Israeli cuisine is one of the country’s greatest pleasures, a vibrant fusion of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, North African, and Eastern European traditions shaped by the diverse communities that make up Israeli society. Whether you are eating falafel from a street stall, browsing a spice-filled market, or sitting down to a multi-course meal at a top restaurant, the food in Israel is fresh, flavorful, and deeply connected to the land.
Must-Try Israeli Foods
Hummus
Hummus is arguably Israel’s national dish, though its origins are shared across the Middle East. Made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, great hummus is smooth, creamy, and served warm with fresh pita bread. Israelis are passionate about their hummus and will gladly debate which restaurant serves the best version. Do not leave Israel without trying hummus at a dedicated hummusiya (hummus restaurant), where it is the star of the menu rather than a side dish.
Falafel
Deep-fried balls of ground chickpeas and herbs, falafel is Israel’s quintessential street food. Served in a pita with salads, pickles, tahini, and hot sauce, a good falafel sandwich is crunchy on the outside, green and herby on the inside, and deeply satisfying. Every neighborhood has its favorite falafel stand, and quality is consistently high.
Shakshuka
Eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce with peppers, onions, and sometimes cheese or other additions. Shakshuka is a beloved breakfast and brunch dish, though many restaurants serve it all day. It is typically served in the pan it was cooked in, eaten communally with bread for dipping.
Sabich
A pita sandwich stuffed with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, hummus, tahini, Israeli salad, pickles, and amba (a tangy mango condiment). Sabich originated with the Iraqi Jewish community and has become one of Israel’s most popular street foods. It is a complete meal in a pita and one of the best food experiences in the country.
Israeli Salad
A simple chopped salad of diced tomatoes and cucumbers with olive oil, lemon juice, and sometimes parsley or onion. It appears at virtually every meal, from breakfast to dinner, and exemplifies the Israeli love of fresh, unadorned ingredients.
Jachnun and Malawach
These Yemenite Jewish specialties are popular breakfast items, especially on Saturday mornings. Jachnun is a slow-baked rolled pastry with a rich, slightly sweet flavor, served with grated tomato and hard-boiled eggs. Malawach is a flaky, pan-fried bread that is crispy and buttery. Both are comfort food at its finest.
Where to Eat
Markets (Shuks)
Israeli markets are food paradise. The two most famous are Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem and Carmel Market in Tel Aviv. During the day, they are bustling produce markets where vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, cheeses, breads, and prepared foods. Many stalls serve ready-to-eat meals, from kebabs and shawarma to pastries and fresh juices. In the evening, particularly in Mahane Yehuda, the market transforms into a vibrant scene of bars and restaurants.
Street Food
Israel has an exceptional street food culture. Beyond falafel and sabich, look for shawarma (slow-roasted meat sliced from a vertical spit), burekas (flaky pastries filled with cheese, potato, or spinach), and Jerusalem bagels (large, oblong sesame-covered bread). Street food is affordable, filling, and often the best way to eat in Israel.
Restaurants
Israel’s restaurant scene has evolved dramatically and now includes world-class dining options, particularly in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israeli chefs are celebrated for their creative use of local ingredients and fusion of culinary traditions. Reservations are recommended for popular restaurants, especially on Thursday and Saturday evenings.
The Israeli Breakfast
Hotel breakfasts in Israel are legendary. A typical Israeli breakfast buffet includes fresh salads, cheeses, smoked fish, eggs prepared multiple ways, breads, yogurt, granola, fresh fruits and juices, and pastries. It is one of the most generous breakfast spreads you will encounter anywhere, and it is worth savoring rather than rushing through.
Understanding Kosher Dining
Kashrut (Jewish dietary law) plays a significant role in Israeli food culture. Understanding the basics helps you navigate dining options.
Key Kosher Rules
- Meat and dairy are never mixed: A kosher restaurant is either a meat restaurant or a dairy restaurant, never both. This means a meat restaurant will not serve cheese on a burger or cream in coffee.
- Pork and shellfish are prohibited: You will not find these in kosher establishments. Non-kosher restaurants that serve pork and shellfish do exist, particularly in Tel Aviv and areas with Arab populations.
- Kosher certification: Restaurants with a kosher certificate (teudat kashrut) adhere to dietary laws under rabbinical supervision. Many excellent restaurants choose not to be certified for practical reasons but may still largely follow kosher principles.
Practical Impact for Visitors
- If you want a cheeseburger, look for non-kosher restaurants
- During Passover, bread and leavened products disappear from kosher establishments for a week, replaced by matzah
- Kosher restaurants close for Shabbat (Friday evening through Saturday evening)
- Non-kosher restaurants and those in Arab areas typically stay open during Shabbat
Dietary Restrictions and Allergies
Israel is generally accommodating to dietary restrictions beyond kashrut.
- Vegetarian and vegan: Israel is often called one of the most vegan-friendly countries in the world. Tel Aviv in particular has an abundance of vegan restaurants and options. Many traditional dishes like hummus, falafel, and salads are naturally vegan.
- Gluten-free: Options are available at many restaurants, though gluten-free bread and pastry alternatives are less common than in the United States. Communicate your needs clearly.
- Allergies: Nut allergies require particular attention, as tahini (sesame paste) and various nuts are used extensively in Israeli cuisine. Always inform your server of serious allergies.
Dining Etiquette and Tips
- Reservations: Book ahead for dinner at popular restaurants, especially Thursday through Saturday
- Tipping: 10-15 percent is standard at sit-down restaurants
- Meal timing: Lunch is typically 12:00-14:00, dinner starts around 19:00-20:00. Israelis eat late, and restaurants are often busiest at 21:00.
- Water: Tap water is safe and free in restaurants. You can request tap water (mayim mi-haberez) instead of bottled water.
- Sharing: Israeli dining culture embraces sharing. Ordering several dishes for the table is common and encouraged.
Food Experiences Worth Seeking Out
- A Friday morning market visit before Shabbat, when markets are at their busiest
- A traditional Druze meal in a Galilee village
- Fresh fish at a restaurant overlooking the Sea of Galilee
- A wine tasting in the Golan Heights or Judean Hills wine regions
- A cooking class focused on traditional Israeli or Middle Eastern cuisine
- Fresh dates, pomegranates, and citrus purchased directly from a roadside stand
Israeli food is not just sustenance; it is a window into the country’s history, diversity, and soul. Eat widely, try everything, and come hungry.
