10 Traditional Iraqi Dishes You Need to Try

Pomegranates play a huge role in Iraqi cooking and food
Pomegranates play a huge role in Iraqi cooking and food | © Bryan_T / Flickr
Jessica Harn

Iraq has arguably some of the most delicious food in the Middle East, and with such a long and dynamic history of interactions with neighboring countries and empires, its no wonder that the food of Iraq is as colorful as its people. Here are the top 10 best traditional Iraqi foods you need to try.

Masgouf

Easily one of the most recognizable Iraqi dishes, this is a slow-grilled fish famous because the Iraqi way of grilling it standing sideways and letting the fish cook in the flames and smoke from the side. Once finished, a generous amount of delicious sumac spice, fresh pomegranate seeds, and lemon are poured on top.

The traditional way of cooking masgouf

Quzi

Tepsi Baytinjan

This dish is one of the most popular, with each household having their own unique way of making it. A kind of casserole dish, tepsi baytinjan consists of flavorful fried eggplants wrapped around small spiced meatballs, all baked in a delicious tomato-based sauce.

Margat Albamiya

This classic is one of the most common staples in any Iraqi household. A mixture of perfectly baked okra and tender lamb or beef in a spiced tomato-based stew, the textures and flavors of this dish can only be described as absolutely perfect.

Margat albamiya, one of the best dishes in Iraq!

Margat Qeema

A famous Iraqi dish served a lot during religious holidays or when a mosque is serving food, this is a gravy-based dish made from finely minced meat, lentils, lime zest, and numerous other spices all eaten with a side of warm rice. With its brightly colored orange-brown look and perfect texture, margat qeema can be addictive!

Tashreeb

Originally a “peasant’s dish”, this is now loved by everyone in Iraq. The hearty dish consists of a layer of thick Iraqi bread at the bottom of the plate and a chicken-based broth poured over on top to soak the bread. Meat and vegetables are mixed with the broth.

Bagilla Bil Dihin

This is also a broth-soaked bread dish, but this one’s considered a breakfast meal. With layers of broth-soaked bread, it is topped with oil-fried eggs, onions, and boiled beans. Just remember that the true way to eat this Iraqi-style is to dig in with your hands!

The key to any Iraqi breakfast is to have sizzling fried eggs

Makhlama

Another Iraqi breakfast dish but less heavy than tashreeb is makhlama, which is basically a large skillet of fried eggs, tomatoes, onions, and spices. The key is to have all the flavors blend together in one pan, which you then eat by scooping it up with pieces of warm and fresh Iraqi bread.

Kubba Bil Burghur

While many other Middle Eastern countries have variants of kibbeh–a mixture of burghul cracked wheat, minced meat, onions, and spices–the Iraqi version is a region-wide favorite. Known also as kubbah mosul because of the popularity of it from the Iraqi city of Mosul, this dish is a layered pocket of kubbah with different stuffings inside—from nuts to cheese to rice with minced meat, there is no shortage of creativity when it comes to Iraqi kubbah!

Dolma

Although variants of dolma can be found across the Middle East, the Iraqi version of this is truly one of the best. Instead of the usual stuffed grape-leaf that is used in the more common versions of this, Iraqis use boiled chard wrapped into finger-length stuffings of minced meat, rice, nuts, and spices all covered with lemon zest—you’ll have a hard time putting these down!

The one and only dolmas!
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Winter Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

X
Edit article