Everything we ate in Israel - February 2026
We just got back from a week-long trip to Israel, where we stayed mostly in and around the Tel Aviv area. While we would have loved to check off a few more dinner spots — especially some of the trendier reservations in Tel Aviv — we still ate incredibly well throughout the trip. From casual bites to memorable meals, everything was delicious in its own way. I hope this guide helps as you plan your next visit!
Yom Tov Café: This casual café is tucked inside Shuk HaCarmel in central Tel Aviv. If you want a front-row seat to all the market action, this is the perfect spot. We didn’t order food, but the iced coffees were absolute perfection.
The Urban Bakery: We popped in for a quick cappuccino while walking from Levinsky Market to Jaffa and ended up having one of the best coffees of the trip. I only wish we had stayed for a pastry — everything looked incredible. It’s also set within a gorgeous cluster of buildings, which makes it even more charming.
Anita Gelato: While the gelato looked incredible, we only stopped in for a coffee at the Neve Tzedek location — and it was great. The branding and aesthetic are also so well done, which makes the whole experience feel extra fun.
Café Levinsky 41: We stopped here for gazoz, the Israeli drink made with fermented fruits, sparkling water, and fresh herbs. The owner is actually credited with reviving and popularizing gazoz in Tel Aviv, which makes the experience even cooler. It’s absolutely worth a stop — and a chat if you have the time.
WineBerry Lilienblum: We popped in for a glass of wine before a dinner reservation and it turned out to be such a great find. They have a cool, thoughtfully curated selection from all over, and we even left with a gorgeous, super drinkable Israeli orange wine. We absolutely loved the vibe in there!
Hamotzi Lechem Levinsky: When I say I haven’t stopped thinking about the smell inside this bakery — or the babka — I truly mean it. They are doing something special here. It was, without question, the best babka I’ve ever had. If you’re heading to Tel Aviv, make this a mandatory stop.
Jorno : This French bakery is a lovely spot in the Savyon town center. We had a truly delicious almond croissant, and there’s plenty of great outdoor seating to sit and enjoy it.
Aroma: If you don’t go to Aroma while you’re in Israel, did you even go? We sadly skipped their famous blended iced coffee this time, but we did enjoy a coffee and some cheese burekas by the water in Bat Yam — which felt pretty perfect in its own right.
מרכז המאפה / The Baking Center: We stopped in for a quick bite and walked out with three burekas — one savory and two sweet. All of them were absolutely delicious. I love that this is such a normal thing you can find, and I especially love that your can grab a boiled egg with your savory bureka. It is the perfect pair!
Cafe Joe: While it may not be the most mind-blowing breakfast in Israel, they do a solid job and the coffee is good. I especially love that all of their breakfasts come with a chopped salad — such a classic Israeli touch.
בורקס יוון / Burekas Yavan: This is a mandatory stop for us in Israel — and something my husband especially looks forward to. The burekas are served with eggs that are baked overnight with onion skins and tea, giving them that signature deep brown color and rich flavor. Flaky, buttery, and perfectly filled, they’re exactly what you want from a classic burekas spot.
Carmel Market: Okay, so this isn’t a restaurant, but it’s an absolute must. Shuk HaCarmel is a massive traditional marketplace in the heart of Tel Aviv, and the best way to experience it is by trying as many bites as you can. We found a stand serving tiny schnitzels and cigarim (crispy rolled pastries filled with savory beef), plus a fresh mango smoothie — but that was just scratching the surface. There’s so much more to choose from, and that’s the fun of it. I also really recommend picking up all your spices to bring home here.
Lupo Salad & Fish Deli: This Romanian-inspired deli in the heart of Levinsky Market was such a pleasant surprise. This tiny, family-run hole-in-the-wall truly brought me back — my Romanian great-grandfather made his eggplant relish almost the exact same way Lupo does. I especially loved the smoked mackerel and honestly anything with eggplant. Please stop by and give this special spot some love.
Yom Tov Deli: This iconic shop has been family-run since 1947, and it truly does it all. They sell gourmet goods and specialty products, plus they have one of the most impressive smoked fish and pickle counters you’ll ever see. Everything from the olives to the stuffed pickled peppers and hibiscus leaves is made in-house. If you’re looking to bring home some great Israeli olive oil (or any delicious pantry staples), this is a perfect place to stop.
