3 Best Restaurants in Israel

There's always a crowd forming outside Abulafia Bakery, south of Jaffa's clock tower. For a simple snack with an exquisite flavor, order a pita topped with za'atar (a mixture of herbs, spices, and seeds), or stuffed with salty cheese, calzone style. In winter, Abulafia is a good place to try sahlab, a warm drink sprinkled with coconut and cinnamon.

The aromas emanating from this street-corner bakery and café make it well worth the visit. Choose from the savory or sweet section of French-style baked goods, made throughout the day by chefs trained in Paris. A plentiful Israeli breakfast is upgraded with house-made jams, French butter, and a diverse bread basket filled with sourdoughs, brioches, and sweet croissants. This place is obviously not for the gluten averse.

Fresh-baked sourdough breads, oil- and preservative-free pastries, and healthy whole wheat challah are the cornerstone of this bakery in the rural heart of the Galilee. Grab a seat on Friday morning in the backyard outdoor garden with the locals to taste stone-oven-baked Turkish-style cheese burekas, artichoke carpaccio with olives and sun-dried tomatoes, or a light dish of homemade granola and locally produced yogurt.