228 Best Restaurants in Israel

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.

The name means "red" in Hebrew, referring to the 150 kinds of wine that decorate every wall in this large yet cozy restaurant. The menu has roots in Mediterranean kitchens, and includes loads of meat and seafood options. Try the fantastic Jerusalem mixed grill—it's a gussied-up version of the city's famed street food. Desserts include tahini ice cream and a dark chocolate, gluten-free "Nemesis cake." If you're seated at the bar, look up: when Adom moved to the First Station complex, the old restaurant's plates were converted into intricate light fixtures. Don't arrive Friday evening without reservations.

The Eilat offshoot of the Tel Aviv chain is known for juicy burgers and a copious selection of beers on tap. In a small complex of bars and restaurants, Agadir's slightly off-the-beaten-track locale makes it feel more intimate than your average burger joint. The restaurant draws a lively nighttime crowd seeking solid food and drink, the main draw being good-quality beef (or veggie) patties topped with condiments ranging from goose breast to a sunny-side-up egg and caramelized onions. Appetizers include juicy merguez sausage and meat-filled Moroccan "cigars" that are made on the premises. You can also opt for Moroccan fish or meaty sirloin sandwiches.

If you're one of those people who could eat breakfast three times a day, Agenda is for you. Try the shakshuka, an Israeli dish in which eggs are poached in a sharp tomato sauce; for lunch and dinner there are also pizzas, sushi, and other light fare, plus cocktails and wine. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere casual. Like many of the tastiest good-value restaurants in Israel, this one is in a gas station (Paz Gas, next to Minato, a sushi place). It has a bright interior with indoor, outdoor, and bar seating.

This three-in-one concept combines a wine bar, cocktail bar, and restaurant in one of Tel Aviv’s hippest locations. Mix and match between the three menus and choose between the three spaces on two different floors, or take advantage of the intimate balcony space and soak up the atmosphere of the city center. The atmosphere is electric, the food fresh and interesting with much of it prepared in front of you in the moment, and the drinks are flowing. Try the sashimi with charcoal applied just seconds before it arrives at your table infusing a sense of drama and a wonderful smoky subtlety cut perfectly with the fresh zing of the lime oil. 

This excellent authentic coffee shop in the Muslim Quarter serves traditional brewed coffee alongside a sesame cookie, as well as freshly squeezed pomegranate and other juices.

In a magnificent 19th-century mansion with a Thousand and One Nights atmosphere, this eatery matches its magical setting with excellent Arab cuisine, including interesting salads and kebabs, as well as dishes with Indian and European influences. Pesto and grilled vegetables stuffed in a chicken breast is a good choice, as are the vegetarian dishes. Don't pass up dessert.

The town of Maalot-Tarshisha is home to Jewish, Christian, and Muslim families, and they rub elbows while dining at Aluma Bistro. Decorated with artifacts from Provence, the burgundy-toned dining room buzzes with locals in search of an extraordinary meal. Young Arab chef Alaa Sweetat weaves seasonal French and traditional Galilean styles into a tapestry of taste. Inquire about the daily specials, which may include seasonally foraged vegetables and a fresh catch of the day.

This popular eatery with a geometric mirrored ceiling is steps from the King David Street hotel district. The steaks are among the city's finest, as are the desserts, including dark-chocolate mousse and fresh fruit over tapioca pudding. The staff is helpful and friendly, and the knowledgeable sommelier will guide you to unusual Israeli vintages.

A self-described "Med to Table" restaurant, Animar offers a classic and elegant feel, fresh and interesting flavors, and an unparalleled view of sunset over the sea. The menu, inspired by produce from around the Mediterranean, includes a house special grilled zucchini and a truly delightful wild sea bass.

This small corner café, a neighborhood favorite, is where you can catch a glimpse of the beauty of European café culture. Coffee is the main event, over which you can linger for hours along with your newspaper, computer, or friends from the neighborhood. Because it's in the heart of the upscale Basel area, patrons include celebrities that live nearby. The menu includes sandwiches and salads, pastas, and schnitzel.

