Jessica Halfin

Israeli breakfast is Israel’s answer to the relaxing weekend brunch. It is a time to sit in your favorite spot – whether it be a Jerusalem café, a bustling Tel Aviv bakery or a Haifa restaurant – and enjoy the simpler pleasures in life. At the heart of every Israeli breakfast is: eggs cooked to your liking, a basket of fresh bread, a variety of spreads, dips, fresh salads and cheeses. And at the heart of Haifa are five of the best boutique Israeli breakfasts in the city. These are the local neighborhood cafés that are handcrafting their breakfasts with care from only the freshest ingredients - a delicious and inspirational change from the ordinary, and a must try any day of the week on your next trip to Israel’s North.

Stuck somewhere between European ideals, Middle Eastern warmth and character and its undying fascination of American culture, Israel is one of the best places in the world for going out and having a good time. The wild Tel Aviv nightlife scene has earned itself the reputation of city that never sleeps, running 24 hours a day, but Haifa has a surprisingly diverse and rich nightlife scene of its own that continues on into the late night hours in the busy city centers.  Here is our pick for this Mediterranean port city’s most sought after bars, pubs, and live music joints – from the trendy to the classy to the purely classic “Haifa”.

Whether your hobby is wandering the aisles of stores looking for specialty products from a distant homeland, or you spend your days seeking out the best gourmet goods available, look no further. We’ve compiled Haifa’s best specialty stores and delis that are hiding in plain sight. These sometimes unassuming shops can surprisingly be found in Haifa’s shopping centers, Israeli malls, or hidden away on small neighborhood streets, but are nothing short of havens of sheer happiness for those who seek them. Whether you fill your cart to the brim, or just pine away, these stores will pull at your heartstrings, and become your go-to places for a little pick-me-up, or to stock up on supplies for your next kick-ass Friday night dinner party.

The smooth and creamy concoction, in both its hot and cold forms can be found on many a street corner in Haifa. Spun into wells on a plate topped with olive oil and parsley, and drowned in the savory topping of your choice, you’ll be in heaven from the very first bite. Here in Haifa, it is not a party dip, but a hearty lunch. Not just a food, but a sub-culture, and the hummus shop that serves it is the meeting point for your next Friday brunch – Israeli style. There are “ways” to eat it, and everyone claims to be an expert, but as long as you indulge in the creamy goodness, every little thing will be just fine. Here are our top picks for the highly debated prize of the best hummus restaurants in Haifa.

Going out for a coffee and pastry in Israel conjures up images of the little Mediterranean indulgence that is sitting in a café, people watching, and tucking into a buttery croissant. In Haifa, it might be a quintessentially Israeli chocolate rugelach, European style butter cookie-crusted pie, or sumptuous baklava to go along with your foamy cappuccino or strong Turkish coffee. Whether by the endless Mediterranean waterfront, Old Port, or up in the green hills, Haifa is a city that doesn't lack in options for your morning, or afternoon caffeine fix.

While the Tel Aviv street food and Jaffa street food scenes are on the steep rise, Haifa street food carries a particularly rich history, with classic establishments that have been holding their own for decades. Now, with an influx of trendy eateries that have popped up in recent years and even months, the definition of good street food is broadening, which leaves Haifa swimming in an abundance of possibilities for a delicious and cheap quick bite out. Here are just ten Haifa restaurant selections, four of which represent the city’s old school charm, while the other six tap into the new Haifa food scene – continuing to grow and evolve with each passing day. Any of these options are perfect for a delightful meal in the city, and are sure to make your day on your next visit.

Known for its burgeoning underground art scene, the lower section of Haifa now has one more show space to add to its list of dynamic boutique galleries and institutions. Reborn and with renewed purpose, the Pyramid public art space and gallery is having its grand re-opening event later this month on December 21st.  The gallery is the stomping grounds for many local Israeli artists, including the famed, Broken Fingaz Crew, who have decorated many of the abandoned historical stone buildings of the neighborhood with their erotically inclined street art, and who most recently lent their drawings to the new music video for U2’s comeback anthem, American Soul. No stranger to controversy, the Pyramid has seen its share of ups and downs.  Originally established in 1992, in the abandoned Wadi Salib neighborhood, its years of actively housing and supporting the ideas and works of such modern Israeli artists as Menashe Kadishman and Moshe Gershun has been previously tarnished by the reality of its existence in the struggling and broken-down area, coupled with a small work space. Courtesy of PR But this tragically defunct neighborhood is now just another place in the city that is on the up and up. More than 25 years later, its planned revitalization is a part of the city funded renovation that has proven successful in other areas of Haifa, most visibly, in the previously similarly destitute Downtown, which now stands as a main attraction in the city, coveted for its cool bar and restau

For the 24th year running, Haifa, the Galilean coastal city with a particularly harmonious coexistence between Jews and Arabs of Christian, Druze, and Muslim faiths, and an affinity for Christmas, comes together on December 14-23. Put on by the Beit HaGefen Arab-Jewish Cultural Center, in collaboration with the City of Haifa and Haifa Museums, the Holiday of Holidays Festival celebrates the winter holiday season, which is marked by Hannukah, Christmas, and Mawlid an-Nabī.   Events will take place over two consecutive weekends this month in Haifa’s Downtown, Hadar, Wadi Nisnas, and German Colony neighborhoods, and will accompany the already erected elaborate display of holiday lights, symbols, decorated churches, and glowing Baha'i Temple that the city is famous for. Courtesy of PR The festival will focus on cultural experiences that bring us together, such as special musical, dance, and theater performances, art exhibitions, street fairs, and food and neighborhood tours, including Open Houses–an exploration of the city’s most historical homes, a behind the scenes look at the people and food of the bustling Wadi Nisnas neighborhood, and an indoor antiques fair set to run throughout the festival. The activities encourage residents and guests to interact, share each other’s stories, and experience each other’s holidays with mutual respect.   Some festival highlights not to be missed: The Djamshid Sisters: Modern Israeli folk duo and songstresses with voices of angels, in conc

