7 Mississippi Spots Where Lebanese Families Still Serve Kibbeh, Grape Leaves, And Fresh Pita Every Day

Kibbeh in the Delta sounds like a surprise until you learn the story behind it. Lebanese families started arriving in Mississippi in the late 1800s, first as peddlers and later as grocers and restaurant owners.

Their spices, grape leaves, and fresh pita slowly worked their way onto Southern tables right beside catfish and biscuits. Here are seven places across the state where that delicious history is still served every single day.

1. Rest Haven

Picture a Delta diner where kibbe and fried catfish share the same menu without anyone blinking. That easy mix is the whole personality of this long-standing, family-owned spot on State Street, where Lebanese roots and Southern comfort have lived side by side for decades.

You will find it at 419 S State St, Clarksdale, MS 38614. Breakfast starts early, at 6 AM on weekdays and 6:30 AM on weekends, which makes it a natural first stop for anyone exploring blues country.

Sausage biscuits, biscuits and gravy, French toast, omelettes, and pork chops cover the Southern side of things.

Then comes the part that makes the place famous. Homemade hummus and kibbe anchor the Lebanese specialties, and plenty of travelers plan repeat trips around them.

Save room for a slice of homemade pie, plus a cup of coffee or tea to go with it.

The room feels cozy, quiet, and pleasantly historic, with high chairs and a kids’ menu for families. Hours shift through the week, closing at 1:30 PM on Monday and Tuesday and staying open into the evening the rest of the week.

Plan on about $10 to $30 per person, and enjoy the free parking nearby.

2. JT’s Falafel & Kababs

Thirty-five years of cooking experience shows up in every plate here. Corinth is a small town in the northeast corner of Mississippi, so finding Lebanese-influenced cooking this carefully seasoned along US-72 feels like a lucky turn off the highway.

Why do people keep coming back? Value plays a big part, with most meals landing between $10 and $20 per person.

Portions run generous, and the kitchen makes its food fresh daily, from crisp falafel to slow-seasoned shawarma and gyros.

Meza platters are the real showstopper. Expect a spread of hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, labneh, pickles, olives, and a hearty salad that easily feeds more than one hungry appetite.

Vegans and vegetarians get full menus of their own, so mixed groups never have to compromise.

Meat lovers should look at the mixed grill with shrimp or the shawarma plate. Service moves quickly, and the dining room stays casual and calm, good for solo lunches or a relaxed family dinner.

Doors open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 7 PM, with Sundays off. Catering is available too, which explains why trays of grape leaves keep showing up at local gatherings.

3. Petra Cafe Greek & Mediterranean

Late-night cravings in Hattiesburg have a delicious answer. Open until 10:30 PM most nights and 11 PM on Thursdays and Fridays, this laid-back cafe on US 49 feeds college students, families, and road-trippers long after other kitchens go dark.

Chicken shawarma earns the loudest praise, tender and packed with seasoning. Baked kaftah, lamb shawarma, chicken kabobs, and a traditional gyro round out the main plates, while kibbi and falafel bring a strong Lebanese accent to the lineup.

Can’t decide? Order the Petra Mezza.

The platter piles on kibbeh, falafel, gyro meat, grape leaves, chicken shawarma, salad, baba ghanoush, and hummus, basically a guided tour of the menu on one plate.

Drinks deserve attention here too. Lebanese iced tea is a refreshing favorite, and a pot of Turkish coffee pairs nicely with the pistachio baklava, a dessert that regulars rave about.

The setting stays casual and cozy, with outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, and dogs welcome outside. Curbside pickup and catering make it easy to bring the food home or to a party.

Most meals cost $10 to $20 per person, and parking is free and plentiful.

4. Phoenicia Gourmet Restaurant

Ancient Phoenicia covered much of the coast of modern Lebanon, so the name alone tells you where this kitchen’s heart lies. On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the restaurant has been a fixture long enough that some families have dined here for over 30 years.

Mornings are a big draw. Breakfast starts at 7:30 AM Tuesday through Friday and 7 AM on weekends, and the crab cake Benedict brings a coastal twist that fits Ocean Springs perfectly.

