The kosher restaurant scene in Israel is fast and fierce, with restaurants opening and closing across the country. Here’s a list of kosher eateries from the the last few months to pop onto our radar which includes authentic Mexican, a new branch of Meir Adoni’s Dunya, a vegan offshoot of Ca Phe Hanoi, and more!
Let us know in the comments below if you’ve given them a try and what’s good!
JERUSALEM
- Samantha Jones Jerusalem opened near the Jerusalem shuk. Named after a character in Sex & the City – the concept is a female-run bar with a menu that appeals to men and women. The menu changes regularly but normally includes Fattoush salad, Mini Arais, Fish crudo, Salmon tartar, sliders and steak. They also have great parev desserts.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Jerusalem
- Andalucia Cocktail Bar is a new cocktail and tapas bar in Kikar Hamusica, on three floors. Although not traditional tapas, the menu includes a number of small dishes such as tuna tataki, empanada, pastia, mini burgers and fritto misto.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Mehuderet Jerusalem
- There is finally a place to get a good slice of pizza in the shuk! Craft Pizza serves pizza by the slice, with a lovely sourdough base. As well as traditional options, they also other tasty toppings like grilled zucchini, beet, kalamata olives, pineapple and chili, and a great spicy salsa on the side. A slice of margarita is NIS 14.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Mehadrin Jerusalem
- Steakiat Hakirach opened on Yafo, opposite the open-shuk. The traditional style grill restaurant serves a variety of skewers and other fresh meat on the grill, as well as shawarma, fresh salads and home-made, thin and crispy fries.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Jerusalem
- Sushibox has opened a branch in Mevaseret Zion serving sushi, stir-fry and cocktails.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Mehadrin Mevaseret Zion
- A new restaurant has opened in Kibbutz Ramat Rachel in Jerusalem called Ben Hamataim. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a varied dairy menu, including snacks and main course dishes.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Jerusalem
- Naya, a kosher Asian fusion restaurant has opened Moshav Beit Nakofa in the Jerusalem Hills by the owners of Derech Hagefen in Moshav Beit Zayit. The purpose-built restaurant is beautifully decorated, as well as a large open kitchen, bar seating and tables; there is also a large outside seating area. The menu includes noodle soups, bao buns, sushi and other Asian dishes.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Mateh Yehuda
- Sushi Kebab – east meets west in the Jerusalem shuk. Seems to be more kebab in the shape of sushi, than sushi with meat. Interesting combo.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Jerusalem
- Hadar Market has finally opened in Hadar Mall in Talpiyot with 20 kosher food stalls that include Teeras (flavored sweetcorn and baked potatoes); Tostada (meat toast); Bagel Café (Mehadrin); Spaghettini; Burgers Bar; Knafeh Ir David; Burekas; Pizza Pushka; HaSalatia (Badatz); Mexicana; Matilda Ice Cream, Fish and Chips and more. It is open until 10pm on weeknights and to 2am on Thursday and Saturday nights.
- Tacos Luis has opened a kosher Mexican joint in Jerusalem on Shlomzion Hamalka. The gluten-free taqueria serves homemade corn tortillas piled high with meat and vegetarian options, drizzled with authentic mole sauces and served with homemade soft drinks and mezcal-based cocktails.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Jerusalem
TEL AVIV
- Chicho in Sarona Market is now officially kosher. The meatballs always came from a central kosher kitchen but this branch was originally open on Shabbat. They recently decided to close on Shabbat and become certified kosher.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Tel Aviv
- Mixi Salad Bar just opened in Sarona Market offering salads and toasted sandwiches.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Tel Aviv
- The owners of Carmen are North African Jews who moved to Israel from Toulouse and the menu embraces dishes with Spanish, French and North African influences. The chef Maurice Avitan previously worked at Par Derriere and Idelson 10. Starters include grilled spleen and goose liver, while some of the main dishes on offer are Toulouse-style sausages with goose confit and a grilled Rossini burger with a slice of foie gras and wine sauce.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Tel Aviv
- Ca Phé Hanoi has opened a gluten-free and vegan café next door called Bowl & Juice. All dishes are NIS 45 and include hot Vietnamese and Chinese dishes, as well as Buddha bowls, acai bowls, vegan desserts, shakes and cold press juices. Daytime only.
- Kashrut: Rabbi Yaakov Bezalel Harer of Ra’anana.
- Chef Meir Adoni has opened a second branch of his street food restaurant Dunya, in central Tel Aviv on Ben Yehuda. Traditional dishes include shawarma, arais, kubeh, sabich, burger and malabi.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Tel Aviv
REST OF ISRAEL
- Mono Restobar, a Greek Tavern in Airport City, has recently become kosher. Traditional Greek dishes include Pargit, Veal Kebab and Vegetarian Souvlaki, Moussaka and Tarama.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut
- Although it is located in the Poleg Industrial Area next to Ikea, Bredo has a rustic feel to the décor and outside terrace with an extensive dairy breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, as well as a bakery and cake shop for take away..
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Netanya
- Posa has opened in the industrial park in Yokneam. The street food restaurant is only open for lunch and serves pita filled with various options, such as chraime, Arais and chicken liver.
- Kashrut: Badatz
- Gusto di Nonna is a local-style rustic Italian café in Mora, Lower Galilee near Karmiel, serving simple Italian dishes.
- Kashrut: Mehadrin Misgav Regional Council / Upper Galilee
- For those heading to Eilat this summer, check out Jasper 08, a new restaurant-bar in the Isrotel Agamim Hotel, jointly managed by Jasper Johns of Tel Aviv. The spacious lounge bar has a dairy bar menu and varied cocktails and drinks menu.
- Kashrut: Rabbanut Eilat
