15 Best Restaurants in Tel Aviv, Israel

Helmed by one of Israel's most highly regarded veteran chefs, Ran Shmueli, Claro is one of those spots that has it all. The farm-to-table Mediterranean menu changes daily, featuring only the freshest seasonal, locally sourced produce, and the building, originally constructed by the German Templers in 1886, makes the experience unforgettable. The rustic yet sophisticated ambience complements the beautiful dishes, a perfect balance of classic Mediterranean cuisine and innovative Israeli flavors.

Expertly hidden inside one of Tel Aviv's loveliest boutique hotels, The Drisco, George and John has a friendly atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The menu is modern Israeli—that is, Mediterranean with a Middle Eastern twist. Expect innovative dishes that are not only beautifully presented, but also cooked to perfection, such as the lime- and jalapeno-infused amberjack sashimi with Israeli caviar, and egg noodles with blue crab. The wine list is extensive and features some unusual choices, so don't be afraid to ask the excellent sommelier for a recommendation.

This tiny restaurant and wine bar, just a clutch of round tables on an alley just off Carmel Market, draws its inspiration from the market's fresh offerings (the name is Hebrew for "market stall"). The choices change daily, and the kitchen is well-known for dishing out organ meats you might not see much back home. For the less adventurous, the seafood and pork options are sure to be fresh and aesthetically appealing. Try also the white pizza with black truffles when in season. The paella with bacon, sausage, shrimp, and mussels is about as non-kosher as it gets for a place whose chef refers to the nearby market as the "Holy of Holies." 

Walking through the door of this understated but elegant dining room you hear the energetic hum of good conversation. Set inside the immaculate Ritz-Carlton Herzliya hotel, Herbert Samuel boasts an upscale but accessible kosher menu, with strong Mediterranean influences that change every season. Staples include the nine-variety tomato salad, lamb chops, and the daily catch from the adjacent marina. Leave room for the luscious house-made, dairy-free desserts. An open kitchen is on full view and is a must-see for anyone who loves to cook. The extensive wine list and refreshing cocktails are professionally created.

A Tel Aviv institution, this lively restaurant wows with spectacular beach views and both indoor and outdoor dining options. Busy from breakfast to dinner, Manta Ray appeals to everyone from families to couples looking for romance, and attracts a loyal clientele. The imaginative appetizers vary from day to day, but staples include the Balkan bread with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sea salt, the to-die-for eggplant dip, and the sautéed shrimp with gnocchi, spinach, and crab sauce. The baked sea bream with rosemary and olive oil is simple Mediterranean fare at its best, especially with a spicy chili and pepper sauce on the side. Breakfast is popular here too—especially the spicy shakshuka. Nowhere in Tel Aviv will you get a better meal, especially not one combined with killer views of the Mediterranean and outstanding service.

There is no Michelin guide for Israel yet but, if there was, OCD would likely be on the list. The name (an acronym for obsessive-compulsive disorder) refers to the meticulous care Chef Raz Rahav and his team pour into each elaborate dish in this 16- to 20-course adventure tasting menu. A first of its kind for Tel Aviv, OCD offers two nightly seatings with dishes changing monthly based on seasonal offerings. Guests are seated communal-style around the bar in front of the open kitchen, with an unobstructed view of all the action. And while Rahav may still not have turned 30, maturity and sophistication of his cooking suggests otherwise. The dishes make conversation pieces for what feels like an intimate dinner party for those lucky enough to bag a coveted seat at his highly sought-after table. Make sure you book at least four weeks in advance and inform the restaurant of any dietary restrictions (vegan, vegetarian, kosher, in addition to any intolerances or allergies) at the time of booking as no changes will be made on the night.

A self-described "Med to Table" restaurant, Animar offers a classic and elegant feel, fresh and interesting flavors, and an unparalleled view of sunset over the sea. The menu, inspired by produce from around the Mediterranean, includes a house special grilled zucchini and a truly delightful wild sea bass.

Inside a beautifully restored historic building, this bistro has a rarefied atmosphere and an on-the-premises bakery that turns out a luscious array of French-style pastries. The breakfast menu highlights some of the baked delights, including smoked-salmon croissants and the indulgent French toast sandwich with fruit, ricotta cheese, and maple syrup. An enclosed patio, with its wrought-iron tables and chairs, is a lovely place to enjoy a late-afternoon coffee among a mixed crowd of businesspeople, surfers, and families. The executive lunch is a good value while the dinner menu offers more extensive (and significantly higher-priced) fish and meat options.

At this bistro in the heart of Neve Tzedek, the warm environment, hearty food, fine wine, and excellent service will leave you feeling satisfied. The wine menu boasts more than 160 Israeli boutique wines, and the friendly owner-sommelier, Yossi Ben Odis, will let you know exactly which wine pairs well with your meal. The house special is the "seared sirloin" that you cook yourself at the table on a specially heated rock. The menu is mostly meat and chicken dishes complemented with a few options for vegetarians.

Chef Aviv Moshe serves traditional dishes like the shredded-wheat-like pastry called kadaif, but his method of preparation is in a class of its own. This Mediterranean–Middle Eastern haute cuisine is enlivened with French and Italian touches. White is the dominant color in the lavish dining room, with marble floors and tented ceiling lamps on which video art is projected. A long, white central table with stylish high-back chairs is the room's centerpiece, perfect for mingling with fellow diners while the attentive staff serves such dishes as seared red tuna over an eggplant-and-goat-cheese roll with pomegranate dressing or sea bass with shallot ravioli. Make sure you save room for dessert as pastry chef Adi Sibrower's spectacular creations will blow your mind. Adjacent to the restaurant is the bar, a much more chaotic affair done up in stark black. Don't miss '80s night on Wednesday, when a winning combination of DJs playing retro tunes, good food, and strong drinks ensure an unforgettable night.

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.

Few restaurants have made a splash on the Tel Aviv dining scene as big as Popina, Chef Orel Kimchi's trendy Neve Tzedek eatery. The menu is divided into cooking techniques—cured, steamed, baked, roasted, and slow-cooked—and uses innovative flavor combinations, like pumpkin jam ravioli with amaretto, foie gras, roasted almonds, and truffle foam; a shrimp burger with yuzu aioli; or raw fish tartare with gin and tonic jelly. Snag a table on the romantic outdoor patio, or take a seat indoors near the open kitchen and watch the master at work. The "Popina Experience" tasting menu is exceptional, if your budget stretches that far. Some find Popina pretentious, while others will tell you it's the best restaurant in Tel Aviv.

Diners crowd the tables inside and out at this simple seafood place. They are here for the fish, which locals agree is reasonably priced, well prepared, and always fresh. They've been coming here consistently for more than 20 years, despite the fact that the trendy Tel Aviv Port, with several fish places of its own, is a few steps away. For the main course, there's a catch of the day, which may include whole trout, fried calamari, or oysters in cream sauce. All the entrées come with an assortment of salads.

Part of the city's influx of Asian restaurants, the "Asia-terranean" kitchen of Taizu is a nod to the street food of India, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The interior design is based on the five elements of Chinese philosophy: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal, each of which is also represented in the style of food. Visit in a group and share plates such as lemongrass-infused steak, seafood dumplings, spicy Thai salad, and fragrant Indian curry. The menu is guaranteed to delight the tastebuds of every  Asian food lover.