Thomas WilsonMy love affair with Lebanese cuisine began humbly—with wraps. It was a complete meal made of perfectly seasoned chicken, crisp veggies, and lip-smacking garlic sauce bundled into one plump shawarma.
Over the years, more Lebanese restaurants have popped up in Halifax, bringing a wonderful array of dishes. From fragrant rice dishes to sweet baklava, this cuisine is vibrant, flavorful, and packed with wholesome ingredients.
Here, I’ve rounded up the best Lebanese Restaurants in Halifax so you, too, can indulge in their rich cuisine.
1. Au Liban
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Website: http://auliban.ca/
Location: 1460 Lower Water St
Operating hours:
Saturday, 10:30 AM–11 PM
Sunday-Thursday, 11 AM–10 PM
Friday, 11 AM–11 PM
Phone: +19024252888
Must-have: Shakshouka
Au Liban is an upscale Lebanese restaurant where they serve traditional flavors in a more refined style of dining. With great food, attentive service, and incredible ambiance, it’s an ideal place for dates and other special celebrations.
From Thursday to Saturday, you can have brunch at this spot. They even have a wonderful patio, where you can sip refreshing cocktails and eat fresh salads while you people-watch.
My favorite thing to order is shakshouka, a dish made of eggs poached in tomato sauce, peppers, onions, garlic, and olive oil. It’s a simple yet hearty meal that will fuel you up for the rest of the day.
It doesn’t come with white cheese. But for an extra $3, you can have that added to the dish for more flavor.
| Pro Tip: Since this is a popular spot located near the waterfront, book a table in advance! Go to their website and make that reservation. |
2. Station1 Lebanese Kitchen
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Website: https://station1lebanesekitchen.com/
Location: 50 Tacoma Dr, Dartmouth
Operating hours:
Sunday, 12 PM–8 PM
Monday-Saturday, 11 AM–9 PM
Phone: +19024462547
Must-have: Chicken Shawarma
Station1 Lebanese Kitchen is in Dartmouth, but it’s worth the drive if you’re looking for good Mediterranean cuisine. They offer everything from crunchy falafels and juicy chicken kebabs to perfectly spiced shawarma.
You might already know this spot from our list of the best shawarma in Halifax (shawarma Halifax). They make two varieties: a Syrian version topped with dill pickles and garlic sauce, and a Mediterranean version served with toum or tahini.
To get more variety in your meal, I suggest ordering a platter or bowl—whether it be chicken, beef, or felafel. These well-rounded meals come loaded with freshly baked pita bread, creamy hummus, fresh salad, and rice, making them very filling and satisfying.
| Pro Tip: Although they open until 8 or 9 PM, the kitchen closes 30 minutes before that. Arrive early for dinner so you won’t miss out. |
3. Tarek’s Cafe
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Website: http://www.tarekscafe.ca/
Location: 3045 Robie St
Operating hours:
Monday-Saturday, 11:30 AM–7:30 PM
Phone: +19024548723
Must-have: Kafta Dinner
Another restaurant that serves authentic Lebanese cuisine is Tarek’s Cafe. You’ll find them in the peaceful fishing community of Herring Cove, but if you’re near downtown, you can go to their branch on the North End of Halifax instead.
Their Kibbi, a quintessential part of Levantine cuisine, was a crunchy surprise. These are meatballs made with ground meat and bulgur wheat, seasoned generously before they are deep-fried to perfection.
Similarly, the Kafta is a skewered meatball packed with Middle Eastern spices. However, they are grilled, not fried, which makes the meat very tender, juicy, and smoky.
Whether you order the Kibbi or Kafta Dinner, the platter will come with a pita, seasoned rice, and a fresh salad.
| Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a grab-and-go meal, get their classic pitas. Instead of a plate, the Kibbi, Kafta, or other protein of your choice will be wrapped in freshly made flatbread and stuffed with fresh veggies. |
4. Ray’s Lebanese Cuisine and Catering
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Website: http://rayslebanesecuisine.ca/
Location: 120 Susie Lake Crescent #20, Beechville
Operating hours:
Daily, 11 AM–7:30 PM
Phone: +19024257297
Must-have: Falafel
Ray’s was one of the first restaurants to introduce Lebanese cuisine to the city. Although they’ve been around for a while, the quality of their food and dedication to bringing fresh local produce hasn’t changed at all.