Levinsky 53: This is the spot for kubbeh in Levinsky Market. I’d recommend starting with the classic, but they also offer a variety of different “wrappings” and serve them in several types of soups. I’d love to go back and try the beet kubbeh soup next time.
חומוס גרגירים / Hummus Gargirim: This is a sport for a classic bowl of hummus done right. Creamy, rich, and topped with perfectly cooked chickpeas (e.g. gargirim). It is simple and satisfying in the best way. It is served with fresh pita and pickles and you have the perfect quick meal.
Sahara Shawarma: We stopped here on our first night in Bat Yam and had a great turkey shawarma plate. I love that you can customize your plate with any pickles and sides you want from the little counter — it makes the whole experience even better.
Basata Hummus: This spot is right next to the historic Caesarea Port, and we stopped in after exploring the area. The hummus was perfect — topped with foul and a boiled egg — and we had some of the best falafel of the trip here. Such a great, satisfying stop.
The White Corner: Another great find in Yehud. We had delicious chicken shawarma loaded with all the fixings, plus some of the best beer-battered fries. Such a satisfying, casual spot.
Abu Nassar: This is another can’t-miss spot for my husband whenever he’s back in Israel. Located in Jaffa, it’s a traditional Arab restaurant that fills your table with endless salatim and fresh lafa bread to go alongside your meat or fish. I’d recommend the chicken kebab or exploring one of their fish options. The people who own and run this place truly could not be nicer, which makes the experience even more special.
Gourmet Sabzi: This was actually my first time trying Persian food beyond the usual kebab and rice with roasted tomatoes — and I loved it. We ordered the gondi (similar to matzo balls but made with chickpea flour and chicken), the most delicious beef kebab, some rice, and ghormeh sabzi. Such a gem of a spot!
Ester: Ester was another incredible spot we tried in Yehud — honestly, don’t sleep on the Yehud food scene. It’s a French-ish bistro serving up some seriously good homemade pasta, and every bite we had was amazing. We started with the oxtail gyoza, then split the short rib ragu pasta, mushroom cream gnocchi, and a chicken shawarma plate. For dessert, we had portokalopita (a Greek orange cake), which was the perfect sweet ending. I’d highly recommend this spot!
Moon Sushi Bar: We had lunch at Moon Sushi Bar in the Savyon town center, and while it wasn’t exactly mind-blowing sushi, it definitely did the job. If you go, I’d recommend sticking with the dressed-up maki over the nigiri — but overall, it was a nice, easy meal.
Pek Hi: I didn’t manage to snap a photo, but one night we ordered Chinese food from Pek Hi in Holon for a family dinner, and it was actually delicious. I always find Chinese food in other countries so interesting because it adapts to local tastes — and this was definitely different from the takeout we’re used to in the U.S. Still, it totally hit the spot.
Zinc: We went to Zinc in Yehud for dinner one night and it was delicious. We started with an incredible Caesar tahini cauliflower and a blooming onion situation, then had the schnitzel for our mains. The schnitzel was so good, and the fries were amazing. Kind staff and such a great spot overall.
North Abraxas: This was our only true solo dinner reservation of the trip, and it was absolutely worth it. Inspired by Israeli chef Eyal Shani, the menu is creative, produce-forward, and packed with flavor — every dish somehow better than the last. The highlights for me were the perfectly balanced squid salad, the cloud-like gnocchi, and the classic Eyal Shani–style green beans (which we try to recreate at home all the time).
Golda: This trendy ice cream chain is known for fun, of-the-moment flavors (think Dubai chocolate and other creative combos), but I went with their soft serve — topped with crispy chocolate sauce and strawberries. So good and totally hit the spot.
Some places that were on our list but we didn’t make it to:
Sabich Frishman
Jasmino
Port Sa’id
Shlomo & Doron Hummus
Hummus Asi and Adnan
Pimpinella
Hakosem (הקטן)
Hotel Cecil
Abouelafia
Burekas shel Aba
Habasta
Tzachi Meats
Oved Bakfar
