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Expertly hidden inside one of Tel Aviv's loveliest boutique hotels, The Drisco, George and John has a friendly atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The menu is modern Israeli—that is, Mediterranean with a Middle Eastern twist. Expect innovative dishes that are not only beautifully presented, but also cooked to perfection, such as the lime- and jalapeno-infused amberjack sashimi with Israeli caviar, and egg noodles with blue crab. The wine list is extensive and features some unusual choices, so don't be afraid to ask the excellent sommelier for a recommendation.
6 Auerbach St., 6811910, Israel
Known For
- Creative dishes like egg noodles with blue crab
- Extensive wine list
- Outstanding service
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A Tel Aviv institution, this lively restaurant wows with spectacular beach views and both indoor and outdoor dining options. Busy from breakfast to dinner, Manta Ray appeals to everyone from families to couples looking for romance, and attracts a loyal clientele. The imaginative appetizers vary from day to day, but staples include the Balkan bread with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sea salt, the to-die-for eggplant dip, and the sautéed shrimp with gnocchi, spinach, and crab sauce. The baked sea bream with rosemary and olive oil is simple Mediterranean fare at its best, especially with a spicy chili and pepper sauce on the side. Breakfast is popular here too—especially the spicy shakshuka. Nowhere in Tel Aviv will you get a better meal, especially not one combined with killer views of the Mediterranean and outstanding service.
2 Nahum Goldmann St., 68012, Israel
Known For
- Fresh seafood
- Unrivaled beachside location
- Lovely selection of mezes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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There is no Michelin guide for Israel yet but, if there was, OCD would likely be on the list. The name (an acronym for obsessive-compulsive disorder) refers to the meticulous care Chef Raz Rahav and his team pour into each elaborate dish in this 16- to 20-course adventure tasting menu. A first of its kind for Tel Aviv, OCD offers two nightly seatings with dishes changing monthly based on seasonal offerings. Guests are seated communal-style around the bar in front of the open kitchen, with an unobstructed view of all the action. And while Rahav may still not have turned 30, maturity and sophistication of his cooking suggests otherwise. The dishes make conversation pieces for what feels like an intimate dinner party for those lucky enough to bag a coveted seat at his highly sought-after table. Make sure you book at least four weeks in advance and inform the restaurant of any dietary restrictions (vegan, vegetarian, kosher, in addition to any intolerances or allergies) at the time of booking as no changes will be made on the night.
17 Tirtsa St., 6811559, Israel
Known For
- Creative 16- to 20-course tasting menus
- Blind menu (not available online or presented on arrival)
- One of Tel Aviv's most unique gastronomic experiences
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed weekends. Lunch Fri. only.
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This shop serves what is often called the country's best hummus, which is not an easy task with so many places serving this addictive chickpea dish. For something quite different, order the masabacha with chunks of chickpeas served in warm hummus, or the hummus ful, made from Egyptian fava beans. Get here early and expect to wait in line, because once the pot is empty the restaurant closes (usually around 2:30 pm).
1 Dolphin St., 68034, Israel
Known For
- The best hummus in Israel
- One of the oldest Palestinian restaurants in Tel Aviv
- Very informal and always busy
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sat.
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There's always a crowd forming outside Abulafia Bakery, south of Jaffa's clock tower. For a simple snack with an exquisite flavor, order a pita topped with za'atar (a mixture of herbs, spices, and seeds), or stuffed with salty cheese, calzone style. In winter, Abulafia is a good place to try sahlab, a warm drink sprinkled with coconut and cinnamon.
7 Yefet St., 68028, Israel
Known For
- No seating
- Hole-in-the-wall-style street food joint
- Sweet and savory Israeli baked goods
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Set in a historic building on one of the prettiest streets in Old Jaffa, Beit Kandinof is both contemporary art center and restaurant. Home to five galleries with ever-changing exhibitions from Tel Aviv's dynamic modern art scene, Beit Kandinof also houses artists of its own: chefs Yogev Yaros and Shami Golomb, masterminds behind an impressive menu that combines Mediterranean cuisine with Arabic Jaffa touches. The selection varies with the seasons, but best-selling staples include the spicy fava bean hummus and the slow-cooked lamb spare ribs. For dessert, try a to-die-for local specialty known as malabi, which is like an Israeli take on the Italian panna cotta, except even more delicious.
14 HaTsorfim St., 68039, Israel
Known For
- Changing menu and art exhibits
- Slow-cooked lamb spare ribs
- Malabi for dessert
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Sun.–Thurs.
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This Jaffa institution has been serving shakshuka, a mouthwatering Israeli breakfast specialty, for decades, but it soared to fame in 2018 after appearing on the Tel Aviv episode of "Somebody Feed Phil." The show tells the story of how the "Doctor" did time in prison, where he perfected the art of cooking shakshuka for the other inmates. A free man again, he opened a restaurant in Jaffa, gave it his prison nickname, and the rest is history. The spot attracts more than its fair share of tourists but the shakshuka is as good as it gets, making it well worth a visit. You can order your shakshuka hot or mild, in one of several versions, including traditional, vegan, with mushrooms, with eggplant or with merguez sausage.
Known For
- Best shakshuka in Tel Aviv
- Varieties including merguez sausage
- Service can be iffy but the food is worth it
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Fri., no lunch Sat.
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With an unbeatable view of the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Old City on the other, this Greek-influenced eatery will add a romantic touch to your visit to Jaffa. Sip ouzo or arak (a locally produced anise-flavored liqueur) alongside fresh-baked kalamata olive bread and colorful small dishes like grilled artichokes over lentils or fish kabobs with cilantro-mint salad. The small dining space is set in an old stone building on the water, so be sure to request one of the few tables by the window to watch the special sunset view.
10 Kedumim Sq., 68037, Israel
Known For
- Ideal spot to enjoy the Tel Aviv sunset
- Killer sea views
- Greek flavors
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Mon.–Thurs., Reservations essential
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In the heart of the Jaffa Flea Market, Puaa's lumpy sofas and slightly battered tables and chairs make for a kick-your-shoes-off atmosphere—and some patrons oblige. It's a popular gathering place for thirtysomething Tel Avivians, as well as young families. All the cakes, cookies, and croissants are baked fresh on the premises. There's a good selection of vegetarian dishes, including the Middle Eastern favorite majadarah (rice with lentils), served with salad and yogurt, as well as some meat and fish options.
8 Rabbi Yohanan St., 61000, Israel
Known For
- Laid-back living room feel
- Excellent vegetarian selection
- Popular outdoor patio that attracts a young crowd
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sat.
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This laid-back bar is in the middle of the action next to Jaffa's busy flea market. It draws easygoing locals and tourists of all ages, who come for the tasty, affordable food and drinks and the lively outdoor patio. The menu is mainly local, with some Asian dishes thrown in; the service is efficient and upbeat; and the furniture looks like it's been randomly lifted right out of the flea market. Shaffa Bar doesn't take itself too seriously and neither do its guests, which is probably what makes this place so irresistible.
2 Nakhman St., 6813803, Israel
Known For
- Totally unpretentious
- Affordable food
- Plenty of outdoor seating on the patio
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