turismo ·
Arab food in Foz do Iguaçu: where to eat and the Lebanese heritage
Marco Três newsroom · edited by Annie Grellmann
Esfiha, kibbeh, shawarma and Arab sweets in one of Brazil's largest Lebanese communities
Foz do Iguaçu is home to one of Brazil's largest Arab and Lebanese communities, and it shows at the table: esfiha, kibbeh, shawarma and Arab sweets are part of daily life here. To eat well, head to the Centro and Avenida Juscelino Kubitschek for traditional Lebanese restaurants, and to Rua Meca, beside the Mosque.
Quick answer: Foz do Iguaçu has Brazil's second-largest Arab community, primarily of Lebanese origin, arriving from the 1940s onward. Try esfiha, kibbeh, shawarma, hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, and Arab sweets like baklava. Eat at Castelo Libanês in Jardim Central, Beduínos or Casa da Esfiha Beirut in Centro, and Aladdin on Avenida Juscelino Kubitschek. Visit the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque, opened in 1983, and sweet shops on Rua Meca.
Foz's Arab heritage
Foz do Iguaçu has Brazil's second-largest Arab community, behind only São Paulo — thousands of families, many of Lebanese origin, who arrived in waves from the 1940s onward. That heritage is alive in the shops, in the families and, deliciously, in the food. It's a beautiful story of welcome: the city embraced Arab cooking as part of its own tri-national identity.
What to try (esfiha, kibbeh, shawarma...)
Start with the classics. The esfiha (open-faced, meat or cheese) is almost a local emblem; kibbeh comes fried or raw (quibe cru), seasoned with mint. Shawarma, wrapped in Arab bread, is a crowd favorite. Among the mezze, try hummus, baba ganoush (eggplant dip), tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves and grilled kafta. Finish with Arab sweets: baklava, sfof and other treats made with nuts, pistachio and honey.
Where to eat Arab food
In Jardim Central, Castelo Libanês (Rua Vinícius de Moraes) is one of the most traditional addresses, with à la carte dishes and its own in-house butcher. In the Centro, Beduínos (Rua Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca) shines with shawarmas and sweet and savory esfihas, while Casa da Esfiha Beirut and Aladdin, on Avenida Juscelino Kubitschek, serve esfihas, kafta and Syrian-Lebanese dishes. Prices and hours change — check locally.
Mosque and culture
The city's Arab heart is in the central district, near the , one of Brazil's largest, opened in 1983. There, on , sweet shops like sell fresh baklava. The mosque welcomes visitors by appointment (free entry); you remove your shoes, and a head covering is provided on site. Foz celebrates on May 12.
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I eat Arab food in Foz do Iguaçu?
- The most traditional spots are in the Centro, along Avenida Juscelino Kubitschek and in Jardim Central. Look for Castelo Libanês (Rua Vinícius de Moraes), Beduínos (Rua Marechal Deodoro da Fonseca), Casa da Esfiha Beirut and Aladdin. Prices and hours change, so check locally.
- Why does Foz do Iguaçu have so much Arab food?
- Because the city is home to Brazil's second-largest Arab community, behind only São Paulo, with a strong Lebanese presence since immigration began in the 1940s. That heritage became part of the local identity and is very much alive in the food.
- What Arab dishes should I try in Foz?
- Start with esfiha (open-faced, meat or cheese), kibbeh (fried or raw) and shawarma in Arab bread. Among the mezze, try hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves and kafta. For dessert, Arab sweets such as baklava.
- Is there a Lebanese restaurant in Foz do Iguaçu?
- Yes. Castelo Libanês, in Jardim Central, is one of the most traditional Lebanese houses, with à la carte dishes and its own in-house butcher. Other spots in the Centro also serve Syrian-Lebanese cuisine. Confirm hours and menu at the venue.
- Where is the Arab community in Foz do Iguaçu?
- The historic core is in the central district, around the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque, one of Brazil's largest. Rua Meca, next to the mosque, is lined with Arab shops and sweet stores, and Avenida Juscelino Kubitschek gathers several restaurants.
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Content verified by the newsroom based on an official source: Secretaria Municipal de Turismo de Foz do Iguaçu. Last checked: 7/11/2026. Found something inaccurate? We fix it fast. How we work.
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