25+ Best Restaurants in Tel Aviv – Sorted by Restaurant Type

All the gourmets visiting Tel Aviv – unite! This guide lists the best restaurants in Tel Aviv.

I’m a Tel Aviv local and have tried around 100 different eateries in town. Today, I share my ultimate picks with you! I sorted the restaurants by categories and included 3 restaurants per section. I tried to keep it diverse in terms of budget, but you’ll find most of the prices are mid-range.

Whether you’re into street food, fine dining, or Kosher, I’ve got just the best restaurants for all types of foodies wondering where to eat in Tel Aviv!

Yalla let’s go!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Here is a quick summary of the best restaurants in Tel Aviv divided by category:

• Mashya – most upscale restaurant
• Moon Sushi – best Sushi restaurant
• Amore Mio – top Italian restaurant
• Anastasia – best vegan option

1. Best traditional restaurants

If you want to try local food, there are plenty of Israeli restaurants in the city serving seasonal menus and Israeli cuisine staples!

• Old Man and the Sea ($$) – This legendary restaurant operating since 1999 has a perfect location in Jaffa Port, just by the marina. It serves fresh seafood, meat dishes, and the iconic mezze plates (around 20 small plates with veggies and dips) that come for free when you order at least 2 dishes. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Jaffa to visit with kids, and it’s open on Shabbat, too!
• Haachim ($$) – Tel Aviv’s most famous chef brothers have opened this restaurant that serves Israeli food with a modern twist, most of the dishes are made to be shared but you can also order individual meals.
• Port Sa’id ($$) – Everything from the décor and staff to the dishes in this urban restaurant is made to reflect a typical Israeli dining experience. Always fresh products, a hipster vibe, and plenty of dishes to share – this is exactly what describes modern Israel AND this restaurant.

NOTE: Tips are mandatory in Israel. It’s considered acceptable to leave from 10% for an okay service and up to 20% or more for exceptional service. The waiters may actually argue with you if you don’t leave a tip, so this is a really important thing to know and add to your budget planning!

2. Best breakfast/brunch places in Tel Aviv

Breakfast is a big thing in Israel. The locals here like to start their day with a hearty balanced meal including plenty of protein (eggs, cheese), chickpeas and other veggies, dips, and fresh bread.

You’ll also find shakshuka, which consists of eggs poached in tomato sauce, onions, olive oil, and spices. Shakshuka is my personal favorite because it sets me up for the day, especially when I pair it with some bread and hummus on the side!

Now here’s my selection of the best breakfast places where you can try these but also many other dishes:

• Café Puaa ($$) – The best brunch place in Jaffa, with a separate area for people coming with laptops for work. They have delicious vegan, vegetarian, and meat dishes and sandwiches and the most authentic vintage interior! They get their utensils and décor from the Jaffa market where they are located, and you can actually buy the plates, glasses, or even furniture you use here!
• Benedict ($$) – This iconic place is known as the local-favorite for breakfast, serving the best pancakes and shakshuka, all coming in large portions that you can share with friends or your better half.
• Café Yom Tov ($$) – I’m in love with the breakfast in Yom Tov! Their scrambled eggs with sweet potato are out of this world! The restaurant was featured on Assaf Granit’s Kitchen, a show led by an Israeli chef who actually got a Michelin star in Paris!

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3. Best fine dining restaurants

Tel Aviv has a rich fine dining scene, and many of its traditional and international restaurants fall under this category. I did my best to select only the top 3, but the list could be much longer here:

• Mashya ($$$) – Everyone raves about this restaurant that serves seasonal menus with fresh ingredients straight out of nearby markets. The concept of the restaurant is to pay homage to Tel Aviv’s modern, hipster, and intimate vibes.
• OCD ($$$$) – A different fine dining experience with a tasting menu that consists of 19 courses, served to a group of 19 people sitting in front of the chef’s table surrounding the kitchen. The food combines Jewish and Mediterranean cuisines, and the restaurant setup is one of the most unique ones in Tel Aviv.
• Claro Tel Aviv ($$$$) – One of the top-rated fine dining restaurants in Tel Aviv set in a refurbished Templar building and serving Mediterranean fare by one of Israel’s most respected chefs, Ran Shmueli.

4. Best international restaurants

I always tell my husband that we are so grateful to live in Tel Aviv because we can travel the world anytime we want. And what I mean by that, is that there are so many international restaurants, you could easily spend months eating at different restaurants serving authentic international cuisine.

