Time Out takes out: Tel Aviv restaurants delivering right to your door

When Roni Belfer and Motti Sofer created La Repubblica, they strove to develop a restaurant that upheld their core culinary values of creating local, seasonal and fresh food, while continuously preserving rich Italian culinary heritage. Many of the restaurant’s vegetables and herbs are grown fresh in their very own backyard garden. Alongside the displayed cheeses, cold cuts and famous anti-pasti, they prepare homemade pastas, bake fresh pizzas, and cook meat and fish with extreme attention to detail. 

One of the best bakery chains in the city, Bakery has mastered the art of French pastries. Whether you come to pick up a crunchy, fresh-from-the-oven baguette or any of the delectable pastries like the caramel-glazed cream puffs and the creamy-rich mille-feuille, everything you pick here is memorable and worth the hype. Bakery also serves sandwiches and salads, making it the ideal place for your next lunch date. 

Nearly always buzzing with a young, hip crowd, Magazzino serves up Italian comfort food at reasonable prices. The tabun (clay oven) is just as busy as the atmosphere with creative pizzas coming out at all times, from the classics to funky renditions like the chili cheese and gorgonzola or the spicy eggplant version.  A fun spot for cocktails and bites.  

If you want to feel the glamorous side of Tel-Aviv, the Cantina is where you’ll want to go. The menu features a variety of authentic Italian dishes from penne vodka to rich ravioli. The restaurant features a large patio overlooking the iconic Rothschild Boulevard, making Cantina the perfect spot to enjoy some fresh pasta and cocktails.

Locals know Ha’Basta as the place to try creative, well-executed food straight from the neighboring, open-air shuk. This is the kind of place where anything you taste will hit the mark. Creative dishes and an incredible wine list make HaBasta the place to go for a hyper local dining experience.

One of the most well-loved spots in Tel Aviv is this Parisian style brasserie. With a meticulously detailed Art Deco interior, this spot is packed ‘round the clock, serving up well-executed French classics with a side of creativity. Fashionable and casual, locals come here to get their comfort food fix.

When it comes to pizza, Tel Aviv has a myriad of options for you to choose from. If you're looking for a pizza joint that has the local flair, then Shiroko Pizza is the place to go. Located just steps away from Gan Meir, Shiroko offers a quality slice and a local feel, which is the perfect combo when it comes to this comfort food classic.

This hip and happening spot by brilliant young chefs, Or Michaeli and Moti Titman has been receiving rave reviews for its attention to detail, abundant seafood dishes and the unique creativity in every dish. Their modern Israeli kitchen incorporates a unique interpretation of international cuisines, focusing on the highest quality local ingredients around. 

A communal fine dining experience in Jaffa with meticulous attention to detail. OCD lives up to its name, offering a meticulous dinner experience. Crafted to perfection with flavors that pop and playfulness that entices your tongue, the magic of it all lies in the structure with one seating area where everybody eats together at the same time. 

Cucina Hess 4 hallmark dishes include the Budino Parmesan, a delicate veal scallopine in white wine, lemon and sage, and a Forest Mushroom Risotto. Northern Italian cuisine and handmade pasta are Tamar's signature passions, and after years working in Michelin-starred restaurants alongside rural eateries, we are lucky to have her pristine taste and skill in Israel.

Working throughout the night, the staff of Lehamim Bakery starts to create their delicious and precisely made breads when all of us still dream. Featuring loaves of bread casually sitting on simple white shelves, it's like walking into a closet full of heavenly gluten glory.

Nut breads, caraway breads and sourdoughs are just the tip of the iceberg here. For those with a sweet tooth, try a fruit tart, a chocolate-filled pita or even a mini caramelized cream puff filled with delicious crème patisserie. Locals opt for the signature Nelson bread, a South African treat made from whole and dark wheat, sesame and sunflower seeds, bran and a touch of honey. Firm and tight, it could almost pass for cake.  

