MITF Fellow Tiffany Hamilton shares a list of her favorite restaurant spots in Tel Aviv that she discovered so far during her time here on the program. Read on to discover tasty and delicious restaurant options straight from a MITF Fellow living in Tel Aviv!
Whenever I travel to a new city, I’m most excited to try the local food. I knew that when I moved to Tel Aviv I would be eating endless amounts of falafel and hummus, but I was blown away by the variety of cuisines available here. Tel Aviv is a foodie’s paradise, especially for those of us with dietary restrictions. Tel Aviv is one of the most vegan-friendly cities in the world, and I’ve never felt like I was short on options for delicious food. I’m so grateful for how easy it is to keep kosher here; kosher restaurants are essentially non-existent in my American hometown. Even if a restaurant isn’t kosher-certified, it’s very common to be “kosher style”, i.e. cook with kosher ingredients and only have meat or dairy options. Many of the places listed here also have gluten-free options, which can be hard to find in smaller cities. The following restaurants are some of my favorites I’ve tried in the two months I’ve been here, and I feel confident saying that you’ll love them all.
La Lasagna
Dizengoff St 177, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Kosher • Vegan-Friendly • Gluten-Free Options
As the name suggests, La Lasagna is known for their fantastic lasagnas. Pictured above is the eggplant and pesto lasagna, and my personal favorite is the spinach and ricotta. Served under a bed of piping-hot melted cheese, it’s the perfect way to stuff yourself with pasta before a night out. Their outdoor seating area facing Dizengoff Street is a great place to gather with friends and share a delicious meal. We celebrated my roommate’s birthday here, and it was my first time eating under a sukkah! If cheese isn’t your thing, they have a plethora of vegan sauce options and vegetable additions, as well as an extensive gluten-free menu.
Dr. Shakshuka
Kosher • Vegan-Friendly
Beit Eshel St 3, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6802503
The first time I came to Israel on my Birthright trip, I ate shakshuka for breakfast every. single. day. There’s nothing I love more than a runny yolk, and I was so disappointed by the shakshuka I tried when I returned home. I made the frozen version from Trader Joe’s and trust me, it isn’t the same. Dr. Shakshuka, located in historic Jaffa, is the pinnacle of shakshuka. It’s never too spicy, the eggs are never overcooked, and you can even add shawarma or hummus to take it to the next level.
Fat Dog
Ha-Khalutzim St 1, Tel Aviv-Yafo
Vegan-Friendly
Open until 3 a.m., Fat Dog is the perfect late-night snack destination. Choose your hot dog base (pork, chicken, beef, or vegan), add as many sauces as your heart desires, and finish with a layer of gooey cheese. My go-to is the vegan dog with garlic mayo, dijon, gouda, and crunchy fried onions. I love being able to choose exactly what I want every time, and the staff is incredibly friendly.
Your favorite Tel Aviv Fellows,
Tiffany Hamilton is a Fellow in BINA’s MITF+ program
