Even if you've never been to Beirut, chances are you have some familiarity with Lebanese food. Hummus and falafel are well-known internationally while shawarma is widely regarded to be one of the world's most iconic street foods. In fact, so famous is shawarma that it was even featured in an Avengers post-credit scene.

Traditional food in Beirut is a vibrant subset of Lebanese cuisine, characterized by a heavy emphasis on fresh vegetables, olive oil, garlic, and bright citrus. The culinary heart of the city is the Mezze, a large spread of small plates intended for sharing. Essential dishes include Hummus (chickpea dip), Moutabal (smoky eggplant dip), and Tabbouleh, a refreshing herb-heavy salad made with finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, and bulgur wheat. Beirut is also famous for its street food, particularly Manakish, which is often described as "Lebanese pizza"—flatbread typically topped with Za'atar (a blend of thyme, sumac, and sesame) or melted cheese. For meat lovers, Kibbeh (the national dish made of spiced minced meat and bulgur) and Shawarma are staples. No meal is complete without traditional sweets like Knafeh, a warm cheese pastry soaked in orange blossom syrup, or a glass of Arak, a potent, anise-flavored spirit that turns milky white when mixed with water.