Destination
Type of Restaurant
Type of Meal
Editors Pick
Read More1868
While it hasn’t been around since 1868, the restaurant by the same name is an institution compared to the shiny new restaurants cropping up all over town. Specializing in kosher cuisine (less restricting than it may seem), 1868 blends international...
Read MoreAbu Hasan/Ali Karavan
This no-frills local spot is Tel Aviv’s finest hummuseria (served until they run out, so go early). Nutritious and comforting, the regional specialty is revered by locals who attest that Abu Hasan serves the finest in all of Israel.
Read MoreAbu Shukri
Jerusalemites are as concerned with the city’s best hummus spot as Chicagoans are about their deep-dish pies. Traditionalists back Abu Shukri’s no-frills take on the Israeli classic, served simple with just the right amount of zest.
Read MoreAnita Café
Located on a charming shopping street, this spot is an absolute must for ice cream lovers. The multitude of flavors will have your head spinning, and the toppings will make even the healthiest eater euphoric. Nicknamed “La Mamma del Gelato,”...
Read MoreAzura
Locals swear by this spot in the Iraqi section of the Mahane Yehuda market. On first glance, it may not look like much: large vats filled with an array of piping hot soups and stews conjure memories of high-school cafeterias,...
Read MoreBarood
Nearly hidden in a small courtyard at the end of an alleyway, Barood is worth seeking out for its excellent Sephardic cuisine (a fusion of modern Israeli and traditional Spanish cooking). The cozy, intimate spot serves homey cuisine, and the...
Read MoreChakra
Chakra attracts a buzzy crowd for its excellent Mediterranean menu and chic atmosphere. The interiors are spacious and sleek, while the alfresco patio affords leafy park views. The diverse menu features such flavorful dishes as lemon garlic cauliflower, artichoke and...
Photo by Afik GbayRead MoreClaro
Claro serves innovative and delicious Israeli food with global influences in a preserved wine distillery that still holds the original limestone walls and frescoes. The dining room is configured around a large open kitchen and the atmosphere is convivial and...
Read MoreDallal
Reminiscent of a Parisian café, Dallal serves flaky pastries and light lunches to stylish regulars. The preferred seating is at the outdoor bar shaded by a light green awning, where many stay for hours at a time. Around the corner...
Read MoreDarna
Traditional Moroccan cuisine and traditional Moroccan hospitality go hand-in-hand at this kosher restaurant whose name means “our home.” The restaurant is housed in a 200-year-old building, which, coupled with atmospheric touches like stained glass windows and intricately tiled floors, truly...
Read MoreDelicatessen
For prime people-watching, stop by the casual Delicatessen for a breakfast or lunch of freshly prepared specialties such as chicken kebob, stuffed peppers and spinach lasagna. The beautiful deli offers hot and cold takeaway items, including a wide selection of...
Read MoreFortuna del Mar
Overlooking the Tel Aviv Marina near the Gordon pool, this Mediterranean tavern is a good spot for a lunch break if you are staying at the Hilton Hotel or are touring in the area. The atmosphere is casual, and the...
Read MoreHerzl 16
For many, the closing of Rothschild 12 was the end of an era, but restaurant group R2M set out to bring Rothschild 12’s spirit (and fan club) to Herzl 16, just a short walk away. Located in the historical Maaliya...
Read MoreJacko’s Street
Contemporary and with an unusually innovative design—leafy overhangs star beside an open kitchen—Jacko’s Street is wildly popular. The buzzing restaurant is just steps from the Machne Yehuda market, where chef Zakai Huja shops daily, filling up on fresh produce for...
Read MoreLina
Lina only serves hummus, and does it perfectly—with toppings. Diners customize their spread with everything from the traditional, chickpeas, to the unexpected, fuul: a purée of fava beans. Sample them all and you won’t regret it. Head to Abu Shukri,...