Voted The Coast’s best for years, the felafels are a must-try. Made from ground chickpeas, fresh herbs, and a ton of spices, these deep-fried fritters have a perfectly crisp interior with a soft flavorful center that is just so satisfying with every bite.
I suggest getting a traditional Lebanese salad like Tabouli or Fattoush on the side to brighten up the meal. The portions are always huge and the veggies are always crisp, so don’t miss out.
| Pro Tip: For special celebrations, you can book a fine dining course at this restaurant. Contact them at least 24 hours in advance, and they’ll accommodate groups of any size. |
5. Mezza Lebanese Kitchen
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Website: https://www.ordermezza.com/
Location: 1558 Barrington St
Operating hours:
Sunday-Thursday, 11 AM–12 AM
Friday-Saturday, 11 AM–4 AM
Phone: +19024258882
Must-have: Shawarma Deep Bowl
One of my go-to spots for a quick, grab-and-go Lebanese wrap is Mezza. It’s a popular restaurant chain with 20+ locations across Canada, and several are right here in Halifax.
What I like the most is that it stays open until midnight 5 days a week, perfect for satiating those midnight cravings. And on Fridays and Saturdays, they’re open until the wee hours of the morning so you can order a post-booze snack.
The chicken shawarma is always a hit, but I suggest trying out their plant-based items—even if you aren’t vegan. They are just as flavorful, satisfying, and filling.
If you’re looking for a heftier meal, order a shawarma deep bowl instead of a platter. It’s packed with generous servings of chicken, fresh veggies, quinoa, and brown rice before topped with their famous garlic sauce.
| Pro Tip: Check out their daily specials to get great deals on your favorite Lebanese dishes. You can find updates and announcements on their socials. |
6. Fattoush Mediterranean Grill
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Website: https://176838.com/fattoush
Location: 56 Supreme Ct
Operating hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 12 PM–9:30 PM
Phone: +19024451200
Must-have: Saj Chicken Shawarma
Fattoush is a Mediterranean restaurant in The Boss Plaza, serving savory wraps and platters, as well as sweet desserts. The menu is small, but it has pretty solid options for hefty meals and light bites.
The saj-wrapped shawarmas, which come in chicken and beef options, are a standout. Compared to the pita, saj bread is thinner and crispier with a more pronounced smoky flavor.
They offer a variety of sides to go with your savory meals. Aside from the more traditional fattoush and tabouli salad, you can order fries and onion rings for an extra cost.
| Pro Tip: Save room for dessert, especially their baklava. This multi-layered pastry is light, flaky, and generously stuffed with chopped pistachios and cream. |
7. Saj House
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Website: https://sajhouse.ca/
Location: 11 Bloom Ln, Bedford
Operating hours:
Sunday-Wednesday, 9 AM–9 PM
Thursday, 9 AM–10 PM
Friday-Saturday, 9 AM–11 PM
Phone: +19024463646
Must-have: Flatbread Zaatar
Saj House is a Middle Eastern restaurant specializing in flatbread, which they call Manoush or Fatayer. They have an array of vegan, vegetarian, and spicy options, which means there’s a little something for everyone here.
If you’re looking for an appetizer or a light sack, I suggest getting the flatbread with mohamara, a spicy red pepper sauce with tomatos, onions, and sesame seeds. The zaatar labneh, a tangy yogurt cheese infused with aromatic herbs, is also a must-try.
No matter what type of wrap you order, you can add more cheese, beef, zaatar, turkey, and other options for an extra cost.
| Pro Tip: Visit their website to find their latest specials, which are available only for a limited time. |
8. Darya
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Website: https://www.daryahalifax.com/
Location: 1709 Lower Water St #110
Operating hours:
Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 AM–10 PM
Friday-Saturday, 11:30 AM–11 PM
Sunday, 11:30 AM–3 PM
Phone: +19023344874
Must-have: Stuffed Grape Leaves
Darya, which translates to sea, is a nod to its waterfront location at the Queen’s Marque, as well as the culinary traditions along the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Just like the rest of the district, it’s quite a fancy and refined space.
However, nothing beats dining on their waterfront patio and sipping refreshing cocktails. It’s a great spot for brunch, so make sure to stop by between 11:30 AM and 3 PM on the weekends.
Some Levantine classics you’ll recognize on their brunch menu include felafel balls, roasted red pepper shakshouka, and stuffed grape leaves.
| Pro Tip: They accept reservations. Go to their website to book a table before everyone else. |