The beginning of September is going to be the start of a new era in Downtown Haifa. On September 6-8 a series of large street art murals will be painted by the hands of well-known artists from within Israel and around the globe, as part of Haifa’s first international Walls Festival. Aside from creating colorful public displays ofart, there will also be a long awaited Israeli pop-art exhibition at Sha’ar 3 Gallery–a local urban art collective. It is a gallery created by artists, for artists, in an area that has become known as Haifa’s center for underground art.   © Elna and Gab   During the festival, the gallery’s exhibition will include the graphically inclined and controversial work of veteran Israeli artists, such as David Tartakover and Gary Goldstein, as well as art from a newer generation of artists who have brought us some of the most recognizable street art in Israel to date, such as Tel Aviv-based tattoo artist, Or Kantor, the illusive Addam Yekutieli, a.k.a. “Know Hope," Klone, and of course, Haifa’s famed kings of street art, Broken Fingaz Crew, whose erotically inclined pieces can be found all over the city. But it won’t be limited to the work of these Israeli artists.   © Broken Fingaz   Joining the festivities from abroad are such artists as Maser, Sickboy, KJ263, Fimm, Brothers Of Light, and other big wigs of the international scene.   © Maser   As far as the installation of the murals go it is a big step for the city, and one of great importance.   © Br

Whether you're a hard-working barista or just plain coffee crazy, Haifa is getting ready to host Israel’s 4th official Barista Jam on August 31st at 19:00, and you are cordially invited.   The event will take place at Aroma Espresso Bar in the city's well-known German Colony–home to the Baha'i Gardens World Heritage site. What will happen there will be more than just latte art and trading stories of battle wounds.   The event is meant to bring people together to celebrate the art of making coffee, and is a part of event organizer Kaie Bird's greater goal to elevate the coffee-making culture in Israel. © Kaie Bird         "It's about getting people together to share in the love of their craft, but not only.  Once people become friendly with one another, they realize that the coffee-making world of cafés doesn't have to be a competitive mine-field.  It can be a community of people who share ideas, and passion, and push each other to get better at what they do," explains Bird.   Bird's organization "Sharing Tables" does just that, and more! They offer coffee education classes, and help rally Israeli baristas for more serious national and international coffee competitions.   This event is all about fun though.  While it costs a mere NIS 20 to compete as a barista in the Israel Barista Jam, coffee enthusiasts get in for free, and can enjoy cava and beer, along with the music spun by Haifa local DJ BK Beats. Best of all, the winner of the light-hearted competition goes home with

Forget boring and impersonal tours of the usual historical sites.  Newly trending culinary travel has become a way to get more out of your time abroad through individualized and interactive experiences that are run by knowledgeable locals. These are the people who are passionate about what they do, and are itching to share their most-coveted foodie secrets with their guests.   The following are just a few unbelievably awesome food-related experiences and tours, awaiting you on your next vacay to the Holy Land.   Galilee: Galileat Galileat connects foodies to Galilean hosts for traditional Arabic and Druze meals, cooking workshops, and once-in-a-lifetime culinary experiences. Full day culinary tours in Northern village markets, winter foraging sessions for wild greens, and participating in the annual olive harvest are all on the menu. http://www.galileat.com/   Haifa: Haifa Street Food Tours © Lora Wiley       Haifa Street Food Tours offers walking tours of Haifa’s culinary backstreets, that play out like a crash course on Israeli lifestyle and hospitality. Expect a wide variety of generous tastings of local food and drink from some of the city’s longest standing and most refutable street food establishments. www.haifastreetfoodtours.com   Tel Aviv: Be Tel Aviv Tours / TLVeg Tours Here you'll find vegan tours in Tel Aviv, designed to showcase the city’s reputation as one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world. Check out their other offerings as well, ranging from

A large bottle of cloudy yellow alcohol is carefully placed down on a wooden bistro table in Downtown Haifa. The bottle features a simple black and white label that reads 'pure happiness', among a list of vague ingredients and other relevant information. The bottle is not plopped down haphazardly, but rather placed in the kind of gentle manner that can only come from someone who appreciates the time and effort that went into producing their craft.   The bottle is Tubi 60, an Israeli spirit made in the bay city of Haifa. It seemingly came out of nowhere, and took the Tel Aviv party scene by storm back in 2013. The man is Hilal Tubi, one of the two mastermind brothers behind the wildly popular liquor that inspired the cult-like following from the get-go, the novelty of which has not yet worn-off.   © Tom Hooliganov       Tubi’s brand has been cloaked in mystery, rife with misinformed whispers and flashy myths made-up in desperation, as a result of his shying away from the spotlight, and perhaps ignoring a few important phone calls. But, according to Hilal, Tubi 60 belongs to the community of loyal customers and friends who support it, as much as it does him. Like most successful brands, his comes from the inside-out. He sells an experience more than a product, and the Tubi generation perpetuates that.   Now, as they prepare to release Tubi 60 on the international market, the little Israeli drink that could, will be available for purchase in the States (it is already on liqu