Restaurants in Nazareth and the Yizreel Valley

There are lots of places on Pope Paul VI Street and Casa Nova Street near the basilica where you can grab a falafel, a shwarma, or a meze of Arabic salads, grilled meats, and fresh pita bread. All have been around forever, and all serve tasty, if very typical, food. For something more creative, and (in some cases) authentic, try one of the restaurants we give full reviews to.

When it comes to sugary treats, several stores in Nazareth are named Mahroum’s Sweets—pass them by! They “borrowed” the name because the concoctions at the original store—at Paul IV and El-Bishara Streets near the Basilica of the Annunciation—are so delectable, they’ve become a necessary late afternoon stop for tourists and locals alike. If you’re like us, you’ll start drooling just at the sight of the shop windows, which are filled with Israel’s best baklava, Turkish delight (maajoun) with nuts, and Esh el-Bulbul (“Hummingbird’s Nest,” a nest of shredded wheat filled with nuts laced with honey). Dessert and Turkish coffee costs about NIS 30 or less. Trust us, the calories (and cost) are worth it. Mahroum’s is open daily from 7am to 9pm.