The top 10 bars, cafes and restaurants in Tel Aviv
The Mediterranean city has not earned its reputation as a vibrant metropolis that never sleeps for nothing. But if you stroll through the streets of Tel Aviv, the search for the legendary nightlife is sometimes more difficult than expected.
The true charm of the city is not easy to see at first glance. For anyone visiting the party metropolis for the first time, we asked the “Tel Avivians”, as Tel Aviv residents call themselves, about the best bars and restaurants, tested them personally for you and listed a unique selection here.
1. Beer Garden
The bar has one of the best happy hours in Tel Aviv, because between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. everything here, both drinks and food, is 50% cheaper. Don’t be fooled by the name of this excellent bar, this is not a German beer tavern, quite the contrary, local influences can be found everywhere. Beer Garden not only has numerous varieties of freshly tapped, local beer, but also offers incredibly delicious food and very own cocktail creations.
Our favourite: Montefioure Sour, which is mixed with the local alcohol Arak. We couldn’t decide when it came to eating: Roasted cauliflower with tahini sesame paste, artichoke salad and baked sweet potato with Labaneh cheese are all treats that every stomach will love!
The bar is centrally located right next to the fountain at Dizengoff Square, surrounded by buildings in the Bauhaus style, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With Tel Aviv’s always-summer temperatures, it’s a good idea to sit outside. It’s best to be there early, because the Israelis also appreciate the value of this bar! By the way, it’s worth the wait! Waiting guests often get a complimentary alcoholic lemonade drink while they wait.
2.Night Kitchen
Anyone who has never known what Israeli food is and wants to get a first impression is in good hands here. Night Kitchen surprises with classic dishes that are given a local twist: tomato carpaccio with Israeli cheese and finely fried, marinated squid pieces with a taste that has never been seen before. The restaurant has an eclectic decor, to the point that the washroom wallpaper is made from 1950s German fashion magazines.
What makes Night Kitchen so special is not just the great food, but also the hospitable and warm atmosphere: “We’re all friends here,” explains the manager. So the entire team calls all guests to toast, with an aperitif handed out beforehand – and that’s not exactly rare. By the way, since July 2017 Night Kitchen can also be found in Berlin Mitte!
Recommendation: Wine lovers have the option of drinking as much wine as they want with all meals for a fair price.
3. Kuli Alma
The bird of paradise of all bars and clubs in Tel Aviv is indisputably Coolie Alma. As gray and battered as Tel Aviv’s buildings can sometimes appear, this oasis of bar is colorful and unconventional in return. Experienced card readers will quickly find this slightly hidden bar. Don’t be fooled by the narrow and nondescript hallway leading to Kuli Alma, as the bar is spread over several rooms that also host live performances and art exhibitions.
What makes Kuli Alma so special is the vibe; this is created on the one hand by the extremely colorful and cult film reference-rich facility, but also by the audience. Kuli Alma seems like a haven for globetrotters and friends of harmony. Even those who show up here alone will quickly make contacts, because the hospitable atmosphere is contagious.
As usual for many bars in Tel Aviv, Kuli Alma has dining options; the freshly baked, home-made stone oven pizzas are especially recommended here.
4. ARIA Bar, Lounge & Restaurant
After a long summer day through Tel Aviv, there is sometimes not enough energy in the evening to go to a bar after eating in a restaurant. No problem, ARIA is the most comfortable solution here, because the restaurant, bar and nightclub are combined here in one.
On the first floor of the historic building is the lovingly furnished ARIA restaurant, where fish lovers in particular will get their money’s worth, but dishes such as jumbo asparagus (giant asparagus) are also eye-catchers. On the ground floor of ARIA, one can indulge in highly original after-dinner cocktails, such as the Sesame Street cocktail, which, according to the menu, knocks even Ernie and Bert’s socks off.
Later in the evening, ARIA turns into a nightclub, and queues outside quickly form as word of quality travels fast in Tel Aviv. Whether dining, just going for a drink or hitting the dance floor, ARIA offers a quality choice for all categories.
