Falafel
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Get your falafel and sabich fix with our Pita Pocket Picks

Authentic Israeli street food that fits in your pocket

Written by
Jennifer Greenberg
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After just one flavourful bite of vegan-friendly greasy grub from these falafel and sabich establishments, you’ll be singing, “I got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine” from the rooftops. Walk down the busy streets of Tel Aviv any time of day and you’re bound to pass at least ten shops serving up Israeli street food squeezed between chic designer boutiques and vibrant juice stands. With so many options, how do you weed out the authentic street eats from the tourist traps? By following our helpful guide to pita pocket paradise. We’ve scavenged the city far and wide in search of the juiciest chickpeas, crispiest eggplant, and perfectly hard boiled eggs in Tel Aviv. The lines may be long at famous Tel Aviv restaurants like Frishman Sabich and Falafel Gabay, but with good reason. Grab some free pickled vegetables and some patience because we promise you, these spots are well worth the wait.

The best falafel and sabich in Tel Aviv

  • Restaurants
  • Fast food spots
  • Tel Aviv City Center
  • price 1 of 4
Sometimes the simplest things in life are the best. Mifgash Haosher features two dishes, salad and falafel. The crispy on the outside, soft on the inside falafel is served with an insanely fresh salad and topped with tahini. The awesome energy inside the restaurant is contagious and you cannot help but feel the sense of pride beaming from its chefs and owners. If you are looking for an authentic, fantastic, classic Israeli meal, Mifgash Haosher is the real deal.
  • Restaurants
  • Fast food spots
  • Tel Aviv City Center
  • price 1 of 4
Thanks to their creamy hummus dishes, sensational shawarma, and salads chopped to perfection, it's no surprise Hakosem’s always bustling with customers. You can literally taste the passion in every blissful bite, a passion shared by the chefs and the friendly wait staff. At the end of your meal, you’ll be busting at the seams with satisfaction just as the restaurant is busting at the seams with happy customers.
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  • Restaurants
  • Israeli
  • Tel Aviv City Center
No trip to Israel is complete without a visit to the insanely delicious Frishman Falafel. For those looking for a casual and filling meal at an unbeatable price, welcome home. Get the falafel in a pita and go wild with the endless world of additions, from hummus to pickles to eggplant, concoct the perfect combination of falafel topping ingredients. While the focal point of Frishman Falafel is the falafel itself, the schnitzel is a close contender and fits perfectly in a hummus smeared pita pocket. Stop by this charming spot on the way to the beach or after a night of Tel Aviv partying, it’s always popping.  
  • Restaurants
  • Israeli
  • White City
  • price 2 of 4
Celebrity Chef Eyal Shani has redefined street food in Israel with Miznon, a pita-centered joint where culinary expertise meets incredible ingredients. The atmosphere is loud and lively: just order your food, sit back, enjoy the free pita and tahini nibbles, and wait until your name is called. Just about anything you can fit in a pita is on offer here, including a rich and meaty minute steak, chicken liver, steak and eggs, kebabs and shakshuka. Vegetarians can find a good meal here too, with a slow-cooked ratatouille and the simple deliciousness of a juicy head of cauliflower that oozes flavor through its simplicity. Don’t want to leave home? Order in - they deliver. Miznon has multiple locations in the center of Israel (1 HaNechoshet St and 21 Ibn Gvirol) and even one in Paris!
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  • Restaurants
  • Israeli
  • Old North
  • price 1 of 4
This casual spot is perfect for a morning snack or filling evening Moroccan dinner. With a menu written on chalkboards on the walls and a fast moving staff, this falafel joint is the go-to spot for those looking for an authentic Israeli meal. The menu features falafel, stuffed peppers, fresh hummus, and amazing shawarma. While there may be a bit of a line (and we all know how good Israelis are at lining up), it’s well worth the wait. So queue up, grab a pita, try the amazing pickles, and sit at one of the communal tables to share your meal experience with total strangers.  
  • Restaurants
  • Israeli
  • Tel Aviv City Center
  • price 1 of 4
One of the best Sabich spots in Tel Aviv, no journey down Frishman Street is complete without a stop over at the crowded Frishman Sabich. Wondering what Sabich is? The Iraqi inspired vegetarian street snack (less internationally known than its falafel counterpart) consists of a warm pita filled with roasted eggplant, a little bit of potato, some hard boiled egg, creamy tahini, and unique herbs and spices. Those looking for something a little less exciting, check out Frishman Falafel next door, but we suggest you give Sabich a try, especially at this legendary establishment.
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  • Restaurants
  • Fast food spots
  • Tel Aviv City Center
  • price 1 of 4
While this restaurant may seem like a simple dining experience, it is clear that an extreme focus and attention to detail is paid to each dish. Fresh eggplant, hard-boiled egg, potato and tahini come together to create the perfect combination of flavors. This masterpiece in a pita is well worth the wait. Rich and affordable at the same time, this quick eat will fill you up and fuel you up for the rest of the day. At only NIS 18 per pita, you can't go wrong!
  • Restaurants
  • Israeli
  • Giv'atayim
There's no parking, the lines are crazy, and the service is intense...but the food is unbelievable. This may be one of the best eggplant dishes you have ever tasted. With it’s own special and unique Sabich Oved flavors, people keep coming back again and again to this well-known establishment to get more and more. With the authentic and tasty hummus to the fresh and creamy tahini topped off with vibrant vegetables, you’ve never seen such a colorful work of edible art. So stop by this authentic joint and savor the sensational sabich.
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