At this attractive restaurant--bar at the foot of the Baha'i Gardens, olive trees hung with blue and green lights set the tone for the elaborate interior, which contains several intimate rooms. One is a "cave" with Arabic script on the walls, low banquettes, wooden stools, and filigree lamps; another is modern with leather seats, embroidered cushions, and a changing art exhibit set against burnt orange walls. The eponymous Fattoush Salad is a favorite, consisting of a generous helping of chopped tomato, cucumber, onion, and mint and sprinkled with crisp toasted pita pieces.

The German Colony is reminiscent of a promenade down a quaint, café-lined street in central Europe, and yet there’s a striking lack of breezy cafés to wander into. A clear favourite, among the few, is Fattoush, which offers a unique take on Middle Eastern cuisine, offering unusual salads, pies and rice dishes, in addition to desserts and drinks. The main attraction is undeniably the gorgeous terrace garden, set beneath hanging lamps that create a gentle ethereal atmosphere and enhanced by the view of the Baha’i Gardens, which are lit up at night.

Fashionable eateries like Fattoush are one reason why Israel’s third largest city and its biggest “mixed” one, as officially classified, is held up as a model of Jewish-Arab coexistence. Not everyone agrees with the concept, of course, and the “c” word is often qualified, placed in inverted commas, or simply dismissed as propaganda. Official figures say Arabs make up 14% of Haifa’s 280,000-strong population; unofficial estimates are closer to 18%, swelled by students and commuters from nearby Galilee.

At Fattoush 00 972 4 852 4930 in the German Colony, roll up your sleeves and surrender to the appetising chaos of stacked sharing plates. Beyond the namesake salad, discover the regional equivalent of soul food: houmous topped with mushrooms and garlic, cooked okra in a rich tomato sauce, and spiced minced veal, baked in the oven and drowned in tahini sauce. Perhaps the closest to traditional fine dining, at Hanamal 24 hanamal24.rest.co.il chef Ran Rosh fuses French cooking techniques and local flavours: think smoked roast aubergine with purple calamari, ground lamb truffles or artichoke salad with caramelised almonds.

Fattoush is located in the older, more Arab area of Haifa (Haifa is a very mixed city. Along with Hebrew-speaking Israelis, there is also a large population of Russian and Arabic speakers, as well as Druze people and the B’hai people who come and work in the gardens.) This area also happens to be the more touristy part of Haifa because, aesthetically, the architecture is lovely and it’s just below the B’hai gardens. It’s a must-visit for the view looking up at the gardens and the food, which is a bit more expensive, but absolutely delicious.

To experience the city’s true multiculturalism, simply head down to Fattoush. Located inside a beautiful old stone building in the German colony, Fattoush is a meeting place for Jews and Arabs, students, thinkers and artists, to come together in a laid back backyard, overlooking the Baha’i Gardens. Characterized by a unique atmosphere, olive trees, couches and cushions spread around, it’s a great place to familiarize yourself with basic dishes from the Arab cuisine.

The oldest culinary institution on Sedra has been housed since 1997 in an ancient stone building, and brings a new spirit to the Mediterranean genre in Haifa. At one time, Petush was the only restaurant around. But with Patosh's food came the appetite, and over the years a culinary boulevard arose further down the street

Fattoush is one of the leading restaurants in Haifa, located on the main road of the German Colony. It has a cool vibe and serves Middle Eastern dishes inspired by the Arab kitchen. I was there a few years ago, but still remember it as a good experience although I can’t remember what I ordered.

Though Fattoush is known as a great spot for a meal anytime of day, it’s also an excellent nightlife destination. The lights on the wide stone terrace convert the space into a sparkling garden bar. With some of the best food to be found in the neighborhood, Fattoush is not to be missed.

Experience the flavors of Lebanon at Fattoush in Haifa—a unique blend of restaurant, coffee shop, and book store awaits you.