Restaurants in Galilee
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A
El-Reda
The weekend papers love to rave about this restaurant in a restored 120-year-old Arab mansion, and for once it's justified. The views of the basilica (stunning from the rooftop terrace), the food (friendly owner Daher Zeidani makes only what he likes and that's traditional Nazareth dishes with a Mediterranean twist) and the atmosphere (occasional live music and poetry) make this one of the better restaurants in the north of Israel.
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B
Garden
If the Garden had as good a PR machine as Diana, it too would be knocking back customers. The rocket and tabbouleh salads are so fresh they look like they could wander off the plate, while the labneh (thick yoghurt flavoured with garlic) is delicately spiced and competes for attention with deliciously fragrant meats grilled on cinnamon sticks, and it's all washed down with fresh lemonade. The food here is second to none.
Unfortunately the huge space is not easy to fill and the restaurant appears to suffer from the killer 'if it's not full, it's obviously not good' syndrome.
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C
Torrance Restaurant
If you're not staying at the Scots Hotel then a meal at the Torrance Restaurant - preferably on the verandah to take in the spectacular views - should be on the list. The menu changes daily and the dishes are filled with fresh Galilee produce such as the ubiquitous St Peter's fish, herbs from the kitchen garden and local cheeses. The impressive cellar has a selection of boutique Galilee wines.
The food is pretty good, but it's the setting, in the original Scots Hospital building, and the chance to have a sticky beak around the rest of the property that is the real attraction.
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D
Pagoda
Taking the road north out of town it's hard to miss the Pagoda restaurant, so incongruous is the faux-Chinese temple and its glitzy red-and-gold interior, located right on the Sea of Galilee. If you keep kosher, the Chinese-Thai dishes are a step above what usually passes for Asian food elsewhere in the country. If you don't, be prepared for a very Israelised version of things with an unadventurous menu featuring sweet and sour chicken, Pad Thai and sushi. Definitely reserve a table in advance.
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E
Tishreen
Named after the month it was opened in 2004 (tishreen is Arabic for October) this sophisticated restaurant has an autumnal atmosphere with its straw-encrusted walls lined with antiques and wine bottles. Locals enjoying long lunches and late dinners order Mediterranean-inspired dishes from the mosaic-tiled wood oven which turns out 'aborigine (aubergine) stuffed with pesto and cheese' as well as excellent muhammar, an Arabic pizza topped with chicken and onion slices.
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F
Diana
Mention to anyone that you are heading to Nazareth, they will invariably know little about the town, except that you must eat at Diana. Behind a rather unassuming façade, Arab chef Dokhol Safadi presents an incredible range of more than a dozen mezze dishes. Try and save room for the house speciality - spicy handmade kebabs with pine nuts - one dish will definitely suffice for a couple. Hugely popular with visiting Israelis, it's best to book ahead, especially on weekends.
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G
Decks
We recommend a 24-hour crash diet before surrendering to the charcoal grill at this legendary steakhouse, where it really is possible to have five different animals on the table at one time. House favourites are the tender pieces of baby lamb, goose liver and filet mignon, slowly roasted on the hickory grill and served with locally grown vegetables. Desserts such as the crepe flambé with apple and cinnamon are truly gluttonous but worth saving room for.
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H
Guy
There's no view but at least it's an escape from the groups of package tourists that tend to take over the waterfront restaurants. Family-run Guy is popular with locals who dig into a menu which is supposedly Morrocan-inspired but actually runs the gamut from chopped liver to Iraqi kibbeh (burghul - cracked wheat). It's obvious a lot of love goes into the house speciality, a delicious array of stuffed vegetables.
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I
Karamba's Fish Restaurant
Karamba's Fish Restaurant is another Promenade restaurant that makes a killing from their overpriced fish and meat grills, but there's nothing unpleasant about a table by the water and a taste of the Sea of Galilee speciality - St Peter's fish. It's a bony little fish but has a mild white flesh that even fish-haters seem to like, and is served grilled or fried with a pile of chips and salad.
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J
Galei Gil
Predictable promenade restaurants such as Galei Gil make an absolute killing with their overpriced fish and meat grills, but there's nothing unpleasant about a table by the water and a taste of the Sea of Galilee speciality - St Peter's fish. It's a bony little fish but has a mild white flesh that even fish-haters seem to like, and is served grilled or fried with a pile of chips and salad.
reviewed
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Canaan Gallery Cafe
Duck into this gallery cafe to escape the busloads of day trippers who squash into the narrow alleyways of the Artists’ Quarter, and you’ll never want to leave. A haven with gorgeous views, soothing music and interesting art, it’s easy to see how the owners – artists Orna and Yair Moore – find their inspiration. Coffee and light meals such as quiches and sandwiches are served all day.
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Tree of Life Vegetarian Café
This hole-in-the-wall spot at HaMaginim Sq is the place for cheap, hugely tasty dishes that scream healthy eating. Try the energiser salad with teriyaki tofu or – if you draw the line at the soy bean – pizza, burgers and hearty soups are all on the menu. The service is delightful, the portions huge and the people-watching some of the best in the country.
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K
Mahroum's Sweets
Locals say this is the best place in town for baklava and all other honey-soaked delicacies; others raise their eyebrows at the sacrilege of making sugar-free halvah. Several places have the same name, but the original is the one on the corner of Paul IV and El-Bishara Sts nearest to the basilica.
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L
Yemenite Restaurant
This lively late-night fast-food joint is the place to pull up a plastic chair for your weekly quota of grease. For around ₪20 you can order a malawach, a large flaky-pastry pancake filled with either meat, mushrooms, egg or honey - making a substantial meal.
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M
House
Author John Le Carré broke the Sabbath by dining across the road from the Pagoda at the House. The two restaurants are essentially the same but the House is open on Friday nights and Saturday lunch - sans shellfish and pork of course.
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Ronen at Azamra
There’s no official name for this little takeaway, so ask for Ronen, also known as Mr Lachuch, who flips Yemeni delicacies while dispensing Jewish lore to his customers.
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Midrahov Cafés
The cheapest sit-down dining options are the Midrahov Cafés, which do standards like kebab or schnitzel with salad and chips.
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Felafel Stalls
A lengthy parade of felafel stalls runs towards the bus station.
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