4 Best Restaurants in Upper Galilee and the Golan, Israel

This is the best corral this side of the Israel--Syria disengagement zone. Saddle-shape stools at the bar and cattle hides on the walls contribute to the frontier atmosphere. But it's the food—specifically the hearty steaks and the house specialty, chicken breast stuffed with smoked meat—that packs them in at this place, known locally as HaBokrim. Advance reservations are required for the Friday night kosher buffet.

This ranch-style restaurant, whose name means "The Mill," uses only the best beef from local cattle for its T-bones. The kitchen also grills up tasty sausages, lamb chops, and hamburgers. Each entrée comes with grilled vegetables and either fries or baked potatoes, so you won't go away hungry. The place gets crowded, so reservations are a good idea.

Go easy on the appetizers here, as you'll want to save room for this sleek, modern kosher eatery's savory meat dishes. Those in the know recommend the generous veal entrecôte and the lamb chops in a flavorful sauce of caramel, oranges, mint, and ginger. Avoid the creamy desserts, which don't contain real dairy. The extensive wine list is a pleasure, however.

The local spirit at play in this restaurant's name—a combination of moshav and kibbutz, two types of Israeli agricultural communities—also shapes the menu at Moshbutz. This eatery's farm-fresh philosophy is integral, as the chef sources all of the ingredients from Golan Heights. The abundant wine and beer menu offer a chance to taste options from the surrounding vineyards and microbreweries. Choose the rump carpaccio and liver pâté for starters, but save room for the aged beef and lamb. Sit in the nicely converted cow shed and enjoy a glass of Muscat dessert wine or port from a nearby vineyard while enjoying a spectacular sunset over the Sea of Galilee.