Erbil Culinary Journey and Gastronomy
Savor the rich flavors of Kurdish cuisine through Erbil's best restaurants, street food vendors, and traditional dining experiences celebrating the region's distinctive food culture.
- 1
Kebab Street
Start on Erbil's famous kebab street where rows of charcoal grills turn out lamb tikka, kofta, and shish kebabs served with samoon bread and fresh herb salads all day long.
- 2
Kurdish Dolma Restaurant
Taste authentic dolma — grape leaves, peppers, and tomatoes stuffed with spiced rice and minced lamb — at a family restaurant that has been perfecting this dish for decades.
- 3
Qozy and Slow-Roast Houses
Discover restaurants specializing in qozy, a whole slow-roasted lamb served over fragrant rice, the celebratory dish of choice for Kurdish weddings and special occasions.
- 4
Biryani Quarter
Visit the biryani quarter where vendors serve the Kurdish-style biryani — fragrant rice slow-cooked with chicken or lamb and enriched with fried onions, raisins, and warming spices.
- 5
Traditional Sweets Market
Indulge in Kurdish sweets including baklava with pistachios and walnuts, klecha date-filled cookies, and zarda saffron rice pudding sold at specialist confectionery shops.
- 6
Evening Riverside Dining
Conclude with dinner at a riverside restaurant along Erbil's Bastora stream area, where families gather in the cool evenings to share mezze platters under the open night sky.