7 veteran restaurants in Israel that have stood the test of time

In the grim Israeli culinary reality, a restaurant with 70 years of experience is quite the miracle. Tel Aviv's Sender restaurant, which opened during the year of Israel's establishment, has stuck to tradition for seven impressive decades and continues to serve kosher Eastern European food to fans of all ages. The cozy spot made its first appearance in Jaffa, then moved to the outskirts of Levinsky market a few years later, where it stands strong to this day. Current owner Zami Schreiber is already second or third generation, depending on how you look at it. His father and grandfather set up the restaurant together in partnership with Chef Sender, and when the founding generation retired Schreiber became the sole owner. As owner, he takes special care to preserve the attractive home cooked menu. Loyal regulars come again and again to taste cholent and kishke, chopped liver, tongue, chicken soup with kreplach and noodles, and egg salads. The ambiance is reminiscent of restaurants from the past, with a large soda tap, photographs of political and cultural figures hanging on the walls, and a family feel that can't be beat.

Dolphin Yam opened its doors for the first time in 1967, when the city was liberated. It became the first Israeli restaurant to open in East Jerusalem, on Salah A Din Street. With the outbreak of the first Intifada, the restaurant was closed in East Jerusalem and moved to Tel Aviv until the beginning of the 21st century, then returned home to the capital. Over its 51 years, the veteran restaurant has hosted international actors and singers, politicians, security officials, and lawyers and academics, including Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Henry Kissinger, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Moshe Dayan, and more. Another thing that distinguishes this restaurant from the pack is its connection to French cuisine and seafood. Most of the restaurants in Jerusalem are kosher, but Dolphin Yam serves up seafood, fish, meat, pasta, vegetarian dishes, and children's dishes as well. The interior is bright, inviting, and versatile – suitable for a romantic or family meal, while sitting on the balcony overlooking the streets of Jerusalem provides the perfect people watching perch.

The name of the baking empire and pastry shop in the heart of Jerusalem has long since crossed the borders of the capital and is familiar to every foodie and patisserie enthusiast. Kadosh Café was founded in 1967 by Meir Kadosh and is now managed by his son Itzik and daughter-in-law Keren. While the space has remained its same intimate size, the old recipes have been adapted and the menu has grown with the times to include breakfasts, sandwiches, and salads, plus special treats like beet pancakes, stuffed mushrooms, and fresh handmade pasta. The dessert display has also gotten bigger and is now reminiscent of a patisserie in Paris with sweet and salty pastries, cakes, and personal desserts like éclairs and tartlets. The Kadoshes insist on staying put in the same mythological place, ensuring a queue at the entrance, but customers are willing to wait since their patience is more than rewarded. A few months ago, the café celebrated its 50th anniversary.