Kalamata

Located in Jaffa’s picturesque Kedumim Square on top of the hill, overlooking the Mediterranean, Kalamata is a local favorite featuring Greek-inspired cuisine with a modern culinary twist.

The menu is constantly changing with different seasonal dishes and specials, but as every restaurant, there are some mainstay favorites that you won’t want to miss, such as the delectable crispy calamari, gnocchi with shrimp in a crab bisque, authentic Greek lamb souvlaki and gyros and a rich seafood salad (shrimp, mussels, calamari and scallops) in a rich yogurt sauce, among others. It’s really quite hard to go wrong with any of their dishes, as everything is well thought out and prepared to perfection.

For dessert, you can find some classic restaurant staples like crème brulee and chocolate mousse, but as long as you’re in Jaffa, it pays to try the knafe, a traditional Middle Eastern pastry made with local cheese soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup and a shredded phyllo dough crust.

The atmosphere at Kalamata is decidedly casual and intimate, with close corner seating, friendly staff and ouzo shots on the house to close out the meal. It’s worth it to get there a little early to try to get one of the several tables by the windows with a sea view.