Garden Restaurant — Restaurant in Haifa

OMG. I haven't been to the German Colony in Haifa in over 20 years and the Ben Gurion strip feels like from another country. The Garden offered one of those complete dining experience that it's hard to think of anything that could be improved or changed. We were 3 families with kids. So first off they have a big play pen where kids can go wild. Big plus. The feeling is very unbuttoned but the service is attentive. Simple yet aesthetic touches greet you as you walk in, like a natural living canopy of hanging plants, individually designed tables with embedded ceramic tiles and a huge taboon. We sat outside, which was great because of the abundance of shade yet they were sensitive enough to bring out blankets as soon as the sun started to set and the Mediterranean breeze started creeping up the boulevard. Oh, and the priceless view of the Baha'i Gardens was an added bonus. Now for the food. You can read about it elsewhere but as far as we were concerned, it was so well prepared from beginning to end. You don't want to fill up on starters because the meat is the main dish so we've had the fried cauliflower in tahini powder over tahini sauce and Amba, stuffed delicate meat kibeh, and some hummus. We shared a meat platter for 3 and added an extra dish of lamb Osobuku from the taboon and it was just enough for all 6 adults. The only redundant item on that platter we're the chicken breasts but they ended up being a great snack for those who needed an extra kick for some reason. The platter has moist lamb kebobs, lamb ribs, beef fillets, and a steak. On the middle was a copper pan with the most creamy (non dairy) gravy with an assortment of grilled vegetables swimming in it. Everything that this gravy touched became even better. The taboon meat fell off the bone and landed on a bed of rice with almond slivers. It was heavenly. We didn't do desserts but you could. I loved how none of us felt full to the point of wanting to roll over and die. It was clearly made with love. Ultimately, it proved that if the cooks love the people they are serving, if the staff is actually looking out for you, if you see waiters tending to the green canopy with such care, you can be certain that this united effort will bring out some unforgettable food. And it did. Go...

TL;DR: Charming garden-like spot with a great variety of salads

We came here for a family breakfast and had the "Breakfast for All" option. The restaurant has a large, covered yard filled with plants and plenty of tables, giving it a pleasant garden feel—the name definitely fits!

Unfortunately, smoking is allowed in the outdoor area, which took away from the fresh sea breeze and made it a bit less enjoyable.

The breakfast includes two drinks:

The coffee was okay but served too hot—the milk was clearly over-steamed.

The juice was from a bottle and nothing special.

You can choose the style of your eggs, and add extras like herbs, cheese, or onions.

The real highlight was the large tray of side dishes: Several types of excellent cheeses, fresh butter, hummus, tahini with eggplant, and tuna. Everything was fresh and flavorful. It also comes with a fresh salad and warm pita bread.

Overall, it was a good, satisfying meal at a reasonable price. Would recommend for a relaxed breakfast—especially if you can avoid the...

My credit card was taken to the back room without my approval and was kept there for a whole 8 minutes

I expected my waiter to use my card on a portable machine in front of me, but he grabbed it from the table and took it to the back when i wasn't looking

I felt uncomfortable, but i let it slide What made me worry even more is that the same waiter came back a few minutes later WITHOUT my card, helped another table, and only then went to get my card from the back room

This means he gave my card to someone else So i came in for a coffee, and my card was taken out of my sight for 8 minutes and was passed around between multiple employees

If this isn't credit card theft, i don't know what is Rest assured, i came in for a coffee, and ended up having to go through the hassle of canceling my credit card and ordering a new one

If you come here, make sure to carry cash with you or there is a chance your card will be taken out of your sight and your credit card information...