Jasmino: The Hole in the Wall Kebab Shop with a Whole Lot of Flavor

When it comes to meat preparation, any Israeli will want to grill their meat above any other option. This can be said as well about pita bread. Israelis will prefer to eat pita over the conventional loaf of bread in any situation. When you combine grilled meats and pita bread you will most certainly have a winning combination. One of my favorite places where they celebrate the Israeli barbecue and the pita is Jasmino. Located at 97 Allenby which is right across the street from the big synagogue, Jasmino has captivated the taste buds of Tel Avivians. For those that need to know, Jasmino is a hole in the the wall street food stand that specializes in freshly grilled meats which they stuff in their heavenly pita bread. The menu at Jasmino is a short read featuring beef kebabs, spicy merguez sausage, grilled spring chicken, and spicy veal heart. You can be assured you are getting a fresh product as they do not precook you food. When you place your order, they throw what ever you ordered onto the grill. This means you will have to wait at least five minutes for your food to be ready. Trust me though, the wait is worth it. To customize your pita sandwich, Jasmino offers tahini sauce, amba, chopped Israeli salad, grilled  green chiles, grilled onions, and grilled tomatoes to accompany your meat of choice. As for the price, Each pita costs around 30 shekels each, which is around 8 dollars. With its location in the heart of Tel Aviv and around many nightlife options, it has become a go to spot before and after a night going to clubs and bars. Jasmino also features daily specials which you can ask about when you get there.  As for the service, its typical Israeli service which is nothing to praise. The staff takes their time and may not notice you even after trying to order from them. It is just part of the atmosphere so please do not take the lack of service personally because they do it to everyone. Besides the service, Jasmino makes a delicious pita experience that everyone that visits Tel Aviv should experience.

Sabich Frishman: Tel Aviv's spot for Sabich

There are many options when it comes to traditional street food options here in Tel Aviv. We devour on a daily basis the typical falafel, shawarama, kebabs, hummus, and shakshuka.  Yet many who are not familiar with the local food scene will pass up the delicious Sabich pita sandwich. Sabich is a popular street food option for many locals and is becoming more popular among tourists as well. It has its roots in the Iraqi Jewish kitchen as its ingredients are commonly found on the breakfast tables of Iraqi Jewish families. The Sabich sandwich is typically filled with hummus, tehini, salad, a hard boiled egg, fried eggplant, potatoes, and a pickled mango sauce called amba. There are many places serving Sabich to the hungry masses yet there is one that stands out with lines running out the door and onto the street. Located just past the corner of Frishman and Dizengoff Streets in the heart of Tel Aviv is Sabich Frishman. This little whole in the wall serves only Sabich, everyday except for Saturdays as a sign of respect for Shabbat. There is usually a line so please be patient for your Sabich as everyone else is waiting with you. Sabich Frishman will definitely not put a lot of damage on your wallet either as it costs around 22 shekels. While the original pita is the best in my opinion, you can opt to have your Sabich filled in a whole wheat pita as well. I always tell friends that visit that they need to eat Sabich in order to have the full culinary experience of Israel. It is one of the uniquely Israeli dishes that we are extremely proud of and eat it on a daily basis.