5. Bicicletta
Real nightlife in Tel Aviv tends to take place in backyards, which is why the trendy Bicicletta bar is cosily hidden behind the actual building. Especially on warm evenings, of which there are enough throughout the year in Tel Aviv, the atmosphere in this bar is like a midsummer night’s dream.
The seating and tables are reminiscent of the time when our parents went to school and, together with the colorful fairy lights and the cult music, give a real vintage flair.
If you are a fan of sweet potato fries, you will adore the fries made from fried aubergines at Bicicletta. But anything made with sweet potatoes here is also highly recommended.
6. Sputnik Bar
A touch of Soviet Union meets Alice in Wonderland, that’s how the first impression can be described when entering this well-hidden bar on Allenby Street. Retro-futuristic and refreshingly different are some of the many adjectives to describe Sputnik, as not only is the decor diverse, but so are the beverage and food offerings.
Sputnik joins Tel Aviv’s bars that have embraced backyards and are making full use of them. The outdoor area is varied with light elements and the cocktails here are not lacking in design either. If you came with an empty stomach, we recommend the Mexican sashimi.
But rather want to celebrate? Dancers can let off steam on the dance floor to electronic beats in the covered area of Sputnik. Similar to Berlin, Tel Aviv is more geared towards electronic music when it comes to the music scene. Even on a Wednesday evening you will find enough people to party here.
7. Jasper John’s Bar
At first, Jasper John’s Bar looks like a typical city bar, dark furniture, crystal clear glasses and lots of anthracite. However, the real face is hidden in the back area of the bar. If you leave the bar, walk along the building and knock on a separate door, the second, well-hidden and secret part of this underground bar opens.
While the front part of the bar looks like downtown New York, the rear, hidden part looks like a 20-30s Parisian setting.
Tel Aviv is known for its extravagant ideas when it comes to cocktails. This is also evident at Jasper John’s. Recycling is also very important here: cocktails are often served in halved gin bottles, which are also used as flower vases.
From a culinary point of view, the pizza with artichokes is highly recommended and if you like basil, you will not only find it in many drink options, but also in the homemade pesto.
8. Nanuchka
Tel Aviv is known as a hotbed for vegan food; it is estimated that approximately 10% of Tel Aviv residents follow a vegan diet. Therefore, the city offers numerous options, especially for vegans. One of the best among them is Nanuchka. The spacious restaurant proudly bills itself as the first and only vegan Georgian cuisine restaurant in Tel Aviv and the world. The latter can possibly be doubted, but what should definitely not be doubted is the culinary selection. Nanuchka’s menu is as lavish as the restaurant’s traditional decor.
Initially not purely vegan, Nanuchka has switched to vegan dishes in Tel Aviv within the last 14 years and has long been well known in the metropolis. If you haven’t yet figured out what to do with artichokes, you should try the Artichokey dish, fresh artichoke croquettes with tomato chutney.
9. Moonshine
Located right next to the Night Kitchen restaurant, this compact bar seems like a slice of New Orleans has made its home in Tel Aviv. As the name of the bar suggests, several variations of the schnapps known in Germany as “Schwarzbrenner” are available on the drinks menu. Originating in the United States, moonshine has grown from being an illegal hillbilly distillate labeled “XXX” to one of the finest cocktail ingredients.
In addition to the traditionally distilled version made from corn, there are other options, such as apple. Of course, cocktails are also served in mason jars to match their origin. Moonshine is primarily a cocktail bar, but again there are plenty of options to satisfy cravings, such as corn dogs or buffalo wings.
10. Shpagat
Tel Aviv has developed into a hotspot for the LGBT community since the late 1990s. In addition to the well-known Gay Pride and numerous parties, there are also gay-friendly bars. Located on the well-known Nahalat Binjamin Street, Shpagat is open from morning until late at night.
This bar is best known for its relaxed atmosphere. Both taste in music and the orientation of the seating ensure relaxation here. The front seats are down, while the rear seats rise further up, like a theatre, so you can watch the people stream by and fall into a daydreaming trance. The price is a bit higher, but the size of the drinks here is also considerable – a mojito in this bar brightens up the evening a lot!
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Categories: General