227 Best Restaurants in Israel

Reached by the Jericho Cable Car, this restaurant is the only place to get a cup of coffee, fresh juice, or some lunch near the Qarantal monastery. Tables are scattered on terraces built into the mountainside, and the menu includes grilled meats, hummus, salads, and some Western foods like pasta. Sultan closes at 7 pm daily, except for Thursday and Friday, when it is open later.

Tel Aviv’s admirable contribution to Asian Fusion, this fine dining spot has an intimate and inviting atmosphere. Perfect for a business dinner, the menu is sophisticated and well designed, giving a modern and local twist to well-known dishes. Try the chicken gyoza perfectly complemented by a bed of corn foam, or turn to the sushi menu and try the fish-and-chips roll with sea bass tempura and Jerusalem artichoke chips, set off  by the zing of yuzu aioli. Add a specialty cocktail to the mix and sit back and enjoy.

In a century-old building near the Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre, this popular eatery bustles day and night. Sample the Kurdish kubbeh (meat-filled semolina dumplings) and pumpkin soup, the okra in tomato sauce, the red peppers stuffed with meat and rice, or the Moroccan harira, a thick soup with chickpeas, veal, and coriander. To start things off, the savory antipasti platter is a welcome sight for the hungry traveler. Opt for a table on the charming terrace beneath the massive branches of an old ficus tree.

Part of the city's influx of Asian restaurants, the "Asia-terranean" kitchen of Taizu is a nod to the street food of India, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The interior design is based on the five elements of Chinese philosophy: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal, each of which is also represented in the style of food. Visit in a group and share plates such as lemongrass-infused steak, seafood dumplings, spicy Thai salad, and fragrant Indian curry. The menu is guaranteed to delight the tastebuds of every  Asian food lover.

No fewer than 20 fresh salads of seasonal produce and traditional recipes arrive at your table in this large and efficient dining room. Catering to busloads of tourists, the dining room is surprisingly quiet, and small groups do not feel outnumbered. Fish is the star, but traditional favorites like grilled beef and lamb are also exceptional.

The closest restaurant to Tel Jericho (they share a parking lot), this touristy spot known locally as Abu Raed serves grilled meat and chicken as well as mezzes like hummus and vegetable salads. You can buy Dead Sea beauty products at the adjacent shop.

Located in Beit Sahour, this massive restaurant with wide windows is a great way to end a day of sightseeing. Slip into a bright red chair, order a water pipe, and wait for waiters in white shirts and black vests to bring out well-spiced grilled meats, hummus, and salads.

The tile floors, stone walls, and dim lighting at this restaurant and bar named after a month on the Muslim calendar are the perfect setting for the Middle Eastern menu. Known for the wood-burning oven from which fresh breads emerge, this restaurant is big on kebabs and eggplant stuffed with pesto and cheese. Alcohol is served, too.

Cool off at this authentic gelateria, which scoops a huge array of flavors, all made by hand by a family of immigrants from Italy. Coffee, milkshakes, and pastries are also offered.

The son of a prominent family of Iraqi bakers founded this airy, spacious bistro featuring fresh breads, pastries, and pastas. It's considered a top spot for brunch as well as Italian-style aperitivo in the evening, and the large wooden communal table is the perfect way to share a light meal with strangers. Try the salad dressed in Campari vinaigrette, the focaccia dotted with goat cheese and dates, or the ricotta gnocchi. If you're just passing through, consider taking home some of the expertly selected prepared foods and local offerings, like Israeli wines, olive oils, and liquors.

This boutique brewery in Kibbutz Kfar Giladi is a sushi hot spot. Using a range of unexpected ingredients, including tahini and goat cheese, this is a culinary offering that wouldn't be out of place in a big city. However, it is better enjoyed in its relaxed outdoor setting, on wooden picnic tables offset by the twinkle of fairy lights. It is unpretentious and completely delicious, as are the range of regularly changing local beers. It's worth asking the servers for recommendations—they know what they're talking about!

The husband-and-wife chef--owners of Whale draw foodies from all over the country to what has become one of Israel's top seafood restaurants. Salt-baked beetroot salad or zucchini blossoms makes a nice starter; for a main course, try the shrimpburger, and, for dessert, don't miss the salted-caramel tart with ice cream. Browse the cookbooks on the shelves while you wait for your order. 

On a sleepy corner in the Old City, this classic Moroccan restaurant—decorated with traditional textiles, hammered metal, and ornate tilework—has been run by the same family since the 1960s. The food is exceedingly fresh, creative, and delicious—just say the word, and chef Bebe will order for you, starting with a house-made salad featuring seasonal ingredients like fennel, dates, and candied oranges and followed by a simmering tagine of tender meat and vegetables (even local specialties like kmehin, a tuberlike desert root). For dessert, a local baker prepares a host of delicate petits fours, delivered to the table on a tiered metal tower alongside steaming mint tea.

This quiet, modern café is a good place for a meal anytime. The menu features pasta, pizza, and salads as well as breakfast items. There is outdoor seating, but ask for a table inside near the window to enjoy the Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and people-watching.

If you're looking for fantastic kibbutz-made ice cream, stop by this inn—an Israeli institution—next to a gas station on Route 90 between the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve and Timna Park, 40 km (25 miles) north of Eilat. The kibbutz of the same name is across the way, and its dairy products are much loved by locals. (Check out the chocolate-milk fountain!) Hot chicken or beef dishes are available as well. It's open 24 hours (though closed Saturday night), but the late-night food menu is more limited.

One of Haifa’s best-kept secrets, this intimate bar serves terrific hamburgers and salads, but the artistic vibe is what really draws you in. Owner Vicki paints, and her artwork, along with works by other locals, is featured. Her husband, Gil, runs the restaurant, books the music, and in his off-hours, manages a theater company. There's often live music spilling from the little stage. 

Located in Nimrod, a short drive south of Majdal Shams, this whimsical restaurant is decorated with smiling witch dolls and boasts a magnificent view of volcanic lakes and cherry fields. The staff is attentive and friendly, and the food is hearty. The chef specializes in casseroles, such as salmon cooked with coconut milk, ginger, and oranges. Another tasty dish is the lamb simmered in white wine and served with root vegetables.