Palestinian cuisine is one of the richest and least known cultural heritages of the Mediterranean world. Creamy hummus, fragrant maklouba, generous musakhan, crispy falafels, golden knafeh — each dish tells the story of a people, their land, their ancient olive trees, and their resistance. Yet, Palestinian restaurants remain rare in France and Francophone Europe.
This guide lists all authentic Palestinian restaurant addresses in France, Belgium, and Switzerland — places where every meal is an act of solidarity and remembrance. Because eating Palestinian food is also contributing to preserving a culinary heritage that occupation and exile have threatened since 1948. To understand this history, read our article on the Nakba and its consequences for the Palestinian people.
Palestinian Cuisine: A Heritage to Discover
Before exploring the addresses, a word on what makes Palestinian cuisine unique. Often confused with Lebanese or Jordanian cuisine, it distinguishes itself with its own specialties that bear the imprint of Palestine's historical regions.
Musakhan is undoubtedly the most emblematic dish: roasted chicken with caramelized onions and sumac, served on taboun bread. Maklouba (or maqluba) is a spectacular inverted rice dish, cooked with vegetables and meat in a pot that is flipped over when served — its name literally means "upside down." Maftoul is a type of Palestinian couscous with large grains, served with chicken and chickpeas. Not to mention knafeh, this cheese pastry with orange blossom syrup that is universally loved.
Palestinian cuisine is also deeply marked by the olive tree — Palestinian olive oil is considered among the best in the world — and by spices such as sumac, zaatar, and cumin. To learn more about the symbols of Palestinian culture, discover our article on the watermelon, a symbol of Palestinian resistance.
Palestinian Restaurants in Paris
Ardi Concept Store — Paris 18th (caterer & events)
Website: ardi-palestine.com
Ardi is a legendary address in Palestinian Paris, founded by Rania, a French-Palestinian. The physical restaurant has closed, but Ardi continues through an online store, a catering service for events, and cultural gatherings across France.
La Cuisine de Souad — Paris (Belleville)
Address: Boulevard de Belleville, Paris 20th (opened May 2025)
In less than a year, La Cuisine de Souad has become one of the most committed Palestinian addresses in Paris. The restaurant offers generous, homemade Palestinian family cuisine. But it is also a place of resistance: Souad refuses to remove her "Free Palestine" sticker despite pressure and organized two charity dinners at the end of 2025 and early 2026, raising nearly 10,000 euros for emergency food aid in Gaza. Eating here is a direct way to support the cause.
Le Soleil — Paris 14th
Address: 103 Boulevard de Jourdan, 75014 Paris
Phone: 09 72 81 90 88
A confidential address in the 14th arrondissement, known to insiders. Le Soleil offers entirely homemade Palestinian cuisine — musakhan, maklouba, falafels, various mezzes — in a warm and family atmosphere. The welcome, it is said, is like being with family. A must-discover if you are passing through southern Paris.
Sababa — Paris 11th
Address: Consulat Voltaire, Paris 11th (opened October 2025)
Sababa ("joy of life" in Arabic) is an atypical restaurant, founded by Radjaa Aboudagga, a Palestinian from Gaza, and Edgar Laloum, a French-Israeli. Located in the Consulat Voltaire, a former electrical generator in the 11th arrondissement, it offers homemade mezzes emblematic of the region: hummus, falafel, Gazan salad. A place of dialogue and sharing, born at a time when Palestinian and French flags come together in the hope of a just peace.
Palestinian Restaurants in the Regions (outside Paris)
La Palestine — Marseille
Address: 24 Rue Mazenod, 13002 Marseille (Joliette district)
Phone: 09 73 22 44 82
Website: lapalestine.fr
This is the absolute reference for Palestinian cuisine in France outside Paris. Opened in December 2017 in the heart of Joliette, La Palestine welcomes you in a brick and stone decor reminiscent of the colors of Palestine. The menu is a journey: traditional mezzes, oven-baked lamb mechoui, maklouba (the famous inverted rice), hummus with lamb meat and almonds, homemade Palestinian pastries. Some ingredients come directly from Palestine. The Saturday evening menu (starter + main course + dessert + mint tea) is a must. Rating: 9.4/10 based on 2032 reviews. An institution.
Palestinian — Roubaix (Lille metropolitan area)
Address: 186 Rue Pierre Legrand, 59100 Roubaix
Website: palestinian.fr
In the heart of Roubaix, opposite Furet du Nord, Palestinian is the only specifically Palestinian restaurant in the Lille metropolitan area. All dishes are homemade from fresh, seasonal products. On the menu: maklouba, ouzi (minced beef, sautéed vegetables, rice, and chicken drumstick), machawi, various mezzes. A wide vegetarian and vegan selection is also offered, with veggie keftas, falafels, and a vegan maklouba. A generous and authentic address, praised by local critics for its authenticity.
Chez le Palestinien — Toulon
Address: Toulon (83000)
In the south of France, Chez le Palestinien offers traditional Palestinian recipes enhanced with various spices, in an artisanal approach that highlights the sweet flavors of Palestinian gastronomy. A rare address on the French Riviera for those wishing to discover this authentic cuisine.
