Northern Israel’s top 5 hidden culinary destinations

By JD Krebs

Known as Israel’s food bowl, the Galilee region is home to some of the world’s best hidden culinary experiences. From sampling artisanal cheeses to experiencing authentic Druze cuisine or learning about what it takes to become the next master chef, Israel’s north has a buffet of options with something for everyone.

Below are five favorite culinary destinations, as selected by Jewish National Fund-USA’s Western Galilee Now Tourist Information Center, that you can enjoy as a solo travel or with the whole mishpocha! See them all and more at westgalil.org.il/en.

Alto Dairy

Alto Dairy Café

Located in the heart of the Galilee, with a picturesque view of rolling orchards, Alto is your perfect destination for blending astonishing scenery with delicious food. At this delectable dairy destination, you can enjoy the privacy of an indoor booth or dine outside surrounded by the north’s natural beauty. Located on Kibbutz Shomrat, the fully kosher menu, under the supervision of the Rabbinate of Mateh Asher, offers a variety of dairy delicacies, including locally sourced cheeses, handmade desserts and artisanal small batch coffee.

Make sure you buy yourself something delicious before leaving Alto’s Dairy Store & Delicatessen, which offers an unparalleled array of goat cheeses and other assorted delicacies. Find more information at altodairy.co.il.

Jullius Distillery

If you’re a wine or liquor enthusiast who wants a behind-the-scenes look at how schnapps gets made, Jullius Distillery is the place for you. Winner of the Excellence Award in the field of wine, beer and alcohol production at the 2021 Israeli Cuisine Awards Ceremony, the distillery was established in 2008 by Yuval (Joov) Har Gil, a former food and liquor critic who decided to turn his passion into reality. Built on sustainability principles and powered by solar energy, Jullius Distillery is one of the most advanced and environmentally friendly distilleries in the world.

Options are available for alcohol tastings, meals and distillery events, where you can also witness the alcoholmaking process for yourself. Located at the picturesque Kibbutz Hanita, you’ll be impressed both by Jullius’ impressive display of beverages and the gorgeous views of the Galilee. Go to jullius.com for more information.

Safta Maha

Safta Maha – Druze experience

For those looking for a more intimate kosher dining experience that reflects the beauty of the Galilee’s diversity, Safta Maha will make your tastebuds come alive. Located in the beautiful Druze village of Hurfeish, guests are welcomed directly into Maha’s home, where they’re treated to a gorgeous open view from the terrace as they dig into a variety of authentic Druze breakfasts, lunches and dinners, depending on the time of day.

Maha serves classic Druze dishes such as shulbato, beef or chicken stew, grape leaves, stuffed cabbage, maqluba and mugrabi (stew of chickpeas with meat, pumpkin and bulgur). In addition, guests can learn more about Druze culture as Maha shares her life story and explains what it was like growing up in a Druze community. For more information, go to instagram.com/maha7amer/.

Galilee Culinary Institute by JNF

Jewish National Fund-USA’s Galilee Culinary Institute (GCI by JNF) is set to redefine culinary education both in Israel and around the world. A revolutionary experience, GCI by JNF will offer a 12-month community immersion and intensive culinary arts program designed specifically for students to acquire a combination of practical culinary skills as well as a broad application of the major themes driving the food industry today. Students will leave GCI by JNF with a fully developed and practical culinary skillset on which to launch their own food-focused careers.

In addition, visitors from around the world will be able to come to the campus and take optional, single-day courses that can expand even the most seasoned home chefs’ repertoires. Whether you want to know more about chocolate making, dairy farming or how to make wine, you can learn about it at GCI by JNF with classes set to commence in 2023. For more information, go to galileeculinaryinstitute.com or email nhoffman@gcibyjnf.com.

Hadaral’e restaurant

Looking for a romantic farm-to-table dinner destination with that special someone? Hadaral’e restaurant has you covered. With its candlelit setting and classical wooden furniture, Hadaral’e provides the perfect ambiance for a memorable night out. Enjoy a menu that features some of the best local dishes around — fresh fish, quality meats and fresh vegetables, hand picked by the restaurant’s chef. Hadaral’e is also incredibly accommodating towards dietary restrictions, with a variety of vegan and gluten-free dishes available. Go to hadarale.co.il for more information.

For more information about experiencing Israel like never before, contact Josh Mellits at jmellits@jnf.org.