4 Best Restaurants in Center City, Tel Aviv

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." 

The aromas emanating from this street-corner bakery and café make it well worth the visit. Choose from the savory or sweet section of French-style baked goods, made throughout the day by chefs trained in Paris. A plentiful Israeli breakfast is upgraded with house-made jams, French butter, and a diverse bread basket filled with sourdoughs, brioches, and sweet croissants. This place is obviously not for the gluten averse.

Doubling as an art-and-music haven for locals, this inviting neighborhood café will make you feel as if you're in someone's fun and relaxing living room. The service is personal, the patrons are friendly (you will most likely end up in a conversation with many of them), and the extensive menu has options for everyone. The in-house baked goods including homemade bagels, and the ever-changing array of muffins makes for a light breakfast or afternoon snack. The salads and sandwiches are made fresh, so you can choose any toppings you like.

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.