Palestinian Restaurants in Belgium
Olive Restaurant — Saint-Gilles, Brussels
Address: Chaussée de Waterloo, Saint-Gilles, Brussels
Website: olivegaza.be
Olive is undoubtedly the most moving Palestinian restaurant in Belgium. Founded by Gazan refugees in Belgium, it presents itself as "an immersion in the rich cultural tapestry of Gaza." Each dish is described as "a storyteller waiting to share the tales of our grandmothers' kitchens." The menu pays homage to Gaza's timeless traditions: maklouba, musakhan, Gazan mezzes, traditional desserts. Olive also offers freshly roasted Palestinian coffee, packaged in Brussels. A soulful address, brimming with love and flavors.
Jaffa — Brussels City Centre
Address: Rue Haute 23, 1000 Brussels
Phone: +32 2 502 17 07
Website: jaffaport.be
Jaffa restaurant takes its name from the coastal city of Jaffa, an emblem of historical Palestine and its Mediterranean cuisine. Located on Rue Haute in the center of Brussels, it offers authentic Lebanese and Palestinian cuisine, prepared with fresh, quality ingredients. Shared mezzes are the stars of the menu, accompanied by grilled meats. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options are available. Delivery and takeout options are also possible.
Le Régalo — Molenbeek, Brussels
Address: 58 Chaussée de Gand, Molenbeek, Brussels
In the heart of Molenbeek, Le Régalo is a Palestinian snack restaurant appreciated for its generosity and authenticity. The dishes are hearty, flavorful, and prepared with a heartwarming authenticity. A neighborhood address, unpretentious but full of character, that nourishes both the soul and the body.
Palestinian Restaurants in Switzerland
Café Palestine — Zurich
Address: Bäckeranlage District, Zurich
Website: swiss-palestine-network.ch
Café Palestine in Zurich is a unique place in Switzerland. Organized by the Swiss-Palestine Society, it is regularly held in the Bäckeranlage district and offers both an authentic Palestinian culinary experience and a space for meetings, discussions, and culture. Testimonials, musical events, conferences, and cooking workshops are regularly organized there. It is more than just a restaurant — it is a platform for solidarity and the transmission of Palestinian culture in the heart of French-speaking German Switzerland.
Why Eat at a Palestinian Restaurant?
Choosing a Palestinian restaurant is much more than a gastronomic choice. It is an act of concrete solidarity with an exiled community that perpetuates its culture despite everything. It is supporting Palestinian diaspora families who have made their cuisine a bridge between their homeland and their host country. It is also discovering an ancient gastronomy that the occupation and forced displacements since the 1948 Nakba have failed to erase.
Cuisine is one of the most powerful forms of cultural resistance. When a Palestinian from Gaza opens a restaurant in Brussels or Paris and serves his grandmother's maklouba there, he tells the world: we exist, our culture exists, our land exists. Exactly like the map of Palestine that one carries on oneself reminds us that this territory has a history and geography that no one can erase.
Beyond the Restaurant: How to Show Your Solidarity Daily
Your next meal in a Palestinian restaurant will be even more meaningful if you wear the colors of Palestine. A Palestinian keffiyeh tied around your neck, a Palestine bracelet on your wrist, or a Palestine T-shirt — each accessory is a way to show your support beyond the table.
And if you want to go even further in your commitment, consult our guide how to help Palestine concretely — simple and accessible actions for everyone to support the Palestinian people daily.
FAQ — Palestinian Restaurants in France and Europe
Where can I find a Palestinian restaurant in Paris?
Paris has several Palestinian addresses: Ardi Concept Store (18th), La Cuisine de Souad (20th, Belleville), Le Soleil (14th, Boulevard de Jourdan), and Sababa (11th, Consulat Voltaire). Each offers a different experience, from committed addresses to gourmet tables.
What is the specialty of Palestinian cuisine?
Emblematic Palestinian dishes include musakhan (sumac-roasted chicken on taboun bread), maklouba (inverted rice with vegetables and meat), maftoul (Palestinian couscous), knafeh (cheese pastry with syrup), and traditional mezzes (hummus, tabbouleh, labneh, falafel).
Is Palestinian cuisine halal?
The vast majority of Palestinian restaurants in France and Belgium offer halal cuisine. This is the case for La Palestine in Marseille, Palestinian in Roubaix, Olive in Brussels, and Jaffa in Brussels. Always check for halal certification on the website or by contacting the restaurant directly.
What is the difference between Palestinian and Lebanese cuisine?
Both cuisines share many basics (hummus, falafel, mezzes, grilled meats), but Palestinian cuisine has its specificities: sumac musakhan, maklouba, maftoul, and the particular use of Palestinian olive oil. Palestinian knafeh, especially from Nablus, is considered the absolute reference for this pastry.
Are there Palestinian restaurants outside major cities?
Yes, Chez le Palestinien in Toulon and Palestinian in Roubaix prove that Palestinian cuisine is gradually establishing itself in medium-sized cities. The list is constantly growing — feel free to search for new openings in your city.