Sorry India, though I love my fair share of idly, dosa, dal, korma, and garlic naan, I have to admit, my favorite cuisine is Middle Eastern cuisine, and specifically Levantine. For those not familiar with the term, the Levant is the region made up of the countries of Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. (Think hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, fattoush, tabbouleh…) In this article I’ll list the best places to go for all types of Middle Eastern cuisine, including Lebanese, Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Mediterranean for all types of dining styles, from quick serve restaurants, to casual dine, to date night worthy fine-dine.
Bon appetit, or as they say in Arabic – Sahha!
Disclaimer: As someone following a plant-based diet, you will see my veg-friendly suggestions for what to order below. However, most all of the places serve non-veg as well.
QUICK SERVE RESTAURANTS
HABIBI FALAFEL
Locations: Koramangala, Indiranagar, JP Nagar, Kammanahalli, Karle Town, Basapura, Hongasandra
What to order: You can’t go wrong with a Falafel Plate, as it gives you a little taste of many items off the menu including falafel, hummus, pita bread, and salad. Follow it up with their delicious sweets, baklava and mamool date and nut cookies.
Why we love it: The menu is focused on authenticity and unlike other Middle Eastern restaurants in Bangalore, they don’t do any Indian fusions in their recipes.The hummus is definitely the most authentic you can find in the city, and probably across India! (It’s no wonder why when the owner is from Palestine itself.)
KEPABCI
Picture credit: Tripadvisor
Location: Koramangala 6th Block
What to order: Not many places in Bangalore serve Turkish coffee properly. The menu has a fusion of Turkish, Lebanese, and even Indian cuisine, so whatever you choose, save room to sip on a coffee afterwards.
Why we love it: The ambiance is very chill and a great place to just sit and have a quick bite to eat if you’re in the Koramangala area. Their claim to fame is being a Turkish-Indian BBQ.
CASUAL DINING
QISSA
Picture credit: Qissa facebook page
Location: Indiranagar
What to order: Manakeesh and Bamia gravy
Why we love it: Indiranagar is a great neighborhood to grab a bite to eat, shop, or go out for a date-night. Qissa is no exception as it’s centrally located with a nice dine-in set-up whether you’re there for a daytime catch-up or a meal before a night out.
AYDA
Picture credit: Dineout
Location: Church Street
What to order: Shirazi Salad, Dal Soup, and Kashka Badamjan with fresh naan from their tandoor.
Why we love it: The fact that Ayda is the favorite restaurant of Iranians in Bangalore says a lot about its food and authenticity. The interiors may be a bit rustic, but don’t let that steer you away from the delicious Persian food. It’s been around for 15+ years and it’s a must stop if you’re at Church Street.
KARAMA
Picture credit: Zomato
Location: Frazer Town and Koramangala
What to order: You can’t go wrong starting with dips like thoum, mutable, and pairing it with Fattoush and Tabbouleh salads.
Why we love it: Karama may be owned by the restaurant chain, Empire, but don’t let that deter you! Karama has a special part of their menu for Middle Eastern cuisine and they do it in a hearty way that doesn’t give the vibes of their more fast-food oriented mother company.
CAFE ZUBAAN
Picture credit: Zomato
Location: Koramangala 6th Block
What to order: Sample a bit of all of their dips with the Cold Mezze Platter. If you are super hungry, add in a plate of Foul Medames with pita bread.
Why we love it: Cafe Zubaan has a nice homey vibe to dine-in and snack on your favorite mezze items and dishes while catching up with a friend or reading a book while on a solo-date.
FINE DINING
MAFFEI
Picture credit: maffei.in
Location: Koramangala 5th Block
What to order: The menu has many different types of platters where you can sample their hot mezze and cold mezze items like dips, pita bread, salads, etc.
Why we love it: Maffei’s Executive Chef, Ammar Molki, is from Syria and was the chef behind Bangalore’s first Lebanese restaurant Byblos (shut down during COVID). The food is authentic and the ambiance is great for a special lunch or dinner out with friends or family.
PERSIAN TERRACE
Picture credit: Dineout
Location: Sheraton Grand in Rajajinagar
What to order: Start with a nice bottle of wine and work your way through the menu. Items are smaller portions, but rich in flavor.
Why we love it: Set inside the 5-star Sheraton, this rooftop with views is the perfect place for a special date-night out.