Fatdog TLV: The best hot dog in Tel Aviv

It is safe to say we all eat hot dogs. We eat chicken, beef, pork, lamb, and even vegetarian hot dogs just to satisfy our cravings for sustenance in tube form. From backyard cook outs to late night snacks on the street after too many drinks, we will always have a special place in our hearts for hot dogs. If there is one place to satisfy our hot dog cravings in Tel Aviv, it has to be Fatdog. Located on Jaffa Road and the corner of Hahalutzim on the edge of the Florentine neighborhood, Fatdog serves some of the best hot dogs in the city. Fatdog features pork, chicken, beef, and vegetarian hot dogs to satisfy everyone's desire for hot dogs. You can customize your hot dog with the typcial toppings such as ketchup, mustard, diced onions, pickles, sauerkraut, and mayonnaise. Fatdog also offers bean chili, gouda cheese, cheddar cheese, fried onions, bacon, curry barbecue sauce, and even pineapple to top your hot dog.  As for the cost, each hot dog costs around 27 shekels. Seven dollars for a hot dog might sound crazy, but trust me you will receive a quality product that is truly worth the price. As for the service, you will receive over the top service. The owner Eli is always there with a smile on his face willing to offer his customers the best service possible. Combine the taste of the hot dog with their service, Fatdog is the place for your hot dog cravings. You can find Fatdog at Hahalutzim 1, Corner of Jaffa Road. Fatdog is open from 6  P.M. till the early hours of the morning, perfect for satisfying your hunger after the party gets out.

Hamalabia: Tel Aviv's go-to spot for Malabi

If you spend anytime in Israel, you will probably be exposed to the traditional dessert called malabi. For those that do not know, malabi is a traditional milk pudding served with a rosewater syrup and crushed peanuts on top. It is a typical dessert found almost everywhere from on the street corner to fancy restaurants. There are many places where you can find this delicious and refreshing dessert, yet one the best versions can be found at Hamalabia. Like its name would suggest, Hamalabia specializes in malabi. You can try the original malabi with a raspberry and rose water syrup, topped with toasted coconut and chopped peanuts. However, if you are a vegan you can try their vegan version made from coconut milk. Besides doing the classic version at an incredible level, Hamalabia also offers other syrups and toppings to customize your malabi experience. You can try their vanilla and cinnamon or their lemon and cardamom syrup if rosewater is not your jam. A single serving will set you back 10 shekels which is quite inexpensive. The atmosphere at each branch is very cool and is conducive to hanging out with your friends. You can easily sit back, relax, and eat a dessert unique to the Israel. You can find Hamalabia on Allenby Street next to the beginning of Carmel Market, and in the Jaffa Flea Market. It is hands down, one of the best places for malabi in the country.

Shi Shi: The Sushi Burrito takes Tel Aviv

There is something unique about seeing the evolution of food fads. At first you see it on the internet and you question yourself on how could people actually pay money to eat it. Fads like the cronut, ramen burger, or anything red velvet have become mainstays in the food world. Even if these food fads are ridiculous, they will sell at the end of the day because it is a novelty to some people. For somebody to eat a ramen burger just to say they ate it is why these fads stay with us. Yet, what if a food fad stays relevant because it is genuinely a delicious dish. A dish that people actually want to eat and are excited about like it was something completely normal. This is my opinion on the sushi burrito. Yes I know the sushi burrito sounds like the gimmick of all gimmicks, but hear me out on this one. I thought it was just like any other food fad, with people eating it just so they could post to their social media that they indeed ate it. This opinion changed when I heard that there was a restaurant serving the sushi burrito here in Tel Aviv. I wanted to be proven wrong so I tried it out to see if it was actually delicious, and if it worked as a dish. I found the Tel Aviv version of the sushi burrito at Shi Shi on Ibn Gavirol and the corner of Haneviim. Shi Shi has a diverse menu of rolls which goes beyond the usual suspects of tuna and salmon in sushi. You can try rolls with grilled steak, fried shrimp, panko crusted cod, tofu, crispy chicken, ground chicken, and even a cauliflower filled roll. On my first visit to Shi Shi I tried their tuna roll which was stuffed with tuna, sliced red cabbage, cucumber, fresh herbs, crispy sweet potato, black sesame seeds, and their wasabi aioli. To my surprise it was absolutely delicious and mimicked any sushi experience I have had in the past. Once I got hooked I started to try their other rolls and was not disappointed. Besides the tuna and salmon rolls, I recommend their steak roll and their panko crusted shrimp roll. The fresh, bold flavors meld together to create one of the most satisfying sushi experiences I have had in a while. Depending on which roll you choose to order, it can set you back between 38 and 55 shekels for a roll. This is not bad on the wallet as you get a lot of food for the price you pay. Each roll does come with side salads available at the bar to take with you. Wait time even at peak hours is about 5 to 6 minutes which in my opinion is totally worth it. It is a great option if you are looking for healthier fast food, especially if you order the tuna or the salmon. It is also vegetarian and vegan friendly as there are rolls featuring tofu and cauliflower. The thing I like about the sushi burrito at Shi Shi is that it is not a bunch of rice with little filling. You taste more of the filling than the rice. It is a complete meal in one with protein, vegetables, and grains all in one convenient package. I fell for the sushi burrito and a lot of Tel Aviv has as well. Almost every time I stopped by, Shi Shi was packed with customers trying to also get their fix. If you are a sushi fanatic in Tel Aviv, Shi Shi is a must try.

