Bargout Wine Bar and Bakery Opens in Haifa's Hipster Hadar District

The Hadar neighborhood in Haifa, stretching from the Talpiot market down the slope to Upper Hadar and the edges of the Carmel, has become the city's most intriguing and rapidly developing area. A stroll down its main artery, Masada Street, reveals a vibrant hipster vibe with an impressive density of bars—reminiscent of Tel Aviv's Florentin in its golden years, but with a distinct Haifa character.

The atmosphere here is vastly different from the Downtown area, which has long transitioned into a mainstream nightlife hub, or the bustling Talpiot market and the hyped Bat Galim. Hadar is something else entirely—the place to be for those young at heart seeking authentic cultural experiences. It is here, adjacent to a local Arab LGBTQ+ community bar, that a unique new wine bar named Bargout recently opened, functioning as a wine shop, bar, and morning bakery.

A Cozy Space with a Free Spirit

Bargout challenges conventional restaurant norms. The intimate venue features just 26 indoor seats and an additional 10 seats across three small tables on the sidewalk. There is no phone, no host, and reservations are not accepted—operating strictly on a walk-in basis from Wednesday to Saturday.

The interior design reflects the neighborhood's eclectic charm, with vinyl records of legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum displayed alongside curated wine bottles. Behind the wall, sharing space with the kitchen, is the Bargout Bakery, open from Tuesday to Saturday from morning until late afternoon.

Founder Hamudi Bargout, 38, shares his philosophy:

"I don't work on Sundays and Mondays. The mind needs to rest. After undergoing bypass surgery and previously co-owning pioneering Acre restaurants like Al-Marsa and Sama, I wanted to create a space that feels personal. This is the first place I've opened without partners, which is why it bears my name."

To craft the menu, Bargout partnered with Chef Nidal Haroubi, a Bedouin chef from Mhar, known for his work at the kosher Arab restaurant Mansoura.

Redefining Arab Cuisine

Chef Nidal Haroubi deliberately steers away from traditional culinary clichés:

"I wanted to do things differently here. Enough with kubbeh, tabbouleh, and shishbarak—you can find those anywhere."

The menu features just 13 dishes and one dessert, each incorporating a creative twist on traditional Arab flavors adapted for a minimalist wine bar setting. Prices are highly accessible, with most dishes ranging between 32 and 98 ILS. The most premium item on the menu is a beef fillet with Urfa pepper, priced at 119 ILS.

Highlights of the menu include:

• Beef tartare made from hand-cut beef fillet (not sirloin) served with toasted pine nuts, Urfa pepper, brioche toast, muhammara, and Pecorino Romano.

• Tomato salad with stracciatella, shallots, pomegranate molasses, nectarine, and Kalamata olive crumble.

• Tortellini stuffed with labneh, served in a tomato-butter sauce with tomato seeds and pine nuts.

• Fish fillet served with wild Arab spinach in a tangy Persian lemon and butter sauce.

The wine list is equally surprising, featuring five select bottles priced at just 99 ILS, and glasses starting at 34 ILS.

Morning Bakery on Masada Street

From early morning until 15:00, Bargout Bakery serves a selection of savory bites and pastries, all priced at a flat rate of 42 ILS. The menu includes focaccia with mortadella, bruschetta with bresaola, figs, and pomegranate molasses, and unique sweet treats like rugelach topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder, or a pressed croissant with brie and caramelized figs.

Hamudi Bargout, who relocated to Haifa after a divorce and living in Europe, notes that the project has revitalized his passion:

"I moved to this artists' street, which is truly the Florentin of Haifa. I had lost some of my confidence, but seeing how this walk-in concept works so beautifully every night is incredible. It's a unique Arab wine bar and café bringing something fresh to Haifa."

Address: 1 Masada Street, Haifa.

Hours: Bakery: Tue-Sat 08:00–15:00; Wine Bar: Wed-Sat from 18:00.