Lebanese Food Pittsburgh: A Local Primer on the Core Dishes

What Lebanese cooking is built on

Lebanese cooking relies on fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, olive oil, grains, and legumes. Meals often include several small dishes meant to share, which is why a table can feel like a collection of plates rather than one main course. Meat is seasoned and grilled or roasted, vegetables appear raw or lightly prepared, and dips and sauces add richness and tang.

Many home cooks plan a Lebanese meal around a few anchors: a grilled or roasted protein, a bowl of rice, a dip or two, and a fresh salad. Once those are on the table, guests can add bread and sauces to suit their taste. That flexible structure is one reason Lebanese food works well for groups, whether people are sharing at a casual lunch or a larger celebration.

Shawarma and the rotisserie

Shawarma is marinated meat stacked on a vertical rotisserie, cooked slowly, and shaved off as it browns. Our chicken shawarma is hand-stacked every morning, and our meats are marinated for more than 24 hours. It is listed as halal on our menu. You can order it in pita, which contains gluten, or over Lebanese rice in a bowl. If you are new to it, the menu page shows the options side by side.

Falafel, dips, and sauces

Falafel is a classic Lebanese food made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices. Ours is made from scratch from soaked raw chickpeas, never from a powder, and our gluten-free vegan falafel can be served in a wrap with tarator, a sesame sauce. House-made hummus and house-made baba ganoush, a smoky eggplant dip, round out the table. Garlic (toum) sauce is a bold, creamy garlic sauce that pairs well with almost everything on the plate. For guests who eat plant-based, a falafel plate can hold hummus, vegetables, and sauces without any meat, which makes it easy to share a table with people who eat differently.

Sides and sweets

A Lebanese meal usually includes something fresh alongside the protein. We offer a Lebanese salad, fresh vegetables, and rice bowls over Lebanese rice. For something to share, try halloumi cheese fries or zaatar fries. Baklava is the sweet finish. Together these dishes make it easy to build a plate that feels complete. Fresh vegetables and salad add crunch that balances the richer dips and fries.

Where to find us in Lawrenceville

We are at 3716 Butler St in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh, PA 15201. Visit our locations page for our address details, and check our menu before you come. If you are planning a larger event, our catering options cover lunches, weddings, rehearsal dinners, and private parties. For questions about ingredients or dietary needs, call (412) 251-1279. If you are new to our menu, ask our team which dishes are a good starting point for your group.