Beer Shop: The Ultimate Beer Bar in Tel Aviv

Once again you find yourself out in Tel Aviv city. You hope and dream that the beer prices will be reasonable, but who are you kidding. You already know a beer at the cheapest will be around 28 shekels, which in dollars is around $8. This is makes Tel Aviv a very expensive city to go out in. There is however a place that shines a light onto the bar scene here. A place where they have 30 beers on tap that do not include the usually suspects of Goldstar, Carlsberg, Tuborg, or Maccabi. A place where you do not need to spend an arm and leg for a beer. Located on Yehuda HaLevi and the corner of Herzl Streets, Beer Shop has become in my mind the bar to go to for beer fanatics in Tel Aviv. Beer Shop features 30 beers on tap ranging from local craft Israeli beers such as Jems, Bazelet, and HaDictator, to European standards such as Franziskaner and Spaten from Germany. They even brew their own beers and their Summer Ale is one of their must tries. There are two real kickers that set Beer Shop apart from other bars around the city. The first has to be the price. Most half liters are priced between 16 and 20 shekels or between 4 and 5 dollars. This is a complete steal in Tel Aviv for quality beer at a bar. The second kicker is that you can ask for a liter of whatever beer you want to take home with you. Liters will set you back between 34 and 40 shekels. The value you get at Beer Shop is without a doubt the best in the city. Not to mention you actually receive half a liter of beer, which is refreshing due to some bars charging for a half liter while serving less than a half. Alongside your beer you can order quality beer snacks such as their hot dog, pizza, or locally sourced olives which going perfectly with your beer of choice. Israeli bars are known for sub par service when it comes to their bartenders, this is not the case at Beer Shop. Each staff member actually talks with you and tries to figure out which beer on tap is right for you. They know their beers and this knowledge is exactly what you want from bartenders at a high quality beer bar like Beer Shop. In short, go drink beer at Beer Shop and be happy among your friends.

Brooklyn Pizza: Tel Aviv's best slice

Sometimes I just want a few excellent slices of pizza to comfort my soul after a long day. The problem with that is in Tel Aviv there is a lot of mediocre or above average pizza places that serve slices. Tony Vespa serves pizza by weight or pizza al taglio, which is served as a rectangular slice. This would usually satisfy my pizza cravings, but I have grown to want something different. Dont get me wrong, Tony Vespa is damn good pizza, but its not the same as a massive New York slice. I looked far and wide for a slice like I would find in New York. Lucky for me I found the spot with a fitting name. Brooklyn Pizza is situated on the corner of Dizengoff and Nordau streets in the Northern part of the city. Brooklyn Pizza as its name would suggests, specializes in New York Style pizza you will find in all of the five boroughs. You have the options for slices, or whole pies.  Slices range from the classic cheese to pepperoni, mushroom, meat lovers, and a vegetable slice. Prices range from 16-19 shekels depending on your choice of slice. You can also order a whole pie to bring home or eat among your friends as well. As for the pizza itself, it's thin, crispy, and chewy crust reminds me of those slices I had back in New York and even back home in Boston. Easily foldable and portable, this slice of pizza is as good as it looks. It truly satisfied my standards and I have been back almost every week since first finding this place. I strongly recommend Brooklyn Pizza to anyone looking for a high quality slice of pizza in Tel Aviv.

