-
$$$ | |
At the heart of this Southern Italian courtyard restaurant is a taboon oven from which emerge a variety of fresh and classic pizzas for which this spot has become known. The rest of the menu is equally enjoyable, pairing bright, clean flavors with excellent quality ingredients. Try the white fish crudo, which is remarkably fresh and lively, or the gnocchi, which is nothing short of pillowy. The atmosphere is elegant and relaxed—it's hard to believe that you're just seconds away from one of Tel Aviv's busiest thoroughfares. Pay attention to the extensive wine list which honors the best of Italian and Israeli vineyards. Come for a full meal or pair a cocktail with a selection of the small bites during the weekday happy hour with 25% off the menu.
Known For
- Extensive wine menu
- Relaxed atmosphere, hidden from the noise of the street
- Outdoor oven in the courtyard
-
$$$ | |
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.
13 Yad Harutzim St., 67778, Israel
Known For
- Popularity with locals
- Contemporary Mediterranean food
- Industrial, slightly gritty neighborhood
-
$$$$ | |
Inside a beautifully restored historic building, this bistro has a rarefied atmosphere and an on-the-premises bakery that turns out a luscious array of French-style pastries. The breakfast menu highlights some of the baked delights, including smoked-salmon croissants and the indulgent French toast sandwich with fruit, ricotta cheese, and maple syrup. An enclosed patio, with its wrought-iron tables and chairs, is a lovely place to enjoy a late-afternoon coffee among a mixed crowd of businesspeople, surfers, and families. The executive lunch is a good value while the dinner menu offers more extensive (and significantly higher-priced) fish and meat options.
10 Shabazi St., 65144, Israel
Known For
- Superb baked goods
- A well-heeled crowd
- Delightful patio
-
$$$ | |
Tel Aviv may be home to more than its fair share of Japanese eateries, but this outpost of a world-renowned Japanese brand stands out not only for its quality, but also for its impeccable service and stunning setting. The menu is a blend of traditional Izakaya and modern European cuisine, paired with sake, wine, or an impressive selection of cocktails. Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, few spots in Tel Aviv attract a more discerning crowd of gastronomes. Dinings is on the third floor of one of Israel's most exclusive hotels, The Norman.
23–25 Nachmani St., 6579441, Israel
Known For
- Excellent Japanese cuisine
- Enviable setting in The Norman hotel
- Superb service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.–Thurs.
-
$ | |
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.
Known For
- Best shakshuka in Tel Aviv
- Varieties including merguez sausage
- Service can be iffy but the food is worth it
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Fri., no lunch Sat.
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | |
Passed down from father to son, this local landmark has been serving some of the best falafel for more than 50 years. For a few shekels, you'll get a pita filled with plentiful, perfectly prepared falafel balls, fried potatoes (called "chips" here), and just the right amount of salad. Sit on the outdoor bench or stand and enjoy this classic Israeli street food done right.
4 Tchernichovsky St., 63291, Israel
Known For
- Classic street food joint
- Some of the best falafel in town
- Busy and very informal
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sat.
-
$$ | |
This lively European-style pub has a great selection of draft beer, including many hard-to-find Belgium beers. The wood-paneled interior is cluttered with beer posters, photos, and paraphernalia, and the wooden beaches and tables are rustic, warm, and welcoming. The menu is simple and meat-centric, and the big portions are perfect for sharing. Perennial favorites include shrimp in butter and garlic, potatoes with melted Bulgarian cheese, and the Kobe beef steak. The restaurant can get loud on busy weekend nights and there's usually a wait for tables. Reservations aren't essential but are a good idea on Fridays and Saturdays.
45 HaTsiyonut, Southern District, Israel
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Mon.–Thurs.
-
$$$$ | |
At this bistro in the heart of Neve Tzedek, the warm environment, hearty food, fine wine, and excellent service will leave you feeling satisfied. The wine menu boasts more than 160 Israeli boutique wines, and the friendly owner-sommelier, Yossi Ben Odis, will let you know exactly which wine pairs well with your meal. The house special is the "seared sirloin" that you cook yourself at the table on a specially heated rock. The menu is mostly meat and chicken dishes complemented with a few options for vegetarians.
4 Heichal Hatalmud St., 65162, Israel
Known For
- Cook-yourself seared sirloin
- Extensive selection of Israeli wines
- Cozy outdoor patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch.
