I am pretty sure this is the busiest roundup I have written so far. With summer in full swing, new restaurants are opening up all over the country. As always, if you like this post, please share it with your friends and let me know what else you want to hear about.
KOSHER
Tourists are always looking for pre-pay kosher restaurants for Shabbat meals. While some exist in cities around the world, the only option in Israel is in hotels, which is an expensive option. The owners of Carousela in Rehavia are trying to change that by opening Bab Al Yemen on Azza, which is open on Shabbat serving dairy food, following the rules of Shabbat and payment is made either in advance or after Shabbat. They do not have an official kosher certification, but they will soon have private supervision from Avivit Rabi’a, an experienced kashrut supervisor. Friday night dinner costs NIS 70 and Shabbat lunch is either vegetarian Hamin (NIS 45) or Jachnun (NIS 36).
There is finally a place to get a good slice of pizza in the Jerusalem shuk! Craft Pizza opened a few weeks ago and serves pizza by the slice, with a great flavor and lovely sourdough base. As well as traditional options, they also other tasty toppings like grilled zucchini, beets, kalamata olives, pineapple and chili, and a great spicy salsa on the side. A slice of margarita is NIS 14.
Steakiat Hakirach has opened on Yafo, opposite the open-shuk. The traditional style grill restaurant serves a variety of skewers and other fresh meat on the grill, as well as shawarma, fresh salads and home-made, thin and crispy fries.
Sushibox (Mehadrin) has opened a branch in Mevaseret Zion serving sushi, stir-fry and cocktails. I am excited to try it as there are not enough good kosher sushi places in Jerusalem.
Mixi Salad Bar (Rabbanut) just opened in Sarona Market with a great selection of fresh vegetables, grains and toppings. The medium is NIS 38 and large is NIS 42, both include bread. They also serve toast for NIS 32.
Hadar Market has finally opened in Hadar Mall with 20 food stalls that include Teeras (flavored sweetcorn and baked potatoes); Tostada (meat toast); Bagel Café (Mehadrin); Spaghettini; Burgers Bar; Knafeh Ir David; Burekas; Pizza Pushka; HaSalatia (Badatz); Mexicana; Matilda Ice Cream, Fish and Chips and more. It is open until 10pm on weeknights and to 2am on Thursday and Saturday nights.
Mono Restobar, a Greek Tavern in Airport City, has recently become kosher. Traditional Greek dishes include Pargit, Veal Kebab and Vegetarian Souvlaki, Moussaka and Tarama.
Posa (Badatz) has opened in the industrial park in Yokneam. The street food restaurant is only open for lunch and serves pita filled with various options, such as chraime, arais and chicken liver.
Gusto di Nonna (Mehadrin) is a local-style rustic Italian café in Mora, Lower Galilee near Karmiel, serving simple Italian dishes.
Azura Tel Aviv is now open in the evening and they have partnered with celebrity Chef Rafi Cohen, former owner of Raphael in the Dan Tel Aviv. Cohen has added some of his signature dishes to the menu, like his cigars, veal kebabs and his pistachio marzipan. Rafi Cohen and Azura owner, Elran Schrefler grew up together in Jerusalem and they are rumored to be opening a new restaurant together.
For those heading to Eilat this summer, check out Jasper 08, a new restaurant-bar in the Isrotel Agamim Hotel, jointly managed by Jasper Johns of Tel Aviv. The spacious lounge bar has a dairy bar menu and varied cocktails and drinks menu.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjKkiQ1F8e3/?taken-by=jasper_08_
Bakshish in Jerusalem has closed after just a year in business, it is a shame as the place had potential but it was badly managed.
NOT KOSHER
The restaurant in Gan Haatzmaut in Jerusalem has changed ownership and is now an Italian restaurant called Tiamo. Although it is open for lunch, the restaurant is more of an evening destination and is open until 2am on weeknights and 3am at weekends, with a bar atmosphere in the late evening.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkdHV5YgERt/?taken-by=tiamo.rest
Rama’s Kitchen in Nataf is finally reopening after it was burnt down 18 months ago in a forest fire. The new restaurant is the same farm-to-table concept as the previous one but half the size it was before. Rama herself is in charge of the culinary side and her daughter Ella will manage the restaurant. For now, they are only open for private events but will open to the public sometime this summer.
French style restaurants and bars are opening all over the place, especially in Tel Aviv and Hotel de Ville is the newest offering on Dizengoff, where Café Michal used to be. The gastro bar is from the same owners as Bell Boy and 223. The menu includes French delicacies such as Smoked Tuna Croque Madam, Veal Sweetbread Croissant, Ratatouille Sandwich, Beef Tartare and French Charcuterie, as well as an interesting cocktail menu.
Zada restaurant has opened in The Drisco Hotel, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World in a 19th-century building. The cuisine at Zada is inspired by the traditional meals cooked for the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire with modern and local influences.
Another French restaurant, Nizza, has opened where Luca e Lino once stood. The menu includes traditional food from the French city of Nice, like Salad Nicoise and Pissaladière, (focaccia style bread topped with anchovies and olives), as well as other dishes including zucchini flowers, rotisserie chicken, pasta arrabiata and 60-days aged prime rib.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjuF-AUjTXb/?taken-by=nizza_tlv
The owners of Bar à Vin and Da Da & Da have opened Café Nordoy in Hotel Nordoy. The menu includes classic European food, like beef tartare, oysters, cacio e pepe pasta and sirloin steak. For now, breakfast is for hotel guest only but it is open to the public for dinner
Anina Italian restaurant from Ramat Aviv has opened a second branch in Shuk Hazafon, serving pizza, pasta, meatballs and other Italian specials.
Faro Italian Eatery opened on the coastal road (kvish hahof – Route 2) in Bet Yanai, just north of Netanya serving pizzas with tomato or cream base, pasta, as well as fish and meat dishes. An Italian style Buffet brunch is served on Friday and Saturday 8:30 to 12:00.
Nanuchka closed at the end of June and The Bun in Carmel Market will close at the end of the year, but the owners will be opening something else in its place, but they have not yet announced what it will be.
COMING SOON
Naya, a kosher Asian restaurant will soon open in Moshav Beit Nakofa in the Jerusalem Hills. This restaurant is from the owners of Derech Hagefen in Moshav Beit Zayit.
EVENTS
- Mateh Yehuda Beer Festival – 4-7 July 2018, Mini Israel. Tickets cost NIS 42 for 2 tastings and special prices on additional beers.
- Israel Cocktail Festival – 18-19 July 2018, Marina Herzliya Pituach. Advanced tickets for NIS 89, which includes 3 cocktails.
- Israel Museum Wine Festival – 30 July to 2 August 2018, tickets cost NIS 95.
- Jerusalem Food Truck Festival – July & August, Tuesday to Thursday, 18:00 – 23:00 in Gai Ben Hinom Park – will feature food trucks from 3 local restaurants each week, including Machneyuda, Crave, 1868, Fiori, HaSadna, Mona, Anna, Kadosh, Dwini, Station 9, Satya, HaMotzi, Adom, Dolphin Yam, Angelica, Ishtabach, Sushi Rehavia, Yudale, Jacko’s Street and Talbiye.
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Categories: Monthly Roundup