Sunday brunch is the busiest stretch of the week.

Lebanese flavors shine later in the day. Pita bread with hummus, lentil soup, and chicken shawarma sit alongside crab cakes and spinach artichoke dip, and the buffet adds baklava and bread pudding for a sweet finish.

Inside, the mood leans gently upscale while staying relaxed enough for kids, with high chairs and a kids’ menu ready. A private dining room and catering options handle bigger celebrations, and reservations are accepted.

Find it on Bienville Blvd, open Tuesday through Saturday into the evening and until 2:30 PM on Sunday. Mondays are closed.

Expect to spend around $10 to $30 per person, with free parking on site.

5. Halal Mediterranean Bakery, Grocery & Restaurant

Shelves of imported groceries, a pastry case full of baklava, and a hot kitchen all under one roof. That combination makes this Southaven stop feel a lot like the corner stores early Lebanese families once ran across Mississippi.

Grocery shoppers come for the fresh produce and pantry staples that are tough to find elsewhere in the area. Home cooks hunting ingredients for grape leaves or tabbouleh will appreciate having everything close at hand.

Hungry? The prepared foods steal the show.

Manoushe, the flatbread often topped with za’atar, is a standout, and hand pies make an easy snack for the road. Hummus, kefta kabob, lamb, rice, and a vegetarian plate cover heartier appetites, while gyros and shawarma keep things classic.

Sweet tooth satisfied? Probably not until you grab some fresh baklava on the way out.

Pastries rotate through the bakery case and pair well with a quick lunch.

Hours are generous, 9 AM to 9 PM every day of the week, and the setup suits a quick visit. Weekday middays tend to be busiest, so evenings and weekend mornings offer a calmer shop.

Free parking makes popping in simple, whether for groceries, dinner, or both.

6. Lulu Kabab

Family recipes form the backbone of this Ridgeland kitchen. The restaurant builds its menu around fresh ingredients and traditional cooking rooted in heritage, which fits neatly into the long Lebanese story of the Jackson metro area.

Kebabs, naturally, lead the way. Chicken kebabs come out juicy and served with well-seasoned rice, and lamb chops make a strong case for a special dinner.

Moist gyro meat and flavorful chicken shawarma arrive with hummus, rice, and salad.

Smaller bites matter just as much. Stuffed grape leaves, falafel, and hummus make great starters, and baklava closes the meal on a sweet note.

Full vegan and vegetarian menus mean every guest at the table has real choices.

Whether you grew up on Lebanese cooking or you are trying it for the first time, the food feels approachable without losing its roots. The dining room is cozy and quiet, with outdoor seating when the weather cooperates.

Timing matters here. Lunch runs 11 AM to 2 PM and dinner 5 to 8:30 PM, Monday through Saturday, with Sundays closed.

Reservations, delivery, takeout, and catering are all options, and meals run roughly $20 to $30 per person.

7. Aladdin Mediterranean Grill

Belly dancers, sizzling lamb, and a taverna feel right on Lakeland Drive. Few places in Jackson bring this much energy to a meal, and the lively storefront cafe has become a go-to for students, families, and groups celebrating something special.

Lamb is the headliner. The lamb kabob, lamb plate, and lamb sampler appetizer all get serious attention, and the lamb chops come out juicy and tender.

Gyro plates and sandwiches cover lighter appetites.

Vegetarians eat well too. A crispy falafel plate, warm pita bread, and some of the best hummus in town make meatless meals feel complete, backed by full vegan and vegetarian menus.

Breakfast might surprise you. Doors open at 7:30 AM Monday through Saturday, and Turkish coffee or mint tea makes a fine start to the day.

Sunday service begins at 11 AM, and Friday and Saturday stretch until 10:30 PM.

Inside, cozy digs give way to a patio where dogs are welcome. Reservations, delivery, and catering are available, and prices stay friendly at around $10 to $20 per person.

Parking can get tight during busy hours, so arriving a little early helps.