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The city's cosmopolitan character is happily represented in its food, although stands selling the Middle Eastern fast food for which this part of the world is famous—such as falafel and shawarma—still occupy countless street corners. You'll find restaurants serving everything from American-style burgers to sushi and chili con carne. In contrast to Jerusalem, diners who keep kosher have to search for a kosher restaurant, aside from those in the hotels. A spate of new kosher establishments caters to a significant slice of the discerning dining market, but with the fairly rapid turnover of some Tel Aviv eateries, the concierge is still the best person to ask about the latest in kosher restaurants.
Most Tel Aviv restaurants, except those that keep kosher, are open seven days a week. Many serve business lunches at reasonable prices, making them less-expensive options than the price categories suggest. As elsewhere in the Mediterranean, Israelis dine late; chances are there will be no trouble getting a table at 7 pm, whereas past 10, diners may face a long line. Casual attire is always acceptable in Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv's restaurants are concentrated in a few areas: Sheinkin and Rothschild Streets, Basel, Ibn Gvirol Street, and the Tel Aviv Port.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, this small, elegant bistro specializes in fine cuts of expertly prepared meat. It's purported to be the only place in Israel where you can enjoy a real porterhouse steak. And for dessert? That depends on the time of year. Tangy strawberry-vanilla pie is a winter specialty, while fig-vanilla pie is a summer favorite. The building is historic, yet the interior is contemporary, with Mediterranean tile floors in geometric patterns.
Chef Rima Olivera's 30 years of experience in the world's best kitchens and her principles of cooking set this eatery apart from the rest in the Tel Aviv food scene. The menu changes constantly based on the choicest seasonal ingredients, including those that are locally grown and those that are hand-picked from abroad. An open kitchen at this tastefully designed location lets you watch the charismatic chef in action. Every dish that comes out of her kitchen is packed with perfectly balanced flavors and cooked to perfection. Taste the gently seasoned zucchini salad with truffle oil for starters. Also recommended is the Vietnamese-style sea bream and the grilled beef fillet with black pepper and porcini “crème brûlée.” Be sure to end the meal with a palate-cleansing shot of green-tea milk with jasmine cream before dessert.
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