Eilat
Run aground in a 1970s time warp (fishing nets dangle from the ceiling, French chansons pine for Paris and garlic butter figures heavily on the menu),…
Must-see restaurants in Israel & the Palestinian Territories
Golan Heights
Hugely popular with locals, this brightly lit, sparklingly clean place serves both Middle Eastern favourites (grilled meats, hummus, eggplant dishes,…
Jerusalem
Jerusalem’s newest, most popular and possibly first kosher taqueria is constantly bustling with customers coming for homemade corn tortillas brimming with…
Sea of Galilee
Run by renowned chef Chaim Tibi, this sleek restaurant – the architecture has an alpine-chalet vibe – specialises in steaks from the Golan but also has…
Eilat
Founded in 2015, this convivial microbrewery – Eilat's first – has quickly established itself among locals as a favourite spot for a drink and/or a meal…
Golan Heights
Run by a couple from Uzbekistan, this seven-day-a-week 'Russian' grocery sells bread, cheeses, lox, matjes herring and wines, including many products from…
Lower Galilee
This friendly cafe, delightful in every way, serves generous salads, shakshuka, quiche, pasta, hamburgers and boutique hot dogs, as well as gluten-free…
Haifa
Queues out the door lead the way to the best falafel in Haifa, served with a smile in unfussy surrounds. With the first bite of pita wrapped around hot,…
Golan Heights
This mountain-top eatery serves sandwiches, salads, homemade cakes, bourekas, shakshuka and ice cream. Named in honour of former UN Secretary General Kofi…
Lahuhe Original Yemenite Food Bar
Upper Galilee & Golan
Decked out in a gown and kaftan that Abraham might have worn, Ronen flips pan-fried ‘Yemenite pizza’ called lachuch. Also serves Yemenite soup and qat …
Upper Galilee & Golan
The area's finest micro-bakery has evolved into a cheery little gourmet cafe with scrumptious pastries. Situated in a rundown little strip mall, Nofit…
Eilat
Many locals swear that this eatery serves the best falafel and shawarma in town. The all-Hebrew sign includes the number '1978' (the year HaLev HaRachav…
Bethlehem
A Bethlehem institution for decades, top-notch hummus and masabacha (warm hummus with whole chickpeas) are just two of the dishes on the menu at this…
Akko
Cheap and immensely satisfying, Said's velvety hummus is the best in Akko and comes served with plenty of pickles, salads and pita, plus a bonus garnish…
Jerusalem
Various factors place this rather average steak and pasta place directly in the sights of tourists: it's open on Shabbat, it serves alcohol, and it's…
Jerusalem
Somewhere between homey and ramshackle, this Jerusalem institution specialises in nourishing soups, which change daily. Leek, lentil and tomato are in…
Tel Aviv
Younger and bigger than its sister branch on Ben Yehuda St, Benedict Rothschild has its own unique charm and is based more on a New York–style diner. As…
Tel Aviv
This is a vegan restaurant with attitude. The concept is simple: take comfort food favourites and serve them with all the trimmings (without harming any…
Jerusalem
The atmosphere is enough to lure you to the Armenian Tavern. Step down into the Crusader-era building, and pearl-embossed mirrors glitter, iron…
Tel Aviv
Going strong for nearly three decades, Barbunia is older than most of Tel Aviv’s residents. The no-frills, paper tablecloths add to the charm of this fish…
Tel Aviv
For a special night out, look no further than the Montefiore's French-flavoured restaurant with a Vietnamese twist. Though not quiet (the place is far too…
Notre Dame Cheese & Wine Restaurant
East Jerusalem
The scent of ripe brie and pungent gruyère tickles your nostrils the moment you step out of the elevator to this 4th-floor rooftop restaurant. The view is…
Tel Aviv
Despite its 100% vegan menu, chef Harel Zakaim’s restaurant – hidden down an alleyway off 98 Allenby St – is a taste-fest for nonvegans. Dishes range from…
Jerusalem
Hauled from a taboun (clay oven), crisp focaccia, laden with goat cheese, aubergine, smoked goose and more, are top of the menu at this popular place. You…
Tel Aviv
Neve Tzedek's 'Mama of Gelato' has a loyal local following, a fact that will immediately become apparent if you head here on a summer evening. Flavours…
Jerusalem
This grab-and-go ice-cream spot is ideally positioned on the edge of Mahane Yehuda Market, for a refresh after a morning dodging shopping trolleys and…
Jerusalem
Hidden in a vault underneath the Ethiopian Monastery, Zalatimo is famous for its mutabbaq (also called zaltomeeh), created using a family recipe finessed…
Tel Aviv
Occupying two floors of a quintessentially white-plastered Tel Aviv apartment building, this chic eatery offers an opportunity to dine al fresco on one of…
Jerusalem
If you're craving high-calorie comfort food, head to R&R for a sophisticated version of classics like Philly cheesesteaks, reubens and pork chops,…
Haifa
Stepping into this unpretentious eatery is like a quick trip to Addis Ababa, raucous soundtrack included. The satisfyingly spicy Ethiopian dishes are…
Tel Aviv
This entirely vegan shawarma joint is planted along the centre of Ibn Gvirol, Tel Aviv’s greasy food artery, and entices diners with roasting seitan on a…
Jerusalem
Decked out like a glamorous train station waiting room, this fashionable bistro spills into the First Station courtyard. The sophisticated pan-European…
Tel Aviv
While juice bars are easy to come by in Tel Aviv, the folks behind Urban Shaman – a naturopath and journalist duo – get a green star for their carefully…
Tel Aviv
The sounds of Carmel Market are many – but the most audible, in the heart of the market, is that of a sole man shouting 'bourekas, bourekas!' from a…
Tel Aviv
A hidden hipster gem, the entrance to Romano is deceiving. Behind the graffiti and gates, through a courtyard and up a staircase, this restaurant is one…
North Coast
Enjoy spectacular hill views from this warm and welcoming family restaurant in lofty Ayn Hawd, 4km up the steep road from the artists' village. Great…
Jerusalem
In the ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea She'arim, Lekach is a kosher vegetarian cafe popular with young Haredi men but still a comfortable place for…
Tel Aviv
Not to be confused with its newer sibling restaurant, the Goocha Diner on Ibn Gabirol St, Goocha is the original and better of the two. Locals and…
Upper Galilee & Golan
Circassian specialities at this family-run restaurant include majmak (cooked lentils, eaten with pita), shush barak (ground-veal-filled dumplings served…
Jerusalem
Angel Bakery is one of Israel’s leading bakeries and a go-to source for chocolate rugelach (croissants) and spinach, cheese or potato bourekas (flaky…