At this East Jerusalem bistro, the stone walls are hung with local art and antique musical instruments. In summer, you can enjoy your meal on a lovely patio. The menu emphasizes salads—the tabbouleh is a refreshing mix of parsley and cracked wheat—simple pastas, and heavy-hitting meat dishes. The service is efficient and unpretentious, and the well-stocked bar includes local Palestinian Taybeh beer and wine from Bethlehem, along with European imports. Most Thursdays feature live music.

The café at the Ein Gedi Hotel is a great option for fresh salads, pastas, and coffee after a hike at the nearby Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Sit on the outdoor deck amid the baobob trees, and enjoy the gorgeous views and the aromatic botanical gardens. The café is open for evening drinks as well as lunch and dinner. There is a limited menu on Friday night and during the day on Saturday when Sabbath regulations put the espresso machine and other cooking off-limits.

Open seven days a week, this casual Mediterranean restaurant is the perfect place to grab a morning coffee or stop for a bite while hiking and biking. Homemade pastas, taboon-baked pizzas, and Israeli favorites like shakshuka are served on a stone patio overlooking the Judean Hills. A small stand supplies maps of nearby hiking trails and nature reserves, and one circular trail, Nofey Nahal Katlav, which is partially paved, starts right outside of the restaurant. 

At Michal and Avinoam Barkin's goat farm, you can sample excellent cheeses over wine or coffee in the wooden reception room or enjoy a light meal of salads, toasted sandwiches, or hot stuffed pastries. The farm is open Friday 10–2 and Saturday 10–4.

Jerusalemite Daniella Lerer combines her family's Sephardic culinary traditions with modern Israeli cooking techniques and personal favorites from two decades in the business. Reservations are a must for Friday dinner and on Saturday, when there are often live performances outside. Starters include pickled herring, boyikos (cheesy biscuits), and pastelikos (dumplings stuffed with seasoned ground meat). Main dishes include sufrito (braised dumplings with Jerusalem artichokes) and shrimp in wine and lemon. For dessert, look for the traditional sutlach, a cold rice pudding topped with cinnamon, nuts, and halva. Barood's other face is its well-stocked bar serving more familiar fare like spareribs and sausages, along with homemade citrus schnapps and 20 other flavors of schnapps.

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.

Celebrating the love that Israelis have for breakfast, this restaurant with simple and sunny decor features many variations on the morning meal, served around the clock, seven days a week. Choose the classic Israeli breakfast with all the trimmings; the Mexican egg scramble; the "Calimera" Greek breakfast, heavily laden with garlicky tzatziki and a healthy serving of spice; or several different styles of eggs Benedict. French toast and pancakes satisfy anyone's sweet tooth. Despite the unusual name, it's worth tasting the signature "egg balls," cooked omelet style, formed into a dumpling shape, and served with a choice of sauces such as spinach and cream. 

You can't miss Big Ben, just at the top of the boardwalk; this casual spot is practically a landmark. An outdoor terrace with seating overlooks the promenade, and inside, a beautiful antique wooden bar features eight beers on tap. There are more tables indoors, too. The menu covers all the bases: pastas, fish and meat on the grill, chicken schnitzel and fries for the kids. The friendly vibe at this large place is what draws people back: the food is not always the best.

A varied but simple menu—including steak, salads, sandwiches, and pasta—makes this a good place to recharge after a day at the beach or a nice spot to relax with a glass of wine at sunset. The highlight of this café is not the food but the indoor or outdoor seating with fabulous Mediterranean views. It's open 24/7.

The aromas emanating from this street-corner bakery and café make it well worth the visit. Choose from the savory or sweet section of French-style baked goods, made throughout the day by chefs trained in Paris. A plentiful Israeli breakfast is upgraded with house-made jams, French butter, and a diverse bread basket filled with sourdoughs, brioches, and sweet croissants. This place is obviously not for the gluten averse.

