The 17 Most Exciting New Dining Spots in Tel Aviv

Local cocktail maestro Ariel Leizgold crafts the drinks at this inviting “gastro-bar” with a charming French bistro ambiance. The cocktails are artistic and inventive, featuring names like Je Suis Old Fashioned, Cafe Fou, and Ami et Tami (Hansel and Gretel). Chef Yogev Yehro oversees the lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner menus, which offer classic French fare including moules frites and canard a l’orange.

Celebrity chef Avi Levy is at the helm of Popular, which is a hit among Tel Aviv’s trendy and youthful crowd. The menu features bold and spicy seafood dishes, Mediterranean twists on classic meats like Israeli roast beef, phyllo cigars stuffed with Jerusalem mixed grill (chicken hearts, spleen, and liver), and veggie-focused dishes such as potato carpaccio and roasted cabbage steaks. The brunch is particularly beloved, offering a generous spread of salads and an extensive menu including ceviche with sour cream, beef bourguignon, and scrambled eggs with mushroom ragu. The all-you-can-eat brunch costs just 98 shekels ($27) per person.

Israel’s debut Tiki bar is the brainchild of Yotam Shilo and Mosh Budnik, known for their popular Tel Aviv bars. The vibrant, Polynesian-themed drinks are a fresh addition to the city’s scene, and locals are embracing them along with a menu featuring poke bowls, sushi burgers, and other playful dishes that complement the bar’s festive atmosphere and neon lighting.

Just a few years ago, kosher dining options were scarce in Tel Aviv. That’s now changed with the arrival of innovative kosher restaurants like Balkan, offering a contemporary twist on cuisines from Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Turkey, and Greece. Under the direction of chef Eyal Lavy (formerly of Pastis, Rokach 73), the restaurant (soon to operate 24/6 — except on the Sabbath) features a diverse range of cheese and dairy dishes, including flaky cheese-filled bourekas, cheesy gnocchi, and feta moussaka. Enjoy the house-made arak, the local anise-flavored spirit, with care.

One of the standout recent openings is Igra Rama, a restaurant that highlights vegetables without being strictly vegetarian. It features only local ingredients, including fresh catches from nearby waters. Enjoy fried local Maggie tomatoes on a chilled Maggie tomato soup with either local goat cheese or tzatziki, enriched with ginger, lime, and radishes. Situated just around the corner from the bustling Carmel Market in the heart of Tel Aviv’s vibrant chaos, the restaurant exudes a cozy, homey atmosphere.

What started as a temporary pop-up is now a permanent fixture. Nestled within the Carmel Market, this small stand reimagines classic Israeli street food by infusing it with global flavors. You can enjoy pitas filled with an array of international tastes — from Asian and Middle Eastern to South American. The caramelized eggplant serves as a delicious base for ground lamb and various vibrant toppings. Be sure to try the Tunisian ceviche and anything featuring the delectable beetroot chutney.

Chef Enav Ezagouri (known from Bar à Vin and previously Cerveceria) has achieved a cult following for his extravagant brunches and his knack for sourcing unique ingredients in Tel Aviv. His new venture, Café Nordoy, is a classic European bistro situated within the boutique Hotel Nordoy on Nachalat Binyamin Street, just a few blocks from the Carmel Market. The focus here is on seafood, with standout dishes such as a scallop burger, beef and gouda sausages, and a seafood pasta with garlic and white wine.

Brothers Asaf and Yotam Doktor have been at the forefront of Tel Aviv’s modern Israeli culinary scene for years, with their previous ventures Ha’achim and Dok leading the way. Their latest project, Abie, showcases Israeli cuisine in its purest form: utilizing hyperlocal ingredients, fresh fish, and a bounty of vegetables and herbs. The atmosphere at Abie strikes a perfect balance between lively and laid-back, illustrating that Israeli food extends far beyond just falafel and shawarma.

Renowned mixologist Bar Shira, known for his Imperial bar being named one of the World’s 50 Best Bars three times, has launched a new hotspot: Bushwick. Located on the ground floor of the Fabric hotel on Nahalat Binyamin, Bushwick offers a seamless transition from morning coffee to evening cocktails. Whether you're starting early or late, the comfort food menu — featuring minute steaks with fried eggs and chicken nuggets with Sriracha aioli — is designed to satisfy all day long.

After the unfortunate closure of Chef Yoram Nitzan’s renowned Mul Yam restaurant due to a fire in 2015, he has returned with Nomi. Situated in the David Intercontinental hotel directly across from Tel Aviv’s beachfront promenade, Nomi offers a sophisticated take on kosher Mediterranean cuisine. Expect inventive dishes such as lamb siniya with grilled okra and warm tahini, dover sole in a turnip lemongrass broth with Granny Smith apples, and steak and eggs featuring arugula foam and smoked goose crumble.

Originally launched in Tel Aviv’s Allenby food court, the first Men Tenten ramen bar gained a loyal following before its closure last year. Now, the popular ramen brand has returned with a new standalone location, expanding its menu to feature not only ramen but also gyoza, yakitori, and sushi.

R2M group’s latest culinary ventures are Herzl 16 and Disco Tokyo. Herzl 16 offers a unique blend: it's part bar, part restaurant, and part cultural hub with art and live music. Next door, Disco Tokyo serves up an array of Izakaya-style small plates inspired by various Asian cuisines. Expect Korean mandu (dumplings), crispy samosas, and burgers topped with a sweet Japanese ketchup. To complement your meal, the drink menu features sakes, matcha martinis, and yuzu daiquiris.

Guy Gamzo, known for his upscale Aria restaurant, has ventured into the world of casual street food with Nu Nu Nu. Translating to “no no no” with a playful wag of the finger, this spot offers indulgent treats that are perfect for social media. Imagine buttery milk buns, a delightful blend of challah and French toast, loaded with vibrant mac and cheese, slow-cooked brisket, and barbecue chicken. These are contemporary bites made for the Instagram generation.

Bringing a vibrant blend of Spanish, Mexican, and South American flavors to the lively Levinsky neighborhood, Pan Con Manteca serves up Latin American favorites. Enjoy dishes like cactus with snow peas, mushroom sofrito with almond gremolata, and guacamole paired with crispy yucca chips. Sip on refreshing sangria or a zesty mojito to complete the experience.

Elevate your vegan dining experience at Opa, an intimate restaurant that reimagines the now-closed Miss Kaplan’s innovative dishes. Chef Shirel Berger’s new venture features sophisticated vegan creations such as fennel with smoked apple vinegar, tarragon, and fennel seeds, or Chinese cabbage with smoked lime, habanero, and pistachios. Opt for the shareable tasting menu, priced at 340 shekels (approximately $95) for a couple, to savor the full array of flavors. Booking in advance is essential.

Situated in the vibrant Shuk Hatikva, a hidden gem in South Tel Aviv, HaKubia offers a delectable array of kosher Middle Eastern fare crafted by chef Jalal Salem. The menu features dishes brimming with fresh, market-sourced ingredients. Don't miss the arayes, crisp meat-stuffed pitas paired with creamy white tahini, or the inventive vegetable dishes such as artichokes cooked in white wine with hot peppers and raisins, or crunchy fried cauliflower drizzled with tahini. After your meal, take a leisurely stroll through the market or visit Cafe Hodaya, a lively Mediterranean café nearby, also run by the same owners.