Haifa Film Festival 2026: A Culinary Guide to Cinema, Food and Wine
The 42nd Haifa International Film Festival combines world-class cinema with a vibrant culinary journey, offering everything from artisan morning bakeries and local street food to fine wine bars and exclusive film screenings.
The 42nd Haifa International Film Festival returns this year during the intermediate days of Sukkot, offering a rich culinary journey alongside its cinematic lineup. From morning coffee to late-night drinks, Haifa's vibrant food scene provides a perfect backdrop for festival-goers.
Morning Bites and Specialty Coffee
For a flawless morning, Sunflower in Bat Galim—founded by Mai Maor and Ynon Neshri—serves exceptional coffee, wonderful pastries, and sandwiches celebrating local produce inside the historic Melis House. Another fantastic bakery option is Sally in Wadi Salib, known for its delectable sourdough breads, savory pan dishes, and must-try cardamom rolls. If you are strictly chasing specialty coffee, head to Taltul in Talpiot Market, Neima in Wadi Salib, or Maagan downtown.
Midday Feasts from Pitas to Tavernas
Lunch brings a wealth of flavors, starting with Lululeesh by Chef Hamudi Oukleh, where charcoal-grilled meats and vegetables meet fresh pitas and prime cuts. Nearby, the Thai in the Market delivers bold, authentic dishes courtesy of Thai Chef Visitini Sanguan, while its sibling establishment, the Italian in the Market, serves fresh handmade pasta. For a true Haifa institution, Maayan Habira has been serving traditional Eastern European fare like smoked pork and veal kowtice alongside cold draft beer since 1962.
Culinary Cinema Highlights
The festival's dedicated culinary track features three remarkable films exploring food and wine culture: God Forgives Everyone, an Italian romantic comedy about a Sicilian pastry chef; Hallo Betty, a Swiss comedic drama about the true origins of Betty Bossi; and Burgundy, a French documentary tracing the heritage of world-renowned winemakers. Special screenings will be followed by engaging panel discussions hosted by journalist Hila Alpert, featuring guest culinary experts.
Evening Dinners and Natural Wines
As evening falls, Neapolitan offers superb pizzas infused with local Israeli character, while a second Sunflower location serves NYC-Mediterranean sourdough pies. For seafood and vibrant atmosphere, Hamara Talpiot features new seasonal creations by Chef Omri Raveh, and Kimiko offers an exquisite minimalist omakase experience curated by Kobi Shanan. To wind down the night, natural wine bars like Zero Zero in Talpiot Market and Wine Bar by Andre Suidan in Merkaz HaCarmel offer the perfect final toast.
