OCD Restaurant
This culinary gem is one of the best restaurants in the city. The chef is a young brand of genius who offers a creative nine-course gastronomy trip you won’t forget. For those in search of exciting contemporary cuisine, this eatery pushes limits. Reservations are a must since the fine dining experience entices food connoisseurs and there’s limited seating.
Tirtsa St 17, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-556-6774
OCD Restaurant
Onza
A popular bar and restaurant, Onza is in bustling Shuk HaPishpeshim (Jaffa’s flea market). The Turkish touch of the menu is just one highlight of the innovative menu put together by chef pair Arik Darhani and Muli Magriso. If you like mezze-style dining, then this classy, yet inexpensive eatery will not disappoint. Try the cacik, which is a Turkish yoghurt dip made with cucumbers, mint, and dill. Reservations are not necessary, but you may want to call ahead.
Rabbi Hannina St 3, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-648-6060
Onza
Night Kitchen
For those who are looking for a home away quiet place to dine, Night Kitchen in Tel Aviv’s trendy Lilienblum Street neighbourhood may be the perfect spot. This little place’s wholesome charm lies in its humble setting, accentuated with amazing smells from chef Eyal Dayan’s kitchen. The menu is long and contains all the salads, pasta, fish, and meat a hungry out-of-towner could want. Try the tasting menu; you won’t be disappointed. It’s a really good idea to call ahead; the restaurant is quite popular.
Lilienblum St 20, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-566-0481
Night Kitchen
Nini Hachi
A Kosher Japanese meat restaurant, Nini Hachi is right in the middle of Tel Aviv near the beach. The eatery specialises in sushi, fish, ramen, teppanyaki, and authentic noodle dishes. Expect a rich menu that covers the spectrum of fine Japanese and Asian favourites. Many diners consider Nini Hachi the best sushi restaurant in town. Reservations are recommended.
Ben Yehuda St 228, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-624-9228
Nini Hachi
Bocca Bocca
For a no-frills eating experience, while visiting Carmel Market, you can do a lot worse than snagging a place at the corner picnic table that owner Enzo serves his Italian street food on. Pull up a bench and enjoy one of the city’s friendliest places with personal service fit for street kinds.
HaCarmel St 40, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 052-391-3233
Bocca Bocca
Hamburg
If you ever wondered where America’s favourite food originated, the gigantic sign over this restaurant tells you in no uncertain terms. Right on top of Tel Aviv’s boardwalk, the letters call out every other legend: “Birthplace of the hamburger – 1885.” It goes without saying, Hamburg serves the best burger in town. But, there’s also a full bar staff that can mix a variety of classic cocktails. If you’re not in the mood for the best cheddar cheeseburger anywhere, try the merguez sausages, they’re amazing.
Retsif Herbert Samuel St 76, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 1-700-507073
Hamburg
Salva Vida
Israeli chef Yuval Fachler is considered one of Tel Aviv’s most innovative culinary artists. Salva Vida is a gastronomic fusion that welds together Californian techniques with Mediterranean traditions, to form up fine Italian into new Israeli twisted cuisine. In case you are interested, and you should be, call to make reservations for a unique culinary trip.
HaYarkon St 88, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-778-8996
Salva Vida
Mapu Mediterranean Restaurant
This moderately priced eatery is a good choice in a town that has kosher covered. Chef Nir Zook has a few tricks up his sleeve that other Tel Aviv culinary artists either forgot or never knew. Ideally situated, the restaurant cooks and bakes everything in the house. The experience is enhanced by the tasteful design of the place, and, if you want to dine al fresco, they have seating outdoors, where you will enjoy the fresh air, the greenery, and the sounds of the city.
Mapu St 9, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-762-9002
Mapu Mediterranean Restaurant
Kitchen Market
If you yearn for a contemporary fusion restaurant while in Tel Aviv, look no further than the Namal Farmers’ Market. And yes, all the ingredients for chef Yossi Shitrit’s gastronomic creations come right through the front and back doors of this classy restaurant overlooking the harbour. Take in the stunning sunsets over the Mediterranean here, and you’ll never regret the choice.
Farmers Market, Ha-Angar St 12, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-544-6669
Kitchen Market
Mashya
If fancy gourmet cuisine, this crisp, contemporary restaurant is one of Tel Aviv’s best. Chef Yossi Shitrit’s innovative gastronomy highlighted by Moroccan accents has made Mashya a name for itself in a short time. From the dinner menu we can recommend the skillet cooked sea bass fillet with cracked corn “Hamin”, and paprika and pepper chilli. Call for reservations; you won’t be sorry.
5 Mendalei St., Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-750-0999
Mashya
The House of Hummus (Hummus Habayit)
As the name suggests, this 7-day-a-week eatery is all about serving fresh homemade hummus alongside shakshuka, Yemenite jachnun, malawach, and Israeli salads. Some people claim it is the best place in town for hummus, but since Tel Aviv is something like the capital of hummus, there is usually some argument. One thing is certain, though. This inexpensive eatery has what hummus hunters crave.
Allenby St 47, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-670-4437
The House of Huumus
HaBasta
A stone’s throw from the Carmel Market, this cosy little restaurant also doubles as a wine bar. It is a kicked back spot where the vibe is all about going easy and enjoying the daily menu that never gets boring. With ingredients straight from the market stalls, expect the best seafood, homemade bread, and veggies possible. Pair your choice with a glass of wine, and you will have a worthwhile culinary experience.
HaShomer St 4, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-516-9234
HaBasta
Abraxas North
Eyal Shani’s chic downtown restaurant is one of Tel Aviv’s most famous and popular dining experiences. Expect amazing food, stellar service, and the best long drinks anywhere. Most people enjoy the bar seating around the open kitchen, which makes for an intimate connection between chef and guest. The gastronomy is creative, but not far out. Call for reservations.
Lilienblum St 40, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-516-6660
Abraxas North
Hôtel de Ville
Hôtel de Ville is a creative gastropub with a hipster interior reminiscent of French bistros. It is led by Chef Yogev Yehros and has a French-inspired menu to die for. Ariel Leizgold creates artisan cocktails that go well with the grub: look out for Ami et Tami and Casino Royale.
Dizengoff St 230, Tel Aviv-Yafo – 03-974-6999
Hôtel de Ville
You will discover even more fantastic eateries strolling down the streets and especially if you visit the Shuk HaNamal – where the aforementioned Kitchen Market restaurant attracts diners with gourmet bites, the Sarona Market, which is considered a foodie’s heaven, and the famous Shuk HaCarmel for traditional eateries and fantastic chef-owned pop-up food stands.