Prozdor-Tel Aviv

The burger craze has taken Tel Aviv by storm in the past few years. Almost everywhere you look, there are restaurants serving the tasty American delight and claim they serve one of the best. The positive about this burger craze is that there are now awesome burgers available in Tel Aviv. The negative is that there are too many options and quite frankly some are just awful. One of the best burgers you can find in Tel Aviv is at Prozdor. Located a short walk from the beach on Mendeli Street, Prozdor serves a burger that deserves to be in the conversation for best burger in Tel Aviv. As you walk in and observe the funky decor and friendly staff, you seem to be transported to some local joint found throughout the United States. The menu is separated between burgers with cheese, double decker burgers, burgers without cheese, other offerings, and side dishes. Something unique and fun about Prozdor is that they name each of their burgers with a fun name. Some great names include the Swiss Army burger, the Better Call Saul burger, the Hard Knock Life burger, the Onion Champion, Le Royal fondue burger, the Juicy Lucy stuffed cheese burger, the Coward burger, and the Casablanca Job burger. My favorite burgers would have to be the Hard Knock Life burger featuring bacon, cheddar cheese and guacamole and the double decker Juicy Lucy stuffed cheeseburger. They also feature a crispy chicken sandwich called the Pollos Hermanos which is a must try if you are feeling like having a chicken sandwich instead. Each month, Prozdor creates a new burger of the month. For instance, the last time I was there this past month they had a pizza inspired burger with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, tomato sauce, and basil. The burger of the month is always recommended but the regular offerings on the menu are also delicious. Prozdor offers as well business lunches from Sunday through Thursday starting at noon till 5 pm. For the price of your burger, you can choose your side dish and a drink. As for the damage to the wallet, Prozdor does not hit too heavy, especially if you go when they have their lunch time specials. The single patty burgers cost between 54 and 60 shekels which is not bad considering you get around a half pound burger. While the double patty burgers cost between 72 and 76 shekels. Great food, awesome atmosphere, and fantastic service make Prozdor a must try for the burger obsessive living in Tel Aviv. I would totally place Prozdor in my top 5 burgers in Tel Aviv.

Romano: Tel Aviv

If you pass by 9 Jaffa Road in Tel Aviv going towards the sea, you may never know what lies deep inside its doors. It's unassuming exterior would suggest to the passerby that its just another building in the neighborhood housing multiple clothing businesses that line the Jaffa Road. At night however, when the stores close for the day, it turns into one of the better places for drinks and fantastic food in the city. Romano is part of the larger Beit Romano complex which also houses Teder, a large open air bar for pizza and concerts featuring local Israeli artists. Walking upstairs to Romano and you will soak up the cool atmosphere as you are surrounded by beautiful people, great music, and the fantastic smelling food coming out of the kitchen. From the creative mind of Israeli celebrity chef Eyal Shani, Romano serves creative small dishes using local ingredients and culinary influences. The menu has dishes for every palate including those of us who are vegetarian or vegan. Some of the highlights would have to be the whole roasted cauliflower, which you can find at many of Eyal Shani's restaurants including his infamous pita concept Miznon. Also the lamb ragu over tehina was spectacular which came with challah bread to swipe up all of the ragu and tehina. Besides the fantastic food, Romano features great music almost every night as the restaurant has an extensive collection of vinyl records and also hosts local DJs to play their own sets. On the whole, Romano is a must try for any gourmand, or for those looking for a great place for date night.

Hapizza Bugrashov: Neapolitan Pizza in Tel Aviv

I have never found a person around the world that does not like pizza. Pizza may have its roots in Italian cuisine, but today pizza is an international food found on almost every corner of the globe. While you can find pizza anywhere, the quality may not be there sometimes. Bad pizza may still be edible, but it is still bad pizza and that is never a good thing. My pizza experience here in Israel, more specifically Tel Aviv has been hit or miss most of the times. Delivery standards such as Pizza Hut and Dominos can be found and still even abroad they taste like cardboard. The local Israeli whole in the wall pizzerias also are nothing special as well. Some feature incredibly thin crust which is like eating a cracker or even worse...matzah. Others can be carbon copies of Dominos with a fluffy crust with that aftertaste of cardboard. Not to mention sometimes the cheese tastes like plastic which can ruin your dining experience. There is however a light that shines from Bugrashov Street to everyone that pass it. HaPizza serves Neapolitan style pizzas, pastas, salads, and other Italian specialties. The atmosphere at HaPizza is perfect for munching on one of the best pizzas in Tel Aviv and in my opinion Israel. When you walk in, you can see each pizza being made by hand by one of their pizzaiolos. With that being said, there is nothing really for them to hide. Fresh dough made daily, fresh sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and quality toppings make this pizza a must try here in Tel Aviv. Each pizza is sized perfect for one person with a large appetite or perfect for sharing with another person alongside one of HaPizza's fresh salads or pasta dishes. The fresh tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and the hot brick oven they use to bake their pizzas create a pizza you will crave for. HaPizza does not specialize in slices, instead you order a whole pizza. Even if you are hungry for just a slice, you will want to eat the whole pie its that good. You can choose from a variety of toppings such as mushrooms, roasted red peppers, roasted eggplant, anchovies, Kalamata olives, zucchini, tuna, arugula, chili peppers, and feta cheese, HaPizza tries to stay kosher style so if you are looking for a slice of pepperoni you are out of luck. Even without the pepperoni, the pizza is that good that you will forget all about pepperoni pizza. Pizzas are priced reasonably as well averaging around 56 shekels or 16 dollars. This might sound excessive for a pizza, but you pay for the top quality ingredients they use in each pizza they make. The better the ingredients, the better the pizza will taste so I would have no problem paying for quality. HaPizza can be found on the corner of Bugrashov and Pinsker is the heart of Tel Aviv, just minutes from beach. For pizza lovers in Tel Aviv, HaPizza is a must eat restaurant.

Ala Rampa: Tel Aviv

Vegetarian and Vegan diets are becoming more and more popular everyday with people making the switch it seems daily. With more people making the switch, more restaurants are making the switch as well to provide dining experiences that satisfy vegetarians and vegans, but also for those omnivores among us that just like to eat delicious food. With a significant percentage of the population here in Israel adhering to a vegetable based diet, it is no wonder there are a plethora of excellent restaurants providing vegetarian specific cuisine. One of these restaurants is tucked away in South Tel Aviv in a seeming industrial area. Ala Rampa is one of those restaurants that also doubles as a hipster hang out. Ala Rampa has a great scene for hanging out with friends over drinks, or for the occasional special events they host from time to time. The menu features several dishes that are meant to be shared among friends, and main courses. One dish that you should definitely start off your meal with is the beer battered onions served with Tabasco mayo. A unique spin on the onion ring, but more delicious and perfect to nibble on while having a beer or cocktail. Three stand out main dishes include the artichoke hearts and mushrooms served on truffle polenta, the black lentil masbacha, and the eggplant lasagna. Finish your meal with one of their decadent and delicious dessert options. One of their more unique desserts is the pears in whisky served on labane cheese and a chili balsamic reduction. The star dessert however is the caramelized bananas served with cinnamon sour cream, silan(date honey), and roasted almonds. After eating at Ala Rampa for the first time, I did not feel like I had missed eating meat. The mixture of flavors, and textures created a fantastic dining experience that made me want more and more. Hopefully after your first time you will feel the same way.