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Dining Out in the
Middle East —
Food and Drink Vocabulary List

Food has always been one of the highlights of Arabic hospitality. Although the cuisines of the Middle East are broadly Mediterranean in nature, they often reflect a diversity of taste and culture.

Most Middle Eastern dishes are seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices, and many are served with Turshi, which is made of a variety of pickled vegetables. Eggplant is a common vegetable in Middle Eastern cuisine, and dried fruits and nuts are also very popular.

As for beverage, take heed to abstain from asking for an alcoholic drink in Saudi Arabia since it is illegal and strictly forbidden to Muslims under Islamic law.

Remember that the three main meals of the day are served a bit later than in Northern Europe or North America, but that won’t pose a problem since you can always find an eatery open day or night.

The following guide will help you learn some of the basic words used when ordering key items in order to make the experience of eating out in the Middle East a lot more enjoyable.