Read MoreMachneyuda
Brilliant plating and artistic presentation are the only things Machneyuda and sister restaurant Mona have in common. The former is fun-loving and boisterous, with good food to boot (although fantastic is a better descriptor). The cheeky cocktail menu—with quite a...
Read MoreMajda
A husband-and-wife team run Majda out of their home in the Ein Rafa neighborhood in the Judean Hills, fifteen minutes from downtown Jerusalem. While the menu changes daily, they specialize in antipasti and Mediterranean mezze, and the food—and surrounding countryside—is...
Read MoreMamilla Rooftop
Head to Jerusalem’s trendiest hotel for eye-level views of the Old City and spectacular cocktails. The food is delicious as well, but with so many excellent dining options elsewhere in the city, the Mamilla is best for a pre- or...
Read MoreManta Ray
One of the city’s beloved spots, Manta Ray is a good bet for a fun meal. Seafood is the specialty, and while the food is good, if unsurprising, the beachside locale is the real reason to go. Since Tel Aviv...
Read MoreMarzipan
Rugelach is Israel’s take on a chocolate croissant (both share Viennese culinary roots), and Marzipan does it better than anyone else. It is the place to buy the doughy, chocolate pastry, evidenced by the hoard of locals filtering in and...
Read MoreMashya
Named for mace, the local spice that inspired chef Yossi Shitrit’s reinvention of traditional Israeli cuisine, Mashya uses the highest quality local ingredients and sophisticated cooking techniques to create diverse, beautiful and delicious dishes. The beautifully designed restaurant is located...
Read MoreMona
Hidden within the Jerusalem Artists’ House, Machneyuda’s subdued older sister is as elegant as Machneyuda is audacious. The plates are beautifully presented, and the feel is more welcoming and homey than the raucous atmosphere at Machneyuda. The menu is refined...
Read MoreOCD Restaurant
One of Tel Aviv’s most well-known upscale restaurants, OCD is the Mediterranean equivalent of NOMA. OCD provides a unique and intimate community dining experience as there are only 19 countertop seats that surround an open kitchen. The dining experience is...
Read MoreRachmo
Rachmo is a no-frills, homey joint, known for having some of the best local food and kubbe (a delicious patty made from bulghur and ground meat) in Jerusalem. The worker’s eatery has been around since the 1930’s, and if that...
Read MoreShila
Shila serves a creative Mediterranean menu in a warm and trendy environment. Large wooden tables make it a great spot for groups, but the bar, where you can watch the chefs at work, is prime seating for couples. The restaurant’s...
Read MoreSuzana Café
A beloved institution in Neve Tzedek, Suzana has tables spilling out to a tree-shaded terrace as well as a few up on its curtain draped rooftop deck. Delicious Middle Eastern classic dishes like falafel and tabouli are served all day,...
Read MoreTaizu
Israeli chef Yuval Ben Neriah drew inspiration from his travels in Southeast Asia to craft the menu at this Tel Aviv hot spot, where the innovative meat, seafood and vegetable dishes highlight the unique flavors of Thailand, Vietnam and India....
Read MoreTasting Room
Located in the Sarona Complex, the Tasting Room offers an innovative wine tasting experience. Using an automated pouring system, you can try up to 40 wines with a smart card. A private tasting room is also available.
Read MoreThe Eucalyptus
The Eucalyptus is a relaxed yet refined kosher restaurant set in an ancient stone building in Jerusalem's Artist’s Quarter that serves modern interpretations of biblical foods. The menu highlights spices and herbs used in ancient times and grown in the...
Read MoreTzfon Abraxas
Israel’s resident wildchild, Eyal Shani, serves up similar cuisine to that served at the Salon, but in a more casual environment. His magic touch makes otherwise simple roasted vegetables spectacular; a meal can be rounded out with several orders of the...
Read MoreZepra
Sexy neon interiors complement the flavorful Asian-fusion cuisine at this trendy hot spot. While it’s no match for the dishes you’d find in mainland Japan, those craving sushi and a break from Middle Eastern cuisine will appreciate Zepra’s change of...
