Archie MontroseLebanese food is definitely one of our go-tos whenever we’re craving something more flavorful than our usual meals. You see, these dishes are just infused with aromatic spices and bold flavors, and to cut to the chase, Lebanese food always hits.
Baba ghanouj, falafels, and shawarmas—these are just a few of the mouthwatering dishes that we devour shamelessly each time we stop by these Lebanese restaurants.
Vancouver’s Best Lebanese Restaurants
If you’re on the hunt for a delicious Lebanese restaurant that will keep you coming back for more, some of the most important factors at play here are ambiance and the quality and variety of food.
That’s why we’ve evaluated these restaurants based on the criteria below to make sure that you have the best Lebanese dining experience in Vancouver.
1. Nuba
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Quality of Food | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Authenticity | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Taste and Flavor | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Portion Sizes | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Menu Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Beverage Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Entering Nuba in Gastown is like going through a time machine back to the early 1900s. The historic charm of the restaurant is accentuated by the fact that it’s located in the basement of the 99-year-old Dominion building.
Fun fact! The building has actually been used to film many movies, such as Alcatraz, iZombie, and Travelers, so you know you’re in for an aesthetic treat when you step inside.
They have some creative twists on Lebanese staples, like kafta scotch eggs, garden falafels, and lamb shawarma. But our favorite has to be the grilled mezze sampler with a side of warm pita bread and a fresh tabbouleh salad.
This dish is packed with wild tiger prawns, lamb kafta skewers, shish tawook, and potatoes. Although it can be a little overwhelming with the variety of flavors, trust us when we say that each bite is a burst of deliciousness.
We washed it all down with Musar Jeune, which is a Lebanese red wine known for its fruity and spicy notes. Other options include cocktails, beer, cider, and many more.
All in all, Nuba is definitely worth considering if you’re testing out Lebanese cuisine or looking for a unique dining experience.
Pros
- Historic location
- Creative twists on Lebanese staples
Cons
- Relatively pricey
Customer Reviews
Amazing food
“Everything we ate was amazing! Highly recommend the dip platter with the hummus, baba ganoush, etc. It comes with plenty of soft pita bread…”
-Meesh
Five stars
“I am giving this place five stars for its service! It’s a cute place so close to the steam clock in gastown. You do have to take stairs so it’s not accessible for all…”
-Mrudula S.
2. Mazahr
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Quality of Food | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste and Flavor | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Portion Sizes | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Menu Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Beverage Selection | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Mazahr’s interior resembles a cozy Lebanese home with warm colors and traditional decor like intricate mosaics mixed in with light-shaded hues of cream and beige. The lighting is also soft and warm, much like the ambiance of a candlelit dinner.
This eatery offers popular Lebanese classics such as falafel, kafta, baba ghannouj, and lentil soup. What’s great is that they use genuine Middle Eastern ingredients, primarily sourced from Lebanon.
Our top pick? The tabbouli salad. This Lebanese salad features hand-chopped parsley, tomatoes, spring onions, and a generous assortment of herbs, leaving us full and not feeling too guilty.
We were impressed to see that they have a lot, and we mean a lot, of mezza options on their menu. From cold dishes such as hummus and baba ghanouj, hot mezza like halloumi fries, and grilled ones like kafta, lahm mishwi, and shish tawouk.
The dessert line-up is also looking pretty good here at Mazahr. It’s not a lot, but you do find traditional Lebanese desserts like baklava and maamoul.
We just wish they had more beverage options for customers. However, we were happy to find that they serve tea, as this is a real staple in Lebanese cuisine.
Pros
- Cozy and welcoming vibe
- Uses ingredients sourced from Lebanon
Cons
- Limited beverage selection
Customer Reviews
Authentic and delicious food
“Really great food! Authentic and delicious. I’ve lived in Middle East for many years and I’m always disappointed with Mediterranean restaurants but not here…”
-Scott T.
Perfect food, music, and staff
“The food is unbelievable! Everything about Mazahr is perfect, the food, the atmosphere, the music, the owner and the staff. It’s so welcoming…”
-Vanessa K.
3. Paramount Fine Foods
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Quality of Food | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Authenticity | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Taste and Flavor | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Portion Sizes | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Menu Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Beverage Selection | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
This upscale Middle Eastern restaurant along Robson is the way to go if you fancy something sleek and luxurious. Inside, you’ll be seated on a stylish couch with a modern dining area adorned with elegant chandeliers and beautiful artwork.
