24 Jan Is Lebanese Food Vegan Friendly?
If you have dietary restrictions, you will know how tricky it can be at times to find something tasty on a restaurant menu that isn’t just a token offering. If you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free, you’ll likely have memories of eating the most boring looking dish on the menu, while your friends enjoyed colourful, delicious, and mouthwatering dishes.
Thankfully, Lebanese food has options for everyone! Lebanese food is often naturally vegan and is a popular choice for vegans and vegetarians. In fact, recent research has found Lebanese food one of the top two choices for vegans in Ireland, according to Shemazing Magazine.
Let’s have a look at some of the delicious meat-free and plant-based Lebanese food you can enjoy.
Many Lebanese Dishes are Naturally Vegan
Vegans will be delighted to know that many Lebanese foods are naturally vegan, and do not require recipes to be altered to substitute animal ingredients, meaning you can enjoy traditional vegan Lebanese food the same way it has been made and served for generations.
Falafel is possible the vegan Lebanese dish most people are familiar with. This delicious dish is prepared with a blend of chickpeas, broad beans, vegetables and spices. Falafel is served as a starter at Libano, but it’s not the only vegan offering.
Vegans can also enjoy hummus, prepared with chickpeas, lemon, tahini, olive oil and spices, which also forms part of our vegan meze for two starter.
The meze – meaning a selection of small dishes served as appetisers – includes falafel, hummus, moutabal (a spicier version of baba ghannouj, a popular dip made from eggplant and tahini), vine leaves, and batata harra (an Arabic phrase that literally translates to spicy potatoes).
Delicious Vegetarian Options
Of course, with Lebanese food being quite vegan, it is also appropriate for vegetarians. Dishes such as cheese samboussek (a deep friend parcel filled with feta, mozzarella, and parsley), or kallaj (a flatbread topped with halloumi and mint) show a love for cheese in Lebanese food, as there is in much Mediterranean food.
Gluten-Free Choices
If you’re sticking to a gluten-free diet, then you’ll also love to discover that many Lebanese dishes are also gluten-free. Many traditional Lebanese dishes are centred around greens and rice, which means there are plenty of delicious gluten-free dishes to choose from.
When it comes to meat-free dishes, falafel ticks all the boxes for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diners. Gluten-free patrons will enjoy falafel with halloumi, or our grilled halloumi with hummus.
One guaranteed winner has to be moussaka. Fried Aubergines, green and red pepper, onion, chickpeas, and garlic in tomato stew, and suitable for all dietary requirements, this traditional dish has long been a favourite all around the world.
Lebanese food is always going to be a crowd-pleaser, no matter your dietary requirements or restrictions, and ensure that no one will feel left out or forgotten.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free, there are plenty of excellent menu options for everyone at Libano.
If you’re looking for a Lebanese restaurant in London, book a table today!