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A cafeteria by jpeter2 –

10 Best Places to eat with Locals in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is Israel’s second most populous city after Jerusalem and is located on the Mediterranean coast making this city has 300 days of summer. The fun-loving and lively city is also known as The White City and is one of the top 10 beach cities in the world as per National Geographic. 

Tel Aviv is a city that never sleeps and is widely popular as a food haven for food lovers, especially vegans. Restaurants in Tel Aviv prepare various cuisines with food from almost 70 different nationalities, which means that you are in for a treat when you are holidaying here. No restaurant is similar as the chefs are known to be amazingly talented and creative and will provide you with dishes that will change your whole outlook towards a good dining experience.

Let’s dive into the 10 best places to eat with locals in Tel Aviv;

1. Claro

Claro is a roomy, rustic-chic restaurant offering an extensive wine list & farm-to-table Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant is located at Ha’arbaa st 23, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. They open from 9 am to 11:30 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 12 pm to 11:30 pm on Sunday through to Thursday.

Chef Ran Shmueli, one of Israel’s most well-loved chefs, celebrates fresh local produce with creative ingredients, a big open kitchen, a brick oven, fresh fish, meat, chicken, handmade pasta, and loaves of bread. Visit their to get a glimpse of their full menu and make reservations which are required before visiting. 

The bar seating around the open kitchen is the perfect spot to soak in the atmosphere and get a good view of this beautiful restaurant.

2. Shila

A food platter by buffetcrush –

Shila has an innovative fine dining menu complemented by a robust wine list at this sophisticated eatery. Located in Ben Yehuda St 182, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel, the restaurant opens daily from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm. 

It is well known as the best seafood restaurant in Tel Aviv. Described by many as gastronomic heaven, it’s a great place not just to eat but also to have fun. Dishes that are consistently rated highly include the blue swimmer crab, octopus carpaccio and scallops with bacon. They also have a superb wine list. They recommend reservations before visiting which are made via their .

Shila is not only a fine dining establishment, but it’s also one of the city’s trendiest places both for couples on romantic dates and groups, who love the closed outdoor seating.  And because it’s open late, it’s great for Night Owls.

3. OCD Restaurant

OCD is very popular for its stunning decor, exceptional service with accommodating staff, and of course their food. Their address is Tirtsa St 17, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. They open from Monday to Thursday between 6:45 pm to 12 am and on Friday from 11:45 am to 5 pm.

Everything is prepared well in advance with the most creative flavors and twists and while the food is served they explain and tell you about the dish. One bite and you would have a tsunami of flavors in your mouth heightening up your senses. 

Check their to find out more about their dining experience. Make sure that you book your table well in advance as there are hundreds of requests they get each month.

4. Baba Yaga

An outdoor restaurant by Ludo Photos –

Baba Yaga is a lively restaurant with a courtyard offering local & international fare, plus brunch & wine tasting. They’re located at HaYarkon St 12, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6801110, Israel. They open daily from 12 am to 11 pm.

The restaurant serves a blend of European, Mediterranean, and Russian food with the most phenomenal taste. They make sure to work only with the freshest raw material to prepare their extensive menu.

Visit their to make your reservations. Make sure you visit Baba Yaga for an evening that is dedicated to food. Seat yourself at the sitting area on the patio while enjoying the lovely music which adds life to the whole atmosphere.

5. Mashya

Mashya is a restaurant with a focus on design, whose bright, clean look is trimmed with the rough and rugged textures of locally-sourced natural materials, helping it blend with the spirit of the nearby outdoor market.

The restaurant is located at Mendele Mokher Sfarim St 5, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. They open daily from 8 am to 11:30 pm. If you are a breakfast lover, then Mashya is the place for you where you can enjoy some amazing food. Their offers more information on their menu. 

This vegetarian-friendly restaurant has the most professional staff that caters to all your needs and requirements while giving you an unmatched experience. Make sure to make reservations before heading there.

