One of the great joys of travel is meeting folks from different cultures and communities. There is no better way of connecting with Israelis than around the dinner table. So when in Israel, eat as the Israelis do.
Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, there are several apps that facilitate exactly that type of interaction. The most widely used is EatWith, a San Francisco, California-based organization that was founded in 2012 by Israelis Guy Michlin and Shemer Schwartz The app lets you book a seat for a home meal with a person or family that does all the cooking. In addition to the food, you'll get to discover the culture from the inside by meeting real people in their home setting.
As you may have heard, interacting with Israelis on the street won’t necessarily leave you with the best impression. But break bread with them in their own home, and you will get a whole new perspective. Plus, you get the added bonus of engaging them in conversation about whatever you like. Israelis are hard to offend, so money, politics, and religion are often not off the table. Or you can keep it light and ask for recommendations on favorite spots/activities and local culture.
The EatWith concept is fairly straightforward; it brings people back to the home-cooked meal, sharing food and conversation around a host’s table. Hosts advertise their meals on the website, giving a general idea of what they will be serving, the number of people at the table, and the cost per person, which can range from $30 to around $100. It’s not about budget dining, either, since hosting people in one’s home isn’t necessarily cheaper in terms of ingredients, or time. Rather, it’s about having a dining experience that can’t be had otherwise.
(BTW, if you do book a meal, you may get 10% off your next booking with code 'EAT10WITH'. You can use it anywhere in the world there are EatWith hosts, not just in Israel)
Though EatWith is the dominant app is this arena, alternative website include:
B'Tayavon! = Bon appétit!
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