Syria Cuisine

Syrian food combines the influence of European and Arabic cuisines. Syrian food is rich in vegetables, fruit, and aromatic spices. The spices include onion and garlic, as well as mint and parsley. One of Syria’s most popular culinary traditions is meze. Usually the locals eat salads served with lettuce leaves, flatbread. The base of Syria food is meat. Preferably it is lamb or beef. The most popular traditional dishes of Syria are Kubbeh (minced semolina stuffed with meat, onion and nuts), Mensaf (pieces of lamb with rice and pine nuts). The desserts which are really worth trying are Baklava (flaky pastry filled with honey and nuts), Halawat al-Jibna (a syrup topped doughy pastry filled with cream cheese). Syrians prefer to drink Arabic Coffee, or Shai (tea). Local beers are also popular. The most famous are Al-Sharq, brewed in Aleppo, and Barada, produced in Damascus.