My Favorite Places To Eat in Haifa/Akko
As many of you know I lived in Haifa/Akko for 1 year back in 2015. Recently I got the inspiration to write about my favorite places in Haifa/Akko and share some memories I had there. I hope this list serves a guide to those visiting, but I will preface that when visiting “The Holy Land” as Baha’is call it, it is important to focus on why you really came and not your personal food experience.
Haifa
Elika Cafe
Ham Toast, cut in half with a side salad
(Haifa, 15 minute walk from the Shrine of The Báb)
Apple Maps | Google Maps
This is my version of Seinfeld’s Restaurant. I would come here all the time, to the point that one of the several owners would know my usual order by heart. This “cafe” is a really unique assortment of various types of eateries. During the day it had the vibe of a casual coffee shop. During meals, it would feel much more like a restaurant with amazing food. At nights it would turn into much more of a bar and on some nights even feel much more like a club. It is such an extraordinary that even the NY Times has a beautiful article on its significance to the area.
I would come here all the time and order a Ham Toast cut in half (they usually cut it in like 6 strips as seen above). I was basically known for asking for my sandwich to be cut in half (apparently an odd request). One time I crossed the street without looking (stupid) and almost got hit by a car. When the driver stuck his head out the window I recognized he was one of the owners of Elika. Once he recognized me he started to laugh and said “Next time I’ll cut you in half!” For a little extra you can order a side salad and a milkshake both of which are amazing. The prices from what I remember are very reasonable for Haifa. Probably my favorite place to go to in Haifa.
Inside Out Sushi Bar
Deep-fried Sushi, image from Inside Out’s Website
(Haifa, 15 minute walk from the Shrine of The Báb. Right next to Elika Cafe)
Apple Maps | Google Maps
I’m not a Sushi connoisseur but to me, this is some of the best Sushi I’ve ever had. From what I’ve heard the Sushi chef live in Japan for 5-8 years and studied the art of Sushi and it shows. The place isn’t really too much of a sit-down place, especially during the lunch and dinner rush. The whole place has a really cool design but can feel kind of cramped so if the weather permits I would try sitting outside if that bothers you.
On my first night walking around Haifa a close friend and I actually got lost with 10% battery on my phone with a very slow signal. We ended up walking past this place and it along with Elika Cafe and the surrounding restaurants had a really fun hippie atmosphere. Who would have thought it would become a regular place of mine. I would always order a deep-fried salmon avocado sushi roll it sounds kinda much but the way the deep fry sushi here is much tastier than I’ve ever had at other places. They do delivery as well which is costly but convenient. Overall a great spot!
Mama Pita
Cheese and Zatar Manakish, Photo via TripAdvisor
The bottom of the mountain near Ben Gurion Ave, closes early
Apple Maps | Google Maps
I only ate here once or twice but I still remember it. It was during the first weeks of my service in Israel and I was still getting my bearings. I have a vague memory of eating here once or twice and the food being absolutely incredible but never being able to find it again. Luckily after talking to a friend I was able to find the name and the place.
The place itself feels like a fancy basement of a house (although it is at street level) and has a very homey feel. The food here is technically a pizza but feels completely at home with other Mediterranean food. The is very reminiscent of a home-cooked meal but don’t let that fool you, its taste is to die for. Mama Pita puts a Haifa/Mediterranean spin on the typical pizza and makes something quite unique. Since I only went once or twice I can’t remember what I ordered but according to a friend you’ve gotta get Zataar, white cheese, and onions, but I’m sure anything from just amazing.
Falafel Orion
Falafel with Tahini Sauce, image from Restaurant Guru
Rehov Herzliya 14, Haifa 3330109 Israel
Back in the United States, I have longed for “Israeli Falafel” the most of anything here on this list. I often joke that here in the United States people don’t even know what a falafel is supposed to look like because every falafel place I’ve tried (besides this one) has been so sub-par and an utter disappointment. Before continuing let me just say that Falafel Orion isn’t the GOAT of falafel in Haifa but it's orders of magnitude better than what is available in the United States and was my personal go-to falafel place. Super dependable. Very efficient.
Falafel Orion has great prices, tasty falafel, a nice sit-down area if needed, and most importantly a great location. When taking a Sherut to visit the Shrine of Baha’u’llah in Bahji I would always stop here and grab either a full Falafel or a half falafel with tahini sauce and any toppings I was in the mood for. The guy making the falafels makes them like a machine and that means if there isn’t a long wait you can get your Falafel in a minute. I wish something half as good was near me here in the United States.
Akko
Something to keep in mind: Akko has some great options but can kinda be risky foodwise. I have gotten food poisoning from eating “street food” there. It got so bad I was out for 3 days having fever dreams (a story for another day). The places I’m recommending are good but be cautious of what you order because food poisioning can happen anywhere.
“The Shawarma Place”
Right Next to the Akko Sherut Stop
Apple Maps | Google Maps
A classic spot for Baha’is. I can’t remember how many times I went here. I loved this place because most of the time I would go I would see people I knew. The owners and employees are very kind and sincere people and they radiate happiness. The owner even takes pictures with his most loyal customers and then hangs them up in the restaurant. To my disappointment, I never made it up on the wall.
This spot is very well known among Baha’is, most people I know would tell you it’s the best Shawarma in Akka or maybe even in Israel. I loved it and always ordered either a Chicken Shawarma or a Falafel. The inside should be new as well because apparently, it burned down a year after I left. Great environment, if you have the chance check this place out!
Hummus Said
Deep inside Old City Akko, odd hours (maybe try in the morning?)
Apple Maps
A couple of years after I left Israel I was volunteering at The Baha’i House of Worship in Chicago, while I was there I struck up a conversation with an Israeli man. We eventually got to the controversial topic of Hummus Places in Israel. I said Hummus Said had the best hummus in all of Israel. He didn’t agree but he had been there before and agreed it was very good and a valid contender for the best Hummus in Israel. He was wrong though it is the best.
I only had it a few times and it really stuck with me. The reason I rarely had it was because it is seemingly open at random hours. I lived a 5 minute walk from here and I still barely got it if that means anything. If you get lucky and have the time and it’s open get all the hummus your heart desires.
MED Frozen Yogurt
5 Minute Walk from the entrance to Old City Akko
Apple Maps | Google Maps
Probably my most controversial opinion on here but all the frozen yogurt places tasted a bit weird to me. Not like there was anything wrong with the taste but it just wasn’t for me. MED was different, it actually tasted normal to my taste buds. It also had a toppings selection that in my biased eyes was better than others.
I would normally get a medium with all the fruit toppings they had. The best fruit topping was the Blackberry and Blue Berry mixture, it also makes for a phenomenal picture.
Final Notes
I want to reiterate here that when visiting The Holy Land you often don’t have time to waste, so what I would recommend is to pick a couple from this list that are most convenient for you and focus on why you really came to Haifa/Akka. If you live in Haifa/Akka then by all means go to them all and let me know what you think!