a typical meditteranean feast
With its blissful Mediterranean climate and unbelievably diverse regions it’s no surprise taking a culinary adventure through Israel throws up some taste bud tickling delights to impress even the most seasoned foodie connoisseur.
From truly world-class restaurants in Jerusalem to wondrous wine in the Negev highlands and a hip coffee culture on the streets of Tel Aviv, this is one country where the culinary delights perfectly reflect the destination itself; complex, ever changing and teaming with hidden gems that’ll wow and excite at every turn.
turning water into wine
Making alcoholic brews in the Israel region has been a process that dates back to biblical times.
wine barrels lined up
But, luckily for us the days of adding honey, pepper and juniper berries just to make your vino palatable are long gone. With a climate and environment almost identical to that of the South of France, Israel produces a whole host of world-class wine to tickle the taste buds.
Head up to Galilee where the rich soils and cool breezes on the slopes of Mount Carmel play host to thousand year-old wine lands tucked away along the riverbeds of the desert and look out over the Mediterranean. From the large scale to unique boutique wineries, viticulture (that’s the science of grape growing to you and me) is truly coming into its own Israel and sipping on the famous Adom Attic or a Carmel Hook is an absolute must.
more than just mezze
the ingredients of a shwarma feast at a street stall
Much like the ethnic melting pot of people that make up the population of Israel, the food is a somewhat eclectic affair. And if you ask us, that’s definitely a good thing. From high-end restaurants producing modern gastronomic delights up there with anywhere in the rest of the world (Tel Aviv has more Sushi restaurants per capita than any other city across the globe) to the simple yet unbelievably tasty street food that can be found the length and breath of the country.
Heavily Influenced by Arabic traditions with grilled fish, lamb, hummus and couscous together with Middle Eastern style spices and Mediterranean mezze’s it really is a foodie heaven.
hummus
Popular traditional dishes worth tucking into include malawach, a type of fried bread served with sour cream, matzah brei, a type of flat bread fried with eggs and honey cake.
Oh, and of course, no trip would be complete without tucking into an authentic falafel on the street. Trust us; it’s a million miles from that soggy festival favourite.
head over heels (and upside down) for coffee
Far from the grab and go from a paper cup on the daily commute or shooting a quick espresso on the move, coffee in Israel is a serious business. And the Israeli’s love affair with the caffeine infused brew is instantly recognisable in the cool café culture of Tel Aviv.
hip coffee culture in israel
Our top tip? Head for the bohemian lined boutiques and cafes around Shenkin Street for a taste of the unique and local favourite; café afuch, or ‘upside down coffee’. Yep – this special brew is a topsy turvy affair where by steamed milk is first poured into the cup (usually glass, naturally) followed by an aromatic shot of espresso. The result? Not only a fine tasting caffeine fix but a beautiful and completely unique looking brew.
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