The best Middle Eastern food in and around Vancouver you need to try
There are several kinds of cuisine we can’t get enough of, and Middle Eastern food is definitely one of them.
Food from this region includes Lebanese, Syrian, Palestinian, and Israeli, and while there’s a lot of crossover, each country has its own cultural variations.
Middle Eastern cuisine is fresh, flavourful, filling, and pretty much always on the healthy side, which is a nice bonus.
Here are some of our favourite places for Middle Eastern cuisine in Vancouver.
Yasma
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Yasma serves Lebanese and Syrian food, with elevated and playful interpretations that feel fresh and new. Each dish is plated artfully with vibrant colours and we suggest ordering some of this spot’s charcoal-kissed meats from the grill or their made-in-house labneh from their cold mezzez options. Yasma is affordable, unfussy fine dining that celebrates the flavours of the Middle East.
Address: 550 Denman Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-566-0493
Aleph Eatery
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Nestled in the stretch of East Vancouver dining destinations on Powell Street, Aleph is a re-creation of Palestine (aka home) through the eyes of the husband-wife team: Palestinian-born Lebanese chef-owner Haitham El Khatib and his native Vancouverite wife, Fiona. Expect delicious vegan and vegetarian eats for lunch, dinner, and brunch.
Address:Â 1889 Powell Street, Vancouver
Phone:Â 604-428-7975
Jamjar Canteen
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Jamjar is a popular spot for amazing folk Lebanese food made from scratch. With vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, you can’t go wrong here, whether you’re going for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Address: 2290 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Phone: 604-252-3957
Address:Â 6035 University Boulevard, Vancouver
Phone: 604-620-5320
Address: 122-125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Phone: 604-988-6400
Paramount Fine Foods
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This Ontario-based franchise is known for its authentic and affordable Lebanese eats (which are 100% Halal, by the way), and it now has over 65 locations around the globe, including Canada, the US, Lebanon, Pakistan, and the UK.
Address: 560 Robson Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-699-9323
Nuba
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This Vancouver mini-chain has been serving up delicious food since 2003. Nuba is definitely one of the city’s go-to spots for solid Lebanese food including kebabs, falafels, flatbreads, and more.
Address: 508 Davie Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-661-4129
Address: 207 W Hastings Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-688-1655
Address: 146 E 3rd Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-568-6727
Address: 3116 W Broadway, Vancouver
Phone: 604-336-1797
Manoush’eh
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This spot is a Davie Street gem. Head here for authentic manousheh with a wide range of options, like zataar, kafta, and cheese alongside other dishes like hummus, babaganoush, and muhammara. Freshly baked right in front of you, it’s almost as if these eats hail straight from Beirut to Vancouver.
Address: 620 Davie Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-440-4402
Wild Thyme
Hanna McLean/Daily Hive
You will want to give Wild Thyme in New Westminster a visit as it has mastered the art of making Man’ Oushe’ – a Lebanese flatbread. The bread can feed up to three and is all made by hand and baked in Wild Thyme’s brick oven before getting various toppings and herbs like Lebanese sausage, fresh tomatoes, and fresh greens.
Address: 705 – 12th Street, New Westminster
Phone:Â 604-276-8010
Superbaba
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A local favourite in both Victoria and Vancouver, Superbaba offers quick-service, over-the-counter Middle Eastern food. Just because you get your food fast doesn’t mean they rush the process – every dish is made in-house, including their deliciously warm pita bread. Don’t slip the sides either: the crispy fried eggplant with a shug and tahini sauce is a can’t-miss.
Address: 2419 Main Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-423-5578
Zarak by Afghan Kitchen
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Opened at the end of 2021, Zarak has already made a name for itself as one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the city. The menu here is packed with family recipes (aka “mum’s recipes” as owners call them) that incorporate traditional Afghan flavours and ingredients.
Address:Â 2102 Main Street, Vancouver
Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen
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Consistently rated among the best Lebanese spots in the city, Mazahr serves up everything from hot mezza plates (with falafel, halloumi, and beef shawarma) to shish tawouk, Muhammara, and labneh.
Address: 1488 W 11th Avenue, Vancouver
Mitra Shawarma
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This casual spot is attached to Uncle Abe’s, which means you can grab shawarma platters and enjoy them with a beer on the patio or inside the bar. In addition to the classics, like chicken shawarma and falafel, you can also grab chicken shawarma fries here – not necessarily traditional, but definitely satisfying.
Address: 3034 Main Street, Vancouver
Tamam Fine Palestinian Cuisine
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The restaurant hopes that its food will be a “bridge that connects you further with Palestine,” and that it does. Fresh ingredients and exceptional flavour mean Tamam is an absolute must for fans of Palestinian cuisine. Try the Freekeh and lamb roast or the lamb kebabs served alongside stuffed grape leaves.
Address: 2616 East Hastings, Vancouver
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