I like middle eastern food, and I had heard the food in Israel was great, so I was really excited to taste everything on my first trip to Israel. Here are a few highlights of the street food in Israel and some food markets you should visit.
Food Markets in Tel Aviv (Israel)
Carmel Market (Ha’Carmel)
Making our way into Tel Aviv after landing in Israel, we got off the shuttle bus just outside Carmel Market. Since it was one of my top things to do in Tel Aviv, we made the food market our first stop of the trip, our first taste of the Middle East.
The market experience can be a little overwhelming as it is somewhat crowded, but it’s full of color and flavor. We stopped for a shakshuka, then explored the endless stalls of colorful spices, eastern sweets, halva, fresh and dried fruit. I recommend doing that with a freshly squeezed mango (or pomegranate) juice in your hand.
Shakshuka is a poached egg in a tomato sauce dish, very popular in Israel. It works as a hearty breakfast or for lunch. Here is a lovely shakshuka recipe.
A good option is to book a food tour of Carmel Market on your first day in Israel. You know by now I’m a fan of taking food tours, they give me a great insight into local food and culture.
Anyway, after our first encounter with Carmel Market, we made a point of passing through the market every day. Either a snack or some sweets, we always needed something from the market.
The area adjacent to Carmel Market is a maze of streets full of small restaurants. They are also more affordable than in other parts of Tel Aviv. Click the link to read a few tips about money and planning a trip to Israel.
Sarona Market
Sarona Market is actually a food court for the many office buildings around. Here you can find everything you crave: sushi, Mexican food, Italian, you name it.
I loved the dried fruit and spices shops, and I also bought some delicious dates here. Still, it’s a food court, not a market. There is a self-guided food tour of Sarona Market that you can take to make the most of the place.
Israel Street Food
My favorite place to eat in Tel Aviv was a little shop on Frishman Street serving only Falafel and Sabich sandwiches. We all ate falafel, but I had never heard about the sabich before.
Sabich is a fabulous sandwich with fried aubergines, boiled eggs, tahini sauce, and salad. The fresh pita bread it’s wrapped in is also tasty. They serve the sandwiches with as many pickles as you need as a side dish.
Hummus and Falafel
Hummus must be the most famous street food in Israel. Or maybe falafel, I’m not sure. So, my advice is to try them together. I had the best ones in Jerusalem, but it would be hard to find a restaurant in Israel where they don’t serve falafel and hummus.
Try this delicious split pea hummus or the spicy red pepper hummus for some variation.
Old Jaffa Food Scene
At the end of Tel Aviv’s promenade, you’ll find an exciting food scene in Jaffa. First, you’ll notice the inviting restaurants on the waterfront.
However, the real action is behind the port, at the Jaffa Flea Market. Lots of bars and restaurants, artisan and antique shops, there’s something to like here for everyone. The atmosphere of Jaffa Flea Market reminded me of the Ladadika district in Thessaloniki.
To sum up, food in Israel met and exceeded my expectations. Israel and especially Tel Aviv seem a vegetarian’s paradise. But, the grills are sizzling too, if you prefer your meat proteins.
If you think about trying the street food in Israel, make sure to read my post about planning your trip to Israel.
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I loved the food in Israel! I had the best mangoes I’ve ever tasted from a stall in Jerusalem. And the falafels were delicious. Looks like you found plenty of options.
I did, I love middle eastern food and those falafels were amazing in Israel. Oh, and the fresh mango juice..delicious indeed. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Nicole!
I always find it fascinating to see how the food and market scenes differ so greatly from country to country. While we’ll have a ‘farmer’s market’ here, it’s not the same concept as a market in places like Israel. I would love to go there and experience it firsthand some day 🙂
I hope you will. I’d love to explore more colorful food markets, Morocco and Istanbul are pretty high on my list, but I like a noisy Italian market too 🙂
I love hummus! The food and sunshine look fantastic. It was fun to armchair travel.
Thank you, Sue! We’re all traveling from our armchairs these days.
These all look (and sound) so amazing! There’s so many different flavours and things, I’d love to go and experience this!
The market really is a flavourful experience, I loved watching all those colorful spices and fruit. And the food is great indeed. Thanks for reading, Izzie 🙂
Looks like a great place for food! Very convenient your bus stopped by the market! Hoping I’ll visit Israel soon and can enjoy some of these recommendations 🙂
I hope you make it there soon, Jason! 🙂
That sabich looks so very tasty. Never heard of that one either. I do particularly love this cuisine, it’s got so much flavour. And I have to try a food tour one of these days.
Oh, you should! It’s a great way to discover a place. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This seems like such an amazing opportunity- those sabiches are like I’ve never seen before!
They were absolutely delicious, I didn’t think an aubergine sandwich would be so tasty! Yumm!
Oh wow!! All of this food looks incredible! There are so many different things you can buy as well as incredible flavours and smells I would love to visit a Food Market in Israel and there are so many to chose from!
Food market are gorgeous and Carmel Market wa pretty exotic for me! 🙂
Mmmh this look so beautiful. So many places to visit..
I know, the list is endless..
The Sabich is something I’ve never heard of but it looks so delicious. Definitely want to get to Israel when this outbreak is over.
I hope you get there soon, thanks for stopping by 😀
Oh my, such delicious foods! I am just hearing my stomach rumbling from looking and reading about all the foods one can find in Israel. Thank you for this post. This is just what I needed in these times of isolation/staying inside.
While we wait at home, we can at least travel virtually by reading some travel blogs out there 😀
Its such a goal to go to Israel! And the vegetarian food options, yes!! That plate of hummous and falafel is mouthwatering, legit. Ive read about carmel and how festive it is all the time. It’s been on my list since 14!
I’m happy I got to visit Israel before all this madness but I really hope I can visit again and explore more. Hope you reach your goal soon, Katie!
I love falafel! The street found sounds amazing
It was amazing, a great food destination!