The reason why there are so many diverse restaurants is that many Jews from all over the world who migrated to Israel brought together the food from their host countries and now share it with fellow locals and visitors.

I’ve had the difficult task of picking only one best restaurant per category when there are so many places I could recommend. So I’ve really picked the best of the best:

• Italian: Amore Mio ($$) – Not only do they serve the most generous portions and the best desserts in Tel Aviv, but the décor is so inviting you’ll never want to leave! It was the first Italian restaurant we tried in Tel Aviv, and so far it’s our favorite, together with Ernesto.
• Greek: Ouzeria ($$) – A cozy, urban atmosphere in the heart of Levinsky Market, but it’s always super busy. You definitely need a reservation!
• American: Mike’s Place ($$) – Feel like you’re in the U.S. with authentic food, décor, everyone speaking English, and, of course, the usual comfort foods. Everything from nachos, burgers, fish & chips, to fajitas and your usual Tex-Mex fare is on the table.
• Mexican: Taqueria ($$) – An authentic Mexican place serving the best frozen Margaritas and typical Mexican street food. They have the best quesadillas I’ve tasted in Tel Aviv!
• Mediterranean: Night Kitchen ($$) – One of the best Neve Tzedek restaurants and overall a top place for Mediterranean cuisine and craft cocktails. They cater to night owls and are only open for dinner, from 6 PM to midnight.
• Indian: Tandoori ($$) – Located on Tel Aviv promenade, this affordable Indian place is top-rated in the Indian restaurant category and has great views of the beach. Plus, you’ll find a bunch of vegan-friendly options!
• Chinese: The Chinese Wall ($) – Both my favorite and Tel Aviv’s best Chinese restaurant, The Chinese Wall is delicious, affordable, and makes incredibly tasty wonton!

• Japanese: Moon Sushi ($$) – Every time you eat at Moon Sushi, it feels like chewing on tiny pieces of heaven. They have an impressive menu with dozens of roll combinations, and they’re all super fresh! It’s my favorite sushi place in town.
• Thai: Thai House ($$$) – This iconic Thai place is a bit pricey, but it’s so worth it! It’s one of the oldest restaurants in Tel Aviv, dating from 1996. The dishes have a modern, fine-dining vibe, but the atmosphere in the restaurant is super relaxed. All their meat is super juicy, and the starters are a must-try!

This is far from being the exhaustive list of all international restaurants available in Tel Aviv. Think Romanian, Bulgarian, Ethiopian, Georgian, Libyan, Colombian, Argentinian, and much more!

If you want to check another name I haven’t mentioned, just type “best [name of the country] restaurants in Tel Aviv” in Google and be surprised!

5. Best vegan restaurants

Did you know that nearly 1 in every 10 residents of Tel Aviv are vegan? With such a pleasant climate and plenty of fresh veggies and fruits, even as a non-vegan I truly enjoy eating vegan dishes here.

But here are the top 3 vegan restaurants you should try in Tel Aviv:

• Anastasia ($$) – Definitely the best vegan restaurant considering the variety of food, serving everything from salads, pastas, shakshuka, sandwiches, even French breakfast with delicious butter croissants. They have the best vanilla ice cream, too!
• The Green Roll ($$) – Everyone raves about this vegan sushi restaurant, and it’s for a darn good reason. Fresh, creative, authentic flavors, and affordable – it’s how I can best describe this place in simple terms.
• Meshek Barzilay ($$) – This restaurant and deli is a heaven-sent for the local vegan community, with an explosion of flavors that even non-vegans can’t stay immune to. They have tons of gluten free options, too. The cool part is that you can buy the products you ate after your meal from their deli shop on-site and create your own twist of the dishes you tried!

6. Best Tel Aviv street food spots

Ah, here we come to my favorite section and favorite type of food in Israel! The street food vibes in Israel are on another level, and I’ll tell you why.

You know how street food is usually associated with extremely delicious but also super unhealthy food, and it’s best to be avoided if you want to be mindful about your health? Well, that’s not the case with Israeli street food! Loaded with veggies, spices, veggies, and fresh herbs & seafood, local street food here is both healthy and delicious!

