Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Kirkuk, Iraq

All Topics about Kirkuk All Cities in Iraq

1. Kirkuk Kubba

A traditional Iraqi dish made with semolina dough filled with lamb and pine nuts. Try it at Al-Sham Restaurant.

Unique Filling: Uses a blend of lamb, pine nuts, and spices that are unique to Kirkuk.
Handmade Semolina Dough: Kubba is made with freshly-prepared semolina dough, a testament to the region's culinary skills.
Family Recipes: Many restaurants in Kirkuk use family recipes passed down through generations.

Grilled meat skewers served with flatbread and a tangy yogurt sauce. Enjoy them at Al-Abbas Restaurant in Khanaqin.

Tender Meat: Khanaqin Kabab is known for its tender, flavorful meat that melts in your mouth.
Yogurt Sauce: The tangy yogurt sauce provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the kababs.
Authentic Flavor: The recipe has been perfected over generations, ensuring an authentic taste.

A upside-down rice dish layered with eggplant, potatoes, and meat. Try it at Al-Sham Restaurant.

Upside-Down Layering: The unique upside-down layering of ingredients gives Maqluba its distinctive appearance.
Crispy Bottom Layer: The crispy bottom layer adds a delightful texture contrast to the soft, tender inside.
Variety of Ingredients: Each restaurant may have its own unique combination of ingredients for Maqluba.

A refreshing salad made with parsley, bulgur, tomatoes, and mint. Try it at Al-Abbas Restaurant in Khanaqin.

Fresh Ingredients: Khanaqin Tabbouleh is made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Lemony Dressing: The lemony dressing provides a zesty kick to the salad.
Crisp Texture: The parsley and bulgur give the salad a crisp texture that contrasts with softer ingredients.

Stuffed vine leaves wrapped around rice and meat. Try them at Al-Sham Restaurant.

Fresh Vine Leaves: The dish uses fresh vine leaves picked at the peak of their season.
Tender Meat Filling: The filling is made with tender, flavorful meat that complements the tangy taste of the vine leaves.
Family Recipes: Many restaurants in Kirkuk use family recipes passed down through generations.

Spiced meatballs served with flatbread and a tomato-based sauce. Try them at Al-Abbas Restaurant in Khanaqin.

Flavorful Spices: Khanaqin Kifta is seasoned with a unique blend of spices that gives it a bold flavor.
Tender Meatballs: The meatballs are tender and juicy, with a delicious crispy exterior.
Tomato-Based Sauce: The tangy tomato-based sauce complements the richness of the spiced meatballs.

A fragrant rice dish cooked with chicken and aromatic spices. Try it at Al-Sham Restaurant.

Aromatic Spices: The dish is infused with a variety of aromatic spices that fill the restaurant with an enticing fragrance.
Tender Chicken: The chicken is cooked to perfection, ensuring tender and juicy meat.
Crispy Rice Crust: The bottom layer of rice forms a crispy crust that adds texture and flavor to the dish.

Crushed chickpeas formed into balls or patties and deep-fried. Enjoy them at Al-Abbas Restaurant in Khanaqin.

Crispy Texture: The outside of the falafel is crispy, while the inside remains soft and flavorful.
Fresh Ingredients: Khanaqin Falafel is made with fresh chickpeas, herbs, and spices.
Tangy Tahini Sauce: The tangy tahini sauce provides a refreshing contrast to the crispy falafel.

A sweet pastry made of layers of filo dough filled with nuts and honey syrup. Try it at Al-Sham Pastry Shop.

Crispy Layers: The crispy layers of filo dough give Baklava its distinctive texture.
Nutty Filling: The filling is made with a variety of nuts, such as pistachios and walnuts.
Honey Syrup: The honey syrup adds a sweet, sticky finish to the Baklava.

Thinly sliced meat cooked on a vertical spit and served in flatbread with salad. Try it at Al-Abbas Restaurant in Khanaqin.

Tender Meat: The meat is sliced thinly, ensuring a tender and juicy texture.
Garlic Sauce: The garlic sauce adds a zesty kick to the Shawarma.
Fresh Salad: The salad is made with fresh vegetables and herbs, adding a crisp texture and vibrant flavor.

A sweet dish made with chickpeas cooked in honey syrup. Try it at Al-Sham Pastry Shop.

Sweet and Savory: Ma'mounia is a unique combination of sweet honey syrup and savory chickpeas.
Soft Texture: The chickpeas become soft and absorb the sweet honey syrup during cooking.
Celebratory Dish: Ma'mounia is traditionally served during celebrations, such as weddings and Eid.

A dish made with boiled meat, potatoes, and vegetables cooked in a tomato-based sauce. Try it at Al-Abbas Restaurant in Khanaqin.

Tender Meat: The meat is tender and flavorful, absorbing the flavors of the tomato-based sauce.
Variety of Vegetables: The dish includes a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and green beans.
Tomato-Based Sauce: The tangy tomato-based sauce complements the richness of the meat and vegetables.

A triangular pastry filled with meat or vegetables. Try it at Al-Sham Pastry Shop.

Flaky Pastry: The pastry is flaky and crispy, providing a delightful texture contrast.
Meat or Vegetable Filling: Sambousa can be filled with either meat or vegetables, catering to different tastes.
Tangy Tahini Sauce: The tangy tahini sauce provides a refreshing contrast to the flaky pastry and filling.

Grilled carp fish served with a variety of salads. Try it at Al-Abbas Restaurant in Khanaqin.

Fresh Carp Fish: The fish is fresh and flavorful, with a delicate texture that melts in your mouth.
Variety of Salads: The salads offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the grilled carp fish.
Grilled to Perfection: The fish is grilled to perfection, ensuring that it's moist and flavorful.

A pastry filled with cheese or spinach. Try it at Al-Sham Pastry Shop.

Flaky Pastry: The pastry is flaky and crispy, providing a delightful texture contrast.
Cheese or Spinach Filling: Borek can be filled with either cheese or spinach, catering to different tastes.
Tangy Yogurt Sauce: The tangy yogurt sauce provides a refreshing contrast to the flaky pastry and filling.