This Week in Palestine - Restaurant Review by the Phantom Diner
Issue no. 11 - June 1999
 

Kanbata Zaman Cafe

 
A Quiet cool place behind iron-bound wood doors, Kan Bata Zaman maintains a sense of mystery in Ramallah's bustling city center. Its name translates awkwardly to "Once a shoe store…" raising questions about what this tiny café is now. It certainly serves good food. Crispy charred chicken wings and spicy sauce laid out on a bed of lettuce and crumbled cheese; thick vegetable omelets; baked potatoes stuffed fat with cheeses and mushrooms…

But most of Kanbata's visitors aren't there for the eats. It's the company that brings them, the chance to sit in a corner with friends, turn down the volume a bit and unwind. If you look carefully you will see couples in half-lit corners, sipping espresso and fresh orange juice, enjoying a presious private moment. Late at night, there are more titillating drinks to choose from - cocktails and locally brewed Taybeh beer.

Kanbata Zaman is one of Ramallah's best options for an eatery with character. Its menu isn't extensive, but the food is prepared well. The service is usually adequate, and sometimes even better. Entrees run from $ 5 to $ 8, while sandwiches cost less. Hours are a flexible 11:00 to 24:00. Avoid the late afternoon when the café quickly fills with Palestinian teens testing their limits (unless of course, that is your crowd!).

Location: On Ramallah's Main street, not far from the main manara

Menu: wide range of tastes (including vegetarian dishes) with Arabic options Alcohol served

Rating Scale:

++++ next to heaven
+++ a place to come back to
++ if you're hungry you'll eat anywhere
+ not a ghost of a chance
Phantom Diner Rating: +++1/2

[Back to contents]

Jerusalem Media & Communication Centre (JMCC),
PO Box 25047, East Jerusalem, Palestine
Tel. 972-2-5819777, Fax. 972-2-5829534
E-mail: ptw@jmcc.org