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Food in Syria

Syrian food takes its influences from Mediterranean cuisine, Turkish influences and Middle Eastern spices.  Many Syrians eat a light breakfast, with a heartier lunch and dinner. If there is a gathering, the host might prepare a mezze or a large plate of appetizers, dips and salads. There is a lot of delicious food in Syria. Some [...]

Syrian food takes its influences from Mediterranean cuisine, Turkish influences and Middle Eastern spices.  Many Syrians eat a light breakfast, with a heartier lunch and dinner. If there is a gathering, the host might prepare a mezze or a large plate of appetizers, dips and salads. There is a lot of delicious food in Syria.

Some popular national dishes include:

Falafel: fried chickpea balls usually served as a sandwich in pita bread with a large amount of chopped tomato, cucumber, beets, onions, etc.

Kibbeh: finely ground lamb or beef mixed with bulgur, that is made into a patty or oval shaped and fried.

Shwarma: a sandwich made of shaved grilled meat on a spit.

Tabbouleh: a salad made of bulgur, chopped tomatoes, cucumber, parsley and mint.

Fattoush: a salad made with toasted old pita bread.

Hummus: a creamy spread made of chickpeas.

Stuffed eggplant and zucchini are also fairly common dishes.

Dairy foods are also common, and you can expect to find a wide variety of cheeses and yogurts.

Very sweet pastries are common as desserts such as baklava and halva.

Arabic coffee and tea are popular drinks.

Most of the cheapest food is served as street food or in simple diner-like restaurants. You can get a falafel or shwarma sandwich there for $2 -$4.  If you go into a fancier restaurant expect to pay a good deal more.

French restaurants and bakeries are also found throughout Syria, if you want something different from the typical Middle Eastern cuisine.

These falafel sandwiches bought at a little fast food court cost $2.

Syria Travel Guide

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About the Author:

After traveling on her own for three or four years, Chaya met up with Wade Shepard, the editor of VagabondJourney.com. They were married in 2009, and continue to travel the world together with their young daughter. From time to time Chaya blogs about family travel and life on the road. has written 102 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.

Chaya Shepard is currently in: Xiamen, China

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  • chaya February 11, 2010, 12:08 am

    Falafel! Big sandwiches packed witjh falafel and all the toppings you want for $2. Delicious. A good selection of cheap, sweet French pastries for breakfast.

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