20 top Middle Eastern foods -- which is the best?

18. Baklava

Baklava: sticky and sweet.

Buttery filo pastry, chopped nuts, sweet syrup and honey dressing -- made from a recipe that dates to the Ottoman empire, it's no wonder baklava is one of the most enduring and beloved dishes on the planet.

Where to try it: Rihtim Cad, Kati Otopark Alti, 3-4 Karakoy, Istanbul. Tel: +90 212 293 0910

19. Knafeh

Knafeh: savory cheese flavor, crunchy pastry crust

This delicious cheesecake uses Nabusi cheese, which is common to Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. The blush coloring comes from orange blossom water or rose water.

Where to try it: Habibah, Al Malek al Hussein Street, Amman, Jordan

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