Lebanese Cooking Class & Meal with Local Family in Beirut

Summary

Private Lebanese Food Experience: Home Cooking in Beirut

You’ll cook real Lebanese dishes side-by-side with locals in their own kitchen—taste homegrown produce, learn family recipes, sip homemade arak, and leave feeling like you’ve made new friends in Beirut.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell—onions sizzling, a hint of mint, and something sweet I couldn’t quite place. Tania greeted us at the door, wiping her hands on her apron, already halfway through prepping fresh herbs from their garden. Her home isn’t fancy, but you feel the warmth right away—old tiles underfoot, faded family photos on the fridge, and her dad’s laughter coming from the next room.

We squeezed into their small kitchen—honestly, it’s barely big enough for four people—but somehow everyone fits. Tania’s mom handed me a wooden spoon and showed me how to stir the yogurt for kibbeh labniyeh without letting it curdle (trickier than it sounds). Her brother chopped parsley like he’d done it a thousand times. At one point, Tania’s father popped in to pour us tiny glasses of his homemade arak. It’s strong stuff—tastes like licorice and goes straight to your head if you’re not careful.

Between mixing and tasting, we swapped stories about food and travel. Tania explained why she only uses certain spices for her mezza—apparently za’atar from their neighbor is way better than anything at the supermarket. The meal itself? Five dishes spread out on the table: creamy hummus, mloukhieh with lemon squeezed over top, those meatballs in tangy yogurt sauce. Dessert was simple: coffee so strong it could wake the dead, homemade jams (the fig one was my favorite), and fruit picked that morning by her dad. The whole experience felt less like a class and more like being part of their family for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking Class and Family Meal

• Meet host Tania and family
• Hands-on Lebanese cooking lesson
• Prepare five traditional dishes
• Learn about arak making
• Enjoy traditional Lebanese meal
• End with Lebanese coffee and homemade jams

Top questions

Is this cooking class suitable for vegetarians?

Yes! Just let us know when you book—we’re happy to adapt recipes for vegetarians or any dietary needs.

Can I bring my kids or someone with limited mobility?

Absolutely. The house is wheelchair accessible and we have infant seats available if you ask ahead.

What if I have food allergies?

No problem—just mention any allergies or restrictions when booking so we can plan safe alternatives.

What’s included

Your private cooking lesson covers all ingredients, drinks (including local arak), coffee, dessert, plus plenty of stories from Tania’s family. We take care of everything—you just show up hungry!