A room with a view: visually stunning restaurants in Israel

Situated in Caesarea's Port, Helena offers stunning views of the ancient town framed by the glitterIng Mediterranean Sea. The spectacular views are complimented by Helena’s menu, crafted by Chef Amos Sion. Making use of local, high-quality ingredients, including aged meats, seafood and seasonal fruits and vegetables, there are variations on local delights like shawarma, lamb siniya, burekas, focaccia, pizza and more. Upon entering the restaurant your senses will be hit with mouth-watering aromas of this culinary gem that has been rated time and time again amongst Israel's top culinary establishments.

Owner and chef Hatem Meaky lived abroad in Scandinavia and other parts of Europe for many years, learning local techniques of how to prepare the finest seafood. He then brought his knowledge home and opened Meaky’s Top View Bar in the northern village of Tarshiha. This seafood tavern is especially known for its top-notch homemade smoked salmon—it’s a must try. They also offer a rustic seafood soup, homemade sausages, and crispy fish and chips. While patrons can indulge in a wide selection of creative cocktails, this place is also kid-friendly, so don’t worry about bringing the whole family. Arrive before sunset for a view you won’t soon forget.

There’s nothing better than sitting at a café that overlooks the ocean and provides front row seating to the best view of the Baha’i Gardens. Café Strudel, located in Haifa’s quaint German Colony, offers customers a rich and varied menu: breakfast, lunch, meat specialties and some a selection of fresh fish. Save room for dessert, because Strudel holds true to its name—baking up delectable post-meal treats and a hot and cold beverage menu for the Templar ages.  

In the Garden Terrace at the Waldorf Astoria, the view from the roof is guaranteed to induce paralysis, while the price list is surprisingly restrained. The menu is described as Mediterranean tapas, so expect to find some exceptional gravlax and ceviche alongside Jerusalem-style stuffed vegetables and slow-cooked veal cheek. Just like the breakfast (at NIS 155 per person), the bar is open to the public and those who are looking for a more affordable way to enjoy the Waldorf experience. The rooms, and Chef Itzik Mizrahi Barak's Palace restaurant, create an entirely different atmosphere, appropriate for someone who's just won the lottery or married a Jewish princess.

Tucked into a nondescript traffic circle in Tiberias, above a generic supermarket and overlooking a tourist-heavy stretch of the Sea of Galilee, Magdalena is quietly redefining Israeli gourmet cuisine. The restaurant, which sits at the Migdal junction, is elegant, refined and entirely surprising. Chef Youssef Hana’s menu fuses home-cooked specialties from the Galilee kitchens Hana grew up in with influences from Lebanon and the wider Mediterranean. Its wide, glistening space makes it a hit with large families and means that meals often come with a side of loud acoustics, but its core element – its menu – is an exercise in simplicity and restraint. The shishbarak (goat-stuffed dumplings) are bursts of flavor, the zahara (fried cauliflower with tehina and tangy amba) offered a refreshingly elevated twist on a common street-food staple, and the star is the mouthwatering steak topped with bone marrow, foie gras and rich artichoke cream. Save room for dessert: their fluffy semolina cigars packed with sweet ricotta, honey and pistachio are pure bliss.

Perched atop the Golan Heights in Moshav Ramot lies an incredible hidden gem of a restaurant. Moshbutz is famous for their juicy meat dishes, which are locally sourced from the beautiful pastures that surround the place. There’s even a small butcher store that offers a variety of cuts to take home with you. Arrive hungry, as portions are huge! The best part of all are the stunning views to take in as you enjoy your meal, making this spot a magnificent location to have a romantic and unique dining experience.

From fresh fish to kosher Asian cuisine, Chef Meir Adoni has tackled the culinary world as he brings the Far East to the near “White City.” Offerings include: tartar of tuna in soy and honey, sea fish sashimi with green melon, Asian aioli, green tea and lime yogurt and macha powder, grouper capriccio with kohlrabi ravioli and mango, apricot, ginger and lemon grass alongside Indian focaccia on an open grill and more. Pick up those chopsticks and enjoy the best panoramic view around.  

After the great success of the El Babur Restaurant in Wadi Ara, this popular restaurant opened a new location in Acre. The entrance faces the waterfront, showcasing exceptional views of the ancient port and the old seafarer’s town. With such a special location, the connection between the sea and the land is evident in all its aspects. The exclusively Arabic cuisine featuring fish and seafood shines here while a range of herbs, spices, and techniques have pushed El Babur to the forefront. From just-caught calamari to mixed seafood and fish fillets cooked in a ‘tabun’ (clay oven), to lamb kebabs seasoned with cinnamon, El Babur brings a new face to the burgeoning haute Arabic food scene.

Situated in Jaffa with breathtaking dock views and the salty fragrance of the sea, this restaurant and bar serves seasonal seafood and fish. Brunch it up with the hearty ‘shakshuka’ (eggs cooked in tomato sauce) or munch on the calamari in a slightly sweet orange and chili sauce. Check out their website for details about evening shows.

One of the simplest pleasures in Israel is sitting back in a restaurant where the table is filled with a colorful collection of salads before you even decide what you want.  Served alongside fresh focaccia, this is the answer to any hot day on the beach. Shuk Dagim (Fish Market) starts your meal with a salad feast; then for a main course choose from the freshest catch of the day or opt for any of the seafood dishes from the pasta with shrimp, calamari and mussels to the jumbo shrimp on the grill. Take in the tranquility of the view of the Red Sea and the Adom mountains while you sit down for a meal with friends.