Recommended Sweets in Old Akko

The Malabi House

Tina Khativ, a native of Akko, has always dreamed of entertaining people and making them happy. She learned the preparation of the mahalabia (malabi) from her grandmother and today she is fulfilling a dream in a place she opened and renovated with her own hands.
The Malabi or Mahalabia House, established in 2018, is a beautiful and colorful stand. The stand offers an excellent mahalabia according to the Turkish-Akko tradition handmade from only quality raw materials.
Tina says, “Since childhood, I have been very attached to mahalabia. Until the moment I decided to open my own shop I could not find mahalabia that reminded me of the one from my childhood, the mahalabia I tasted everywhere was too simple for me and did not remind me of the original taste. In our Arab community, when you want to describe a very special woman, she is said to be a “malabi woman.”
The reference is to an intense and exquisite woman with everything from soft to hard, sweet and sour, delicate and sometimes challenging. ”
This is exactly what sets TIna’s mahalabia apart from the rest.

The mahalabia is served in a traditional way, it is very elegant in its taste, texture, appearance, and variety of toppings. The generous additions to the mahalabia actually increase its nutritional value, the mahalabia is produced without sugar and the traditional rose water is made by hand.
The place is located in the heart of the alleys of Old Akko, a few steps from the beautiful port of Akko with its clear water and a marina that is fun to walk through.
The next time you come to Akko, order a delicious mahalabia and take it down to the port to enjoy the treat in front of a spectacular view!
You can enjoy a variety of mahalabia types: Vegan, mango, rice, anise wheat, semolina, and other traditional sweets.

Operating Hours:
Open Daily, Closed Mondays
11 am – 8 pm
Ha-Shuk ha-Amami

Phone: 072-3971236

Turkiz Cafe & Restaurant

Turkiz Cafe is an island of beauty and taste in ancient Akko.
You can choose whether to sit in a beautiful alley and feel the city continue to beat around you or enter the pleasant restaurant and enjoy a pampering breakfast, Samir’s Shakshuka or Manakish (pita with za’atar, cheese, and onion). You can also stop for a short break for a fine Akko coffee alongside an unforgettable and unique knafe and malabi. Everything will be served to you by Samir Asdi with a big smile and attention to every detail. The dishes and coffee will be served to you on plates from Samir’s private collection. A collection that he particularly cherishes and loves.

Ha-Shuk ha-Amami

Phone: 072-3971189

Kashash Sweets

Photo: Lin Levi

Akko’s most famous candy store! As soon as you enter, dozens of trays with a variety of traditional sweets are spread out in front of you, including various types of baklava, including their well-known hot chocolate baklava. The shop also offers amazing knafe and plenty of authentic Middle Eastern sweets!

Ha-Shuk ha-Amami

Operating Hours: Sunday to Saturday from 8:30 am – 7 pm
Phone: 072-3941153

Nazareth Sweets

This candy store was opened 30 years ago by the Kilani family who learned the secrets of dough, sugar, and nuts in Nazareth. Everything sold in the store is baked and produced on-site. There is a variety of baklava, kadaif, and knafe decorated with love.
To balance the sweetness, you can enjoy the local coffee!

Salah a Din St 21

Opening Hours: Sunday to Saturday from 9 am – 11 pm

Phone: 04-9919285

Beshtawe Sweets

Izu, the owner of Beshtawe Sweets, started making his famous sweets in 1962. The store opened 14 years ago in the center of the popular market and offers cookies, cakes, traditional cookies dipped in honey, dry fruit cookies, pistachio, almond, and nut cookies.
Recently Izu’s wife started making knafe and you can enjoy this delicacy there as well!

Ha-Shuk ha-Amami

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 7 am – 6 pm
Phone: 052-7078782