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 flavours.
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The city’s location is advantageous too, based along the seafood-rich Mediterranean 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 places and flavors of China, Thailand, and other East Asian countries for three months, he translated his inspiration into the establishment of Tel Aviv’s most dynamic contemporary Asian restaurant. Taizu’s predominantly seafood menu, featuring dishes such as har gow dumplings filled with black tiger shrimp and artichoke, alongside a ceremoniously presented fried whole sea bass paired with lettuce, chilli-lime, and fish sauce, is served within a chic industrial-glam space. Every Sunday for dinner, Taizu also hosts a sought-after Indian Feast showcasing adaptations like duck bread with fenugreek, onion, and paneer-stuffed pot stickers.
2. North Abraxas
If you seek a notable introduction to Tel Aviv’s dining culture—characterized by vegetable-focused, casual fare set against an occasionally lively ambiance—then the city-centre establishment North Abraxas should be among your initial choices. Here, celebrity chef Eyal Shani eschews tablecloths and fine china in favor of offerings such as whole roasted baby cauliflower (which ignited a global trend), chicken liver pita, and ‘burnt’ potato with crème fraîche presented on cardboard and paper bags. While outdoor seating is available, the countertop seats afford the best views of the bustling kitchen as well as opportunities to engage with the amiable staff.
3. Pastel
Located beneath the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Pastel, once acclaimed as the world’s most aesthetically pleasing restaurant, showcases the quintessential traits of an upscale brasserie (chocolate-leather booths and a long bar adorned with art nouveau lamps) while featuring a breathtaking white ceiling that billsows into a geometric, sculptural free-form design, reflecting the light from double-height windows. Under the guidance of chef Hilel Tavakoli, diners are treated to contemporary Mediterranean highlights such as black linguini with seafood and okra, as well as exquisite slices of tuna sashimi with curry vinaigrette, Granny Smith apples, and sugared cashews.
4. Mashya
At Mashya, Moroccan influences intertwine with Middle Eastern cuisine in an endeavor to elevate dining experiences. Situated on the ground floor of the Mendeli Street Hotel, young chef Yossi Shitrit emphasizes bold spices (epitomized by the legendary bread combined with 18 distinct varieties) and a touch of culinary performance (such as the bread served ‘impaled’ on a tree branch) within a sleek white dining room. The menu’s imaginative and slightly molecular dishes best showcase Shitrit’s expertise, featuring creations like shrimp, raw spinach, and mushrooms nestled beneath corn foam, alongside raw tuna adorned with molecular eggplant cream and labneh ‘flakes’. The cocktails offered here rival those found in dedicated bars across the city.
5. Jasmino
Despite having no website, no listed phone number, and no social media presence, this diminutive, no-frills pita establishment at 97 Allenby St continues to draw significant crowds at all hours. Unconventional pita fillings feature offerings like chicken thighs, spicy veal hearts, and lamb sweetbreads, all topped with tahini, amba (a sauce crafted from mango and fenugreek), and an assortment of fresh vegetables. While visiting Jasmino during the day is a treat, joining the evening crowd for a pre- or post-club pita experience has become a local tradition.
6. Shlomo & Doron Hummus
It’s a third-generation family operation at Shlomo & Doron, a long-standing local favorite serving the same warm, original recipe hummus since 1937. Located on a cobblestone side street near bustling Carmel Market, this chickpea café within the Yemenite Quarter presents variations ranging from the classic—olive oil topped with paprika, cumin, parsley, and lemon—to the more adventurous shakshuka hybrid, which can be enjoyed with pita bread or a fresh onion wedge. Operating only during breakfast and lunch hours (closing at or before 3:30 PM daily), it is advisable to arrive early.
7. Coffee Bar
In case you’re misled, it’s neither a coffee shop nor a conventional cocktail bar; rather, it is a vibrant bistro in Tel Aviv’s south central region. Within the French-inspired black-and-white dining rooms, a chalkboard highlights daily specials that may include pizza biancas, pastas, and European seabass, alongside staple menu items such as goose confit served with marinated fig, mashed potatoes, and spinach, maintaining a loyal clientele. Whether for a weekend brunch on the patio or an evening dinner date, Coffee Bar remains bustling with sophisticated patrons.
8. Claro
Claro (‘clear’ in Spanish) exemplifies a farm-to-table philosophy in the Sarona district, operating from a grand stone Templar building that has hosted various establishments since 1885. Chef Ran Shmueli emphasizes local produce—an example being the stalk-on, oven-roasted whole corn accompanied by bacon butter and sour cream aioli—with pan-Mediterranean interpretations. While the industrial-chic dining room offers ample tables, the expansive countertop enveloping the open kitchen captures all the culinary action (and bartenders may invite you for a shot). The melt-in-your-mouth short rib tortellini with onion cream, parmesan, and sage is a standout recommendation at Claro.
9. Hotel Montefiore
Hotel Montefiore derives its name from the boutique hotel wherein it is located, recognized as one of Tel Aviv’s premier establishments. The sophisticated, palm-fringed brasserie serves as a social hub, particularly popular for breakfast; the ambiance is elevated by Jazz Age melodies, plush leather seating, and attentive service. It is an additional advantage that the breakfast offerings—which include rich toasted challah layered with Gouda and jambon, continental selections, and Tunisian eggs paired with peppers and tomatoes—are equally noteworthy.
10. Meshek Barzilay
Meshek Barzilay is an organic vegetarian trailblazer situated in the charming Neve Tzedek neighborhood, renowned for producing creative and globally inspired dishes sourced directly from local farms. The pastoral-style restaurant, particularly atmospheric with its garden terrace and glass-walled patio area, presents an extensive menu (including aubergine terrine, spicy pumpkin steak, and cashew cheese lasagne) complete with thoughtful indicators for gluten-free options and occasional non-organic dishes. Following the opening of a neighboring delicatessen in 2018, patrons can now take conscious-driven meals, baked goods, and groceries on the go.
This article was first published in January 2019 and last updated in November 2019.
