2 Best Restaurants in Upper Galilee and the Golan, Israel

For a delicious dessert, stop by Abu Zaid on Majdal Shams' main street, which sells a type of orange-hued pastry called knafeh. Similar to baklava, it has delicious layers of gooey goat cheese covered in a flaky crust and peppered with pistachios. Ask for a slice from the large tray—one serving could be easily enjoyed by two. The to-go delicacy loses its charm when it cools down, so eat it while it's warm.

This popular Old City eatery's upstairs dining room has benches and tables inlaid with Middle Eastern designs, walls painted the soft shade of blue found inside local synagogues, and colorful carpets from all over the region. The strikingly dressed owner and chef, Ronen Jarufi, makes each meal to order. Choose from a variety of Yemenite breads—lachuch, malawa, or jachnun are all good picks—and he'll top it with homemade cheese and his own hot sauce. The place also stocks evocative Jewish music and books on Kabbalah.