• Abu Hassan ($) – The best hummus in town topped with super crispy falafel, french fries, and simple salads. We always eat here when we want a quick and healthy meal, although the place can get super crowded.
• Sabich Frishman ($) – My favorite place in town for sabich, it’s always super fresh and creamy with all the sauces.
• Fish and Chips ($) – Fish and chips in a street food edition just by the port in Jaffa – delicious, affordable, and super fresh, plus open on Shabbat. Also one of the few restaurants with a Badatz certificate (a VIP Kosher certificate).

7. Best cafés to work from

Israelis LOVE to work from cafés! When you have many people with remote jobs living in an ideal climate with a strong community culture, it’s no wonder why you’ll find work-friendly places on every corner!

Here are the best ones I’ve worked from:

• Café Shneor ($$) – I discovered this place by accident and now keep coming back here to work! They have an extensive menu, including plenty of vegan options, all types of coffee and fresh juices, plus a lovely, inviting atmosphere for work both indoors and in the garden.
• Michelangelo Café ($$) – This vegan place is one of the best places to work if you’re based in or near Jaffa! In fact, I’m working from it right as I write this article. The homey atmosphere, delicious meals, plenty of snacks, and a cute outdoor garden make this place attractive to laptopers from the early morning.
• The Little Prince ($$) – A lovely café and bookshop with tables and chairs for seating. Being surrounded by books is the ideal setting for work if you ask me.

8. Best restaurants with a view

When we talk about restaurants with views in Tel Aviv, it’s mostly about sea views. Although Tel Aviv has a catchy skyline, there aren’t many places where you can eat and enjoy the views of the city apart from the restaurant at the Azrieli Observatory, but the service and food here aren’t as great as the view.

Now these 3 restaurants offer the best views plus amazing food:

• Manta Ray ($$$) – One of the seaside restaurants with stunning views of the Old Jaffa and the sunset. The locals love eating breakfast here, and also everyone raves about their mezze platters serving a variety of salads with bread!
• Yulia TLV ($$) – This essentially seafood restaurant is located in the Tel Aviv Port district, just by the sea. It’s perfect for a romantic dinner at sunset, but they also offer generous breakfasts and cater to all types of foodies, from vegans to meat lovers.
• Suramare ($$) – This gastropub has an insane cocktail master and stunning rooftop views. The food is average, but still a great value considering the location!

9. Best Kosher restaurants

Finally, these are the best Kosher restaurants in Tel Aviv:

• Guetta ($) – This Kosher restaurant specializes in Tripoli (Libyan) dishes. They have a menu for 2 people, which is perfect if you’re visiting as a couple, but they also accommodate large groups with plenty of dishes to share. Apparently, they have the best couscous in town – fluffy and savory!
• Regina Restaurant ($$) – One of the best Kosher and LeMehadrin restaurants in Tel Aviv with a scenic garden and a 19th-century building as the base. They serve a variety of dishes, from Hungarian goulash to Moroccan fish and many other fusion dishes. Plus, it’s located in the first Jewish neighborhood of Tel Aviv!
• Whiskey Museum ($$$) – A unique whiskey museum and restaurant with masterfully created dishes and whiskey tastings, and, I must say, the best steak I’ve had in Tel Aviv. We visited for an important celebration, and so far the visit here remains one of my most authentic dining experiences in Tel Aviv.

Restaurant prices in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is an expensive city, there’s no secret about that. For years, it used to be the most expensive city in the world, and now it’s in the top 5. This translates to high prices in stores, hotels, and restaurants.

It always amazed me when I first moved to Tel Aviv how a single cup of coffee can cost more than a full meal in my hometown in Serbia. With time, I got used to it, and now eating out in most other parts of the world feels cheap.

Here are the price categories for restaurants in Tel Aviv:

• Cheap restaurants ($) – Depending on the restaurant, a meal in a cheap place can cost between $15 and $30 per person, including tips (remember, at least 10% is acceptable in Israel). This usually includes a meal like falafel, hummus, a sandwich, or other fast food, and one non-alcoholic drink.
• Mid–range restaurants ($) – This is the most common price range you’ll find in Tel Aviv, and you’ll usually pay from $30 to $50 per person for a main dish with a drink, including the tip. You may even squeeze a dessert in some mid-range restaurants for this price. Add in another glass of wine or other alcoholic drink, and the price increases $10 per drink.
• High–end restaurants ($$+) – If you want to splurge, there are many fine dining restaurants offering dishes starting from $50 up to $200 for tasting menus per person, without the tip.

