Specializing in Middle Eastern cuisine at this beautiful new restaurant in downtown Vancouver. It’s owned by 5 best friends which is made up of Israelis and Palestinians and they have melded their cultures together to bring the cuisine from Haifa, Israel.

Located on the ground floor of the Deloitte Summit building on Georgia at Homer. Bar Haifa features 55 indoor seats, including a cocktail bar, chef’s table, banquette seating and an open kitchen, along with a spacious outdoor patio that will double its seating during the summer.

Bar Haifa is the new elevated concept from the founders of Toronto’s beloved Palestinian-Israeli eatery, The Haifa Room. Seasoned restaurateurs Fadi Hakim, Waseem Dabdoub, Yossi Mirashi Eastwood, Daniel Suss and Mark Kupfert first came together in 2021 to serve up the best falafel, hummus and sabich pita sandwiches in Ontario. They found a loyal following, especially after Chef Jason Hemi joined the team.

Executive Chef Jason Hemi leads the kitchen here in Vancouver at Bar Haifa where he and his team serve delicious dishes for lunch and dinner.

Lawrence joined me and we tried almost three quarters of the dinner menu of which I have noted by favourites.

We both had one of their refreshing Pomegranate Mocktails –not on the menu, just ask them to make it

We both loved the Seasonal hummus with brussel sprouts, pistachio gastrique and lemon zestalong with the Cashew Muhammara with cashews, piquilo, aleppo and pine nuts; came with pita for dipping.

The Labneh Brûlée was a unique dish that has a spice kick with harissa and feta.

The Snap Peas with amba mayo were a good bar snack to go with the mocktails or cocktails. The Falafel with herb tahini is chef’s magical recipe; and the Kofta made with lamb & beef, Jerusalem spice mix, and harissa tahini; was another one of my favourites.

Kale Fattoush a colourful salad is another favourite with goat cheese, roast beets, pita chips, sumac shallots, pomegranate, and apricot vinaigrette. 

Both the Haifa Potatoes made with Yukon gold potatoes, garlic toum, and honey butter harissa and the Jerusalem Artichoke karaage with miso sumac were delicious.

I loved the Whole market fish – Red Sea bream with aleppo chimichurri and charred lemon.

Another good dish to share is the Haifa 1/2 chicken with braised kale, za’atar fries and gravy.

Both desserts were standouts; Knafe with ricotta tart, saffron syrup, preserved lemon curd, toasted pistachio as well as the Burnt Cashew Tahini Ice cream with date syrup and dukkah.

Bar Haifa is located at 410 W Georgia Street in Vancouver. You can follow them on Instagram @barhaifa, The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday – Saturday.

By: Richard Wolak