The Directory of Ramallah's Eateries
Recent months have seen an veritable explosion of the number of eateries in the Ramallah area, with this listing updated in May 1997 with 5 new eateries. With a new restaurant or cafe opening practically every week, there is certainly no shortage of places to eat and drink. Places which serve arguilas and - or alcohol are indicated by the bottle and arguila symbol.
Al-Ajami 
(Main Street, near the Lower Ramallah petrol station)
One of Ramallah's newer restaurants, modelled on the American Colony Hotel by the look of it. Beautiful decor in this restored Old Ramallah house, with rolling cellar rooms and a balcony containing a bar, cafe and restaurant. Creative and tasty sandwiches in the cafe and one of the few places in Ramallah you can order draft Taybeh Beer, (the golden local delight).
Al-Asiil
(Main Street)
A large arguila smoking den with a small selection of snacks and soft drinks. Set on the roof of one of Ramallah's many tall buildings, Al-Asiil has two sections, one in the style of a bedouin tent with floor cushions and a sacking ceiling, the other section is more palatial with tiled tables and alcove seats.
Angelo's
(Main Street, tel. 02 995 6408)
A long standing Ramallah favourite, Angelo's has a dependable range of western and eastern food served in a relaxed atmosphere.
Bardounis
(Jaffa St., tel.02 995 1410)
Good, if slightly expensive (for the budget traveller) buffets.
Broasted Chicken
(Jerusalem St., Al-Bireh, tel. 02 998 6891)
A neon-lit fast food 'Kentucky Fried style' chicken joint offering a range of Arabic salads for accompaniment.
Costa's
(Main St., after the Angelos crossroads)
Armenian restuarant serving stuffed pigeon. Food unexciting and not to be confused with the Jerusalem Old City Costa's cafe which serves incredible food.
Flamingo's
(69 Al-Ahlyah College St., tel.02 998 5813)
One of the new bar-restaurant breed that has recently been opening in Ramallah. Bright and somewhat funky with its neon flamingos and sparkling bar, Flamingo's has novelty appeal in Ramallah. It serves an odd mixture of Mexican, American and Arabic food.
Henny Penny
(opposite Al-Bireh Municipality)
Another broasted-type American chain restaurant which majors on chicken. Value for money if you don't mind the fast food vibe.
Kan Bata Zaman
(Main St.)
This high street cafe has no sign and doesn't seem to need one. Its imaginative decor and menu of drinks, snacks and meals attracts a constant crowd of trendy Ramallans.
Kan Zaman
(Radio Boulevard, in the Mukhmas building)
This roof top restaurant serves drinks and Arabic meze to a family and young male clientele. A stunning sunset view is to be had from the out door section.
Mandy Chinese Restaurant
(off Main St., opposite Rukab's Ice Cream Parlour)
A selection of vaguely Chinese dishes served in red surroundings.
Maroush
(off the Clock Manara, tel. 050 587 943)
A stylishly subtle restaurant with a European - Arab mix of food and an out door section for those summer evenings. Maroush is starting to offer a summertime disco on Saturdays, in the style of R.R.Cheers.
Miami Pension Italian Restaurant
(Jaffa St., tel. 02 995 6808)
Good selection of vegetarian options. Quite good Italian food.
Minaret Restaurant
(Off the Clock Manara, towards Sirraj Theatre)
Family business branching out from over a decade of experience in Jerusalem. Lebanese food a speciality.
Muntaza - Al Bireh
(behind the Al-Bireh Municipality)
Perfect quiet garden atmosphere for an afternoon drink or ice cream. They also serve a selection of food.
Muntaza - Ramallah
(Jaffa St., tel.02 995 6835)
This out door park-restaurant serves snacks, and popular western and arabic meals to a local family clientele.
Nevertiti
(Al Ma'rad St., tel. 02 995 3523)
This cheap family restaurant has an excellent selection of traditional Arabic meals and a fruit and vegetable table for fresh juice combinations.
Palnet@K5M
(Main St., tel. 02 995 6813)
K5M is Palestine's first Internet cafe. Also, a restaurant that serves pizza, pasta and burgers. The Internet access is cheap and the pizzas are filling. What more needs to be said?
The Plaza
(Jaffa St., tel. 02 995 6020)
Uninviting entrance sign and in any case, why go to the Plaza when Bardouni's is just next door? Maybe the food is amazing but I never had the opportunity to eat there and couldn't find anyone who had.
R.R.Cheers
(Jaffa St., tel. 02 998 7188 / 050536 385)
Aimed at the business people and yuppie set of Ramallah, this bar - restaurant serves a mixture of Arabic and Western food with an open buffet on Friday and Sunday afternoons and disco night on Saturdays.
San Remo
(Main Street, on the right before Angelos)
Another pizza and Italian place in Ramallah.
Subway
(Nablus Road, on the right if you turn left on the way to Jerusalem)
The American sandwich chain, offering 2-for-1 deals on Tuesdays. Tasty.
Za'arour Barbecue
(behind the Ramallah municipality, tel. 02 995 6767)
The best salads in town are to be found at Za'rour's, which also serves a selection of barbecued meat dishes.
Biladna Ice Cream Parlour
(Main St.)
Milk shakes, sundaes, cocktails and plain old ice-cream.
Eiffel Sweets
(Jerusalem Road, after Broasted Chicken)
"Best Kanafi in town" say people but see Jafar Sweets below.
European Bakery
(Main St.)
For gooey cream besplattered gateaux and a range of biscuits (in America read cookies) and other sweet concoctions.
Jafar Sweets
(Al-Bireh, tel. 02 995 7329)
"Best Kanafi in town" say people but see Eiffel Sweets above.
Rukab's Ice Cream
(22 Main St., tel. 02 995 6467)
Palestinian-Americans have dreams about this ice cream with its distinctive Arabica gum consistency. Taste it to believe it.
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