Best Restaurants in Israel 2026

Hummus

The national obsession - creamy chickpea paste with olive oil, served warm with fresh pita. The debate over the best hummusiya in Israel is passionate and never-ending; Abu Hassan in Jaffa and Ali Karavan are perennial favorites.

Where to try: Any hummusiya (hummus restaurant), Mahane Yehuda Market, Jaffa

Price: $5-10

Shakshuka

Eggs poached in a spiced tomato and pepper sauce, served sizzling in the pan with bread for dipping. This North African Jewish dish is eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner across Israel in dozens of regional variations.

Where to try: Breakfast cafes throughout Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Dr. Shakshuka in Jaffa

Price: $10-15

Falafel

Deep-fried chickpea balls stuffed into warm pita with salad, tahini, and pickled vegetables. The Israeli version is crispier and more herb-laden than Lebanese varieties. Quality varies enormously - seek out dedicated falafel stands.

Where to try: Street stands everywhere, HaKosem in Tel Aviv, stalls in Mahane Yehuda Market

Price: $5-8

Sabich

An Iraqi-Jewish street food masterpiece: pita stuffed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, hummus, Israeli salad, and amba (fermented mango sauce). Criminally underrated outside Israel but beloved locally.

Where to try: Sabich Frishman in Tel Aviv, Ima restaurant in Jerusalem, street stands

Price: $6-9

Knafeh

A Middle Eastern cheese pastry soaked in sweet syrup, topped with crushed pistachios - one of the most addictive desserts in the world. The warm, stretchy cheese and crispy pastry contrast is magical.

Where to try: Arab bakeries in Old Jaffa, Mahane Yehuda Market, Acre Old City, Nazareth

Price: $4-8

Jachnun

A Yemenite Jewish Shabbat delicacy of slow-cooked rolled pastry served on Saturday mornings with grated tomato and hard-boiled egg. Rich, flaky, and deeply satisfying - a taste of Yemenite Jewish heritage.

Where to try: Mahane Yehuda Market Jerusalem (Saturday mornings), Yemenite Quarter restaurants in Tel Aviv

Price: $8-12

Burekas

Flaky pastry filled with cheese, potato, mushroom, or spinach - the Israeli breakfast pastry. Sephardic Jewish in origin, they are eaten throughout the day as a snack or light meal. Borekas Itzik in Tel Aviv is the benchmark.

Where to try: Borekas Itzik Tel Aviv, bakeries throughout Israel, markets

Price: $3-6

Machneyuda

This legendary restaurant in Mahane Yehuda Market offers creative Israeli cuisine in a lively, almost chaotic atmosphere. Chef Assaf Granit's innovative dishes use market-fresh ingredients, and the energy is electric with music and communal tables. Reservations essential.

10 Beit Ya'akov Street, Jerusalem

Tmol Shilshom

A beloved literary cafe and bookstore serving vegetarian Israeli cuisine in a charming space. The cozy atmosphere, excellent salads, and cultural events make it a Jerusalem institution. Perfect for lunch or coffee with a book.

5 Yoel Moshe Salomon Street, Jerusalem

Hummus Ben Sira

A simple Jerusalem hummus joint that locals swear by. The creamy hummus, fresh pita, and authentic atmosphere provide the quintessential hummus experience. Get there early as they close when the hummus runs out.

3 Ben Sira Street, Jerusalem

Azura's Sabich Stand

Near the famous restaurant, this stand serves incredible sabich - fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, Israeli salad, tahini, and amba in pita. A perfect on-the-go meal at Mahane Yehuda Market.

Mahane Yehuda Market, Jerusalem

Café Kadosh

A Jerusalem institution since 1967, this European-style cafe serves excellent pastries, cakes, and coffee. The chocolate babka and apple strudel are legendary. Perfect for breakfast or afternoon coffee.

6 Shlomzion HaMalka Street, Jerusalem

Eucalyptus

Chef Moshe Basson creates extraordinary dishes inspired by biblical ingredients and ancient recipes. Located near the Old City, this elegant restaurant offers tasting menus featuring wild herbs, ancient grains, and innovative techniques. A culinary journey through history.

14 Hativat Yerushalayim, Jerusalem

Azura

A legendary hole-in-the-wall in Mahane Yehuda Market serving outstanding Kurdish-Israeli home cooking since 1952. The kubbeh soup, stuffed vegetables, and authentic atmosphere attract everyone from market workers to food critics. Cash only.

4 HaEshkol Street, Jerusalem

Hakosem

Repeatedly voted Tel Aviv's best falafel, this tiny shop serves perfectly crispy balls in fresh pita with unlimited toppings. The line moves fast, the staff is friendly, and the falafel is genuinely exceptional.

1 Shlomo HaMelech Street, Tel Aviv

Falafel Pita

The ultimate Israeli street food - crispy chickpea balls in warm pita with unlimited toppings including Israeli salad, pickles, tahini, and hot sauce. A complete meal for under $8.

Find it at: Street stands throughout all cities; HaKosem on King George Street Tel Aviv for best quality

Sabich

Fried eggplant, egg, hummus, and amba mango sauce in pita - an Iraqi-Jewish street food found mainly at dedicated sabich stands and markets.

Find it at: Sabich Frishman Tel Aviv, street stands near Carmel Market

Ka'ak Jerusalem Sesame Bread

Large oval sesame-covered bread rings sold from street carts throughout the Old City, eaten plain or with za'atar and olive oil. A Jerusalem street snack for centuries.

Find it at: Street vendors throughout Jerusalem Old City, Jaffa

Shawarma

Slow-roasted lamb, chicken, or turkey carved from a spit into pita or laffa flatbread with hummus, Israeli salad, and hot sauce. The Israeli version uses quality meat with Middle Eastern spices.

Find it at: Shawarma stands throughout cities; Moshiko on Ben Yehuda Street Jerusalem is legendary

Malabi

A milk pudding dessert topped with rose water syrup, coconut, and pistachios sold from street carts in Tel Aviv. Light, sweet, and refreshing, particularly popular in summer.

Find it at: Mobile street carts in Carmel Market area, Levinsky Market area Tel Aviv

Mahane Yehuda Market

Jerusalem's legendary 250-stall covered market is the heart of the city's food culture. Fresh produce, cheeses, halva in fifty flavors, spices, pickled vegetables, fresh-baked breads, and excellent street food vendors coexist in glorious chaos. The market transforms into a bar scene after hours.

Hours: Sun-Thu 8AM-8PM, Fri 8AM-3PM, Closed Sat

Carmel Market (Shuk HaCarmel)

Tel Aviv's largest outdoor market stretches several blocks through the city center with vendors selling fresh produce, olives, cheeses, spices, cheap clothing, and prepared foods. The Yemenite Quarter at the southern end has excellent cheap eats.

Hours: Sun-Fri 8AM-7PM, Closed Sat

Levinsky Market

A largely Iranian Jewish spice and specialty food market in south Tel Aviv, less touristy than Carmel Market. The narrow street is lined with spice merchants, dried fruit vendors, pickle shops, and specialty importers - perfect for buying za'atar, sumac, and unique Israeli spice blends.

Hours: Sun-Fri 8AM-6PM