Traveling with celiac disease can be overwhelming, but if you find yourself in the Pardes Hana or Zichron Ya’akov area, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. Since moving to the area, I’ve been on the hunt for the best gluten-free places to eat. Here are some of my top recommendations:
Pardes Hanna:
Blikemah BaMoshava
The beloved gluten-free bakery Blikemah, a favorite among the Israeli celiac community in Tel Aviv, has expanded to Pardes Hana. Their Moshava location offers a delightful breakfast menu, sandwiches, and salads. Freshly baked breads and pastries are brought from their Tel Aviv bakery daily. Additionally, they sell gluten-free goodies like pasta, snacks, and baking supplies. The café is Kosher.
Barelee Bar
Did you know one of the first places to bring açaí to Israel is in Pardes Hana? Barelee Bar is a vegan café serving tropical vacation vibes. Their beautifully plated dishes taste incredibly fresh. I loved the avocado bowl and chia pudding, while Moshe enjoyed the avocado toast and beet carpaccio. They recently opened a second location in Binyamina.
HaDuchan – Gluten Free
HaDuchan is a pop-up bakery with a cozy coffee cart atmosphere, located behind an apartment complex in Pardes Hana. It doesn’t have regular hours, so check Instagram for weekly opening updates. Their savory onion jam pastry and Turkish boureka are must-tries. They also have pizza nights.
Binyamina:
Tofu An
For delicious Japanese food in Israel, head to Tofu An in Binyamina. This charming spot focuses on homemade tofu and offers a wide selection of gluten-free dishes, from sushi to noodle bowls. Even my meat-loving husband is a fan! The owner, originally from Japan, brings traditional tofu-making methods to Israel. Check their Instagram for varying hours. You can find them at Haatzmaut St 74.
Zichron Ya’akov:
Uma Sushi Bar
Uma Sushi Bar in Zichron Ya’akov has a separate gluten-free workspace, making it one of the few sushi restaurants in Israel that takes celiac disease seriously. It’s a favorite for both dates and takeout. Besides sushi, they offer fantastic rice noodle and curry dishes. Uma is Kosher, so be sure to make a reservation as there is usually a wait.
Sholtik Brunch
The best brunch in Zichron Ya’akov is at a bar! Sholtik Brunch, located at Sholtik Bar, has elevated the breakfast scene with offerings like truffle Parmesan eggs, caramelized onion egg salad, avocado, cheeses, green salad, and mimosas. They provide gluten-free bread at no extra charge. The Boker Sholtik, enough for 2-3 people, costs 124 NIS and is a great value. The café is dairy-only and open on Shabbat. It’s located on the midrachov of Zichron, and reservations are recommended, especially on Friday mornings.
For more gluten-free eats across Israel, check out this map:
