Israel Local Food Guide
While in Israel, I tasted a good number of local dishes. The majority of these lunch plates are easily found at the local markets in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem and other main cities. They are all affordable and a delicious way to experience Israel’s colorful culture.
Shakshuka - quickly becoming one of my favorite local foods, Shakshuka is made with poached eggs in a sauce comprised of tomatoes, chili peppers and onion. The best thing about Shakshuka is that you can easily make it yourself.
Falafel – most of us have tasted Falafel before but my favorite one in Israel comes from a small “hole-in-the-wall” in Haifa. Made with chickpeas, pickled vegetables, hot sauce and served in a pita, the art of falafel is best eaten seconds after being fried.
Hummus – I’ve always been a hummus fan but Israel takes this lunch plate to another level. Perfectly balancing the amount of hummus and olive oil, my favorite local joint is located in Jaffa, outside Tel Aviv.
Shawarma - similar to New York and other global cities, we found a ton of local vendors in Jaffa serving up greasy slabs of meat and chicken. While I’m not always up for this sort of lunch, I definitely recommend it when in Israel.
This dish was comprised of eggplant, potatoes and meat. I can’t remember the name but we ate it right off the oven and it was a great snack before a late dinner.
Knafeh - Just one of many desserts, spices and juices found at the Carmel Open-Air market located in the center of Tel Aviv. Our local guide made sure to have us sample the very best treats. The traditional pastry is made with butter and cheese and served warm.
Quite reminiscent of Mac & Cheese, we sampled this cheesy snack in the local Market in Tel Aviv. The pickles give it a little extra bit of personality.
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32 Comments
Wow, that all looks amazing! We both love shakshuka, funnily the first place we ever had it was at the Israeli place in San Pedro La Laguna, in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. But we’ll have to get to Israel soon to try it out!!!
Jess | GlobetrotterGirls recently posted..Polaroid of the week: Creepy statue at Haw Par Villa in Singapore
I had never heard of shakshuka before but I’m officially obsessed too!
Megan recently posted..Israel Local Food Guide
grogeous photos. make me hungry.
curious about the last cheesy snack. looks like cheesecake kinda, but savory?
Annie recently posted..Highlights of Hong Kong
Thanks Annie! I can’t remember the name but it tasted a lot like Mac’n cheese – so good!
Megan recently posted..Israel Local Food Guide
Looks delicious. I love Israeli food.
Bobbi Lee Hitchon recently posted..What I’m thinking Friday, 18 May
I do too now!
Megan recently posted..Israel Local Food Guide
Yum! All of those look amazing.
They sure were! I’m missing the hummus especially.
Megan recently posted..Boho Guide to Tel Aviv
These all look delicious! It looks like Israel has a lot of hearty/comfort food
Dean recently posted..How To Find A Cheap Flight
It sure does! My stomach was very happy here
Megan recently posted..Boho Guide to Tel Aviv
mmmmmmmm falafal and hummous…. my favourite things!
Jade Johnston – OurOyster.com recently posted..The Best Way To Discover The Pinnacles
me too! Although, now that I’m back home, I’m having trouble finding a good hummus place haha.
Megan recently posted..Boho Guide to Tel Aviv
So. Hungry.
dtravelsround recently posted..Dude, don’t get Locked Up Abroad …
haha I get hungry whenever I look at this post.
Megan recently posted..Boho Guide to Tel Aviv
I would LOVE some shawarma right now! The shakshuka looks really good too I should try making those some time.
Alexa Meisler recently posted..Texas Hospitality: Massages, BBQ, Wine Tasting and the Kimber Modern
It was really good! Glad I sampled a few different dishes.
Megan recently posted..Boho Guide to Tel Aviv
And now I’m starving. The shawarmas look amazing! I’m so sad we weren’t able to meet up with you in Israel.
Next time! Looks like you enjoyed yourself. 
Tawny- Captain and Clark recently posted..Our favorite parts of Ashland, Oregon
I know me too! The shawarma is amazing there – I am also now hungry!
Megan recently posted..Boho Guide to Tel Aviv
Aahh shakshuka, one of my favorite Israeli breakfast! I looooovee Tel Aviv, my top 3 favorite cities so far; and their food never disappoint, and the people are all so fun and friendly! Luckily NYC has almost the same amount of Israeli/Jewish population as the whole entire Israel and there are some uber delicious, inexpensive Israeli restaurants especially in the LES and Brooklyn.
Antoinette B. recently posted..Friday Fotos: Scenes From a Romantic Friday Night
I agree Antoinette – the food is delicious there and I met a ton of really nice locals!
Megan recently posted..Boho Guide to Tel Aviv
All of this food looks incredible. I could seriously eat falafel every day of my life and never grow tired of it. I love Middle Eastern food. Great photos!
The Time-Crunched Traveler (Ellen) recently posted..Ethical Issues in Travel: Would you take a poverty tour?
Thanks! I’m a huge falafel fan as well.
Megan recently posted..Historical Highlights from Israel
The pic with eggplant, potatoes and meat looks like it has okra as well.
Great article, and I see the Israeli Ministry of Tourism posted it on their page.
Thanks Joey! You are probably right about the okra. Such delicious food in Israel.
Megan recently posted..Historical Highlights from Israel
Should have ate breakfast before reading this post – I am starving now!!
Natalie – Turkish Travel recently posted..23 Landscape Photos of Turkey
I’m hungry every time I look at any food article
Thanks Natalie!
Megan recently posted..Circus Hostel Berlin
Oh yum and it all looks so fresh and delicious. Can almost taste that hummus.
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..Fiji Isles: Smiles of Savu Savu
The hummus was amazing Natasha! I’m almost scared to try it here in NYC because I don’t think it will live up to my expectations.
Megan recently posted..Circus Hostel Berlin
I never knew they had such delicious food in Israel. Made me hungry just reading and looking at your photos. Another reason to go there.
Sherry recently posted..Cortona in Watercolor
The food was so delicious there Sherry! I had heard that their hummus was particularly good and now I can vouch for it
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..Feeling Fabulous in Berlin
FYI all the above mentioned dishes is not Israeli!! The all well known traditional palestinian dishes!! Weird how they are stealing whatever they can, the land the people the history and the food!!
I did mention that these dishes are also common in Palestine. I actually wrote a post about my wonderful time there
Megan Eileen McDonough recently posted..Traveling Prague on a Budget