Lebanon: What to Know Before You Go

Cuisine Highlights

• Mezze spread, hummus, mutabal (smoky eggplant dip), tabbouleh, fattoush, kibbeh, and a dozen more shared small dishes
• Kibbeh, ground lamb mixed with bulgur wheat and pine nuts; eaten raw (kibbeh nayyeh) or fried; Lebanon's most iconic preparation
• Manakish, flatbread topped with za'atar (thyme-sumac-olive oil blend) or cheese; the essential Lebanese breakfast
• Kafta, spiced minced lamb on skewers grilled over charcoal; served with garlic sauce (toum) and flatbread
• Arak, anise-flavored spirit that turns milky white when mixed with water; the national drink always shared over mezze

Traditions & Festivals

• Baalbek International Festival (July–August), world-class opera, jazz, and dance performances at the 2,000-year-old Roman temple ruins
• Byblos International Festival, concerts at one of the world's oldest inhabited cities along the coast
• Cedar Festival (Bsharri), celebrates Lebanon's iconic cedar trees with cultural events in the mountains
• Eid Al-Fitr and Christmas are both national holidays, Lebanon is unique in its side-by-side celebration of Islamic and Christian traditions

Language & Communication

Arabic is official; French and English are both widely spoken, Lebanon is effectively trilingual. Lebanese Arabic is distinct from Modern Standard Arabic.

Locals frequently switch between all three languages mid-sentence. Key phrase: "Merci" (said in French) is universally understood and commonly used even by Arabic speakers.

Cultural Etiquette

• Lebanese hospitality is intense, refusing food or drink from a host is considered rude; pace yourself through multiple courses
• Greet with cheek kisses (three alternating sides) among friends, handshakes are standard for first-time introductions
• Dress modestly in southern Lebanon and in religious areas; Beirut is generally very fashion-forward and relaxed
• Avoid discussing sectarian politics, Lebanon's religious and political divisions are extremely sensitive personal topics