Think New York’s Chelsea Market meets London’s Borough Market meets Toronto’s Kensington Market all crammed into one main floor. After drooling over the first floor of Delicatessen, make your way upstairs to the busy restaurant offering up a wide array of dishes like Asian-inspired salads, chopped liver, roast beef, and Salmon with Bulgur. As if your taste buds aren’t spoiled enough, each table includes a basket of freshly baked bread. 

Agadir offers juicy burgers piled with whatever topping your heart can imagine. Creamy cheeses, greasy bacon, portobello, pineapple chilli, garlic butter, guacamole; just a few of the exquisite additions that can be squeezed between the buns. With multiple locations, Agadir is ready to satisfy late-night cravings. Start with crisp cauliflower with tzatziki or a beef carpaccio with parmesan, and choose from a list of signature cocktails or wines. Agadir also offers mouth-watering desserts, including milkshakes, ice cream waffles and crême brulée.

Known to many as the best burger in Tel Aviv, this burger joint is flipping some of Tel Aviv’s best patties from afternoon to midnight. With top notch American quality, the restaurant reasonably priced, making it a good grab for many Tel Avivians with a yearning for the U.S. America Burgers makes the process easy by limiting their menu to five unique burger options. So grab a burger and a side of chips, and delve into this fabulous factory of yum!

While burger joints have popped up left and right on Rothschild with new combinations and contemporary creations, Moses has stood the test of time. And for good reason. While they may not hold the title of 'best burger in town', Moses' three branches in Tel Aviv are certainly among the most reliable. Maybe it's the iconic cat logo that keeps patrons coming back or maybe it's the homey ambiance or it could be that they've mastered the art of keeping it classic with a good old fashioned burger. 

Reviva & Celia was founded by three women who dreamed of offering up fine delicacies to the Israeli market. Beloved for their baked goods and warm hospitality, they use traditional French baking methods paired with local raw products. Now a popular brand also known for its three cafe-restaurants, stop in and enjoy delicious dishes such as the red vegetable curry, beef massaman or salmon fillet paired with a glass of fine wine. For dessert enjoy an aromatic coffee and a vanilla tartlet or a chocolate mousse.

Internationally renowned sushi chef Yama-San from the well-loved TYO restaurant really knows how to craft a dish that is a cut-above-the-rest. They offer the best choice of saki and some crazy-creative and detailed bites. Don’t miss the yuzu meringue, made of the fragrant citrusy fruit with a yuzu sauce to pair with every bite.

With seven restaurants across Israel, Giraffe is considered a leading restaurant chain in Israel, providing the country with a creative culinary experience. A leader in innovation, it was the first restaurant in Israel to serve Thai pad thai alongside Japanese sushi, Chinese fried egg noodles and classic European desserts, all inspired by modern Asian restaurants in New York City.

Ca-Phe Hanoi is a Vietnamese and French restaurant with a modern and stylish world-class look, and a laid-back vibe. The restaurant boasts a brilliantly creative cocktail menu, developed by key players in the Tel Aviv bar world, Dan Kraicer and Yotam Shilo, both behind the award-winning Spicehaus and Double Standard. Vietnamese spring rolls, steamed fish in banana leaves, 7-hour star-anise and cinnamon-infused pho, chicken with ginger and lemongrass, and a long list of local seasonal spices and exotic ingredients are combined to round out an extensive and inventive menu.

Fifi's chef -who goes solely by Fifi- doesn't identify her menu as being exclusively Japanese, Chinese or Korean, but rather a mix of the three with a heavy influence from her Israeli roots. A fiery passion for food invigorates Fifi to cook the entire menu herself from scratch with no extra help from a sous-chef or kitchen hands, an impressive feat that should not go unnoticed. 

Fu prepares beautiful Japanese food at high standards coupled with a lively Tel Aviv neighborhood feel. Enjoy prestigious, detail-oriented sushi created beautifully in front of your eyes or dine on flavors from the wok. Whether you want a casual bite at the bar, a gorgeous Japanese dinner or a Tel Avivian evening of people-watching, everything can be found here.

