Whenever I visit a new country, I seek out its cultural offerings—art, architecture, festivals, and more. Given my interests, I also explore the local culinary scene, wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, bars, and culinary markets.
If I were visiting Israel for the first time, I would likely head straight to Tel Aviv and find myself at the Sarona Market. If I were planning a visit to Sarona, I would be excited to go this week, on September 5th and 6th, for the Farms and Beverages Fair.
Curated by wine, alcohol, and Basta expert Aviram Katz and food researcher Michal Levit, the fair offers artisanal goods from about twenty stalls, including alcoholic beverages, baked goods, cheeses, and pantry products—all made from fresh, locally sourced produce that respects the land.
Among the participants: OPA restaurant, alongside friends from Yaar Farm who specialize in growing unique mushrooms; Tene, the pantry brand of OCD restaurant; the food rescue initiative Adama Le'Adam with goat dairy products and herbs; Kapanda Farm with quality beef from Kerem Maharal; and Greenly Dairy with special cheeses.
Sade Aromatics Farm will showcase the wonders of lavender, 'Luna Bistro' will offer handmade freekeh-based pastries, HaKhusha Bakery from Ein Zivan in the Golan Heights will bring sweet pastries, baguettes, and specialty breads, and Fishop restaurant will serve special dishes featuring Israeli wasabi from Nishi Wasabi.
What to Drink
The fair will feature several drink stalls, including bars with cocktails made from locally sourced ingredients and booths showcasing the finest local alcohol producers.
Participants include Julius Distillery from the Galilee, Milk & Honey Distillery partnering with Otello Ice Cream for a special whiskey and ice cream dish, Holy! Bitters, Vedetta 52 Vermouth by winemaker Eyal Drori, Nama Sternlicht's tonic, Zohara Distillery from the Gilboa region, and 'HaMetassefa' ciders, among others.
Importers Free Spirits and The Spirit Curator will also present artisanal family brands from around the world.
A Highlight Worth Noting
Aviram Katz, the fair's alcohol curator, said, "We wanted to highlight the artisanal alcohol scene in Israel. There has been a revolution here in recent years, with many local producers and importers. The exciting connection with the drinks brings alcohol back to its roots, as an agricultural and artisanal branch, countering the race for uniform brands and flavors."
"The importers at the fair have changed the conversation in bars, demonstrating that there are much more interesting things in the world of tequila, rum, and more. With Israeli brands, the possibilities are endless, from Julius's well-known spirits and Holy! Bitters' Israeli bitters to local products like citrus extracts, hawaij, Vedetta 52 vermouth, unique whiskey brands, and more."
"It's time to proudly say that we have something interesting here worth highlighting. What's happening in the alcohol world is similar to the boutique wineries revolution, where they took on the big wineries and transformed the industry."
Additionally, a social pop-up bakery led by Chef Erez Komarovsky and students from the Danon Culinary School will open, baking challah with the best of Israeli produce, using flour donated by Shteibel Flour Mills. All proceeds from the pop-up will go to the Hostages and Missing Persons headquarters.
Where: Sarona Market, Tel Aviv
When: Thursday, 5/9, 10:00-23:00Friday, 6/9, 10:00-16:00