Pardes Hanna-Karkur emerges as Israeli food destination with 30 restaurants

Pardes Hanna-Karkur, a 50,000-resident Israeli town with no hotels, is emerging as a surprising food destination with at least 30 restaurants, according to Deputy Mayor Eyal Kogan. The town offers diverse dining options, from a food truck importing New York bagels to chef-driven spots like Hersheleh's bistro and Pasta Loco, which serves creative dishes like black tortellini and acclaimed pizza. Many venues are kosher-certified. The food scene reflects the town's colorful, community-focused character, with restaurants like Pasta Loco emphasizing personal connections, treating patrons as family rather than customers. A hotel is reportedly in the planning stage.