Feeding Frenzy
By: Roye Salomon
Where to go...restaurants and diners in Tel Aviv
Here is a brief selection of some eating options. Prices are for food and beverage (not including booze) in the evening. During lunch hours you can often enjoy the same food for less as many restaurants have good “business” lunch meals. There are innumerable restaurants in Tel Aviv with new ones opening daily; these are a few of my favorites in different price scales:
A rich uncle is paying:
Rafael, located in the Dan Panorama Hotel on a Hayarkon st. offers world class food, with a Mediterranean touch given by the veteran chef Rafi Cohen. Good view too. PR: 120-200 pp. Also has cheaper business lunch…
Orca, on Nachlat Beniyamin st. has great Mediterranean fusion food. Here you can find delight such as Sea fish with gnocchi, or stir fried calamari. PR 100-180 pp.
You can also try out Artichoke restaurant on Montifiori st., haven’t eaten there but it "smells" real nice... PR 80-160 pp.
Cafe Meals
One of the best ways to explore good food in Tel Aviv is too try the cafe –restaurant genre. A relaxing place for a scorching summer’s noon or a romantic meal with an informal atmosphere:
Orna and Ela on Shenkin st. have established themselves over the past decade as one of the best cafe restaurants in the city. The restaurant is pleasant and the atmosphere relaxed. The food served by an all male waiters (not bad looking either(! Try the sweet potato patties…pure bliss. PR 30-120pp.
Not far from Orna and Ela on Echad Haam st. you will find Cafe Noir. Hidden away in a shaded corner far from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can find here great food at reasonable prices. A good place for a business meeting or just for meeting friends. PR. 30-100 pp.
For a homey inexpensive meal you can try the Mitbachon (Kitchenette) near Shuok Hacarmel. Open 24 hours, here people come for simple and tasty food, cheap drinks, a place you can read the paper or play backgammon while you eat. PR 30-100 pp. |
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| For a homey inexpensive meal you can try the Mitbachon (Kitchenette) near Shuok Hacarmel |
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Around the world in 80 days – cosmopolitan Tel Aviv
Here are a few of Tel Aviv's many exotic foreign food restaurants:
Sushi
Tel Aviv has many sushi bars and restaurants, but my all time favorite is Sushido at the southern end of Rothschild st. (15). It’s not cheap, but the fish are fresh, the beer cold and the atmosphere cool and relaxed. PR 60-160 pp.
Another sushi option is Onami on Haarbaa st. (near the Cinemateque). Pricy, but very tasty. PR. 80-180pp.
La Costa nostra
If you looking for good fresh pasta, look no more. Pasta Mia, a restaurant with two outlets (10 Wilson st. in south Tel Aviv, 34 Habarzel st. in north Tel Aviv), great pasta, good wine, and reasonable prices. PR 80-140 pp.
If you are looking for a traditional Italian meal (meat and all) in amazing surroundings, go to Bellini in the Suzan Dallal center (Neve Tzedek). Perfect Italian food, not cheap, but worth it. Ask for a table outside, and enjoy the beauty of the gardens outside. Good place for a family occasion or a romantic evening. Try the antipasti bar…PR 50-150pp.
Another good option is Big Mama, located in a small alley off the bustling Alenby Street, in the beginning of the Shuk hakarmel (hakarmel market). This place offers a good selection of pizzas and pastas done in many creative ways. The place has a family orientation in evening which changes to a young, trendy atmosphere later at night. PR 30-70pp.
Thai
The best and most popular place for casual Thai food in Tel Aviv is the Giraffe restaurant on Iben Gavirol st. This is a young, trendy, feeding place serving Thai, Japanese and Chinese style noodles. Also have an important delivery service. If they closed down, half of Tel Aviv would starve. Try the Malaysian style noodles, have a seat on the bar, and don’t skip the deserts!! PR. 40-120 pp.
Viva la Espania
Tapas, Seafood, Sangria, Bar, Siesta, Paella, Chicas… Get the idea. Ali Olli on Brener st. will give you all this and more. Good food, friendly service. PR. 60-160pp.
Where’s the BEEF
Need a good steak or Hamburger? Try these:
Agadir, on Nahalat Benyamin passage, is the Tel Aviv hamburger HQ. They come in all sizes, 100% beef, good fries, pretty waitresses, and a hip place to eat. Have a stroll through Nahalat Benyamin and check out the cool buildings while you digest. PR. 50-120 pp.
For a French style steak of the highest quality try Gilly’s at the old Tel Aviv harbor (north Tel Aviv). This restaurant is originally from Jerusalem and the owner-chef Gilly is still as crazy and artful as he has always been. Expensive though… Good location in the renewed harbor area, and what meat ahhh. PR 90-200 pp.
Ethnic
The best Gruze (Georgian from Georgia, Asia) food can be found at a place called Nanutchka, on Lilenblum st. I had never had Gruze food till I came here and have been frequenting the restaurant weekly since. Try anything, because everything is good. Also one of the better bars in Tel Aviv. Try a meal on the bar, with vodka or Shirtraz. If coming with a group you can reserve the salon. Cool, fun, happy and tasty. Worth every shekel. PR. 60-160 pp. |
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| The best Gruze (Georgian from Georgia, Asia) food can be found at a place called Nanutchka, on Lilenblum Street |
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If you’re keen on tasting Tripolitian food try Dr. Shakshuka in Jaffa. See Jaffa: Feeding Frenzy.
Most ethnic restaurants are simple, blue collar places scattered in the city. Most are only open for lunch and offer little in décor, but much in food. Finding the good ones is an adventure worth partaking. Many places around Shouk Hacarmel, Alenby st. and Hertezl st.
Yidish Mame
Jewish food for everyone. Try cafe Kiton on Diezengof st., serving classic Easter European Jewish food for years. This is a well know Tel Aviv establishment. PR. 40-100pp.
Haven’t tried it yet as my grandmother is still cooking (god bless her). But Mull Eden (Across from Eden) restaurant on Lilenblum st. looks mighty fine. Have a try and tell me… The name comes from the first cinema in Tel Aviv called Eden which is just across the st. Good location…
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