Home

inisrael.com Travel Guide

Dining

From Fast Food to Croissant Shawarma: A Comparison from an American Tourist’s Perspective

Israel Hotels

Enjoy Israel

$$$

From Fast Food to Croissant Shawarma: A Comparison from an American Tourist’s Perspective

Dining travel guide

Address: HaHistadrut Ave 58

Phone: 0538999989

As an American tourist, I couldn’t resist trying out the latest food craze in Haifa, Israel – the croissant shawarma. As a lover of fast food back home, I was intrigued by this unique combination of French pastry and Middle Eastern street food.

My adventure took me to the Hazan restaurant in Haifa thanks to the help of a local friend. The moment I walked in, I felt like an outsider as the regulars gave me a curious look. But I was determined to try this new dish that everyone was talking about.

The process of ordering and preparing the croissant shawarma was simple yet interesting. The workers sliced the shawarma on the spot, and I was handed a plate with paper on it to make my own croissant sandwich. The croissant was sliced in half and stuffed with a generous amount of veal shawarma, which was excellent in taste and quality. The croissant itself was slightly sweet, and the cabbage salad added a nice sour crunch. I also added some pickled vegetables from the salad bar to complete my meal.

One thing that struck me was the affordability of this dish. It only cost me 30 shekels, which is equivalent to about $9 USD. In comparison, a fast food meal in the US would cost me around $10-$15, and it would not be as fresh or healthy as this croissant shawarma.

As I enjoyed my meal, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to American fast food. While both cultures have their own unique fast food offerings, there is a significant difference in the quality and freshness of the ingredients. In Israel, the emphasis is on using fresh and healthy ingredients, and this is evident in the croissant shawarma dish that I had.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend trying out the croissant shawarma if you ever find yourself in Haifa, Israel. It’s a simple yet delicious combination that satisfies your taste buds and wallet. As an American tourist, it was refreshing to see the emphasis on fresh and healthy ingredients in fast food, and it’s something that I hope catches on back home.

Opening hours:

Sunday: 10:30 - 21:00

Monday: 10:30 - 21:00

Tuesday: 10:30 - 21:00

Wednesday: 10:30 - 21:00

Thursday: 10:30 - 21:00

Friday: 10:30 - 14:00

Saturday: 11:00 - 22:00

Israel's favorite Dining - More options:

Emek Brasserie: A Unique Twist on Classic Dishes at Affordable Prices

Emek Brasserie, located in a shopping complex in Mishmar Hasharon, offers a cozy and contemporary dining experience that is a far cry from the Israeliness outside. The restaurant mainly relies on regional growers from Emek Hefer to create dishes that put a local twist on familiar classics. Starters include spinach stew bruschetta, a vegetable salad with feta cheese, and roast beef. The main courses feature affordable options like a whole fish in Josper, fish fillet portion, and Lulu chicken. The bourguignon dish is good, but compared to other dishes, it falls a bit short. The pricing is moderate, making it an excellent value for money in local terms. The restaurant's overall uniqueness, character, and strictness reflect superior talent, and the value it delivers is rare. It caters to all types of diners, and visitors can enjoy a real local bistro/brasserie experience with great food at a decent price. As a tourist visiting Brasserie Valley, I was pleasantly surprised by the restaurant's cozy ambiance and unique twist on classic dishes. The vegetable salad with feta cheese was a standout dish, with each ingredient bursting with flavor and perfectly complementing the others. The Lulu chicken was another highlight, cooked to perfection in the wood oven and served with a delicious herb salsa. What impressed me the most was the restaurant's affordable pricing, especially compared to other high-end restaurants in the area. The portions were also generous, making it a great value for money. The staff were friendly and attentive, making my dining experience all the more enjoyable. Overall, I highly recommend Brasserie Valley for anyone looking for a unique and affordable dining experience in Mishmar Hasharon. It's a great spot to relax and enjoy a delicious meal with friends or family.

