up! Tel Aviv is my favorite city in the world. I've walked the streets of this city for over 15 years and I feel like I know it like the back of my hand. I hope you'll enjoy my recommendations and hope they will leave you with a taste for more.
Did I already mention I love this city?
If you have any questions or feedback, please let me know! This is my passion so if there’s any way I can help you with any specific recommendations, it would make my day!
Tel Aviv is packed with interesting people, cafes, restaurants and amazing vibes! I love sitting in its public areas and just watching the people go by. It’s an amazing place full of energy. Before I walk you through my recs, here are 2 things to note:
*Watch out for all the crazy bikers and scooter drivers – they are literally mad and will run you over if you don’t watch where you’re going.
*It’s definitely a smoker city, so feel free to tell people to not smoke near you if you find it annoying 🙂
Cafes & Brunch Spots:
Bucke Cafe
Great for brunch, meeting, and for working on your computers. The food is served on trays – market style.
Yom Tov
Great spot, amazing, healthy food but always has bad service. Still worth checking out!
Cafelix
They have a number of locations. Great place for craft coffee and for getting work done. They only have coffee on their menu (no food).
The Library (inside the Norman Hotel)
Upscale, great for having meetings or for a quiet working spot. They open from 10am and it does get a little busy throughout the day.
Rothschilda
An outdoor cafe on the Rothschild Boulevard.
Little Prince
Magical hole in the wall which is both a cafe and a bookstore. They have a charming outdoor sitting area.
The Prince
Rooftop bar/restaurant with an urban view on Nachalat Binyamin (an artistic street). Cute and rustic spot worth checking out.
Le Moulin (Bugrashov)
Best French pastries in town. Absolutely love this spot for a quick morning or afternoon coffee and pastry!
Lachmanina (Habima)
Great coffee, outdoor sitting and wonderful pastries.
Xoho
Was once really charming, now I think it’s just overrated but you might like their American menu options.
Cafe Alma
Great brunch spot in Neve Tzedek, an old, charming neighborhood in the South of Tel Aviv.
Mae Cafe
I absolutely love this spot!! Super Parisian. Great vibe.
WayCup (number of locations)
Artisan coffee. Just coffee, no food. Good working place.
Lehamim
Literally meaning bread. This is such a great bread and pastries spot.
Makers TLV
If you love drinking coffee while being surrounded by plants, you’ll love this spot.
Aroma, Arcafa, Landwer
These are all Israeli coffee chains. They are the Israeli Starbucks. Worth checking out, but there are definitely better options in TLV :).
My go-to Restaurants:
Alena (at the Norman Hotel)
I love this place for their breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their seasonals are incredible.
Cafe Noire
Ha’Achim
Super Israeli yummy food!
Barbonia
Super fun fish restaurant which serves Israeli salads when you order. There is a kosher spot and a non kosher spot so make sure you get to the one you’re looking for.
Miznon
Fancy food in a pita by Chef Eyal Shani.
Abie
They have the most amazing fish schnitzel sandwich! Love this place for its fresh sea food!
Suzan Dalal
Shila
Sea food restaurant for fine dining.
Moon
Amazing sushi. They have two spots near/on Bugrashov.
Abu Hasan
Said to be the best hummus in TLV.
Hotel Montifiore
Fun spot.
Romano
On top of the Teder Bar. Need to book in advance. Super fun spot.
Cicchetti
Italian, great sitting and getting served on the bar here.
Port Sa’yid
Bar restaurant with market like feel. Get there early because after 8 it gets too full to move.
Cafe Cucu
Fun brunch place which turns into a tapas bar at night.
If I Ever Go Out – Here’s Where:
Kuli Alma
Artsi, hipster bar.
Sputnik
Also an artsi, hipster bar.
Imperial Bar
Craft cocktail bar.
Teder
Outdoor bar serving pizza in what use to be an industrial area.
Concierge
Cocktail bar on dizingoff.
Things To Do:
Sarona Market
Carmel Market
Levinski Market
Walk around Jaffa’s small alleyways
Enjoy the water view from Jaffa port
Take a look at the graffiti in Florentine
It’s a rustic neighborhood with interesting history. It was run down for many years and became industrial and now it’s up and going again.
My Secrets:
The Azrieli Sarona Tower
Go to Azrieli Sarona Tower, tell the officer in the front you have a meeting at The Bakery on the top floor (yes, you do have an important meeting there – please be confident!). Go up to floor 62 or 61 (ask them where the bakery is to confirm). Go up and witness the most beautiful view of the city! They have a small bakery with coffee and pastries that you can enjoy for a couple of min. They ask that you don’t take photos but I always do :).
Do you like diamonds?
Well, there is a super special diamond factory in the Ramat Gan diamond district that is a one stop shop. You can get diamonds for an amazing price because they source, they are a factory and a shop. Email me if you need the details.
Places I Stayed and I Recommend:
The Shell House
A cute little AirBnb near the Carmel Market. It’s surrounded by shells because the first owner would come home from the sea and decorate it with shells so that the moisture won’t harm the walls.
Kampinsky Hotel
Trendy, on the water, the new place to be in town. Lots of foreigners come here.
Norman Hotel – great service, extreme attention to detail, I love it.
Saul Hotel
A small, cute, boutique hotel with a cute cafe. Rooms are really cool! It is in the hustle and bustle of the city but pretty authentic.