-
$$ | |
In the midst of the buzzing Nachalat Binyamin Art Fair, the secret garden at Jonesy Gardener is an oasis of calm. To escape the madness, sit on Jonesy's green leafy patio, where you can enjoy a great cup of coffee or try local specialties like shakshuka or sabich. It's a great spot to grab breakfast or rest after visiting the hectic Carmel Market.
Nahalat Binyamin St. 3, 6516103, Israel
Known For
- Charming interior patio
- Breakfast and lunch
- Great coffee
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Fri. night and Sat.
-
$$$ | |
With an unbeatable view of the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Old City on the other, this Greek-influenced eatery will add a romantic touch to your visit to Jaffa. Sip ouzo or arak (a locally produced anise-flavored liqueur) alongside fresh-baked kalamata olive bread and colorful small dishes like grilled artichokes over lentils or fish kabobs with cilantro-mint salad. The small dining space is set in an old stone building on the water, so be sure to request one of the few tables by the window to watch the special sunset view.
10 Kedumim Sq., 68037, Israel
Known For
- Ideal spot to enjoy the Tel Aviv sunset
- Killer sea views
- Greek flavors
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Mon.–Thurs., Reservations essential
-
-
$$$ | |
After winning the television show "Israel’s Next Restaurant" with his restaurant Mileage, Chef Idan Boshari opened this new offering to Tel Aviv’s gastronomic scene. Inspired by the fabric of the city and stimulated by the proximity of the sea and the local and seasonal nature of the neighboring Carmel Market, the menu changes in response to the availability and quality of the local produce. Try the Amberjack Sashimi with its unusual combination of ingredients that combine to make a perfect bite and complement it with the Gazoz-inspired cocktail with black pepper and zaatar. There’s also a focus on social responsibility, as the restaurant works closely with youth at risk. With an exciting, high-energy vibe, this is a great location to get a sense of the bustle of life in Tel Aviv.
Known For
- Locally inspired menu
- Seasonal and regularly changing dishes
- Exciting cocktail menu
-
$ | |
At this cozy neighborhood bistro, the portions are generous, the prices extremely reasonable, and the atmosphere a friendly hubbub of clattering dishes and animated conversations. The thick menu is filled with hearty salads and pastas, as well as the signature paninis. In the warmer months, there are creative daily specials like tasty risotto. During the winter, there's a daily selection of a dozen different soups. The all-day happy hour will keep your mouth and wallet smiling.
73 Frishman St., 64352, Israel
Known For
- Popular local hangout
- Laid-back vibes
- Great panini and hearty soup in winter
-
$$$ | |
This unassuming spot nestled deep in the Carmel Market is a haven for meat lovers. The menu is short and the decor minimal but the quality is excellent; the restaurant is an extension of the Meat Market butcher's shop located just 25 meters away. Diners can choose between a selection of meats cooked on the charcoal grill or try the specialty dishes. The arais are a house recommendation that are well worth a try and the slow-cooked smoked shawarma elevates this classic street food to new heights. If you still have room for dessert, the Crack Pie is a sweet and sticky delight that you won't regret.
30 Simtat HaCarmel St., Israel
Known For
- Casual dining against the bustling atmosphere of the market
- High-quality meat
- Crack Pie dessert
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Fri. Closed Sat.
-
$ | |
Chocolate lovers should run, not walk, to this eatery for a mouthwatering, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory experience. Beneath pipes of imaginary chocolate crisscrossing the ceiling, children of all ages can order the likes of chocolate pizza—topped with chocolate chips, of course—or chocolate fondue for dipping toasted marshmallows and fruit like melon, dates, and bananas. There's even chocolate soup! For a souvenir, take home some hand-stenciled pralines in artfully designed tins. And yes, there are non-chocolate options, including pastas and salads. Service is famously iffy but who cares when you can gorge yourself on chocolate?
45 Rothschild Blvd., Israel
Known For
- Chocolatey treats galore
- Appealing to chocolate lovers of all ages
- Service is hit-and-miss
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Fri. afternoon
-
$$ | |
Israel has the highest population of vegans per capita, so it's impressive that Meshek Barzilay started blazing the plant-based trail long before farm-to-table eating became trendy. Tucked away on a quiet, secluded street in Neve Tzedek, the restaurant serves only locally sourced, organic, plant-based ingredients. The original restaurant was founded in 2002 by Merav Barzilay in the small agricultural community of Moshav Yarkona. A few years later, she opened Meshek Barzilay in central Tel Aviv. The produce may not come from her own backyard any more but Barzilay continues to source directly from a meticulously selected group of Israeli farms and producers who deliver daily. Best-selling dishes include the mushroom, tofu, and lentil veggie burger and the beetroot gnocchi.
