If the Garden had as good a PR machine as Diana, it too would be knocking back customers. The rocket and tabbouleh salads are so fresh they look like they could wander off the plate, while the labneh (thick yoghurt flavoured with garlic) is delicately spiced and competes for attention with deliciously fragrant meats grilled on cinnamon sticks, and it's all washed down with fresh lemonade. The food here is second to none.

Unfortunately the huge space is not easy to fill and the restaurant appears to suffer from the killer 'if it's not full, it's obviously not good' syndrome.

Address: near Mary's Well, Paul VI St, Old City

Phone: 04-6453756

Named after the month it was opened in 2004 ( tishreen is Arabic for October) this sophisticated restaurant has an autumnal atmosphere with its straw-encrusted walls lined with antiques and wine bottles. Locals enjoying long lunches and late dinners order Mediterranean-inspired dishes from the mosaic-tiled wood oven which turns out 'aborigine (aubergine) stuffed with pesto and cheese' as well as excellent muhammar , an Arabic pizza topped with chicken and onion slices.

Address: 200m W of Mary's Well, 56 El-Bishara St, Old City

Phone: 057-9442830

Mention to anyone that you are heading to Nazareth, they will invariably know little about the town, except that you must eat at Diana. Behind a rather unassuming façade, Arab chef Dokhol Safadi presents an incredible range of more than a dozen mezze dishes. Try and save room for the house speciality - spicy handmade kebabs with pine nuts - one dish will definitely suffice for a couple. Hugely popular with visiting Israelis, it's best to book ahead, especially on weekends.

Address: Paul VI St 51, Nazareth.

Phone : 04-6572919