Argentina
Magali Bursztyn, 27 years old, is a Community Manager at Google, Waze, the world’s largest community-based navigation and real-time traffic app developed right here in Israel
Magali flew from Argentina to Tel Aviv six years ago and immediately fell in love with its vibes. “The people, the city, the nightlife, the freedom. I just loved it!” She finds it easy to relate to Israelis: “They are very passionate like us; sometimes aggressive, sometimes intense, but most of the time, it comes from love,” however, Magali misses the architecture, her family and friends, Rutini Malbec wine, and most importantly, Sunday football matches. “There’s nothing like going to watch a game in Argentina. Passion at its best.” Fortunately, Israel embraces Latin American customs, cuisine, and cocktails. Grab your cameras! You’re in the presence of a celebrity: Magali is a Dizengoff creature of habit, so much so that the Johnny Boy bar named their Fernet with Coca Cola mixed drink (a common combo in Argentina) the “Magali” in her honor.
Find a local slice
- If you’re craving a little taste of Argentina, Como en Casa delivers home- cooked classics like empanadas, tartas, and Milanesas (plus dulce de leche desserts). No hassle, no hunger, just delicious, regional fare.
- Ditch the camels and feel right at home with the Tapirs, an endangered mammal indigenous to South America, at Ramat Gan Safari–the biggest safari in the Middle East.
- Yerba Mate is the opposite of TV: it makes you talk when you’re with someone and think when you’re alone. Head to Allenby 107 to pick up this magical tea that Argentinians sip from a specialty cup with a straw called a “bombilla.”
- Every Wednesday from 20:00 into the wee hours, Studio B transports you from the bustling Tel Aviv streets to a magnificent Milonga, where the real all-night Latin dance parties start.
- Bring on the meat sweats! Meat Bar does their very best to preserve Argentina’s spices and flavors as hungry patrons indulge in succulent steaks and a huge wine selection.
- Cooking it yourself? Great meat can be found in many places if you know how to look for it. The best butcher is Marinado, on Kikar HaMedina,and although the special Argentinean entrecote that Shufersal sells is expensive,it’s completely worth it.
Here’s A TIP:
If you’re missing home, the 90’s Argentinean TV series Chiquititas is extremely popular here. Most Israelis in their 20s know all the songs to Chiquititas, choreography included.
And, that’s not all!
Colombia
The hookup situation at Alma De Cuba is pretty close to the one in Latin America. You ask someone to dance, you grind with your partner, maybe salsa into some spins, no one says a word, and then you just start making out.
Mexico
While many favor Taqueria for their frozen marg fix, loaded nachos, and decent variety of tacos, we suggest dipping over to Mezcal in Florentin for authentic enchiladas, magical mojitos, and chill vibes.
Brazil
There’s nothing like a refreshing Caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail, to wash down the “pão de queijo” (cheese rolls) and “coxinha” (chicken stuffed fritters) at Na Favela, a local tapas fixture overflowing with Brazilians enjoying bite-sized reminders of home. If you’d rather be perfecting your capoeira than feeding your face, learn from the best; Mestre Jogo de Dentro, from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, heads the Israeli chapter of Capoeira Groupo Semente do Jogo de Angola, offering classes in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Costa Rica
The specialty coffees at Mae Café are brewed with only the highest-quality beans–straight from prime Costa Rican harvests. The intimate family business has been roasting their gourmet, delicious beans for years.