One of the things I was really looking forward to when visiting Israel, was the food. Especially the hummus and falafel. We found the best of both in a small farm stand in Caesarea.
As you know, we rented a car and drove around the country. One of the big problems with trying to find good food, which is critical for Jim and I as self-proclaimed foodies, is timing. Sometimes it’s easier to wait until you are at a good stopping point, or you are just trying to get somewhere and you forget to eat.
We did this on our way to the Roman ruins of Caesarea or Kaysaria. It’s a little south of Haifa where we were staying and we really wanted to see the ruins so he had to backtrack a little to find some great food.
Our stomachs were reminding us to eat about 2:00 in the afternoon when the hotel breakfast has long worn off. We were starving. Jim hadn’t even shut his door and I was already in this hummus stand, advertising fresh from the farm, hummus, right outside the ticket gate of Caesarea, one of the many Roman ruins in Asia.
The menu was in Hebrew, and I was too hungry to ask for the English menu, so I just said fill us up! I meant it. I wanted hummus and falafel, anyway you think I should have it.
Amit served us the traditional hummus with chickpeas and a hard-boiled egg. Beyond delicious! Then he brought over some pickled carrots, tomato, and onion, along with some pita and we just dug in. Pure heaven!
We could have had mushrooms (which we went back and tried another time and they were other-worldly), with chicken or meat, with a little spice. Quite frankly I don’t even know all the ways hummus is served. But one thing I know, they are all good.
The piece de resistance was the falafel. I read in the all-knowing copy of the Lonely Planet that the best falafel is green and gooey when bitten into, and oh was it ever good!
As I said, we went back again and told Amit and his partner that this was the best hummus in the country. Now, granted, we were only there a short time, but we never even came close to the freshness of this shack. I highly recommend to everyone on their way to Caesarea not to miss it!
Here’s the place. Don’t pass it by!
As I’m sure you know, hummus is not the only wonderful food offered in Israel, take a look at this post for a full Israel food guide from Sher.
Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.