Every year, there are more and more food and drink events in Israel. Where there was once only falafel and hummus, there is now world-renowned gastronomy with influences from around the world. Israeli cuisine is ever-changing. It has gained worldwide recognition and has attracted a large number of foodies, from amateurs to connoisseurs and top chefs. Israel’s cuisine is a force to be reckoned with. It is a perfect blend between history and modernity, timeless age-old flavors meshed with bits and pieces from around the world. Over the years, a number of food and drink festivals have sprung up around Israel, each offering a unique perspective of this small but blossoming Middle Eastern country.
Attending a food or drink festival is a fun way to experience the “Holy Land.” The festivals are fun, they’re modern, and they show a unique side of Israel. Here are the best food and drink festivals happening in 2020.
Tel Aviv Eat
The most popular food festival in Israel is by far Tel Aviv Eat in Charles Close Park in Tel Aviv. This food festival draws hundreds of vendors and thousands of spectators coming to get a taste of the flavors of international Tel Aviv. The three-day festival offers every imaginable cuisine like Thai, Indian, Greek, Ethiopian, and more. It showcases some of the best chefs across Israel and gives a taste of the most delicious dishes from fan-favorite restaurants. The festival takes place around the end of May at Charles Clore Park in Tel Aviv. 2020 DATES TBA.
So French So Food
The So French So Food festival is newer in the game in the last few years but has already been gaining a lot of notoriety. The festival is put on by the French Embassy in Israel and emphasizes French cuisine at restaurants and bakeries throughout Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Beer Sheva, Nazareth, Tiberias, and Zichron Yaacov. Chefs will create special menus that highlight French gastronomy, especially from the Rhone-Alpes region. The festival will take place this year in locations across Israel from February 9-13.
Vegan Fest
The Tel Aviv Vegan Festival is the largest vegan festival in the world. Tel Aviv, consistently rated as one of the best cities for vegans and full of yummy vegan restaurants, brings paradise to vegans for two days. Vegans can enjoy over 100 stalls from the most delicious vegan restaurants and stores throughout Israel. There are activities for children, lectures about living a healthy lifestyle, and cooking workshops with recognized chefs. The festival is held at Sarona Market in Tel Aviv in June. 2020 dates TBA.
Jerusalem Wine Festival
The Jerusalem Wine Festival is the best place to come and try hundreds of Israeli wines from over 60 wineries across Israel. Other than wine, the festival offers a variety of food stalls with foods like sushi and fries and live music and a DJ. 2020 DATES TBA.
The Jerusalem Beer Festival
The Jerusalem Beer Festival is the hottest place to be for beer lovers. It has been running for 15 years and draws in both locals and tourists alike. It features over 50,000 liters and 120 beers from around Israel. The festival takes place in August in Independence Park in Jerusalem. 2020 DATES TBA.
Tel Aviv Cocktail Week
Tel Aviv, known as the “city that never sleeps,” is a mecca of delicious cocktails. The Tel Aviv Cocktail Week takes place in participating bars and clubs across the city. Tickets for Tel Aviv Cocktail week give people unlimited 25 NIS cocktails in more than 30 local bars across the city. The event takes place in June. 2020 DATES TBA.
To experience the best of Israeli food year-round, join one of our food or wine tours. Our tours will introduce you to the best foods in Israel. You’ll learn about the history and get to know everything there is to know about Israeli cuisine, herbs, and spices.