No beating around the bush here: the menu is extensive, offering a wide variety of options including soup, falafel, moutabbal, shawarma wraps, shish tawouk, mixed grill meats, manakeesh, and, to our surprise, even pizza!
As tempted as we were to go with the safe option (pizza), we decided to go for the meat by getting the mixed grill. This dish had tons of beef, shish tawouk, and kafta skewers with a delicious velvety hummus and garlic sauce.
We’re not sure what we loved more—the tender and flavorful meats or the creamy and tangy sauce. This dish was absolutely divine. We cannot get over how well those meats were cooked and seasoned.
It was a bummer that their drink options were somewhat limited, but we did appreciate their in-house creation, the “Paramount Special.” This mango and strawberry juice is incredibly refreshing.
Ultimately, we’re confident in recommending Paramount Fine Foods for those looking for the best Lebanese restaurants in Vancouver.
Pros
- Upscale restaurant ambiance
- Extensive menu
Cons
- Limited beverages
Customer Reviews
Clean restaurant
“Extremely clean inside and staff were attentive. Place was busy in a good way when we came for a late lunch on a weekday…”
-Ken B.
Friendly atmosphere
“Great place to enjoy tasty Middle Eastern cuisine. The restaurant has a friendly atmosphere, making it perfect for families and friends…”
-Manas R.
4. Manoush’eh
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Quality of Food | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste and Flavor | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Portion Sizes | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Menu Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Beverage Selection | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Manoush’eh is an intimate Lebanese joint that serves freshly-baked manousheh—Lebanon’s beloved flatbread topped with a variety of flavorful ingredients.
Indoor seating is quite limited, so if you encounter long lines, it might be a good idea to opt for takeout. But hey, if you’re lucky enough to have snagged a seat inside, then good for you.
So, they mainly serve manousheh here, right? But the great thing here is that they serve it in variations like za’atar, cheese, and sujuk. In our opinion, these different toppings add a unique twist to the traditional manousheh.
We were also surprised to see familiar flavors like burger, ground beef, even Nutella manousheh. The best here for us is definitely the burger manousheh, and not because it’s something we’re used to, but because it’s incredibly delicious.
This dish is literally west meets east, as it’s packed with ground beef, topped with melted cheese and veggies, and served on a traditional Lebanese flatbread.
Just a quick heads up, they don’t serve drinks here. Nevertheless, we firmly believe that Manoush’eh is a must-visit if you want to savor this Lebanese favorite.
Pros
- Serves freshly-baked manousheh
- Wide variety of manousheh
Cons
- Limited indoor seating
Customer Reviews
Great space with excellent food
“Really impressed with the fresh soft flatbread which brought everything together. Great little space with excellent Mediterranean food.”
-Daniel S.
Fresh food
“This looked like a cute little place run by a family. There isn’t a lot of seating but worth it to eat it fresh…”
-Mrudula S.
5. Jamjar Canteen
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Quality of Food | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste and Flavor | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Portion Sizes | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Menu Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Beverage Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Jamjar Canteen is like those places you go to where there are a lot of regulars because of the welcoming atmosphere they provide. It’s not as big as fast food chains, but the intimacy of the space creates a sense of community.
What makes this Lebanese restaurant unique is the way they simplify their dishes by presenting them in a way that is accessible and easy to enjoy.
You’ll find the usuals here, like hummus, falafel, and shawarma, but we were delighted to see dishes that were new to us, like makanik (lamb sausages), Lebanese benny, and beef kibbeh.
We couldn’t decide which to get, so we just ordered a bunch of dishes to test it all out. The standout dish here for us was the makanik platter, which included lamb sausages drenched in Lebanese spices.
We were impressed to taste the authentic flavors and spices that really brought out the essence of Lebanese cuisine. The makanik had a perfect balance of savory and smoky flavors, and the spices added a delightful kick to each bite.
They also have a line-up of Lebanese drinks like the Zaatar Twist Drink, which we absolutely loved.
Pros
- Simplified Lebanese dishes
- Great line-up of Lebanese drinks
Cons
- Some complaints about portion sizes
Customer Reviews
Wide range of flavors
“Really enjoyed exploring the menu here with some friends a few days ago. I recommend exploring the cold dishes as well, I was delightfully surprised at the range of flavours…”
-Fletcher M.
