7 Best Restaurants in Center City, Tel Aviv

Part of the ultra-chic Renoma boutique hotel, Bar 51 has become one of the hottest spots on the Tel Aviv food scene since opening in 2019. Everything here is on trend, from the hip, laid-back staff to the postindustrial design and the small plates of creative, contemporary Mediterranean cuisine made for sharing. Snag one of the coveted seats at the bar and watch the kitchen team work their magic as you tuck into showstopping dishes such as the zucchini pappardelle with blue crab, or the signature lemon-infused roasted kohlrabi. Let the sommelier create a wine pairing to go with the dishes of your choice and it'll be a winner.

Helmed by one of Israel's most highly regarded veteran chefs, Ran Shmueli, Claro is one of those spots that has it all. The farm-to-table Mediterranean menu changes daily, featuring only the freshest seasonal, locally sourced produce, and the building, originally constructed by the German Templers in 1886, makes the experience unforgettable. The rustic yet sophisticated ambience complements the beautiful dishes, a perfect balance of classic Mediterranean cuisine and innovative Israeli flavors.

This tiny restaurant and wine bar, just a clutch of round tables on an alley just off Carmel Market, draws its inspiration from the market's fresh offerings (the name is Hebrew for "market stall"). The choices change daily, and the kitchen is well-known for dishing out organ meats you might not see much back home. For the less adventurous, the seafood and pork options are sure to be fresh and aesthetically appealing. Try also the white pizza with black truffles when in season. The paella with bacon, sausage, shrimp, and mussels is about as non-kosher as it gets for a place whose chef refers to the nearby market as the "Holy of Holies." 

A self-described "Med to Table" restaurant, Animar offers a classic and elegant feel, fresh and interesting flavors, and an unparalleled view of sunset over the sea. The menu, inspired by produce from around the Mediterranean, includes a house special grilled zucchini and a truly delightful wild sea bass.

A Tel Aviv classic that has stood the test of time, Coffee Bar is neither a coffee shop nor a bar—in fact, it is a rather elegant bistro. The service is excellent, the menu is fresh and contemporary, and the design is on point. It's no surprise, as the restaurant is run by R2M, the hospitality group behind the likes of Hotel Montefiore, Rothschild 12, and Delicatessen. And while Coffee Bar may have been around long before the Tel Aviv food scene became hip (it opened more than two decades ago in the industrial, edgy Yad Harutzim district), it remains as popular as ever, so make sure you book in advance.

At this cozy neighborhood bistro, the portions are generous, the prices extremely reasonable, and the atmosphere a friendly hubbub of clattering dishes and animated conversations. The thick menu is filled with hearty salads and pastas, as well as the signature paninis. In the warmer months, there are creative daily specials like tasty risotto. During the winter, there's a daily selection of a dozen different soups. The all-day happy hour will keep your mouth and wallet smiling.

As the name suggests, this popular eatery is geared toward the city's night owls, open every night until midnight. Using local ingredients and highlighting modern takes on traditional Israeli cuisine, the menu items are meant to be shared like tapas. Tomato carpaccio with za'atar leaves, calamari, and gnocchi with oyster mushrooms and roasted cherry tomatoes are a few of the best-selling menu items. For dessert there's a lollipop-shape crème brûlée wrapped around tonka-bean puree and drizzled with fruit syrup.