Fat Camel a food mecca

TRADITIONAL: Nomi and Shlomo Elisar provide healthy and affordable middle eastern fare in the heart of Whangarei.

Many people from Mangawhai and the near north travel regularly to Whangarei for a variety of services not always available locally. A day in town can be tiring but there’s a great little cafe in the heart of Whangarei to refresh and replenish with maximum satisfaction at minimum cost.

The Fat Camel in Quality Street opened a little over two years ago. Owned by Shlomo and Nomi Elisar the cafe presents your usual early morning coffee and cake but serves essentially traditional middle eastern and Israeli food. 

A variety of falafel, pita pockets, hummus and tahini form most of the menu and Jerusalem schnitzel, eggplant, meatballs, combo of salads providing fills which are tasty, healthy and affordable with a main meal for two costing just $22. The lamb pita pocket comes highly recommended and comments on the menumania website endorse the popularity and quality of food and service.

The cafe is managed by Israeli import Idan Ben Ze’ev so customers can be assured of real middle eastern tastes and flavours. Furthermore Idan recently won the northland Barrista of the Year award after finishing third in the competition last year. Patrons will be served quality coffee the way it should be, and made by a dedicated barrista – or if you prefer, strong spicy Turkish coffee served with real Turkish delight.

“People who know Israeli food and Israel come in to familiar surroundings and talk of their trips to Israel,” says Shlomo. “A number want to try something new, then in holidays we have a lot of families with children for both the quality of food and the reasonable cost.”

Local wines are available as are vegetarian meals plus, with a loyalty card not just for coffee but also for food, you’ll surely become a regular.

The Fat Camel is a little piece of Israel in the centre of Whangarei. Open 7 days 9am-9pm, til 3pm on Sundays.