Lovely atmosphere, great service
“Lovely atmosphere, great service amazing food. My friend and I went in for dinner and shared the cauliflower, the board, and the beets…”
-Madison B.
6. Zaatar W Zeit
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Quality of Food | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Authenticity | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Taste and Flavor | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Portion Sizes | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Menu Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Beverage Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Zaatar W Zeit’s aesthetic is like one of those modern bookshops with high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and minimalist decor. The space is filled with natural light, and there’s also a bunch of these little lamps.
You have the usuals—shawarma, kafta, halloumi, manousheh, and a whole bunch of baked wraps—but what sets them apart for us is the flatbread pizzas.
These savory delights come in four flavors: BBQ chicken, cheese, cheesy kafta, and our favorite of them all, the Mediterranean pizza. We swear, it doesn’t get any more flavorful than this.
This flatbread has pesto, mozzarella, zucchini, and feta cheese all melted together, and it’s loaded up with fresh veggies like arugula, spicy green pepper, and just-chopped onions. The final touch? Chili oil.
And there’s more to it. Over at Zaatar W Zeit, they have an impressive variety of starters. You can find delicious appetizers such as beet hummus, potato wedges, traditional fries, and a whole bunch of other crispy treats.
We were also happy to see a wide array of drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic ones. But let us offer a tip: make sure to give the Lebanese coffee a shot during your visit.
Pros
- Variety of flatbread flavors
- Serves Lebanese coffee
Cons
- Some complaints about serving time
Customer Reviews
Food is always delicious
“This is one of my favourite places in the area! The food is always delicious! Wanted to take a picture of my favourite Famous Chicken Wrap, but ate it so quickly didn’t even realized it!!”
-Olena M.
Delicious food and friendly staff
“Delicious food. Very patient and friendly staff. I loved everything. The food comes fresh. The coffee was delicious and comes with a cardamom flavour. My favourite was Kafta Supreme.”
-Gurpreet K.
7. BASHA
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Quality of Food | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste and Flavor | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Portion Sizes | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Menu Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Beverage Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Nestled within the confines of the Burrard Street Waterfront Centre Food Court, you’ll stumble upon BASHA. It’s the place where they craft dishes with genuine Lebanese ingredients.
This place seemed very busy, as there’s almost always a line, but we were quite impressed to see that the line moves fast. Although there’s not a lot on their menu, keep that in mind.
Despite that, what makes BASHA special is the portions they serve. Sure, we expected to get a full stomach, but the dishes here, specifically the mixed shawarma plate, were beyond our expectations.
The flavors were incredibly divine, and the meat was expertly seasoned and tender. The saffron rice salad, paired with pickled turnips, harissa sauce, and tzatziki sauce, added fantastic depth to the dish.
You also have to try their other meals, like falafel, couscous, calamari, and their very own signature poutine. Each of these was served generously, which we appreciate.
Beverage-wise, you have the basics—water, soda, and iced tea. We’re a bit bummed that they don’t have Lebanese specialty drinks, but all in all, BASHA is truly one of the best Lebanese restaurants in Vancouver.
Pros
- Generous portions
- Fast serving time
Cons
- Limited beverage selection
Customer Reviews
Fast and efficient service
“I got the meat shawarma and it was amazing! Needs slightly more spice tho, but overall great. Fast and efficient customer service as well! The prices are very reasonable…”
-Maryan M.
Best breakfast menu
“Best breakfast menu! Perfectly cooked meat, sweet fresh fruits, even the toast was tasty. It felt like the perfect experience!”
-What’s G.
8. Wild Thyme
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Quality of Food | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste and Flavor | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Portion Sizes | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Menu Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Beverage Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Wild Thyme is a casual Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant with a quaint outdoor patio surrounded by hanging plants and lots of sunlight that’ll feel like you’re dining in the streets of a charming Mediterranean village.
On the inside is a traditional dining area with an open kitchen, so you get the opportunity to take a peek at the chefs in action. There’s also artwork on the walls, which adds a touch of cultural flair.
The restaurant’s menu features a wide variety of dishes inspired by the vibrant flavors of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, including classics like falafel, hummus, and kebabs.
