We’ve all had a lingering craving that just doesn't seem to go away. While many people may encourage stifling that craving, especially if it’s unhealthy, we believe that you should indulge in it. Cravings seem to give every cuisine a turn and sometimes, you just can’t satisfy it. In Sydney, it’s quite easy to satisfy a Lebanese food craving, especially if you know where to look or how to cook, however, many people still seem to be stuck when they get it.

Lebanese food is now a staple in New South Wales. In fact, it’s become so popular and well-established with Sydney’s culture that some ingredients have woven themselves into many Aussie meals. Za’atar, hummus and labneh and just three examples (there are many more!) of how Lebanese cuisine has fused into Australian cuisine.

But, what do you do when you have a Lebanese food craving? Before we get into the do’s of satisfying your Lebanese food craving, let’s take a look at a few things you should not do.

• Do not stifle your craving; it will just re-emerge eventually – stronger than ever.
• Try not to go for ‘similar’ food, it will never do your craving justice.
• Avoid inauthentic restaurants or foods with only Middle Eastern ingredients; it's not authentic and will not satisfy you (unless you are craving that and not authentic Lebanese food).

Now that you know what not to do, let’s take a look at how you should satisfy your Lebanese food cravings.

Order Lebanese food delivery!

While this may seem like an obvious option, many people do not realise that Lebanese restaurants are on popular delivery mobile applications like UberEats and Deliveroo. This means that when the Lebanese food craving hits you, you can take advantage of almost immediate satisfaction.

While we must admit that Lebanese food is best eaten fresh or homemade, Lebanese food delivery is extremely convenient. It saves you the hassle of having to beg for a booking at your favourite Lebanese restaurant or from dragging yourself to dine at a restaurant just to satisfy your craving. Bonus: if you get a late-night craving for Lebanese food, you can easily order and satisfy yourself!

Start cooking some Lebanese specialties

Craving Lebanese food is the perfect opportunity to learn to cook some of the cuisine’s traditional dishes. Some dishes from Lebanese cuisine, contrary to what many people think, are not difficult to cook and can be very versatile for your weeknight dinner rotations.

If you’re a beginner cook, try to learn simple Lebanese staples like tabbouli, hummus, fattoush, mansaf and even manakish (it’s super simple – we promise!). For more advanced cooks, try kafta, falafel and kibbeh. Learning to cook these beautiful dishes is an appreciation for the food and culture that cannot be replicated through simply eating it.

The beauty of Lebanese cooking is that it is very hands-on, allowing you to savour the country. Plus, if you learn to cook it once, you can always satisfy your craving – regardless of the time of day!

Take a trip to an authentic Lebanese restaurant

One of our favourite tips for satisfying your Lebanese food craving is to, of course, dine at an authentic Lebanese restaurant. Luckily for us in Sydney, there are many Lebanese restaurants to choose from, however, you should be selective with your choice.

You want to choose a restaurant that offers authentic Lebanese food made with traditional techniques. At the restaurant, choose your favourites along with a selection of mezze items. It’s important that along with satisfying your craving, you also eat Lebanese food the traditional way.

If you want a little bit of everything, but you’re concerned about ordering too much, we highly recommend that you select a banquet menu. A banquet menu will give you a selection of Lebanese dishes, including dessert so that you can have a little bit of everything.

Research Lebanese food!

While this may not satisfy your craving, it will certainly hold you over until you are able to eat some Lebanese food. It will also give you a greater appreciation of the food you eat and help you to learn about some of the pioneers in Lebanese international cuisine such as two Michelin star Chef George Malouf. Researching Lebanese food will also expose you to new dishes that you may not have tried before.

Warning: this may make you hungrier!

Wondering where you can satisfy your Lebanese food craving? We have just the place! Check out Zahli Modern Middle Eastern. They don’t only serve the best Lebanese and Middle Eastern food but they offer something for everyone. The restaurant is a perfect example of a great Sydney restaurant that has maintained its quality and hospitality standards over the years, leading to steady booked out nights.