While we’re all familiar with the audacious yet classic twists Lebanese people have added to the humble French croissant—think Knafeh, Zaatar, Halloumi, Ashta, or Mafroukeh fillings—We bet you’ve never heard of Jazarieh Pain Perdu or Chocolate Halewe Ravioli.
These creations will leave you drooling and reaching for seconds (even thirds).
Here are 20 times Lebanese chefs have pushed culinary boundaries by infusing our nation’s flavors into international desserts, and truly making them “Aal Lebnene“!
1. Rose Loukoum Cheesecake From Salon Beyrouth
Creamy cheesecake whispering secrets of rose-flavored Loukoum—we know you want a spoonful of this velvety creation.
2. Chocolate Halawa Ravioli From Le Ouf Fusion
You can find great pasta everywhere nowadays, but you might not have tried sweet pasta for dessert.
Because why stop at savory when you can stuff ravioli with chocolate, Halawa, and pistachio butter?
3. Pistachio Tiramisu From Scrolle
Italian Tiramisu gets a nutty twist with pistachio butter, mascarpone, and Arabica coffee, taking the creamy dessert to a whole new level.
4. Ashta Profiterole From Kun Restaurant
French Profiteroles meet Lebanese Ashta cream in a culinary debate…
Verdict: “More please!”
5. Baklava Pizza From Santo Pizza
Golden-brown crust with nutty sweetness, a slice of rebellion against traditional savory pizza that’s as bold as it is irresistible!
6. Labneh And Olive Oil Ice Cream From Le Flocon Artisan Glacier
Olive oil ice cream is not a recent creation; it’s a long-standing staple in Italian cuisine, known as “gelato con olio”.
So why not swap out the typical vanilla flavor for creamy labneh and finish with a drizzle of olive oil to create a Lebanese combo that hits close to home?
7. Oriental Basque Cheesecake From Bundt Bakery
Spanish Basque cheesecake upgraded by a Levantine twist: rose water and pistachios.
8. Pistachio Frozen Yogurt From Yowgurt
Tangy Greek-style frozen yogurt with the earthy sweetness of pistachios, garnished with delicate Katayef.
9. Jazarieh Pain Perdu From Vardo
Meet the traditional Pain Perdu’s alter ego: Jazarieh Pain Perdu.
10. Semolina Arabica From Semolina
When Turkish delight “Semolina Halva” parachuted into Beirut, it didn’t just land—it exploded into a flavor extravaganza we now call “Semolina Arabica”.
This Turkish-Lebanese remix is overflowing with creamy Ashta ice cream, Knefeh, Osmalieh, pistachio pizazz, and a drizzle of golden honey!
11. Date Mille-Feuille From Gustav Pastry
French Mille-Feuille and Lebanese Tamer: a romance that proves love knows no borders, especially when it comes to dessert!
12. Tarboush Ice Cream From Kun Restaurant
Our iconic Tarboush-shaped marshmallow treats filled with ice cream, rolled in rich chocolate… Childhood nostalgia served cold.
13. Debes kharroub Gelato From Oh My Gelato
(Yes, you heard that right)
Italian Gelato infused with carob flavors and Tahini from Oh My Gelato: cool, creamy, and Oh-so-satisfying.
14. Chocolate and Knefeh Fondant From Ritage Garden
French fondant, Lebanese Knefe, and Ashta ice cream: A dessert love triangle!
15. Baklava Loukoum From Poème Chocolate
Chewy Turkish Loukoum, Rich Belgian Chocolate, and flaky Lebanese Baklava—need we say more?
16. Amardeen Donut From XnDoughs
American fried donut marries Arabic Qamar al-din!
Not a fan of apricots? You can choose other flavors such as pistachio Baklava, Sahlab, or Knefeh Nutella that are just as good!
17. Pistachio Daoukieh Stir-Fried Ice Cream From Frooza
Thai stir-fried ice cream with pistachio Daoukieh is a flavor that’ll roll into your heart and taste buds!
18. Date And Chocolate Truffles From Tamarat
Decadent and gooey date chocolate truffles!
19. Knefeh Cookies From Cuisine D’amour
It’s not like we need an excuse to have cookies in any form or at any time… but we’re giving you one anyway.
Cookies with a Lebanese twist—enter Knefeh.
20. Maamoul Booza From the Booza Society
Ice Cream X The Beloved Lebanese Pastry.
A creamy, dreamy, frosty delight all in one scoop!
And while we, the Lebanese, love to be inspired and to mix and match, however, our own traditional cuisine is still unmatched worldwide. If you don’t believe us, then our opinion is backed up by the fact that Lebanese food just ranked the best in the Middle East!