6 Ahad Ha'Am St., 6514206, Israel
Known For
- Local, organic, seasonal vegan food
- Veggie burger and beetroot gnocchi
- Leafy patio in charming Neve Tzedek
-
-
$$$$ | |
Chef Aviv Moshe serves traditional dishes like the shredded-wheat-like pastry called kadaif, but his method of preparation is in a class of its own. This Mediterranean–Middle Eastern haute cuisine is enlivened with French and Italian touches. White is the dominant color in the lavish dining room, with marble floors and tented ceiling lamps on which video art is projected. A long, white central table with stylish high-back chairs is the room's centerpiece, perfect for mingling with fellow diners while the attentive staff serves such dishes as seared red tuna over an eggplant-and-goat-cheese roll with pomegranate dressing or sea bass with shallot ravioli. Make sure you save room for dessert as pastry chef Adi Sibrower's spectacular creations will blow your mind. Adjacent to the restaurant is the bar, a much more chaotic affair done up in stark black. Don't miss '80s night on Wednesday, when a winning combination of DJs playing retro tunes, good food, and strong drinks ensure an unforgettable night.
19 Ha'arbaa St., 64739, Israel
Known For
- Award-winning design
- Fine dining from one of Israel's top chefs
- Outstanding dessert menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
-
$ | |
This lively neighborhood restaurant and bar hits the spot with refreshing margaritas and authentic, tasty Mexican fare. Kick things off with the refreshing Peruvian Tiradito with spicy yellow pepper salsa before ordering barbacoa tacos and green enchiladas. The restaurant is the brainchild of Ziv Erlich, an Israeli who grew up in Mexico and fell in love with the cuisine. He opened the restaurant with his wife Ester in 2008, and a few years later chef Roni Pazhar was brought on board. The result? A fun, boisterous bar that's also a very respectable Mexican restaurant in the middle of Tel Aviv. Happy hour starts every day at 5 pm, a good time to try the Bloody Maria, chili martini, or classic margarita. Try the churros—sweet tubes of fried dough—if you have room for dessert.
2 Vital St., 66088, Israel
Known For
- Fun, boisterous energy
- Large portions and affordable prices
- Happy hour at 5 pm
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
$$ | |
This bar and grill is part retro lounge, part bistro. Best known for its burgers, the place has an extensive menu that includes everything from shish kebabs to calamari and quesadillas. It's good for the whole family, with children's dishes and, for the adults, an interesting selection of cocktails. The ribs in molasses are a real treat, as is the chicken Caesar salad. Drop by after midnight, when late-night specials add to the mix.
35 Rothschild Blvd., 66883, Israel
Known For
- Outstanding burgers
- Homey ambience
- Open late (until 2 am; 4 am on weekends)
-
$$$$ | |
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, this small, elegant bistro specializes in fine cuts of expertly prepared meat. It's purported to be the only place in Israel where you can enjoy a real porterhouse steak. And for dessert? That depends on the time of year. Tangy strawberry-vanilla pie is a winter specialty, while fig-vanilla pie is a summer favorite. The building is historic, yet the interior is contemporary, with Mediterranean tile floors in geometric patterns.
15 Yehuda HeHasid St., Israel
Known For
- One of the best steak houses in Tel Aviv
- Historic building with contemporary decor
- Seasonal desserts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch Sun.–Fri., Reservations essential
-
$$ | |
As the name suggests, this popular eatery is geared toward the city's night owls, open every night until midnight. Using local ingredients and highlighting modern takes on traditional Israeli cuisine, the menu items are meant to be shared like tapas. Tomato carpaccio with za'atar leaves, calamari, and gnocchi with oyster mushrooms and roasted cherry tomatoes are a few of the best-selling menu items. For dessert there's a lollipop-shape crème brûlée wrapped around tonka-bean puree and drizzled with fruit syrup.
43 Lilienblum St., 6513452, Israel
Known For
- Dishes made for sharing
- Cozy, intimate ambience
- Tomato carpaccio with za'atar leaves
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
