Best Restaurants in Lebanon 2026

Kibbeh

Lebanon's national dish — a mixture of ground lamb or beef, bulgur wheat, and pine nuts shaped into torpedo forms and baked, fried, or served raw (kibbeh nayyeh). Each region has its own variation.

Where to try: Any traditional Lebanese restaurant; Em Sherif for premium version

Price: $8-20

Mezze Spread

An array of 20-30 small dishes including hummus, moutabal (smoky eggplant), fattoush, tabouleh, labneh, stuffed grape leaves, cheese, and raw vegetables. The true experience of Lebanese communal dining.

Where to try: Any sit-down Lebanese restaurant — Tawlet or Abdel Wahab for classic spreads

Price: $30-60 per person

Knafeh

Lebanon's most beloved sweet — shredded pastry over stretchy Nabulsi cheese soaked in orange blossom sugar syrup and garnished with crushed pistachios. The Tripoli version is considered definitive.

Where to try: Abdul Rahman Hallab (Tripoli), Rafaat Hallab (Tripoli), various Beirut pastry shops

Price: $3-7

Manoushe

Lebanon's beloved breakfast flatbread baked fresh in wood-fired ovens, topped with za'atar herb blend and olive oil, or white cheese (jibneh), or eggs. Eaten across Lebanon from dawn as street food.

Where to try: Any neighborhood bakery from 6-10AM; Furn el Sabaya (Hamra) for excellent versions

Price: $1.50-4

Kafta bi Tahini

Spiced ground lamb mixed with onion and herbs, flattened into patties baked in a creamy tahini sauce with potato and tomato. A hearty home-cooking staple elevated by Lebanon's extraordinary tahini quality.

Where to try: Al Balad (Beirut), Kababji, most traditional Lebanese restaurants

Price: $12-22

Em Sherif

Upscale restaurant founded by chef Mireille Hayek offering authentic Lebanese cuisine in an elegant setting. The restaurant recreates the warmth of traditional Lebanese households through exquisite home-cooked meals and impeccable service.

Abdulwahab El Inglizi Street, Achrafieh, Beirut

Tawlet

Unique buffet-style restaurant in Bourj Hammoud featuring daily rotating menus prepared by guest chefs from Lebanese villages. Showcases authentic regional specialties.

Naher Street, Mar Mikhael, Beirut

Barbar

Iconic 24-hour eatery famous for shawarma, falafel, and fresh juices. A Beirut institution serving locals and tourists since 1979.

Hamra Street, Beirut

Abou Hassan

Tiny shop in Bourj Hammoud serving the creamiest hummus and foul in Lebanon. Opens early, sells out fast.

Bourj Hammoud, Beirut

CafeRawda

Historic cafe established in 1948, famous for Lebanese coffee, backgammon, and old-world atmosphere. A Beirut institution.

Hamra Street, Beirut

Liza Beirut

Elegant restaurant in a restored 19th-century palace featuring themed rooms with unique decor. Offers a modern take on traditional Lebanese dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere.

Rue Métropolite Mousa Ajem, Achrafieh, Beirut

Enab Beirut

Cozy restaurant serving traditional Lebanese home cooking in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Known for authentic flavors and generous portions.

Gemmayze, Beirut

Falafel Freiha

Small shop serving the best falafel in Beirut for decades. Simple, fresh, and always crowded with locals.

Bliss Street, Hamra, Beirut

Shawarma

Spiced lamb or chicken shaved from a vertical spit and wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce (toum), pickles, and tomato. Beirut's shawarma is among the finest in the Arab world — Barbar on Hamra is legendary.

Find it at: Barbar (Hamra, 24hrs), Sahyoun (Achrafieh)

Falafel

Crispy deep-fried balls of seasoned chickpeas and broad beans served in flatbread with fresh vegetables, tahini, and pickles. Lebanese falafel is lighter and more herb-forward than Egyptian varieties.

Find it at: Falafel Sahyoun (Achrafieh), Al-Soussi (Bliss Street Hamra), any neighborhood falafel stand

Hummus with Fresh Bread

Freshly made hummus (ground chickpeas, tahini, lemon) served warm with olive oil drizzle and flatbread. The quality of Lebanese hummus varies dramatically — seek out freshly made versions.

Find it at: Hummus Beirut (Mar Mikhael), traditional Arabic restaurants

Fresh Juice

Lebanon has extraordinary fresh juice culture — avocado shakes, pomegranate juice, fresh-squeezed orange, and mixed tropical blends made to order at street stalls. Some of the best juice in the Mediterranean.

Find it at: Barbar (Hamra), Chez Andre (Mar Mikhael), corner juice stands throughout Beirut

Souk el Tayeb

Beirut's beloved Saturday farmers' market in Saifi Village where producers from across Lebanon sell seasonal produce, artisan cheese, olive oil, honey, fresh bread, and preserved foods. The best way to experience Lebanese agricultural diversity.

Hours: Saturday 9AM-2PM

Souk el Ahraj Tripoli

Tripoli's vast traditional market covering separate souks for spice, fabric, gold, sweets, and soap in medieval Mamluk-era surroundings. The spice section is particularly extraordinary with aromatic Lebanese mountain herbs.

Hours: Monday-Saturday 8AM-6PM

Marché de Bourj Hammoud

Armenian quarter market in Beirut's Bourj Hammoud neighborhood selling fresh produce, Armenian specialty foods, dried fruits, nuts, and spices at lower prices than central Beirut markets.

Hours: Daily 7AM-4PM