Knafeh is Nablus's signature dish — a warm pastry of white cheese layered under shredded kataifi dough, baked in a wide circular pan and finished with rose-water sugar syrup. The city is considered the home of knafeh and Nablusi knafeh, made with the local white cheese that is slightly salty and unusually stretchy, is considered the definitive version throughout the Arab world.
Al-Aqsa Sweets is one of the oldest and most respected knafeh shops in the old city, producing large trays throughout the day from an open kitchen that faces the street. A portion is served on a round piece of bread and eaten standing. Go in the morning or at lunchtime — the knafeh is freshest then and the queues are shorter than in the evening.