We absolutely loved that their flatbreads here are handmade and baked in a brick oven. The taste is really authentic, and the texture is perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
You can’t really go wrong ordering one (or three) of their flatbreads. But if you’re looking for something heavier, we recommend checking out their entrees. You have the option of chicken, kafta, or cauliflower, all served with rice.
We ordered the fresh orange juice mimosa for drinks, and this included a small bottle of sparkling wine that really complemented the citrus flavor of the orange juice.
Pros
- Great outdoor patio
- Variety of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine
Cons
- Limited food menu variety
Customer Reviews
Amazing food
“Our group of 6 came in to celebrate a friend’s retirement and we had a great time! The food was amazing…”
-Mallory G.
Excellent service and food
“Absolutely AMAZING! From the food to the excellent service, this place is great! The cauliflower wrap was so good. I got the Flatbread for take out and that was also cooked to perfection. Will definitely be a regular here.”
-Kushal K.
9. Aleph Eatery
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Quality of Food | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste and Flavor | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Portion Sizes | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Menu Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Beverage Selection | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
Aleph Eatery is all about that vegan life, as they serve Middle Eastern staples that are all plant-based. The food here is so good that it has been awarded as one of the best vegan restaurants by Vancouver Magazine.
We immediately felt at ease as we went inside, as the ambiance of the space was warm and inviting. Their decor is minimalist, with a focus on natural materials like wood and plants, creating a calming atmosphere.
This restaurant is the perfect place for brunch, as they serve dishes like falafel benny, gaza scrambled eggs, Yoggu yogurt pancakes, and hummus toast with tofu scramble.
All of these were amazing, by the way, but the one that satisfied our tummies was the shish kabab. You can also opt for the classic falafel, but we like the shish kabab more because we’re big fans of garlic.
Aleph Eatery also has an impressive selection of drinks, including beer, cocktails, wine, and classic Lebanese drinks like mint lemonade and mountain tisane rose tea blend.
Tea is a popular beverage in Lebanon, so we made sure to pair one with our meals, and we think you should too.
Pros
- Awarded as one of the best vegan restaurants
- Ideal brunch place
Cons
- Relatively pricey
Customer Reviews
Super delicious dishes
“Aleph was super delicious! We shared a bunch of dishes, but I could have eaten any of them on my own. Will definitely be back for dinner sometime soon. The service and ambiance and also great.”
-Michael W.
Fresh tasting food
“My plant-based Plant Curious deals book brought me here! The food tasted fresh. Their turmeric cauliflower was a standout with the tahini and Aleppo spice…”
-Chloe R.
10. Baghdad Cafe
| CRITERIA | RATING |
| Ambiance | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Quality of Food | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Authenticity | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Taste and Flavor | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Portion Sizes | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Variety | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
| Menu Variety | ★★★★★ 5/5 |
| Beverage Selection | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
Baghdad Cafe is a counter-serve option for those of you who are always on the go but have been wanting to try out Middle Eastern fare. Sure, it’s not as fancy as upscale restaurants, but you go here for the food, not the atmosphere.
This café is not just clean and roomy but also conveniently situated right in the heart of downtown. Everything about this place, from the ambiance to the service and, most importantly, the flavors, was absolutely flawless.
We went for the shawarma platter, and it was a delight. Here are a couple of pointers to kick things off. We strongly suggest opting for chicken since it’s a healthier choice compared to beef.
However, if you’re aiming for a healthier option, feel free to mix up your salads and sauces. Our personal favorite is the beet salad, but we’d also suggest adding some garlic and hummus to the mix.
The falafels and kebabs at this place are definitely worth a taste, but keep in mind they’re prepared fresh, so you might need to exercise a bit of patience.
However, if you’re in a hurry, we recommend opting for the chicken or lamb kabsa, as these require a bit more time to prepare.
If you’re considering dining in, they do offer some seating in the back, but it tends to fill up quickly, so we’d suggest that this café is more suitable for takeout rather than dine-in.
Pros
- Best for take-out
- Fast serving time
Cons
- Limited seating
Customer Reviews
Clean, spacious, and great food
“The cafe is clean, spacious, and located at the center of the city downtown. All the things here were perfect in terms of ambience, service, polite nature of the staff, and most importantly the taste.”
-Hasan A.
Good portions sizes
“Good portion sizes, nice unique flavors. It was quiet and clean.”
-Allysia H.
