Roots in Beirut: Lebanese restaurants in Vancouver

Aside from the late-night falafel stand or donair shop, sit-down Lebanese restaurants are hard to come by in Vancouver. We scoured the streets, though, and came up with a few excellent options. Settle in and enjoy dish after dish of traditional Lebanese meze as well as platters of meat and vegetarian fare. [Image courtesy of Jamjar]

Roots in Beirut: Lebanese restaurants in Vancouver
Alison Cairns By

Nuba Natural Foods

1
146 3rd Ave E, Vancouver, BC V5T 1C8

If you’ve ever tried Najib’s Special, you’ll know why countless food bloggers and home chefs have tried to recreate this fried and spiced cauliflower masterpiece. But nowhere is it as good as at its original home, made by Najib himself. If you can ever manage to order something else, everything is equally good (well, almost). Falafel, baba ghanoush, lamb hushwie, shish tawook: all dishes are fragrant with Middle Eastern spices and often come with refreshing pickled cabbage and addictive tahini dressing.

Jamjar

2
2290 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4B5

If the consistent lineup since it opened is anything to go by, this new Lebanese restaurant on the Drive is a welcome addition to the ‘hood. Classic dishes are served in a contemporary setting of white subway tile and industrial-style seating. The focus here is on mezes — small, shareable plates intended for feasting with friends — with some traditional specialties you’d find in a Lebanese home kitchen. And don’t forget to grab a jar of house-made hummus for sale on your way out.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Saj & Co

3
813 Davie St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1B7

The convex dome oven, as seen through the front window of this take-out Lebanese restaurant is one indication that everything here is made fresh and to order. Specializing in wraps, Chef Malek rolls out the chewy flatbread dough in front of your eyes, before slapping it on the grill while he prepares the other ingredients for your sandwich. With many vegetarian options, decent portions and good prices, this unique downtown sandwich shop is a must-try for lunch on the go.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Alison Cairns Alison Cairns
Alison Cairns has been working in writing and publishing for over a decade. A devoted Vancouverite, she loves exploring the hidden gems and new happenings — both cultural and culinary — in the city. She is also a lover of coffee, wine, craft beer and pretty much all food except sea urchin. She staves off the results of these loves by running the seawall, cycling the city and hiking the mountains.
Vancouver's best craft cocktail bars

The city's best craft cocktail bars

From barrel-aging spirits to foraging local herbs, Vancouver's cocktail bars are as adventurous as they are creative. Here are Vancouver's best cocktail bars, straight up. [Photo © Yellow Pages / Pages Jaunes]
Here's the scoop: Ice cream shops in Vancouver

Here's the scoop: Ice cream shops in Vancouver

Ice cream: what more needs to be said? We've got the scoop on some of the city’s best. From taco-style waffle cones to virtuous vegan treats, here are a few of our fave Vancouver ice cream joints. [Photo courtesy of Rain or Shine Ice Cream]
Sip on this: Vancouver bars for tequila cocktails

Sip on this: Bars for tequila cocktails

No longer just the domain of bachelorette parties and late-night shots, tequila has been elevated to the sophisticated liquor it should be. With high-end, artisanal varieties finding their way to bars and into cocktails across Vancouver, you’ll see why this is the nectar of the Aztec gods.
Close menu