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The city's cosmopolitan character is happily represented in its food, although stands selling the Middle Eastern fast food for which this part of the world is famous—such as falafel and shawarma—still occupy countless street corners. You'll find restaurants serving everything from American-style burgers to sushi and chili con ca
The city's cosmopolitan character is happily represented in its food, although stands selling the Middle Eastern fast food for which this part of the world is famous—such as falafel and shawarma—still occupy countless street corners. You'll find restaurants serving ever
The city's cosmopolitan character is happily represented in its food, although stands selling the Middle Eastern fast fo
The city's cosmopolitan character is happily represented in its food, although stands selling the Middle Eastern fast food for which this part of the world is famous—such as falafel and shawarma—still occupy countless street corners. You'll find restaurants serving everything from American-style burgers to sushi and chili con carne. In contrast to Jerusalem, diners who keep kosher have to search for a kosher restaurant, aside from those in the hotels. A spate of new kosher establishments caters to a significant slice of the discerning dining market, but with the fairly rapid turnover of some Tel Aviv eateries, the concierge is still the best person to ask about the latest in kosher restaurants.
Most Tel Aviv restaurants, except those that keep kosher, are open seven days a week. Many serve business lunches at reasonable prices, making them less-expensive options than the price categories suggest. As elsewhere in the Mediterranean, Israelis dine late; chances are there will be no trouble getting a table at 7 pm, whereas past 10, diners may face a long line. Casual attire is always acceptable in Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv's restaurants are concentrated in a few areas: Sheinkin and Rothschild Streets, Basel, Ibn Gvirol Street, and the Tel Aviv Port.
Expertly hidden inside one of Tel Aviv's loveliest boutique hotels, The Drisco, George and John has a friendly atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The menu is modern Israeli—that is, Mediterranean with a Middle Eastern twist. Expect innovative dishes that are not only beautifully presented, but also cooked to perfection, such as the lime- and jalapeno-infused amberjack sashimi with Israeli caviar, and egg noodles with blue crab. The wine list is extensive and features some unusual choices, so don't be afraid to ask the excellent sommelier for a recommendation.
A Tel Aviv institution, this lively restaurant wows with spectacular beach views and both indoor and outdoor dining options. Busy from breakfast to dinner, Manta Ray appeals to everyone from families to couples looking for romance, and attracts a loyal clientele. The imaginative appetizers vary from day to day, but staples include the Balkan bread with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sea salt, the to-die-for eggplant dip, and the sautéed shrimp with gnocchi, spinach, and crab sauce. The baked sea bream with rosemary and olive oil is simple Mediterranean fare at its best, especially with a spicy chili and pepper sauce on the side. Breakfast is popular here too—especially the spicy shakshuka. Nowhere in Tel Aviv will you get a better meal, especially not one combined with killer views of the Mediterranean and outstanding service.
There is no Michelin guide for Israel yet but, if there was, OCD would likely be on the list. The name (an acronym for obsessive-compulsive disorder) refers to the meticulous care Chef Raz Rahav and his team pour into each elaborate dish in this 16- to 20-course adventure tasting menu. A first of its kind for Tel Aviv, OCD offers two nightly seatings with dishes changing monthly based on seasonal offerings. Guests are seated communal-style around the bar in front of the open kitchen, with an unobstructed view of all the action. And while Rahav may still not have turned 30, maturity and sophistication of his cooking suggests otherwise. The dishes make conversation pieces for what feels like an intimate dinner party for those lucky enough to bag a coveted seat at his highly sought-after table. Make sure you book at least four weeks in advance and inform the restaurant of any dietary restrictions (vegan, vegetarian, kosher, in addition to any intolerances or allergies) at the time of booking as no changes will be made on the night.
This shop serves what is often called the country's best hummus, which is not an easy task with so many places serving this addictive chickpea dish. For something quite different, order the masabacha with chunks of chickpeas served in warm hummus, or the hummus ful, made from Egyptian fava beans. Get here early and expect to wait in line, because once the pot is empty the restaurant closes (usually around 2:30 pm).
1 Dolphin St., 68034, Israel
03-682–0387
Known For
The best hummus in Israel
One of the oldest Palestinian restaurants in Tel Aviv
There's always a crowd forming outside Abulafia Bakery, south of Jaffa's clock tower. For a simple snack with an exquisite flavor, order a pita topped with za'atar (a mixture of herbs, spices, and seeds), or stuffed with salty cheese, calzone style. In winter, Abulafia is a good place to try sahlab, a warm drink sprinkled with coconut and cinnamon.
Set in a historic building on one of the prettiest streets in Old Jaffa, Beit Kandinof is both contemporary art center and restaurant. Home to five galleries with ever-changing exhibitions from Tel Aviv's dynamic modern art scene, Beit Kandinof also houses artists of its own: chefs Yogev Yaros and Shami Golomb, masterminds behind an impressive menu that combines Mediterranean cuisine with Arabic Jaffa touches. The selection varies with the seasons, but best-selling staples include the spicy fava bean hummus and the slow-cooked lamb spare ribs. For dessert, try a to-die-for local specialty known as malabi, which is like an Israeli take on the Italian panna cotta, except even more delicious.
This Jaffa institution has been serving shakshuka, a mouthwatering Israeli breakfast specialty, for decades, but it soared to fame in 2018 after appearing on the Tel Aviv episode of "Somebody Feed Phil." The show tells the story of how the "Doctor" did time in prison, where he perfected the art of cooking shakshuka for the other inmates. A free man again, he opened a restaurant in Jaffa, gave it his prison nickname, and the rest is history. The spot attracts more than its fair share of tourists but the shakshuka is as good as it gets, making it well worth a visit. You can order your shakshuka hot or mild, in one of several versions, including traditional, vegan, with mushrooms, with eggplant or with merguez sausage.
With an unbeatable view of the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Old City on the other, this Greek-influenced eatery will add a romantic touch to your visit to Jaffa. Sip ouzo or arak (a locally produced anise-flavored liqueur) alongside fresh-baked kalamata olive bread and colorful small dishes like grilled artichokes over lentils or fish kabobs with cilantro-mint salad. The small dining space is set in an old stone building on the water, so be sure to request one of the few tables by the window to watch the special sunset view.
In the heart of the Jaffa Flea Market, Puaa's lumpy sofas and slightly battered tables and chairs make for a kick-your-shoes-off atmosphere—and some patrons oblige. It's a popular gathering place for thirtysomething Tel Avivians, as well as young families. All the cakes, cookies, and croissants are baked fresh on the premises. There's a good selection of vegetarian dishes, including the Middle Eastern favorite majadarah (rice with lentils), served with salad and yogurt, as well as some meat and fish options.
This laid-back bar is in the middle of the action next to Jaffa's busy flea market. It draws easygoing locals and tourists of all ages, who come for the tasty, affordable food and drinks and the lively outdoor patio. The menu is mainly local, with some Asian dishes thrown in; the service is efficient and upbeat; and the furniture looks like it's been randomly lifted right out of the flea market. Shaffa Bar doesn't take itself too seriously and neither do its guests, which is probably what makes this place so irresistible.
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