12 Best Restaurants in Tel Aviv, Israel

This relaxed and friendly unique fish restaurant perfectly encapsulates modern Tel Aviv, combining an urban hipster atmosphere with the catch of the day and an abundance of fresh flavors, using all local ingredients. The seafood is phenomenal but there are many vegetarian and vegan highlights on the menu, including a purslane salad which will brighten up your evening. The atmosphere is informal yet chic and you’ll be mesmerised by the view into the exposed kitchen, where a skilled team are preparing plate after plate of fantastic food. It's worth ordering the grilled corn just to see it being cooked over the coals, although the taste will top all expectations. Try the fish sausage, which is far superior to any hot dog you could get. 

The restaurant at this boutique hotel serves modern brasserie fare, throwing in a few unexpected Asian twists along the way. The seasonal menu changes regularly but you can always find impressive Mediterranean--Asian fusion dishes like sea bream fillet with lemongrass cream. The impeccable service, well-prepared food, and interesting wine list compare very favorably with the city's top restaurants. The dining room is in a lovingly restored home on Montefiore Street in the heart of historic Tel Aviv. White walls, potted plants, slatted wooden blinds, and the silver-plated sugar servers selected by co-owner Ruthie Brouda evoke old-world colonial days. 

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.

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.  

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

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.  

For one of the best meals in the city, take your place at one of the tables spilling out onto the sidewalk or alongside the small, chic bar. The menu changes daily, depending on what Eyal Shani, its celebrity chef, finds to be the freshest produce or catch of the day. A couple of delectable dishes are often featured, including lamb shawarma marinated overnight in wine grapes from the Judean Hills, and cold shrimp with green onions and tomatoes served in piping-hot homemade pita. If you arrive without reservations, you may be able to find room at the bar.

This distinguished Japanese restaurant is consistently ranked among the best in a city with no shortage of sushi. The expansive bar is the restaurant's centerpiece, and the surrounding tables are filled with all sorts of locals, from extended families enjoying an early meal to young people who arrive in clusters later in the evening. Onami presents a large variety of tastefully presented Japanese dishes, including agedashi tofu (fried and served with a sweet soy sauce), that can be combined with sushi or sashimi.

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.