Many locals and tourists alike agree that Moon is the best sushi in Tel Aviv. From unique rolls to flavorful vegetarian offerings, the menu has a variety of options, plus everything is exquisite–the sushi rolls are little works of art that taste even better than they look. Sushi lovers with high standards should definitely check out Moon, as you’d be hard pressed to find higher quality sushi anywhere else in Israel–or maybe even the galaxy.

Over 20 years, this has become one of the most-loved spots in the city, known for mastering the traditional Thai experience from the coconut-milk squeezed every hour to the vegetables grown on their own farm. Experience meticulous attention to detail, bold flavors and an extensive selection of dishes made from the freshest ingredients around.

Here, for the indecisive poke eater, you can choose from ready-made, tailored choices. Try the “chareef esh” a spicy dish with white rice and red tuna, siracha sauce and spicy mayo–a true feast of fiery flavors. Alternatively, opt for the vegetarian with tofu marinated in their house-sauce, green beans, sprouts, and edamame. Another great choice is the Israeli with a citrus sauce and cilantro. Or you can always freestyle it and make your own!

This charming spot features delicious food, tasty cocktails, and the finest service. Always with a lively crowd, Vong is full of energy and great food. With a large outdoor patio facing Rothschild Boulevard, one can enjoy their delicious noodles while watching the city pass by. With a large menu offering dishes from rice to fish, there is something to please every guest, from wild and spicy to mild and delicious. Come to Rothschild and escape on an asian vacation from Mediterranean food.

Almost everything on the menu is tasty – the one exception to this is the General Tso’s chicken which is more soggy than it is crispy. The standout favorites are the eatery’s chicken pad thai and their fried rice dishes.  

Located in the southwestern neighborhood – the first Jewish neighborhood to be built outside the old city of Jaffa – dig into the shrimp dumplings, vegetable tempura, Japanese Root salad, or spicy Tom Yum soup for starters, taste Sashimi, Ngiri or Tamaki, but make sure you wolf down the Kinawa Dream (Surimi, avocado, wrapped in fish). 

Wining and dining at the famed Yakimono throws a spanner in the works. The conundrum? You’ll never want to eat at home again. While its walls may be small, Yakimono’s charm is hugely captivating, located just off the prestige of Hilton Hotel’s lobby. Seeing as though it’s such a special occasion every time Yakimono is featured in your evening, opt for the tasting menu with an array of Japanese dishes designed to appeal to the Asian cuisine enthusiast. Look out for the fish wasabi and loosen that tie a notch to keep Yakimono-ing. 

Though their delectable traditional Thai dishes come in at an affordable cost, Nam delivers high-powered tastes and high-energy atmosphere. Pair a papaya salad with a noodle dish jam-packed with flavor, and you’ll feel like you’ve flown all the way to Bangkok. Those not used to the heat of a perfect curry need not be afraid, as Nam can cater to the mildest taste buds, but thrill-seekers can get things cranked up on the spice scale. 

In true Tel Aviv-style mixed with a European flair, this cozy bistro has been frequented by locals since 1997 This lively café gets swept by a romantic vibe at night;  the menu changes often, featuring classic dishes, seasonal recipes, pasta, meats, fish and bistro favorites. Don’t miss the legendary schnitzel.  

Bushwick, located in the Fabric Hotel specializes in quality cocktails and has ventured into coffee. "We are going to specialize in coffee just as we specialize in cocktails and alcohol, giving them all the appropriate attention and professionalism," said Bar Shira, one of the owners of Imperial Group and the Atlas Hotel chain who opened the bar.

Known as the “cocktail bar pharmacy," the bartenders actually dress like pharmacists, and cocktails are served in three different sized beaker bottles. This is the largest cocktail bar in Tel Aviv, but don’t get confused when you see a sign for “The East Jaffa Perfume Company” – you’re at the right place

Silon serves delicious cocktails, including a Bloody Mary with a gin base rather than vodka that is definitely worth checking out, as well as certain beers otherwise hard to find in Israel.