🍽️ Dinner for 2 with wine:	US$80
💱 Tip:	10-20%
😋 Best Traditional food:	Old Man and the Sea
⭐ Fine dining restaurant:	Mashya
☕ Best coffee:	Café Shneor
🌱 Vegan restaurant:	Anastasia
🥟 Must try food:	Shakshuka

BONUS 1: Must–try food in Tel Aviv

Now, what are the foods you must try when in Tel Aviv? I’ll start with some local foods and then share the best places to eat your usual comfort foods like burgers and pizzas!

• Falafel: Deep-fried balls of chickpeas, herbs, and spices, deliciously crispy, usually paired with hummus. Abu Hassan ($) is the best place to try both hummus (explanation below) and falafel!
• Hummus: Cooked and mashed chickpeas with tahini (sesame paste), garlic, and lemon juice, the Middle East’s most famous dip!
• Sabich: Probably the only originally Israeli dish on the list made as a vegetarian twist of shawarma, sabich is a pita bread sandwich with fried eggplants and loads of veggies, spices, tahini, hummus, and a boiled egg. Sabich Frishman ($) is my go-to place for sabich!
• Knafeh: This traditional Arab dessert made from spun pastry, sweet cheese, a sugar syrup, and toppings like pistachio or nuts is my all-time favorite dessert! I recommend Yaffa Knafeh ($) for first-timers, and Fairouz Café ($) for an authentic coffee place atmosphere.

• Shakshuka: Eggs cooked in tomato sauce, onions, olive oil, and a mix of spices, usually eaten for breakfast. Avoid the tourist trap Dr. Shakshuka in Jaffa (you’ll often see it as the best place to eat shakshuka in town), and try Shakshukia in the City Center instead – it’s both tastier and more affordable.
• Bourekas: Pastry with cheese, spinach, or pizza filling originating from the Balkans, you can try it in all bakeries across Tel Aviv, but the best one is at Nonstop Burekas ($).
• Roasted eggplant: This local dish consists of a roasted eggplant with tahini, red pepper, lemon, and olive oil topping, and it’s usually served with hot pita bread or as a side dish. Kabakeh ($$$) is an awesome Jaffa restaurant where you can try this and other local Arabic dishes.
• Burger: These are 2 mouthwatering burger places that you must try if you love this staple food: Prozdor ($$) and Porter & Sons ($$)!
• Pizza: Tony’s Tapas & Bar ($$) has the best pepperoni pizza you’ll ever try in Israel, I promise you that! An iconic pizza place, Hapizza ($$), is also not to be missed!

BONUS 2: Best food tours in Tel Aviv

The best way to indulge in local foods, especially if you’re short on time in Tel Aviv, is to hop on a food tour. Tel Aviv’s bustling markets offer delicious street food options, and the locals are always eager to introduce foreign visitors to their cuisine.

These are the best food tours in English where you can treat your taste buds with local Israeli foods guided by locals:

• 2-Hour Carmel Market Tour in English – This 2-hour tour costs $81 and takes you on an unforgettable tour of the Carmel Market where you’ll try foods directly from the stalls, explore its hidden alleyways, and also learn about this vibrant Tel Aviv neighborhood.
• 2-Hour Levinsky Market Tour – If you’re more like a “give me a full lunch experience” type of person, then this Levinsky Market tour is for you! It costs $81, takes you around Tel Aviv’s most colorful market (think hundreds of pure spices), and offers a full lunch with desserts!
• Jaffa Flea Market Tour – If I didn’t already live in Jaffa, I’d definitely go on this tasting tour for $81! They let you try snacks from the local restaurants (I saw the list, tried them all – from authentic dishes to desserts they’re all perfect!) and also share stories about Jaffa and its people. So cool!

FAQs about best restaurants in Tel Aviv

Conclusion

Our Tel Aviv culinary adventure has reached an end, and I hope all your senses are now open and ready to indulge in the fresh, savory, and invigorating tastes of Tel Aviv restaurants!

I could tell by now that you’re dedicated to planning a perfect stay in Tel Aviv, so I invite you to keep exploring and check my article on 31 best things to do in this bustling Mediterranean city!

And if you have any questions or want to share other restaurant recommendations, just drop me and my readers a comment below!

Enjoy Tel Aviv,

Darija

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