4 Best Restaurants in Haifa and the Northern Coast, Israel

Climb the stairs beside the Doña Rosa restaurant and keep an eye out for this local favorite in an old, two-level, stone building—complete with a cat sunning itself on a stool, a jumble of odd tables and mismatched chairs, and a selection of handmade clothes and handbags for sale. You can sit outside to sip coffee and fruit smoothies alongside homemade bourekas (filled pastry triangles), shakshuka (eggs in tomato sauce), carrot cake, grilled-cheese sandwiches, and apple pie. Beer and wine are available, too. Indian cuisine is served every Thursday night. From Thursday night through Sunday you can get vegetarian meals; the rest of the week, pastries and coffee are offered.

In the souk, duck into this café and enjoy a coffee, some hummus, or a kebab in the courtyard of the 16th-century Khan al-Faranj, or Franks' Inn. Note the 18th-century Franciscan monastery and tower to your left.

Cool off at this authentic gelateria, which scoops a huge array of flavors, all made by hand by a family of immigrants from Italy. Coffee, milkshakes, and pastries are also offered.

One of Haifa’s best-kept secrets, this intimate bar serves terrific hamburgers and salads, but the artistic vibe is what really draws you in. Owner Vicki paints, and her artwork, along with works by other locals, is featured. Her husband, Gil, runs the restaurant, books the music, and in his off-hours, manages a theater company. There's often live music spilling from the little stage.