Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
The city's cosmopolitan character is happily represented in its food, although stands selling the Middle Eastern fast food for which this part of the world is famous—such as falafel and shawarma—still occupy countless street corners. You'll find restaurants serving everything from American-style burgers to sushi and chili con carne. In contrast to Jerusalem, diners who keep kosher have to search for a kosher restaurant, aside from those in the hotels. A spate of new kosher establishments caters to a significant slice of the discerning dining market, but with the fairly rapid turnover of some Tel Aviv eateries, the concierge is still the best person to ask about the latest in kosher restaurants.
Most Tel Aviv restaurants, except those that keep kosher, are open seven days a week. Many serve business lunches at reasonable prices, making them less-expensive options than the price categories suggest. As elsewhere in the Mediterranean, Israelis dine late; chances are there will be no trouble getting a table at 7 pm, whereas past 10, diners may face a long line. Casual attire is always acceptable in Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv's restaurants are concentrated in a few areas: Sheinkin and Rothschild Streets, Basel, Ibn Gvirol Street, and the Tel Aviv Port.
This small corner café, a neighborhood favorite, is where you can catch a glimpse of the beauty of European café culture. Coffee is the main event, over which you can linger for hours along with your newspaper, computer, or friends from the neighborhood. Because it's in the heart of the upscale Basel area, patrons include celebrities that live nearby. The menu includes sandwiches and salads, pastas, and schnitzel.
A varied but simple menu—including steak, salads, sandwiches, and pasta—makes this a good place to recharge after a day at the beach or a nice spot to relax with a glass of wine at sunset. The highlight of this café is not the food but the indoor or outdoor seating with fabulous Mediterranean views. It's open 24/7.
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.
In the midst of the buzzing Nachalat Binyamin Art Fair, the secret garden at Jonesy Gardener is an oasis of calm. To escape the madness, sit on Jonesy's green leafy patio, where you can enjoy a great cup of coffee or try local specialties like shakshuka or sabich. It's a great spot to grab breakfast or rest after visiting the hectic Carmel Market.
