If your Middle Eastern food palette ends with hummus, falafel & shawarma, you might be missing out. Surrounded by the luxury of a vast, beautiful desert, this part of the world is known for its vibrant flavor profile centered on warm earthiness, bright acidity, and aromatic depth. Think cumin, fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. All the robust nuance laid on your plate, accompanied by Arabic coffee and red sobia.
Safe to say, the Middle East is worth traveling just for food. And with airlines like Jazeera Airways making it easy to hop between destinations across the region, ticking off one iconic dish after another is reason enough to start planning your next culinary adventure.
Machboos: Kuwait
Dubbed as the national comfort food of Kuwait, Machboos is fragrant basmati rice with slow-cooked chicken, lamb, or seafood; flavored with cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and dried lime (loomi). While it’s wildly popular in Kuwait, it can be best experienced at traditional family restaurants in and around markets like Souq Al Mubarakiya.
Mansaf: Jordan
An epitome of Jordanian hospitality, this national dish is traditionally served during weddings and celebrations, shared from one large platter. If you enjoy lamb dishes, Mansaf should be at the top of your list.
Shawarma: Lebanon
Even if you’ve had fifty authentic shawarmas at every nook and cranny of your country, it still cannot beat the flavors of an honest Lebanese corner found at all the neighborhood eateries in Lebanon. Take our advice and choose local restaurants over big chains.
Kunafa: Palestine
Pride of Nablus, a crispy pastry with gooey cheese, fragrant syrup, and crushed pistachios, can heal you from within. Although regional variations exist across neighboring countries, the original one still hits the spot.
Kabsa: Saudi Arabia
At first glance, Kabsa may remind you of Machboos, but one bite is enough to tell them apart. Saudi Arabia’s beloved rice dish combines long-grain rice with slow-cooked chicken, lamb, or camel, infused with tomatoes, black lime, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. It’s hearty, deeply aromatic, and almost always the centerpiece of family gatherings and festive occasions.
Ta’ameya: Egypt
Yes, Egypt has its own version of falafel, and many locals will tell you it’s the superior one. Unlike the chickpea-based falafel found elsewhere, Ta’ameya is made with fava beans, giving it a lighter texture and vibrant green center. Pair it with ful medames, fresh pita, and pickled vegetables for a breakfast that’s simple, filling, and packed with flavor.
Baklava: Turkey
No Middle Eastern food bucket list feels complete without ending on something sweet. Layers of flaky filo pastry, generous handfuls of pistachios or walnuts, and just the right amount of syrup come together to create Turkey’s iconic baklava. Have it alongside a strong cup of Turkish coffee, and suddenly you’ll understand why this classic has stood the test of time.
Food has always been one of the easiest ways to understand a culture, and nowhere is that truer than the Middle East. Every dish carries generations of tradition, local ingredients, and stories that can’t be recreated elsewhere. So, the next time you’re planning a trip, build your itinerary around your appetite, and with Jazeera Airways, which connects several destinations across the region, hopping from one iconic meal to the next is much easier than you might think.
