9 Ridiculously Good Lebanese Foods You Need to Try

The kafta is a happy little lamb, beef or chicken meatball, filled with onion, parsley, breadcrumbs and spices. These guys are barbecued on skewers or served in a gravy. Saveur have a lamb recipe to get you started.

Sweeten up your day with this sugary cheese pastry smothered in orange blossom syrup. Cheese, sugar and butter are best friends in the kanafeh. Want to make your own? Get ready to drool with Maureen Abood’s Blog.

Carrot sticks taste so much better with a huge scoop of hummus on the end! This chickpea, garlic and tahini blend of happiness is perfect for nibbles before dinner. Suzy at The Mediterranean Dish shows you step-by-step how to make delicious hummus.

Rice is a super staple in Middle Eastern countries and Lebanon knows how to spruce it up. It is traditional to add fried vermicelli noodles and serve it with other delicious Lebanese meat dishes. Want a perfected recipe to try? The Lemon Bowl’s Chef Liz, shares some secrets to making it just right.

Any salad that contains something deep-fried is a good salad, are we right? And that is just what you can expect with fattoush. With crispy lettuce, bread and vegetables, this is an ideal "I want to feel like I’m eating healthy, but still taste something" dish. We especially liked A Cedar Spoon's recipe – try it for yourself.

Bread topped with thyme, sesame seeds, sumac and olive oil, this ‘Lebanese Pizza’ is a popular breakfast food but can be enjoyed all day, every day. Learn a little about the manakish and try out the recipe at the food blog.

Ooh how we love tabbouleh! Parsley, mint, tomatoes and a bunch of other yummy stuff come together to make this die-hard side dish. Want to make a traditional Lebanese version? Mama’s Lebanese Kitchen has what you are looking for.

Meat pies are always a good thing and in Lebanon they have their own version with an optimal meat-to-pie ratio. With no lid hiding the scrumptious insides, your eyes can start feasting on the good bits as soon as it hits the table. The Chef in Disguise has some great tips for when making sfeeha.

The only thing better than trying out these foods in your own kitchen, is making the trip to the source. Take your taste buds on a seriously sweet vacation and make Beirut your next destination. Choose from Radisson Blu Hotel, Beirut Verdun, or Radisson Blu Martinez Hotel, Beirut - two stylish, upscale choices for those wanting a delicious stay from beginning to end. Get a taste of all things Beirut in the on-site Olivos Restaurant at the latter that perfectly blends spices and aromas to take you on an unforgettable culinary journey.