Following our recent look at Jerusalem’s top new spots, we’re diving into Tel Aviv. Despite the war, the seaside city’s culinary scene continues to shine with exciting new restaurant openings.
From seaside fish restaurants to immersive dining adventures, the city offers fresh flavours and innovative concepts. Here’s a closer look at some of the best new places to dine in Tel Aviv.
Asimi (kosher)
Situated on a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this fish restaurant is open all day, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While not on the beach itself, the décor and vibe are that of a beach club, and the menu features classic Mediterranean cuisine. Lighter dishes on the menu include burrata salad, citrus sashimi, and grilled fish. But there are also comfort dishes such as arancini Palermo, goat’s cheese, beet risotto, and tempura fish burger. A varied breakfast menu from 8 am to noon includes a traditional Israeli breakfast, shakshuka and French toast.
Cafe Otef (dairy, no supervision)
This new social-enterprise chain of coffee shops (which you can read more about here) was set up to provide work and income for people from the towns attacked on October 7th. Two branches have already opened with plans to open more. The cafes include gift shops supporting those communities and serve a variety of sweet and savoury pastries, filled croissants, and sandwiches.
Gaijin Izakaya (not kosher)
This vibrant and stylish restaurant on Lilenblum Street is a welcome addition to the Tel Aviv dining scene. Its delightful fusion of Japanese and local culinary traditions offers an impressive array of izakaya classics with a creative twist, from bluefin sashimi and Hamachi belly nigiri to seabass katsu and shrimp tempura. You can finish your meal with matcha Basque cheesecake or panna cotta yuzu granita. Chef Gilad Dabush, who runs Gaijin, has experience from working in several restaurants across Japan, including 3-Michelin-star Sushi Gyoten.
ImerSion (kosher)
Located in a secret building in Old Jaffa, ImerSion claims to be the first immersive restaurant in Israel. It has one large table for 18 diners, who are served a six-course set menu that changes based on seasonal produce. There are two sittings at 7 pm and 9:30 pm. Each dish is accompanied by sounds and images connected to enhance the experience.
Mila (kosher)
Although not in Tel Aviv itself, this new dairy bistro in nearby Savyon is one of the few kosher restaurants in the town. The bistro is located in the new G CITY center and has a beautiful interior design to complement the seasonal menu. The breakfast menu (until 11:30am) includes traditional Israeli dishes, avocado toast, French toast and salads. Lunch and dinner menus include classics such as Caesar salad, Niçoise salad, fish and chips, tortellini, and whole seabass. There is also a special brunch menu on Friday.
Onami (kosher)
This Japanese restaurant in the Hilton Hotel Tel Aviv lobby is the sister restaurant of the long-established, non-kosher restaurant of the same name on Haarba Street in Tel Aviv. It has replaced Yakimono. The serene space features a small bar overlooking the sushi station and several comfortable wooden tables. The traditional Japanese menu serves fish, vegetarian, and vegan dishes and is divided into sushi, hot and cold appetizers, Kushiyaki skewers, and shusai main dishes. There is a set two-course business lunch menu for NIS 120 or 135.
By George: Pardes restaurant is in the new George Hotel
Pardes (not kosher)
The main restaurant in the new George Hotel focuses on modern Israeli cuisine and local produce. Chef Barak Aharoni, formerly The Norman Hotel's executive chef, creates the daily changing menu. The restaurant serves is open for lunch, dinner, cocktails, and bar snacks. Dishes may include rolled Swiss chard stuffed with rice, fresh herbs & black raisin, clarified butter and pomegranate molasses; tuna sashimi rolled in spices, lime ginger vinaigrette, kohlrabi, cilantro and basil blossom and pistachio malabi cream, cashew nuts, rose leaves and avocado blossom honey.
Debbie Kandel is a food and travel writer and founder of Debbest Israel. The self-proclaimed foodie moved to Israel from London in 2008. She’s passionate about helping others plan their own adventures in Jerusalem and around Israel and offers Tailor-Made Tasting Tours of Shuk Machane Yehuda.
