11 Best Restaurants in Upper Galilee and the Golan, Israel

This charming inn takes its name from the original Hotel Shulamit, where the 1948 Armistice Treaty was signed. The home-smoked meats and fish are unique and worth trying, as are the seasonal soups, seafood dishes, and the elegant array of desserts. If you can't bear to leave, the inn has three French country--style guest rooms.

Ask any local about their favorite place to eat and they will direct you toward this family restaurant tucked into a small shopping center. The menu has a hearty selection of pastas, pizzas, seafood, and meat dishes, all with a contemporary Middle Eastern touch. It sits opposite Kibbutz Ma'ayan Baruch. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends when the place is packed with locals.

The town of Maalot-Tarshisha is home to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim families, and they rub elbows while dining at Aluma Bistro. Decorated with artifacts from Provence, the burgundy-toned dining room buzzes with locals in search of an extraordinary meal. Young Arab chef Alaa Sweetat weaves seasonal French and traditional Galilean styles into a tapestry of taste. Inquire about the daily specials, which may include seasonally foraged vegetables and a fresh catch of the day.

This is the best corral this side of the Israel--Syria disengagement zone. Saddle-shape stools at the bar and cattle hides on the walls contribute to the frontier atmosphere. But it's the food—specifically the hearty steaks and the house specialty, chicken breast stuffed with smoked meat—that packs them in at this place, known locally as HaBokrim. Advance reservations are required for the Friday night kosher buffet.

This forested area beside the gurgling Dan River draws enthusiastic crowds, especially on the weekends for fresh river trout. This was the first restaurant in the region to specialize in the abundant fish from the river; you can also take a look at the trout ponds in a small installation on the grounds. The slightly outdated restaurant, opposite Kibbutz Hagoshrim, is tucked away behind the main road, but it's large and well signposted. The same management also runs a café next door serving vegetarian fare.

With a name that literally means "the cabin," HaBikta evokes the smoked meats for which it's best known. The chicken and steaks, smoked over cherrywood and grapevines, come with access to the generous salad buffet. Try the whole chickpeas coated in cumin and green onions, or the coriander tossed with slivered almonds and lentils.

This ranch-style restaurant, whose name means "The Mill," uses only the best beef from local cattle for its T-bones. The kitchen also grills up tasty sausages, lamb chops, and hamburgers. Each entrée comes with grilled vegetables and either fries or baked potatoes, so you won't go away hungry. The place gets crowded, so reservations are a good idea.

Go easy on the appetizers here, as you'll want to save room for this sleek, modern kosher eatery's savory meat dishes. Those in the know recommend the generous veal entrecôte and the lamb chops in a flavorful sauce of caramel, oranges, mint, and ginger. Avoid the creamy desserts, which don't contain real dairy. The extensive wine list is a pleasure, however.

The local spirit at play in this restaurant's name—a combination of moshav and kibbutz, two types of Israeli agricultural communities—also shapes the menu at Moshbutz. This eatery's farm-fresh philosophy is integral, as the chef sources all of the ingredients from Golan Heights. The abundant wine and beer menu offer a chance to taste options from the surrounding vineyards and microbreweries. Choose the rump carpaccio and liver pâté for starters, but save room for the aged beef and lamb. Sit in the nicely converted cow shed and enjoy a glass of Muscat dessert wine or port from a nearby vineyard while enjoying a spectacular sunset over the Sea of Galilee.

Located in Nimrod, a short drive south of Majdal Shams, this whimsical restaurant is decorated with smiling witch dolls and boasts a magnificent view of volcanic lakes and cherry fields. The staff is attentive and friendly, and the food is hearty. The chef specializes in casseroles, such as salmon cooked with coconut milk, ginger, and oranges. Another tasty dish is the lamb simmered in white wine and served with root vegetables.

This whimsically decorated restaurant specializes in warming casseroles, such as salmon cooked with coconut milk, ginger, and oranges. Another tasty dish is the lamb simmered in white wine and served with root vegetables. Despite moving locations after 20 years, the witch dolls adorning the walls continue to smile down on satisfied regulars.