur, seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice, shawarma, thinly-sliced marinated meat cooked on a spit and served in a wrap with pick, falafel, fried balls of mashed chickpeas, herbs, and spices served in a pita wrap, kibbeh, ground beef and bulgur wheat mixed with spices and herbs then deep-fried and served with a tangy yogurt sauce, and fatteh, a layered dish made with toasted pieces of pita, yogurt, and chickpeas, topped with herbs and nuts. The street food is particularly delicious and varied, with kebabs, flatbreads, and grilled meats being some of the most common. Lebanese desserts, such as baklava, knefeh, and halawet el jibn, are also renowned for their deliciousness.
