At a small hotel in the heart of the Jaffa flea market, a breakfast big on quality
Israeli breakfast is a term known to any tourist who has ever visited the country. The extravaganza of all breakfasts includes, and is not limited to, eggs any style, shakshuka, chopped salad, roasted eggplant, tahini, avocado salad, pickles, lox and herring, fresh and hard cheeses, breads and pita, babka and danishes and excellent coffee (an Israeli obsession).
Whether it is served on long buffet tables at hotel dining rooms or on a tray filled with mini ramekins directly to your table at a restaurant, the breakfast is not to be missed, although sightseeings after such meal is not an easy task. Learn from Israelis and indulge on such breakfast on lazy days only, such as Friday morning.
Israeli breakfast has probably evolved from the kibbutz breakfast, served in the communal dining room for early morning workers as they returned from romantic tasks such as milking the cows or picking cotton. When visiting kibbutzing back when I was 16 and on the first of many journeys to Zion as a Currency Mule for my parents during South Africa's Exchange Control , breakfast may have seemed the most exciting aspect of kibbutz life for me, but it was rarely anything more than (the best) cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, chopped vegetable salad, rye bread and milk. And it was absolutely delicious.
Visiting Israel soon? Here’s a list of not-to-be-missed breakfast places. Otherwise, here’s a menu and recipes for a full, wonderful, easy-to-make Israeli breakfast that will transport you right to a Middle Eastern summer day on the beach. Or the kibbutz.
Israeli breakfast menu
Kubaneh challah or rolls served with spicy tomato sauce
Eajeh/arouq herb omelette
Avocado salad
Labneh tzatziki with watercress
Simple tahini sauce
Fried eggplant in lemon and mint
Chopped vegetable salad
Cold brew coffee with cardamom
Great places to eat breakfast in Tel Aviv:
Whether it’s to meet friends, get rid of a hangover, impress a girl… breakfasts have become one of the most important and talked about meals in a Tel Avivis schedule. Here are some of our favourite places for breakfast in Tel Aviv…
Benedict
Loved by old, young and everyone in between alike, Benedict is a breakfast institution in Tel Aviv. Serving breakfast 24/7, it is great if you are looking to impress that special someone the morning after a fun night, or just treat yourself to a nostalgic breakfast complete with full English fry-up. The freshly baked hot bread fills you with warmth, topped with delicious chocolate spread. Remember to book in advance or be prepared for queues… you are not the only one with the Benedict craving!
Benedict has two branches in Tel Aviv – Ben Yehuda 171 and Rothschild 29.
Nola American Bakery
When you sit in Nola (which stands for standing for New Orleans, Louisiana), you feel like you are sitting in a diner in the American South. All the breads, cakes and cookies are freshly baked in their bakery, and the rest of the menu is filled with American treats, complete with hash browns.
Dizengoff 197.
Bucke
Bucke has a real neighbourhood restaurant feel to it: with friendly waiters, a local clientele, and a simple yet delicious menu. The best definition of the food is ‘Israeli breakfast’ – eggs and salads, fresh juice and warm bread. They have a great sharing plate with loads of little salads, and one of the best shakshukas in Tel Aviv!
Ahad Haam 91.
Hotel Montefiore Restaurant
Hotel Montefiore’s Restaurant serves brasserie cuisine in stylishly elegant surroundings. Unlike many hotel restaurants, the Montefiore’s is an attraction in and of itself: trendy locals and well-to-do business types are among the worldly clientele that flocks here to enjoy lavish breakfasts. Round off your cosmopolitan breakfast with a delicious morning cocktail. (also from the same owner, The Brasserie in Kikar Rabin)
Montefiore 36.
Café Xoho
Started by two Olim Chadashim, Café Xoho is a firm favourite amongst the cool international crowd. Laid back deco, delicious healthy vegetarian home-made food, and a good strong coffee. All-day breakfast favourites include bagels and burritos.
Cafe XoHo also appears in Secret Tel Aviv’s Best Vegan/ Vegetarian Restaurants blog post.
Gordon 17.
*** Get a free cookie with your meal at Cafe XoHo with the Secret Tel Aviv VIP Card***
Orna and Ella
There’s something refreshing about Orna and Ella. Crisp white table-clothes, very simple décor, hipster waiters, and homemade food. Their breakfasts are simple yet fulfilling, their shakshuka is not huge but definitely delicious, and the dips for the bread are fantastic – they even have a few extra ones if you ask nicely. Try and book in advance, they can be busy. [UPDATE – since writing this post, Orna and Ella have put their prices up, and now charge extra for all the nice little dips that used to be free].
Shenkin 33.
Dallal
Located in Neve Tzedek, Dallal is a really special place to go for breakfast. The atmosphere is relaxed, the decoration meticulous. Similary with the food, the choices are simple, but with a delicious gourmet twist. For the summer there is a lovely outdoor patio, and for the hangovers there is an extensive cocktail list.
Shabazi 10.
La Gaterie King George
A little bit of Paris on King George. La Gaterie is more of a café than a restaurant and they only serve croissants – but wow, they know how to make a croissant! On the savory side take your pick of poached egg, and lots of different cheeses and hams; for the sweet-toothed check out the croissant with chocolate mascarpone. Comes with a nice strong coffee. (there is also a sister restaurant on Ben Yehuda 184, however this does not open until 8pm).
King George 97.
Sandwich Shel Itzik V Ruti
The place is almost as old as Tel Aviv. It’s only open until about 11am (sometimes even earlier if they run out of food), there only a few things to choose from (lechmania or pita filled with either shakshuka, tuna salad, carrot salad, eggplant salad), there’s nowhere to sit, and usually a little queue – but OMG the sandwiches are amazing!
Shenkin 53.
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