City Guide: Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is a bustling city filled with amazing food, beautiful beaches, fabulous fashion and art and beautiful Israeli people and accents! This was my fifth visit to this amazing city, and I already can’t wait to go back. Tel Aviv has an amazing juxtaposition between the modern high rises and the old city. It’s really quite a remarkable place. It’s also fairly central, which makes it very easy to travel to Jerusalem, Masada, The Dead Sea or Nazareth. They also just recently opened a direct train from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem getting you there in only 30 MIN! This trip, we only spent time in Tel Aviv, as all of our past trips to this amazing country were spent touring from North to South without much time to explore the city of Tel Aviv. This time, explore we did! I put together a big list of all the best food, shopping, places to stay and things to do in this awesome city!

WHERE TO EAT

Abouelafia Bakery
There’s a bunch throughout the city, but my favorite location is in Jaffa! All the food is equally as great, but this location is always hoppin’, and it’s such a fun scene! I highly recommend their pastries and burekes (my favorite kind is potato)!

Gemma: Tirtsa St 14, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
We had an AMAZING meal here. Homemade Italian that mom and I both agreed made us feel like we were in Italy! I had the papardelle funghi, and it was INSANE.

Salon Romano: Derech Yafo 9, Tel Aviv, Israel
The same chef as one of Tel Avivs most famous (and one of our favorite spots), Port Sa’id. Salon Romano is its slightly more upscale sister. While port Sa’id is super casual with communal seating, Salon Romano is just a slightly more formal, seated spot. Best enjoyed by ordering multiple dishes and sharing with the table, so bring your appetite!

Beit Haamudim: Rambam St 14, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
A cozy little jazz club with live music every night!

Sheleg Cafe: Ge'ula St 44, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
The perfect little cafe for lunch or an afternoon coffee!

Dr: Shakshuka: Beit Eshel St 3, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
This gem serves all different styles of one of my favorite dishes! I’ve returned here a few times, and the food does not disappoint (our meal of Shakshuka and Shawarma pictured above).

Port Sa’id: Har Sinai St 5, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Delicious small plates with a hipster flare and really fun bar! We love the vibe here and the food is to die for! It’s super casual and sharing style. The staff is extremely friendly. You’re sure to have a great time here! Make sure to order the eggplant spread and sweet potato. Thank me later!

Miznon: Shlomo Ibn Gabirol St 23, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
If you’re looking for something super easy and casual, Miznon is your spot. It is Israeli street food at its FINEST. You order at the counter and wait for a table. The cauliflower is a MUST. If you can snag a spot, sit at the counter to eat! They play the most fun music and cook right there! It’s so fun to watch them dance and sing as they cook! We always have an amazing time at Miznon!

Beer Garden: HaRav Reines St 2, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
They have a nice happy hour with drinks and appetizers, and during the winter they have a great hot sangria!

Whiskey Bar & Museum: Rav Aluf David Elazar St 27, Tel Aviv-Yafo
This is an underground bar with great food and drinks in Sarona! A great place if you’re looking for a really cool vibe!

Château Shuál: Malkhi Yisrael St 19, Tel Aviv-Yafo
If you’re like mom and I, you love a good wine bar! This place has wine and lots of other amazing fresh food!

HaKovshim: Ha-Kovshim St 48, Tel Aviv-Yafo
A little cafe with really great authentic home-cooked Israeli comfort food!

WHERE TO STAY

The Setai: David Razi'el St 22, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6802919, Israel
If you want luxury, this is the place to stay! This is definitely a splurge, but a beautiful one! Located at the main square in Jaffa, it’s an amazing spot to be.

The Jaffa: Louis Pasteur St 2, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6803602, Israel
This is another splurge option, but a unique and gorgeous hotel in an amazing location! It is also right in the middle of Jaffa, close to both the port and flea market!

K Suites Tlv By the Beach: 8 Ness Ziona Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
This is where my mom and I stayed, and it was the perfect apartment style place that made us feel at home during our trip! It was budget-friendly, and there was still an office downstairs to assist with any questions or needs! The location was perfect! 2 blocks from the beach and walkable to everywhere! We loved walking the 2 miles along the beach to Jaffa as well!

Dan Panorama: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Kaufmann St 10, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
An awesome location, right across the street from the beach and the Mediterranean Sea!

InterContinental David Tel Aviv: Kaufmann St 12, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 61501, Israel
Again, another hotel with beautiful views of the Mediterranean in a trendy part of town!

Airbnb
Always a budget-friendly option to accommodate your every need! Usually a favorite option of mine when traveling overseas!

WHAT TO DO

Sarona Market: Aluf Kalman Magen St 3, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Think Chelsea or Time Out Market. This food market has everything you could every want + butchers and grocery. It’s beautiful inside and has a really fun vibe! Super fun spot, we loved it here!

Nahalat Binyamin Pedestration Mall: Nahalat Binyamin St 12, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
On Tuesdays and Fridays, they have a fabulous artist market. Definitely worth a visit to find some beautiful handmade items to bring home.

Jaffa Port: Jaffa, Tel Aviv 68031, Israel
Rumored to be one of the oldest running ports in the world, this is a beautiful landmark! You absolutely have to walk through while visiting Jaffa!

Jaffa Flea Market: Olei Zion St, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Incredible sites, smells and eats, this is a must-do cultural experience! Don’t be afraid to barter with the vendors as well! It’s all a part of the experience!

WHERE TO SHOP

Neve Tzedek
An amazing neighborhood filled with avant-garde design stores, boutiques and shops of local artists! They also have a weekly farmers’ market in HaTachana, a restored railway station. A must visit when in Tel Aviv!

Barak Lahav: Dizengoff 227 Tel Aviv, Israel
An emerging Israeli designer located in the middle of a super fun shopping area on Dizengoff! He was in the store when we went in, and he was so sweet!

TLV Fashion Mall: HaHashmonaim St 96 Tel Aviv-Yafo
A new, modern mall in Tel Aviv! If you’re looking for mall shopping, this is your spot!

Verner: Yehuda ha-Levi St 48, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
A beautiful upscale boutique!

Clarity: Yona HaNavi St 25, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6330225, Israel
Sadly they were closed when we got to the door, but looks absolutely beautiful! Another upscale boutique!

Sabina Musayev: Rabbi Pinhas St.3, Jaffa-Tel Aviv
I absolutely adore this Israeli designer’s beautiful pieces, and it was such a treat to check out her flagship store!

Anything I missed from this fabulous city!? Send them my way, and I can add to the guide!

xx Ali