Tel Aviv’s status as the Middle East’s culinary capital is difficult to contest. The cosmopolitan city continues to expand its roster of world-class restaurants serving everything from original variations on classic hummus to lip-smacking contemporary dim sum, which often explore innovation without forsaking fresh, honest flavors.
The city’s location is advantageous too, being situated along the seafood-rich Mediterranean coastline, with fast access to fresh produce from the region’s arable (but limited) farmland. If you plan on exploring Tel Aviv’s impressive culinary range, here are 10 essential restaurants to include on your dining itinerary.
1. Taizu
After chef Yuval Ben Neriah explored the culinary delights of China, Thailand, and other East Asian countries for three months, he translated his inspiration into creating Tel Aviv’s most exciting contemporary Asian restaurant. Taizu features a seafood-centric menu that includes dishes such as har gow dumplings filled with black tiger shrimp and artichoke, complemented by a ceremoniously presented fried whole sea bass served with lettuce, chili-lime, and fish sauce, all within a chic industrial-glam setting. On Sundays, Taizu also hosts a popular Indian Feast, featuring unique twists like duck bread with fenugreek and onion-stuffed pot stickers.
2. North Abraxas
If you seek a standout primer on Tel Avivian dining culture—vegetable-focused, straightforward, and occasionally exuberant—then the city center-based North Abraxas should be one of your first stops. Here, celebrity chef Eyal Shani embraces a casual dining approach, favoring straightforward dishes like whole roasted baby cauliflower, chicken liver pita, and ‘burnt’ potatoes served on cardboard and paper bags. Although there are outdoor tables, the countertop seating offers the best views of the bustling kitchen and a chance to engage with the lively staff.
3. Pastel
Tucked beneath the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Pastel, once named the world’s most beautiful restaurant, has the elements of an upscale brasserie with its chocolate-leather booths and an elegant long bar, complemented by a striking white ceiling that creates a geometric, sculptural effect, refracting light from double-height windows. Chef Hilel Tavakoli prides himself on contemporary Mediterranean dishes such as black linguini with seafood and okra, and exquisite slices of tuna sashimi served with curry vinaigrette, Granny Smith apples, and sugared cashews.
4. Mashya
Where Moroccan meets Middle Eastern flavors, Mashya is a groundbreaking restaurant located on the ground floor of the Mendeli Street Hotel. Chef Yossi Shitrit is celebrated for his use of spices and a flair for theatrical presentation, as seen in his famous bread baked with 18 different spices, presented on a tree branch. Mashya’s inventive, lighter molecular dishes highlight his culinary brilliance, including creations like shrimp with corn foam and raw tuna complemented by molecular aubergine cream and labneh ‘flakes’. The cocktails are equally impressive, rivaling those from dedicated bars throughout the city.
5. Jasmino
Though it lacks a website, phone number, and social media presence, this small, unfussy pita joint at 97 Allenby St attracts long lines all day. Jasmino swaps ordinary pita fillings for unique options such as chicken thighs, spicy veal hearts, and lamb sweetbreads, all enhanced with tahini, amba (a mango-fenugreek sauce), and fresh vegetables. Visiting Jasmino during the day is a treat, but indulging with the nightlife crowd for a late-night pita fix has become a cherished local tradition.
6. Shlomo & Doron Hummus
It’s a third-generation family affair at Shlomo & Doron, a beloved local establishment serving the same warm, original recipe hummus since 1937. Located on a cobblestone side street near bustling Carmel Market, this chickpea café produces variations that include the classic topped with olive oil, paprika, cumin, parsley, and lemon, along with the adventurous shakshuka hybrid that’s great for scooping up with pita or onion wedges. Open only during breakfast and lunch hours, it’s advisable to arrive early.
7. Coffee Bar
Despite its name, this establishment is neither merely a coffee shop nor a cocktail bar, but a lively bistro located in the heart of Tel Aviv. Within the French-inspired black-and-white dining rooms, a chalkboard displays daily specials that may include pizza biancas, pastas, and European seabass, alongside staples like goose confit with marinated figs, mashed potatoes, and spinach that keep many returning patrons satisfied. Whether you join for brunch on the patio or a cozy dinner, Coffee Bar is usually bustling with an attractively sophisticated crowd.
8. Claro
Claro, meaning ‘clear’ in Spanish, epitomizes the farm-to-table dining concept set in the Sarona district, within a historic stone Templar building that dates back to 1885. Chef Ran Shmueli supports local farms—evident in dishes like roasted corn with bacon butter and sour cream aioli—while showcasing pan-Mediterranean flavors. The industrial-chic dining area is spacious, with ample seating, plus a large countertop that immerses diners in the kitchen action and an inviting bar atmosphere. The melt-in-your-mouth short rib tortellini with onion cream, parmesan, and sage stands out as a must-try dish.
9. Hotel Montefiore
Hotel Montefiore derives its name from the boutique hotel, recognized as one of Tel Aviv’s finest. This sultry palm-fringed brasserie is where society types and trendsetters gather, especially during breakfast, which remains a beloved local ritual amid an ambience enhanced by Jazz Age tunes and plush leather seating. The breakfast offerings—which include rich toasted challah bread layered with gouda and jambon, continental selections, and Tunisian eggs with peppers and tomatoes—are equally deserving of attention.
10. Meshek Barzilay
Meshek Barzilay stands as an organic vegetarian pioneer within the charming Neve Tzedek neighborhood, dedicated to creating imaginative dishes inspired by global influences, all sourced directly from local farms. The pastoral-themed restaurant—the garden terrace and glass-walled patio being particularly atmospheric—boasts an extensive menu featuring highlights like aubergine terrine, spicy pumpkin steak, and cashew cheese lasagna, with thoughtful notes indicating gluten-free options and occasional non-organic dishes. The recent opening of their next-door delicatessen allows patrons to take home conscious-driven meals, baked goods, and groceries.
This article was first published in January 2019 and last updated in November 2019.
