Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Israel's Oversized Delicacies Blend Tradition, History and Culture
The article describes food and sights in Israel.
It says the portions can be very large.
One shawarma in Old Jaffa is so big that it may be enough for two people.
Visitors can walk through historic Jaffa and see Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea.
The Abulafia family has operated a bakery in Jaffa since 1879.
The bakery makes pitas, pastries, sweets and other breads.
Its Muslim Arab owners say Jews, Christians and Muslims all enjoy the food.
Indians working in Israel are also described as regular customers.
A jumbo shawarma at Clock Tower Square in Old Jaffa is described as large enough for two people.
A walk through Jaffa leads past the Big Mosque and St Peter’s Church, overlooking Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea.
Abulafia Bakery’s first Jaffa bakery was established in 1879 and its ovens have continued operating for nearly a century and a half.
Said Abulafia says his Muslim Arab family has run the bakery through six generations and has a 500-year history in Israel.
Abulafia Bakery sells pitas, pastries, sweets, savouries and breads at 13 branches across Israel, serving customers from different communities.
- Who
- Travelers, the Abulafia family, and customers from Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Indian communities are discussed.
- What
- The article describes Israel’s large food portions, Jaffa’s sights, and the history and products of Abulafia Bakery.
- When
- Abulafia Bakery’s first Jaffa bakery was established in 1879; the article also describes its nearly century-and-a-half baking tradition.
- Where
- The locations include Old Jaffa, Clock Tower Square, Jaffa Hill, Tel Aviv and Abulafia Bakery branches across Israel.
- Featured dish
- A jumbo shawarma from Clock Tower Square in Old Jaffa
- Bakery founding
- Abulafia Bakery’s first bakery was established in Jaffa in 1879
- Family history
- Said Abulafia describes the family as having a 500-year history in Israel
- Family generation
- Said Abulafia is identified as a sixth-generation bakery businessman
- Bakery products
- Pitas, sweets, savouries, sesame bagels, za’atar pita and stuffed sambusak
- Branch network
- The bakery has 13 other branches across Israel in addition to its Jaffa location
- Customer base
- The bakery is described as being popular with Jews, Christians, Muslims and Indians working in Israel