The Vivino Restaurant in Haifa

The Vivino restaurant offers an appetizing design, an open kitchen with a traditional tabon at its center, cordial hospitality, and an Italian atmosphere that is so appropriate to the Israeli character. Vivino serves traditional and modern Italian cuisine with an appetizing design. With the help of selected local produce, the restaurant offers a rich menu based on fresh and high-quality raw materials imported from Italy. With them, he creates a variety of fresh pastas, rich risotto, pizzas in different styles, focaccia, fresh fish, juicy meats, and vegan and gluten-free dishes. In the afternoon on Friday, we came to dine, the place was crowded, and we ordered in advance. The waiter was very nice and the service was fast, everything arrived within a few minutes. It was definitely a surprise. The menu included bolognese, salmon and cream pasta, pizza, and more. There are a lot of desserts and dishes to choose from. Several people could share one dessert! In addition to wine tastings throughout Italy, Vivino also offers wine tours... A rich wine menu is available here in the bar A collection of fine and authentic wines from the Land of the Boot, wines from the best wineries in Israel, and unique cocktails gathered by expert winemakers.

Schwartzman Dairy and Farm: A Taste of History and Authentic Craftsmanship

About 120 years ago, Zelig Schwartzman settled in the new Bat Shlomo community and built his home. His family went on to establish the renowned Schwartzman Dairy 20 years later, and has been crafting goat, sheep, and beef cheeses with love and dedication ever since. The family has kept the secrets of their boutique cheese production and preparation for four generations. Bat Shlomo is a small community located in the northern region of Israel, nestled between the Carmel Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The area is known for its breathtaking views, picturesque landscapes, and historical significance. Experience a bygone heritage and way of life while savoring an unforgettable culinary adventure in the family's yard. The ancient stone structure, standing in the courtyard for over a century, transports visitors to another time. The building serves as both a private museum and a restaurant, showcasing representative objects, tools, photos, and documents documenting the farm's past and the settlement's founding. You can admire the agricultural equipment and various machines used in the dairy's early days. The treasures of the past testify to the site's rich history. Savor the variety of flavors offered at the dairy, including fine cheeses made from goat, sheep, and cow milk, ranging from soft to hard and aged to ripe. Enjoy olives harvested with care from Bat Shlomo's orchards and grown at the foot of Mount Horshan. The olives are known for their exceptional taste and are used to produce pure olive oil. The family also produces amber-colored natural honey collected from beehives working diligently to collect nectar from the flowers of Nahal Dalia and the surrounding area. You can try the date honey (Silan), carob honey, honeysuckle honey, and more, all mixed in-house without mass production. Each bite is a journey through the region's flavors and aromas of the past. Don't miss out on the menu's specialties, including green and black olives served at the entrance and the mouth-watering cheese slits prepared with love and pride by Ziv Schwartzman behind the counter. Come for a visit and taste history blended with contemporary produce, seasoned with the aromas of the past, and crafted with real craftsmanship. The Schwartzman Dairy and Farm's unique taste lies in the authenticity preserved since the dairy's establishment, which is still practiced today. Ziv, the third generation, and his fourth-generation daughters refuse to switch to modern methods, inheriting and preserving the cheese-making secrets and traditions of raising cattle, sheep, and producing cheese passed down from Zelig's grandfather and Ziv Shimon's father. Each cow, goat, and sheep is treated with individual care, receiving personal attention and manual milking methods. The dairy's products are processed with endless dedication and love, resulting in high-quality milk and cheese. Come for a visit and combine it with a full meal at the cheese restaurant located in the farm's courtyard. Savor an abundance of flavors, including stuffed and special spreads, and finish with coffee and sweet desserts. Visitors can also purchase the best of the farm's produce at the on-site shop, taking home the flavors worth savoring. Experience a taste of the past and quality craftsmanship in a beautiful scenery.

Israel's restaurants and cuisine

Israel Hotels - best hotel deals in Israel