Fresh-baked sourdough breads, oil- and preservative-free pastries, and healthy whole wheat challah are the cornerstone of this bakery in the rural heart of the Galilee. Grab a seat on Friday morning in the backyard outdoor garden with the locals to taste stone-oven-baked Turkish-style cheese burekas, artichoke carpaccio with olives and sun-dried tomatoes, or a light dish of homemade granola and locally produced yogurt.

At this popular kosher chain, the hamburgers are more like cakes than patties. They come with your choice of tasty sauces, and all are made to order. Lamb and chicken wraps and robust salads reflect Israeli tastes. Vegetarians will delight in the portobello burger.

Climb the stairs beside the Doña Rosa restaurant and keep an eye out for this local favorite in an old, two-level, stone building—complete with a cat sunning itself on a stool, a jumble of odd tables and mismatched chairs, and a selection of handmade clothes and handbags for sale. You can sit outside to sip coffee and fruit smoothies alongside homemade bourekas (filled pastry triangles), shakshuka (eggs in tomato sauce), carrot cake, grilled-cheese sandwiches, and apple pie. Beer and wine are available, too. Indian cuisine is served every Thursday night. From Thursday night through Sunday you can get vegetarian meals; the rest of the week, pastries and coffee are offered.

Doubling as an art-and-music haven for locals, this inviting neighborhood café will make you feel as if you're in someone's fun and relaxing living room. The service is personal, the patrons are friendly (you will most likely end up in a conversation with many of them), and the extensive menu has options for everyone. The in-house baked goods including homemade bagels, and the ever-changing array of muffins makes for a light breakfast or afternoon snack. The salads and sandwiches are made fresh, so you can choose any toppings you like.

Even though this German Colony institution is part of a chain, it's still quaint with welcoming service. It's well-known for its sweet potato soup and juicy salmon skewers. Morning meals are generous and varied, including classic Israeli breakfast of eggs and salads. The personable staff and the warm, welcoming space make this a favorite spot for locals. There are also charming branches downtown near Mamilla on Shlomzion Hamalka Street as well as at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens.

At the heart of this Southern Italian courtyard restaurant is a taboon oven from which emerge a variety of fresh and classic pizzas for which this spot has become known. The rest of the menu is equally enjoyable, pairing bright, clean flavors with excellent quality ingredients. Try the white fish crudo, which is remarkably fresh and lively, or the gnocchi, which is nothing short of pillowy. The atmosphere is elegant and relaxed—it's hard to believe that you're just seconds away from one of Tel Aviv's busiest thoroughfares. Pay attention to the extensive wine list which honors the best of Italian and Israeli vineyards. Come for a full meal or pair a cocktail with a selection of the small bites during the weekday happy hour with 25% off the menu.  

The original arched stone basement of the old synagogue is the setting of this chocolate shop and café. True to its name, the kitchen serves a host of chocolate delights (drinks, cakes, and more), including 37 different kinds of pralines made by the house chocolatier. Delightful chocolate-making workshops are offered occasionally.

A Tel Aviv classic that has stood the test of time, Coffee Bar is neither a coffee shop nor a bar—in fact, it is a rather elegant bistro. The service is excellent, the menu is fresh and contemporary, and the design is on point. It's no surprise, as the restaurant is run by R2M, the hospitality group behind the likes of Hotel Montefiore, Rothschild 12, and Delicatessen. And while Coffee Bar may have been around long before the Tel Aviv food scene became hip (it opened more than two decades ago in the industrial, edgy Yad Harutzim district), it remains as popular as ever, so make sure you book in advance.

Steps from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Palestinians crowd into this tiny, bare-bones spot to tuck into hammam mehshi, or stuffed pigeon. It's a delicately flavored specialty served with salads and rice. You can also opt for stuffed chicken, grilled lamb chops, or fried liver, all made fresh by the friendly proprietor. Get here early—it closes at 6 pm.