Tel Aviv is a heaven for hotspot hunters, endless rooftops, beach bars, one of the largest vegan restaurant scenes in the world and if you didn’t fall in love already with the Israeli food try out one of these Isreali fine dining options.
Mashya
Mashya is one of the newer fine dinning restaurants in Tel Aviv and our absolute favourite in town! Chef Yossi Shitrti was inspired by the local spice the restaurant is named after. The restaurant is located inside the Mendeli Street Hotel. The interior is hip and well designed. Have a seat at the bar or at a private table next to the vertical tropical garden. The menu is Moroccan inspired and is full of surprising flavour combinations. Even the cocktail menu is spicy. We choose the surprise menu in which they consider dietary wishes. We got served six different dishes to share, all sophisticated presented and an explosion of Middle Eastern flavours. Ingredients for the dishes come straight from the fishing wharves and local markets. Mashya creates a unique gastronomically fine dining experience that is sure to intrigue you.
Balinjera
The most delicious Ethiopian restaurant in town! From the owners to the food, drinks and art everything is Ethiopian at Balinjera. Located at a quiet spot in the Kerem this is an authentic hotspot. Everything you order comes with an injera (the Ethiopian big pancakes/breads) which you can also order gluten free. If your non veg, meat is also on the menu. The super friendly owners of Balinjera are passionate about learning other people more about the Ethiopean culture and love to see new faces everyday in their restaurant. So if you come by, you eat like a local with your hands, spice your food up nicely and make a chat with the lovely chef! To our opinion a must visit!
Manta Ray
Manta Ray is the romantic restaurant with the best location and view in Tel Aviv. See the sun set in the Mediterranean while nipping on a local wine or delicious cocktail. Le haim!
The restaurant opened its doors 20 years ago and is still full every night. Located right at the beach the restaurant has a sophisticated though relaxed atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. Start of with your pick of the huge mezze platter. The main menu consists out of fish and seafood dishes with an Israeli touch. All the products come fresh from the sea, the Tel Aviv markets and change with the season. Manta Ray is a definite must go!
Bicicletta
Bicicletta is one of those restaurants in Tel Aviv where you can start with an early dinner and stay the rest of the night until the late hours. The bar and restaurant has a selection of delicious dishes to share and a unique homey and friendly vibe. The service is excellent, the finger food is super fresh and tasty, the cocktails well shaken and the atmosphere authentic Israeli. Friday and Saturday they open for brunch often with DJ. Grab your friends and make your way over to this good vibes only place on Nahalat Binyamin 29.
Meshek Barzilay
Meshek Barzilay, a vegetarian restaurant that is located in the heart of Neve Tzedek one of the most authentic neighbourhoods of Tel Aviv. The restaurant started out in 2002 as Barzilay Farm at Moshav Yarkona. Moving into Tel Aviv all the ideals that originate at the farm are kept. Meshek Barzilay is a lifelong dream and a truly vegetarian restaurant entirely based on organic (home produced) food. The location, the atmosphere, the staff and most important the food, everything combines to a truly well spend afternoon. The menu is broad and everything is delicious from the smoothies, cocktails (!) to eggplant steak and Indian thali and make sure to leave some space for desert! Meshek Barzilay is the most pleasant surprise of the neighborhood and a must visit when on vacay in Tel Aviv.
Sura Mare
Sura Mare is not the easiest place to find but definitely worth the search. Because this restaurant/bar is for sure one of my favourite rooftops with a 360º view of Tel Aviv’s glittering skyline. The interior is hipster stylish with a vertical garden behind the bar, neon light signs and an open kitchen. Combine that with a view to kill and you got me. The atmosphere in the bar is open and relaxed. Start of with one of their signature cocktails and combine that with finger food to share. Sura Mare pays of their slogan it is a night out where you leave happier then when you got in.
Yom Tov Café
This is your weekend chill out spot, make your way over to Yom Tov Café for a healthy breakfast, good coffee and some serious people watching. The cafe is located in the Kerem next to Ha’Carmel Market, which makes there products fresher then fresh. Especially on Friday when all Tel Aviv makes its way over to the market to buy groceries for shabbat, the atmosphere is great (though super crowded) in the Kerem. Yom Tov’s menu is oriental with a twist. We had the masabaha, a raw fish plate, the kale salad and an open folded sabich and everything was super delicious and healthy!
