While the cuisine of Libya is not sophisticated, especially when compared to European fare, it is tasty and healthy, nonetheless, and certainly worth trying during a visit to Libya. The food of Libya gathers most of its tradition from the cultures of North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Often referred to as tent cookery, Libyan cuisine features staples of wheat and barely, dates and soft fruits, plus lamb and fish. Today, with modernization of food production and the ability to import foods from abroad, the typical Libyan diet has expanded from these staples. But in areas that remain traditional, these foods comprise the regular meal.

Two Foods to Try

There are two foods that are an important part of the Libyan diet and that most visitors to the country will end up trying at least once. A thick broth, locally known simply as Libyan soup, is made from lamb stock. Grains, vegetables, and spices are added to the broth, plus a bit of mint, which is routinely added to many Arab dishes. The other dish to try is cous-cous, which is common to all of North Africa. Cous-cous is made of braised lamb, with steamed buckwheat, vegetables, and dried fruits.

Lamb has long been the most consumed meat in Libya, although beef has been added to the menu recently. For religious reasons, pork is never served. Most meals in Libya are served with fresh melon, or other fruits like peaches, grapes, nectarines, apricots, and citrus fruits, which are abundant throughout the year.

Customs

This being a Muslim country, the eating habits of Libyans are dictated by religious traditions. At meals, the food is served on a common platter, and those at the table take the food at the edges of the platter. The food that sits in the center of the common plate is never touched; this is given up as an offering to Heaven.

Beverages are not served with meals in Libya. After the last bit of the meal is served, a vessel containing water or milk is passed around the table. One must be very careful not to breathe into the vessel; one can not breathe in or out until the bowl is no longer touching the lips. After one has drunk, coffee is served.

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