6. Nini Hachi

A chef preparing food by anthonytrivet –

Nini Hachi is a modern, relaxed kosher eatery offering creative sushi preparations & Asian-fusion dishes. They open from Saturday to Thursday from 12 pm to 11:30 pm. Their address is Ben Yehuda St 228, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. 

This kosher sushi and Asian-inspired restaurant has both a modern and relaxed atmosphere and is a firm favorite with locals and visitors to Israel who observe the Jewish dietary laws. With its warm wooden decor and arty presentation, you can be sure of generous portions and top-quality fresh sushi.

If you’re a meat-lover, try the Teppan Yaki chicken and if you have a sweet tooth, there’s tapioca in coconut, or be adventurous and order some mochi. Additionally, they actually have special fish dishes for pregnant women. Visit their to glimpse more of their menu and book a table. 

7. Taizu

Taizu is a contemporary restaurant serving specialty cocktails & Southeast Asian street food with a twist. Their address is Derech Menachem Begin 23, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. They open daily from 12 noon to 11:30 pm. Reservations are required and are made via their

The restaurant was opened by the acclaimed chef Yuval Ben Neriah, this is probably one of Tel Aviv’s best Asian restaurants. Inspired by Ben Neriah’s travels through Southeast Asia, the dishes served are a twist on authentic street food from Cambodia, Vietnam, India, China and Thailand.

Taizu’s food is inspired by the five Chinese elements – fire, water, wood, metal and earth and his shareable plates reflect this theme well.  Chilli crab, tiger shrimp dumplings, steamed buns and Szechuan wontons are all favourites with diners and every Sunday evening they serve a specially-themed Indian dinner, with extraordinary creations such as octopus tandoori.

8. West Side

Restaurant Table setting by Neshom –

West side is an upmarket restaurant & bar featuring kosher Mediterranean dishes & desserts, plus a terrace. Their address is HaYarkon St 19, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. They open from Saturday to Thursday between 7 pm and 11 pm.

The restaurant made a name for itself, serving fine Mediterranean fish and meat dishes, as well as plenty of salads and vegetarian options. Their recommended dishes include red tuna tartar, Nebraska sirloin with Jerusalem artichoke, oxtail gnocchi, mushroom risotto, and tomato salad with citrus dressing. Plates are beautifully balanced, with flavors that are both intense but fresh.

Their offers an in-depth look into their menu. Make sure to reserve a table before visiting. 

9. Meshek Barzilai

Meshek Barzilay is by far and away one of Tel Aviv’s best vegan restaurants, and a real trailblazer when it comes to sourcing local produce. Placing their emphasis on fresh, seasonal produce, they’ve definitely proved in the last few years that food can be tasty and creative without using meat, fish or dairy produce.

The restaurant is located at Ahad Ha’Am St 6, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. They open between 6 pm to 11 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 12 pm to 11 pm between Friday and Saturday. 

Their tempting appetizers include tempura vegetables, avocado Panjabi and Indonesian salad. Mains don’t disappoint either the artichoke and cashew cheese pizza is excellent, as are the Masala Dosa and sweet and sour tofu. Visit their to view their full menu. 

Service is friendly and professional and there’s both an indoor area and terrace. Meshek Barzilay also offers a separate kid’s menu and a set-price dinner each Sunday night. Make sure to reserve your spot before visiting. 

10. Rustico

Rustico is one of the best Italian restaurants in Tel Aviv.  In their own words, they serve classic fare from salads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, pizzas and pasta, lasagnas, risottos, and seafood, all with typical Italian warmth and informality.

The restaurant is located at Rothschild Boulevard. They open daily from 1 pm to 5 pm. 

The dishes are flavorful, well-presented and generous in their portions and there’s a huge terrace outside, which is perfect for warm days.  Inside, the atmosphere is cozy but the wait staff are still alert, attentive and professional. Dishes that never disappoint are the gnocchi with mascarpone and chestnuts, chicken liver with black pepper, sherry butter shrimp linguine, mushroom risotto and sea bream fillet.